Final Blog: Going Green

This week, I just finished a book for my political science class. My teacher advised us to choose a book with a topic that we were interested in that also had to do with current political events of some sort. I chose a book called "Hot, Flat and Crowded" by Thomas L. Friedman. It was full of eye-opening issues that people all around the work should be made aware of. These issues have developed over the last three decades and have become most potent since the 9/11 attacks. In this awareness spreading novel, Friedmans views on what the state that the world is in and where it will be in the future, are accurate concerning the facts and mind boggling concerning the gravity of the situation. Friedman says that the will be “hot” because of global warming, “flat” because more and more people are joining the “middle classes,” and “crowded” because the world will soon be overpopulated. The part that stood out to me was the views he had on the environment and how imperative it is that we save our earth. On page 49 of the novel, Friedman quotes Bill Collins from Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory: “We’re running an uncontrolled experiment on the only home we have.” To me, that sounds a bit risky. It just seems sad that we are treating our only home this way and not respecting it or trying to save it. This book has inspired me to become a "green hawk" :) I'm going green and spreading awareness about this issue as much as I possibly can because I really do care.

Love is sacrifice; love is unconditional

Love is sacrifice and unconditional. When you love someone there is an infinite amount of things that you will do for them. You can say that you love someone as much as you want, but if your actions don’t correspond, how can that person believe you? There are a number of things that people sacrifice for their loved ones. My best friend's story is a great example of unconditional love.

I find myself admiring my best friend Oksana and her family often. I have known Oksana since kindergarden and her story of how she came to America has always amazed me. She was born in Russia and came to America when she was 7 years old. Her father and mother were together, but her father wasn’t in her life for the beginning of it. She lived in a small town and a little home in the country. Her living conditions were poor and her father wanted to make a better life for her, her younger sister Natasha, and her mother Wanda. Her father moved to America when Oksana was just 3 years old to make money and try to make a better life for his family. He knew that he would be in America for a long time, the time it would take to establish enough money to bring his family. He would always send money back home to his family in Russia whenever possible. After 4 long years Oksana’s dad finally made enough money to bring his loved ones over seas. In America, he was very prosperous. He made a business for himself and achieved better living conditions and luxuries for his family. Although he essentially had to be away from his family for their benefit, it was still very hard for him to be away from them for so long. He loved them so much that he was willing to sacrifice his own needs, needing to be with his family, to make a better life for them and give them endless opportunities living in America. Now Oksana lives in a beautiful home with her family on Long Island thanks to her fathers selflessness and love for his family.

Sunday's Best

This past sunday was a really good day for me. An old family friend was in town and he called my mom up to go to church with us. His name is Flex Alexander, more popularly known as Flex Washington from the hit show "One On One". One on One was a show about a single father with a successful career raising his teenage daughter, played by Kyla Pratt. On the show they had a very close bond and it was filled with clever comedy, sassy attitudes, and just overall great acting. I didn't remember Flex very well because I'd only been around him as a child. He couldn't believe how much i'd grown since the last time he saw me, probably because the last time he saw me I was only 4! He came to church with my mom and I and after that we went to lunch. it was so much fun! He is one of the sweetest people I've ever met and very funny. The church sermon though, seemed to be directed at me! It was surreal. Exactly what I needed to hear.

In the sermon my pastor spoke about being organized and how organization is required for successful living. Focused living requires a structured life. Where you have order you will have peace. We as people must have a clear articulated world view. That was the main point. Another main point was about dwelling on the past and not being able to move forward. I wrote down an exact quote because it really spoke to me. He said "When your memories are greater than your dream you are nearing death." When says death he is speaking figuratively of course.

Managing My Priorities

I usually have my priorities in order but lately it seems that I have fallen off track a bit. I know what comes first second third fourth etc in my life but lately its been sort of backwards. First is God, second is my family (Mom, dad, my brother, grandparents) third is my education and my career and figuring out how to achieve my goals. Fifth are my friends and having fun while I'm still in college. The fifth is now somewhere at the top and i need to fix that, immediately. I will now, I'm a pretty disciplined person when put my mind to something I'm pretty good at sticking to it. Like with diets, but it wont work if I don't make it up in my mind that "I am on a diet". From now on I'm going to have my priorities in order.

I'm going to my cousins 21 st b day party tonight with my friends, I can't find anything to wear. Hey whatever I'll just repeat an outfit. I really don't feel like going but I know once I'm dressed and on my way I'll have fun. It's all the way in the city and I'm in long island. I have to go and get my friends at Hofstra then drop them off. I'm too young to start ditching opportunities to hang with my friends. I just want to chill but, I'm dressed now. I wont have ay expectations about it Ill just play it by ear. besides I have to be there for my cousin you only turn 21 once, it's a big day for her.
So off to the city I go. Party!! Whooo.
Been doing well in school so I deserve some music and some fun. yeah why not. No drinking and driving of course always the designated, I accept my responsibility, I heard my pastor say one time.
"Maturity doesn't come with age but with the acceptance of responsibility" I accept responsibility for my choices good and bad. I reap the harvest of the seeds I sow. So be it. Wow that was a bit serious. Any way it's time to go.

Relating to songs

Sometimes, when I feel like my dreams and goals are far far away, I wonder when and how I'll achieve them. While pondering this I even sometimes wish that there was some kind of short cut to achieving what I want out of life. Then I realize that there aren't any shortcuts when it comes to things that are worth fighting for. I've also realized that achieving your goals and reaching your most farfetched and "out there" dreams are not as satisfying without the necessary climb. The journey one takes on your way to achieving ones dreams may be just as sweet and memorable as achieving those dreams the long run. Where is the fun in having everything always handed over to you?

I don't listen to Miley Cyrus, but I have come across a song of hers that I really like! It touches me every time I listen to it. I relate it to my own life, it helps when things get tough and my dreams seem far away. Read the lyrics carefully, they're so inspirational to me. Maybe they can be an inspiration to you too! :)

I can almost see it
That dream I'm dreaming but
There's a voice inside my head sayin,
You'll never reach it,
Every step I'm taking,
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking but I
Got to keep trying
Got to keep my head held high

There's always going to be another mountain
I'm always going to want to make it move
Always going to be an uphill battle,
Sometimes you going to have to lose,
Ain't about how fast I get there,
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb

The struggles I'm facing
The chances I'm taking
Sometimes they knock me down but
No I'm not breaking
I may not know it
But these are the moments that
I'm going to remember most yeah
Just got to keep going
And I,
I got to be strong
Just keep pushing on

Keep on moving
Keep climbing
Keep the faith
It's all about
It's all about
The climb
Keep the faith
Keep your faith!

Back to the USA

Hi guys!

I've been back in the US for about 2 weeks now. I've been overwhelmed with catching up with work for school but I'm happy to see my friends. I missed school somewhat as well. Australia was a great experience for me though. I got to meet and hang out with two bands that I happen to LOVE the whole time that I was down under. Gym Class Heroes and THE KILLERS <3. It truly was amazing. Everyone from each of the bands were so nice and cool. I even got the exchange numbers with some of the ones I got along really well with so that we could keep in touch!

It was a dream! We traveled A LOT from city to city by plane, staying in hotels for only 1-2 days at a time. We were constantly on the go and it was very tiresome, but I would do it a million more times if I had the chance. One of the guys from Gym Class Heroes even got engaged on the trip! I ended up really connecting with his fiance. She was really cool and down to earth. They have the cutest little one year old baby together! The baby's name was Hero!