Walk around west Los Angeles, Hollywood, and perhaps the downtown Art district and you will be able to pick out those who are from the area and those who are visiting. I have no intention of being harsh or negative in any manner, however since I have grown up in Los Angeles I have come to be able to pick up on these things. One of the abilities that I have acquired is, the ability to pick out those who are from the mentioned parts of L.A. and those who stick out like the fanny pack wearing tourist, I apologize if I am a little too direct. I mention the attire of tourist to bring myself to a point. Tourists are oblivious to the customs and culture of a new city, therefore they are content in what they wear just as those who are from this city and don’t necessarily care about the latest trends in fashion and so forth.
During a recent visit to the campus of USC, of which the student body is very diversified, I found myself seeking out those who are the international students, those who are from out of state, and those who are residents of L.A , but don’t necessarily concern themselves with trying to fit in or “look the part” so to speak. As I passed the main courtyard during the early afternoon I happened to notice a youthful blond haired girl who was wearing black slightly sparkled spandex pants, probably from American Apparel paired with the newest trend in footwear on her feet, which are the buckled leather half boot hills and a plain white tank top covered by a black summer jacket, and may I not forget the Ray ban shades and her either Chanel, Gucci, or Prada hand bag, I will never be able to tell the difference.
Fashion is somewhat a statement in its self. There is that old familiar phrase “you are what you eat” well for some, portraying who they are can be found by what they wear. It is very typical to see this in the city of L.A. There are, the very fashion conscious individual’s who pride themselves on being up to date with latest trends and perhaps even setting trends themselves, but I often wonder what is to gain out of concerning so much time and money on matters such as this? I would like to readily admit that I have found myself in this predicament at times as well. I like many other individuals in this city, follow the current trends, some of which I would not willingly jump on, but for the most part I do like to look my best and strive to create a look that may best suit my unique style. I can recount a time when I purchased my first pair of designer jeans. Rock and Republic, two cursive R’s stitched on the back pockets as a statement to the world that I am above the trends and belong to an exclusive society, or at least that is what the company tries to convey in their marketing campaign. I recently found the receipt for my purchase and to my amazement; I paid a little over $250 for that pair of jeans. Going back to the fashion clad girl from USC dressed in designer from head to toe, I could probably estimate how much her outfit costs, including her handbag.
To some individual’s fashion is a necessity no matter the cost, having the latest handbag, designer jeans, and shoes solidifies their hearts content. Today not only did I get a chance to see the very point that I am concerned with, but I also saw the other side of this glamorous lifestyle that many try to portray. Not too far from the glitz of the city’s most adorned hangouts where coming across girls and men for that matter as the one described from USC is frequent, there are individuals who will never get a chance to spend ridiculous amounts of money on such nominal items. Let it be known, this is not an attack on those who are fortunate enough to spend incredulous amounts of money on items such as clothing, but rather an enlightening on the brevity of the situation that so many face in our society today. Homelessness has gravely increased across the nation given our current economic state, and to freely spend on meaningless items just seems to be irresponsible. I am not saying that we should rebel against the designers for charging such large amounts for clothing and commence buying only from second hand stores, but if at all we could be mindful of our spending is the message that I’m trying to portray. Therefore, I shall pose the question once again, what is to gain out of concerning so much time and money on matters as this?
GOD bless.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Security Blanket
As a child, I like many children had not a care in the world. Actually I had cares, but these types of cares were of cartoons (Ninja Turtles), toys, and when the next time will come that I get a chance to play with friends. If you have ever been around children you will notice their demeanor is very innocent. We as adults can fathom to a certain extent how they come to act as they do. However, at this stage in a child’s life we as adults can never again place ourselves in that type of cognitive process and proceed to think as they do. Further divulging into this concept of children and their thought process, one can understand the needs of children such as parents who server as their security blanket. As they grow, they begin to develop and learn right from wrong, but for the most part of their life they rely heavily upon their parents and those who surround their daily activities.
There will always remain those childhood joyous and carefree memories in our lives which will serve as our place of escape. For now as adults, the trials of life and the pressures to succeed somehow whether it is minute or immense overbear our thoughts and actions on a daily basis. How do these thoughts derive? Like all things in life, we must have learned to react in this manner and question our stature at some point. It is up to us as individuals to derive a solution to every question that arises at any given time. Parents are supposed to be filled with wisdom, and we as young adults run to them with our inquiries in hopes to find the answer we are seeking. The reality is that parents are not equipped to provide a solution to all of our concerns; if this were true young adults would not have those lingering question mark actions in the back of their heads today. A transition is thus needed from the adolescent cognitive approach to life, to a more developed matured thought process.
Letting go and willingly ceasing to be in control of every moment in our lives is sometimes needed so that we as young adults can prosper and achieve all that we aspire to. Transitioning from adolescence into adulthood is probably the most challenging event that will take place in an individual. Consequently, not holding on to our security blanket is pivotal to make that transition. Young adults are somewhat stubborn when difficulties arise, therefore most individuals run back towards that security blanket. Weathering those storms and going through those deserts may not seem at first glance an event that anyone would like to go through, but in the end these occurrences are imperative to make ourselves stronger and wiser. More importantly, how an individual carry’s oneself through these times will ultimately reflect as a premonition on their future demeanor.
No mortal human being has the ability to speak of the future for any given person. There is no use seeking those individuals who admit to having this ability, for their so called ability of being able to “predict the future” is very questionable. Truly, for the sake of argument, GOD is probable the only person that most individuals would agree to having this ability. Therefore, young adults must experience the world as it is and omit any hope in fallible beings. The most discerning question that every young adult will approach at some point in their lifetime is; what is my purpose? This being one of the most difficult of question to compile a solution, I offer a simple piece of advice. Live your life with a passion that supersedes any hardship or difficulty that may come, all the while letting go of your security blanket so that your purpose may find you. If there were no such thing as facing adversity, then I find that we as a civilization would live with no merit.
God Bless
There will always remain those childhood joyous and carefree memories in our lives which will serve as our place of escape. For now as adults, the trials of life and the pressures to succeed somehow whether it is minute or immense overbear our thoughts and actions on a daily basis. How do these thoughts derive? Like all things in life, we must have learned to react in this manner and question our stature at some point. It is up to us as individuals to derive a solution to every question that arises at any given time. Parents are supposed to be filled with wisdom, and we as young adults run to them with our inquiries in hopes to find the answer we are seeking. The reality is that parents are not equipped to provide a solution to all of our concerns; if this were true young adults would not have those lingering question mark actions in the back of their heads today. A transition is thus needed from the adolescent cognitive approach to life, to a more developed matured thought process.
Letting go and willingly ceasing to be in control of every moment in our lives is sometimes needed so that we as young adults can prosper and achieve all that we aspire to. Transitioning from adolescence into adulthood is probably the most challenging event that will take place in an individual. Consequently, not holding on to our security blanket is pivotal to make that transition. Young adults are somewhat stubborn when difficulties arise, therefore most individuals run back towards that security blanket. Weathering those storms and going through those deserts may not seem at first glance an event that anyone would like to go through, but in the end these occurrences are imperative to make ourselves stronger and wiser. More importantly, how an individual carry’s oneself through these times will ultimately reflect as a premonition on their future demeanor.
No mortal human being has the ability to speak of the future for any given person. There is no use seeking those individuals who admit to having this ability, for their so called ability of being able to “predict the future” is very questionable. Truly, for the sake of argument, GOD is probable the only person that most individuals would agree to having this ability. Therefore, young adults must experience the world as it is and omit any hope in fallible beings. The most discerning question that every young adult will approach at some point in their lifetime is; what is my purpose? This being one of the most difficult of question to compile a solution, I offer a simple piece of advice. Live your life with a passion that supersedes any hardship or difficulty that may come, all the while letting go of your security blanket so that your purpose may find you. If there were no such thing as facing adversity, then I find that we as a civilization would live with no merit.
God Bless
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Haiti Relief Effort
The Sun is weathering down on the capital of Haiti, the streets of Port au Prince are bustling with traffic and the people are trying to find some reprieve from the heat. Meanwhile a young man celebrates a birthday, the candles are lit the table is set and the family is near all waiting that special moment that makes a kid flutter with excitement when it is time to make a birthday wish and blow the promise to the heavens. This is not a story to relive the moments of joy or sorrow, but to remember the day that once again unified a people. As our know humanity has come to hear of the tragic events to occur in this tropical nation on Tuesday, January 12, 2010; no one person whether near or far can grasp the reality that has abruptly burden the people of Haiti. However we as a people can lend our support, through prayer, condolences, and monetary donations to help make their sorrow and grief a little lighter.
When I heard of the earthquake to rock a nation to rubble, several thoughts and question began to overflow my mind. To be honest, how can I ever know what famine feels like? How can I even begin to think of the outcry that so many face from the little children to the adult who is bound and chained by a drug addiction when I have never been there? I do wish I could relate to the struggle and the fight that most individuals who reside in the nation of Haiti have to encounter on a daily basis. The truth is I don’t feel I could ever relate to the people of the most underdeveloped parts of our world. Living in America yes has glimpses of tragedy and strife. Drug addiction is rampant amongst this so called land of opportunity and yes hunger is a growing epidemic that has been on the rise, however when we begin to compare and contrast these types of experiences with those who are from the most underserved parts of the world, our struggle is incomparable.
There was a moment when I had to just stop and think…….listening to reports as I drive to work in the morning of the struggle and concerns that are faced by the people of Haiti, I found myself overcome with discern and tailing that thought was my perception of the how the media is going to find a way to turn this into another monster. UNICEF commercials displaying little girls and boys from the slums of India asking for sponsors already overtake the weekend morning stations and now the children of Haiti will be the newest televised faces to be seen across the United States. To an extent I feel that this event will generate enough support from the American people to truly make a huge impact for the better good of humanity. The flipside of this is the political outcry that will await the next candidate running for office who will pounce on the opportunity to use this event as an attention getter to appeal to the American people, and yet how much do they really care? I feel a little sidetracked and apologize for my digression.
If for one moment in time, such as the day the 7.0 earthquake ravaged the nation of Haiti; brought a common goal and purpose to be held by the greater humanity, it was this time. This year thus far has started with dismay, but has resulted in the unification of a people to remind ourselves of how precious life is and how tomorrow is never promised. I pray for those who find themselves questioning their purpose in life and for those who are struggling with a tragedy no matter how small or big it may be. I pray that GOD will find those who seek him first and relieve the pressures of the world and fill their void with joy and a promise of an everlasting life free from the troubles our humanity faces on earth. There remains hope and an answer so long as we are willing to seek it. We must continue to reach out to those who are hurting and lend a shoulder, ear, and a voice; for there will come a time when we might find ourselves in place of those who we are mending. I look outwards to the heavens and wonder why time on earth seems to be filled with so much hurt, but I know that our time here is short and a greater place awaits us. Emmanuel-GOD with us.
When I heard of the earthquake to rock a nation to rubble, several thoughts and question began to overflow my mind. To be honest, how can I ever know what famine feels like? How can I even begin to think of the outcry that so many face from the little children to the adult who is bound and chained by a drug addiction when I have never been there? I do wish I could relate to the struggle and the fight that most individuals who reside in the nation of Haiti have to encounter on a daily basis. The truth is I don’t feel I could ever relate to the people of the most underdeveloped parts of our world. Living in America yes has glimpses of tragedy and strife. Drug addiction is rampant amongst this so called land of opportunity and yes hunger is a growing epidemic that has been on the rise, however when we begin to compare and contrast these types of experiences with those who are from the most underserved parts of the world, our struggle is incomparable.
There was a moment when I had to just stop and think…….listening to reports as I drive to work in the morning of the struggle and concerns that are faced by the people of Haiti, I found myself overcome with discern and tailing that thought was my perception of the how the media is going to find a way to turn this into another monster. UNICEF commercials displaying little girls and boys from the slums of India asking for sponsors already overtake the weekend morning stations and now the children of Haiti will be the newest televised faces to be seen across the United States. To an extent I feel that this event will generate enough support from the American people to truly make a huge impact for the better good of humanity. The flipside of this is the political outcry that will await the next candidate running for office who will pounce on the opportunity to use this event as an attention getter to appeal to the American people, and yet how much do they really care? I feel a little sidetracked and apologize for my digression.
If for one moment in time, such as the day the 7.0 earthquake ravaged the nation of Haiti; brought a common goal and purpose to be held by the greater humanity, it was this time. This year thus far has started with dismay, but has resulted in the unification of a people to remind ourselves of how precious life is and how tomorrow is never promised. I pray for those who find themselves questioning their purpose in life and for those who are struggling with a tragedy no matter how small or big it may be. I pray that GOD will find those who seek him first and relieve the pressures of the world and fill their void with joy and a promise of an everlasting life free from the troubles our humanity faces on earth. There remains hope and an answer so long as we are willing to seek it. We must continue to reach out to those who are hurting and lend a shoulder, ear, and a voice; for there will come a time when we might find ourselves in place of those who we are mending. I look outwards to the heavens and wonder why time on earth seems to be filled with so much hurt, but I know that our time here is short and a greater place awaits us. Emmanuel-GOD with us.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
New Beginnings
“Oh that dreaded first day of class”. From elementary school to college, everyone whether it is minimal or extreme has that first day of class anxiety. Questions begin to arise; will I be able to make any friends in class? Am I prepared to compete with the smart kids or will I be overshadowed? What if the course is so rigorous that I will not be able to stay on track? And the number one question, what if I FAIL? These are questions that are on a continually growing list that many students both young and old contemplate on their first day of class.
For some individuals this is something that has such an effect on the person that it may ultimately hinder their learning experience throughout their academic career. To think that something such as the constant fluttering of questions that arise before the class commences can cause future problems, is nauseating. Seriously, if all students did was worry about little things as this, how can any individual get a good quality education? The only concern that students should have on their minds during the first day of class is; how can I grow as an individual amongst the greater society by taking this course? Contemplating question as this may reduce the anxiety that results from that first day experience.
Overcoming the awkwardness and the eerie silence that seems to be overpowering to the point that heartbeats become apparent and the tick…tock…tick…tock becomes as loud as a concert, is the first step to begin a learning experience. If that was not enough, there is also the thundering and pounding that slowly and then rapidly overwhelms the minds of students who know that their time to present or speak is near, and this may heighten the severity of the first day of class anxiety. However, all is not to worry for the solution to overcoming the fluttering of questions that besiege the most studious of students is found within the student itself.
“Hello…Hey…What’s up? All can be the starting point to overcome this type of anxiety. Further dissecting the problem concerning the first day of class anxiety reveals that the greater problem lies within the students self esteem. For the most part, many students are not only concerned with the class as a whole but more importantly to them are their overall perception held by their peers. If at all possible every individual student could cease to concern themselves with such questions, their learning experience will be free from anxiety. To an extent this type of demeanor is not all held by every student, but even the most humbled type of students still reflect on what type of impression they will make on others. More importantly is for the students who do suffer from this type of anxiety to realize that their overall success of overcoming this problem is a self evaluation on how comfortable they are among new people.
Although I have found myself in this same type of predicament, I have come to realize that there is a greater concern that must be addressed than that of which occurs within starting a new class. If we as a collective student body are to succeed, we must reach out to those who find themselves overwhelmed by that first day of class and make the classroom environment as welcoming as possible. Ultimately in order to flourish as a student and an individual, it will rely on who we surround ourselves with. I would like to extend a welcome greeting to all those students who are attending Fullerton College for their very first year, and hope for the continued success throughout their academic career.
For some individuals this is something that has such an effect on the person that it may ultimately hinder their learning experience throughout their academic career. To think that something such as the constant fluttering of questions that arise before the class commences can cause future problems, is nauseating. Seriously, if all students did was worry about little things as this, how can any individual get a good quality education? The only concern that students should have on their minds during the first day of class is; how can I grow as an individual amongst the greater society by taking this course? Contemplating question as this may reduce the anxiety that results from that first day experience.
Overcoming the awkwardness and the eerie silence that seems to be overpowering to the point that heartbeats become apparent and the tick…tock…tick…tock becomes as loud as a concert, is the first step to begin a learning experience. If that was not enough, there is also the thundering and pounding that slowly and then rapidly overwhelms the minds of students who know that their time to present or speak is near, and this may heighten the severity of the first day of class anxiety. However, all is not to worry for the solution to overcoming the fluttering of questions that besiege the most studious of students is found within the student itself.
“Hello…Hey…What’s up? All can be the starting point to overcome this type of anxiety. Further dissecting the problem concerning the first day of class anxiety reveals that the greater problem lies within the students self esteem. For the most part, many students are not only concerned with the class as a whole but more importantly to them are their overall perception held by their peers. If at all possible every individual student could cease to concern themselves with such questions, their learning experience will be free from anxiety. To an extent this type of demeanor is not all held by every student, but even the most humbled type of students still reflect on what type of impression they will make on others. More importantly is for the students who do suffer from this type of anxiety to realize that their overall success of overcoming this problem is a self evaluation on how comfortable they are among new people.
Although I have found myself in this same type of predicament, I have come to realize that there is a greater concern that must be addressed than that of which occurs within starting a new class. If we as a collective student body are to succeed, we must reach out to those who find themselves overwhelmed by that first day of class and make the classroom environment as welcoming as possible. Ultimately in order to flourish as a student and an individual, it will rely on who we surround ourselves with. I would like to extend a welcome greeting to all those students who are attending Fullerton College for their very first year, and hope for the continued success throughout their academic career.
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