When Will You Get It, America?

[DISCLAIMER: I am not a political concierge, I only know just so much about things (like most people in America) and this blog post is simply my opinion.  I have included facts, and the rest of it is just coming from my own mouth.]

    On the brink of decision of whether or not America should embark in the war in Syria, I have many many thoughts about this absurdity.  Sometimes, I honestly wonder if our country would be better off if the people were actually in charge, and didn't just vote for one person to make all the decisions for four years.

    First off, Syria is in a civil war.  Civil wars happen everywhere almost all the time.  When a country goes to war with itself, the worst thing to do is intervene.  How do I know this?  Korea. Viet Nam.  Afghanistan.  Nameless others.  Every time there's been a civil war and the United States has gotten involved, more and more people have hated us as a nation, we lost the war anyways, hundreds of thousands of men (and women) die fighting for someone else that had nothing to do with us, and even more veterans killed themselves afterwards from experiencing such bull crap.  And in these cases, no one really asked for our help; we put it upon ourselves to "fix" them.

    Second, we have no hard evidence, only speculation, that Syria has chemical weapons.  I was watching segments from British Parliament over the debate of whether or not Britain should go to war as well.  The opposition posed great points including this statement: evidence should not proceed decision, decision should proceed evidence."  Syrians did not ask anyone to help them fight.  I understand that the Geneva Convention outlawed using chemical warfare - I do understand the severity of that.  But no one has hard evidence of the Assad Regime being the culprit of a chemical attack in Syria.  YES, I agree that what's going on there is horrible, and lots of innocent people are dying but us getting involved would only make things worse...

   Because we just got out of a war in the Middle East.  We cannot handle it!  We will go into this too soon after bringing troops out of Iraq and other places.  We simply are not strong enough to do this right now.  If we were to get involved with Syria right now, it would be one stupid decision - and how long would we be there for?  What would our relationship be with Syria once we leave?  And how will the world look at us? As that annoying bully who just can't stay out of other people's business.  This video is somewhat of a good representation of how I see the US in the world as an American citizen:

[There are a few instances of suggestive language, but no impropriety.]

Imagine the guy in the red shirt as the United States, and the other two guys are the rest of the world - that's the only part you really need to see

    My whole point is that things go on in the world, in a way effect the world, and the US thinks, "Let me show them how to live right and how to be more democratic, and how dumb they're being in blowing each other up!  How will I do that? Invade their country and kill a lot of them and then try to instill a democratic government because that's why they have so many problems!"

    And of course, the people who are leading our country right now are thinking that exact thing: no one asked for us to help, so we're thinking about forcing our help again.  HAven't we learned anything from the other civil wars that we've gotten involved in?  It doesn't work!!!!!  We lose!!!! Every time!!!!  And then the whole world gets ticked at us and the people of America find more reason to turn on their own country.  Hello!?  

    So my opinion on Syria?  They're in their own civil war.  But what if other countries invaded our civil war?  How messed up would things have gotten?  We just need to leave them alone and let them figure out their own problems.  The only time to consider intervention is when they start taking their war outside their own country.  That's when it's okay to step in.  We need to stop focusing on fighting other peoples' wars, and start focusing more on rebuilding what we have here.  WE DO NOT NEED TO GO THERE.

The Royal Baby!

  As the whole world knows by now, the Duke and Duchess, William and Kate, brought their first little baby boy into the world yesterday, July 22, 2013!  How exciting!  Many people have been following Kate's pregnancy and so many more have been awaiting to hear the chosen name for the little royal, the future King of England.

 

  The list of names they have to choose from are all the classy old English names of all royals past.  Some of these names include:

• William
• Henry
• Charles
• George
• Alexander
• Richard
• Arthur
• James
• John
• Philip
• Edward
• Theodore
• Albert

  While all of these names have been taught throughout our schooling years in history classes, only one will be known for the King of England in the future.  Of course, each monarch has three, four, and five names at a time, but we will only ever really care about the first.  So what name do you think it will be?  I have three names in mind that I personally think would be a great fit for the new king:

1. James
2. Arthur
3. Alexander

James - This is a good strong name with a lot of royal charisma.  This new Prince would be King James III if that's the name he's given.

Arthur - First, I love the name Arthur!  As a little girl (when little girls start to think of names for all 50 of their future children) Arthur was a name that always recycled through because I just thought it was the coolest name ever!  I still love it!  Also, Arthur is synonymous with the Knights of the Round Table: King Arthur.  I think he might be King Arthur II if he is named Arthur.

Alexander - I just think it would be so cool to have a King Alexander when I'm an old woman.  I believe he would be King Alexander IV if he were to be named Alexander.

St. Mary's hospital is also where William was born! Ah, tradition.

All good names, don't know if they are considering any of these, but they are not expected to be leaving St. Mary's hospital until 1pm - ET.  Even then, we may not hear the royal baby name just yet; the world waited 1 week to hear William's name, and to hear Harry's name only took one day.  This could be a while, but I hope we find out soon!  I can't wait to see that gurgling little bundle of joy!!!!!

Progress On Blog Engines: Blogger vs. WordPress

  So back in September I created and started using the other leading blog engine WordPress.  I wanted to try new things, as I said in my blog about my venture, and I said I would update on occasion about my opinion of WordPress vs. Blogger.  Well I have to admit I haven't used it since my last post on WordPress and this is because of it's lack of being user-friendly.  I could not, for the life of me figure out how to navigate around the website, then I got lost and lost an entire post because of misunderstanding different buttons and links and whatnot.  And honestly, I don't even know what happened while I was on there that last time.  I have since tried to write a new post but the same things happen every time I try, and I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong each time! I lose data, I lose words, I get lost, it's so annoying.

  I'm going to try again to post another 3 (three) blogs on WordPress before I can make an early executive decision.  I know that typically one would insist on using WordPress for a year or so before I can make a decision.  However, my experience thus far is not so pleasant, that I'd rather not spend much longer on it.  I guess since Blogger is SO easy to get around, I expect too much from WordPress which probably has more extra fluff to offer.

  So I guess we'll see... :) Happy blogging!

Last Minute Thoughts About Tomorrow's Election

    As we all know, tomorrow is a big day for the United States.  Beginning at 7am, polls will be opened for every American citizen to make their voice somewhat heard concerning who they would trust most with the running of our country.  This election, our two candidates are Mitt Romney and Barack Obama - current President.
    Who am I voting for?  I will not share; both candidates have a lot of good points, shady pieces of their history, and some really crappy responses to questions.  Both are human and I either like both or like neither.  Not one over the other.  However, I am voting - that part is for sure.

    I have friends who feel the election is really no big deal and it's not "really important" to cote because it doesn't really matter in the end.  While I might agree with the fact that I don't necessarily agree with the way we go about our elections, I am an American-born citizen and therefore have responsibilities.

    In high school, in my Gov & Econ class with Mr. Skaris, I learned most importantly that we have rights.  We have freedoms no other country has, we have protections so many people wish they have, and we have rights and amendments like no other.  I may not be very patriotic about the country I live in, but I am thankful for the benefits we have that others envy us for.  The same friends that don't think it's important to vote argue in situations, "It's my right!  I have the right do fill-in-the-blank because I'm an American!" as well as other statements.  However, they don't seem to truly understand anything about being an American citizen besides the fact that we have the freedom of speech.

    As American citizens we are called in duty to three things: paying taxes, being willing to join arms in dyer emergency, and vote.  We can speak freely, be gay freely, have sex freely, go to church freely, wear anything freely, go to school freely, do dumb stuff freely, whatever we really want to within reason freely.  No, I don't necessarily approve or agree with some of the things we are free to do, but the point is: as long as we're in this country, nothing is stopping us from doing so.

    I go to a Bible college where one of our main "textbooks" is the the Holy Bible - the inspired Word of God.  Anywhere else in the world, I would have been dead a long time ago.  I am thankful for the fact that I, as a woman and Christ-follower, have the opportunity to access such great things.  Sadly though, some of my friends even here at this school don't see the point of carrying out civic duty when called to do so.

    You see, the United States of America - while flawed - tries to cater to the needs of the people, even if it doesn't always seem so.  We have alllllllll these opportunities to grow and transcend to a higher state of being in society.  And yet, all this country asks us for in return are three things: pay taxes, be willing to take up arms if necessary (which obviously we have never really had to worry about), and vote.  VOTE.  One of only three things that we are asked of in return for all the protection and freedom assured us.  One of the simplest forms of service to the country: drive down the road and vote in each election.  It's really not that big of a deal to do.  You see?

    While I have absolutely no say over the people of this country, I think it's our responsibility to have some unbiased knowledge of what is going on in politics that concern us as the people.  I, myself, have no true care for politics in any way.  Most times, I could care less.  But I know that electing a new president or re-electing a current president has everything in the world to do with me, so I learn just enough to have an idea of who would best represent me.  I've heard it said that "neither of the candidates represent me."  Well, in this election, neither of the candidates entirely represent me either for many reasons.  But that doesn't mean I can just toss it aside.  One of them has views that more represent me than not, and that's the one I think could possibly do well in office.  Point is, I am an American citizen, and if I am to claim this, I need to act and live like one responsibly: vote!

    Another thing is this: "I think Obama can make great change in our country!" or "I think Romney can do a better job than Obama!"  Truth is, both of them will do only a mediocre job in office because they are two different ends of the spectrum.  You cannot expect some great enlightening change from any president ever to come into office: they will do things their way and in the way THEY think is best for the United States.  You cannot truly believe that one will do better than the other like they try to make you believe, they will simply do it different from one another.

    These are way last minute, but I want to get it out for those of you who think you're not voting tomorrow. Remember, if you don't vote, you have no right to complain about who's in office.

Google+ ...

In trying to set up a few tutorials (later to be posted) using Picasa, I accidentally signed up for Google+ without knowing it...

I have used Picasa for a long time now, but never have I thought to upload them to a web album - that may be a good idea, right?  Well especially since I was having such a hard time uploading photos from my computer to my blogs, I decided now would be a good time.

Well...

A certain question box kept coming up that didn't appear to have an "x" to "x" out of it with, and I tried clicking on the gray area around it to make it disappear, but nothing changed so I figured it must be something I need to do to set up a web album in Picasa.  I went along with it... The strange thing was, I had to re-enter my password and upload a picture of myself (which I did not) and all sorts of stuff like I was signing up for an account.  I thought that I might have been, but it wasn't until I was done when I was welcomed with something saying Google+ on it, and I was told that I was a new member of the Google+ family or whatever.

I was pissed.  Needless to say.

I didn't want a Google+ account!  It's a knock off of Facebook, and I have thought this whole time that it's a lame idea!  I did not want a Google+ account.  Did not.

So I started trying to figure out how to delete my Google+ account without deleting my gmail or Picasa accounts - that would be bad.  I figured out how via other people on the internet asking the same questions, and I followed the steps as they displayed.

Easy.

Well as I was reading the things Google would delete for me, and what I was going to be able to keep, I heard a voice in the back of my mind saying, "Give it a chance, it might not be that bad, and no one says you actually have to use it..."

So....

I gave in to that little voice.  I will give this dumb idea a chance and keep you update4d on whether it's worth it or not to try.  I really don't want to, but why not?  I at least know where the delete button is if ever I need it.  I have a feeling it will be one of those things that isn't all that bad because you get news from it or something like that, but you don't use but maybe once or twice a week to read that news.

I don't know.

So keep a lookout for my upcoming tutorials on DIY projects, and also look out for my response to this darn Google+ stuff - I might change my mind about it.

Students Disheartened: the Commoner's Reality on College

  College.  Is it worth it anymore? Is it a worthy investment?  Is it worth the years of burdening debt and strife?  Give me some good reasons why I should stay in college.  Give any of us any really good reason to continue pursuing a college education other than the same and lame excuse of, "it will get you places" or "you need it to get where you want to be."  Where I want to be is not stressed out with no job worrying about how I'm going to pay student loans back to investors who charge rediculous interest and won't ever leave me  alone until I'm in my retiring age.  Do you really think that's what I want? If so, I think your version of my reality is a bit scued, or at least lacking knowledge.

  Like most of the popluation my age, I am in college, aspiring to transcend my upbringing and make something of myself that is seen as worthy of respect.  According to our over-domesticated society, going to college and "getting and education" is the surest way to attain that goal.  We are pushed to our breaking point to make and keep good grades, get involved with all sorts of clubs and organizations that will bring recognition on a resume, told to start learning how to work while maintaining an academic life, and then encouraged to make sure we have a well-rounded social life.  All of this - just to get ahead of a percentage of the crowd. 

  Now what does it take to be able to participate in these "life-changing" events?  MONEY.  I cannot stand money.  As a college student, I'm sure most can relate when I say that money is the root of all evil when it comes to school (however I do understand that the verse reference says that the love of money is the root of all evil).  Yes, because of money, we get to go to school and  get a "well-rounded education" - but it is also because of that same money that we suffer a lifetime of student debt, grief while finding a job that take an over-qualified candidate, and hesitance to settle down and start a family. 

  Student loans are the primary source of financial aid for students today.  There are grants and scholarships available to those who meet certain standards, and yet those who fall just slightly below the line are the ones who need those opportunities the most.  However, all those students qualify for are student loans - and man are those are big debbie downer. 

  Decades ago, young adults were able to enroll and go to colleges and universities for a very reasonable price; think about how much you would pay for a used car off the lot - that's how much you would have to pay for a four year college, IF that.  Now, instituations will charge anywhere from between $15,000 and $70,000 per year JUST to go to school and get an education.  On top of that, there are more college students graduating each year than there are job opportunites of any sort available to them once they leave the stage.  The amount of student loan debt used by college students each year are higher than the amount of credit card debt in the entire United States.  And since 1978, college tuition has gone up by over 900%!  That is rediculous!  What exactly do college institutions need that much money for?  Sure, you need to pay professors, and keep up your landscape, and kind of pay attention to the rooming facilities, but that much?????? For real?????? 

  This is unfortunately the reality I have to look at.  My parents cannot help me in any way, and because of certain family situations, I do not qualify for as much government aid as I possibly could.  My lifeline to college is this: if grants and scholarships can't pay for my $26,000 tuition fee, then I have to figure out a way to take care of it.  What is that way, you might ask? Student loans.  Why is it that in the three years I have been in college, tuition at my own school has gone up three different times?  Because the Board of my school decided to make some "great" changes and decisions that MOST of our student popluation were against.  Because these "wonderful" and "spectacular" ideas have been put into place, our tuition has gone up to help pay for it.  Really?  And it is so disheartening to learn that certain scholarships have stopped being funded because the state doesn't think that it's necessary for students to use anymore.  I have lost 2 scholarships for that exact reason.  All you hear from the state and government is that it is important for all students to attend college, and they encourage all of us to go by luring us into the freshmen year of college.  They do a really good job at making it possible for most students go for their freshmen year; after that, they kind of dump us on the side of the road and say, "Now fend for yourself," smile, and drive off.  Nobody really cares about any of us making it through all four years of school. 

  This blog is partly a rant of my own, and partly informative.  I speak from experience in the light of having to deal with the stress that money bring when it comes to school.  There is nothing wrong with going to a school that is affordable - even if it's not the flashiest school out there.  I encourage all of you soon-to-be college students to really consider the path you have in front of you.  I encourage you to follow where you are called to and work diligently once you get there so that you cannot be blamed for any disheartening circumstance you come to.  I encourage everyone else to support students you know - yes, morally, emotionally, and with prayer and petition - but consider giving financially as well.  Don't drain your pockets, but words of 'good luck' only go so far when the people you bid luck to fall into a whirlwind of mental and emotional stress from the unknown of what college is really all about. 

  If you would like to read complete statistics about college tuition and education, you can read this blog - it is very informative and adds to my point.  Understand that I am not trying to encourage by-passing college as an option in life, nor am I encouraging anyone to quit it.  I am not quitting, I'm hanging in there.  But I do encourage everyone to seriously consider whether what they're doing is worth all the money, burden and stress we'll have to deal with to pursue it.  Our economy is not getting any better, and all of the crap from this recession is going to be falling into the hands of our generation - are you willing to take the less traveled route? Or are you willing to take the more complicated route? Tricky choice.

©2011



Our Freedom To Choose: Presidential Election Decisions 2012

DISCLAIMER: This is merely all my opinion, and does not necessarily need to be up for dispute.  If you have other views or opinions - great!  I would love to hear them.  However, this post is not to start an argument or to trash anyone at all.  Such activity will be ignored and/or deleted.

November, 2012

  As we all know (or at least those of us who don't live under a rock), the 2012 Presidential elections are coming up this Fall (November).  At the moment, we are seeing President Obama take the place as Democratic candidate, and Mitt Romney holds the Republican slot for candidacy. Obviously, in any election, there will be candidates running that have a lot of really good ideas and points, while they also have a few ideas and opinions that you strongly disagree with.

  



Mitt Romney
Republican candidate 2012



PresidentBarack Obama
Democratic candidate 2012



  Every election anywhere throughout history is just the same as the next and the last.  Unfortunately, we don't truly have too much say over who is to be the winner in each election because of the ways and regulations of the electoral house and the way every office below the President is run.  Yes, we all have the freedom to vote, and yes, our 'voices do get heard' - but just because we are heard does not necessarily mean that we are taken into consideration.  Our votes overall prove to be the popular vote.  Let's face it; most of the people who go to the polls to vote only vote because they really like the way one candidate thinks on one singular topic, or they only vote based on party becasue they've 'always voted democrat/republican' or they only vote because a friend or co-worker is voting for that person.  The most recent reason to vote for a candidate is because of their gender or race - and don't tell me how it wasn't, I kept up with the polls and stats that year seeing that 53% of women who voted for McCain voted because Sarah Palin stood behind him, while 93% of black voters voted for Obama and 67% of those people said it was because of race.  No one really seems to understand, nonetheless care, about what each candidate stands for as a whole.  They focus on one issue debated and make up their mind.  Based on the reasons of which most of our lazy generation votes, we get candidate after candidate into office for all the wrong reasons and we end up paying for it in the end.  Think of where we are right now????



White House
Washington, D.C., Unites States



  This makes me wonder how many people have been brought into office to which their opposer would have done such a wiser job with our country - notice I said 'wiser' not 'better.'  No matter who comes into office, they will always do something that a lot of people won't like.  The difference comes when they make a decision based off of what is best, rather than a decision that will put them down in history as a hero.  Heroes have often resided in the White House - only the good ones were remembered as heroes because of the good they did to help the country as a whole, rather than win the hearts and money of a select few to advance his own ambitions.  And then there comes the complaining of the People who did or did not vote, and we all realize that we helped to make the bad decision, but won't admit that the mistake is in part our fault.



If you don't vote, you don't
have a right to complain.



  Marginal complaint: if you don't vote, you don't have a right to complain about who's in office because you didn't even make an effort towards trying to make a difference.  If you do vote, truly figure out who you want to vote for for legitimate reasons, not just because you think the candidate is smart, or whatever.  If you vote - you have a right to complain about who is in office and the decisions that are made.  Otherwise, it really irritates me to hear a bunch of lazy whiners talking about how much more they deserve when they did nothing for themselves, nonetheless anyone else.

Alright, so where am I getting at with this post??  I am about to give my opinion and inform you all  of the decision I am beginning to lean towards in this upcoming election. I understand that people advise against sharing who you are going to vote for, and while I respect that advise and claim it to be wise, I am going to put it aside for the time being and explain my reasoning behind the decision (I have not finallized but) I am leaning towards.  It is easier to say it straight rather than beat around the bush and hope you understand.



Write-in Vote



  As an American citizen, I have the right to vote once I am 18 years old and over.  I am 20, and this will be my first Presidential election.  I understnad that President Obama and Mitt Romney are the lead candidates for the next term of presidency.  However, another right that I have as an American citizen and voter is the choice to vote for one of the leads, or to do something called a 'write-in.'  Yes, a write in.  I have been following each of these candidates for months in their respective campaigns, checking and balancing their words and also what they stand for.  I have learned enought about their personally history to understand them as people, and I have learned a fair portion about their stance in politics as to understand who they are as politicians.  As I said earlier, there have been elections that really just aren;t that great for one reason or another, and the people in charge of the polls discourage you from writing in a third party becasue "it is a wasted vote."  A write-in - as long as it is taken seriously and not abused - is NOT a wasted vote at all.  A wasted vote is either one not made, one made for the wrong reasons, or one not taken seriously.  Otherwise, a vote is not wasted if it truly represents you.



President Barack Obama (D)



  I personally feel that, with my knowledge and basic understanding of each candidate standing, my vote would be wasted if I voted for either of them.  Too much corruption and personal gain seems to be on the agenda of each, and I really don't stand for much that either of them stand for.  One of these candidates has me very worried about any future choises he could make because he's so wishy washy; why is he like this? To gain votes.  He doesn't seem to understand what he really stands for.  The other has too much pride in his political past.  I fell personally that he would advance his own ambitions for the sake of making a mark in history, while taking those down who truly need change and help in the process of his gain.  If neither of them (Obama or Romney) stand for what I feel strongly about, then I'm not really sure how I can trust either one of them.  Of course, I understand that these men will be the President of the United States, not the President of Jessica, so to be against them for personal reasons like agreeing with me on most issues rather than working to please the whole - is stupid.  I know.  But that is not what I am saying at all.



Mitt Romney (R)



  We the people have the opportunity to decide whether or not we want someone in office that will truly make the best and wisest decisions based on beliefs that we agree on.  If we don't take advantage of this and enable the corruption to continue, then we will never see the fruit of anything better. 

  My growing choice is to write-in a third party whom I think would do a job in office that upholds what I stand for, while also standing up for the right reasons to make the right decisions.  I, in reverence to the advice given to not share who I am voting, will not share with you which third party Iam writing in.  However you should know that I am probably not going to vote for either the president or for Mitt Romney.  Maybe my vote won't necessarily be counted, but at least I know that, if 'our voice is truly heard' I made a difference without giving either one of them gain, and also making sure that I am understood in where I stand.  I will not fall for the whole "a write-in is a waste" thing because it's not if I intend on using it wisely.  But if I am an American citizen, free to vote for whomever, I will exercise my right to do so.



I don't encourage you in particular direction,
 but I encourage you to do something.



  For those of you who either don't know who to vote for, aren't sure why you are voting for a particular candidate, or just plain don't want to vote, I encourage you to consider your options.  I encourage you to learn about the man (or woman) who could possibly have the most say over our country in terms of social order, economic strife, and international relations.  Who out there best represents you?  You are the individual that helps the United States stay in existence.  Yes, you are one person, but imagine: if you decided to leave, another will follow, and another, and another, and if you started that trend of just walking out on our nation, the United States would hardly have anything left worth surviving for.  That's extreme, I know.  But your vote is the same way.  I do not encourage you towards or against one candidate or the other, and I don't encourage you to write-in like I might.  However, I encourage you to do something.  Learn about our issues, and listen to what everyone has to say.  Make your decision.  I do encourage you to vote, however, because otherwise, I don't want to hear you complain.  We have the coice to do this, we have the freedom to do this, and we can take on these opportunities respectfully, demanding the respect we give and striving towards true representation of us - the people - and away from representation of the personal agendas of those who will never care to know us.

That is all.

©2011

World News

  Catching up with the day's news, I realized: a lot has gone on in the past few weeks that I could written about.  I will only select a handful of topics to brief the world on in case no one else has been paying attention, so starting with the most recent:

Bhutan grieves fire of historical monument



Wangdue Phodrang Dzong



Wangdue Phodrang Dzong Burns
Mournfully into the Night



Late Sunday afternoon, June 24, 2012, Bhutan's Wangdue Phodrang Dzong sparked on its embellished hilltop view and burned mournfully late into the night.  The four-century-old dzong, built in 1638 by the nation's founder Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, stood as a fotress and administrative outlet for the country of Bhutan.  It was built so long ago as an effort to take control over - and unify - the country, as were many dzongs built in that time.  Still uncertain of what caused the spark Sunday afternoon, the Home Minister, Minjur Dorji, assumes it to have been prompted by an electrical short in the building's wiring.  No one was hurt, as conveniently Sunday was a holiday for the nation, and most of the relics were salvaged (hundreds of them, dating back to the 6th and 7th centuries).  But seeing as "95% of the dzong" is completely timber, the only remains, according to the local newspaper, are the stone that used to be the front steps leading up to the magnificent landmark.  Today, Tuesday, June 26, 2012 was held in reverence throughout the Himalayan region, closing all schools and offices to remember the historical structure and what it meant to the country.  Suggestions of rebuilding the structure are being considered as they have rebuilt another dzong after a 1998 fire.  News will continue to be shared over the next several weeks on progress of the Bhutanese effort to unify the people in events like these.

CNN - Bhutan Historical Site Burned

Jack Osborne reveals diagnosis of MS



Sharon Osborne, left, and 26-year-old
son, Jack Osborne, right



In lighter, more social news, Jack Osborne, son of Ozzy (Prince of Darkness) and Sharon Osborne, revealed in a People magazine interview that he had recently been diagnosed with MS (Multiple Sclerosis).  Sharon Osborne, a co-host of televeision show, The Talk, and British pop-celebrity, broke down thanking everyone for their prayers and goodwill towards their family for Jack's sake.  MS, overtime, attacks the brain and spinal cord and can cause mild or sever disability, such as paralysis.  Sharon reassures the public that Jack is doing fine, and and that she believes in the vibes of prayer.

CBS News - Jack Osborne MS

LA Times - Jack Osborne MS

Saudi Arabian Women - Olympic Debut



First Saudi Arabian Women's
Basketball Team



Dalma Rushdi Malhas, Saudi Arabian
equestrian rider



For the first time in their history, Saudi Arabian officials decided to allow their female athletes to comete in the International Olympics in London this summer, July 27.  Until now, Saudi Arabia remained as one of three countries (Qatar and Brunei being the other two) that did not allow its female athletes to compete in the games.  This year, all three countries have caved to the promptings of the International Olympics Committee and are sending women to the London Olympics.  This isn't the only socail matter Saudi Arabia is learning to loosen up on, but by 2015, women will also be allowed to vote and run for public office, however, they are still not allowed to drive cars. 



First Saudi Arabian Women's
Olympic Soccer Team



The reason for not allowing the women to compete thus far is due to the moral belief of not performing in front of a mixed-gender crowd - an understandable reasoning.  However, physical fitness and exposure to the games and athletics are seen as a "step towards immorality" - another understandable assumption, wisely considered, but still a painful hinderance to the morale of women in their country.  Equestrian rider, Dalma Rushdi Malhas states that the country opening it's permission to women in the Olympics is "a dream come true" and "will open the door for so many women."  Truly an event worth celebrating, we can look forward to seeing the woman of Saudi Arabia representing their country with pride as Olympians on July 27 for the Summer Olympics 2012.

CNN - Saudi Arabian Women Olympians

Rights of Saudi Arabian Women

This concludes my latest segment on world news for now.  See? Only a handful ;)  Next time, I will update everyone on prgoressions in the Middle East, home country conflict, and the UEFA EURO2012 tournament. 

Anything interesting you want to hear more about?  Comment below and I will write about that too!

©2011

History I Have Been There For

  I've always been the sentimental type, in that I love the meaning behind an object or event rather than the cost or price of it.  A huge bejewled necklace dating back to the 16th century, worth at least a million dollars or whatever means so much less to me than the fact that my great-grandfather bought it for my grandma as an anniversary gift from a pawn shop.  [HYPOTHETICAL]  To me, the fact that my great-grandmother wore this necklace, given out of love by my great-grandfather, is so much more important to be than having a pricey jewel - for me, it is priceless and too valuable to be sold.  Whether it's that kind of fortune, or not, I see something of value as important only if it means something to me - and then, why would I sell it!? 



Our history will always be here, even when we are not.

   Similarly, I want to raise my future kids to appreciate what they have been apart of and what they have experienced more than what they wish they could have been alive for. I want them to appreciate the value of memories more than the value of money -  a love that is lost amongst our greedy generation.  Because I am this way, do I write blogs about the Venus transit, and Pottermore opening, and the Occupy movement, the first 'black' president, and things that will be a part of history even in the smallest of ways. 

  Of course, my children will learn about 9/11 and big events in world history, but there is so much more to my life personally that happens day-to-day that I want my future kids to know about and be able to look back and think, "Wow!  My mom was there for that? She was a part of this?  This heirloom will soon be mine? Think about all the memories, and who else held it like me!"  Maybe not necessarily those words verbatim, but I want to instill a valuable mindset within them, rather than the greedy one that is so heavily impressed upon the minds of people today.  Of course, if it's not greed, it's carlessness. 



Occupy Wall Street, New York



  Here, I want to start a post that might continue over months and months of history.  I want to be able to record slowly different events in my life that were important to the world, the social world, political world, economic world, religious world, and my own little world.  If it meant something to me, or if I was around when it happened, I want to record it for the sake of my kids someday being able to appreciate the history they have behind them.

September 11, 2001

  So much is lost in time when we focus on money and fortune.  So much is forgotten, and love that brought about the world today is on the backburner waiting to truly be found again as real love and care.  Over the coming years, I will be constructing blog posts that have to do with the love and memories I have in my life that connect to world events in whatever way they present themselves.  I will give the unbiased details, and then I will slip in my own opinioin and why my opinion is what it is.  I will try to include as much online documentation as possible in hopes that what I link will remain on the internet for years and years to come.  If not, at least I can say that I tried, and my intentions were not to plagiarize.  For my future unborn, but definitely thought of, children is who I record this for, but of course, this will also remind everyone around me what we have been through together. 

Barack Obama, first 'black' president, 2008

  In the coming months, if you would like to record your own history (whether they be local occurrances, personal events, social issues, world news, and anything else) I encourage you to do so.  Have you never stopped and thought, 'I wonder what lies in my family timeline that links me to the history recorded in the past" or even thought, "I wonder if I'm related to anyone significant, or if my anscestors were in the Civil War..." - surely things like this must have run through your mind.  You can start that cycle to find importance in recording your history for those who come after you - children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, even some kids that won't ever really know who you are.  Regardless, to occupy a part of history is something that, no matter who you are, will never be taken away from you.  So soon, this will be the history that I have been there for, the part of me that will always remain...

©2011

Post-Venus Transit

  On Tuesday, June 5, 2012, Venus came between the Earth and the Sun in a rare transit that happens in pairs ever hundred to a hundred and fifty years.  Although this occurrance is that of rarity, it is among very few predictable rarities.  The last time Venus transitted the Sun and the Earth, it was June 8, 2004.  The last time Venus made it's transit was December 9, 1874 and then again on December 6, 1882.  The next time after this past Tuesday that humans will be able to see a Venus transit will be December 10, 2117, and then December 2125 - our great grandchildren will be alive when it happens, crazy, right?  Below is a chart from Google depicting which areas of the world were able to see this event take place:

  There were different methods to have been able to see this transit.  I listed a few in my previous post on the day of the transit.  I apologize if I mislead anyone to believing that looking directly at the sun was the right thing to do - never ever look directly at the sun no matter what I say, you will burn your retinas to a crisp.  Anyways, as it was explained to me, you would take a piece of paper and poke a penpoint-size hole through it.  Hold the paper close to the ground so that you can see the little hole of light on the ground.  Hold it there until you see a small dark circle moving across the little gap of light - it is possible!  Other things you can use for this are saltine crackers (and then eat them afterwards incelebration, I guess).  If you are fortunate enough, you could have gotten a pair of welder's glasses to put on and look directly at the sun.  However, most people don't own welder's glasses. 

  The cloudy picture below on the right was taken in Woodstock, Maryland around the 6 o'clock afternoon hour.  This is the time closest to when I would have been able to see it.  The one beside it (without the cloudiness) was taken in Syracuse, New York around the same time. 

  Although I tried, I myself could not get a mere glimpse of the twin planet crossing the sun in the late afternoon.  However, for history's sake, I can say that I was there when it happened, I tried, and was outside as Venus was crossing the sun - that is more than most people care to do.  So I hope that my children and grandchildren can appreciate the fact that I was a part of a rare, but predictable, phenomenon in history.

©2011



Venus Transit Today!

I have been telling people for a little over a month now about this rare occurrance!  Today, June 5, 2012, Venus is to come between the Earth and the Sun - an event that happened on June 8th, 2004, and before then, had not happened in a little over a century, and an event that will not happen again until Christmas of 2117.  No one living at this moment will live to see another great rare phenomenon like this for over a hundred years.  The only other thing we are looking forward to at the moment is the alignment of the planets with the sun later this year in December (you know, what the Mayans were predicting with their calendar?). 

On the East coast of North America, we will be able to see this happen at an estimated 6:03 this afternoon.  According to the Weather Channel, if you live in the same strip as Chicago's timezone, you can see it around 4:15.  Over near the Los Angeles area of NA, you can see this at around 3:04.  In all, all of North America will have a chance to view this rare occurrance in our world's history! 

Be sure not to look into the sun without some heavy duty protection over your eyes.  I've heard that welder's glasses and radiation shades are good ideas to use in order to look directly at the sun and see the little black dot of venus moving across it.  Otherwise, I have heard from my mother you can prick a little hole into a piece of paper and stare at the black dot.  She also said something about using a saltine cracker to look into, or look at the ground, or something like that (I have no idea, but I'll let you know once I understand it entirely).  Anyweawys, do not look directly at the sun - even with 100% UV protection sunglasses - you can burn a hole straight through your retinas, and you will never be able to see again.  You can't just fix your retinas.  So head my warning.

Here is a picture to give a little tidbit of information on venus:

I will post an update about this spectacular event - that I am so proud to be a part of in my own history - and I will find great pictures and other footage that will keep this piece of history wide alive for a long time.  FYI, the link I have connected to the WEather Channel above gives you more information about this event, and has video of meteorologists and astronomers talking about this rare spectacle.  Check it out for more info!

©2011



A Little Catching Up

  In the past few months, there have been world events and personal events to happen that I have been a part of.  These events have gone unlisted in my history here, but I would like to go ahead and round them all together (don't worry, I'll include dates).
  The first I will mention of the possibly three I can remember is a personal event.  On Saturday, March 24, 2012, my best friend and love of my life, Frank, and I journeyed into the mystic jungles of Charlotte, North Carolina to watch the best band in the world perform: The Black Keys.

                      

                         
       
                                                                         
                                                                                                                                                

  What a fantastic couple of guys!!  Their music is grungy and reminiscent of blues and rock and roll.  Dan Auerbach, vocals, can sing a baby to sleep it's like magic.  Pat Carney, although he admits in a Rolling Stone interview that he thinks he's a crappy drummer, can really do a lot more with drums than he lets on.  I love the Black Keys - 'dey my boiis'.  Anyways, as if no one can collect at this point, I don't do well with pop-culture as they tend to destroy everything that they touch.  My fear is that my favoritest band in the world will become a subject of dumb and ingenuine people that will trash them like a rag doll.  I can't bear the thought of this!  However, after seeing them in concert with my darling I decided that, based on the fact that they are pretty selfless people who are merely trying to feed their families - not seeking fame and fortune - I don't think I'll give up on these guys.  They are too good to give up on them - even if they fall to the morons that try and overkill something for the public's liking.  I said it about a year ago today that I call the Black Keys as being pre-pop-culture and so far, they are steadily rising to fame.  I really hope that they continue to stay under the radar of people that don't want them destroyed.  According to an article I read about them, they have not signed yet to be on mainstream JUST yet.  I guess we'll see, but I love this band no matter what.  Frank and I decided collectively that we will continue to support them first-hand because we know for a fact how genuine and selfless they are.  So, that was one important event that went on in the world, but moreso, my life.

  The second in a list of events is Kony 2012.  Cover the Night took place only a few days ago on April 20, 2012 beginning at 11:30 at night and going on until the next morning.  Joseph Kony of Uganda, Africa has managed to kidnap over 30,000 kids from their homes over the recent years to begin an 'army' - once he kidnaps and brainwashes them, he gives the children guns and orders them to find their families and kill them.  Sick.  From Invisible Children, Kony 2012 has jump started based on the promptings of our generation.  It is commonly thought that young adults and other young people don't really care about anything going on in the world.  This theory has been proven wrong.  Because of our generation, over 3.6 million young adults in the United States alone have pledged to "Cover the Night" in America by participating in Community Service, writing letters to Congressmen, spray painting posters and hanging posters up all over their designated regions to get the attention of the public who - moreso than anyone else - pay less attention to these important things than young people do.   

Final thing to mark in my history...

  In secular social news, Pottermore was launched for post-Beta on April 14, 2012.  For Potter fans everywhere (definitely including myself) this finality has come as a relief; for those of us who missed the opportunity to participate in Beta (beginning on July 31, 2011 - Harry's and Rowling's birthday) due to lack of knowledge, most of us have been waiting since early August to take part in this virtual experience.  Earlier, it was listed that Pottermore was to open on Halloween (October 21, 2011) to all non-Beta members.  Unfortunately, those of us who waited up until midnight that night were disappointed to find out that it had not launched.  After keeping an eye open for the rest of Halloween wondering whether we were gipped or not, we soon discovered that Rowling and her Pottermore team were not able to release it to the public yet; it was still in Beta.  The next time it was to open was November; again, disappointment.  Then again after the New Year; do you see the trend?  Well finally, on March 8 (?), 2012, it was announced that Pottermore would open to the public in early April.  Since the very first day of April, I kept my eye on the Pottermore insider and helpfully using the Wikipedia link for Pottermore which was updated daily.  The only day in April I was unable to check for it's launch was the day it FINALLY opened: April 14th.  After midnight on the fifteenth, I created a Pottermore account, got my wand (Beech wood, unicorn core, 10 3/4 inches, quite bendy), was sorted into a House (Slytherin!), and bought an owl.  I finished the first book yesterday, and earned 34 points for Slytherin House, and then found out that the rest of the site was still in Beta.  Great.  Well at least I enjoyed the first book :) It wasn't TOO bad, pretty time consuming, but I didn't mind it, and tricky figuring out how to use Alohomora.  Overall, I'm excited for when the rest of the site finally opens - I'm ready for the third book!!  That's going to be cool.  In the meantime, I encourage you to create an account and have fun QuaffleCentaur6458 ;)

©2011