So unfair

do any of u believe that inequality still exists? im not just talking about race. How about between a mother and a father of a child? Y do mothers get away with a lot more than fathers? especially in the court system. I have a friend who has a 3 year old daughter. His daughters mother was just a booty call for him. She got pregnant. THe did the whole dna testing and found out it was his. My friend is a very hard worker. The mom doesnt do anything. No school, No work, NOTHING! she's at the house collection welfare and food stamps. My friend took her to court to get custody of his daughter cuz the mom doesnt do anything! The mom has another daughter who has to repeat 2nd grade cuz of alllllll the days she missed school. THe mom is a lazy low life B****!!! so, anyways...they go to court and the judge still favors the mother even knowing everything that goes on in the household. oh, better news...my friend gets hit with $800 in child support a month. So he pays for about a year and takes her back to court. He now has 65% custody...but guess wut? he still has to pay child support...$600. does that even make sense to anyone? THe judge said that my friend has to pay child support no matter wut cuz the baby mom doesnt work. THIS GIRL HAS NEVER WORKED IN HER LIFE....SHE IS 27 YEARS OLD!! She is an unfit mom....the judge knows this...but y does he keep giving her so many chances? There was an open case w/ the baby moms in the social service dept. Did the judge care? no. I understand it's hard for fathers to have custody over mothers but dammmm, wut needs to happen for him to open his dumbass eyes to figure out that my friend is the better fit parent? Im getting so mad jus telling u a partial of his story. There is a lot more, but i really dont wanna bore u guys. I jus needed to vent cuz i feel so bad for my friend. The baby moms is living the good life...no work, getting free money...paying $12 for a 2 bedroom apt cuz she's on section 8....omg, r u kidding me?? wow....thas all i gotta say...wow!!!! EQUALITY DOESNT EXIST IN THE COURT SYSTEM!!!

Let the Circle Continue

Great circle again yesterday. I would love to continue this circle once a month outside of class, but lead by our Professor too. What do you guys think? Its a great place to let off steam too.

If I could prevent my kid from making an awful mistake then I WILL!! They can experience life in other ways... And if my kid decides to make a terrible m

istake I will make sure to catch him/her when him/her falls!!! :)

Hitler reacts to the Lakers getting swept by Dallas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JsJCDw7EcY&feature=player_embedded

attendance - participation

If you would like to make special arrangements with me, please email me and we will meet after class or in office hours.  Something is "off" in one of the classes, and it is disconcerting to me. I request no more texting or laptop use in class - if you absolutely must text or laptop, you can be excused from class attendance if you make special arrangements with me.  Also if there is another sort of "disconnect" with the classroom activities or spirit, please see me and we can make special arrangements for you to complete the requirements for this class.


Thank you.

On the video on "Civilization" . . .

. . . some may have been disturbed by the words "civilization" and "dominance".  Is "dominance" a 'good' thing?  Would anyone deny the West has 'dominated' the past 500 years?   Did he say it was a good thing - or did he mean it was a pattern from which we could learn?    When we contrast any two things, we use language.  The very words we use contain nuance - nuance cannot be avoided with language.  Like Weber, we try to avoid value judgments even as we recognize they are in words themselves.

RE: White Privilege

Minority

I am a face in the crowd
One that most choose not to see
I am the “other” – “caste” out
The minority

I am Black or Hispanic – Female or Gay
No matter my status, I am inferior they say
I am Asian, disabled, or receive low pay
No matter my status, I am inferior they say

I thought America was the land of the free
Filled with hope, prosperity… Equality?
I heard anyone here can succeed with determination
But I have learned a new truth – discrimination

I am a face in the crowd
One that most choose not to see
I am the “other” – “caste” out
The minority

Ever since the lakers...

Ever since the lakers lost my brain has been off! Am I the only one? I feel bad because I've been in a thud and I hate watching these other teams! I know there are more important things in life, however I love my lakers it's affecting my current state of mind!!! Just had to vent!

Change your thoughts.

Can we change our life by changing our thoughts?

I like to think I am in control of the events in my life. Maybe that is because I am in a good situation. I have a bright future ahead of me. I did not come from the best upbringing. But I like to think my life is ok because I changed by changing my energy. Today, I choose to be happy and positive. Of course I am not jolly everyday, happiness is something we all have to work at.

I have many friends that do not see how they can change they're circumstances. They think they were delt those cards, and that just is what it is. How sad to me, that they can not see they could have a greater life if they just do certain things that will turn it around.

I think it starts with the way you think. If you want to have high self esteem, when you notice yourself saying something negitive about your image, cut that off! Say something positive, even if you dont belive it yet. Any negitive self talk, needs to be immediately cut off and combated with something positive. Human brains are quite gullable. Eventually you will believe the best things about yourself.

Life is beautiful, and Life is tradgic. Choose how are going to view it and you will choose who you are going to be .

will this re-introduce sub-prime mortgages?

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/11_20/b4228031594062.htm

recession

this recession sucks!!

Under Pressure

So many things happening all at once.. Makes me sick to my stomach.. Does this happen to anybody else?? Family, school and work all together makes things so hard right now. I can't wait for summer break!!!!

Today's Fire Alarm

This is one of my fave songs!

SummerSkool

So who is attending summer school!? my financial aid went thru for summer school but after trying to search for classes which was not easy i ended up with 1 so I guess I have to crash classes the first day of school =/

I can hardly wait to spend quality time with my family this Summer. I'm so looking forward to outdoor activities with the kiddies.

I feel great today, I'm finally over the flu, antibiotics did the job, see you all tomorrow, have a blessed evening

Civilization: Is the West History

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arhBShGlZjI&playnext=1&list=PL2FDF0339065739B8

Street Art

Who has seen "Exit Through the Girft Shop"; the documentry about street art? It is shot by Theiry Guetta, a French national, in U.S. and western European major cities. Cites hit include a politicaly controversial wall in England and Disneyland.

USC Social Work program

comment here please if you are particularly interested in being visited by a Social Work Program representative from USC.  She can visit our class briefly to give you the particulars about the MSW program at UCS.  They get LOTS of students from CSULA.

Having a political/ sociological argument at work! Interesting! :)

Thought - Weber - Paper #3

Maybe you wish to understand those people about whom you write in #4 with Weber's verstehen - maybe they just operate from an entirely different system of thinking.

For Batman 1818

While thinking of your situation, I thought of this song.
Sorry for your loss.

Good Grief!!!

well guys it happened......

My grandmother has left her material body and has risen to a higher energy. She passed away Friday night at 10:10.

and what shocks me the most is how the faith one has can take that person to great strengths,i am amazed how far a person's faith can take them in life. the strength that it gives a person to carry on with each day.

These past 10months has been hard on my grandmother, well in the latter part of her life the last ten years were hard.

she was in and out of the hospital this time for weeks, we knew her death was coming but she has fought so hard when did not know when, we did not when she was going to be ready

But...... this time, she knew it but she refused to let go because she was not at home. She wanted to pass in her way, the correct way.

I received a call from my mom saying something is not right with my grandma, she is getting sick and it does not look good, you might want to get here quick. i dashed over after work. by the time i got there my mother had called a priest to read her the rites of passage, this was happening all too fast all i wanted was to see my grandma.

This is the reason, that i think, why my grandmother held on. She could not go without her rites and without everyone saying their good byes.

As heart breaking as it was we all kissed her told her we loved her and said good bye

She was able to get the strength to make the sign of the cross one last time

Within ten maybe fifteen minutes after the priest left my grandmother took her last breathe, and my mother, my aunt and i were at her bedside

My grandfather was there, but honestly he has early onset of Alzheimer's so i do not think he processed the situation correctly. It is the third day since her death and he asks everyday where his wife is.

Tonight i write this from my grandma's house but now when i come to spend the night it is for my grandpa, just grandpa

i miss her, i miss hearing her walker as she comes out because i am up at midnight, and she tells me to go to bed....

to top it all off this week my boss is out of town, so i need to get coverage, school work is piling up, and i have family obligations and the icing is my monthly friend decides to visit..........of all weeks.....*Throws up hands in defeat*...ughhhh

"whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger" right?.....i hope sooo

If you stuck with me until the end thank you for reading my rant.....i don't feel the need to talk to people about my grandma, i am ok with it.... but i needed to just write and be ok for the rest of the week

Thank you, and i have a Great week...i am looking forward (i am hesitate in using that) to seeing family members i have not seen in a long time this week

question about the paper

I heard a song earlier today and I would like to use it in my paper, does that count as a quote or just part of the paper?? Would I have to find another quote?

Class Meetings!

...hoping for more class meetings where we can sit in a circle and discuss interesting topics. A few of the quieter people spoke, which was good to heard...

Hmmm...what to write/type?

Today was a beautiful and chilly day. It took me about an hour to get to school which is pretty good considering I take two buses and one train. Riding the bus is fun for me because I get to people watch. It's never a dull day when I get to ride the train or bus. Today, for example, I came across a "crazy" man on my way to school. He was sharing his opinions about the world out loud for all of us to hear. "We've got to be creative" he said. " Find out the truth about what's really going on." He ranted for about twenty minutes about flu shots, the loss of creativity and sex. OH yeah, he totally went there. As I looked around me, I could tell by people's faces that his opinions were not welcomed. People gave him dirty looks and some even moved from their seats just to get away from him. Call me weird, but I'd rather listen to a "crazy" man rant about humanity than have to listen to a loud, annoying cell phone conversation. (Seriously!) I don't get upset when people talk "crazy" on the bus because these people are far from ordinary. On the other hand, I can understand why most people would be offended by such behavior. Personally, it's the "crazy" people who make life interesting and bus rides much more enjoyable. I guess I'm a little crazy too. Oh well.

So, that's all I have to share for today.

Take care guys and gals.


Lesson of the Day: Keep your eyes, ears and heart open, if not, you might miss out on life.

Want to Laugh? This video might help...

Social D... Don't Drag Me Down

Love this song...and just saw someone's interpretation with pictures, had to share it... GRAPHIC PICTURES-BE AWARE

INDIGENOUS STRUGGLE

"i'll give you my SOUL, if you let me SON go.."

Pretty Exasperated

I always try to see other people's perspectives. Honestly!

Even if I don't agree, I won't actively get frustrated with someone else's perspectives. But, lately there was a discussion that brought up a point of view I just couldn't believe my peers would agree with.

"Money back in the education system is not really a solution."

It is a well-correlated relationship between a funded school with educational benefits. Whether 90% of that money is going to the head of the school or not, even that 10% has more capabilities when there's actually money in it than if there wasn't. So, I don't see how anyone could think that money is not a solution to the recent problems in the education system?

The arguments I heard were that the main pooling of the money would go towards the chancellors or silly bureaucratic nonsense, and not really towards the education of students or even towards good teachers for students.

To which I would agree, but even with the little money we have we still have bad teachers. So, more money could at least better the odds at getting a few good teachers.

Also, any money in the system helps the system. The ONLY reason our classes have been cut, our professors fired, and our financial aid reduced is because we have SIGNIFICANTLY less money. So the ONLY solution to that is to have more money in the system.

It's not because the chancellors are actually sadists who get off on seeing the students in their system suffer -- it's because they still want to make lots of money and so they'd rather cut funds to classes and professors than suffer an economic loss. If the system had the money to satisfy their unreasonable paychecks, then they have leftover to actually give to the students. Yes, it's a horribly corrupt system and it needs serious change -- and if you want to fight against this corruption then more power to you! But, a just as good solution (and by being an equally suitable solution, it means it's still an IMPORTANT solution) is to actually have money put back into the system.

In the same discussion I heard this argument, I had previously heard another student say that his financial aid isn't going through. To say something like 'money isn't a solution' seems a bit of a slap to the face. That person's education is put on hold because he can't get money to pay for it. Please don't say the only thing this student needs is not a solution to his problem.

I'm sorry if this was rant-y, but some things I feel really strongly about and improving the education system is one of them.

Great documentary!

helpp!!!!

ok i missed class on wen. due to personal reason so if anyone can tell me if we have a new paper due and what the subject is it would be a great help. thank you

Enthusiasm

I experience life differently when my attitude is positive and hopeful. Where I previously saw obstacles, I now see opportunities.

Divine Order

Divine Order
My life is unfolding in perfect order.
If I am feeling overwhelmed, I may have difficulty recognizing that divine order is at hand. I remind myself to release my need to know how things will work out and trust the Universe for right outcomes.
I turn to nature for an example. A soft caterpillar plods through countless hazards to find food. Over time, he wraps himself in a cocoon, transforms his body, and pushes himself through a tiny opening to stretch and fill out his new butterfly wings. Observing the process, I see why each phase is necessary. I see order in his unfoldment.
My evolution is even more complex and miraculous. With renewed calm and appreciation for the order present in all life, I continue on my path of transformation..(fr: Silent Unity)

Federal Funding

The HOUSE HAS PASSED A BILL...THAT PROHIBITS...FEDERAL FUNDING FOR ABORTIONS... Exception..incest & rape...
I do not believe abortion should be a form of birth control... BUT, I DO BELIEVE IN A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE...

sINGLE mOTHERS STRUGGLE

I'm tired... My role as a mother and father, student and worker has me TIRED!

Is all hate bad?

Dont Run...

man oh man.... inspiration from a traveling poet...

we can't have it all

"The happiest people don't have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything they have."

A lil reminder to women.....

"A woman has strengths that amaze men. She can handle trouble and carry heavy burdens. She holds happiness, love, and opinions. She smiles when she feels like screaming. She sings when she feels like crying, cries when she's happy and laughs when she's afraid. Her love is unconditional! There's ONLY one thing wrong with her: she sometimes forgets what she is worth."

THIS VIDEO BRIGHTENED MY DAY

This is an adorable video! everyone should watch it if they want to laugh!  It is so creative and makes me laugh a ton. tell me what you all think! :)

Frustrations

Am I the only one who is frustrated by comments on their papers? I am simply flabbergasted and quite tempted to give up. Here's to hoping I can keep going and not break one of my own life rules :\

MINDFULNESS

Mindfulness is a spiritual practice that leads to a richer life experience. It infuses ordinary activities with love and joy. When I am mindful of my relationships, I become fully present with my loved ones, listening with love and sharing from my heart. When I am mindful of my physical well-being, I hold thoughts of health and wholeness. When I am mindful of my finances, I appreciate my prosperity and give thanks by sharing from my abundance.

Not everything is as it seems . . .

Wow!

Pretty controversial but the love of a parent is priceless! But then again who knows if he's doing more harm than good.

huh?

im not computer savy so i dont know how to upload a video from youtube....can someone help please :)

Understanding Peace

We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves. Dalai Lama

Lesson to Peace

I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent.
Mahatma Gandhi

Thank You MT!!!! Great Class! :)

The circle was amazing MT. Thank you. It was a wonderful lesson about the power of listening with intent. The respectful environment felt extremely empowering. In most situations you don’t feel heard or you aren’t really quite listening because you are thinking of your next point, or sometimes you are just too shy to participate. Profoundly poignant and at times humorous, it was wonderful hearing everyone's stories and opinions without argumentation or disruption. I love that everyone was able to contribute. What a marvelous learning experience. It is astounding how simply moving some chairs around, facing each other, agreeing to listen without interruption and giving everyone a chance to speak can profoundly change the social dynamic in a room. And although, it was fabulous hearing all of the usually outspoken students, what I really appreciated was hearing from the quiet students that generally fade into the background. I have so much respect for my classmates. AHOOO. I agree that CSULA students are thoughtful, intelligent, courageous and generally awesome, as are you MT.

Soc Circle

I just realized that I have not been blogging much, but after Monday's circle discussion I had to log on. Everyone had so many good comments and questions, I honestly didn't think it would get that deep. We all seem different on the outside, but to my surprise many of us have similar characteristics and have been through similar situations. It was great learning and sharing experiences, and I hope we can do this again before the quarter ends. See you all tomorrow :-)

Suheir Hammad- Def Jam Poetry

Circle Today - one of 8 things

1. one fact
2. one observation from the weekend
3. one puzzlement about how the "world works"
4. one feeling/political position
5. one feeling/spiritual position
6. one challenge to each other
7. one post from this blog
8. one song, poem, dance

A H O O O

Alex Jones doesn't buy Bin Laden's death

Test your Awareness

Words I Never Said

Heard this song the other day and it really struck me... Words I never said.... Its very political but can be applied to pretty much every aspect of life.... Have a listen.

REALITY BASED::POWERFUL IMAGES

"I hate it when they tell us how far we came to be, like if our people's history started with slavery!" OUR HISTORY HAS BEEN RAPED BY COLONIZATION!!!....REMEMBER "you could make a future but it starts with leaving the PAST!!!

Drowing you with PROPAGANDA

TD

Circle

It was nice to hear from all my classmates today. I loved to hear that its just fine to wait to have children or to even feel or know you dnt want children. It shows that the new generation is changing from the old views of our parents and grandparents.

Happy Monday

Today was a great day filled with a lot of surprises and happiness. I couldn't ask for a better way to start the week.

Hope you guys have a wonderful week :-)

To Drink Or Not To Drink??

Before I begin let me just say, I am not passing judgment, I am just making an observation: 

I have noticed that a lot of my friends like to brag on Facebook and other social networking sites about "getting wasted" and how much fun they had BECAUSE they were "wasted." I have never been one to indulge in alcohol because I don't like anything being in control of me, I like to be in control of my own actions.  When I see things like this, it really makes me worried about the way people are treating their bodies and the positions they are putting themselves in by constantly drinking. I bothers me when I see a status that says "I need a drink."  My peers range from 21-26 and it makes no sense to me why anyone in that age range would feel as if they "need" a drink of anything other than water.  There is so much damage being done by these weekend binges people go on and I'm not sure if they realize it or if they simply don't care.  Alcohol can have so many harmful effects to a person's body as well as emotional effects.  I have a hard time comprehending what people mean when they say to me about a club or party "You wouldn't have enjoyed it because you don't drink." That makes no sense to me because I have a good time everywhere I go without a drop of alcohol in my system.  And I don't get how they would know if they had a good time or not if they can't even recall the night's events.


Is this a new trend among American youth, getting drunk just to "have a good time"?

Lastly...

Lastly, I been feeling so good about life.. I feel that right now I'm in a good place.. I finally choose a sorority I am going to join, I am working had to pass all my classes, I'm going to the gym, I'm hanging out withmy friends and family more often,and this summer I will be doing my internship at WINGS its a Domestic Violence program for women and children. I haven't felt this good about life in a while.. ever since my dad was about to pass away it made me feel that I was going to loose him and I got real scared and tried to just focuse in school because I wanted my dad to be proud of me, and hopefully one day see me graduate. But now my dad is doing so much better, and I am finally focusing on things that I truly want to do. I'm excited for the new things ill be accomplishing in life.

deaths

For the past two weeks already I've heard about 3 people dying. First, one was last week, one girl in astronomy class, her dad died suddently, and I bet it was a huge shock. The second person, was one of my friends dad aslo died all of suddently. He was supposeable getting the flu so when they took him to the hospital, they did test on him and found out that he had an infection in his blood, he ended up getting a strock and he didn't make it. And now, Bin Laden. Idk it just made me think that we need to enjoy life to the fullest no matter what.. because we never know when is our last day here on earth.

Todays Circle

Class was a little different today. It was interesting how almost everyone spoke so openly and easily. I really admire those who CAN speak openly and easily because I find it extremely difficult to do =(

I enjoyed listening to everyone share their thoughts and feelings. It is amazing how we may think we are so different from one another yet we found that we have many similarities. It was very refreshing. I am a little bummed I could not bring myself to let go and open up more than I did but nonetheless, I still enjoyed the change.

Did anyone else feel like they wanted to speak but was too shy to?? [I hope I wasn't the only one =( ]

One more thing... to the girl who shared her pain about her doggy:

I have a dog of my own who I love to death and I don't know what I would do if anything happened to her. So on that note, I do know that you are hurting. Your story brought me to tears that I fought very hard to hold back in class. Stay positive and I hope she will be ok. =)

Summer Soc Classes

click

GOVERNMENTS DISRESPECT

President Obama, Told the USA " justice" has been accomplished by the killing of Bin Laden, by America's TOP SECRET SERVICE MEN... LOL...LOL...

BIN LADEN WAS LIVING FOR ALMOST 8 YEARS at that location, which is LOCATED AMONG the exclusive neighbours of TOP RANKING PAKISTAN'S GENERALS. Let me give you an idea of what kind of neighbourhood Bin Laden was residing in... think of Palos Verdes Pennisula...YES...THAT'S THE KIND OF NEIGHBOURHOOD... BACK IN THE LATE 1800'S if my memory serves me correctly, the British coveted that area; at that time, it was still considered India.

AN EYE FOR AN EYE LEAVES THE WHOLE WORLD BLIND... GANDHI..

NOW BIN-LADEN'S SUPPORTERS WILL CONTINUE TERROR---WHEN WILL IT END...

SINCE AMERICA HAS THE BEST INTELLIGENCE IN THE INDUSTRIAL WORLD... WHY DID THEY NOT JUST CAPTURE BIN-LADEN AND BRING HIM TO TRiAL... INSTEAD OF BEING JUST LIKE HIM...  FUNDAMENTALIST MURDER?I shortened these spaces so as not to take so much "bandwidth" ~ MT

Osama Bin Laden Dead... Empty Symbolism!

An obviously symbolic act, that is sure to perpetuate more violence. The cycle will never end. Don't we all know that there are millions of other "Bin Ladens" ready, willing and waiting to take his place. It won't be long before there is another devastating retaliation killing more innocent people. How many innocent people have died in our country and the middle east. The world is a mess. Deflection and distraction, this will be a defining moment for President Obama...Oh right, the elections are next year. The world is F***ed up!!! and it is politics as usual. Some one in class mentioned something Ghandi said, "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind." Have we all bought in to the madness? Are we all BLIND! Oscar Wilde said, "We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars." From now on, I just look at the stars.

How to weigh human's soul?

According to a doctor at Massachusettes, here is a formular:
The weight of one who is at the moment of passing away subtracts his/her weight right after death. The average of human's soul, according to this doctor, is 21 grams.

Saturday

Feels good to have a Saturday off from work. =)

Hope everyone else is enjoying their weekend.

I need to study for my mid terms this week. How does one do this, when you are sick with the flu, my head feels like it wants to explode.

Numb..

This is my first post, i usually comment on people's posts, but tonight i would like to vent. if you do not want to hear me bitch (excuse my language)then pass over my post.

This is my last quarter and i find it to be the hardest, not because of the curriculum but because my grandmother is passing away.I have been preparing myself for this moment for about a year now and yet i am not ready. My grandmother is a strong woman but her time is ending and i am unable to let her go.

I am grateful that it is happening gradually so i can say good bye and spend time with her but i hate seeing her suffer, in and out of the hospital, seeing my grandma on morphine hurts me bc it confuses her and she can't think straight, grant it yes it is helping her pain but she's different. My family alternates nights, one with grandpa and one with grandma at the hospital

I spend two nights out of the week with my grandparents and it is exhausting.

Any words of encouragement would help.....i am tired, but i also know my grandmother is too.

P.s Sorry for being a Debbie Downer,

but thank you for reading my post...i needed to get it off my chest

Classics Never Get Old =)

Snappy Title

What a brilliant show. Deals with so many issues like racism, classism, sexism, and I'm sure any other -ism you can think of. I swear, it must be some sort of sociology degree in and of itself once the series is completed. Clearly it doesn't hold the same 'educational' value as a university degree might, but if you have the right kind of brain, this show will cover basically everything you could think to cover in any and all sociology classes. Just in a clever, outrageous sort of way. I bet even 'mayon-egg' is mentioned in a class somewhere.

aaaand I'll leave you with this little commercial from New Zealand. Such Kiwi humor.

Trippy Disney Collage Time!

http://www.yooouuutuuube.com/v/?width=160&height=160&yt=jt7AF2RCMhg&flux=0&direction=bottom_left

Classical Music

It has this ability to make writing papers enjoyable...kinda lol

My doggie is back home!

Its been a month since my girl dog TY became ill. We have been in and out of the vet since then. for the last three days she's been staying at the vet over night. I picked her up today. I am so happy to see her back at home. She suffers from megaesophagus and at the moment has pneumonia. I feel like im taking care of a new born baby, which i dnt mind at all. As long as she gets better, i would do anything for her. It will take extra care to get her back on her normal weight and i know she is strong enough to get through this.

I Feel Better Now =)

I don't know what I would do without music.....

HELP!

Is the quote we picked included in the 475 word count? or just our own written words.

Having One Of those Days

I feels as if I have so much to write about, but once i start typing, nothing makes sense... Writers blockage!!! >:O

Bad Experience

Today was such a beautiful day and I was in a great mood. I was happy that I was almost done with my paper and studying, but it was all ruined by this person who I completely trusted. I had a really bad experience with this person and now I don't know how to react to it.

NO CUTS COALITION::they say cut back, we say FIGHT BACK!

Thursday, April, 28th from 3:15-420 in the Los Angeles Room of the USU on the third floor, No Cuts Coalition will be hosting a forum to discuss the next steps that we must take to ensure our education during these times of mass budget cuts. Everyone's opinion and ideas are valued so I hope that you could be there. Please tell your student organizations,friends and teachers. Our voice has to be heard, not only for us but for the future generations as well!!! Also, N.C.C. holds meetings to organize against the cuts every thursady at 3:15 in King Hall room C4077. MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD. PEACE!

A Land Destroyed

This is a trailer of a documentary called "The Garden." In 2006, the largest urban garden in the United States was destroyed out of greed. The 14 acre farm served 350 families in and around South Central. To this day the land remains barren. If anyone is interested I have it on DVD.

Sociological Evolution

Really stuck out as the song examines the sociological evolution of man and violence. The chorus states "This is evolution...monkey, man then the gun."

Pre-School Bullying

About a week ago, I took my one-year old son outside to play with some of the kids in my apartment building.  This was his first time outside because I wasn't too confident is his walking since it's only been a few months since he started.  The children who were outside were ages 3 (boy), 3 (boy), 3 (girl) and 8 (girl).  At first I was being an overprotective mother but then I convinced myself to let him venture off on his own so that he could learn to be more social without my prescence (which he had no problem with).  As I sat back and observed the children, I began to notice a pattern.  It seemed as if the younger children were picking on my son (the 8-year old basically left the other children alone and did her own thing).  So, I decided to pay close attention to what the children were doing and saying.  I noticed that whenever my son picked up a toy (all of which were his own that I brought outside for him to play with) one of the 3-year olds would take it away from him and tell him "No, no baby."  There was also a lot of snatching from him and saying "Haha! You can't have it" and then running away from him.  Also, the children would not let him play any of their little games they invented on the spot. He was completely left out of their little alliance. Of course, as a mother, it really pissed me off to see these children mistreating my son but I allowed them to continue and only interfered when my son began to become upset.  I didn't take him outside to conduct an observation, but once I noticed this "bullying" pattern, I wanted to pay close attention.  My son did not seem to care about the other children and their antics; whenever they took something away from him, he found something else to occupy his time. However, this did make me wonder, is bullying something natural?  I know that these children's parents did not teach them to pick on someone who is younger and smaller than they are, yet, I was watching it happen right before my eyes.  They did not pick on those of their own size, only my little 1-year old.  One of the 3-year old boys physically pushed my son TWICE because he leaned in to give him a kiss (he's a very affectionate child).  My instinct was to defend my son but I just picked him up and took him away from the little boy.  This really made me wonder where this type of behavior is learned and if it is not learned, where these children got these instincts from.

P.S.
By the end of the day, the mother in me wanted to kick some pre-school butt!! LoL

Where our Lives May lead us...look on with a smile

Robert Frost (1874–1963).  Mountain Interval.  1920.

The Road Not Taken

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth;         5   Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same,         10   And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back.         15   I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.

Time to Vent

Just a few minutes ago I received a phone call from my sister. She was calling to inform me of not so good news. I was feeling so accomplished having completed all three papers that were due today in a timely manner, only to receive her call about my dad.

I don't really know anyone here on campus and it's because of this that I find myself comfortable writing my feelings out for everyone to see because its going to take me almost an hour to get home and figure out what's going on with my dad. I don't like keeping all my emotions in so I thought this was a good way to just vent that I am scared and was caught off guard by the phone call.

I think its time to pray.

Much needed motivation

When I got my paper back yesterday, I was pleasantly surprised at my grade. I doubted myself the entire time I was writing. I have reached that point in the semester where I started telling myself that I didn't care about my grades or work anymore and started focusing on how burnt out I feel. That grade really helped remind me why it is that I am working so hard and that we only have five more weeks! I desperately needed that extra motivational boost. Has anyone else reached that point? If so, where do you get the motivation to power through the last few weeks?

Promise of HOPE

Subject: FW: CARL!!

Dear Friends...
Carl was a quiet man. He didn't talk much. He would always greet you witha big smile and a firm handshake.Even after living in our neighborhood for over 50 years, no one couldreally say they knew him very well.Before his retirement, he took the bus to work each morning. The lonesight of him walking down the street often worried us.He had a slight limp from a bullet wound received in WWII. Watching him, we worried that although he had survived WWII, he may not make it through our changing uptown neighborhood with its ever-increasing random violence,gangs, and drug activity. When he saw the flyer at our local church asking for volunteers for caringfor the gardens behind the minister's residence, he responded in his characteristicallyunassuming manner. Without fanfare, he just signed up. He was well into his 87th year when the very thing we had always feared finally happened. He was just finishing his watering for the day when three gang members approached him.Ignoring their attempt to intimidate him, he simply asked, 'Would you likea drink from the hose?' The tallest and toughest-looking of the three said, 'Yeah, sure,' with amalevolent little smile. As Carl offered the hose to him, the other two grabbed Carl's arm,throwing him down. As the hose snaked crazily over the ground, dousing everythingin its way, Carl's assailants stole his retirement watch and his wallet,and then fled. Carl tried to get himself up, but he had been thrown down on his bad leg.He lay there trying to gather himself as the minister came running to help him. Although the minister had witnessed the attack from his window, hecouldn't get there fast enough to stop it. 'Carl, are you okay? Are you hurt?' the minister kept asking as he helpedCarl to his feet. Carl just passed a hand over his brow and sighed, shaking his head. 'Justsome punk kids. I hope they'll wise-up someday.' His wet clothes clung to his slight frame as he bent to pick up the hose. He adjusted the nozzle again and started to water. Confused and a little concerned, the minister asked, 'Carl, what are youdoing?' 'I've got to finish my watering. It's been very dry lately,' camethe calm reply. Satisfying himself that Carl really was all right, theminister could only marvel. Carl was a man from a different time and place. A few weeks later the three returned. Just as before their threat wasunchallenged. Carl again offered them a drink from his hose.This time they didn't rob him. They wrenched the hose from his hand and drenched him head to foot in the icy water. When they had finished their humiliation of him, they sauntered off downthe street, throwing catcalls and curses, falling over one another laughingat the hilarity of what they had just done. Carl just watched them. Then he turned toward the warmth giving sun,picked up his hose, and went on with his watering. The summer was quickly fading into fall Carl was doing some tilling whenhe was startled by the sudden approach of someone behind him. He stumbled and fell intosome evergreen branches. As he struggled to regain his footing, he turned to see the tall leader ofhis summer tormentors reaching down for him. He braced himself for theexpected attack. 'Don't worry old man, I'm not gonna hurt you this time.' The young manspoke softly, still offering the tattooed and scarred hand to Carl. As he helped Carl get up, the man pulled a crumpled bag from his pocket and handedit to Carl. 'What's this?' Carl asked. 'It's your stuff,' the man explained. 'It's your stuff back. Even the money in your wallet.' 'I don't understand,' Carlsaid. 'Why would you help me now?' The man shifted his feet, seeming embarrassed and ill at ease. 'I learnedsomething from you,' he said. 'I ran with that gang and hurt people like you we picked you because you were old and we knew we could do it But every time we cameand did something to you, instead of yelling and fighting back, you tried togive us a drink. You didn't hate us for hating you. You kept showing love against our hate.' He stopped for a moment. 'I couldn't sleep after we stole your stuff, sohere it is back.'He paused for another awkward moment, not knowing what more there was tosay. 'That bag's my way of saying thanks for straightening me out, I guess.' And with that, he walked off down the street. Carl looked down at the sack in his hands and gingerly opened it. He tookout his retirement watch and put it back on his wrist. Opening his wallet,he checked for his wedding photo. He gazed for a moment at the young bridethat still smiled back at him from all those years ago.He died one cold day after Christmas that winter. Many people attended hisfuneral in spite of the weather.In particular the minister noticed a tall young man that he didn't know sitting quietly in a distant corner of the church. The minister spoke of Carl's garden as a lesson in life. In a voice made thick with unshed tears, he said, 'Do your best and makeyour garden as beautiful as you can. We will never forget Carl and his garden.'The following spring another flyer went up. It read: 'Person needed to care for Carl's garden.' The flyer went unnoticed by the busy parishioners until one day when a knock was heard at the minister's office door. Opening the door, the minister saw a pair of scarred and tattooed handsholding the flyer. 'I believe this is my job, if you'll have me,' the young man said.The minister recognized him as the same young man who had returned the stolen watch andwallet to Carl. He knew that Carl's kindness had turned this man's life around. As theminister handed him the keys to the garden shed, he said, 'Yes, go take care of Carl'sgarden and honor him.' The man went to work and, over the next several years, he tended theflowers and vegetables just as Carl had done.During that time, he went to college, got married, and became a prominentmember of the community. But he never forgot his promise to Carl's memory and keptthe garden as beautiful as he thought Carl would have kept it. One day he approached the new minister and told him that he couldn't carefor the garden any longer. He explained with a shy and happy smile, 'My wife justhad a baby boy last night, and she's bringing him home on Saturday.' 'Well, congratulations!' said the minister, as he was handed the gardenshed keys. 'That's wonderful! What's the baby's name?' 'Carl,' he replied.That's the whole gospel message simply stated

Midterms

Hate them . . . Love them . . . Wish they didn't exist but somehow need them in my academic career . . . Why do they torment me before I take them and worry me until I get the result? Regardless of the outcome, I'm filled with relief after these weeks are over.

this is creativity at its best...honda=)

Frustrated

So for I have no luck in finding a citation for the upcoming paper

5 weird ways to pay for college

http://money.msn.com/college-savings/5-weird-ways-to-pay-for-college-smartmoney.aspx?cp-documentid=6806795&GT1=33029

Interesting Video

Oh well

It is funny how you see someone you thought you were cool with. You say what's up and they just ignore you. All of a sudden they do not know you.

This quote is empowering!

It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.
~William Shakespeare

QUESTION!!!

Do we have to constantly post new things on the blog, to be counted as a "blogger"? I personally like to leave a comment on what people say, is that fair enough?

Braces

Today I put on braces...and now they are hurting my teeth...cant take it...I feel intense pressure...I want to take them off NOW!!! Any advice on how to make this experience smoother...

Birthday week!

I am excited for my birthday tomorrow but I am sad that my doggie is spending three days at the vet starting today. Its hard to be happy knowing that she is in a cage sick, but i know that is whats best for her at this time. I also have two papers to write and explaining how i correct my mistakes is alittle tough. Well its time to get to those papers so I could spend time with my fam tomorrow and also go pay alittle visit to my doggie at the vet.

Do you know wut illuminati members are??