Top 8 Reasons

Top 8 Reasons to Enter a Pageant

2011-03-17T21:38:00.000-07:00

Many young women periodically receive letters from State pageants in the mail to sign up and be a part of their competitions. This past summer (2010), when I got one that said Miss New York USA Pageant, I decided I should try for it. I emailed them my info and a picture of myself and they got back to me saying I was in. They sent a package in the mail with all of the requirements and next steps. This, however, was my last step; I made the choice to not go forward with the pageant because of my measurements of all it was not on top of all it required. Yet, the experience I had in reading and researching to prepare if I did go on in it reinforced all that pageants are:

Rewards/scholarship - Depending on the pageant, one of the main perks will be the great "swag" you'll receive if you place and the beneficial scholarships for college. Of course, for the pageant I was entering, the scholarship was for a college I'd never heard of in a town I'd never known existed. Yeah.

Chance to brush up skills, such as interview - Face it, you'll always need a good interview. Whether for a job, some other type of proposal or if you're a celebrity, interview skills must be learned. Look at yourself in the mirror, they say, watch your posture and the way you form your words with your mouth. Practice smiling, breathing and speaking in the mirror. Awkward much?! Well, it helps.

Showcase talents - A daunting task it may be to decide which talent you want to showcase this time. A mediocre dance or a ribbon twirl? Maybe a poem recitation? Either way, a chance to dig deep, practice with passion and perform with power are what this brings. Being judged? Oh, that's just the tip of the iceberg when you realize you've gotten yourself onstage in front of hundreds to thousands to millions of strangers and forgotten all of the words and notes of The Star Spangled Banner! But hey, at least your outfit's kinda cute, right? Exactly! Who'll notice your voice?

Opportunity - to grow. to do. to pursue. You never know who will win but you know that you can aim for it. Doors open when you try and if you fail, you will learn to still be happy and not give up. You've worked too hard to not try to see the bright side, the silver lining. It is still rewarding!!!

Contacts/relationship gain - So, you know you have to search for sponsors right? Well, all of those people you've met over the years will come in handy and now, you get to meet even more. It may seem weird and unnatural but the pageant handbook assures, people love to support pageants.

Resume - Believe it or not, sometimes, listing pageantry is one way to get a good job, especially if you have done it more than once and received awards and placed each time.

Wardrobe - All the pretty outfits. Ornate gowns, tailored suits, sweet costumes. Even though someone has to pay for it all, getting dolled up is fancy business. Who doesn't want a part?

Pageant weekend - You travel to the hotel, practice and rehearse, eat, sleep and go on stage. There are lights, cameras and action. The knowledge that you will be on television, on YouTube or just in someone's photo book. The heels. The judges. The mic. The stairs. Your crazy but gorgeous roommate who talked all night. I hear nerves and great wonder. A once in a lifetime experience.

Top 8 Reasons to Stay Out Of Nightclubs

2011-03-05T06:53:00.000-08:00

For a long while, my personal ideas, knowledge and interests as well as accounts and warnings from others and the news kept me out of nightclubs. Still, a day came when I ended up going to one for a little while. Never again. It was like everything I dislike times ten! Here's what I mean:

Drunk people are not my idea of fun. They act silly and careless. They share their drinks. They grab at strangers because, on top of all of the other issues they have, they've now also lost their better judgment. Drinks themselves, even if no one has drank any, equal disgusting.

Nightclubs are dark, as if night isn't dark enough alone, now you can't even see the stranger who is grabbing at you!
What light there is will probably be strobe lights. Is that dancing I see? Nope, the lights have just caused someone else a seizure.
There is enough bass and volume that, not only will you need to scream directly into a person's ear to be heard but may easily be knocked across to the other side of the room before you can.

You cannot get in without wacky, tacky stamps or passes. Wait on a line in the rain? Be asked your name and to see your ID ten times? Have a sticker wrapped around you that closely resembles a hospital wristband? Then, be stamped with some neon star that somehow can only be seen under a weird light? NO, thank you.

Bad/false advertisement - So, they said they have a dress code and put a nice picture on the flier? Well, then why are there so many poorly-dressed, poorly-scented people in a venue that looks nothing like the pictures? Another question, why are so many fliers even tackier than the stamps, with trashy-looking "models?" BAD and FALSE advertisement.

Crowded - Okay, so maybe the venue wasn't all that bad (okay yeah, it was) but with such magnanimous amounts of people, some on stilts, the crowds make it a big issue. There is no crowd control. At home, I have my own room; at clubs, I stand in a corner with 3 big dudes?

Security is not so great. While they do ask for your name and ID several times and just may have a medal detector,...even they look like nighttime. With black uniforms, how do you know who security is? Maybe the guy who just asked for your ID was actually trying for identity theft. And, don't let there be coat-check. You'll be walking in that rain coat-less afterward.

Music/dancing - Class....less!

Ooops, did I put nine reasons o_0 My bad...but now, I'm sure you get my drift!

Top 8 Reasons To Now Avoid Facebook

2010-08-26T12:07:00.000-07:00

Not very long ago, I was supporting the Facebook social network. Now, I feel like this: "It went from being a confusing nuisance to a best friend and even, at times, a lifeline" then right back to being a nuisance! I am not saying to negate everything I have said about the top 8 reasons to love Facebook but that I have a lot of additional experience and that, as more users have come and changes have been made to the site, more undesirable things have been driving me away. Here are the Top 8 Reasons I Now Avoid Facebook:

A lot of it has become about music, money, advertising and the like. If you recall, when the opposite was true, it was the #1 reason that I said Facebook was lovable. A lot of events, requests and actual profiles are now just there to either spam you or rob you. Most of the rest have the same goal but will just take your money and time when you allow, rather than underhandedly.
Speaking of spam, it used to be that the only spam was from fake profiles or hacked into profiles but now, due to all of the above, friends have also been inadvertently spamming friends.
I would speak on fake profiles now and probably will in just a minute but first, I must ask, what's up with the back-to-back group messages, party invitations, etc.?? What ever happened to "No, not interested means no, not interested"?? If I don't respond soon and even when I do, they fill my in-box with more messages which only makes it much less likely that I'll be able to see the messages that actually say important things. We've become excessive in our impatience instead of more efficient. You know, God is not nearly as slow as we assume just because He doesn't do things when we'd prefer. God doesn't chill when it's time to work. We do; we need extra time to process things...so why don't we all just chill out with the messages and let them process?!
Now, about those there fake profiles -- If you're not doing work online (such as freelance writing/blogging/anything with websites), you do not need more than one Facebook page and one profile. People have their profile, a fan page, their other profile for their other friends and then one for their coworkers which is the one that actually has their real name on it. Why? License to false claim swings both ways and is a door that leads to destruction. Just like you can have several personae to fool others and yourself, others are creating fake profiles with pictures of other people or quotes from other people to give a false image of themselves or that person. Then, they have the nerve to spam you.
There are too many games which take up too much time and are extremely high maintenance. If I wanted that stress and had the money, I'd have a real puppy or farm or cafe. Don't give me stress for a game! You mock me, Facebook.
It is now too personal. Too much is connected and shared. Everybody knows everybody which can be good but is usually bad in these cases. Privacy is like a Utopian, idealistic joke on Facebook these days and the wall feed, I realize, is more like a Twitter time-line than words between a person and their friends..it's just random and impersonal.
Nobody wants to "like" AND interact with my fan page. *Tear* What's up with the fandemonium?? All I'm trying to be saying here is that everyone wants someone to "like" or "share" or do something for something. Stressful pressure is not fun regardless of which end of that spectrum you are on.
I was on for three to four years and have about 700 friends. Wowzers on that one. Imagine twenty people starting a conversation with you at once every time you log into the site. That's quite overwhelming, especially when you probably don't want to talk to some of them anyway and some of the others only speak the same small talk every time and yet still, others will make demands such as "Let's chill" when you have a ton of work to complete before you can even try to get what chill means and which Britney W. or Andrew F. wants you to do it. No, I don't want to chill, or party or buy your sneakers off of your spam site. I'd shut it all down if it weren't for the fact that it is what I built... I added all of those friends, and most were actually friends at some point or another at that. So hey, I just made another profile for the people I did want to talk to and made a fan page for my writing. I hate having two personal pages but this was a reasonable reason (whatever that means) and I will phase one of them out eventually (figure that one out...I can't).

Top 8 Reasons to Adopt a Child

2010-06-13T15:51:00.000-07:00

This one hits the home of my heart; it is personal to me, as I have wanted to adopt for several years now. I've researched the process, the requirements and often go to adoption.com to look at pictures of children of all ages and backgrounds. I figure, I'll probably never be able to adopt one of them (because of my lack of income) but that the least I could do is care and prayer for whatever they are facing in their individual young lives. It is because of my caring that I am sharing this list:

A child born of the heart, not of the flesh - Nobody can deny that real love exists whether or not you are genetically and biologically related to a person so why should it be any different with adoption?? Children want to be loved. Some people avoid adoption because of the genetic issue but, to have a child that is yours all because of your love for them is just as significant as one who you brought into the world.
You can provide the opportunity for that experience of love by choosing to open your home and family to an orphan or foster child. You'd be able to provide for someone's needs. It'd be as much of an adventure and learning experience for every involved party but this is rewarding.
You can be a parent and friend to someone who doesn't have that as of yet and thus, you will be depositing seeds into someone's life that will help them grow up and will help build a relationship that will forever be blessed.
A lot of people want to abort their children but when there are openly willing adoptive parents, abortion happens less often. Someone thought enough of the child to have them so why wouldn't you care enough to take them in and raise them??
It's for life but it's not as hard as it seems. You don't necessarily need to be married or have your own house or live in the richest part of a nation in order to adopt a child. Look at the fictional characters Ray Campbell and Lisa Landry, who adopted Tia Landry and Tamera Campbell, respectively. Lisa lived in a not-so-great part of Detroit when she became Tia's mother but pulled it off great!! When they discovered the girls were twins, separated at birth, Tia and Tamera asked their parents if they could live together and Lisa and Tia moved in with Ray and Tamera. Okay, a little crazy but the point is that things work out in the long term and if you have something to offer to a child waiting to be adopted, don't worry about what you have yet to accomplish. They want you.
To whom much is given, much is expected. If you have more, give more. There are people who are able to have a lot of children and people who cannot give birth to or adopt even one. If you can, why shouldn't and why wouldn't you do so??
Unlike with natural childbirth, post-adoption, you will always have a team that is there for you whenever you have questions and need support or advice. Part of the adoption process is the legal part and when they are legally your child(ren), you will always have contacts to support groups and counselors in your area that are specific to adoptive families. Whether you are wondering how to deal with a tough question that your child asked you or how to help them blend in with children you've already had, they are there for you! You're not alone and you will show your adoptive children that they are not alone, either!
Look at these faces!! They all need us all!!

Top 8 Reasons to Dress for Success

2010-02-04T12:21:00.001-08:00

What does it mean to dress for success?? Is it simply to wear business-attire?? Aren't there different kinds of business, though?? The answer is that successful people will wear the most suitable, professional clothing for whatever their business is. Here's why:

To feel like a million bucks - There's just something about knowing you look the part that makes a person feel more successful. The reason: It shows you cared enough to present yourself that way and it makes other people feel like you are respectable and also that you respect them enough to dress appropriately while in their presence.
Professionalism, performance and ambition - Dress codes exist for a reason and it's not the image; it's part of work ethic and etiquette to be dressed for the job at hand.
First impressions: Some people may not remember the first time they saw a person but that first impression is still inside. Therefore, in order to express a good attitude, what you choose to wear comes into play. Who hires sloppily-dressed people??
In life, creativity can be used in everything you do but in order to be successful, whatever you do can't be just about you. That includes your wardrobe.
To be seen for your abilities: A lot of times, people figure that if you dress like everyone else, you will only blend in. However, you do not want to stick out just because of your clothes! Your spirit and your work should shine through any fabric! When a person already has dressed for success, the next step is to do the work you do best. It is more likely that someone will notice your work if they are not busy wondering about your intentions and what you were thinking when you got dressed.
Making the difference - It's not about dressing seriously but about seriously dressing. Look at successful coaches, lawyers, teachers and the way they dress. People in their same profession often have the same credentials and do the same work but have not achieved as much success as of yet because they were not serious about the way they dressed.

The future - Looking back, it's funny how our brains/minds work but we remember what a person wears the most. If someone often wears white t-shirts or a black cap, you'll probably remember that when you think of them in the future. How do you want to be remembered?? What about photos?? Do you want your image captured with you not looking as good as you know you should??

Life can be hard but opportunities to improve your current situation always arise. To achieve a "greater greatness," your mind must be prepared. The way a person dresses shows their mindset. You could have no job or house but if you look like a business person, it means something inside of you knows that where you are at this moment is not all there is for you. Attract what you want by mentally preparing yourself, including with the way you dress.

So, I know it may cost some money and may not feel as comfortable but if you want to be successful, you will dress for it!!

Top 8 Reasons to Watch Television

2010-01-10T08:15:00.000-08:00

Some people would never need a reason to watch television in order to do so. Some need to take a break. Some are taking a break because many of us see the unwelcome dangers that television-viewing impose on you & your family. You can read a nice anecdote about that here. Still, I have always viewed television as a valuable tool and here is what for:

I can find amazing music on televison that I'd never find while listening to that thing that plays the same three songs all day (the radio).

At any given moment, there is something inspiring and educational on, with channels like The History Channel, The Discovery Channel, The Traveling Channel, GODtv, The Church Channel, Trinity Broadcasting Network, Gospel Music Channel and many others.

Sometimes, all you are lacking is a little static noise. Have you ever been the type who works more efficiently when there's just some type of sound in the room, whether one of those nature tapes or some music?? What works well for many is having the televison on; it can help you to focus on the task at hand.

Watch the news!! The Bible says, many times, Watch. It doesn't say to watch the news but watching the news will help you to watch what's happening in the world as we near the Day.

Television gives perspective. Many different people of many different walks of life write the stories, act in them and air them on television. Something you thought you never would understand may suddenly come to light. This also means there's something for everyone and you'll realize how, even though there's only ever gonna be one you, your current situation is not unique; you're not alone..ever.

Movies and television shows that you may have liked in the past will often come on, even if you'd forgotten about their existence. Many people enjoy watching television shows that they watched as a kid or younger adult. This also gives perspective, as, having gained life experience and personal growth, you will view them in a different light.

Spark your creativity that's been simmering inside with channels like HGTV, Style and The Food Network.

When you can't be there, television is one way you can feel like you were. From sports games to a weekly sermon, no matter where you are in the world, the television can connect you to where you aren't.

Top 10 Reasons To Step Out Into the Sunlight

2010-01-05T06:24:00.000-08:00

For the new year, I have a top 10 list ((10 for 2010!!)) that I hope you find profitable. Being in front of the computer, you can get a lot of information and connect with people you probably will never meet in this life but being inside can take a toll:

The sun gives us vitamin D, which gives an automatic, natural mood-lift through the release of chemicals/hormones.
The air inside is often re-circulated and not well-ventilated or purified. Therefore, many allergens exist inside of the home; often, more than you'd encounter outside.
Besides allergens, remaining in one environment weakens your immune system and when you do go outside or even if you don't go out, you are more susceptible to sicknesses like colds and the flu.
One day, I noticed this random bright light as I passed a window. It concerned me that, at night time, there could be something so blinding out...unil I realized it was the moon. Don't be the one who doesn't maintain connection with the world!!
Also, don't be the one who goes out and no longer recognizes their neighborhood. If they can build four houses on an empty lot and you'd have no idea, there's a problem!!
When you stay in, you can lose track of time and, in a way, can be in a time warp from doing the same routines and staying on the computer for too long.
The great outdoors have a way of energizing as well. Forget crunches; you can run a mile!!
There's a great, big (small) world out there of people who you can meet in this life, if you go out!!
Receive inspiration and gain aspiration from nature.
Go back to your roots. Computers (and cell phones) weren't always here. Let's not forget that there are always other ways of doing the things we need to do!!

Top 8 Reasons to Take B Vitamins

2009-12-19T01:05:00.000-08:00

"B VITAMINS:" From television ads to cereal boxes, we've all heard the term but do you know what it really means and how vital it is to our individual health?? First, I must say, there is no "it" because in order for it to be vitamins with an "s," there are, obviously, multiple vitamins that are considered to be B vitamins. There was a time, however, when they were thought to be one vitamin, especially since they are all usually found in the same foods but eventually, each were found to be chemically distinct. It was actually from cereal boxes that I began to realize and recognize the different B vitamins and differentiate between them.
Before I give you 8 reasons to include them in your diet, allow me to share what the B vitamins are: B1 = thiamine; B2 = riboflavin; B3 = niacin; B5 = pantothenic acid; B6 = pyridoxine; B7 (also known as vitamin H) = biotin; B9 (also known as vitamin M) = folic acid; B12 = cobalamines

Most people who are diagnosed with depression have a vitamin B deficiency. The B vitamins deal with a lot of chemicals in our body, to balance them. If you've ever heard the commercials for anti-depressants, they say depression's from a chemical imbalance. Now, I believe it's more than that but, point blank, vitamins B3 and B6 release serotonin and balance our mood through the chemical balance they help to create. Therefore, it can decrease/prevent depression and helps to reduce stress.
Other chemicals that B vitamins help to balance are those that control our metabolism. A lot of times, if you stay up really late, when you wake up, you eat sugary carbs all day. This is because certain B vitmains get to work once you go to sleep and they balance the chemicals related to metabolic rate so, when you didn't have a good sleep pattern, they are thrown off. Yet, B vitamins also help to create good sleep pattrens.
B vitamins help in many other unexpected ways. B1 helps get rid of migraines and mosquitos and B6 helps decrease water retention.
B vitamins help with your immune system and nervous system.
They also enhance the health of our skin and our muscle development. B vitamins deal with a lot of cells in the human body and they promote cell growth and division. Thus, B vitamins help with cell-related ailments, such as anemia. They even prevent pancreatic cancer if gotten from food, not tablets.
B5 works with our adrenal glands and hair growth. Hence, the hair care line, "Pantene."
Heart health (B3 lowers choldesterol), digestive health and mental health must also be added to the list!
They are relatively convenient to find, coexisting in most healthy food and can be taken in supplementary vitamin tablet form either from a daily vitamin or as a B complex.

There are many B vitamin success stories and I can give you one more. Yet, remember, as with everything else in life, moderate your usage. A couple of the B vitamins can be toxic if too much is taken. Make sure you rely on food for a lot of your vitamin needs but also turn to vitamin tablets as supplements. Read labels. Allow yourself a day each week without it. Each B vitamin is important and can be found in many foods and daily vitamin supplements as well as B complex supplements.
Now, for another success story: My 12-year-old niece suffered three seizures this year. Instead of turning to the common drug for such, which causes a dependency, has many terrible side effects and must be taken for life, my mother told my sister that my niece needs vitamins. So, along with water for constant hydration, the B vitamins, both in daily supplements and B complex supplement form, have fared well with her. Now, my sister and nephew also take them and it has increased their energy, alertness and elevated their mood.

Top 8 Reasons To Love Facebook

2009-10-15T18:00:00.000-07:00

A common question is, What is Facebook? Another is, Why is it so popular?
I've had an account on facebook.com for about two to three years. It went from being a confusing nuisance to a best friend and even, at times, a lifeline. If the people in your life are important to you, Facebook can be something that brings you and keeps you close to each other. When I have nobody to talk to and nothing to do, I can go on and mostly everybody is there. Does it get any better? Yes:

The focus of this social network is not music or money. It's you, your school and most of all, your friends! Facebook connects you to friends of friends and classmates. When I first heard of Facebook, it was as a means of connecting students within schools as well as current students with alumnus.
Facebook forces you to be real and accept the real you. There are no made-up "names." Within your personal, exclusive network of friends, everything is publicized unless you've adjusted your settings otherwise. Your friends see what other things you're doing on Facebook and who you're talking to. Adding a new status update message means that you must be comfortable sharing what you are about to share with your entire audience of friends. Yet, whatever you don't want to show, you can always "Remove." It encourages you to always be the best you.
"What's on your mind?" On Facebook, this question never goes away. Facebook does not only connect friends. In that it asks this question 24/7/365-6, it behaves as a friend itself. For the person who is not used to articulating what's on their mind at any given moment, this sure is a good way to start practicing. Receive support and feedback from friends and even have an entire conversation based off of your status update which answered the question of what is/was on your mind.
Why pick up a phone and have a missed call? Why send an e-mail and continually refresh the page while waiting for a response? Why not just log onto Facebook and instant message, write on a Wall or inbox a message? It has often proved to be much quicker and more effective in many situations.
Facebook allows many companies to connect with their users. Fan Pages consist of a band or company and their fans. You can "fan" a company's Page and receive updates on things like a new episode of the television show, a sale at the store or a concert by the band.
Applications. What keeps many people online extra-long and coming back for more is the thousands of games, quizzes and other applications created by other companies and actual Facebook users. An average user may have anywhere from twenty to two hundred applications, which have accumulated over time. Let's just say, I am above average in this department. I have Sorority Life, Restaurant City, Pet Society, Make A Baby, Lil Green Patch, Lil Eco Racer, Willy Wonka's Sweet Shop, the new craze "Farmville"....and the list goes on. Some applications donate to charities (like Free Rice) and some are just for fun while some are for ways to brighten your friends' days and to enrich your lives and relationships.
The News Feed home page is an extremely effective way of staying connected with your friends.
Link-sharing is fairly simple and I love how easy it is. Promote a blog or article online or a video from somewhere else on the web with your entire friends list...I can even share THIS with them!

Top 8 Reasons To Go To Church

2009-08-13T15:58:00.000-07:00

((that's me in '95, pretending to be delivering a sermon))

Everybody has reasons to not go to church. They think churchgoers are hypocrites. Or, it's "funner" to stay in and watch television. Or, you feel hungry after and every restaurant is crowded. Getting there is hectic or you can watch a preacher while you're having more fun watching television.....but seriously:

Hebrews 10:25 (NIV): Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Be spiritually fed. You might feel sick or tired now but you won't feel the same way by the time you're back.
Everybody who is there praying and singing is busy not being in your business. Refreshing!
It's an excuse to dress a little better.
Seriously, you're using your stomach as a reason to not go? Read this..Matthew 4:4 (NIV): Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
Even at those times when you're there way too long, you can feel at peace knowing that you're surrounded by others who believe what you believe. That has to be encouraging in some way.
Going isn't just about being there. It's a give and take! It's a way to fellowship with God and your "neighbors" like you could never do without such an organized meeting.
Everybody's needs are different. Churches give to the needy and receive things to give to the needy. No matter what end you're on, realize pots and kettles are on the same stove.

Top 8 Reasons to Eat Soap

2009-08-13T13:56:00.000-07:00

Why watch what comes out of your mouth...before it even comes out?

What you say, you are...
and what you say, you do.
Somebody's listening. Be an example.
It's better than having to put your foot in your mouth.
When we bring others down, we drown ourselves in the process.
And when we talk about them, we're most likely, unknowingly, talking to their cousin.
Mark 7:20 (KJV): And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.
"There are many men whose tongues might govern multitudes if they could govern their tongues."--George Dennison Prentice

Top 8 Reasons I love NYC

2009-08-13T06:51:00.000-07:00

After the last post, I feel like I have a responsibility to create this one :)

There are five distinctive boroughs, all with a rich history. From the Harlem Renaissance days to the Irish-Italian boom, you find people of every color, shape, size and most importantly, culture.
So many movies are shot on any given day. It's great to turn on the television and see the restaurant you ate at last week or the airport that aggravates you on a daily basis.
I love snow and Christmas trees(...and New York has the "biggest" of them all).
You can find every type of school (as you can see on http://www.bravotv.com/nyc-prep) There are schools about God, success and life and schools about cliques, money and social respect. The best part, every school is all of those things, whether it's a prep or private or charter or public or church school....or even home school.
There's a church and a restaurant everywhere. You have no reason to be hungry ever and no reason to be lacking spiritually.
Fashion! I'd wear things and style my hair ways I'd never be able to do elsewhere. Don't get me wrong...inspiration still ensues when I'm not in New York..this isn't the only place for style. I'm just most risky with my style here. New York accepts the "bohemian" as well as the "grunge," after all.
You can have a mundane routine sitting inside and going to work and waving to your neighbors and you can go to parties and to the theaters and walk new streets every day.
It's where I live. Everybody knows "home is where the heart is." New York is where I walked my first steps and lost my baby teeth, where I have slept for over 7,000 nights and where I graduated high school. New York is where most of my family and friends are, where I am familiar with getting around and most importantly, where my computer is. I love my blogs.

Top 8 Reasons NY is different from FL

2009-08-13T06:05:00.000-07:00

I live in New York, NY as you probably can tell from the Rockefeller tree avatar but I frequent Orlando, FL. There are some major differences, which makes them great for escape from each other. I'd go to Florida for a vacation, straight down the I-95S. Then, I'd come back to New York, up I-95N. Wherever, I'm getting something I'm missing at the other, like:

The wardrobe is completely different. We're much more conservative here in that aspect but maybe it's because we don't get as many 100-degree days. It can be difficult to adjust to but in Florida, you can walk around in a bathing suit normally. In New York, if you wear things like that, people can get extremely suspicious.
The palm trees, the beautiful palm trees. It saddens me to see them turn brown around the edges because they're one of my favorite parts of Florida.
Rocky roads. In Florida, rocky road simply means ice cream. In New York, not-so-much. It's semi-devastating how different the road pavement is. Do they really not care about us?
In New York, there's Cold Stone but there's no Dairy Queen.
There's a lot of golfing in Orlando...
but no ice cream trucks!
Weatherwise, Orlando is like walking into an oven and New York is like walking into a sauna. It can get cold in Florida but I have yet to see snow (not that it hasn't happened...I've just never seen it).
Not as many airplanes overhead in Orlando as in New York...though there are a lot of helicopters, for $20 a ride. Any helicopters in New York are usually searching for criminals.

Top 8 Reasons to Use Your Legxus

2009-08-10T07:06:00.000-07:00

Legxus means form of transportation usually referred to as the legs.
There are plenty of reasons to use a legxus rather than a Lexus or another mode of transportation. Sometimes it's by choice and sometimes it's anything but your own preference. Peer into the depths:

Smell the roses! See where you're going as you go and enjoy the ride.
Exercise, stretch those legs! L0L
Forget being stuffed into a car. Breathe some air...in the great outdoors.
Save the money you (or your driver) would spend on gas.
Vitamin D. A few minutes in the sun isn't just for fun...Literally soak up the sun...'s vitamin D and with that, you can also soak up more calcium.
Creates time to think and meditate.
Appreciate the journey. Every step is worth more than a second on wheels. Take a walk in your own shoes and explore and build your world.
Finally, I'd rather walk any day than wait on public transportation, get caught in traffic or get a summons for riding on the sidewalk.

Top 8 Reasons To Take a Vacation

2009-07-29T16:38:00.000-07:00

I takes a lot to pick up and change your routine and find a place to do so--a place of calming restorative relaxation. It seems worth it but so many forfeit many opportunities to do so. Instead of reflecting on why that is, I'll tell you why you maybe should be taking a vacation.

It's non-committal. Vacations are only vacations because they are literally a way of vacating your normal four walls. It's a break, not a commitment, except maybe monetarily.
If you need a vacation, it implies the work you've been putting in has supplied the means and you can afford that monetary commitment vacations put on you.
There's so much in this world. A new spot, even for a day, can enrich and enlighten you and your world, broadening your view and increasing your territory. Give while you're gone and take something from the experience home!
Elaborating on that last statement, a new spot brings a new perspective. Perspective and perception are pretty key in life. Crossing the street can help you to see the sun in a new light and to notice a hill or a tree that you'd never noticed. What do you think crossing the border would do? Why not go somewhere new and do something new? Don't worry; it's all under the same sky. Explore. Open your eyes. Take pictures!
Everybody needs a traveling story! Whether by foot, plane, car, bus, train or boat, everybody needs a travel story and can benefit from traveling lessons. Learning how to pack and how much to pack can help you understand how much to keep on your plate in other aspects and learning how to eat on the road can help you to balance your diet overall. You never know but you can't go and not learn some valuable lesson. Also, the stops along the way and people you meet can be amazing. Memories!
Once you get there, it's fun, adventure and experience! Experience life in a new way! A hobby that you can't usually give time to, like mini-golf or rock climbing...or drawing...can be a regular activity on vacation.
When you get back, you'll see who missed you...that's obvious but besides that and most importantly, you're able to re-evaluate all of your relationships, especially with those you missed most.
All of that calming restorative relaxation will have you in tip-top shape upon your re-arrival home. You may resume your work.

Top 8 Reasons To Delete An Email

2009-07-26T20:43:00.000-07:00

Aah, I think we've all been through it at one point or another. You're reading an amazing article and you wanna share it with somebody you know, so, instead of copying the link and pasting it into a new message, you use the "email this article" link AND...dun duh duh duh...your inbox becomes a circus, a jungle or rather A TRASH CAN. It's disappointing as you can't decipher the real messages from the spam, I mean, your email service probably does some of the work for you but not all of it.
To prevent accidental deletion of the one message you'd been waiting to receive, here are the top 8 reasons to delete an email. These are the telltale signs--spot these and say sayonara as you hit "spam."
**Don't just open messages. Make great use of the sender and subject lines. Protect your computer from viruses.**

It says second or last notice when there never was a first notice. (Last notice: Claim ur Sony stereo system) Somebody you've never met is promising to "find you a new job." Find you a new job is not even proper English and besides that, how can somebody find a new job when they never found an old job for you. You don't know them, so delete it...all fifteen.
Duplicates. Speaking of "all fifteen," a lot of times, when there is more than one and definitely when there are more than two of one message and especially when they're back to back, it's spam. Yes, people may send something twice accidentally or to make sure it went through but spammers make a habit of flooding your inbox, literally.
About proper English, when there is improper English, shorthand or text-lingo, it's probably not a real email. (do u thnk obama will win prasidenshol election 2k8!?) or (Ur credit report) Also, all-lowercase or all-capital lettered subject lines are usually spam...and they're often accompanied by asterisks. (**CHECK MY PAGE**)
You never fly yet you're receiving two complementary airplane tickets? I think not. Home remodeling or car insurance when you never bought a house or car? Obviously not. Do you have no bank account or credit card but are getting messages about your credit report, credit score or a credit check? Ditto.
You've won something in a contest you've never entered. Sadly, no, there is no Dell XPS waiting for you to just reply to the email...but, there is a spammer.
Here's a major reason: It uses the name you used to send the article and it's a company you've never given the name to.
"USD." For some reason, I just think that if it says USD, it has to be spam. I may be wrong but it's been my experience. Unless I'm in a business meeting discussing monetary conversions, I know and expect that, when I'm getting paid, it will be U.S. dollars...my email shouldn't have to tell me that. ($1000 USD gift card)
New drugs and herbs promising to "whittle your middle" and melt body fat.

Thank you for your time. Forget the home foreclosure and stimulus relief emails and move on to inbox freedom.

Top 8 Reasons Teenagers Shouldn't be Parents

2009-07-25T16:16:00.000-07:00

The mere fact that modern-aged teens venture into parenthood is no different than it was at any other point in time. The real point here is that I have seen it a lot and I support teenagers and teenage parents and definitely applaud those who go through with adoption. There's no judgment from me so don't be confused; I appreciate so much and am happy that, at least, teenage parents are facing their responsibility rather than going to abortion clinics. Based on my own observations and conclusions, I just know that it would be better older because:

Younger women are more likely to die during labor and delivery.
Teenagers are usually not financially equipped for a child and therefore, often are becoming a burden on their own parents...
And barely get to get out of their own childhood.
Constant doctor visits and midterms don't mix.
Extracurricular activities that would normally get taken for granted become a problem--you can't take a child on the senior trip.
As they get older, they'll hate how mommy and daddy "break up" once a week.
Can disrupt former relationships and environments as teens are often viewed as a bad example when they become parents so young.
Lastly, how awkward will that first day of pre-kindergarten be?! (Teacher: How nice. You came to send off your little sister/brother to school? Oh, she's/he's not? Sorry, your little cousin then? No? Oh. No, that can't be your child, ...you?)

Sure, a lot of these may be shallow, at least in part, like the last one; I mean, almost everywhere you go, people make assumptions about everything so what's one more thing?? Yet, there are serious concerns entwined in these statements, like the first reason's self-explanatory one.
When it comes to children, it takes a village and when it comes to children's children, it takes an even stronger village...stronger in love, no matter the age of the persons..

Top 8 Reasons To Get Enough Sleep

2009-07-24T00:54:00.000-07:00

Yeah, right now, I'm up and it's 3:56 A.M. I don't make a habit of this although I used to (even when I knew it could decrease brain cells). Sleep is difficult for some and uncomfortable or irregular for others. However, anybody who tries to claim that it is unnecessary has been proven otherwise...because:

Sleep balances hormones. All sorts of hormones. Do you want to overeat tomorrow(and that's the least of it)? Thought not.
Sleep protects your immunity. Why do they tell you to take a nap when something ails you? Why do you feel better upon your awaking? Better yet, why haven't you been sick? That's why.
I remember, during my all-nighter phase of my high school years, bouncing off of walls and then falling asleep on a table. Sleep deprivation decreases your alertness as well as your ability to focus. No misinterpreting what people say, hurting yourself physically or falling asleep at the wrong time. Perform at your best both mentally and physically by allowing your body some repair time. Don't lose brain cells or muscle tissue.
Sleep relieves stress. It soothes, calms, relieves, rejuvenates, revitalizes.
No dark circles or puffy eyes when you rush out of your house.
Enjoy your comfy bed.
For those of us still at this stage, you can GROW. For those beyond this young adult stage, you can protect your heart.
Live healthier, safer and longer than you would without it.

Top 8 Reasons to Avoid Drinking Coffee

2009-07-22T08:09:00.000-07:00

Coffee may be popular and commonly accepted but not with me!! I avoid it because:

It stunts your growth, height-wise.
It stains your teeth.
It makes your breath smell like...coffee.
It's highly addictive.
It's only tasty with sugar and milk, well, for me that is and a lot of other people (why not just drink milk w/ sugar?)
It disrupts our body's sleep schedule.
It increases cholesterol, ages and is no friend to calcium.
It can cause headaches.

Top 8 Reasons Teenagers Have Sex (Prematurely/Premaritally)

2009-07-14T11:44:00.000-07:00

Stop anguishing over the choices teenagers make. You were there not too long ago. All we can do is offer them guidance through our wisdom and experience. It's our responsibility to not judge but to lead! To put this age old question and related ones to rest, I've comprised not one or two but the top 8 reasons!

Ignorance - They think they're supposed to or even expected to or that they have no consequences to think of. They don't know the purpose or responsibility of it. They think it is casual, fun or even a rite of passage. They're curious and don't know how to learn.
Fear - this comes from ignorance. They believe that they will not ever have the opportunity to do it again or that they will lose an opportunity to be with a specific person if they do not.
Rumors, peer pressure and society - Growing up now-a-days, sex is pretty much everywhere. It's just that much more difficult to say no, mean it and follow through when you've been force-fed the idea that everybody is doing it. (No matter what, there has always been a 40-55% who aren't but most never know that because sex is too often glorified, especially in the teen world.)
They believe in "protection" - This is a fairly new phenomena but it has influenced an entire generation...or three. If you have some type of drug or rubber, they may not really see it as sex or don't care because they think it keeps them from any consequences of sex - like becoming parents or sharing infections. Sadly but truly, this type of thinking has led to a large increase in number of infections and teenage pregnancies because the "protection" isn't completely effective. Thus, our babies having babies have created a lot of 30-year-old grandparents (hence the "entire generation...or three" statement).
Insecurity - When somebody feels badly about themselves, they are very likely to seek praise, approval and validation elsewhere. Too often, that approval is from somebody their own age of the opposite gender who they wind up doing physical/sexual things with...which eventually makes them feel worse.
Loss of morals, respect, virtue, values, dignity, a spiritual connection to sex, an understanding of their body's purpose - I've faced it that morality, in many places and in many ways, has declined. Our children see our actions and whether or not they follow, it is bound to effect their attitude toward such activities. What standards have you made in your home? In your personal life? What model have you set up for them? It's not just parents - it takes a village. If somebody thinks sex is just a physical act, they will feel they can do it and not have to feel anything or experience any spiritual aftermath. If somebody thinks that their body is just something they were born into that will die when they die, they won't respect it as a God-given instrument for His will and holy purposes. If somebody is used to people saying inappropriate things or grabbing them inappropriately, they will just view sex as a next step. How a person views life greatly effects how they view sex.
They are human. Humans may make unplanned decisions because we are imperfect creatures. We are complex and need to pay close attention to our actions because they lead to other actions. Humans are designed to, in the right moments, want to and be able to have sex. When teenagers are in situations where they are doing things that most would consider foreplay but which they most likely just view as a game or experimentation, there is no surprise when they have "gone all the way." If a sexual relationship is something that they want under certain circumstances, they need to know to not set themselves up for it beforehand. They need to not be alone for too many hours with somebody they know they like in more than a friendly way. They need to not leave themselves vulnerable to be preyed upon and they need to not rush others into it, either.
They want to feel loved. They believe that it will be passionate, like it always is on television and that, at least for those few moments, they will feel completely loved for who they are. Too many people do not know what love is and how to share it. It's not just a feeling. Love is the most universal thing. It is the most powerful and unifying thing in this world. There's nothing wrong with wanting it but being misguided regarding what it is and how to give and receive it can prove deadly. You don't need to have a baby at fourteen to feel love and you don't need a random moment with a random person. Look all around; love is everywhere.

Top 8 Reasons to Exercise

2009-07-09T14:28:00.001-07:00

Nobody has enough money to afford the health care costs that not exercising would lead them to have to pay.
It protects you from injuries because it increases your flexibility, response time and muscle strength.
Yes! Finally, your mind is at ease. Exercise can create an environment conducive to mental peace.
Energy! It may take a lot of energy to do it but once you're done, you'll be amazed what else you're ready to do.
Work off last night's extra calories from the buffet.
Then, allow your muscles to work off the calories from your next meal. Muscles continue to work post-exercise.
Say goodbye to those feelings of inferiority. Boost your self awareness and confidence by exercising to take care of your body and challenge yourself.
Lastly, put on your bathing suits and hop in that pool you've kept covered in the corner of the yard. Working out can make all the difference in regard to your comfort level and definitely deserves such a reward!!

Top 8 Reasons to Break Up Now

2009-07-09T14:10:00.000-07:00

I'll spare you any heart-wrenching or nauseating details but here's my official top 8:

The person you've been dating prefers to spend their days and nights with other people and call you only once they're about to go to sleep.
Your best friend or another trusted companion often tells you of their past escapades, which make you thoroughly uncomfortable.
You're doing all or too much of the sacrificing and compromising. They've been taking advantage of you in some way.
Suddenly, your stuff goes missing...right after you invited them over for the first time. Or, they breach your trust in some other way.
Your family has absolutely no respect for the person. Face it: It's difficult enough to mesh families without everybody having issues with each other. Even more, they want what's best for you and can spot what you might not be able to see through your lovestruck eyes.
They told you they have no intention of committing...in not so many words.
You can't do anything by yourself lately -- stalker alert.
You're not ready. It takes two, baby.

Top 8 Reasons to Leave Your School

2009-07-08T12:35:00.001-07:00

School is important because education and social development are important. Ultimately, you can and should acquire education outside of the walls of the school you attend. If you do, you should already know the following reasons to leave a school:

It is unsafe to walk around the campus, to travel from class to class, and to go back home afterward. Whether spiritually, physically, mentally, emotionally or otherwise and whether due to classmates, teachers, the location of the school, your mode of transportation, lack of security, or simply the moral code of the school community, know that you can't compromise your safety.
The loans you took out for this past semester equal the amount of pay you'd get after more than two years of working at the dream job that your degree is supposed to grant you.
You regularly miss four out of five classes, purposely.
You came because, like on the television drama Felicity, you were following your "crush." Or, you're putting up with it because your parents, grandparents and their aunts went.
You can't stop getting suspensions, detentions or other penalties. It's like they're out to get you. Or, you do insanely criminal acts and don't seem to ever face suspension, detention or any other penalty.
Minorities are suppressed. The minority can be the school band, the drama team, the school newspaper crew, even the jocks. It can be a certain ethnic group or gender or faith community. If they don't have the same rights as those doing other school extracurricular activities, teams, clubs, or minors or majors, if they don't have the same rights as those who look or act differently or claim different beliefs and opinions, don't sit and support that lack of ethics.
They don't have what you need. The staff does a mediocre job and you're neither challenged nor bored. You're simply there.
There's a history of students jumping off of the roof, never graduating, contracting diseases or randomly disappearing.

Top 8 Reasons To Take a Pregnancy Test

2009-07-08T11:37:00.000-07:00

When somebody is having a baby, they may experience several symptoms or none at all. There are those common symptoms that we hear about but it often takes a month to have any because, as with most things in life, conception and pregnancy are processes. Therefore, when you don't have those and it's early on, what's there to think? I mean, obviously, when it is a possibility that you're expectant, you should already know that it's a possibility but is it enough of a possibility to seek confirmation?
Yes, if:

You know when somebody gets a little peeved? What about when somebody is suddenly ultra-moody? Big difference, right? If your behavior has been PMS-worthy but it is nowhere near that time of the month, it's time.
Speaking of PMS, do you have the same amount of "lady supplies" as you did a month ago? Something's strange.
If you wake up at six in the morning when you usually wake up at ten, you're going to be tired. However, if you are ultra-sluggish for no apparent reason, the reason may become apparent...very soon.
Instead of, perhaps, the basement or the kitchen, the bathroom has become the room where one is most likely to find you.
Speaking of kitchen, you eat like a fat boy...and throw it up and cry.
Do you also feel like a fat boy--bloated, I mean? A lot of PMS symptoms are also pregnancy symptoms, like, your chest has grown larger and may feel sore. Also, unlike with PMS, have you noticed skin color changes? Spotting or anything similar and unusual?
Spur of the moment heartburn, stuffy nose, chills or fever??
Does your favorite food suddenly smell horrendous? Are you nauseous, basically, all the time? Have new tastes or cravings?

If so, go ahead and take a test!! See your doctor for a blood test so they can check for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) or an at-home test can check for the same!!