Traditions at the Mecca: Makings of a Howard Man

What is Real Love?

2010-03-28T15:04:00.003-04:00

So being on campus thus far has subjected to me to many different views of love. The first question being put forth is WHAT IS REAL LOVE? I mean, sure, you see people on campus "boo-loving" as some call it. But what does that signify? Are those people in LOVE? Most of the times, I would say they are either in LIKE, or in LUST. As a guy, I know better than to throw around the "L-Word" as if it is some colloquialism. That four letter word has the power to make or break a woman's heart. I see some couples on campus who have met since freshman week and are still going strong. Kudos to you! The sad thing is, I just can't play into it all. Yesterday, a friend of mine told me he is in love with the girl he had been dating for a year. To his dismay, I laughed right in his face. LOVE? WITH SOMEONE YOU'VE ONLY KNOWN FOR A YEAR? Being the type of person I am, it might take me MORE than a year just to get used to the negative aspects of the person I am talking to :S How can you know somebody for a year and say that you LOVE them? After my friend made that statement to me, I told him a story I had been told by a cab driver on my way to work. So here goes:

This cab driver told me he had just gotten off the phone with his girlfriend. Her birthday is next month, April 24th and I guess she was really excited because he told her he would be traveling to London to accompany her on her special day (don't ask me where a cabbie gets money to travel to London). Anyways, little did she know that he also planned to propose to her on that day. He had already chose a ring, and was trying to figure out how exactly he would pop the big question. He told me that he had been married twice before and that he knew from the get go that his previous marriages were destined to be "crash and burn". I could tell how much he really LOVED his current girlfriend just by the enthusiasm in his voice when he started talking about her. He said that he was so attracted to her because she is a biology major studying to become a medical scientist (this is how we got on the topic, because I told him I was a biology major). Her knowledge amazed him, not only because he knows she is going somewhere in the future, but because although she is much more educated than he is, she is so humble. He began to describe how he appreciated every last one of her "flaws" because that is what attracts him to her. In the 15 minutes that I was in this man's taxi, he pretty much told me his whole life story and how they had discussed to have kids only AFTER they both secured jobs that would provide for them financially (he plans to return to school at HER request). I have never in my lifetime, seen a guy so infatuated with someone. However, I can tell that this infatuation is the healthy type because from what he says, they both build off of each other.He said that she refuses to have children until she has a job that she knows will pay for her kids education and for their financial stability in the future. I could tell he was madly in LOVE with her and I wish them the best. Hopefully I can find the Bonnie to my Clyde sometime during my 4 years at Howard. I know not to rush it, though, because unlike the cabbie, I DON'T intend on marrying twice before finding the love of my life. That wasn't the only highlight of the ride, however. Being in such a good mood, he stopped the meter while we sat in traffic, which reduced the cost of my fare by almost half.

..ooops Sorry

2010-01-06T02:11:00.002-04:00

sorry for not updating this thing as often as I said I would. My new thing has been twitter so I've sort of put this project on the backburner for a little bit. Don't worry, I didn't forget. With all the time that I've been away from this blog, I have a lot of things to share. Let's start with the most recent:

Today I saw Avatar (In IMAX 3D) at my place of work aka AMC Methuen 20... hands down best movie of the year (even though it was released in December). To speak briefly on it, I was quite satisfied with James Cameron's latest masterpiece. I use the word satisfied because after Titanic, it is hard to be impressed. However, I will admit that he has outdone himself. If you see the movie, I urge you to spend the extra money to watch it in IMAX 3D because the IMAX experience really doesn't let down. However, if you cannot view it in an IMAX theater, just make sure you do watch it. As the movie started I didn't think that I would enjoy it just because I am not into sci-fi type movies. This movie broadened my horizon unimaginably. Without giving too much away, all I'll say is that I hope that the viewers of this movie were as enlightened as I was and hopefully they realize the subliminal messages in this work of art. Key in on colors, phrases, languages, and traditions of the natives if you decide to go see it; you won't be disappointed.

2010-01-01T01:30:00.001-04:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! BEST WISHES TO YOU AND YOURS IN 2010
@misterjwarren

2009-12-25T02:01:00.001-04:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!
@misterjwarren

Intellectual Exemplar

2009-12-02T12:38:00.004-04:00

Well I was thinking about what I could write about and when I was looking through my pictures on my laptop I came across this picture of my dog. His name is Butch (no I did not give him that name) and my family adopted him from a shelter in New York the summer before my freshman year in high school. It's funny because at that time period, Butch and I were both about to embark on important transitions in our lives. This is where the story of how we came to adopt him comes about.
During August of the summer of 2005, my family decided to make a trip to Pennsylvania to celebrate my mother's birthday. On our way up there we ended up stopping in New York to visit my mom's sister. Keep in mind that my aunt has known that I had wanted a dog since I came out of the womb. Therefore, she took the initiative to search the animal shelters in her area to find a dog for me. The day before we were to leave Pennsylvania, she called my mom and told her that we had to stop in New York before we left. She had found this dog that she knew would be exactly what I wanted. When we got there, I saw this depressed looking half-Pitbull half-Labrador mix that I could just tell had been through a lot. It turns out that his previous owners were sort of mentally challenged and basically paid the cable guy $500 to bring him, his brother Cassidy (Yes, pun intended..Butch Cassidy..knee slapper) and a few cats to the shelter because they no longer wanted them. Just imagine being taken from the place you are used to and dropped in a shelter?
All in all, it seems as if Butch and I were destined to be united because coincidentally, he was scheduled to be moved to another shelter in New York City, but the van broke down before he could be transported. Then, as we finished signing the adoption papers, a lady who had recently visited the shelter walked through the door saying that she had changed her mind and wanted to adopt him. These occurrences solidified in my mind that Butch was meant to be mine. Through the years, he has come to be more than a pet to me. He has so many human characteristics that it isn't even funny. For instance, when he is sleeping, if there is a light shining above him, he will take his paw and cover his face and groan until it is turned off. Also, whenever my mom says my name to him when I am not around, she tells me that he begins pacing and "looking" for me. I know this post was supposed to be about someone academic who had influenced me, but I felt that showing how my pet has had a great influence on my life would suffice.

International IQ

2009-12-02T12:27:00.001-04:00

The country I chose to research is Costa Rica. It is a Spanish-speaking country in Central America that is bordered by Nicaragua, Panama, and the Pacific and Caribbean seas. Although at first glance, many would question whether or not the country itself has noticeable black occupants, Afro-Latino culture in Costa Rica Is quite prevalent. Being from the country myself, I can tell you first hand that there is one "province" of Costa Rica called 'Limon' that is primarily occupied by Jamaicans. This makes it hard to explain to others what my heritage is. On one hand, people question how I am from Costa Rica having the dark complexion that I do, as they assume I would have a fairer skin tone. Then when I explain them that I have Jamaican blood in me they ask me what part of Jamaica my family was and I typically have to reply "see what happened is, my Jamaican ancestors moved to Central America to help build the Panama Canal and along the way, some of them ended up staying in Costa Rica." Some people try to say I am really not Jamaican then, but I have no clue on how else to describe my ethnicity. So to put it simply, I have Costa Rican, Nicaraguan, Jamaican, and some other mix of West Indian blood running through my veins. But that wasn't the point at hand, my job is to describe my country. It is a beautiful country with an easy way of life. One example to show you how peaceful it is is the fact that Costa Rica does not even have an army! Due to some legal/international treaty, the country is protected by the armed forces of the United States, and therefore does not train or maintain any form of military. But more on what the assets of Costa Rica are. There are many beautiful beaches situated throughout the country. Although countries like the Dominican Republic boast of having the best tourism, tourism in Costa Rica is actually quite lucrative as well. Another thing that most people don't know is that there is a pretty good chance that every time you grab that cup of coffee from Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks, the brew that you have just savored received its top notch flavor from the perfect climate of Costa Rica. One of our biggest exports is in fact coffee. The tropical weather in certain parts of the country prove to be the best breeding grounds for some of the best coffee beans in the world. Costa Rica is also known for its extensive assortment of plants and animals. For such a small country, it is astounding to know that almost ¼ of the country is protected under a national park system. All in all, Costa Rica is a great country, it ranks high on the list of the "Happiest Countries" amongst other things. I am proud to say I hail from such a wonderful place.

Curriculum Vitae(prospective)

2009-12-02T12:03:00.001-04:00

Jason Warren

511 Gresham Pl NW Washington, D.C. 20059 (202)-612-4619 [Jason.warren10@gmail.com]

Objective [Successful matriculation into a rigorous summer research opportunity]

Experience [Usher]

[4.22.09] [AMC Theatres], [Methuen, MA]

[provide a comfortable experience for guests]

[maintain theatres at a clean and comfortable standard]

[ensure that theatres are cleaned on time for next film showing]

[Rent collector]

[5.1.2002-6.25.2009] [Young Rentals], [Methuen, MA]

[Collect rent from tenants]

[Issue delinquency notices]

[create flow chart of income/expense]

[Landscaper]

[5.6.2006-5.1.08] [Crowley Property Maintenance], [Salem, NH]

[clear leaves/snow]

[feed/water plants, shrubs, and lawn]

Education [Howard University], [Washington, D.C.]

[enrolled in Fall 2009]

[Biology Major]

[Legacy Scholarship Recipient]

[Central Catholic High School] [Lawrence, MA]

[9.2005-5.2009]

High School Diploma

3.44 cumulative GPA

Interests [Intent to apply to medical school, interested in the functions of the cell/human body]

References References are available on request.

Diary of my Life

2009-12-02T12:02:00.003-04:00

My full name is Jason Warren; that's right, I have no middle name. I was born at South Shore Hospital in Norwell, MA and lived in Dorchester, MA until my parents were able to move out of that city (they refused to raise their children in such an unsafe environment). We moved twice more before reaching our final home in Methuen, MA. Ever since I was young, I knew what the future had in store for me. Not once did I ever contemplate not going to college, for I knew I had to attain my undergraduate degree before moving on to medical school. Another important factor that helped me decide that I wanted to become a doctor was witnessing my mother suffer a brain aneurysm when I was only three years old. That traumatic incident, and the fact that she made a complete recovery at the hands of the Lord and her surgeons solidified my urge to want to help others. As a child, I was goal-oriented, but often mischievous. There were many times during elementary school that I would be reprimanded for my actions, however I never considered myself a delinquent. What can I say, I liked to play practical jokes; it wasn't my fault that my teachers and peers didn't find them as funny as I did. Despite my tricky ways, I never lost sight of my real reason for being in school. I credit my focus towards my grades to my parents. During the school week, I was never allowed to watch TV. Therefore, I didn't have as many distractions as my classmates did. As I grew up, I found myself growing to like the sport of soccer and after beginning to play in the second grade, continued until junior high school. However, upon going to high school, I found that my size would be more conducive to being good in the sport of football. From the moment I stepped foot on the gridiron, I fell in love with the sport. Of course, I was at a disadvantage seeing as many of my teammates had already played the sport before during Pop Warner. I closed the gap sophomore year when I began lifting weights regularly and by junior year had earned a starting spot on the junior varsity team. Unfortunately, an ankle injury during the off season hampered by ability to lift weights and run as often as I was supposed to for my senior year season so when football started up again, I had a noticeable shortcoming. Therefore, I dropped in rank from starter to second string. Football was not the only sport I competed in during my high school career, though. I also joined the track team and threw the shot-put for two years and ran the 400 meter race for the other two. After my senior year of high school, I successfully matriculated into an institution of higher education, Howard University. I am currently pursuing my undergraduate degree in Biology.

Thanksgiving Break

2009-12-02T12:02:00.001-04:00

As the time drew nearer for me to go back home for break, I was having bittersweet feelings. Of course I wanted to return home to see family and friends that I hadn't seen since August. However, I was finally settled into my atmosphere and loved where I was at. I mean, no matter how awful people portray dorm life to be, I was loving it. I mean, c'mon. What's better than having everything you need at your fingertips (food, entertainment, and of course school work) and not to mention friends that stay footsteps away from your dorm? It was a good break from the monotony that I called life at home. While many of my friends were overcome with homesickness, I was just taking it as it came. I think one of the reasons I wasn't overly excited to go home for break was the fact that I knew I had eighteen hours of combined travel just to go and come back from my home state of Massachusetts. Once we crossed the state border into MA, I felt an immediate sense of being close to home. Although I had acclimated to life in D.C., it was strange to see the at-home feeling I gained once seeing highway signs that were familiar. I have to say that the one thing I missed the most about being home was my mother's cooking, my dog, and my full-sized bed. It was also great going to the Thanksgiving football game at my high and reconnecting with former classmates. Not to mention, we won in a nail-biter! After the game, I got ready and set off to my aunt's house. Seeing all my family was amazing. It was wonderful to see all my younger cousins growing and maturing. This Thanksgiving I was thankful for the beauty of life, and most importantly for my family and friends. It was great to spend time with the people I cared about most and although the trip was short it was well worth it. I like short trips like this because it leaves me wanting for more, unlike summer vacation where I start longing for school to start again! Can't wait for Christmas! Live Update: The trip usually takes 9hrs. Due to traffic, we've been on the Jersey Turnpike for over 2 ½ hrs. We left at 3:30 and it's just about 11:30 now; you do the math.

Tilt: Worth It or Not?

2009-12-02T12:01:00.001-04:00

Howard University has an online assessment system known as TILT that many English and/or Freshman Seminar professors require for their classes. TILT is a program that provides the user with advice and information on how to access legitimate sources of research for education purposes. After reading the information that is provided, the user is required to complete a series of quizzes to test their comprehension of the data just reviewed. Overall, I felt as if the material was a bit unnecessary. I mean, for those who might have never been assigned a research project before, TILT gave sound advice on how and how not to access info. However, as someone who has completed several research projects, the information was boring. I mean, I was taught how to do extensive research in high school because it was assumed that I should already know the information before I got to college. But what can I say, I guess many students who are new to college still don't know how to conduct proper research. I'm not going to say I learned nothing from the experience, however. As the saying goes, you learn something new every day. ….

..Howard Homecoming '09!!

2009-11-11T18:00:00.007-04:00

Homecoming at my school took place from October 17th to the 24th. Having heard so much about homecoming and knowing that it brought out some of the hottest black celebrities to the DC area(Taraji P. Henson, Ludacris, Wale, Fabolous, The Clipse, Audio Push, Terence J from 106 & Park, Lance Gross from House of Payne, Pooch Hall from The Game, Omarion, Melyssa Ford, Essence Atkins, Amerie, Trey Songz, Drake and others) I couldn't help but being anxious for it to arrive. However I'm not going to lie. Although I had fun, I think it was over-hyped a bit. Maybe it was because I had tests during that time that took away from the festive atmosphere. All I can say is that I expected it to be more fun than it actually was. Overall, it was good and I had a lot of fun. Experiencing my first Yardfest was very fun and even though I didn't get up for the parade, the homecoming game...or shall I say the halftime show, was impressive. Hopefully in the subsequent years, the HU Bisons can actually win a homecoming game. Of the activities that I went to, I would have to say that the Step Show and the Poetry Cipher were off the hook! Sadly I had to sell my ticket to the Comedy Show because I had to study for a test that night. Here are some pics from during the week:

2009-10-30T15:19:00.000-04:00

It's the day before Halloween and I'm here in English class waiting for it to begin. Luckily for me, I don't get to go out and party because I have an eight page paper due in this class and I also have to study for biology and chemistry. See you guys next week! Here is a pic of some of the people in my class

2009-10-14T18:27:00.003-04:00

"Once you agree upon the price you and your family must pay for success, it enables you to ignore the minor hurts, the opponent's pressure, and the temporary failures"--Vincent Thomas Lombardi

Today I was in the cafeteria with a friend from one of my classes and she said something so profound I told her that I would have to blog about it. While most girls (and women) settle for men of a lower status than them for fear of remaining single, she told me that she was in a relationship with someone who had previously been held back in school so was therefore a 2nd year senior. She then told me that she had set an ultimatum for him: Their relationship would be over unless he either 1. earned his high school degree or 2. enrolled in a job skills program/enrolled in the Air Force as he said he would. I was surprised at hearing that because many females nowadays fear that men will be intimidated or turned off by their success and therefore they decide that any man will do no matter if he's successful or not. Growing up, I was always told to find a woman who would complement me both in knowledge and in pay scale. Think about it, in our generation both adult members of a family work to provide. I found it impressive that she was as forward to her boyfriend as she was. I feel as if more black women were that way with their significant others, there would be a bigger margin of success for relationships in our community.

(Picture from http://www.mind-power-for-success.com/images/Success-Resolution.jpg)

Columbus Day: Should it Remain a Holiday?

2009-10-13T13:51:00.003-04:00

To most, Columbus Day is just another holiday that is cause for another anticipated long weekend and break from school, work, or other responsibilities. Many people know little behind the man behind the holiday. Some just remember the grade school rhyme "Columbus sailed the ocean blue in fourteen-hundred ninety-two". Others attribute the discovery of the New World to him. Whatever your views are, you must realize the controversy surrounding the man. While many support keeping the holiday, others are staunch opponents. Following is an article by Associated Content that might open your eyes to the other side of the highly celebrated Christopher Columbus:

Columbus Day has long been celebrated as the day that Christopher Columbus discovered the Americas. It is officially celebrated in the United States and many other countries as well including, Spain,

Costa Rica and the Bahamas. Columbus Day as a holiday or celebration has now become somewhat controversial to many people. As researchers and historians continue in their studies significant facts have been brought to light that cause questions of the heroics of Christopher Columbus.

The first part of the controversy involves whether Columbus "discovered" the Americas. Columbus is recorded as landing in The New World in 1492. It was believed that he was the first European to sail across the Atlantic and land on the continent. What is a fact is that Leif Ericson, a Norseman or Viking, has been proven to arrive on the North American continent sometime around 1000 A.D. almost 500 years before Columbus.

Another issue in this controversy is that Christopher Columbus never actually landed on the continent itself. According to records he landed on an Caribbean island. By his fourth voyage logs indicate that he had been to the Bahamas, Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba, Nicaragua and Panama. He never arrived in North America.

Finally, in the "discovery" part of the controversy, the areas that Columbus explored were already well populated by indigenous people. While Neil Armstrong was the first man to set foot on the moon, and we have no knowledge of human population, he did not discover it. The moon was already there. The areas that Columbus "discovered" were already long in existence and populated.

The next part of the controversy surrounding Columbus day is whether or not he can be seen as a hero. Columbus's main intention for his travels was to find wealth and riches. He did not need to prove the world was round. Educated people of the time already knew it was. Columbus, and the crews that sailed with him, treated the indigenous peoples they encountered as obstacles to their mission of conquering new worlds and finding riches to take back with them to their homeland. Thousands of peaceful inhabitants were sent to Spain and sold into slavery. Many of the inhabitants that were not sent were forced to work for Columbus and his crews or were put to death.

Also to be noted is that the arrival of Columbus and his crews introduced many new diseases to the existing populations that they had no defenses to. It is suspected, but not proven, that the crews of Columbus may have introduced what is now known as Syphilis when they returned from their journeys. While strains of the bacteria existed previously it is believed that they mutated because of his travels.

Columbus Day will continue to be celebrated in the U.S. and other countries. What is in question is Columbus's "discovery" and whether or not he can be regarded heroically. More answers may be found as researchers continue in their investigations but most likely the view of Columbus is left to the viewer and how Columbus's journeys are taught in schools.

http://www.mnc.net/norway/LeifErikson.htm

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/explorers/indexe.shtml

http://www.livescience.com/history/080114-syphilis-columbus.html

http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2004/11/11/1235290.htm

http://www.history.com/content/columbusday/about-columbushttp://www.history.com/content/columbusday/controversy

(The picture of Columbus is from http://www.inkart.com/images/lineart/Columbus.jpg)

Columbus Day Weekend

2009-10-13T13:30:00.007-04:00

Quote of the day:

"War among grasshoppers delights the crow." -African Proverb

(from the Facebook group "I Love Being Black")

This weekend was a great weekend for me. I got the chance to leave the Washington D.C. area and travel to my roommates hometown of East Orange, New Jersey. Before we got there, we spent the night in Jamaica, Queens at St. John's University with some of my high school friends. It was great to get away from the mellowness of the Howard University campus and delve into the hustle and bustle of New York and New Jersey. Although we slept at my roommates house, my roommate, his brother, our friend, and I spent most of our days in New York. It was tough trying to navigate the NY transit system and I'm not going to lie; we got lost A LOT. But it was cool being in the heart of one of the world's most diverse cities. Every step we took, we witnessed new and different cultural happenings. The choices of food were innumerable although we stuck to what we were used to: fast food. =) At the end of the weekend, although I wished we had more time to explore the city, I was relieved to be back on campus at the good ole HU! (Shout outs to my roommate and his family, my friend Dudley, and all my friends at St. John's..you guys made this weekend a great one!)

Quote of the Day

2009-10-13T01:32:00.006-04:00

"For Africa to me is more than a glamorous fact. It is a historical truth. No man can know where he is going unless he knows exactly where he has been and exactly how he arrived at his present place." -Maya Angelou

(from the Facebook group "I Love Being Black")

I was on Facebook and read the quote of the day from "I Love Being Black" and thought of Googling the query "African+beauty". These are some of the pictures that jumped out at me. Enjoy the quote and the pictures! :D

(pictures from: imanafricaninny.wordpress.com/.../,http://www.olgacolors.com/images/African-Beauty.gif,www.jigsawgallery.com/details.php?refnum=R15352,
http://www.oilpaintingsframes.com/images/003.jpg, http://farm1.static.flickr.com/54/113592412_1b2bac3282.jpg)

Quotes of the Day

2009-10-09T12:44:00.003-04:00

(Chinese calligraphy for "wisdom")
Today I was on Facebook and I came upon several quotes which definitely made me think. Therefore, I am just passing them on to you for your edification:

"When the missionaries came to Africa they had the Bible and we had the land. They said "Let us pray." We closed our eyes. When we opened them we had the Bible and they had the land." -Desmond Tutu

"I can accept failure. Everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying." -Michael Jordan

Jason’s Life Lessons: #1

2009-10-07T03:25:00.002-04:00

After creating my new blog, I asked several people for suggestions on content, etc., etc. My Aunt was the first to respond with the idea of posting tips for college students. After thinking (and procrastinating) about it for a while, I decided that I'm going to incorporate my advice for new college students (being a new college student myself) and my lessons on life into one assemblage of thoughts/rants. So that having been said, here is my first bit of advice. (Thanks to my Aunt Aida for the great idea!!)

KNOW WHEN TO SWALLOW YOUR PRIDE:

Yesterday I got into an argument with a person whom I have grown to care for a lot. We both stopped talking to each other and would not communicate or even look at each other. Now I'll admit that I am a really stubborn person. If I stop talking to someone, 9 times out of 10 if we start talking again it is because he/she stepped up and acknowledged their mistake, leaving me with the option of either accepting their apology or continuing the dispute. Although this person did admit that what they had done did in fact start the altercation, I couldn't help but recognizing that I could have just been the bigger person and let my pride take a hit by agreeing that I was to be held at least partially accountable for the fallout. However, due to my thick skull I just let the problem persist for longer than it needed to. Therefore, my advice for you readers out there is to stop once in a while and take a look in the mirror and realize your faults. Yes, it is hard to accept that we have shortcomings or that there are attributes that we as human beings should work on. But if everyone would try to work out their negative traits, I'm sure we could stop silly squabbles from interrupting more important things from happening, such as building friendships or relationships. After talking out my dispute with the other party, we both came to the conclusion that our quarrel was childish and that we both had areas that we should work on. Hopefully I can work on this negative quality of myself so that in the future, I can prevent little grievances from turning into all out battles.

There's People From MA at Howard!?!?!

2009-09-30T20:48:00.010-04:00

So today was the first Massachusetts Club meeting this year on campus. I finally got to meet the handful of other people from my state that actually go to Howard! When people ask me where I'm from and I tell them MA they usually have some smart comment regarding the fact that they didn't know that black people stayed in Boston. Huh??? That's the most ignorant statement I've ever heard. I guess it's just me that assumes that black people are EVERYWHERE.

That being said, I met people from Dorchester, Mattapan, Roxbury, Hyde Park, Cambridge, Northampton, Mansfield, even Cape Cod. Putting it simply, there are kids from all over MA but when you compare the amount of us to the amount of students from places like Jersey, Cali, or NY we get lost in translation. I'm happy that the club finally had the meeting because I was honestly starting to think that we didn't have our own club since there isn't that many of us on campus LOL. Anyways...here are some pictures from the Celtics parade in Boston after we won the NBA Championship Series.

and all of you from MA should recognize the following picture:

Sunday's Best

2009-09-28T17:01:00.003-04:00

I'd been telling myself for the longest time that I had to get back in church because I hadn't been in several years (horrible I know!!). That's why yesterday morning (you can tell by my face that I had barely slept LOL) I got up, got dressed, and went to church with my Aunt Brenda and cousin Courtney. Now, I am not a morning person, but I consider myself to be partially, if not deeply, rooted in faith. Since I was a child, religion has meant quite a lot to me (there was no valid reason for my not attending church regularly). However, effective immediately, I am turning over a new leaf. I plan on attending church (Metropolitan Baptist Church) with my aunt and cousin every Sunday, or at least I plan on going to chapel with my friends. The preacher had a really good message and I felt that it had a lot to do with me (funny how when you're not paying attention in church the minister says something that catches your attention). Overall, church was good and I can't wait for next week!

After church my Aunt treated me to IHOP (I haven't had a decent breakfast in the loooooooongestttttttttt time) and then we went to my cousin's basketball game. By the time the game was over, we were all hungry again so we grabbed a bite for dinner, went to the house, and just hung out for a bit. It's great having family close to school because when I get tired of being on campus, I can just hop on the Metro or ask them to pick me up and be at their house within the hour. Shout outs to Aunt Brenda, Courtney, and Aunt Pat for the great day yesterday!

P.S. Mom, hope you enjoy the new posts/pictures I put up!!

When in D.C......go Sightseeing!!

2009-09-24T19:21:00.013-04:00

Sorry that I haven't been blogging in a while! College has officially started taking its toll on me. Between doing homework and studying, I haven't really been doing much. 2 weeks ago I had tests in Chemistry, Biology, and Calculus (two of which were on the same day); just imagine how my weekend was studying for all of those subjects! Anyway, here are some pictures from a recent trip I took to the national mall with some friends. Shout outs to my roommate Ray, and my friends Wes, Shelby, Omolara, and Chibuzo:

(here is a picture of Wes getting his GQ on!)

(random shot of Omolara and Chibuzo on our mission to find food!)

(just a reminder of an important era in our nation's history)

(Wes, me, and my roommate Ray outside of the Lincoln Memorial)
(picture in the History museum depicting blacks moving into white neighborhoods)
(they swear they're models or something :-x)

(only in America can someone depict the leader of the country in such a demeaning way and get away with it. In some Middle-Eastern/Asian countries, the person who made this picture would be imprisoned or worse. No matter what I still support OBAMA!!!!!!!!!!!)<---that picture was actually a protester's poster at the rally against healthcare reform in D.C. a couple of weeks ago.

The 50th Law w/ Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson

2009-09-13T19:37:00.009-04:00

On Wednesday September 9, 50 Cent, one of the most controversial rappers/entrepreneurs of all time, visited the Howard University Campus to promote his new book, The 50th Law. Curtis Jackson, whose career has gained notoriety from his feuds with famous rap personalities such as Ja Rule, Jadakiss, Fat Joe, and Cam'ron visited the campus with co-author Robert Greene, the famed psychologist and author of many books such as The 48 Laws of Power and The Art of Seduction. His appearance, which took place in Cramton Auditorium, drew a respectable crowd of fans, opponents, and non-biased students who just wanted to learn more about the man behind the moniker.

Before 50 took the stage, Greene came out to give those in attendance basic background information on Jackson and a glimpse of what their book was all about. By the time Greene finished with the introduction, many members of the crowd, who were eagerly anticipating the arrival of 50 Cent (who was approx. 30 minutes late), were more than excited to see the rapper and hear what he had to say. When 50 finally made his debut, most of the crowd erupted into applause and spontaneous picture-taking. After he addressed the crowd, 50 took his seat and the long awaited forum began.
Overall, I was impressed with what Mr. Jackson had to say. While most people might have a distorted perception of the so-called "gangsta" rapper, my view on him was positively changed after the colloquium had concluded. 50 Cent presented himself as a well-informed, well-rounded individual. As someone who came from the humblest of upbringings, his intellectual prowess proved that the common phrase "I'm a product of my environment" is no longer a valid excuse for one not reaching their fullest potential. For someone who has been a member of the corporate community for less than a decade, he appeared to be quite knowledgeable in the fields of business and investing. A choice selection of budding entrepreneurs from the Howard community got a taste of 50's investment expertise after he viewed a number of business pitches and had to choose which one he thought was the best. I applaud all who participated in the contest and congratulate the freshman Biology major who won (Biology majors stand up!)

Of course, 50 Cent, like his usual controversial self, had to stir up the crowds somehow. He accomplished this with statements made about successful rapper Lil' Wayne. While 50 was speaking about rappers who fabricated stories about their background in order to gain credibility, someone in the crowd shouted "Weezy!" This led 50 to comment about the fact that Weezy has been in the spotlight since the age of 13 or 14. He then questioned the audience as to how all of Weezy's rhymes regarding his street life could possibly be true if Weezy has been on TV from such a young age. Check out this video that a member of the audience recorded: http://www.worldstarhiphop.com/videos/video.php?v=wshhuOIud8u7H1Hep130
After 50 and Greene were finished speaking about their book, they allowed the audience to ask questions, most of them directed towards the rapper. Although the moderator instructed the audience that only one question per person was allowed, many people disregarded his plea, leading to many people not being able to ask potentially good questions. Several audience members had well thought out inquiries while the majority used their time to give shout-outs, promote demo tapes, or otherwise make a mockery of the open-forum. I, myself, was quite embarrassed that students at such a premier institution of higher learning would conduct themselves in such manner. I was excited that 50 availed himself to the audience for autograph signing and picture taking. Even though I didn't get an autograph, I was satisfied with the pictures I was able to take. (even though the quality of the pictures wasn't the best =] )

Happy Labor Day!!

2009-09-07T01:12:00.004-04:00

Happy Labor Day everyone! Most people associate Labor Day with a long weekend that brings an extra day off from work or school. It's fine to use that extra day off to have cookouts and party as the summer winds down, but it is important to know what the day really signifies. According to the US Department of Labor, "Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country". Keep that in mind as you enjoy that hamburger or hot dog and ice-cold beer during your long weekend.

On another note, for those of you wondering where you should go out to eat next, consider Carolina's Kitchen. I had heard of it but had never eaten there until last night. The atmosphere brings about a one-of-a-kind, at home, country feeling. For those of you who love southern cooking, the menu will remind you of dishes you would eat at your Granny's house on Sundays after church. From the exquisitely seasoned rotisserie chicken and the cheesy baked macaroni down to the savory collard greens and satisfying peach cobbler, this restaurant is the place to be when you need to satisfy your craving for soul food....Man I wish Soul Food Thursdays at Howard was like this!!!

Visit http://www.thecarolinakitchen.com/home.php for Locations

No More Silence!

2009-09-06T04:54:00.010-04:00

This past Friday, students at Howard University staged a protest to complain about various issues that plague the campus. Of the many issues brought up, some of the prevalent ones had to do with: lack of respect for students amongst the administration, aging equipment across campus (especially in the science labs), the lack or ineffectiveness of a recycling system, the lack of proper handicap accessibility, and the lack of adequate housing for many students. The overall mood on campus that day was one of impatience and agitation because most of the students felt their voices were not being heard.

Even members of 32BJ, the worker's union for Howard University staff, came out to let their voices be heard on topics that were important to them, such as HU's violation of certain union agreements. As a new student on campus, I was proud to see my fellow Bison stand up for what they believe in. The slogan of the day was definitely: United We Stand, Divided We Fall.

At one point during the protest, the crowd sang in unison to the lyrics of the Black National Anthem and swayed, clenched fists in air, as HU's own form of civil disobedience was made manifest to the members of the administration. This brought back memories of a magazine article I had read that told the story of Tommie Smith and John Carlos, a pair of African American sprinters, who during the '68 Olympics in Mexico City decided to silently make known their support for the civil rights movement in America.

Another interesting fact was that during the protest, celebrity mogul Diddy, a former Howard student, found out about the protest and began tweeting about it. He even offered to come down to the campus to let his voice be heard as well. It's great that despite his social status, someone like Diddy still answers the call to support his alma mater. Hopefully our protest will reap the benefits that we so graciously wish for.

Enjoy the footage! (I was filming it on a 4 megapixel digital camera so it's a little grainy and the volume might be distorted)

..I Have a Pretty Full Plate Ahead of Me

2009-09-06T04:35:00.004-04:00

Earlier this summer when class registration opened, I really didn't pay attention to how I scheduled my classes and how the workload would affect me. NEVER AGAIN! Next semester, I will be certain that I plan out my classes in a smarter way.

Take a look at my schedule

Mondays: Calculus from 8-9 in the morning
Chemistry, Biology, and English from 1-4

Tuesdays: Bio Lab from 2pm-5
Chem Lab from 5pm-8 <---these are the classes that really annoy me, I can't do anything for the whole day! My whole day will be spent in these two buildings:

Wednesdays: Same as Mondays

Thursdays: Calculus from 8-9
Chemistry recitation sometime after 10

Fridays: Same as Mondays

All that equals 17 credit hours...for the average student, that might seem like a lot. But for science majors, it's actually pretty reasonable. Some engineering majors have 18+ and one of my friends who is in a 6 year B.S./M.D. program has 21!!!! (shout outs to Sabrina for taking on such a difficult, but rewarding workload)