New Years Intentions

As the year 2009 approaches everyone is talking about resolutions and reflections and what not  I decided that instead of sticking my usual norm and avoiding the mainstream makingaresolutioniwillneverkeep I will set out some goals for '09 because this is a big year for me! So first I will start with a cogitation of the year that is almost complete: the late great 2008.

2008 has been crazy to say the least. 

Blessings: 

• I went to Morocco, met amazing people, fell in love with an amazing country and culture,  grew much closer to God, and had time to educate myself through reading (finally). Oh and watch 9 movies I had never seen before during the 2 twenty hour plane rides I had to endure.
  
• Two of my best girl friends (T & Z) and I became much closer, I hope we all continue to grow together, becomes stronger women and have fun together.
• I have stayed single. Is that a blessing? Kinda. I gotta look at it in a positive way, maybe the high standards I hold will be met in 2009, or never haha. You never know. But either way, I have learned a lot about myself and gone through some tough times alone so I would have to say it has strengthened me. 
• Barack Obama?! Haha. The blessing is really more that I got to vote and become politically active than filling out electronic petitions for causes that I believe in, and finally help out a little bit (very little) with Students for Barack Obama. I prefer to remain party free and will therefor never join the college democrats, because lets face it, everyone screws up and changes ideologies. The person I vote for should suit my ideology, not my party's. Groupthink kills, kids.
• I traveled to Venezuela. For those of you who know me, Venezuela really is home (aside from Africa in the near future I hope) and I missed it terribly. So going back was amazing and emotional and fun and I wish I could go back right now haha. And considering the political situation, it really is a blessing that our whole family could make it out there with no big problems.
• Friends. I have amazing friends and hope that my new acquaintances can become friends, good luck though I have trust issues (that I'm working on). I love my best friend of 10 years (ahh we're getting old!), my insane roomie/wife haha, my Zeta girls, my latina ladies (who I have grown so much closer to this year  thanks to crazy latin frat parties and other events haha), my "big bros" who have helped me through so much bull this year, Shanaynay my crazy "macro," my actual younger brothers who are some of my best friends  and a small group of other people. 
• It may be cheezy and I don't mean to sound like a hypocritical music artist when they receive an award but I figure I haven't recieved an award and this isn't a speech and it's true so; last but not least I would have to say that God is a blessing (ironic?? I dunno). I really honestly would not have made it through 2008 without Him. There were some dark moments but I'm still here :)

So now that the blessings have been laid out, I think I'll set out my intentions (not resolutions, they're close enough right?? Me thinks....yes) for 2009.

The word that I want to define 2009 is 

Authenticity

My goal is to share more of myself with the people around me that care about me, be the same person in whatever group I am in, and seriously work on my trust issues. Having major trust issues before one completes two decades of life cannot be healthy.

Other goals, aside from becoming an authentic person in 2009, include growing stronger with Christ, traveling and serving others as much as possible, entering my 20's in a fabulous fashion and with a new attitude and learning to love more. 

So 2009 is kind of scary, exciting, but I'm ready. I wonder if this stating of goals and intentions actually works... guess we'll have to wait and see.

Illness

Soooo no one likes being sick. But really it wasn't that bas this time, mainly because I realized the two major (MAJOR) positives of being sick. Not only does being sick give you automatic property rights over anything you've touched, build up the immune system of your body, give you an excuse for being less productive at work (I really was in pain all day but you can exaggerate if you wish), or allow you to sleep an exorbitant amount of hours; no there is much more to being sick than that.

Being sick allows you to watch as much football as you want... with no one interrupting!!! That is amazing, seriously. I think I have watched more football in the 2.5 days that I have been sick than I have in maybe my lifetime (more realistically this past semester... but still). The brothers, dad, and I all pick teams and just enjoy the games; LOVE IT!! I have watched the CIF Championship (which was amazing by the way), about 3 - 5 NFL games, NFL replays, college ball highlights and bowl predictions, etc. It has been Amazingness.

The other major benefit of being sick is, obviously, losing weight. I came home and was stuffed full of food (very latin of the family, always concerned I'm not eating enough at school), got fat, got sick, now back to a weight lighter than that of when I left school. Love it!!! So thank you illness, I hope you come around again after Christmas and before New Years so I look amazing in 2009. Thanks.

p.s. I would also like to state that this past Sunday I met Alice Cooper and his wife at my church and wished them a Merry Christmas, definitely one of the coolest moments ever. He's a super chill guy and has a great family. I was super star struck, but luckily I have an amazing pastor and it wasn't too difficult to focus during the young adult service.

Ok people, I have decided to tackle the weird new fashions that drive me insane. I really wonder who comes up with these things....they hurt the eyes and ruin people's fashion sensibility in attempts to keep up with trends. Stop the madness!!

So first on the list..... the hideous peep toe boot.

People, HOW is this attractive?! Seriously! It cuts off your leg length, making the gams look short and by default, you = less attractive.(That's biological science, go look it up). And it's really just painful, I would rather look at gladiator-something shoes than peep toe boots....heeby jeebez!

 

Second....leg warmers

[Photo: WENN]

Leg warmers are meant for dancers, gymnasts, performing artists, what have you. But NOT for everyday, and especially not on the red carpet. People, leg warmers can only be pulled off by those with amazing and eccentric fashion skills, not the average Jill.

Third... Plaid

Don't get me wrong, plaid can be a nice pattern, if the clothing is designed right, but designers have just tortured plaid in recent months.

Please do not try to imitate the fashions of your favorite gossipgirl, ladies. I'm sure they are suffering and only wearing the outfits for the sake of their jobs. You WILL look like a school girl who is trying to look older. Not cool. Stick to the plaid button-ups with the big belt and leggings, muuuuch better than these outfits.

Fourth... Pocahontas boots

I love Pocahontas, but forreals, NOT for the everyday person. I've only seen three people who successfully pulled of this boot. Do not attempt if you are only trying to be trendy or think they are cute. KNOW that you can pull them off before you buy them, PLEASE!

Fifth and Finally....shiny sequined things

With the way things are going in the fashion world recently you would swear

 everyone is wearing a costume. Paula Abdul certainly took the shiny thing to the next level. College girls, the only time you should wear shiny American Apparel or Forever 21 shiny is at a club or some fun themed frat party...or if you're a hooker or alien. Not meant for everyday wear, trust me. And fully sequined pieces of clothing are never acceptable only mannequins can pull off those articles of clothing (and they just look tacky, I want you to walk around with class and real style). Please steer clear, thanks :)

Two very beautiful women, both look pretty bad, and much larger than they actually are, and just overwhelmed by the dress. But Beyoncé wins for her heinous pose.

Now these are the only trends I will feature on the blog because I fully hate them, but there are others that annoy me that don't get a full section, such as marmy oversized flowy dresses, the one-shoulder dress, super fluffy overworked oversized dresses and accessories, so on and so forth. If you really want to see more, which I highly doubt you will go to GFY.com, we tend to agree on fashion and the commentary is just fun. Have an excellent rest of 2008 and please don't carry these hideous trends into 2009.

Something to Consider this Holiday Season

Sooo Holidays are all about Love: showing Love, buying things for people you Love, spending time with those you Love etc. And I get kinda sad around this time of year because I feel most alone during the Holidays, but this year I think I am going to really make an effort to show the people I Love just how much they actually mean to me and how important they are. I was inspired by a passage I read this morning that everyone likes to pull apart and only use bits and pieces of but is actually much more beautiful as a full verse. So here it is:
1 Corinthians 13
Love

1If I speak in the languages of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a (wo)man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love

F@ck the Police

Soooo I am riding my bike down the street to my apartment and a cop stops me. I figure he wants me to help him with some information about the area, maybe help him solve a crime. BUT NO! If anyone knows anything about the LAPD it's that they give out unnecessary tickets to people who do not actually deserve these tickets. I was one of these people!! I never ride my bike, and the one time I do, I head back home on the right side of the street and everything. I need to cross the street before I get to my house or else I have to go back over my tracks. So I cross the street appropriately, and continue to ride in the bike lane because it is technically , but it is the south instead of north bound lane. Then before turning the corner to go down the street to my apartment, the cop stops me. He gives me a ticket for 1.) riding in the wrong lane (apparently riding on the sidewalk is no longer illegal) and 2.) not having a light. What the eff!!!! I understand the whole lane thing. OK. But really a light? I do not reside in the best of neighborhoods. I am 100% positive a much more heinous crime that actually resulted in the hospitalization and/or death of a Los Angeles citizen. And they couldn't go stop that?

Can I please say that on top of this two other cop cars stop by as this is happening. One of them asks if my "friend" officer jerkface needs back up. All the while I am thinking, *what in the hell is the minimum IQ to be a cop? There needs to be a common sense, IQ, racism and decision-making-ability tests before these people are allowed to even learn to wield a gun for "LA's Finest." How stupid can these people really be? I am just trying to get an education and save the world!! Can you please let me do MY job?* Finally officer dumbass leaves and officer jerkface continues to write the ticket. THEN!!! Then it gets good people. Then the idiot of all idiots (and his partner) pulls up to the corner that officer jerkface and I are having a grand ole' time and just sits and watches. Watches me get a fucking ticket!!! FOR FRIGGIN REALS OFFICER STUPIDFACE!!! QUE DE FOK??!?! Go save a life! Don't sit here watching your fellow stupid officer write me a ticket!!!! And meanwhile, look me up and down, like a piece of meat? I am in sweats!! and pissed off you fucker. Go hire a hooker or something you corrupt cops do. ooooo maaah gawsh. Needless to say I am pissed, and was pissed, and will be pissed for a while. It thoroughly annoys me that the LAPD continues to fail at keeping this city safe and is only concerned about their ticket quotients and getting paid.

SO UP YOURS LAPD! I am sick of your bullshit. Go save a life. Too many people die each day and are let off the hook that need to go to jail; that, all of that and more, could be prevented if you did your job correctly. Thanks.

Fabulosity

So I am finally done with writing papers(!!!) and spent the morning in bed watching Shane Mercado dance his fabulous gay butt off to Single Ladies. And let me just say, he puts her to shame at times. I watched the YouTube version, which was great, but then Bonnie Hunt put him on her show in front of a green screen with the original video in the back....poor Beyonce. So I would like to share the phenomenal Shane Mercado with the world.....

And of course....The Dancers!! from SNL

Enjoy the fabulosity

Because I'm Sick of Writing Papers...

So I am off to bed because my brain is fried and I am emotionally drained. But I did feel the need to share with whoever the eff reads this blog, some amazing new (and some "old") artists that I love and need to become famous because they actually have artistic and vocal talent:
Algebra Blessett - Beautiful, clear, soulful voice. The music tracks are also well composed
Jazmine Sullivan - Many of you have heard of her, but she is our generation's Lauren Hill with a little more spunk. She's been around for a while but has just recently gone solo.
Adele - She is on the top music lists all the time, but her entire CD is really good. One of the better Brits invading the music scene these days
Ledisi - A much more positive version of Mary J. Blige. Amazing vocals.
Madita - Mixes latin sounds with the modern techo beats. Quirky sound, a quasi-hauting voice. Good music.
Little Jackie - duo of a male dj and female singer. Great beats. Excellent music for a sunny, care free Saturday.
Santogold - According to a good friend her sound is that "crazy freaky shit" haha. But really her beats are good. She's kind of a female Kanye.
That's my list for today. Now I am off to bed, which I seriously need.
Pray I don't fail school.

This just in - Little Dragon is now added to the list... amazing pop-soul band introduced by Sundi, remind me a bit of Erykah's chill songs. Go youtube them.

L!F3

So the nation knows that Barack Obama has been elected the President Elect. w00t!! As a minority (both racially and gender-wise) his election meant so much. While I realize (and hope the rest of the world does too) that this is not the end of racism by any means, it did symbolize the fact that the United States is ready to become more accepting, and hopefully open to, the success of minorities. While I already felt like I was capable of anything I put my mind and soul into, Obama's election has made me realize that others have (hopefully) become more willing to help me and others in realizing their dreams.

Even though I voted for Obama, and support his energy and international relations plans as well as his emphasis on education, I do realize that our country is in the shitter, and its gonna take a while, if not even get a little worse, before we can get out of it. Soooo everyone brace yourself.

Also, on a random side note... I am sick of men, oh actually I'm sorry, I'm sick of little boys. We are in college people!! Step your game up! Us girls, now young women, are sick of your games and your immaturity. Please grow some, don't be afraid to take the first step, treat us like a woman, treat us with some respect, and be real. We honestly don't want the universe, just some thoughtfulness and a man to help us get through the day, the way our girls and ourselves can't. I and my fellow single ladies are tired of boys showing interest (or pretending to show interest) and then not following through, or not stepping up to the plate in time. So PLEASE!! boys...grow up. Thanks.

Some Lyrics that I Love

Run & Hide - Algebra Blessett
run
hide
run
hi-hide
these feelings...why do i have these feelings?
oh-oh-oh i've been patiently waiting on the right guy
he says i'm precious but i think he's lying just to get my attention and make me fall not to mention
he got crazy intentions, i couldn't trust him so i didn't want him

chorus
surely i may not know exactly what i want
surely i know exactly what i don't
still i havent found what i've been looking for
but i can't do this no more
imma just run and hide
go far away to (hide)
true love i'll never (find)
gonna pack my heart and (hide)
imma just run

i done did it all before
wined and dined even ignored
i played the role of a bad girl and snuck some boys out the back door
so somebody would love me
i got smart and started thinking
i wasn't smiling or feeling free
surely this aint love and i aint happy

chorus
surely i may not know exactly what i want
surely i know exactly what i don't
still i havent found what i've been looking for
but i can't do this no more
imma just run and hide
go far away to (hide)
true love i'll never (find)
gonna pack my heart and (hide)
imma just run

that's what i get for being so picky
thought i found mr.right but he tricked me
Smiled in my face and how I fell hard
i'm hurt again and right back to start
went a different race and lost alot of time
i ran the wrong race and lost all my mind but
i gotta get back i cant hide but i gotta find it
i guess gotta pack ??? to every corner
whose gonna look for me when i'm gone...

So this is how I feel about my life right now haha. BUT OBAMA WON!!!! It is truly amazing and I am so proud of our generation for speaking up and getting it done. Obama post to come when I have more time to write

Beisbol!

So I am a female baseball fan, a rarity these days, and I would just like to say that I love the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim! We are gonna win the World Series this year. Seriously, way to kick ass. The Oriels game/mini series was not their greatest I'll admit, however they have bounced back gloriously. (12-6 against the Yankees please? And they shut down the Red Sox)

Speaking of the Red Sox and Manny Ramirez.....wtf? Why in the WORLD would he settle for the Dodgers when he could've landed a much better contract with a superior team? Granted his attitude has left him with slim pickings but I would think that his .301 would make up for it! He is too good of a player to be stuck with the Dodgers, a team in which I feel he has very little room to grow and improve as a player...but then again that is coming from a girl who is a fan of the Angels, soooo I might be a tad biased.

Moving on.... I have recently returned from my motherland, which is Venezuela, and I am confused as to where all of the attractive men have fled? I must've not traveled to the right parts of Caracas and Isla Margarita this time around or all of them are in hiding since I last left. Needless to say I left highly disappointed in the quality of the opposite sex, but I still miss "home". :(

Morocco?

VIVA ESPANA!!!! w0w that goal was phenomenal and by the least likely person (long live the underdog!), and the defense held out very very well. I was sure it was going to at least be a tie, but no Spain conquered. Granted Senna really should have made that one goal but it's ok I forgive him. w00000 I was pumped when I watched that game. *sigh* Moving on...
Sooooo because I'm young and not tied down to a specific job or anything yet....I'm in Morocco teaching art classes for kids here! I haven't felt this peaceful in a long time, but I do miss Los Angeles. However, this has truly been an amazing experience. Morocco is probably safer that the US actually and they aren't super anti-American...probably because they want your money haha. Either way I feel at peace and excited that Africa will hopefully be my new home in the future (Uganda?).
Problem...I miss him a lot. It really hit me a few days into the trip and I don't know why. I keep imagining he'll be at the airport when I get there....but I know its just me being a stupid girl again.
Well that's all for ahorita. Ciao Ciao.

SERIOUSLY?!?!?!

WHAT. THE. EFF. This is just not my sport year. First Patriots blow history. And the friggin Lakers just topped the cake. Way to go boys, way to lose, or should I say..... GIVE IT UP! Seriously?! You made it to game six and decide to just hand the game over to the Celts. At least try....please!!! Horrendous game. Literally painful to watch.

The sports MoJo needs to kick in this next fall season or I will have serious sports related depression. Thank goodness for the Angels, they're my last hope before Fall.

Hello

So I have decided to begin a new blog as Life of a Sober College Student was too narrow of a topic field (however, I do hope you enjoyed some of the crazy stories that were written on that short lived blog). The new and improved version is here!
Sports
Fashion
Music
School
Parties
Politics
Etc!

Enjoy :)