They called and you pretended not to listen...

There is a consistent craze sweeping our nation, and along with it people gaining self-satisfaction for holding this green mermaid stamped cup. Yes, Starbucks... famous for their over priced coffees but creative spins on classic seasonal drinks. The have their infamous frappacinos and toasty hot cafe mocha's available all year round, which brings me to my topic of discussion: "Those who choose not to take their drink when it's called out because they are too embarrassed about what they ordered!" I've seen this on a number of occasions and those who practice this method of receiving coffee do one of three things: pretend to be on a phone call, look around pretending not to hear anything or what usually happens is they wait till the Starbucks (or even any coffee shop that calls out orders) is as close to empty as possible. Then, when they finally go up to the counter, they look at the other customers with a facial expression that screams "Oops, guess I didn't hear them". Meanwhile in their mind they are self-concious, worrying about strangers judging them based on what they drink. But of course by the time they actually have the confidence to move forward to take their now cold and whipped-creamless drink, the customers have probably already arrived at their destination. Now don't get me wrong, when I order a frappacino during the dead of winter I get some looks and feel like a weirdo. But when they pour that coffee goodness into my cup and froth that whipped-cream on like an artist... well, it's pure perfection. And by no means am I going to stand around and wait an hour for a couple of people to leave so that way I can get my drink that I paid a pricey price for. I will march up there through the crowd and take my coffee with pride because I could care about what people think!

When the winter season offers snow and bitter cold weather, they have something warm and delightful to offer to us. The least we can do is take it from them...

America the Beautiful

"We the people of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America".


These words begin one of the most influential documents in world. Can anyone take a guess? Yes I know what your thinking... "dah we learned this in eighth grade". But to those who don't remember this very important document, well here you go: IT'S THE CONSTITUTION! Ahhhhh, "eureka!" anyone?


Now here's a little history lesson if any of you forget. The U.S. Constitution established America's national government and fundamental laws, while also guaranteeing certain basic rights for its citizens. On September 17, 1787, it was signed by the delegates in Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, presided over by, the future first president,George Washington. The Bill of Rights--10 amendments guaranteeing basic individual protections such as freedom of speech and religion-- also became part of the Constitution in 1791.


This is what I want to talk about: The Bill of Rights. America is my home. I was born here, raised here and will probably always live here. The same is for most of the 311 million other Americans that were born into this country as well (still growing by the way).We are fortunate enough to have been born into this country, meaning that we were all born with these natural rights. But sometimes we take those rights for granted.


When I come to school, my fellow classmates and I are dragging our feet across the dirt ridden floor with our ipods blasting and eyes half closed.At 7:05 the final bell rings and we all are required to stand up (which takes a lot for some), put our right hand over our heart and say the pledge. Now looking around I see all of them do two of the three steps. Some people just stand, bend their legs, stretch and yawn. THIS ISN'T YOGA PEOPLE! Of course theirs me who stops half way in between the pledge because no one else is-- which is just as bad! Why do we do this? I have no idea. We are American and our founding fathers and all the men who fought for our independence are probably turning in their graves. Look at our country. Some people don't even like America and yet their living here. So yeah...sure we celebrate July 4th and such and such, but is that really the only day where we dress up in our nations colors and really respect our nation? Well from my hypothesis, I would say.... YEP!


How can we call ourselves American and claim those rights when we can't even take the time to say the pledge?

The Plug In

Step 1: Turn on music player
Step 2: Plug headphones in slot
Step 3: Unlock and turn on music player
Step 4: Make sure music player is charged FULLY
Step 5: Get ready to be transported Melodic Domain

This is meant for the iPod and MP3 fanatics. The ones who love the comfort of their own mind and ears, and the ones who rock to their own beat while the world outside seems to wash away. Music plays an essential role in our everyday lives, whether you own and iPod or not. When we are stressed, we feel relaxed, and when we are full of sadness, we are instantly gleeful (pop culture reverence). Music is the distinct language that cures the disease we all seem to catch: troubled times and bad days.

The beats, the tempo, the lyrics. All of these obviously play vital roles in what makes ... well, a song. Music is the prominent communication known to all and it is understood around the world. But for most people, music is personal and has a deeper meaning to us. This is why the iPod and MP3 is rather dominate in the circle of technology. Once those two headphones are tucked in to your ears, it's like the world just faded away and  transported you to a state of tranquility. As the sweet refrains flow through your imagination,  a blank canvas becomes filled with images full of light while some are full of darkness. No matter what genre, what song, or what  band or artists is singing, they get to you and your deepest emotions and dreams.

Now, for me, living with a 1 GB iPod nano from 2005 is a challenge. But nonetheless it saves me from stress and bad days. To and from school, to and from the city, or to and from anywhere, if I didn't have my iPod I would be stuck listening to and sharing songs on the radio with my family. Don't get me wrong I SOMETIMES like listening to the radio, but as I said, theres something about having your own mind and sound to yourself that makes music better.

 I will "La Di Da Di Doo" to my own beat. Plug in the music!

Never Forgotten. Forever Grateful

A great tragedy befell on to our country on September 11, 2001, an unprecedented 343 deaths in the line of duty. At 8:46 a.m., hijackers crashed American Airlines Flight 11 into the World Trade Center's North Tower, and at 9:03 a.m., another five hijackers crashed United Airlines Flight 175 into the South Tower.

 As horrible as a loss that is, if there were a sensible explanation for it, we could accept it and mourn. The 343 firefighters all understood the risk they accepted, that one chance might cut their lives short when they placed themselves in harm’s way in the public’s service. This is what they are paid for and it is their honor. However the validated explanations of the events that day are not only insufficient, they are heinous and cannot bear rational examination. We are asked to believe that on that day three structural steel buildings, which have never before in history collapsed because of fire, fell neatly into their basements at the speed of light, their concrete reducing to dust. We are asked to believe that jet fuel could have melted those steel buildings into molten. We are asked to believe that the most innovative air defense system in the world, that responded to 68 emergencies in the year prior to 9-11 in less than twenty minutes allowed aircraft to amble about for up to an hour and a half.

There is much more than anyone in our country cares to look into. We know that the implications of the above are impenetrable, almost unthinkable, and the three hundred and forty three murdered brothers are crying out to their continuously mourning families. Crying out to their widows with broken hearts and crying out to the 3,000 children who lost their father that day.

In the days immediately following the attacks, many memorials and vigils were held around the world and still are today. In addition, people post photographs of the dead and missing all around Ground Zero. These 343 firefighters didn't concern themselves with their own comfort but unselfishly were more concerned about others - even to the point of losing their lives.  

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

   We will never forget you & we are forever grateful.