BingItsBarrister

The past couple of months have been met with devastation after devastation; from the earthquake in Haiti from the recent earthquake in Chile. Life as we know it is constantly changing due to these monstrous disasters. These misfortunate events make me question the true existence of humans. I ask myself why we are truly on this earth. Before I came to the solution I came to the realization that life is so precious. So precious but so heavily taken for granted. I feel life is meant to be used as a means of transformation. We are all meant for greatness, for something bigger than our current self. We are all meant to achieve our self-actualization (best possible version of you).

In life, there are always choices. It is known that every choice you make will affect the rest of your life; at the time of the decision the outcome of the choice is never guaranteed for a good or bad outcome. However, as humans, we know this, and we take the leap of making decisions because it is a process of everyday life that must take place. However, in many circumstances, a person is not always granted the freedom to make their own decision due to outside pressure. Pressure from family and friends stigmatizes a person to make a decision that is not what they want for themselves. For that person, they are simply a prisoner of their own life, for their life is planned or predestined by the decision of someone else. As cliché as the example sounds, it is still relatable; the classic scenario in which a persons parents goad them to take an interest in the medical/law field in college so they will become doctors/lawyers. In many situations, that person has no choice because they are only limited to what they are given. I believe that everyone is on this earth for a reason. What reason you may ask? To change, to evolve, to grow, to become their dream.

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The 2010 Grammy’s was filled with memorable performances, appearances, and remembrance segments. This year’s music scene has been filled with many new artists, many of which have been in the industry for years but just got their big break. Some artists, like Lady Gaga and MGMT acquired fans with catchy songs, trendy styles, and something we call “star quality”. Other rising performers got famous by media scandals; one of these artists being Taylor Swift. As it is known, Kanye interrupted Taylor Swift after she won the video of the year at that MTV awards. Ever since, she has bombarded the media/music scene, and in my opinion, gained too much accolades. My argument? Why!? She won best album of the year for an album that was not even great. One hit song (You belong with me), and this teen bopper is qualified to win against amazing artists like The Dave Mathews Band, Beyonce, Lady Gaga, etc.? In instances like that, all I can do is ask myself “WHERE IS KANYE WHEN YOU NEED HIM”!

Pic Link- http://www.mtv.com/content/ontv/vma/2009/photo/flipbook/09-show-highlights/kanyewest_taylor_swift_getty16951148.jpg

If you are fond of captivating stories with everlasting suspenseful twists and turns, then I suggest you go purchase Dan Browns The Lost Symbol TODAY. This book displays such passion and enthusiasm, that it is impossible to quit reading. In the story, Harvard professor Robert Langdon is summonsed to Washington D.C by his close mentor Peter Solomon, who is a philanthropist, historian, scientist and powerful specimen of the Masons, a group that believes the path of illumination begins with enlightenment and knowledge. Langdon thinks he was invited to speak at the U.S. Capitol on the topic of Masonic symbols hidden in the architecture of famous Washington D.C. monuments. However, the day ahead of him is nothing like he expected, when he realizes that the man who invited him(who he thought was Peter’s assistant) was actually the man holding Peter captive. Langdon comes to this discovery when he finds Peters severed hand in the lecture room, which signifies an ancient symbolic invitation, intended to provoke the beneficiary into searching for the secret knowledge of the lost ages. Throughout the story, a skeptic Langdon goes against his disbelief of “secret wisdom” and “lost secrets” to help aid the hidden kidnapper with information that will unlock the answers of the secret ages that he is searching for. In return for the information that only Langdon can possess, the kidnapper will release Peter. Along the way Langdon teams up with Peter’s sister and endures several challenges- beginning with dodging the CSI and learning how to decipher ancient codes. Langdon faces his biggest challenge when he must risk his own life to help protect the secrets that Peter has been protecting his whole life. The secrets that are unraveled will shock you, and reshape the way you view the most common symbols of life, like the unfinished pyramid on the dollar bill, which is a Masonic symbol that is a “symbolic reminder that man’s ascent to his full human potential is always a work in progress” (Page 161).

 This is without a doubt the most amazing book I have ever read. There are elements of literature, history, religion, symbols, ancient secrets, science, and art. All of these elements of life join together to create a piece of art that makes one want to learn and enlighten themselves. From this book I learned that there are so many mysteries in life that are waiting to be discovered-so many facts that are waiting to be learned, and so many view points that are alike but interpreted differently.

I found this quote to be extremely enlightening in the sense that it explains that people express the same idea in different ways.

“He though about science, about faith, about man. He thought about how every culture, in every country, in every time, had always shared one thing. We all had the Creator. We used different names, different faces, and different prayers, but God was the universal constant for man. God was the symbol we all shared…the symbol of all the mysteries of life that we could not understand. The ancients had praised God as a symbol of our limitless human potential, but that ancient symbol had been lost over time. Until now” (Page 509).

Picture Link – http://the44diaries.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/the_lost_symbol.jpg

Tuesday, January 12; a day that will forever be remembered as one the most catastrophic earthquakes to disrupt the Earth. As students across the U.S. were getting acclimated to their second day back at school, from a long winter break hiatus, one of the poorest poverty filled countries in the world had taken a major hit. A magnitude 7.0 earthquake had hit, its epicenter near Leogane, about 15 miles away from the capital of Haiti. As the United States retrieved data of the 33 aftershocks ranging from 5.0 to 5.9, the world was shocked to find that an estimated 70,000 bodies had been buried to death by collapsed buildings.

As Americans tuned into their televisions, computers, Blackberrys, iPhones, etc, the true devastation of the situation in Haiti sunk in. Hundreds of thousands of people were without food, water, and hospitalization. What occurred next will forever make me proud. Hundreds of organizations around the world fight for one cause; to help Haiti. Organizations like Red Cross, Salvation Army, and the U.N. send search and rescues teams, as well as meals.

 As I was browsing my Facebook page, a group suggestion popped up on my notifications. “Help Heal Haiti”. From there, the efforts made from teenagers blew me away. I could not go on Facebook without seeing a page designed to accept donations that would help the circumstances in Haiti. Through these benevolent Facebook pages and groups, I had an epiphany. I realized that the world, despite its troubles and wars, knew how to band together to help people in need. A single person, to a whole organization, to a whole country, cared about the well being of others. The chaos that the Hatian’s face seems endless, however, the world is on their side; from the little girl on the street selling lemonade to support the victims, to the helpful high school student, to the wealthy entrepreneurs donating millions. Help is on the way.

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http://images.mirror.co.uk/upl/m4/jan2010/8/0/leogane-haiti-pic-dm-ian-vogler-745564000.jpg

 Want to make your contribution? - http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#/pages/1-penny-will-go-to-haiti-for-everyone-that-joins/254797293438?ref=search&sid=1658394850.3569471062..1

“Many people look forward to the New Year for a new start on old habits”  ~ Unknown

 The celebration of the New Year is both practical and symbolic. On New Years many people celebrate the culmination of one year and rejoice the start of another. People also look at the New Year as a good starting point to start fresh and gain better habits. You often hear people claiming that they are going to eat healthier, workout more, and read more when it pertains to New Years resolutions. The funny thing about New Years is that it is a cycle that will never end, until death of course. Every year people make similar resolutions and never really complete them, usually because of the extreme measures. The quote is so true because it describes the truth about New Years. New Years is a celebration, but it is also a chance to start fresh. The point is that many things we do are ingrained so deep within ourselves that it is hard to overcome the habit. This is why people use the holiday as a way to overcome bad habits and make a better life for themselves, when the truth is that many of their resolutions will be short lived. The problem with most New Years resolutions is that they are often very extreme and dramatic. One might make a vow to stop eating fast food, drinking coffee, and no T.V. Instead of making histrionic resolutions, one should make a resolution that is going to be reasonable to keep up. That way that resolution will become a reality, not a struggled attempt to get rid of all the good (but bad) things in life.

The Twilight Saga has plagued the nation with an abundance of overly zealous female teenagers. These teenagers flocked to the movie theaters and helped New Moon(the newest extension of Twilight) make 140 millions dollars its box office weekend, which is the third-biggest opening weekend gross besides The Dark Knight and Spiderman 3. This was an expected occurrence, due to the fact that the saga has an extreme fan base. The unexpected part of Twilight’s success is that the teenage girls are not the only ones supporting the “hunky” Edward and Jacob. Those same teenage girls’ mothers are jumping on the team Edward team Jacob bandwagon as well. On an interview with Jay Leno, Taylor Lautner gives a shocking anecdote of what occurred at a fan signing event.

 He recalled a forty something mother and her teenage daughter in line at a US autograph signing. The mother skipped up to him, grabbed his wrist and said, “‘Excuse me Taylor…. I’m wearing the Team Taylor panties right now. Is there any way I can take them off for you and just have you sign ‘em quick?’…. And the daughter goes, ‘Mom, come on!’” What happened next? The mother told her daughter, “‘Honey, don’t worry. This is what we do at these things,’” Lautner said. “And security stepped in and said, ‘No ma’am, this is not what we’ll be doing.’”

-Popwatch.com

 This anecdote exposes the sickness in the way society handles double standards. Just imagine if the tables were turned. If a middle aged man asked an under age girl to sign his underwear or shirt it would raise lots of commotion(which is should), however, the same penalties should apply to women who put under age boys in awkward situations. Even though security handled the situation in an appropriate manor because they banned Taylor from signing the panties, if the tables were turned a man would have been deeply ostracized for attempting such a crude act. Nevertheless, society sees things in a different perspective when it is the young boy who is being pushed passed their boundaries by a woman, and this is the way it will probably stay. The situation that occurred just adds to the ever growing phrase that I constantly repeat to myself : “WHAT IS THIS WORLD COMING TOO.”

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“The more that you read, the more things you will know.

The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”

-Dr Seuss

According to monumental intellectual figures such as Confucius and Dr. Seuss, reading is one of the most beneficial and crucial elements to securing a life of knowledge and enlightenment. However, If reading is so powerful and uplifting, than why has the percentage of readers in America dropped from 58 percent to 46 percent? What is the cause of Americas lack of reading? Well, a typical answer would suggest that television and social networking sites like facebook and twitter are to blame. That answer is very true, but there are other factors that limit a person from reading. The truth is that there are many people who want to read(like myself), but lack the fundamentals necessary in becoming a successful avid reader. The blog that I came across expresses 14 helpful ways to cultivate a lifetime reading habit. All of these tips are profitable, however, three of them share a powerful perspective that will help you become an avid reader.

A vast majority of the population consumes their leisure time browsing the internet and watching television, which for some, takes up more time than needed. On average, a teenage watches about four and a half hours of television a day. In four and a half hours, a person can jog a half marathon or even read a whole book. On average, a teenager also spends 3 hours a day surfing the internet, instant messaging friends, and watching comical Youtube videos. Therefore, teenagers almost spend 1/3 of their day partaking in semi useless activities. Nevertheless, we can change if we find a balance. Instead of spending 8 hours glued to the TV and computer, spend one hour watching TV and one hour on the computer. This way, you are not just limited to tweeting and refreshing you page on Facebook, you also have the chance to engulf yourself in a good book.

You have limited your useless leisure time by six hours, so now you have more time to enjoy a book. However, there is a problem. You can not enjoy the book because you are not comfortable. You must remember that reading is like any other activity you do when your trying to let loose. Therefore, It is vital that you create an environment where you know you can focus. You wouldn’t watch a movie or play a video game while heavily uncomfortable, so the same goes for reading. The best thing to do is find a cozy spot that fits your needs best, and make  sure that it is secluded enough and far from distractions like music, people, and most of all, the television.

So you have limited your television and internet time, and found your perfect area to read. However, reading just is not your thing. WRONG. Reading can be your thing. Reading is solely based on the book. It is important to find books that catch your eye, keep you interested, and make you enjoy reading. If you go through a few chapters in a book and feel dispassionate about it, toss it, but keep more books coming. Realize that the more you read, the more you find what type of books you truly connect with. Once your content with your choice of books, expand your genre, and remember that reading can be fun, under the right circumstances!

 Site- http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/14-ways-to-cultivate-a-lifetime-reading-habit.html

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Junior year of high school is notorious for it’s challenging curriculum and stressful preparation for senior year and the college application process. Teachers and parents have warned students about this year for a long time. For the class of 2011, the time is now. In 2006, over 20 million people in the U.S. attended college. Since than, the number of college applicants has risen, making it harder and harder to get into a the university of your dreams. Getting into a good university these days requires more than just good grades. Colleges want prospective students who are well-rounded and involved in more than just the books. Extra curricular activities, sports, volunteer experience, and standardized tests like the SAT and ACT play a huge factor as well. Therefore, this causes a massive amount of stress for many students who are near the college application process. Going to college is a very important thing in today’s society because it is a proactive way of setting yourself up for a good future. On average, a person with a masters degree earns $ 31,000 more per year than a high school graduate. With an unstable economy, being a college graduate seems like the only real stability a person can secure for themselves, because that degree represents years of hard work and perseverance. They say that getting in is the hardest thing about college. I sure hope it is true, because this whole college thing is already getting stressful and the real process has not even started yet. It is understood that “what you do now affects your future”, therefore, all we can hope for is that one day the hard work will pay off.

Picture Link: http://starlitrn.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/stress-cartoon.jpg

This picture represents life and vitality. It is a picture of New York City; one of the most amazing cities in the United States.  My opinion of the city comes from pure experience. Visiting New York City is like taking a leap out of reality into a place full of adventure and promise. Maybe it’s the bright lights, cultivating areas, or the plethora of diverse people that led to my fascination of the marvelous haven. The fact that NYC is one of the most popular cities in the U.S. is no surprise, for it releases life and energy that soars through the tall sky scrapers and busy streets.

 For its size, New York City is the most heavily populated city in the United States (26,403 people inhabit one square mile). Due to New York’s immigration history, it is known as a “melting pot” for its cultural and ethnical diversity. Over 170 languages are spoken in the city that is home to the immigrants of China, Mexico, Columbia, Dominican Republic, and Russia.  Being in a diverse city is important because it allows a person to understand other cultures’ traditions and beliefs. Imagine living in a place where only one or two races dominated the population? In my eyes, life would be so boring and unoriginal. The world is full of interesting people, which is why I am glad that cities like NYC accommodate them.

New York City is also home to many educated and enlightened people. Some of the most popular schools in the US are in this city; including Columbia University and New York University. These schools are so popular due to their intense courses and prestigious background. In 2008, Columbia University was harder to get into than Harvard, which shows the intense education system that New York holds.

Lastly, the most important thing that one will learn about NYC is that it is so much FUN! There is so much to do; from taking adventures through the city to observing the monuments and architecture. Even sitting on a bench in Central Park, while enjoying the serenity can prove to be enjoyable. If you haven’t realized it yet; I love New York, and hope to live there in the near future!

Site Used For Some Facts – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City

 Want to Learn More about NYC!? Visit http://www.50states.com/facts/newyork.htm

Picture 1 : http://www.photomural.info/images/fotomural-nyc-lights.jpg