If not for the future, the ever present now

Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment
Buddha

When things are happening so quickly it's hard to think of what is happening next. It becomes very stressful when we must start to think of what will happen in the future and many of us forget to think of what is going on right now. Yes, I would like to Graduate, go to University; but I can't do that, unless I get done what needs to be done now. High school, especially grade twelve, is full of life moving experiences, future changing challenges and it is so hard to think of what will come in the future when I am held down by the thought of that Exercise Science test I have or that World Issues Report that is due. I wish I had time to dream but with so much happening now it makes it almost impossible. I know I have goals, I know what needs to be done to achieve them but I have to focus on succeeding now in order to get where I want to go. Maybe next year I will have time for dreaming or maybe I'll just be stuck on the next thing that is dragging me down. I hope not.

AIC- NSA Reflection

In response to the NSA’s final thoughts...

      In my opinion, our NSA was able to clearly summarize our team perfectly. Their first half of the response was more of a “Thank You” and “I hope you learned as much as I did”, although sweet in thought, very unnecessary in terms of evaluating our teams’ involvement throughout the simulation. When they were actually able to critique us, they did so briefly and touched on our major contributions. They were able to connect all of our contributions by breaking us up as individuals. I acted as Prince Bandar Bin Sultan and the NSA’s comments were: “. Prince Bandar Bin Sultan, your consistent communication with the other players in the game was very much appreciated by me and everyone else in the simulation. Although others may not have been able to see, I know how much work you put into maintaining contact with everyone. I think this behind the scenes contact helped to build the foundation that the rest of Saudi Arabias actions could rest upon.” Upon reading this I was happy to know that my efforts throughout the simulation were not neglected and that what I did was able to have an impact on the teams’ advancement throughout the game. I am able to say that even though I played a small role in our team as Saudi Arabia I was able to contribute to our overall success. I was able to learn a lot throughout the simulation, especially in terms of communication and research development.

Where is the Love?

Black Eyed Peas- Where is the Love?



"People killin', people dyin'
Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek"



Each person knows what evil is; we can sense it. We all share a deep-rooted sense of bad and good and from the day we were born it has been engrained in our mind to always do what is right. Currently, our Global Community is suffering from a continuous compiling of the wrong and evil throughout the world. Here in North America we do not feel the ramifications as much as those who live in the more concentrated areas. In the song “Where is the Love?”  by the Black Eyed Peas they speak out on these issues surrounding the loss of good in all us of. The more time goes on the more ignorant we become to these things. We have so much power and control over the world that it is our responsibility to do as much as we can to help others who are suffering. That is what I believe the Black Eyed Peas are trying to communicate in their song. We need to take action and stop turning our heads. Even raising awareness to those who can do more is sufficient enough. If we aren’t able to do that the cries and hurt of tomorrow’s youth will be louder than ever.  

a sticky situation

Centrist-

Adjective:	Having moderate political views or policies.
Noun:	A person who holds moderate political views.

Faction-

Noun:

1.          A small, organized, dissenting group within a larger one, esp. in politics.

In your opinion, should democracy be imposed in other Global Communities? Why or why not?

I would have to say no. For centuries, history has imposed it's own government styles and traditions on individual Communities and that is the way it would like it to stay. The minute any ''Peace Keeping'' team goes in and tries to change what has been happening for hundreds of years, you will always have problems. As long as other parties do not try to implement their own views, troubles will never arise. We need to stop worrying about the issues of others and focus on our own. History has always been able to sort itself out. It is definitely the one thing that does not need human interference with. 

Summer

It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick
-Mark 2:17

The summer of 2011 will be one I will never forget.

The first event to kick-start my offset summer was the Formal event. All the boys were dressed to a T and the girls looked splendid in their gorgeous dresses. Everyone was joyful and merry as they ate, drank and danced well into the night. That was everyone, except me. At the end of the dance I was taken to the hospital due to high fever and pain in my lower back. After 8 hours in the emergency room, I was taken home and deemed to have a kidney infection. However, that was only the beginning.

The summer passed and I worked as a nanny for two wonderful children. A lovely young girl named Alynn and a shy boy named Dustin. Both of which suffered from extreme anxiety. It was a challenge getting them used to me and my families busy lifestyle, but eventually they lightened up and fell into step. I took them everywhere! From their local library and park to my trailer in Turkey Point, they racked up some serious travellers miles.It was such a joy having them around, they always had such a bright smile on their face and unconditional love in all their actions.

Although I loved to work, I knew a vacation was needed. My family decided to drive down to Myrtle Beach, where we enjoyed the heat of the sun and the rise and fall of the waves. It was an amazing experience and I would go back in a heart beat. By the end of the trip a massive hurricane was looming over us, so we packed up quickly and headed home. Unfourtunately my happiness was met with misery.

And doesn't misery follow man.

Once I was home I began to experience a sickness I had never had before. High fever, unsettling stomach, head ache, pain, dizziness. You name it, I had it. I enjured nine days of this suffering until one day I realized I needed a little more help. Not just any help though, one from a Higher source. The tenth day came and that was the day I became a Christian. I prayed that night for a healing that I knew no doctor could give me and boy was it given. Over night my fever broke, my head ache relieved and slowly the pain dissapated from my body. The relief.

To this day I give unending praise to my Saviour and to whomever reads this I encourage them to do the same. Never have I had such a happiness as this. As a linear thinking species, it's hard for us to conceive a Higher Power then ourselves. Though for myself, I'd like to think it's better that God listened and said no, then no one listening at all.

Blog Post # 3 Interdependence

" We have learned that we cannot live alone, at peace; that our own well-being is dependent on the well-being of other nations, far away.... We have learned to be citizens of the world, members of the human community."
- Franklin D. Roosevelt, Former US President, 1945.

This is an interesting concept that has been discussed frequently amongst many of the scholarly population. Is it true that living dependent upon each other is beneficial, or should we be looking at ways to become independent and more self-sustaining? I tend to agree with the later of the two. If each of us where to look for ways to become separate from one another our environment would be of better status and, quite frankly, people would be much happier for it. I am not saying that globalization is completely negative, but to date, it has not proved to be beneficial for our well being and that of our environment. Now, when Roosevelt was speaking towards this concept, it was after great victory and of when the world came together for good to dispel evil from it. Now our only evil is that of ourselves. To dispel that takes much self-reflection and time. To truly understand how to go about cleansing us of ourselves individuals must look to see what they think they value and ideals of how to accomplish maintaining these value. Soon enough, most people will. Today may not be the end of the world, but you never know when it may come. Could you leave it the way it is now? As you are now?