As I Travel From...

Whooaaaa I made it to italy it it absolutely gorgeous I am without words, so truly blessed to be here. But it did take forever to actually get here, 8 hour plane ride, 45 minute cab ride, 1 hour bus ride, 2 hour train ride, switch trains and then a final 45 minute train ride. But it was all worth it though, The beautiful historic ruins of rome, to the rolling hills of Perugia Italy did not disappoint. Enjoy these photos as I attempt to capture, with my camera, the wonders my eyes have seen.

Oil Oil Oil

This Oil spill has reached a level above critical, oil rains in New Orleans oil waves in Alabama. Dear God, I don't know about everyone else but I have officially become worried. The judge that ruled against Obama's planned to halt oil drilling for 6 months, has investments in the oil and gas industry. Are you serious dude, your more concerned about your money then the state of the world, you ass, if the world is destroyed YOU HAVE NO MORE MONEY. A man once said "greed will imprison us all" We need a solution wildlife is dying off, 2 people have been killed it will only get worse.

Trust

I just wanted to draw the attention on how complex and different life has become. I was having a conversation with a friend of mine the other day and she mentioned that she can't trust anyone, especially men. Well the man part is a different conversation in itself but I wanted to talk about the trust factor. I think we as people have it backwards we trust everything but people. We trust that when we get in our car it will start, we trust that when we drink water its not vodka. We trust that our lights will come on when we flick the switch, We even trust that when you walk out in a street full of cars that they will obey traffic laws and yield to pedestrians. All of these things were created by man (people) and yet we put our trust in the creation and not the creator. We as people find it hard or even impossible to trust in other people and it is partially because we do not full trust ourselves, our abilities, and our gifts, our flaws, our decisions, and our purpose. We do not fully trust ourselves and that is the first step to trusting other people. I trust that if I post this people will read this, but I find it hard to trust people with who I truly am. I find that to be very interesting and very backwards because if you cannot trust you cannot love and if you do not love you do not live.

Texting Rant

During the semester I met a girl in a class we had together, she seemed cool enough so we exchanged numbers and began to text. Her texting personality was witty full of energy and seemingly very intelligent. So me doing what seemed to be the logical next step I asked her if she wanted to go get something to eat so we could get to know each other better. I don't know if I was texting a different girl or if she was nervous or whatever but their were enough awkward silences to last a life time. I do understand that she might've been nervous or maybe just was not feeling my conversation but I feel like the girl I was texting was different then the girl I was sitting across from. My problem with texting is that it has replaced the art of conversation, I do appreciate the ability to quickly send messages, but it has replaced the emotions and connections that are present in everyday conversation. I can recall a few times where I actually got into a text message argument I don't think I have ever come across something as childish as that, 4 page messages and then "u tlk lyke u aint ben n skool" with different "text talk" characters. I have always said that anything of importance should be talked and not texted, if you can't do it in person then you should at least call the person. And try to call people on their birthdays and not just send them a text message, they get those from everyone else don't just become another well-wisher, take 20 seconds and call I promise it will be greatly appreciated.

-My Little Rant About Texting-

The Importance of History

I just wanted to take this time to stress the important of history not just black and African history but history in general. It is a cliche but it is very true that if you do no know where you've been you will not know where you are going. Without history we lose culture, we lose direction we even lose our civility. When a people is without history they are forced to use everything that is around them to develop an identity, now if what surrounds you is death, destruction, anger, violence, then out of that you will develop an identity that embodies all of those sub-human qualities. As African Americans we have lost our history and it has been replaced with a negative image of self, we lack a love for self and because of that we are self destructive not only personally but to our fellow African Americans.For Example we have popularized and internalized the word NIGGER oh yes people say we have jazzed it up and replaced the ER with an A but we (and I say we because I include myself) use that word to describe our loved ones, our peers, and ourselves. Which is a way of labeling every African American we encounter as ignorant no longer viewing oursevles as a respectable people. If we don't respect us do you think anyone else will.

Lessons Learned

Every situation is lesson learned not a burden earned. The trials and tribulations that endure, are not presented to us to bring us down and to break us. Every good & bad relationship is placed in front of us to help us develop all the proper skills used in marriage but if you choose not to learn the lesson your on your way to another "bad" relationship. One of the hardest things to do in a situation is to step outside of it and recognize what you might've done wrong. Once you realize what you did wrong the first and hardest step is to forgive yourself. In this book I am reading entitled The Shack they talk about the importance of relationships and how even though our greatest hurt may come from relationships...so does our greates happiness. You cannot be estranged and afraid to love whether it is friends family or your significant other, a life without love is a life without life.

Challenge What Controls You

Something that I find myself doing now more and more is challenging myself, whether it be mentally or physically. I like to push myself and step outside of things that I feel comfortable doing. I call that RAGE (Rage Against The Establishment). I recently found out a friend of mine is afraid of the dark, I told her to be careful in telling me that because I am looking for the first oppurtunity to make her challenge her fear and realize that it does not control her. Martin Luther King Jr. once said "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." Do not be afraid to challenge yourself and also you can not be afraid of failing failure is simply an oppurtunity to gain better knowledge before trying again.

This is a poem I recieved that talks about challenging yourself and your abilities:

The Comfort Zone Poem (author unknown)

I used to have a comfort zone

where I knew I couldn't fail,

The same four walls of busy work

were really more like a jail

I longed so much to do the things

I'd never done before,

But I stayed inside my comfort zone

and paced the same old floor

I said it didn't matter

that I wasn't doing much,

I said I didn't care for things

like diamonds or furs and such

I claimed to be so busy

with the things inside my zone,

But deep inside I longed for

something special of my own

I couldn't let my life go by

just watching others win,

I held my breath and stepped outside

to let the change begin

I took a step and with new strength

I'd never felt before,

I kissed my comfort zone good bye

and closed and locked the door

If you are in a comfort zone

afraid to venture out,

Remember that all winners

were at one time filled with doubt

A step or two and words of praise

can make your dreams come true

Greet your future with a smile,

success is there for you!