Careful of the Hip Hop

Posted on August 6, 2009 by greg
Hip Hop music has just taken the world by the storm. A lot of new artists are coming out faster than new clothing trends come out every season. Hip hop songs are getting more and more creative; there are newer collaborations between artists, newer approaches in music, and newer beats composed. However, today, hip hop has become more than just a musical genre. It has also evolved into being a subculture.
You easily spot the hip hop worshipping youth today. They are dressed in baggy jeans, have multiple piercing and seem to own the streets as they walk upon them. Hip hop has cuddled a lot of time slots in music channels lately, all showing off a lifestyle that a lot of youth looks up to and wants to follow.
The danger in this hip hop hugging generation is that they are blinded by the glamour of it all, that they fail to analyze what really is going on on the side. A lot of hip hop music videos feature scantily clad women who are treated by the male artists often as sexual objects. They call these women in names which they don’t deserve to be called, such as bitch, slut and whore among others. Moreover, there are a lot of supposedly detrimental things in these videos, like drugs, alcohol, gambling, mugging and stealing, which are packaged very much like the ideal lifestyle, hidden behind those bling blings, shiny street banners and caviar.
So the next time you watch a hip hop video, do you see the red flags now?
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Tourism: a Global Industry

Posted on August 5, 2009 by greg
Have you ever dreamed of going to another country? Everyone seems to want to just get out of where they are at the moment and see new world flags as they get out of the airport. Because of this, tourism is one of the most profitable industries in the world. This industry thrives because of one widely known fact: the world is amazing.
The funny thing is, what might be mundane and ordinary to us here might be something new and otherworldly for people in other countries. We often see tourists portrayed in movies as people with miniature flags who never run out of gasps while their tour guides seem a lot less enthusiastic about the sights. Whenever we immerse ourselves in a totally new culture alien to our own, it is like being reborn as someone new. We have to relearn everything in the context of wherever we are staying. And like they always say: ‘when in Rome, do as the Romans do’.
Another big thing about tourism is that sometimes, people need not invest much in putting up tourist spots. Each country has something unique about it. Whether it’s the architecture, the culture or the nature, all countries have their own special experiences that have existed even before the concept of money even existed! Another great thing about tourism is the fact that some forests become reserves that are meant to be untouched. Some of these reserves become national parks and they help maintain the green-ness of the countries that have them.
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

House Parties on the Other Side

Posted on August 4, 2009 by greg
House parties are always the center of attraction for teenagers. What an ideal party needs is good food, good music, people and lots and lots of booze. The louder the party, the better and the more participants, the nicer the party goes. Normally, the hosts of the party would want their celebration to be noticed by all. While sparks and fireworks remain popular, others go for chain messages and some would hang custom flags of very good and colorful designs. Party hosts als0 want popular people to be in the party and when we say popular, we really mean popular. He or she could be the hottest chick on campus or the whole basketball team as long as you get tagged as the coolest guy for inviting them. Then the party goes on and on same as any other house party.
Although people put to much concentration on staging a great party, they overlook the fact that it’s just the same house party. A story being told over and over again. It’s crowded, it’s full of posers and popular people, so what else is new? Some people say that gay and lesbian house parties are really different. Yes, you don’t want to be in one if you’re straight. But for the heck of it, I tried being in one of those parties. You will know for sure that it is a gay or lesbian party because you would surely see a pride flag in one corner. Just like normal house parties, it has the same music, booze and food. The different thing is that there are no barriers. Everyone is equal and all are having fun. No one is being shoved by the school jock to the corner and no one is looking you down. Everyone is smiling and enjoying the party as it is. Well, if you’d dare, try it. It is one party you don’t want to miss.
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Life of Races

Posted on August 3, 2009 by greg
Is life always a race to the finish line? Life, amongst all its aspects, humans, elite or mediocre only want two things, love and happiness. People need love to be fulfilled and happiness to feel the fullness of life. But why do people rush things as if they are in a race? Yes, life is always considered a race, fast-paced, dangerous and exciting. According to a quote in the movie Forrest Gump, “Life is like a box of chocolates, you’ll never know what you’ll get”. If only people would realize this, they might not take or perceive life as an endless race.
It is clear that people somehow and sometime rush things. As if they want things to happen in a flash. They never see the yellow caution race flag of life. They never see the danger that lurks in the corner. They want everything to happen so fast but then when the moment they wanted comes their way, people wish it would never end. They cling to things especially if these are about love and happiness. However, it becomes dangerous as it can be a self induced poison. To wallow in happiness and never think of tomorrow or to disregard love only to find out they let go of the perfect one. Both scenarios only lead to regret and depression.
If still people want to perceive life as a race then so be it. If it’s about life make the race short, set goals and go for gold. Always see the checkered flag and perceive every moment as an individual race. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose but that makes life beautiful. To enjoy the feel of victory and triumph of each moment and to learn from the lessons of every loss. In life we win, we lose but still we keep on living, for love, for happiness and for someone above.
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Hearing The World

Posted on July 31, 2009 by greg

If we only open our ears everyday as if listening to the world itself we would hear a lot of things. Issues of different individuals would be heard here and there, issues of teens, of adults and of those who are together as couples.

Actually we don’t have that much time to spend. In this busy generation, we rather concentrate on our own issues and live our lives to the fullest. But why do some people even bother to secure the interest of other individuals and listen to the needs of others? Some civic organizations concentrate more on the people they serve for and at times they forget about themselves. Take for example the activists that fight for peace. They raise the flag of Iraq and say stop the war even though they are unaffected.
In some countries, they burn military flags to show they’re support for peace. At times we see different flags being burned but I, for one, have never seen a U.S. Navy Seals flag being burned to a crisp, maybe it’s hard to find or maybe the seals might not be involved. These people, the ones who fight for peace, should they be considered as heroes of the modern world? I think not, these people at times use violence as a means of persuading other people or the government.
Maybe, we could consider those members of some civic organizations who focus on the welfare of others. Those people are the heroes of the modern world. They are the ones who care for the welfare of others, hearing they’re pleas rather than forcing them to commit to matters that cause violence. If we only open our ears and listen well to the world, maybe, just maybe, we could be heroes for a day, heroes of the modern world.
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Hearing The World

Posted on July 31, 2009 by greg

If we only open our ears everyday as if listening to the world itself we would hear a lot of things. Issues of different individuals would be heard here and there, issues of teens, of adults and of those who are together as couples.

Actually we don’t have that much time to spend. In this busy generation, we rather concentrate on our own issues and live our lives to the fullest. But why do some people even bother to secure the interest of other individuals and listen to the needs of others? Some civic organizations concentrate more on the people they serve for and at times they forget about themselves. Take for example the activists that fight for peace. They raise the flag of Iraq and say stop the war even though they are unaffected.
In some countries, they burn military flags to show they’re support for peace. At times we see different flags being burned but I, for one, have never seen a U.S. Navy Seals flag being burned to a crisp, maybe it’s hard to find or maybe the seals might not be involved. These people, the ones who fight for peace, should they be considered as heroes of the modern world? I think not, these people at times use violence as a means of persuading other people or the government.
Maybe, we could consider those members of some civic organizations who focus on the welfare of others. Those people are the heroes of the modern world. They are the ones who care for the welfare of others, hearing they’re pleas rather than forcing them to commit to matters that cause violence. If we only open our ears and listen well to the world, maybe, just maybe, we could be heroes for a day, heroes of the modern world.
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Honoring Death

Posted on July 30, 2009 by greg
Death is as much a part of us as life is. We live our lives not worrying about death. At least most of the time we don’t, however, when that time comes and our little train ride of bliss must come to an end, there is nothing we could do to but submit to the will of a higher power, or natural selection, whichever you believe in.
Each country has its own death ritual. War heroes and important figures in the United States are buried with their coffins containing, or wrapped in an American flag. Though sometimes, even common people get an honorable burial with the flag since they have served the country as good citizens more or less. Other countries, particularly in the east, prefer cremation over burial. Tradition states that cremation is the most honorable way of disposing a body. While practical reasons for cremation include the economy of burial space.
When an important figure passes away, the body is usually led to the funeral location by a hearse decorated with car flags and is usually escorted by the police. These are usually public agendas with massive amounts of press. The irony is that some people don’t get that much attention before their passing. An example would be Michael Jackson, whose popularity has actually waned over the past few years since the release of his 2001 album, Invincible.
There is nothing to be afraid of in dying. In fact it would be the culminating moment in which our individual lives are framed. Who we are in the moment of our death will be immortalized in the hearts of those who have witnessed us. Tales about immortal life may be in reference to the deeds we have done as living persons passed on to generations ahead.
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Honoring Death

Posted on July 30, 2009 by greg
Death is as much a part of us as life is. We live our lives not worrying about death. At least most of the time we don’t, however, when that time comes and our little train ride of bliss must come to an end, there is nothing we could do to but submit to the will of a higher power, or natural selection, whichever you believe in.
Each country has its own death ritual. War heroes and important figures in the United States are buried with their coffins containing, or wrapped in an American flag. Though sometimes, even common people get an honorable burial with the flag since they have served the country as good citizens more or less. Other countries, particularly in the east, prefer cremation over burial. Tradition states that cremation is the most honorable way of disposing a body. While practical reasons for cremation include the economy of burial space.
When an important figure passes away, the body is usually led to the funeral location by a hearse decorated with car flags and is usually escorted by the police. These are usually public agendas with massive amounts of press. The irony is that some people don’t get that much attention before their passing. An example would be Michael Jackson, whose popularity has actually waned over the past few years since the release of his 2001 album, Invincible.
There is nothing to be afraid of in dying. In fact it would be the culminating moment in which our individual lives are framed. Who we are in the moment of our death will be immortalized in the hearts of those who have witnessed us. Tales about immortal life may be in reference to the deeds we have done as living persons passed on to generations ahead.
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Honoring Death

Posted on July 30, 2009 by greg
Death is as much a part of us as life is. We live our lives not worrying about death. At least most of the time we don’t, however, when that time comes and our little train ride of bliss must come to an end, there is nothing we could do to but submit to the will of a higher power, or natural selection, whichever you believe in.
Each country has its own death ritual. War heroes and important figures in the United States are buried with their coffins containing, or wrapped in an American flag. Though sometimes, even common people get an honorable burial with the flag since they have served the country as good citizens more or less. Other countries, particularly in the east, prefer cremation over burial. Tradition states that cremation is the most honorable way of disposing a body. While practical reasons for cremation include the economy of burial space.
When an important figure passes away, the body is usually led to the funeral location by a hearse decorated with car flags and is usually escorted by the police. These are usually public agendas with massive amounts of press. The irony is that some people don’t get that much attention before their passing. An example would be Michael Jackson, whose popularity has actually waned over the past few years since the release of his 2001 album, Invincible.
There is nothing to be afraid of in dying. In fact it would be the culminating moment in which our individual lives are framed. Who we are in the moment of our death will be immortalized in the hearts of those who have witnessed us. Tales about immortal life may be in reference to the deeds we have done as living persons passed on to generations ahead.
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The Joys of Traveling

Posted on July 29, 2009 by greg

When we are done doing everything we could in our home towns, whether business or pleasure, then it is about time to venture to unfamiliar territory. Yes, it is time to travel. Traveling can give you great pleasure. Simply stepping on foreign soil and seeing a different world flag waving on a flagpole in the airport is enough to give a rush to many. Although it is quite fun and exciting, it is also very expensive and there are some things that we have to watch out for when we travel.

Traveling has its ups and downs. Going around the world and absorbing culture is quite fun when you think of it. However, some cultures conflict with our own. For example, what may be polite in Asia such as making a slurping sound with your soup, might be rude to people of other continents. There is also the idea of culture shock in which the traveler would experience anxiety and uneasiness when immersed in a totally new culture. Lastly there is homesickness. This rarely happens when we like the place but that doesn’t mean it won’t happen when we are enjoying ourselves. There are lots of things that could possibly remind us of home when we go out of the country to relax or go on business trips. It is best to weigh every aspect and expense of your trip before going out of the country because instead of relaxing, you might end up tenser than you would actually be if you have never left your home soil!

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment