Archive for the ‘Society at Large’ Category
6 Things we can all live without!
I have been a huge fan of Oprah. In fact, I watch her shows, even re-runs, daily on cable TV. I am also subscribed to her web site newsletter and have been getting regular updates in my inbox. I thought, since I love the information I get from her site, I might as well share it with you here. For the benefit of those who don’t get Oprah.com updates in their inbox, of course.
One such update contained this article about the 6 things we can all live without from author and political commentator Donna Brazile.
1. The words “in my humble opinion.” According to Ms. Brazile, these words are never humble and never delivered as an opinion.
I don’t use this phrase. I also veer away from using “in my opinion”. I read somewhere that this is a redundant phrase because what comes out of your mouth is already understood as your opinion, unless you say that “according to so and so…”
2. Energy sucks (a.k.a Negative Nancies, Debbie Downers, and Sad Sids). These are people around you who spread negative energy around. They are “the people who find the cloud around every silver lining”, according to Ms. Brazile.
Even before I read this article, I already know this and practices this. I stay away as much as possible from people who suck the energy out of everyone around them. I don’t like hearing anything negative because we can live without that. We can turn any negative thing to a positive one if only we make an effort to do so. That’s what I’ve been doing for the past couple of years. It’s not easy being a source of positive energy but it is doable.
3. Another person to make us complete. The Jerry Maguire syndrome. You complete me.
I know for a fact that single men and women can live a happy and fulfilling life just the same as those who are married or in a state of committed relationship. Being single doesn’t equate to being incomplete and lonely. Sometimes, even those in the best of relationships can still feel quite all alone and lonely. We complete ourselves. We don’t find it in others.
4. Bad wine. According to Ms. Brazile, “life is too short, and good wine too cheap.” I won’t argue with her on that!
5. Magnifying mirrors.
All of us have flaws. We can do something to change it and make it an asset to us. Or we can simply make an effort to ignore it and live with it. We don’t need to magnify every minor flaw we have.
6. A half-caf no-whip double-shot mocha latte.
I am all for indulging once in a while. We all deserve it, especially those of us who are working doubly hard than others. What we should avoid is living luxuriously when we know some of the things we spend for we can actually forgo. Like a double-shot mocha latte daily! We can brew our own coffee and donate that money you would have spent on a branded coffee to a local charity. Sometimes, we need to be sensitive to what’s happening around us. There are so many families that are going hungry around the world. Giving up that mocha latte and donating the money to charity instead is a big deal already.
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There you go! 6 things we can all live without. Do you agree?
MTV’s My Super Sweet 16
I was watching tv yesterday when I channel surfed and found MTV’s My Super Sweet 16. It is a program showing a son or daughter of a celebrity or well-known personality (in their field, that is) celebrating their 16th birthday. The show will follow the kid as he/she prepares for her birthday day until the day itself.
There is nothing wrong to giving your kid a lavish 16th birthday party. You have the money, why not give your kid the party he/she will remember, along with the rest of her friends? There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s your prerogative.
What I find really disturbing in the show was the way the kids act. They openly disrespect their parents. The one I watched even kept on nagging her mom to buy her a hot pink Mercedes Benz even though her mom was shaking her head the whole time. In my opinion, the mother couldn’t afford a brand new expensive car but the kid will have it no other. And she kept on raising her voice to everyone around her!
Then came the party itself. I don’t think the kid knew half of the persons in the venue. And the way those kids act like they’re adults gyrating to the dance tunes being played… spoon dancing…
MTV is creating a generation of kids who are disrespectful, insensitive and unnecessarily lavish spenders. The show My Super Sweet 16 is somehow sending a message to kids turning 16 that it’s okay to harasss his/her parents as long as he/she gets what he/she wants!
The Casey Anthony Case
Have you been following the Casey Anthony case? I do. It just breaks my heart whenever I see photos of Casey with a big wide smile while her daughter, Caylee Marie Anthony, was missing. How could a mother do this to her child? I just cannot comprehend how she was able to stomach all this.
Do you want to see her photobucket photos that will be used as evidence in court? With Casey smiling and having fun with her friends? Go to this link. Prepare to be horrified by the insensitivity of this mother-monster!
Obama fever
Did you watch the inauguration of US President Barack H. Obama? Did you see how many people attended it? No matter if it is extremely chilly that day. It didn’t even matter that they couldn’t see the front where Obama was. It is enough that they were forming part of a history that will never be forgotten by many for a long time.
It was a jumble of emotions for me. We need change. And for most of us, including non-Americans, he represents that change.
Goodluck, Mr. President! Our prayers are with you.
Christmas shopping at the malls
Have you been to the mall lately? My goodness! You would think that since there is a global financial crisis happening, people would be more frugal, more wary of spending their hard earned money. Boy, you’re wrong! Malls are always full on weekends. You can’t even eat on time because you have to reserve a seat at least 30 minutes earlier. The waiting line is long, not just on restaurants but also going to the cash register to pay. I guess people are still trying to salvage what little joy we can all have this season.
I will be making use of online shops for this year. I have a lot of deadlines to beat and I don’t think I have enough time to spare to queue at malls.
So, have you done your Christmas shopping?
Education and my concerns
What kind of education did you get? Did you go to public schools? Private schools? Were you home schooled? What is your opinion the education that is available to kids today?
I went to private schools. I am thankful to my parents because I got the best education that I was able to use and still using right now to earn a living for me and my kids. I also went to one of the best universities for my college education. No, I never really had to worry about my college tuition fees. My parents provided for it.
And one of my concerns for my kids is if they will still get the same quality of education I got. There are fewer reputable schools nowadays. And all those I hear and watch on the news… well, I know I will be vigilant in guiding my kids should they start going to the school.
