Can you define peace?

When I first attempted to define peace, I was instantly faced with the difficulty of making it a tangible thing. The dictionary defines peace as "the absence of war," but I feel that peace is more than that simple statement can encapsulate. It's an emotion, an action, and a movement; it's love. People are resistant to accept peace and trying to achieve it because today it is often overexposed as a fashion statement or a trend and resented because of it's connotation with the hippie movement of the 1960's. Many people negatively associate the hippies with drugs, free love, and protests. Different groups of people will always find unique and various ways to interpret and achieve peace, but I think the best way to achieve peace is through developing hope, dealing with inner conflict, inspiring others, and loving selflessly.

Far Out Dude

Do drugs really stimulate creativity? Kelly Stafford's article "Use and Abuse: Do Drugs Really Stimulate Creativity" explores the correlation between artists and their creativity. She claims that many artists like Ozzy Osborne credit their creativity to drugs. Like Ozzy, The Rolling Stones were using marijuana, LSD, cocaine, acid, and heroin and it became a part of the rock image. Drugs were influential and prominent in the Stones lyrics such as Sister Morphine, Mothers Little Helper, and Dead Flowers where the lyrics say “ I’ll be in my basement with my needle and spoon.” The influence of drugs are apparent in the sounds and tones of the music. The influence of drugs has a strong connection to the experimental and psychedelic music produced out of the sixties. Drugs were glamorized and spread through the music and continued to become more readily and available and popular. I agree that drugs can affect the creative process by allowing people to express themselves, but I don't believe that it is the main source of an artists creativity. 

Rethink Columbus Day

Columbus Day celebrates the day that Christopher Columbus landed in the New World. Is the man the discovered the Americas worthy of his own holiday? It is a controversial holiday because of the way he treated the Native Americans. They claim that Christopher Columbus is guilty of genocide and was the cause of slavery. I don't think that Christopher Columbus single handedly created the slave trade and was the reason that it continued for hundreds of years. I can understand that he mistreated the natives but are we really wasting our time to try and reverse a holiday that has been around for 100 years? Also, I don't remember the last time anyone celebrated Columbus Day. Why don't we focus our energy on something worth fighting for like the sex slave trade of young girls or domestic abuse? This is just annoying and they obviously don't care enough about their cause to renew their website.

Quarterbacks Throwing Balls to Pirates

Nick Swardson is my favorite comedian ever. In his standup " Seriously Who Farted?" he joked that, "Wouldn't that be a cool world, if we all became the very first thing-- the very first thing you commit to, that's it. You have to be that. You have no choice. It'd be crazy. There'd just be ninjas running around, princesses. Quarterbacks throwing balls to pirates. Rarr. It would be crazy." I began to think about it and I wanted to first girl in the NBA. My dream was to play beside Shaq and Penny Hardaway for the Orlando Magic. When did my dream become so far fetched? Who made me feel like that was impossible? I sometimes wonder when did our parents, teachers, and other members of society let us know that our dreams are unrealistic--I thought they said we could be anything we wanted. I now know that it would be impossible to play in the NBA at 5'3 but still funny to think about. I might have been going to school with a bunch of ninjas and princesses. 

98 and ¾ percent guaranteed

“So be sure when you step, Step with care and great tact. And remember that life's A Great Balancing Act. And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed) Kid, you'll move mountains.” 
― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You'll Go!


In high school there are so many required texts you have to read. Does anyone really enjoy reading 1984, Hamlet, or Wuthering Heights? I could choose one book as a mandatory read for all high school students it would be Oh The Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuss. I received this book for my high school graduation gift. At the time I thought it was a useless gift because I was too old for a Dr. Seuss book. After I read it I found it extremely appropriate for a graduation gift. Although Dr. Seuss is known for his children’s books he wrote this particular book for adults. This is a timeless book that addresses the future journeys, hardships, and decisions we will all face but in a positive way. Dr. Seuss uses colorful illustrations and provides a lot of insight in simple rhyme that is easy to understand. This is a must read because it is timeless book for all ages that addresses the future journeys, hardships, and decisions we will all face. 

What makes you lose track of time?

Sometimes I like to pretend that I am Martha Stewart. Decorating and crafting have become my hobbies. When I find a project that I want to take on I get into a “flow”. My project consumes me and I become completely involved in it.  I usually begin by researching ideas on blogs or websites like Pinterest. I have created multiple folders on my desktop and a pad of paper next to my bed for all of my ideas. I usually do my research before I go to bed and then I realize I have been up for hours on end saving pictures to my desktop. I enjoy the creative process and figuring out the cheapest way to execute my projects. I thrive off of the creative freedom that comes with executing an idea. When I am in my zone or flow, it is a stress relief or a type of meditation for me. I lose track of time because I don’t think about anything but what the end result will look like. 

An Ode to Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs was the inventor and founder of Apple and an entrepreneur

His legacy as a great innovator will endure

Apple has changed the way the world works

And provided us with many perks

In his lifetime he patented 342 inventions

Including touchpad speakers, power adapters, and lanyards for conventions

Because of Steve I traded in my PC

for an Ipod, Macbook laptop and Apple TV

Without his creations and new technology

I wouldn’t be able to Face Time with my friends in Tennessee

Steve showed the world that you don’t have to have a college degree

To make more money than a doctor or television emcee

Although Steve is gone

His legacy as a pioneer will forever live on