Closing Time

In the midst of the senior class’ chaos to turn in applications, apply to new schools, and polish up their resumes for the stressful college season, I thought a ‘leaving for college’ post would be an appropriate topic for this week’s blog. Whether you're trying to stay in the dome of Delaware, or venture out to a new state for a new experience away from the comfort of Mom and Dad, I live by the quote, “every new beginning comes from some other beginnings end’. Every year since third grade, the same students have been dressing in the same uniform, walking through the same doors, greeting the same teachers as the previous year. Our freshman year of college will be a first for everything. First time we get to roll out of bed and wear our pajamas to class. First time we won’t know anybody in any of our classes (depending on where one attends). First time not having Mommy or Daddy pack you a lunch. First time trying  the dining hall instead of our 5 star cuisine school lunches. First time there will be people older than us sitting in the same classroom as us, learning the same material. Frankly, I can’t wait for this change. Scary at first, definitely so, but I think everyone needs this change. Us Newark Charter kids have been living in the virtual reality of Newark Charter for too long now, it’s time to venture out, meet new kids from all over the nation with similar passions and aspirations in life. Newark Charter isn’t all that’s out there in life, and I can’t wait to encounter everything that will mark my 'first' off the checklist.

Bye, Bye, IG!

With all this talk about multitasking, ideas have been swarming about the negative influence social media can impact a person with, in terms of wasting time. Don’t get me wrong, I think social media is a great innovative way of contacting with your friends and relatives that live across the US that you cannot normally communicate with. However, in this day and age, I felt as if a lot of my daily routine was spent checking and wasting valuable time of my day on these networks, where I could be utilizing this time in a more efficient and effective way. I mean, there are only so many hours in the day and I feel as if we must capitalize on every single moment possible to get work done. In today’s society, the fake reality created on instagram can cause one to solely focus on the image of how others view them. Knowing this and after reading the article in class of the man who went phoneless for a week, I decided to take the step of deleting my social media. So far, it has not only been extremely relieving and stress-free, but it has left me with lots of time to talk to my family one on one, instead of always looking down at my phone refreshing my feed on Instagram. However, there have been some negative aspects. A lot of my friends rely on social media to communicate with one another about what our plans are, or even what the homework for the night is. Without being able to communicate with them, I feel out of the loop in some circumstances. Overall, however, it has been extremely freeing and I am pleased I made the decision to do so.

Who Knows?

Ever since we were little, we always had our “I want to be an astronaut when I grow up.” Or the classic, “I wanna be a vet when I grow up.” Our goals and aspirations in life outstretched out preschool selves, and at an early age we were chasing ambition. As everyone got older, these ambition dreams of ours got scaled down to a more practical and logical scale, as everyone realized not everyone would make it that far in life. With college soon approaching, the typical “what do you wanna major in?” gets tossed around more than asking how your summer went. As a current senior in highschool, I never exactly know what the correct answer is for me. I often wonder how I am supposed to know exactly what I want to spend the rest of my life dedicated to, when my interests are as broad as law and economics to anatomy to photography and graphic designing to psychology. How am does one expect a high school 17 or 18 year old young adult to completely decide what they will be attributing their hard work and studying to for the next four years?

Pick Your Poison

Just to start things off: I have never been a political person. I will never be a political person. Politics are disunited. There are two clear sides. You're either red or blue. Blue or red. I understand what's going on in the world and crucial current events that occur in the political world, however I do not follow politics like others do. I am solely writing on politics due to the fact I got asked my opinion on the US presidential election out of the blog grab box. My opinion may not be correct and you do not have to agree with it, however here it is.There will always be someone with the opposing argument not agreeing with me or anything I’m saying so here goes.  This election is unlike any other. How did either one of these individuals end up being at this point, the only possible two options in charge of the United States? Why do us Americans have to either choose Clinton or Trump to hold the future of our country in their hands? No clue. However I do know, this election has very little to do with politics. All I know is there is only one option to beat Trump- the arrogant, outspoken, bombastic, ego-filled,egomatic business man.There's only one person who can keep him away from power. Don't get me wrong- I'm not saying by any means Hillary Clinton is perfect or that I agree with her viewpoints and ideals for this country.I am aware of her shortcomings and failures in the past. But, she knows what she's doing and she's a responsible American citizen. So, you ask me, what is my opinion on the 2016 Presidential Election? Frankly, it’s hard to even have an opinion or a side to associate with this time around.

Gym Trips

Usually, whenever you make a trip to the gym, it’s for the sole reason of getting your workout completed for the day. Nobody really stops to look around them in the middle of their workout, to people-watch and observe what others may be doing. However, while waiting for a ride home from the gym the other day, I slowly came to the realization and conclusion that similar to many things in this world, there are many classifications of various types of people who attend the gym. Below, are just a few clusters I happened to observe that now whenever I go to the gym, I can’t help but to notice.

Muscle Man: Usually younger to mid-age male. Skimpiest cut-off tank to show the guns. Bulging arms, but clearly skips leg day, so unevenly proportioned body. Wearing wireless Beats blasting music you can hear through your earbuds. Feels the need to grunt uncontrollably loud while doing exercises, as if nobody else could hear him. Always sneaking a glance of himself in the mirror, flexing muscles and admiring himself.

The Dad: Pretty much just as you hear it. Comes straight from work: wearing sweatpants, white New Balance sneakers, and a plaid workshirt. Sweating profusely, consistently using the machine in a wrong way. Sings along to old rock and roll music aloud, no shame.

The Talker: Usually mid age women. Convinces herself that walking on the treadmill for 10 minutes every day at a pace of 40 min a mile is an excruciating cardio workout, that will help her drop 10 lbs by the end of the month. Always seems to be on the phone with someone, talking not only their ear off, but yours as well. Leaves you to get caught up on how Becca cheated on Robbie, but Robbie is still in love with the waitress at the bar he used to work with.

2016- Harambe, Trump, or Cat?

As Halloween season is quickly approaching, I thought a seasonal blog would be appropriate for this week's post. Every Halloween, toddlers/kids/teenagers/parents put on their best costumes and head out for the night to scavenge for goodies to satisfy their sweet tooth, later indulging in their chocolates and various candies. Every year, depending on the current events in the news, there's always costumes that relate to the social news at the time. For example, when the swine flu epidemic was outraging, it wouldn't be a surprise to see multiple pigs ring your door bell Halloween night. And then, of course, there's always the traditional classic costumes that seem to get overdressed every year. Below are my top ten predictions of most popular Halloween costumes of 2016: 

1) Donald Trump 

2) Hillary Clinton

3) Harambe

4) Cat

5) Clown 

6) Devil 

7) Angel 

8) Cheerleader 

9) Zombie 

10) Witch 

Today I will be reflecting on a personal conflict I often have within myself. Recently, I came across the quote that read, "close your eyes and imagine the best version of you possible. That's who you really are. Let go any part of you that doesn't believe it". I'd be lying if I said I haven't thought about this on the daily occurrence since I first encountered it. It really got me thinking about my life and my actions- I've always been the kind of person who will put others before myself, no matter the situation, even if that puts my feels and emotions up at stake. I've never been real selfish in my life, always assisting to the needs of others. Once I read this quote, it got me wondering....shouldn't I be selfish for once in my life and start putting myself first before others? Don't I deserve to be just as happy as I try to help others to be? I mean in the end, you're the only person that really matters, right? This is a pretty difficult concept for me to obtain due to the fact my whole life my feelings have come second, with everyone else's before.