Analyzing nicotine addiction (pt.2)

This is a continuation of an experiment i'm doing to help me cut back on smoking. So far, day 8 has gone by slowly, i've only had one cigarette today but i still refuse to buy packs, which has let me cut back from smoking 6-7 cigarettes daily to only 1-3 a day. I believe it should be a small run for the rest of the month and will ultimately help me when i try to quit in 2012.

Christmas Wish list

I've never really had a legit Christmas wish list. I always had to deal with the saying ÿou get whatever you get, just be happy you got something." But today, I'm listing just a few things that I want for christmas:
1.For my probation to end
2.No more credit card debt
3.A better job
4.laptop
5.money

Bittersweet Symphony - The Verve

"Cause it's a bittersweet symphony, this life
Try to make ends meet
You're a slave to money then you die"

If you listen to this song carefully, it holds a lot of meaning. Well, at least to me. We are often so caught up with certain aspects of our lives, such as Career and Education that we forget about things that really matter. Some of those things are family, friends and loved ones.. because at the end of the day when you need a shoulder to lean on, so often we are left alone as money can't bring us a few comforting words or a warm meaningful hug. I hope that everyone gets a chance to listen to this song in order to appreciate and involve ourselves with aspects of life that actually matter. It's a good song to also relax with after a hard working day.

Alcohol prohibited Sundays.

Personally, I think this law is more absurd than any other! Georgia, as a state under the US laws are already facing issues with strict laws for drinking. For example, The legal drinking age being 21 promotes binge drinking among teenagers in High School/College. Because pupils under the age of 21 don't have regular access to Alcohol, they consume large amounts when they illegally get a hold of it. I believe that these laws encourage more crime than it's purpose to prevent it. Also here in Georgia, we have a large number of different religious communities that doesn't restrict drinking on Sundays. For these members in our state, I believe that the law is unfair, and illogical. It is a religious barrier that should only effect people of that certain faith, not a state as a whole.

Was mathematics invented? Or discovered?

Was mathematics invented, or discovered? This is a question that strikes my interest. To me, it is mainly about how the terms invented and discovered are defined. According to Google definitions, the terminology 'invented' is defined as: "come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle)", and discovered is defined as: To expose something previously covered. With the help of these definitions, I came to conclusions with myself that Mathematics was indeed, invented. As one had to collect a set of numbers (not necessarily all numbers), to create all sorts of formulas and patterns that resolute the relationship between each of those elements. Therefore, I believe that Mathematics, as a formula had to be invented. However, I am open to different opinions, and in the future I plan to analyze this matter more precisely than this.

New year's Resolution

Back to back with my last entry, I believe I am expected to list down resolutions for the upcoming year of 2010. Here it is:

1. Zero traffic tickets.
2. NO MORE Cigarette consumptions.
3. Find a job that's worth my time and effort.
4. Eat healthy, cut down on fast food.
5. Save more and spend less.
6. Be a better boyfriend.
7. Start working out to develop muscles and a six pack.
8. Cut down on procrastination.
9. Attain Ash Ketchum qualities.
10. Learn to cook delicious Peruvian food from my mom's restaurant.

Next year, I hope to successfully achieve all ten of these important things in my life.

Recount 09'

It's almost the end of 2009, and thinking back to the beginning of the year, I've experienced things that have taught me valuable life lessons. This year was the year that brought various changes into my life. Firstly, I started college opening up a new chapter to my life. I was laid off from my job, which required me to go out and find another one. I was also bombarded with more traffic offense tickets than I could afford. Looking back, I realize that I'll have a lot of memories to carry from this year for the rest of my life. Some very pleasant, and others not so much.. but all I can say is that I've lost nothing but gained so much more from the year of 2009.

Gotta catch 'em all

As a child, my favorite cartoon was Pokemon. I used to watch it consistently. I don't think I've ever missed an episode of it. I felt that I could relate to the main character Ash Ketchum. He was ambitious, kind hearted and honorable. These are the qualities that I believe every human being should obtain. When I grow up, I wantto be just like him.

Confessions of a Shopaholic?

So my girlfriend calls me every once in a while with a confession. So far, every one of these confessions have been about her unnecessary habit of shopping, where she buys things she doesn't need spending way more than her budget allows. She's always complaining about not being able to save the money she earns. Especially this month being the slowest in the year for restaurant businesses, waitresses have tight wallets. Working as a part-timer, she'd only made $140 this weekend. All of which she'd spent today on articles of clothing she could have waited to purchase until next month when the prices would be reduced, or when she's financially secure. The funny thing is, she will only ever wear these clothes probably once, and not wear it again for a very long time. I still don't understand a woman's logic with clothing. However, this is not my business, nor am I angry with her. Although, I am a little disappointed with the way she manages her money.

Social Networking Pros

Communication of today has advanced rapidly through websites such as Facebook. It seems to be the new worldwide phenomena. It is free of cost and convenient, encouraging more and more people to sign up every single day. Recently, I've noticed that even business enterprises have Facebook profiles in order to advertise and expand the number of customers to promote business. It is now just a few clicks away to find out what all of your friends on Facebook are up to, with applications such as photo albums, status updates and wall-posts. Also, the new live chat system keeps all your online friends at your finger tips. Thanks to Facebook, the minutes on my phone still remain until the next billing period begins!

Toshio

I'm not the type to plan ahead but I've been contemplating on my Halloween costume for next year. Probably because this year, everything was last minute planned which left me not dressed up as anything special at all. However, for next year's Halloween, I plan to dress up as the little boy from the grudge Toshio. To me it's an interesting idea, as I believe I can pull it off well with my natural hair and facial features. Hence, it won't require any extra time or effort, whilst avoiding the expenses of an overpriced Halloween garment. Toshio is pale skinned, I believe a small tin of white body paint will do the job. He is accessorized with only a pair of black shorts, and his eyes shaded in heavy dark eye-liner. I think this costume will attain the purpose of Halloween.

Australia's favourite cookie!

One night when I was over at my girlfriend's place, she let me try a cookie called "Tim Tams". They taste dandy! They're made out of chocolate creme covered with chocolate fudge. Very unhealthy for you, however hard to resist. They're hard to find at any local grocery store in the US, although my girlfriend got her hands on one at her local Kroger the other day. I think they should expand selling these cookies all over the states, for they would sell very easily and become a popular choice of snack.

Analyzing nicotine addiction

I've been smoking cigarettes since I was about 16. Back then it was a once in a while thing, but within a few months i found my self smoking about 3 a day. So far this year, I've been smoking packs in 2-3 days, which has definitely been hurting my health and my pocket. So this month I've decided to try my first attempt at cutting back on smoking by never buying a pack anymore, and after day 7, I found myself only smoking like 1-3 a day. Eventually I'll completely quit but this experience has shown me that i'm not drowning in a nicotine addiction because if I was I would have already bought a pack. This is day 7, and this experiment will continue.

Got Rice?

I love rice. I don't believe that there's been a day in my life where I haven't eaten rice. Rice is like the must have part of every meal and I like it cooked the Okinawan way: Soft, short grained, and thoroughly washed to have a brilliant white glow. The best part about my rice is that it's just straight up white rice with no additional flavorings. To me, rice makes the world go round and its a huge part of a balanced diet.

Benji

Benji's been staying with me for a couple of weeks now. He usually stays with my sister, however I decided to have him over at mine so he can enjoy the free space I have around the house. It's good having him around, because I've yet to find room mates. And as a result, Benji keeps the house feeling less quite. He loves attention, and loves to lick. If he wasn't so old now, he would've been as playful as he was when we first got him at 2 months old. He's gained an unusually large amount of weight over the years, and it makes him hyperventilate. Due to his hyperventilation, my girlfriend thinks he's hyperactive twenty-four seven. My favorite thing about Benji is that he does little funny things all the time that makes me giggle. For example, when he lays down and gets comfortable, he struggles to get back up because he's too fat. Hahaha. I love Benji, because he's like a brother to me.


Here's a photo of him taken a few nights ago

How I met your mother

How I met your mother is a television show I was introduced to a few months ago. After watching the first few episodes, I became completely hooked to it. The show is about a father telling his children the story of how he'd met their mother. Almost every episode is about his experiences with different women he's dated. At the end of each episode, up until now.. we still don't find out who the mother is. I believe this is what keeps me watching the show, because I am curious to know who she is, and how he'd met her. I think that it's set out in a creative way as it keeps the viewers anxious to find out and continue watching.

Unemployment

It was about 2 months ago since I had a three week run of unemployment. My layoff was completely unfair and left me with unpaid bills and struggle. It wasn't until 16 applications that I landed a server job at Durango Steak House. However, now after almost two months I feel as though the job isn't even worth my time. The hourly pay is only 2.13 per hour because of tips. I've been serving st restaurants for 2 years and I always try to give the best service that I can. However, at Durango, I developed some bad karma and I got the worst tables and I only got scheduled on the slowest days. Sometimes I end up losing money coming to work because of dinner, gas, and parking. I've come to the point where i'm a second away from unemployment. I'm looking for a new job now, but progress seems slower than it was before.

Party Foul

A week ago on Saturday i threw my first 30 person party at my new place. Lets just say i'm never doing it again. The event was for these two girls birthday party. They were good friends of my best friend so i said why not. One thing went wrong though, people started partying way to early and after plenty of cake, i had about 4 nasty stains on the carpet, a couple of holes in my walls and some other grotesqueries which i do not want to discuss. So, eventually my mom found out about the damages because i posted up pictures of them on facebook(silly me) and had a huge talk with me. Good thing she lives in Peru because she would've wooped my ass!

Major Undecided?

I've changed my major approximately 3 times this semester. The truth is that i have no idea what i want to do for the rest of my life. But i just want something, a major, that i can take with me anywhere I desire, because the truth is that i don't really want to spend the rest of my life in America. I feel my future yearning for a huge change because you only live once! I don't know where i'll go, but i'm searching for the perfect place, i just wish i knew which major would my safest bet.

Requiem For A Dream review

Yesterday I saw Requiem For a Dream for the first time. The movie was very messed up, from beginning to end. The movie goes deep into the reality of drug addiction and its psychological and social problems that follow. The characters' drug addiction was primarily to heroin or prescription pills. The movie shows a doctor not even looking once at her patient and prescribing her 3 kinds of diet pills. These pills then become an addiction of the main characters mother who later gets locked in a mentally ill ward. Her son however, eventually develops a severe infection on his arm (infected needles) and when he goes to get it checked out at a hospital, his doctor however, didn't even treat the wound but instead called the police who instantly arrested him. The guys arm eventually gets chopped off at the end of the movie and his girlfriend becomes a prostitute in order to fund and supply her drug addiction. The movie was really sad, but it showed an important lesson: because of her sons drug addiction, the mother was left alone after he left without a trace. And with no one looking after her, the mother became obsessed with the fantasies of her past and resulted in her craving for weight loss. The fantasies develop and become more real as her drug addiction escalated. This movie was perhaps the saddest movie I've ever seen and I highly recommend it to everyone.

My unwritten future

My parents have always taught me the importance of planning my future. Starting two years ago I started asking why. In my present form I feel a yearning to make my life be an adventure. It's difficult for me when people ask if I plan to get married or have kids. The truth is that I dunno yet. Sometimes people are happier avoiding the typical norms of life. I see myself getting far away and moving to an outside country where my life may feel complete, because consequently I don't see myself happy if I stay in America. It's scary to see how fast life comes and goes, but i'm prepared to do whatever it takes to satisfy my yearning for happiness.

Cop magnet

Do you smell that? Somethings cooking! I smell bacon!
Pig cops, I really really hate them, but before I go into this topic I wanna make one thing clear: I praise and thank any police officer who has actually done the right thing to protect us from violence, theft, and really bad people.
I don't know what it is, but pigs seem like they are always out to get me. You ask, what is a pig? A pig is a cop who wastes valuable crime fighting time to give normal people a hard time and to really screw them over just for their own personal entertainment and last minute quota completions. I have been pulled over twice and I have about 5 tickets for absolute BS! I have never been given a warning and I have never had my tickets reduced. These pigs always have something more they can give you a ticket for. My first time getting pulled over was because I passed a yellow light that turned red as soon as I passed it. Sure, maybe I should have stopped but there was a pickup truck tailgating the hell out of me and I didn't wanna risk getting hit. After the pig pulled me over, I was very kind to him. However, he decided to give me one ticket for the red light violation PLUS another ticket for having a different address on my license and registration. The ridiculous part was that I had boxes and clothes stuffed in the back seat of my car which he clearly saw, and I even told him that I was in the process of moving to a different house. This was one clear pig alright. The second incident will be discussed on the next blog

Ughh why can't we all just get along

In my opinion, religion is perhaps the most controversial and confounding topic of life. I like to look at the big picture of things, and as a Catholic, I see God as the most divine power of life. The interesting thing is that with all the different religions, most can agree with the divinity of God. Yet, why must the little differences of religion complicate the beauty of love? I do believe religion is a powerful tool of faith that can never be misjudged nor underestimated. Which is why I have decided to discuss the issue, because it's the only big issue that has confounded my relationship with my girlfriend, a 20 year old Muslim beauty from Australia. The thing is that her parents are in a completely different generation in which they believe that their children must marry someone of the same race and religion. For this, my girlfriend's parents probably won't accept me. They don't even care about my future prospects, my goodhearted nature, nor even the love that me and her share. Why must the things I can never change be what they judge me for? Hopefully, time will ease the tension in this issue, but her parents are in a generation that might never be able to understand whats most important. I wish I can say something to change her mind, but her faith is something I can never change.

Acoustic vs. Electric

Guitars come in different shapes, colors, and types. Two types of guitars are acoustics and electrics. Both expel sound through different formats: while the acoustic guitar bases its volume on strum strength and balance, the electric simply focuses on making sounds come out of the amp. As a rhythmical style guitar player, i've realized that guitar preference is mainly based on whether the player likes to be more melodic or rhythmical. However, electric preference is mostly given to those participating in band groups. Solo payers prefer mainly acoustic guitars because you can literally play percussion and/or bass while playing the guitar.

Procrastination

Procrastination is perhaps one of the worst things people face nowadays. For some people, procrastination can be an ongoing habit, while for others, it can be something that happens once in a blue moon. Personally, I believe that my procrastination is the result of working full-time and going to school full-time. Being young and full of energy, i've realized that it's way to difficult to maintain an equal balance of fun and work. In fact, i've been procrastinating on this assignment all week because of my lack of free time. Even though I hate leaving all my studying for the last minute, I feel as though i need my time to chill in between work and school.