Nostalgia

Hammock - Breathturn from David Altobelli on Vimeo from the soon to be released album "Chasing After Shadows...Living with the Ghosts"

There is just something about this video. It makes me nostalgic about my childhood. You know, those days where you could do whatever you wanted without a care about what the future had in store. Sometimes, I wish I could do that, but perhaps it is a sign of maturity.

At any rate, I enjoyed watching this. Perhaps, you will too!

Comics

Lately, I've taken a liking to graphic novels, comics, things with pictures. One of my favorites is the series of the Green Lantern. It is about a society of green lanterns as they are called who are chosen to govern the universe with their rings. They act as the "policemen" of the universe. The most intriguing part about them is the rings that each of them have. The rings are powered by the will power of the bearer. These are sometimes described as the strongest devices in the universe. If fear is found in their hearts, it will not be as powerful as it could be. This reminds me of myself and everything I do. The outcome of everything I do - whether that is work, hobbies, or anything - is a product of the effort I pour into it.

Coming to college, I've realized that it doesn't matter how smart/stupid you are. What does matter is the amount of effort, and how much I actually care about something. This is what sets everyone apart. Sure, the background which you come from may set you apart from the get-go, but you can still catch up or fall behind. Not all hope is lost just because you've done something stupid. As one of my professors has said, "Tenacity is the most important part of becoming successful".

Appreciation

Having just come back from Spring Break, my brain is currently on a hiatus from all this school work. It seems to bring up every possible excuse when I attempt to do work. That's how we (college students - maybe even people in general) are. I am blessed with so much more than so many people, yet complain about how I have to do this assignment or that assignment. I'm given the chance to go to college, so I can be more knowledgeable. I'm given so many more opportunities to do things with my life and I treat it as just another task I'm called to do.

As Spring break has reminded me, there are people out there who aren't given the same opportunities that I have. After all, how many people have traveled to so many countries, lived in so many places, met so many great people in 19 years. I should take advantage of what I have and appreciate the fact that I am given this opportunity. I should do things that are given me and do them to the best of my abilities; however, more than this, I am to appreciate the fact that I do have the chance to be here, to learn. Otherwise, there would be no point for me being here in college and the sacrifice my family - especially my parents - made for me to be here would be for nothing. In the end, it would be a waste, not only for myself, but also for the people that care for me if I do not learn to appreciate it.