A Teaspoonful of Wisdom

Community service is two words that can be used to categorize so much. A person can donate their time, money, skills, items, services, or talents to help benefit a good cause.

Personally I enjoy doing community service.

I regularly volunteer helping the elderly in an independent living senior apartment facility. It makes me feel good. I am earning experiences and memories much more valuable than money. More young people should volunteer helping our elderly citizens because it builds character, it makes you appreciative, and our elderly need the help.

Working with the elderly builds character. I want to be a person that a child could look up to. Every day that I spend helping a senior brings me closer to becoming that person. The elderly have taught me so many things. An elderly man taught me a way to make meat tougher than shoe leather edible. An elderly woman is teaching me the art of jewelry making. I talk to them about my life and they share with me memories of theirs. I ask their opinions on my career paths. I listen to the stories of their lives. I try my hardest to absorb their knowledge.

I appreciate my life. I am grateful for everyday that I wake up, regardless of my situation or the challenges that have to face that day. Spending time with the elderly has made me very appreciative. When I listen to the 97 year old man describe his childhood , I am grateful for mine. I could not imagine walking three miles to elementary school barefoot, let alone being done with school, working full-time and living on my own at 14 years old. I look at each day as a new experience for me to overcome. Listening to stories of the Great Depression helps me survive through this recession and appreciate every experience I have to endure.

Good people go out of their way to help others. Our elderly people need assistance with so many things. Sometimes, I will take them shopping. Other times I will straighten up their apartments, but most of the time I just provide them with companionship. It doesn’t take much for me to open a jar of spaghetti sauce, but for an 89 year old woman, it can be challenging. I can easily read small print or thread a needle, but a lot of our elderly cannot. Elderly people face many difficulties and deserve assistance in order for them fully enjoy their golden years.

Helping the elderly is a comfort to my soul.

I know I am doing something meaningful. The things that I am taught through daily interaction with the elderly cannot be taught in schools. I have learned patience, compassion, and respect from these people. Working with the elderly has made me a better person. I am sure it means a lot to them that I am willing to help them out of the kindness of my heart. It definitely means a lot to me to be able to borrow a teaspoonful of their wisdom.

The Blogspot Guilty Or Innocent Survey

RULE 1- You can only say Guilty or Innocent.

RULE 2- You are not allowed to explain anything unless someone comments and asks!

RULE 3- Copy and paste this into your notes , delete my answers, type in your answers and tag some blogger friends to answer this.

Asked someone to marry you? Guilty
Ever kissed someone of the same sex? Guilty
Danced on a table in a bar? Innocent
Ever told a lie? Guilty
Had feelings for someone whom you can’t have back? Guilty
Kissed a picture? Guilty
Slept in until 5 PM? Guilty
Fallen asleep at work/school? Innocent
Held a snake? Innocent
Been suspended from school? Guilty
Worked at a fast food restaurant? Guilty
Stolen from a store? Guilty
Been fired from a job? Guilty
Done something you regret? Guilty
Laughed until something you were drinking came out your nose? Guilty
Caught a snowflake on your tongue? Innocent
Kissed in the rain? Innocent
Sat on a roof top? Guilty
Kissed someone you shouldn't? Innocent
Sang in the shower? Guilty
Been pushed into a pool with all your clothes on? Guilty
Shaved your head? Guilty
Had a boxing membership? Innocent
Made a boy/girlfriend cry? Guilty
Been in a band? Innocent
Shot a gun? Guilty
Donated Blood? Innocent
Eaten alligator meat? Guilty
Eaten cheesecake? Guilty
Still love someone you shouldn't? Innocent
Have/had a tattoo? Guilty
Liked someone, but will never tell who? Guilty
Been too honest? Guilty
Ruined a surprise? Guilty
Ate in a restaurant and got really bloated that you couldn't walk after wards? Guilty
Erased someone in your friends list? Guilty
Dressed in a man’s clothes? Guilty
Joined a pageant? Innocent
Been told that you’re beautiful by someone who totally meant what they said? Guilty
Had communication with your ex? Guilty
Got totally drunk on the night before exam? Guilty
Got so totally angry that you cried? Guilty

She Wouldn't Be Gone

Song by: Blake Shelton

Red roadside wild flower,
if I'd only picked you,
took you home and set you on the counter,
oh, at least a time or two,
maybe she'd have thought it through.
Yellow sunset dippin in the rearview,
oh, how she loved to sit and watch you,
I could have done that a whole lot more.

If I hadnt been so stubborn,
been so selfish,
thought about her more,
thought about me less.
Joked to make her happy,
held her when she cried,
a little more of that, maybe i..

Wouldnt be drivin like hell,
flyin like crazy down the highway,
callin everyone we know,
stoppin any place she might be,
goin anywhere she might go.
Beatin on the dash,
screamin out her name at the windshield,
tears soakin up my face.
if I'd have loved her this much all along,
maybe, maybe, yeah maybe,
she wouldn't be gone.

She warned me it was comin,
said if I didn't change she'd be leavin.
I just didn't believe
she'd ever really walk out.
God I believe her now.
Called her momma,
cried like a baby to her best friend,
if they've seen her they ain't sayin,
they ain't sayin.
Now I'm cursin like a fool,
prayin it ain't too late,
all i wanna do is fix my mistakes.
Find her, beg her, for one more try,
until then dammit I'll..

Be drivin like hell,
flyin like crazy down the highway,
callin everyone we know,
stoppin any place she might be,
goin anywhere she might go.
Beatin on the dash,
screamin out her name at the windshield,
tears soakin up my face.
If I'd have loved her this much all along,
maybe, maybe, yeah maybe,
she wouldn't be gone.

I wouldnt be beatin on the dash,
screamin out her name at the windshield,
tears soakin up my face.
if I'd have loved her this much all along,
maybe, maybe, yeah maybe,
she wouldn't be gone.

Red roadside wild flower,
if I'd only picked you,
took you home and set you on the counter,
oh, at least a time or two,
maybe she'd have thought it through.

Together

(this is for John, who i will love no matter what)


YOUR SMILE, YOUR STYLE:
for you, i'll go the extra mile.
YOUR LAUGH, YOUR HEART:
i can't stand for us to be apart.
YOUR LOVE, YOUR TOUCH:
with you, i just can't get enough.
YOUR FAITH, YOUR TRUST:
our love means more than lust.
YOUR LOYALTY, YOUR HONESTY:
baby, do you promise me?
YOUR ALWAYS, YOUR FOREVER:
i want to stay together.

You Are My Sunshine.

The kidnapping and murder of seven year old Somer Thompson devastated our community. Residents of Orange Park and the surrounding areas have definitely lost sleep over her disappearance, and were deeply saddened at the discovery of her murder. The thought of a person who kidnapped a child still being unidentified and on the loose has many parents watching their children a little more closely. Many parents allowed their children to stay home from school to remember Somer Thompson on the day of her funeral service. Orange Park High School students were allowed out of class to display their beautiful banners and release purple balloons in her memory. There were also hundreds of people, most of who did not know the Thompson’s, outside the local church where she had her funeral service, also releasing helium filled purple balloons and singing Somer’s favorite song, “You Are My Sunshine” while Somer’s body was laid to rest. The community came together to have a beautiful memorial for little Somer Thompson, and will hopefully remain united to find the horrible person (people) who killed her.

Short and Long Term Financial Goals

By: Tomiko “Miko” Hopper


What are my short term financial goals?
The definition of a short term financial goal is generally a goal you can have accomplished within one year. Some of your short term financial goals might be to pay off your credit cards, save for a home down payment, save for a cash car, save for vacation or for Christmas. It's crucial to prioritize your goals so that the most important ones are met first.


How can I tackle my short term financial goals?
· Make a budget.

· Evaluate your budget.

· Cut expenses and create a surplus.

Short Term Financial Goals can be determined fairly easily by creating a budget. Saving your receipts is a great way to know exactly where you are spending what. Cut expenses to create a surplus. I have a great list of 100 suggestions that I can email to anyone who would like them. Allowing yourself an allotted amount for expenses and specific needs can help you save, thus paving the way for your long term financial goals.


What are my long term financial goals?
The definition of a long term financial goals is generally a goal that can be achieved over your lifetime. Some of your long term financial goals may be paying for college, your children’s college, a long and comfortable retirement, or leaving your children and grandchildren an inheritance. With long-term goals, you can be more risky in investing your money, because you will have time to recoup any losses and take advantage of buying during down markets


How can I work toward my long term financial goals?
· Savings Accounts

· CD’s or MMA’s

· Stocks and Bonds

· 401k’s and Retirement Plans

Choosing which options are right for you depends on the time frame of your goal and the amount of money you will need. When choosing a savings account, find the bank with the highest APY. Think about the timeframe you want to commit to when purchasing CD’s or MMA’s so that you are not hit with any early withdrawal penalties. There are many professionals that can advise with the purchase of stocks and bonds, it is important to study the trends and patterns of these securities before investing. A lot of companies will match your contribution into your 401k up to a certain percent, so it is a good idea to see what your company has to offer.

So you have evaluated your short term financial goals and you have your budget, you’ve started a savings plan for your long term financial goals, and you think you know what you want, now you need to take time to look at your career and see if it is going to be able to accommodate the lifestyle that you are planning for…

A Plan For College Success

I am the first person in my family to have the opportunity to attend college. It is crucial that I do well. Nothing against my parents, but I want to achieve more than they have. I know that college is the first step in my lifelong journey. In order for me to be successful in college I must establish goals, play to my strengths, and study hard because college success is the foundation for the rest of my life.

It may sound easy, but establishing goals is harder than you would think. I often ask myself: “Where do you want to be in five years?” Before starting college, I had vague goals like, buy a house, or make good money. These are not a good example of goals. Now that I am a college student I realize that my goals need to be descriptive. Instead of vague goals, I build a mental picture as a point of reference. Dreaming of that four bedroom, two story house with a beautiful picture window overlooking the ocean gives me the drive I need in order to succeed.

I am taking an extremely useful class this term called Foundations for College Success. In this class we explored our strengths through an assessment called Strengths Quest. Taking this assessment has enlightened me, showing me who I really am. I have found that I am strategic, adaptable, and that I have great appreciation for knowledge. What does this have to do with college success? Everything. I have the ability to solve problems. I know that I can easily transition between teachers with different teaching styles. I am open to taking classes on topics I am unfamiliar with because I love to learn. Knowing my strengths has given me an abundance of confidence. Confidence is a key to success.

The best way to truly be successful in college is by studying hard. There is absolutely no way that I would have a B average in Algebra if I did not study hard. I learned an extremely helpful “rule” for studying. The theory is that you should devote three hours per week to studying for every credit hour you are taking. For example, a full-time student taking 12 credits should be prepared to study for 36 hours per week in order to master the material. For some people this does not seem realistic. I mean, how many hours are in one day? But I can assure you that if you follow this rule your grade will reflect the hard work that you have put into learning each topic.

The effort that I put into college reflects who I am as a person. I will apply the skills that I have learned in college to anything that I do in life. By establishing my goals and working hard at achieving them I am sure that I will be the first person in my family to graduate college and earn a degree. I want to ensure that I am a success in my career, and I can start by being successful in college.

Everyone is STILL Broke.

There are many factors that caused the United States of America to spiral downward into a deep economic recession. This month American economist Ben Bernanke made this statement to the New York Times: "Even though from a technical perspective the recession is very likely over at this point, it's still going to feel like a very weak economy for some time…" I’m no economist but to me if the economy “feels” weak, than the economy is weak. Despite what you have heard, the recession in America is not over, in fact the deficit is at an all time high, the war is in the middle east has not stopped, and the national unemployment rate is almost 10 percent.

The American deficit is projected to be over $1.6 Trillion dollars by the end of this year. Taxpayer money pays that back. I’m confused as to where all of this money has gone. The people of the United States of America are still without universal healthcare. Apparently this money went to bail out banks and continue the war. Yet the American population suffers, not knowing if they are going to have a place to sleep, let alone afford Christmas for their children. All this money has been spent yet we have nothing to show for it.

The war in the Middle East has not stopped. The amount of money used to fund that war should be placed back into the United States economy. That money could fund better causes such as the building of America’s roadways and bridges, educational scholarships, and services for the general population, such as childcare and healthcare for low income families. But rather than put that money to good uses it continues to fund murder and hatred. This war is making private sector corporations that make defense weapons and machinery such as Northrop Grumman Corporation wealthier. In fact according to Forbes.com, Ronald D. Sugar, CEO of Northrop Grumman Corporation makes $8.56 million dollars each year. With a paycheck like that, I’m sure that he hasn’t felt the effects of the recession at all.

Unemployment in America is absolutely outrageous. It hurts me to see how many families suffer in silence. The best numbers that I have found in relation to the unemployment rate come from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics. Their site suggests that the national unemployment rate is a whopping 9.8%. The site reports the fields with the highest unemployment rates are in construction, manufacturing, the retail trade (consumer goods), and government. These are regular people who used to spend money here in America, thus the real reason why companies are going broke.

It is a sad but true realization but unfortunately this recession is nowhere close to being over. If people do not have jobs, how are they going to pay taxes? How will they be able to spend money in this economy if they do not earn any? Where will unemployed Americans live when they can no longer pay for housing? I can’t believe that an economist could actually say that this recession is over.

Recovery programs are the most successful way to conquer addiction.

There are many options available to an addict seeking recovery. Addiction is considered to be a progressive disease, and like any other disease it requires extensive treatment. Different levels and categories of addiction require different types of treatment. Twelve-step programs, outpatient support groups, residential detoxification centers, methadone clinics and halfway houses are just a few of the various programs available for an addict seeking treatment for an addiction. Recovery programs are necessary to overcoming addiction because they provide the addict with a safe, structured environment and a reliable support system to guide them through the difficult process of detoxification.

Addiction comes in many varieties and on many levels. Treatment options must vary based on an addicts individual need. For example, a compulsive shopper, or “shop-a-holic”, probably will not require the intensive treatment and monitoring that a heroin addict needs, but they still have a problem, and it still requires treatment. A high school student who smokes marijuana cigarettes twice per week is more likely to benefit from outpatient counseling programs than a 45 year old alcoholic who has been drinking a 1.75ml bottle of vodka on a daily basis for over 25 years. Depending on the individuals dependency level, an addict may benefit more from a structured treatment facility. The wide array of available recovery programs cater to the needs of addicts of just about every stage of addiction.

Once an addict realizes that a habit has become a full blown addiction, the addict faces the problem of finding that particular program that suits their particular situation. Often addicts go through several treatment programs before finding one that works. Inpatient residential detoxification centers are often thought of as being the best approach to treatment. Inpatient detoxification centers are usually in a clinical, hospital-like setting with twenty-four hour supervision and support. These centers often include withdrawal monitoring, counseling, relapse prevention support, stress reduction programs, and physical fitness programs. Sometimes these centers also offer holistic activities such as yoga, hypnosis, and meditation. The main downfall of inpatient detoxification centers is that they can be extremely expensive, costing tens of thousands of dollars.

Outpatient support groups, halfway houses, and twelve-step programs can also provide the addict with the support and resources to stay clean. Outpatient facilities are becoming very popular. Although outpatient programs probably are not the best choice for an addicts initial treatment, they provide strategies for avoiding a relapse once an addict is past the withdrawal stage of recovery. Outpatient programs are usually free or very inexpensive. Most of these programs are led by an ex addict or a mental health professional. Outpatient programs encourage participants to buddy up in pairs to “sponsor” each other during times when they feel they are weak and about to relapse. That support is just what the recovering addict needs to fully recover.

Without recovery programs a lot of former addicts would still be struggling with addiction. Addiction affects people of every race, upbringing, and economic status. Recovery programs are extremely beneficial to the community, the families of addicts, and to the addicts themselves. People do not become addicts overnight, and there is no miracle cure for addiction, but with the help of a recovery program a person does have the capability to overcome their addictions. The love and support of a group of people committed to comfortable withdrawal and preventing relapse offers the greatest chance of successfully eliminating a dependency or addiction.