What It Takes To Truly Be A Transcendentalist

             So how hard can it be to become a transcendentalist? How difficult can it be to simplify life to such means and demean materialism? What would I eliminate?
            First of all, I easily want to clean out my working space! My shelves are flooded with pointless knick-knacks, magazines, and doodles cluttered up over the years. It is as if each and every object rightfully captures a moment in time that defines who I am. Somewhat collectively, all the junk may identify my history, but it certainly does not help me progress into the future. There are days I feel like aggressively knocking down the towering racks of hoarded papers. I just want that avalanche to happen, to cleanse my soul of the clingy past articles that are taking up the space for future documents. I have the same situation with the accumulation of shoes and clothing I have that assumably might be used one day. As much as I tried to convince myself, that lie never set me free. I knew that shirt I got in tenth grade was cute and fitting, but keeping it is not doing me a favor. Therefore, I must make a charitable donation to an orphanage soon to make true purpose of the stuff I own.
              It is one thing to yearn for organization, but it is another to rid oneself of valued and luxurious possessions in attempt to truly grasp transcendentalism. If I must do so, my TV and desktops would go out the window. Sure I will not enjoy the big screens of entertainment, but hey I got my laptop! - not a change as a drastic as you would think, but it is a start. Also, I would not mind to take away my bed frame! As long as I still have my mattress...
            In the process of trying to clear out the extra baggage, however, I will not dump out any previously read books or painted drawings. I also cannot give up my phone, for I refuse to cut off accessible mobile connection with friends and family.
            Transcendentalism, to answer the question, is quite hard. But only a true transcendentalist would do the job with a breeze. Otherwise, those with half-hearted intentions will need the upmost efforts to simplify their lives.        
 

China Farms Abroad

        LA Times’ “China looks abroad for greener pastures” article was written by Barbara Demick on March 29,2014.
China may never run out of people, but it may run out of greenery! According to an estimated statistic, China has twenty percent of the world’s population and just nine percent of its cultivating farmland. "Throughout Chinese history, our land was never enough," said Tian Zhihong, a professor of international agriculture at China Agricultural University. Unfortunately, China suffers from continuous droughts. To make matters worse, China within recent decades has further damaged the soil with industrial pollution and pavement as part of the rush towards economic development. Therefore, China is left with a low supply and high demand of agricultural products. However, many realized that to operate a farm over seas surprisingly is a better deal than to plow the motherland. "We want to bring American sunshine, land and water back to China," said Zhang Renwu, a businessman who owns two farms in Utah growing alfalfa to feed dairy cows. As absurd as the idea is, it truly brings in a great profit. In a paper published in 2012 by the Canada-based International Institute for Sustainable Development, it is confirmed that fifty-four Chinese projects internationally exist - covering almost twelve-million acres. For example, reportedly 30,000 Chinese farmers have been growing cash crops in Siberia. 
Instead of looking elsewhere, China should put its investments into revamping up their land again before it is gone for good. 

The Daily Show On Obama Care

                  Comedian Jon Stewart hilariously exposes the true circumstances the 'minor glitches' of the Obama Care website. First of all, there are long delays and timeouts - likewise, as does the NFL; because so, Stewart sarcastically claims that Americans must love them like half-time shows. Secondly, the program's calculator does not even work - a device that has been used in computers since 1972. Other problems refer to the system disabling logins, providing wrong information on medicaid eligibility,  and giving out confusing error messages. Sadly, the site's success rate is a pathetic ten percent! A rate so horrible, that twenty percent of dentists recommend sugared gum. Consequently, more Americans believed that Obama Care has been repealed because of the crazy malfunctions of the network. Stewart finds the situation insanely ironic, because usually webpages are designed to make any kind of login, sign in, or subscription incredibly easy. It is even personally attributed that sometimes with a click of a few buttons, he accidentally purchases online a season of "Night Court" through Amazon. To further elaborate on the ridiculous flaws of the website, the comedian states that spouses are titled as children as well - assuming the government promotes incest. Obama's speech at the Rose Garden is also specified upon, as the president tries to sell his defective medicare like how Gill from the Simpsons attempts to auction his useless junk. To cover up the failure of nineteen million Americans' pursue to log in, Obama glorifies the success of a random lady who happens to be the first woman from Delaware to thrivingly benefit from the medicare. Towards the end of Stewart's talk, co-host John humorously experiments logging into Obama Care as he is cartoonishly sucked into the site. As John tries to escape the technologic dimension, it is noticed that the software is coded in 4's and 5's instead of 1's and 0's, proving that the website is horribly messed up. Afterwards, the software is questioned to be ancient as a 1950's packman chases the guy.
                 Overall, Obama Care was successfully satired by having each disappointing fact revealed made fun of. The attention of the audience was grabbed by referring to puns of common entertainment and culture, therefore, making a boring political topic into an understandable issue and a laughing stock. The Daily News indirectly derided the concept of Obama Care by parodying the Obama Care website's deficiencies. Thus, that is why it had cleverly criticized the government diffusely in a way that many enjoyed as much as I did.

         https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4nDQwO_wLg

The Onion's Twist On the Malaysia Airlines' Crisis

                    The blog is based upon The Onion's "Malaysia Airlines Expands Investigation To Include General Scope Of Space, Time" article.
                    The Onion successfully ridiculed the over-analysis and skepticism that the authorities and most modern scientists acquire nowadays by referring to the Malaysia Airlines incident. In attempt to explain the disappearance of Flight 370, representatives from the Kuala Lumpur carrier think upon the matter a little too much. Possibilities of terrorism, pilot error, mechanical failure, or hijacking are not the only considered views. Moreover, satirically the crime-busters reach into a perspective questioning all of existence in the universe. Instead of seeking realistic prospects in which the plane vanished, the detectives quite seriously reckon that some indefinite loophole according to the Einstein-Rosen bridge theory zapped the jet into a different dimension or time. The fate of the plane, as well as mankind is worried for.  The news reportedly claimed that "airline sources attempted to assuage an uneasy public by noting they had brought in top crash investigators from the Malaysian, Vietnamese, and Chinese governments, as well as U.S. Navy personnel, Boeing technicians, leading quantum physicists, theoretical cosmologists, metaphysicians, epistemologists, and determinist philosophers to help scour all conceivable and as yet inconceivable locations in which the plane might be located"... All for the more important cause of solving the unambigious mystery of space rather than for the sake of innocent lives. This article, therefore, reached out to me by mocking the lack of simplicity and common sense our society has. 

http://www.theonion.com/articles/malaysian-airlines-expands-investigation-to-includ,35524/?
ref=auto

How the Economy Shapes My Life

               The economy affects me in so many different ways. It not only changes the materialistic aspects of my life, but it also serves as the basis of my standards and mind set. Although most try to stray away from the superficialness money has upon us, there is no escape from it. Footwear, clothing, jewerly, mortgages, school, cars - its essence is everywhere.
              To enjoy conveniency and luxury, unfortunately, one must have the bills to get them. People work like slaves to the economy to achieve what is needed and desired. Although I still do not work yet, I am supposed to appreciate the value of the dollar for it simply does not grow on a tree. On a shopping spree, I purchase on-sale fashion from Forever 21 to avoid hurting my dad's wallet. I somewhat make up my debt to my parents of providing me an education by simply earning satisfying grades. Moreover, the roof I sleep under and the food I eat are all in thanks again to the wages my mother and father earn. By putting myself in their shoes, I can more easily sympathize and understand the struggle to get the cash that is handed down to me. The currency of money relies upon the amount of tedious working hours one must fulfill. Other than having respect and love for the ones who gave me life, I cannot rebel against my parents because their money secures my stability and the necessities by which I live off of. Therefore, the economy has truly shaped and formed my life together.

Obama Wants to Raise the Minimum Wage

                    Huffinton Post's "Obama: It's Time to Raise The Minimum Wage" article was written on March 8, 2014 by anonymous.
                   Barack Obama advocates strongly to raise the minimum wage, so that citizens with lower-paying jobs can comply a little easier to recent increased national expences. Hearing from many business owners across the country, the President is informed that they are voluntarily paying their workers more than the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. So if the standards were hightened to $10.10 an hour, the common pay will become quite generous.
                    Although Barack Obama is a proud standing advocate, the Congress is unfortuanetly against him. For example, Ohio Senator Rob Portman states in his speech of the Republican Address that Obama's proposed 2015 budget taxes are too idealistic and expensive. He in fact declares that the only way to recover the U.S ecomony and get it back on track is to have government have a more laissez-faire approach.
                   However, Obama took back the spotlight as he traveled to a Florida convention to lecture his speech. He gloriously emphasizes that such a raise of the wage will better the lives of twenty-eight million people. To triumphantly conclude his talk, he implies that soon many will join his side and fight for the cause by saying "change doesn’t come from Washington – change comes to Washington".

The Forever Nostalgic Crescent

              The lusting evergreen grass delightfully sunbathes within the pleasant rays of daylight. However, towards dusk, it sways with the wind gratefully farewelling the setting sun. The true blue sky transforms into a painted portrait of warm purple and pink hues accompanying the dying warmth of the star. A myriad of diamonds dots the coming night as the moon begins its reign over the heavens. The illuminating crescent romantically gleams upon the boulevards and allies. But nonetheless, it truly seeks to reach into the hearts of the love-stricken. For some, its gleam serves as a protecter to defeat the dark forces attempting to usurp power. Though for most, the dear moon brings a sense of endless nostalgia, in which is so lovely yet lonely. It glistens in isolation upon the stars which dance throughout the galaxies lightyears away. It so faithfully serves our world in search of a friend. However, we can only stretch out so far to embrace the moon in great thanks. We live our lives in hope that it knows of our appreciation for its eternal kindness. It waits through every minute of the night, for a soul to come out of the house and play within its rays as he does with the sun's.

Farewell, Sochi

           

           The Huffington Post's "Closing Ceremony Ends Costliest Olympics Ever With Fireworks, Russian Pride" article was written by John Leicester on February 23, 2014.
            The Sochi Olympic Winter Games was a whirl-wind of ultimate victory, defeat, and record-breaking history. With the Russians collectively hauling 33 gold medals, they are back on top like the old Soviet times. The opening and closing ceremonies extravagantly displayed a spectacular myriad of Russian culture, history, and pride. The stage was beautifully lit up with the nation's trademark performances of ballet, theater, and circus. Despite the shows' brilliance, a malfunction with one of the Olympic rings refusing to open up furiously shocked the crowd in the beginning. However, that was later made up as the ceremonial organizers humorously referenced the technical mistake. Towards the extinguishing of the flame, dancers rippled out into circles to display the image of the rings once again. As each group routinely spread out into its formation, the last bunch stubbornly refused to do so like the lighting did previously. However, after a few seconds, it reluctantly and successfully created the last ring as supposed to.
             The Games were not only one of the most entertaining, but as well the costliest. By surpassing Beijing's forty-one billion dollar budget, Russia spent fifty-one billion dollars into beautifying its city and setting up the Olympic program.
             However, the Games were not always so friendly and buddy-buddy. In the midst of the guts and glory, serious political issues erupted. The Ukrainian revolution has escalated to terrifying new levels over the parliament's decision to turn down Europe's economic alliance. Its country's athletes were left with mixed emotions, celebrating the Games while mourning over the thought of the Kremlin burning down in flames. Putin as well sat at his Olympic throne reveling in his nation's wins, while dreading the loss of coherence with Ukraine.
              Overall, the 2014 Games inhabited tense situations as well as festivities and a sense of international unity.

African Miners Rescued and Arrested

            The Huffington Post's "South Africa Miners Rescued, Face Charges For Illegal Gold Mining" article was written by the Huffington News Team on February 17, 2014.
             The situation is quite ironic itself. Likewise an injured criminal is healed before jail time, a dozen miners in Johannesburg, South Africa were charged for illegal gold mining after rescue from being trapped underground. Nowadays, the practice has become a common business in South Africa due to the abundance of precious metals hidden within the mines. However, this unlucky bunch were ambushed on the job by a falling boulder which constricted the entrance and exit of the abandoned mine shaft. Many suspect the seasonal heavy rain triggered the sliding of the rubble. Fortunately, local policemen heard the cries of the miners under the debris. Although a rescue team soon rushed to save the miners, a few of the assumed culprits refused to rise to the surface in fear of arrest. Surprisingly, none of the miners were fatally injured. However, reportedly, the twelve miners were only the 'tip of the iceberg' to the number of others still trapped in the mine. 200 prospectors currently keep digging deep within the trench, in hopes of discovering another way to escape without running into the authorities.

Communities

                A community is one in which holds a population of like-minded individuals who strive to thrive as a people based on a common interest. By interacting with each others' strengths and weaknesses, each being takes a role and contributes to his or her crowd. Each community is unique based on agenda. Groups form to either achieve a goal, share knowledge or creation, chat, or  all three! Other divisions of communities are also dependent on ethnicity, gender, age, hobby, and belief. Although, one must not allow themselves to dissolve into a community, but to hold tightly to their identity. For each individual must be different to have an abundance of various services and perspectives.
               Rarely one is found anywhere but in a community. By attending Rose and Alex Pilibos, I exist in a Armenian, Tashnag, and Apostolic community. I am bound to it because of my religion, race, and political position. With daily Armenian class and weekly Hay Tahd lessons, each person is inspired and encouraged to fight for the Armenian cause by promoting the advancement of our nation.
               Fandoms are also another prominent category of communities. Most, including myself, idolize celebrities, movies, and TV shows through multiple networks. For example, those who are captivated by One Direction's music and image are compelled to support them by joining communities who are as well mesmerized by the British boys. By following related blogs and accounts on Twitter, Facebook, and Tumblr, 'fangirls' unite globally to cheer on the fellows. I, as a proud 'Directioner', am driven to also buy their albums and concert tickets to get more of them. My obsession would have never been supplemented if I have never had the chance to either interact with other 'fangirls' or research 'One Direction' content. Only through communities like Youtube and inquirer sites I had the ability to do so.
           
           

The Shutdown of Flappy Bird

               The Huffington Post's "Creator says game over for maddening Flappy Bird" article was written by Tran Van Minh on February 10, 2014.
               Nguyen Ha Dong, the young Vietnamese creator of the hit mobile game 'Flappy Bird', made a fortune off the app ever since is outburst of popularity in the beginning of this year. However, later he became tormented from the craze the simple, yet addicting and frustrating game brought.
                According to App Developer Magazine, Nguyen hated how everyone overrated his game and only wanted to restore peace. He tweeted, "I can call 'Flappy Bird' is a success of mine. But it also ruins my simple life. So now I hate it".
                Although 'Flappy Bird' was reportedly making $50,000 per day, Nguyen modestly added that he will not even sell the app. He was not even able to enjoy the huge profit he made out off of the viral game.
                 After hearing an immense amount of suicidal tweets and murder cases as effects from 'Flappy Bird', the idea of his own creation had become extremely distasteful to him, even if it brought him wealth. However, violence was not the only factor as a reason for the shutdown. Rumors circulated the internet about the assumed corruption Nguyen participated in. Many thought that he bribed critics to rate his game five stars on the Apple Apps. But as the man said himself, it was all a part of the trash that rotted with 'Flappy Bird' itself.

The Great Gatsby Movie

               The Great Gatsby movie, in my opinion, was a work of art.  Although its dramatic over-exaggerations were sometimes annoying, most of them spectacularly brought the book to life. Unlike many other major production films, The Great Gatsby nearly stood to every aspect of its plot. There were only a few skips of details and a couple fabricated additions for the director's vision, but none in which I found offensive. 
              One added cut to the movie that I noticed was how Nick's introduction as the narrator was completely different from the book. In the beginning of the novel, Mr. Carraway is given credulity as an un-bias author as he shared his father's advice of never judging anyone who does not have the same advantages. However, in the film, Nick is first shown with a therapist trying to rid his alcohol issues from the trauma after the incident. Ironic, being that his first impression in writing was prestigious and stable, while in the movie, he was simply a wreck. Nonetheless, that was the only major difference that shook me throughout the motion picture. Other minor changes included the disregard to Jordan's dishonesty and the luncheon at the hidden corrupted bar.
              Other than that, I absolutely loved The Great Gatsby soundtrack! Its music dug the depth of the roaring 20's. Sure there was already plenty of jazz music throughout the film to understand the era of the time as well. However, the nostalgic and romantic voice of Lana intensified scenes between Gatsby and Daisy. Likewise, Jay Z's powerful rap told of corruption as Wall Street boomed with business. Bringing in familiar genres of music was not a negative in my opinion, it was in fact a genius way to connect the movie to the audience's perspectives. 
               I praise The Great Gatsby movie because it was a golden classic for us to watch, rather than the traditional mindless film productions that are usually released nowadays. 
             


           
             
             
           

The Suffering of India's Children

The Huffington Post’s “The Subhuman Conditions That Slaves And Child Laborers Face In India Are Worse Than You Imagined” article was written by Eleanor Goldberg on January 30, 2014. 
Think our world has fully promoted civil rights? Think again. Looks like child labor laws have not been enforced yet in India unfortunately. Recently, the Harvard FXB Center for Health and Human Rights has conducted one of the largest research studies on modern slavery. Shockingly, according to statistics, they have found around 3,000 startling cases on forced labor in the Indian carpet industry alone. Horrifically, most of the businesses’ “workers” are kids. As quoted, the data discovered was only “the tip of the iceberg”. Factory owners and guards often denied the researchers access to many work sites, avoiding further evidence to be documented. 
According to the “Tainted Carpets: Slavery and Child Labor in India’s Hand-Made Carpet Sector” report, the children trudge ten to twelve hours a day, six to seven days a week. Usually, they are crammed into filthy, contaminated, hot, and humid factory shacks to weave for the rest of their adolescence. They were even physically abused with frequent beatings with sharp tools like scissors. To top it off, most of the kids earned long-term health issues from the unbearable conditions of the workplace. Many suffered from eye disease or even a loss of vision due to the insufficient light. Others eventually developed spinal deformation due to countless hours bending over and sewing. They all have also experienced headaches, muscle pain, cuts, infections, malnutrition and serious psychological trauma - not quite the ideal childhood.
Bihar, a fourteen-year-old male weaver, pitifully reported “We work from seven in the morning until ten at night”; “I sleep on that mat over there. I want to go home but the owner will not let us leave”. 
         Hopefully, one day our world will gain its humanity back. 

Ukraine Uprises

         Huffington's Post, "Ukraine Protests: Tens Of Thousands Hit The Streets Of Kiev" was written by the Reuters on January 19, 2014.
        Up to 100,000 Ukrainians gathered up in the center of Kiev on Sunday to defy the government's laws that aimed to put an end to the Reuters' protesting. The newly passed rules were published on January 15, which included forbidding any form of public expression of opposition, like camping outside the City Hall or wearing protective head gear. If broken, prosecution held heavy jail sentence. Even other countries denounced these set of laws as unconstitutional. This lovely reunion was far from a peaceful demonstration. All those people who piled into the streets on that day knew that soon they will be known as rebels. 
        It all started when President Yanukovich closed off a great economic deal with Europe just to keep close ties with Russia. From there, Ukrainian citizens began to suspect their authorities of being corrupt. 
        "Yanukovich and his henchmen want to steal our country. Ukraine is united as never before in its struggle against those in power today, in its determination not to allow a dictatorship," declared politician Vitaly Klitschko, a strong enemy and potential runner for future presidency.
          From Syria to this? Our world is just getting darker by the minute. 

That Gatsby Party In Greece

          The concept with the "Gatsby Party" is to create an atmosphere that is so fabulous and grand, that one cannot help but dance till dawn! The bigger the festivities, the better! My idea of such an evening is that not only it should be indulgently lavish, but outrageously unique and exotic.

           I picture it in a luxurious Grecian palace looking out into the crystal waters of the Mediterranean Sea. As the clock chimes 8:00, guests begin to pour in with beach bags stuffed with spares and changes of sexy bikinis and sequined dresses. They walk up the outdoor marble-stone stairs into an elegant beachfront mansion with a Dj perched on a stage ready to blast his music. But first, an international elaborate cuisine is served alongside a fountain oozing out delicious streams of chocolate. After bellies fill, the bass drops while club lights shine and glittering confetti rains on the raving crowd. Heels and shoes passionately strut and tap against the intricate mosaic floors. The partying rages on till the late night, and then the after hours' sea dipping begins. As lambada plays in the background, many lounge in romantic infinity pools hanging over the waves of the ocean blue reflecting the luminous moonlight. When the fireworks begin to erupt, flocks of people cheerfully dive into the swell out of celebration. 

CES "Wearable" Gadgets 2014

     Huffington's Post "CES 2014: Wearable Gadgets All The Rage, But Will People Wear Them?" article was written by Ryan Nakashima on January 6, 2014.

      The trend for the CES's innovative technology this year is for it to be "wearable". The article reports, "Several companies are expected to unveil wearable devices that are easier to use, extend battery life, and tap into the power of gestures, social networks and cloud computing." A great example of the concept is the FitBit Force Activity Band. It tracks a wearer's steps, calories burned, sleeping patterns and progress toward fitness goals. For sure this product will become a hit in the future due to presenting a new efficient way to promote health.

      Not only may these inventions sense, but also have sensors that respond to pressure, temperature and even blood sugar. A Nymi wristband at CES verifies a user's identity by determining his or her unique heartbeat. One day, this technology will replace the need for passwords, car keys and wallets.

        However, this idea is typically fresh, therefore, it is not ready get into mainstream consuming. These new gadgets are "like the first generation of the iPod," says Gary Shapiro, chief executive of the Consumer Electronics Association, "It was bulky and it wasn't that pretty. Look what happened. It got slimmer. It got better."

The 1920s American Mafia

The American Mafia is an Italian-American secret organized-crime network that rose to its power through its success in the illicit liquor trade during the nineteen twenties Prohibition era. It emerged in New York's Lower East Side and eventually spread to other major metropolitan areas in the nineteenth century and early twentieth century. Its roots came from Sicilians whom immigrated to the United States. They created small ethnic gang communities which over time evolved into one big Mafia.

After the eighteenth amendment was passed, alcohol was banned throughout the nation. To supply the rich with beverages to party with, street thugs established a bootlegging business. From the enormous profit that they made, the Italians became lavishly sophisticated criminals. Mafioso bosses like Al Capone, Johnny Torrin, and Salvatore Luciano made sixty to seventy million dollars a year. They had so much money, that they were able to bribe politicians and policemen from disrupting the flow of the mafia life.

Although the Mafia is generally referred to as a whole, it was split into many rival "families" that constantly competed to better one another. However, they all commonly engaged in illegal activities like money laundering, gambling, drag trafficking, extortion, hijacking, and murder for hire. The top five were the Lucchese family, the Bonanno family, the Gambino family, the Colombo family, and the Genovese family. Although all were strong, the most powerful was the Genovese, known as the Ivy League and Rolls Royce. These clans of mobsters became the entertainment and interest of many. Soon enough, they grew into the American culture.

http://lifeinthetwenties.wikispaces.com/Mafia+in+the+1920s