Only Human

Well, we did it. We voted. We decided. We chose. Barack Obama is now the President of the United States of America. I, on the other hand, wanted to see McCain win. Sure, Obama made history by being the first African American president of our country. This could never happen anywhere else in the world. I don't have a problem with Obama, not at all. I'm a Republican, so any Democrat that wins doesn't quite appeal to me. I'm sure Obama is a good guy with a good heart. Bad morals, but a good heart. So, I got to give him some props for having the courage to step out and run in this controversial campaign. But is it just me or has everybody forgotten that Barack Obama is only human. Seriously, we are treating this way too obsessively. People are already calling this the "O Generation". Seriously? The "Obama Generation"? How obsessive can you get? You can't walk into a store without seeing a picture of Obama depicted on a magazine cover. I understand that he's not Bush, that people can now feel a sense of hope for America's future. But seriously, the man hasn't even started to do anything yet. Can you imagine the pressure that must be put onto Obama? It's all up to him to fix our nation. We are now counting on him to correct our mistakes, to clean up our mess, and to rebuild the foundation that was once called the home of the brave. Let's face it, we all think that Obama is some kind of savior. Isn't that how we are treating him? If you haven't noticed, America is not the only one who has been truly affected by the election of Obama. Continents around the world, such as Europe, Africa, and Asia are all falling face down for Obama. This is not just some Ronald Regan election. This is the elector that has and will change the world forever. Not even John F. Kennedy held so much popularity as Barack. From looking at Obama, he does not seem like the kind of guy who will let anyone push him around and he will definitely not take no for an answer. I have no idea what to expect from Barack, but let's pray to God that he knows what he's doing. If this country is going to follow this man, then I hope they realize that this man is only human and not God.

Dare to be Different

If you go up to anyone, ask them if my brother and I look alike, they would agree that we do. In fact, many people know me because I look like my brother. People always ask me, "Hey, do you have a brother?" or "Dude, you and your brother look so much alike. I'm serious. No Joke" or my favorite "Are you guys twins?". Really, that's exactly how they sound, I'm not exaggerating. We are not twins. We are two years apart in age. I can see how people can say that we look like brothers, but I don't think that my brother and I look that much alike where we could be mistaken as twins. I am obviously better looking than he is. Ha ha. You see how I made a funny right there? Go ahead, sink it in. OK. Good. However, even though my brother and I may look alike, we are two very different people. First I will tell you how he's different and then I'll tell you how I'm different and then I'll tell you how we are similar. It's kinda like those circle compare and contrast charts that everyone hates.


How My brother is Different From Me:

1. He's older (obvious one there)
2. Likes, I mean, loves politics
3. Likes music where people use synthesizers and special effects (basically banging on a trash can)
   
4. Serious about everything
5. Mysterious
6. Philosophical (not as philosophical as Plato, not Play-Dough, but he's there)
   
7. Loves to debate over every single thing (really, I'm not lying)
8. Friends are like him
9. He's a Democrat
   

How I'm Different From My Brother:

1. I'm more of a relaxed/care-free person (basically a mix between a Seinfeld and Dr. House)
2. I like any style of music (and when I say any style of music I mean anything but rap/hip hop)
3. I'm more of the romantic/sensitive type ( Ladies, I am single and I enjoy long walks on the beach)
4. I'm energetic
5. I enjoy the most random and stupidest things in life (that's not saying much)
   
6. All my friends are different from me (except my friend Matt. He's like a white clone of me)
   
7. I'm more open about things (whatever goes into my mind comes out of my mouth. That sounds gross)
8. I'm timid around the opposite sex
9. I'm a Republican
   
10. Oh, yeah, and I have an accent that no one in the world has (Scientists are baffled)

How My Brother and I are Alike:

1. We both play instruments
2. We are both Christians
   
3. We have the same taste in movies
4. We have the power to read each others minds (and no, we're not psychic)
5. We've both had our troubles with a love interest
6. We both know a lot about music
7. We both know what we like and dislike
   

Different Roads

They say that God has a plan for everything and everyone. They say that everyone is walking down the road of life. Down every road two people will somehow meet and their lives will be changed forever. I myself think it may take longer for me to find that one special person. I've had a lot of crushes in my life, some more serious than others. Of course, every love interest of mine never happened. I was the one always crushing, not the one being crushed on. I was the one always getting hurt in the end. But I have figured out a pattern. Yes, there's a pattern. Check it out. This is what I have realized. I have realized that every girl that I have liked has become pregnant before marriage. Everyone of them has gone down that road of parenthood unexpectedly. These are girls that I really liked. These are also girls that you'd never expect premarital pregnancy from. So, to hear about these tales surprised me. My friend Matt jokes around by calling me a "Jinx". I find that funny. It could be true. I can see that. But somehow I think God paved a different road for me and those girls. While those girls walked down one road, I was lead down a different road. It's kinda like those books where you can create your own adventure. If I would have went down road A, I might have made a mistake and I'd fall off a cliff. Well, not a cliff, but you know, bad things would happen. Since I was lead down road B, I escaped those possible relationships. Even though I was never in those relationships, I feel somewhat sad for those girls. Not bad, sad. I'm afraid that if this pattern continues then the girl that I loved the most might get caught in it. I can't let this happen. All I can do is hope that it doesn't happen. If it does happen, then...I don't know.

Obama Vs. McCain

The time has come for America to place its vote for the next president of the United States of America. People across the nation have sent in their ballots or walked to the polls to make their decisions. Not only do they have to vote for the president, but also senators, school trustees, and propositions as well. The world watches and waits for all the ballots to be tallied up. Whoever reaches the score of 270 wins the seat in the White House. Will it be McCain/Palin or Obama/Biden? More and more people are voting this year. Teens, minorities, the elderly, whites, and adults are making their mark. This is truly an intense battle. People want a change. People, we need a change. If Obama wins, he will be the first African American to be president. If McCain wins he will be the oldest president and will have the first female VP. Either way, history will be made. We will be part of history. And history will be a part of us. The numbers continue to rise as the polls close. It's really neck and neck for both candidates, but only one will come out victorious. Everyone who is eligiable to vote needs to go out and vote now. Only we can make the change that America needs. Vote! Vote! Vote!

Myspace Generation

In 2003, one of the biggest internet sites opened up to the entire world. A man by the name of Tom Anderson, or just Tom as everyone calls him, created a website that allowed people of all ages, actually only 16 and higher, connect with the world. For those who are new to the Myspace generation, it's basically a way for people to stay in contact with friends, family, boyfriends, girlfriends, or even businesses. It's also a way to meet new people. To begin Myspace, one must create a profile page. This usually consists of an "about me" section, favorites movies, favorite music, TV shows, books, heroes, and people we'd like to meet. It also consists of a default picture. This picture is displayed for people to recognize you. About 90% of default pictures involve someone taking a picture of themselves in front of a mirror, either with a digital camera or a camera phone, with the camera flash exposed. The next step would be letting everyone know if you are single, in a relationship, married, a swinger, or gay/lesbian. You also can state your religion. About most teens who are dating someone will have the "married" status posted, even though they have been dating for a month or couple years. Finally, the biggest task of all is to decide who will be on your Top 8. Actually, now it can reach up to the Top 40 or higher. Basically, what the Top 8 is is a way to reach your closest friends faster. Usually, the person you're closest to goes first on the list. Honestly, being on someones Top 8 is like being in the Book of Life. If you're in it, then you're happy and cool. If you're not, then you're mad, disappointed, jealous, and thinking to yourself why that person did not include yourself when you know that you two are good friends. Anyway, people can meet new people. If they like them, then they can "add" them as a friend. That allows you to comment their profile, comment their pics, and read their bulletins that tell you to comment their pics. Of course, I myself have a Myspace account. Myspace was originally designed for people 16 and older, but little kids from ages 13 maybe slightly younger have a Myspace account. Through out the years, Myspace has been getting a lot of attention from the media. Stories of sexual predators, things kids are looking at on the site, and people meeting other people whom they've never met before have been big topics. When Myspace first began, it had a thing where people can rate either men or women. However, people were uploading nude pictures of themselves, sexual pictures, and other explicit images that basically made Myspace into a porn site. That was banned later on. Myspace has really been a big help to rising stars, such a actors, musician, comedians, and filmmakers. Anybody can go to a musicians profile and add one of their songs to their own profile. Many celebrities have created accounts, in which people can add them as a friend. Myspace has definitely been an open door to this generations internet experience. I mean, next to Myspace there's YouTube, Google, Yahoo, and my favorite, Wikipedia. I don't know if Myspace will be around forever, but for now we live in the Myspace generation.

Where I'm From

When people think of California, they often think of beaches, good weather, surfing, Hollywood, and, of course, hot girls, well I do at least. But there's a little place where not too many people know about. In the heart of California, there lies semi-little town, called Manteca. If anybody knows Spanish, Manteca means "Lard". That's right. We are the city of lard. Actually, we are commonly known as the "Family City" or the "Crossroads of the Heart of California". If you don't live within a thirty mile radius, chances are you might not have heard of our town. However, once we bring up the Manteca Water Slides, then everyone knows who we are. That is correct, we are, or should I say, were the home of the famous Manteca Water Slides. Unfortunately, the park has been removed for building homes. I know, pretty lame, huh? Manteca is kind of those cities where you either like it or you don't like it. I personally love it here. Mainly because I can get to any destination within 10 to 15 minutes, if no traffic, even less. However, there are some people who absolutely despise this city. They can't wait to either move away or they question why they moved here in the first place. Even though Manteca consists of over 60,000 people, it still is a moderately small city. But through out the years, we have been progressing in size. Not just people, but buildings. I'll admit, if anyone wants to have a lot fun, Manteca might not be that place. Even though we have a bowling alley, movie theaters, and baseball parks, honestly, there's not much too do. If anyone wants to have the best time of their life, they can just hang out at Wal-Mart or Target riding the bikes around the store. Not that I've ever done that or anything. But, just recently, our town has built three major shopping centers right here in Manteca. One shopping center is, called BLD (Big League Dreams), which is a shopping center with baseball fields that replicate real life baseball stadiums, such as Wrigley Field, Yankee Stadium, Angels Stadium, and so on. People can either reserve a field for softball games, watch the players while eating in the grill, or even play indoor soccer. However, if people don't want to do that, a shopping center is literally right across the street. Another place that is fairly new is the Spreckles Park. Basically, two sugar towers used to stand in the present day shopping center. They were torn down and up rose a Target, Jamba Juice, Starbucks, Food 4 Less, Petsmart, and other well known stores and restaurants. Just recently, a new shopping center opened up, called Orchard Valley. There, we have the famous Bass Pro Shops, a Best Buy, JC Penny, Kerasotes movie theaters, and a soon to be, Red Lobster. Manteca is growing very fast each and every year. In fact, we are growing so fast that we now have a Starbucks on every corner. Well, not every corner, but just five Starbucks down almost every street of Manteca. Manteca also have four high schools. There's Sierra High (Timberwolves), Manteca High (Buffaloes), East Union (Lancers), and Weston Ranch (Cougars). There are also about 13 elementary schools here in Manteca, but I don't want to name all of them, no one really cares. One of the best things that I love about Manteca is that it's close to every major city here in California. It's takes about an hour to reach Sacramento, six hours to drive to Los Angeles, and about and hour to drive to San Francisco. Also, everybody who lives here knows everyone else. It doesn't really matter if you personally know them or not, because chances are, you have been in the Manteca Bulletin. If you are in the Manteca Bulletin, everyone will know who you are or everyone might already know who you are. It's definitely not like reading the New York Times or the San Francisco Chronicles. But if you ever read the Manteca Bulletin, chances are some things you'll read will not be true or you'll catch a lot of spelling and grammar mistakes. But we still love the paper. Overall, Manteca is quite the place to kick back and relax. I've lived here my entire life and I'll eventually move, but I can't say that I won't miss Manteca. But now you know where I'm from.