Motivation

     So, I am sitting here in a class that I don't want to be in writing a list of stuff I don't want to do thinking about work that isn't going to get done.... I think almost every college student in the United States is at the same place I am right now.  Two weeks left.  Two weeks from now this semester will be over and for better or for worse my grades will be set (let's be serious, after this semester it is definitely gonna be for worse).  At the same time, I don't want to work, I don't want to be productive, I simply want to sleep... too bad you can't major in REM sleep eh?  Let's be serious, with the amount of stuff I am involved in, I would probably fail sleeping class too!  Happy last two weeks everyone!

Regret...

Do you ever hear those people who say that I live life with no regrets?  Does anyone ever actually believe them?  I mean seriously, can anyone ever live without regrets?  I feel like if you truly live without regret, in reality you are probably just so high that you don't remember the things that you should regret... or you just don't realize what you should regret because you aren't intelligent enough.  I know this seems like a rant, but I suppose my point is that we sometimes have such a focus on the now that we don't look at the long term.  I think this happens at all points in our life, in High School we often can't see beyond graduation.  In college, all we can focus on is the hard class we are currently failing or the next date.

  For me, I regret that I can't do more here at campus and I can't do better in my classes.  I am definitely one of those people that is focusing on the class I am not doing well in, this time Arabic.  I have to remember that college is not about one class, and life isn't about one experience but a conglomeration.  When I am on my deathbed I won't be judged by how well I did in intermediate Arabic, but by the tenor and focus of my life.  It isn't easy, it isn't supposed to be.  But my life should focused on improving the lives of those around me and making the world a better place.  I suppose this all sounds a little idealistic, but really... who isn't idealistic in college right?

Lessons Learned

With the Arab Spring happening this year seemingly from nowhere many people have asked where it came from and what was the inspiration?  How do strongmen who have ruled for decades suddenly lose their countries in a matter of days (Tunisia), weeks (Egypt) or months (Libya and probably Yemen).  Other people have asked what the inspiration is for these uprisings and have compared the Libyian Revolution to the Iraqi Wars to understand what went right and what went wrong.  I believe my next article for Praemon.org will be on this subject but just so you have something to wet your appetite I will include a link to an interesting article below:

American Diplomat Apologizes to Iraqi Shiites

I hope you read this article and think about how the United States can effectively help other people's realize their dreams of democracy rather than be mired in occupation like we have in Iraq and Afghanistan for the past decade.  Happy reading!

Pop Culture & Gossip

Is it sad that I would rather watch a show made up of fictional star trek aliens then one dictating the gossip and personal drama of some random family?  I don't really understand reality TV shows where all we do is watch other people that we have decided are famous and by virtue of us calling them famous we should be interested in their dysfunctional lives.  Honestly, if I am going to spend the little amount of time that I have in front of the TV I am going to watch something awesome, if it is a reality TV show it's going to be one about people who are famous for a reason, i.e. craftsmen, laborers, or people that have awesome jobs.  Maybe this rant is wrongly placed but seriously, I don't care about the Kardashian's lives.... except that I am sad they are so crazy!  Anyone agree with me?

New Website on National Security

So as of yesterday, I am officially a contributing author to praemon.org. Praemon is a student organization/website at Brigham Young University that is devoted to having students write about national security and foreign issues. I'm really excited about this and hope that all of you will take a look at the website and check out my articles once in awhile! Hope you enjoyed your halloween and are ready for a rocking november!

http://praemon.org/