Forever stamps

One of the most frustrating things about sending mail is that you never know how many stamps to put on an envelope. The cost of postage increases every couple of years and one constantly needs to buy 1, 2, and 3 cent stamps to make up for the difference. An ingenious solution to this issue is forever stamps--stamps that can be use on a 1oz regular sized envelope regardless of postage increases. Thank you USPS.

Past remembered

I just found these writing samples from emotional periods many years past--one's most powerful writing definitely emanates from the heart. In a content state of being, but seeking reasons to create again.

Unnamed Sonnet

Four heartfelt jewels roll down my sunburned cheeks,

With gentleness he wipes away these tears,

A glaze so silent yet so warm, he seeks,

For any signs from whom he holds most dear.

A pensive face returns his profound glance,

The thoughts that plague within remain unknown,

That mutual silence, craving thus enhanced,

Of parted future, distance, they bemoan.

No picnics, movies they together go,

No laughs, no secrets they together share,

Of conversations, sweet memories both no,

A separation many leagues to bear.

Still left with questions, thoughts unvoiced from both,

The dismal future, clouded period loathe.

Betrayal “Peering into her eyes, I witness the raw lashes—results of the whipping my actions have brought her. Her feelings of betrayal, of lost hope, and of pure suffering leave me feeling so stupid and so cruel. We were in the mist of a crisis, and I, I loaded even more suffering upon their already sagging shoulders. I am inane, I am inept, I am worthless. I wasn’t thinking. How could I have foreseen any of this happening? Did I even bother to look, to think, to consider consequences? I hear her now—her sobs permeate the house. Like whispers, their ubiquitous presence leaves me questioning. Why? Why? Why? They demand to know. Ironic how tears catch on like laughter. Grief is contagious. I too fight back convulgens, I too try to swallow my pain. I tore her heart, I tore her soul and I tore the sacred relationship of mankind. I took all that we had, I trampled and shattered it to pieces. Now, I deliriously try to tear out my own heart to mitigate the suffering of hers. I want to present it to her, humbly with all my useless apologies. Yet she will never hear my silent pleas —but no matter, I am sorry. Please. We were connected—and we still are. Please, I beg of you. Forgive me.”

Oceanic Wonderment A hazy streetlight illuminated the beach with a soft misty glow. A cool, yet gently breeze whispered through the trees and across the sand, softly blowing waves into my hair and playfully tugging at the helm of my dress. My bare toes grasped the still warm sand as the gleaming white crystals parted at my touch and caressed the sole of my worn feet. The cool air chilled my body but could not douse the fire burning within my heart. The snow-white foam ebbed with the inundating tide; the crashing water lapped against the shore and the ocean fell into a steady rhythm. Back and forth, back and forth it rocked, matching perfectly with our synchronized steps. The ocean sang for us- she vocalized the silent song that hummed within our souls. So vast, so power yet so comforting, she wrapped her arms around us. Her misty embrace sheltered us from the peeping eyes of a thousand starts and she presented us with the gift of detachment from the world. Together, we accepted her offer and drifted contently into her welcoming arms.

Major life hurdles

As we enter each different phase of life, we tackle issues critical to each stage. Here are what I believe to be the major topics of each phase in life (in pseudo order of importance).

Middle school/high school
Social
○Finding a group of friends to hang out with
○Wearing the right clothes, watching the right shows, saying the right things and working hard to be part of the in crowd
○ Persuading parents to let you go to the movies, the dinner, the school dance
○ Asking and getting asked to the formal dances
Emotional
○ First experiences of love and lust
○ First rejections and losses
○ Learning to understand the opposite sex
Physical
○ Dealing with body image and physical changes from puberty
○ Coping with social pressures on the range of bulimia, anorexia, body building, etc.
Intellectual
○ College application and decision processes
§ Doing well in school
§ Succeeding in extracurricular activities (sports, community service, leadership, music, arts, etc.)
§ Mastering standardized tests (SATs, APs, etc.)
○ Future life questions
§ Deciding concentration/college major questions
§ Addressing issues of what you want do with your life

College
Intellectual
○ Concentration issues become more paramount if one is still undecided
○ Considering careers and graduate school options
§ Recruiting process for jobs
§ Applications for graduate school
○ Having productive summer vacations
§ Internships, study abroad, research programs, volunteer causes
Physical
○ Learning about your body and understanding it's needs
○ A continuation of body image questions
Emotional
○ Engaged in more serious relationships
○ Or less serious exploration and one night stands
Social
○ Finding a group to explore bars and clubs
○ Finding a group of life long friends

Post-College/First Job
Emotional
○ Pressure to start finding your long term partner in life begins--this becomes the topic of conversation for friends and a concern of parents/family
Intellectual
○ Keeping that first job (esp. during recession) and doing well
○ Living independently by securing apartments, paying bills, filing taxes, creating savings, etc.
○ Deciding on graduate school and applications if applicable
Social
○ Friends mostly set, not too much angst anymore
Physical
○ Learned to appreciate body, though not necessarily happy with it


Aside: I'm so sick of hearing about the depreciating asset theory.