An effectively effective way of getting rid of those darned ants!

Ah, those ants. They ruin all life. Well I have devised a simple (slightly sadistic) and efficient plan to get rid of those pesky kids (ants)!

Bring another ant colony into the place of infestation. Put one morsel of food on the floor. Have the ants from the different colonies fight an epic war and kill each other. Spray bleach in all directions (somewhat lunatically) while they're busy with their battle. Clean up the blood, gore, carcasses, ants, etc. Spray bleach like no other EVERYWHERE. Sprinkle baby powder around the house like a maniac. 

THE END of your sad sad life. Welcome to bliss. :)

Grandma, what has this world come to!

So I'm actually supposed to be reading for my AP homework, but instead of quickly finishing off the books, I keep finding myself completely astounded at what I read and ruminating on the matter instead of reading.

According to Michael Pollan's The Omnivore's Dilemma, (and I am holding this book accountable for giving me the true facts, and hoping that Pollan has researched enough) the United Nations declared, in 2000, that the number of people suffering from overnutrition had officially surpassed that of the people suffering from malnutrition. The race was not at all close with a billion versing 800 million.

Gluttony, one of the seven sins, is now nothing short of reality.

Food can be good, unless its spoiled or tastes bad.

Fittingly, I have just finished chapter 3 in Michael Pollan's The Omnivore's Dilemma and I believe that it is safe to say that humans, (mostly Americans) need to:

1.) Stop being arrogant fools.
2.) Stop messing with nature and it's ways.
3.) Stop industrializing every @#$%^&* thing.

I'm starting to think that Plato was indeed right in his philosophy that a democratic state or soul absolutely fails (see Plato's Republic, Book 8).

The Conservation of Happiness.

The Law of Conservation of Energy states that energy can neither be created nor can it be destroyed.

The Law of Conservation of Happiness states that happiness can neither be created nor can it be destroyed.

Ok, FINE. There may not REALLY be a law like that, but hey, I am as good as any Einstein out there! So, I guess, I was just thinking a bit, and actually this idea has been in my brain for quite some while, and ya know what? There really is a thing as "the Law of Conservation of Happiness" even if the scientific community hasn't discovered it yet. I'll do them all a favor :)

But on a more serious note, have you ever noticed how ones happiness causes another distress? Even the smallest things. In order to make this clear, lets look at some simple examples (I like writing like Plato, ok?)

Lets consider a class at High School X. There are two students, student b and student a, both of whom take a test in that same class. Student a receives a 95% on that test, whereas student b receives a 83%. On one hand, we have student a gloating about his 95%. He/she goes home, and proudly tells his/her parent his/her great grade. On the other hand, we have student b, a student who is usually happy with anything above a C. However, hearing student a gloat about their near-perfect grade makes student b embarrassed about theirs. Student b no longer feels happy about himself/herself. Moreover, when student a finds out about the grade that student b gets, student a feels even happier about themselves. In this example, happiness that would have been student b's was taken away and given to student a. Happiness was conserved.

Ok, another example. We have an interviewer take an interview of potential employee g (pog) and potential employee b (pob). Both "po's" ate a good breakfast and led happy lives and so have happiness. Six weeks after the interview, they both receive a letter. Pog got a letter of acceptance into the company, and is asked to start in two days. Pox, on the other hand, got the typical "you have a lot of potential, but aren't right for this company" rejection letter. Pog is elated, whereas pox is not. Where does pog's extra happiness come from? It comes from pox. Pox is sad that he/she did not get accepted. Happiness is conserved.

As you can see from the two detailed examples above, happiness is conserved. Happiness, like mass or energy, can neither be created nor destroyed.

By the way, this is MY idea, and you should never try to steal something that is not yours. Although you will conserve happiness in doing so. :)

The Thoughts of a Music Box

Twinkle, twinkle, twinkle goes the music box.

It wakes up and goes straight to the bathroom,
to finish it's morning business, I presume.
It works on a tight schedule, with not a minute to be wasted.
The breakfast prepared by the kind mother will probably be left on the table: untasted.

Twinkle, twinkle, twinkle goes the music box.

The change of clothes in done in a hurry,
all I see is a flight of clothes in a great flurry.
It rushes down, its got a bus to catch.
I hear the usual click of the latch.

Twinkle, twinkle, twinkle goes the music box.

All morning and afternoon, I wait for it to come home,
for when it is not, all feels banal, and I feel alone.
When I hear the latch click again, I fervently play Beethoven.
I know from experience that Fur Elise makes it feel less sullen.

Twinkle, twinkle, twinkle goes the music box.

The laptop cover is opened as I look in awe:
I never cease to be amazed by the fast movements of its paw.
It sits there watching the screen,
no care about me, completely unaware of how long its been.

Twinkle, twinkle, twinkle goes the music box.

All of a sudden, all my innards freeze.
There's no more music, no more Fur Elise.
There's no more sound, no more twinkle,
for the music box no more goes twinkle, twinkle.

What a window feels like.

I look out the window
as the day retires.
I watch the red sun glow
and the moon extinguishing the sky's fires.
I look at the blazing beauty.

I look at the mountains.
They hide the next world.
I see the cars speeding on the carved terrain,
passengers and things being hurled.
I look at the haunting beauty.

I hear the birds chirp on the trees.
I hear the flies buzz on the screen.
I hear the concerned mother complaining about the price of cheese.
Her son rolls his eyes, and volunteers to be mean.
I hear the sorrow beauty.

I feel the windows presence.
I look and hear its chilling essence.

On Ambition

Why do we have such high aspirations, dreams and AMBITIONS. I can never be happy with what I do. Its always too little. Warning: being a self critic is one of the worst things you can ever do to yourself. I find that whatever I do, its never good enough. I always need to do more, accomplish more, get more, more more more. ARGH. I wish I knew exactly what to do in my life, so that I could once and for all satisfy myself.

But then again, I guess life would lose all meaning completely if that happened.
I guess there is no way out.

I wish The Stranger didn't influence me so much. I feel like I see everything now in either a super-competitive way, or some strange Meursault-ish way.

On Attitudes

Everyday, I hear complaints and groans about how "life sucks" and how "school sucks" etc. But seriously, what right do we have to complain? Living in the Bay Area, going to one the best schools in the US. We don't have to worry about our next meal, we don't have to worry about where we'll sleep next. What right do we, as humans, have to say "life sucks"? I for one am sick of hearing people with negative attitudes like those. That is not to say that I don't have attitudes like that sometimes. When we compare the life of the same child living in a slum in India, or dying of AIDS in an impoverished country in Africa, what right do we have to say that life sucks? We are luckier that anyone on this entire planet. We have the right to say what we want, to pursue happiness. Instead of always looking at things with pessimism and detestation, why can't people be thankful of what they have and be glad that they aren't in a worse condition. That child soldier dying in the middle of a pointless rebel war did not do anything wrong. He tried to live a happy life, he probably tried harder than we did. Even with our luck, our riches, our good fortune, we can't just be happy and have the satisfaction that life is good and that we are so much better off than almost the entire world. Attitudes need to be changed. Pessimism needs to go. Life is pretty much as close to perfect as it can possibly be, and yet, all we do is complain.

On Economic Conditions and Emotions.

We moved to the United States when I was in 6th grade. Adjusting was no big deal. Not only because I was not the traditional "fob" because I had lived in London for a couple of years before, but also because years of moving in the past had taught me well. Anyways, sticking to the story, Michigan (was where we moved) was pretty decent, I guess. We were pretty rich for Michigan, with my dad earning more than the average salary. But then, we moved to the Bay Area. The south San Jose region was not too bad, however my mom believed that the schools were not good enough. I think it was more the kids and the surroundings. And so, fate led us to Cupertino/West San Jose, aka one of the most expensive areas of not only the Bay Area but also the entire world. Why? Simply because of the schools. Or maybe its all just a hype. Either way, the effect is created, and people are willing to pay millions of dollars for a crappy shack just to go to a Cupertino school. All across the United States, the economy stagnates, and house prices plummet, but in this area, you see none of it. On the contrary, house prices are higher than ever before, food prices are more higher than average. Basically, all prices are bloated up by 10 to 20 times. Whereas in Michigan, my dad was earning higher than average, and even with a single earner in the family, we would be considered "rich" or "well-to-do", in this area, we have degraded to low middle class, if not poor. I mean, I have nothing to complain about; I go to the best school in California, even one of the best in the United States. I have a roof over my head, and I never have to suffer in any way. I own a PS3, and iPod touch, anything a teenager could want. Well, almost. Recently, my parents have been out looking for a house in this area and I believe it's safe to say, that nothing here is affordable. I mean, no offense, but we really do not want to pay 600,000+ for a condominium, where in Texas, or any other state, we could buy a mansion for 200,000. Understanding this, my parents believe that we should move to Texas. Now the decision seems to lie on me. Me, well, I sincerely do NOT want to move. I have moved for my entire life and am truly sick of it now. Finally theres a place where I feel at home, and have made good friends. I want to finish my high school in ONE place. I have lived in countless places, however, no where have I felt as at home as in this area. Ironic, isn't it? So, long story short, my heart is set on NOT moving. The rest is, again, up to fate. Personally, I'm a bit prejudiced :|

My recipe to have a successful debate tournament :)

Double, double toil and trouble;

fire burn and cauldron bubble.

Two pens of different colors in a bag,

so that your partner you don't have to nag.

A laptop may also be used,

in case a topic makes you confused.

A funky timer is good indeed,

although a simple one is all you need.

In goes an office-depot flow pad,

but plain paper is not that bad.

Make sure your head is full of news,

in case the topic you don't get to choose.

Don't forget to watch NBC, FOX, and CNN,

Anderson Cooper is the man.

A good-looking suit you need to wear,

one that doesn't have a hole or a tear.

Last but not least, remember to have fun,

because if you do, you have already won.

The struggle that is life.

High School=Take tests, get good grades, and think about nothing but the future.

Yesterday, I spent quite some time thinking about the above mentioned "equation". Then, I wondered: for what?
For struggling once again in an extremely competitive college? For struggling in an extremely competitive job? For never having true fun in my life?
Not to be absurdist, but it seems as if all we do is yearn for more struggle!
Maybe, Albert Camus was right in his interpretation of the great Sisyphus, who was condemned to the same meaningless task in hell. Maybe that is exactly what all of us humans are condemned to: the same meaningless task on Earth (don't want to be super negative and call Earth hell).
Maybe, life is absurd that way, in the sense that we all want to "get ahead" in life, but all we end up doing is yearn for more and more, never truly feeling accomplished and happy with what we have. Maybe, God, or god, or some supernatural being, or evolution created us so that we would always just keep on struggling in this meaningless struggle, trying to be top of the chain and famous, etc. I mean, why do we earn money? We do it in order to have a good life, but even when we do "have the dream life" we wanted, we always yearn for more. It's always more, more, more. We are never just content with what we have and can never truly be happy. So why? Why does it even matter?

*emoness*

I Am From

I am from...

I am from a beautiful country with too many mosquitoes
Grandma's with too much food to feed you with
crazy Indian movies with very catchy tunes
Too many festivals, lots of color and light.

I am from watching TV late at night
Technological advances in gaming devices
“lol”, “brb”, and “ttyl”
Being on line too much, but not doing anything.

I am from scraped knees, bruises, and bleeding noses
Broken toes and fingers, dislocated elbows, and stitches
Visits to the doctor's office, and tetanus shots
Disgusting injuries, but becoming alright again.

I am from running on hot days with blisters and pulled muscles
Annoying the neighbors by singing too loud in the shower late at night
Debating this, debating that, debating this AND that
Reading books for ten hours straight.

I am from traveling across the world
New places, new faces
New beginnings, and new ends
New friends and old friends.

I am from the time when Pluto was a planet
But also from Century number 21
A new millennium
But great old times.

What Is Love?

Love is your best friend.
Love is the raindrops on the window pane.
Love is the bright yellow petals on the flower on a sunny Spring day.
Love is what takes you out when you're at the dead end.
Love is what takes away the pain.
Love is falling on a mattress of hay.
Love is being with the one you Love.
Love is having dreams, hopes, and reality thereof.

Anxiety

The morose sky above my head.
The foreboding clouds that swirled around.
As the thunder rolls in,
the angst escalates.

The key to success.

The last week and a couple of days have been pretty lucky for me. So, last night, I was pondering about the sudden turn of events. This is especially because not so long ago, things seemed like they couldn't go any lower. So, in my state of reverie, I figured out the key to success. Well, you may think that the key to success is obvious -- hard work and perseverance. But, is it? True, they are important components, but in reality, I realized that the most important method to achieve success is happiness.
You may think that this blog is pretty random. However, its not. You see, it all starts in the brain. I compared the two "pasts" that I had in this past month or so. I realized that when I was sad and depressed and filled with negativity for everything, everything went bad. My races were horrible, my grades felt horrible, everything just went downhill. But, I took on a sudden positive attitude. I remember that Sunday. I went to a debate tournament, and I did extremely well, or so I felt. (I'm not so sure yet, although our record was 4-1). Anyhow, I felt so because I was starting from a low standard. I was happy with whatever that came, and with that I just put all that I had out there. When I put all that I had out there, results came. It may seem that the "luckiness" or the good results came from the hard work I put in there. To the contrary, I believe it was because I was happy with any result that came, and because of that happiness and positive attitude came the sincere hard work, and with the sincere hard work came success. So, it's all related to happiness.
Ever since that Sunday, I have unconsciously been keeping up with that positive attitude. With that positive attitude, teachers have liked me better (apparently with my Literature teacher especially :P) and I did pretty good at my last track meet. I have put out considerable amount of effort into all practices as well (considerable includes SOME slackerness), and I have been good with my homework load.
But not only is this positive attitude helping me with success in my school life, but I have recently built better relationships with the people around me. I don't lose my patience that often, and I get angry lesser at my parents and my brother. It has just made my days happier, which let me tell you, is a pretty darn good feeling.
SO, after all that garble of personal experiences and what not, I have come up with a philosophy, which has probably been come up before, but humor me anyways. The key to success, my friends, is nothing but happiness. Thus, my advice to you: Be happy!

On Death

depression.
eternal sadness
like falling into a deep abyss.
a sad frown.
a burrowed eyebrow.
why me? why her? why now?

Last night, my grandma died. I knew she was sick. I didn't know she was terminally ill. She was very young -- only in her early 60's. I want to cry; I want to get my emotions out. I want to feel lighter -- it will be better than keeping the thoughts in my mind, and mulling over them every second of the day.

Last night, my grandma died. I never really thought about this much, but last night I also realized that my grandpa had died around the same time when I was in 7th grade. It's funny how one never thinks about death, until it shows up on our doorstep, determined to take one of us with him. We all know death exists, but we never remember. It's always a shock. Benjamin Franklin said that the only two things certain in life were death and taxes. Then, why are we always surprised when death comes? Why do we hope?

Last night, my grandma died. I was determined to not let anyone know. I don't really know why. I guess I didn't want people to act awkward around me -- like they do around disabled people. I now think that it's better to just let it out. It's definitely easier. I have never written anything so easily in my life, anything except for this. This is why I wish I could've just cried. It's too hard to talk to people about things that aren't happy. It's too hard to talk of sadness. It's too much of a one-sided talk; worse than a lecture.

Last night, my grandma died. I have never seen my mom fall into such sadness before. She cried and cried for hours. It broke my heart to hear her, much less look at her.

Last night, my grandma died. I've never thought so much in my life before. I realized how selfish I always am. Talking, talking, hearing, but never listening. I thought about many things. How beautiful my grandma was. How kind, how nice, how loving. I wish I had those traits in me. But I realized how selfish I am. Somehow, though, I feel like my grandma's death is my fault. I was so busy with my schedule, I forgot to pray, to think about my grandma. I didn't think of her health, her life. All I thought of was the next grade, the next speech and debate tournament, the next track season. I never think about other people. It's like I'm scared to let them in, or something. Scared that they'll leave me anyways.

Last night, my grandma died. But, life goes on. The war in Iraq continues. The presidential elections continue. The persecution of the people in Sudan continues. Nothing stops, but her thoughts, her kindness, and her love will always remain in my heart.