A New Year's Resolution that Came in Early.

A thought came to me after my trip to Europe.

While I took a lot of worthwhile pictures, I realized I probably haven't taken enough.  While I know I will be returning to Europe, especially London, England, I realized that I haven't made the best of my abilities in capturing some worthwhile things that didn't occur to me at the time while I was there!!

For example, being in Covent Garden for the four days, I could have probably taken 20 more interesting shots.  Being at Camden Market once, I should have taken a picture at more of the little trinkets from the vendors.  But of course, I probably would have gotten into trouble.

The point is, being a blogger and budding journalist, I should really become more of a visual person. Writing is not the only thing that is important anymore. Nor is watching a broadcast on TV.
Photography has never been my forte. I have always preferred video. However, I guess this year will be when I will improve.

Pictures are doing more of the talking nowadays.  And for that, I need to exercise this a lot more.

I'm Going to New York!!!

This summer has been pretty sporadic.  With my sister working in London, Ontario as well as my Frosh Week getting in the way, we haven't really gotten to go on our annual family vacation. Usually, we tend to go on a Caribbean cruise.  I really don't mind that we aren't going this year because I was never a big fan of family trips in the first place (well, since grade 7). 

Don't get me wrong though because I really do appreciate the opportunities I am given. It's just that as I started to grow older, my love for family vacations have started to wane.  I don't know what it is, but I tend to get really annoyed with my family when we are in a foreign area with no one else to turn to. 

I realize I sound like a big jerk here for saying I don't like traveling with my family.  I guess it mostly depends on the area we are going to. For one thing, the Caribbean weather tends to get hot and sticky.  Perhaps the weather makes me cranky.  Or maybe it's the somewhat boring sight-seeing areas we go to at times...

But now that I'm older, I'm trying really hard to actually appreciate the different types of places I get to see. It is, after all, a learning experience.

But enough with the chitter chatter!  I'm going to New York this weekend, so I know it's going to be fun! I love traveling to big cities because of the people, the sights, the shopping, and just the atmosphere! So if anyone knows any good places around New York, let me know!!  The shopping is wonderful, and maybe this time, I can get some thrifting done!  I heard the thrift stores in this city are AMAZING!

Children these days

It's funny how children from this generation are different from my generation.  Nowadays, children rely so much on technology such as the computer, Wii, Ipods, Cellphones and Nintendo DSes.  For the past two weeks, I have been travelling with my younger cousins.  With them, this reliance has become imminent.  My seven year old cousin is obsessed with his Nintendo DS.  When he cannot play his Pokemon game, he throws a fit.  Like literally, he will kick, whine, and start crying.  I find this incredibly sad and embarrassing.  Seven year olds DO NOT need a Nintendo DS.  As well, he has an mp3 player.  What kind of songs does a young child like him need to listen to?

I don't understand why children need to have these things.  Sure, its a good thing that children are becoming more technologically advanced these days, but it is a terrible thing to be so obsessed and relient on electronics! No child younger than ten years old needs an mp3, cellphone or DS.  My reason for this is because these children are too young to know the difference between what is important and what is for leisure time and fun.  They don't seem to know how to multi-task while playing whatever they are playing, and pay attention to what someone is saying while doing these things. 

For the past two weeks, I have seen this in my seven year old cousin.  As much as I love him, he has really been annoying me throughout our whole vacation because of his DS.  When he can't play his DS, he asks me for my Ipod Touch.  I don't know why there is such a need for these electronics to keep him entertained because it's just so unnecessary!  He needs to learn how to socialize and do other things! 

So today, I played a little trick on him.  I hid his DS.  He was too busy pretending to do "Winter Olympic Sports", that I took his DS away from him.  I told his mother and his sister and together we pretended it was gone for good.  He whined, cried, and BEGGED us to go back to the hotel.  He claimed that he could not survive without his Nintendo DS.  I just didn't know what to do anymore.  I am not sure if he really learned the whole point of my trick when I returned it back to him.

(SIGH) Kids today, are given too much.

I swear, when I have children, I think I'm going to deprive them more than others, and make them do something healthy like extracurriculars such as sports and arts.