Author: Yourcupatea

Finals.

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All over the U.S many teens are preparing for that final week of term. Yes, we have reached the dreaded week where we will be taking our finals. Yes many are nervous, yes many are in panic, but don’t you fear because Christmas is nearly here.

The revision may seem extremely stressful, and sometimes you may wish you had a photographic memory, but I guess we can’t always get what we want.

Lets project into the future. In one week the stress will all be over. You will be waking up late, eating good food and relaxing. The merriments of Christmas will have surrounded you, and your house, as you wrap presents, decorate trees and generally have fun to Christmas classics.

Just keep this image in your mind as you revise for these exams. The effort will pay off and you will be rewarded along with the joys of Christmas.

So don’t worry be happy as Bobby McFerrin said, as it will all be over soon!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yv-Fk1PwVeU&fs=1&hl=en_US]

Presents.

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Choosing gifts sometimes feels like one of the hardest decisions. How can you determine what will bring someone joy and happiness? There is no way of knowing, except to choose from you heart. Think about what someone would really like.

Yes idea’s and lists help considerably, but isn’t it nice to open a surprise on Christmas day? I have come up with the perfect solution, to solve any gift troubles. Comedy gifts.

Yes it may not be the Xbox or Wii that someone wanted, but it’s a humorous gift that you have sought out specifically for the individual. Surely the dedication and time put into finding such a unique present is worth more than a “one click” from Amazon.

As I grow older I have began to find the simple things in life are of more worth. Those hand-picked gifts that people have purchased specifically for you are of far more value than expensive gifts brought just to feed another’s greed.

I’m not saying expensive gifts aren’t good, but let them be a present that was purchased with love and consideration rather than because of fear of rejection.

In no way am I expressing that we should all go out and buy a personalized Christmas sweater for your friends, just think about what you are purchasing rather than buying because you have to.

Christmas Sweaters

Time to make change-Tips to help you determine your new years resolution.

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It’s time to start thinking about those New Year’s resolutions. Yes it may be to far in advance but there are intense preparations we need to make. We need clear our heads, hearts and minds in order to find those simple changes that will benefit us in the following year.

Start by doing a “spring clean” around the house, get rid of old junk, clothes and bits and pieces that no longer relate to your life. Maybe donate old property to a local charity. After all why not start the end of the year by helping someone else and doing something charitable. You should find this spring clean also helps clear out the cobwebs in your own head as well as improving the appearance of your house.

Next, do delayed tasks. Remember all those tasks you put of to do another time, but never do? Well it’s time to rid yourself of these burdens and clear that list. For example fix that light that’s never worked. This should contribute to peace of mind and allow you to progress further with new tasks next year, maybe helping your motivation for the future.

Finally make a list of those negatives and positives you see in yourself including bad and good habits. This movement will allow you to acknowledge those bad traits as well as praise yourself for the positives.

Although it is important for you to focus on the positives it is essential that you look at the negatives in order to determine the best new years resolution/resolutions for yourself. Think about how you can improve these negative aspects in order to benefit you and your life next year.

You can now make a final list of new years resolutions. Now it’s up to you to make the changes.

Natty.

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Natty is a Reggae singer, songwriter with a message. Although he is relatively unheard of, in respect to mainstream music, he has a large loyal fan base from all over the globe. His numerous tours have been very successful with many sell out dates which including his debut at large reggae festival, One Love.

The singer was born in San Francisco, California living there until the age of 1, when he moved to London. American culture has not directly influenced his song writing, although American artists have. His parent’s musical tastes, as well as past and present issues affect much of Natty’s lyrics.

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Traditions Lost.

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It seems Christmas has come early.

We still have a month left until the big day yet the craze of Christmas has already been unleashed upon us. We have just waved goodbye to thanks giving and now we’re already onto Christmas. Where’s tradition nowadays? It’s not even December and already people are going crazy for gifts, food and Christmas music.

Yes those good old songs are back in the shops, repeated for a month until those great classic Christmas songs becoming ruined due to being over played. How many times can you listen to such songs as “little drummer boy” and “Rudolph the red nose reindeer” before they become truly irritating? The answer is not long.

Wasn’t it always traditional to prepare the feast, gifts, tree’s etc a couple of weeks before the big day? Yes in the past it was, or at least wait until the first door of the advent calendar had been opened. Today the masses bundle into the shops to get the best toys, bargains and sales. We have lost the true tradition of Christmas.

Christmas is not about gifts; it is about coming together in order to enjoy a celebration with family and friends. It’s about unity. It is an occasion for members of the family put behind past feuds and join in with the festivities rather than concerning themselves with what presents they will get, who got which present etc.

Today in a world full of materialism it seems, in many cases, that the simple traditions of Christmas have been lost, due to presents and greed.

Christmas Shoppers.

Fight The Fees!

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Freedom of speech, one of the many rights we have as a human being. Many around the globe are not necessarily able to exercise this right through fear or extreme consequences. People are unfairly prosecuted for expressing an opinion. Today in the United Kingdom teenagers all over the country stand up for what they believe to be right.

In the United Kingdom the government has released a new scheme to raise university tuition fees across the country. This decision has caused much controversy and teenagers all over Britain have united in order to make a change.

Many teens believe the opportunity for them to go to University has been diminished by these cuts, as the expenses are far too much. In the past the government have supported teens paying for expenditures in order to encourage people to further their education. Now this opportunity has gone, how many dreams will be lost?

Everywhere teenagers are attempting to make a change, voicing their opinions through numerous peaceful protests, marches and walkouts. Numerous students and school pupils have walked out of classes in protest. It seems even teachers and lectures are protesting.

People have gathered in major towns and cities in order to demonstrate their strong opinions, aiming to gain the government’s attention. Admirably they have taken it upon themselves to make a change.

These strong-willed individuals have set out with great intention to help the youth. They are taking a stand in order to salvage their crumbling dreams as well as those of people all over the country.

In 2003 millions of people came together in London in order to protest against war in Iraq yet the government went against the masses wishes and decided to enter our troops. Lets hope the youth of the country have more success in this international issue. After all it is the future of the country the government is destroying.

Here’s an image of students raiding a Liberal Democratic office.
Riot

Love through letters

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I’m sorry to disappoint you but this blog is not going to be issuing the next story of dramatic circumstances of romance and love. Instead it is about friendship and how one can keep a relationship with a dear friend through the means of letters.

True friendship is a considerable hard bond to break, almost impossible. Yet once you are forcibly separated to different countries it can be extremely hard to keep that unique bond.

Yes there are easy means to communicate, social networking, emails etc but many feel it’s obligatory to contact past friends through these means, not necessarily because they want to. Putting a great deal of effort into something means a whole lot more to someone rather than typing a measly message.

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Ellie Goulding.

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Ellie Goulding is what one would define as true talent. At the age 23 she has really accomplished a lot. Ellie is a singer, songwriter and guitarist who has created and released numerous hits. She is extremely popular amongst the U.K music scene, winning multiple awards for her immense talent.

Her lyrics are original and unique and she plays sensationally. She released her album Lights in March this year, which debuted at number one in the UK album charts. The album consists of hits such as “Starry eyed,” Guns and horses” and many more. Currently on a sell out tour across the United Kingdom she is now releasing a rendition of Elton John’s “Your Song” and a rerelease of her debut album named Bright Lights.

Ellie Goulding is truly inspiring, I would go as far as saying she is my favorite female solo artist. In an industry full of “plastic pop” it is nice to see a girl who writes and records all of her own music as well as producing faultless acoustic performances.

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The new Route Master revealed.

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So it seems yet again I am writing about British transport. I’m such a patriot, but it does need some praise. Living in Ojai, California, there is no real public transport. It’s a shame really I thought Arny, (Arnold Schwarzenegger) really was trying to make a change to the environment yet California still does not have a sufficient public transport system. I admit the carpool is a clever invention to cut emissions, except nowadays it often seems just as busy as the regular lanes. Everyone still rides around in their fuel guzzling machines, unaware how much pollution they are creating.

A simple bus, train and tube system needs to be created. Why not stop putting taxes into nuclear weapons and war, and help towards a healthier planet rather than destroying it.

I believe the United Kingdom is a great role model when it comes to public transport. I admit we are not completely there in terms of “going green” but we are making a real effort. I appreciate it’s a lot harder to achieve on a larger scale, but surely that means there should be more motivation to make a change?

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The Tubes.

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The tube network is a fascinating phenomenon. The tracks that twist, wind and cross are created to amaze. How I wonder at the engineering brilliance of such a system. Thirteen routes, corresponding in unison. Simultaneously one after another, timed to perfection, the ideal mode of transport for many who walk the bustling streets of the suburbs.

You are the ideal way to get around, the fastest, yet the busiest. At rush hour your walls are fit to burst yet never do you fail. You are strong and reliable, quick and easy. Still you scare and startle. The 07/07/2005 haunts you halls. Yet still you roam the streets of London. You are there at my call, if not at my beckon. I’m always aware of you around. The electronic numbers signify your arrival. The headlights show you are here.

Oh London tubes you do make me marvel at your splendor.

The London Tubes are a network of both underground and out of ground trains, created primarily to take people around the city of London. The network consists of 13 lines, which travel all over the capital. The tubes are a quick efficient system, which get you where you need to be on time, connecting with regular trains to make any journey simple.

The London tubes are definitely the way to travel whilst visiting London and I believe the revolutionary system should be encouraged more worldwide.

Tube Map