Now here's a story all about how my life got flipped, turned upside down.

Four letters that conveniently combined to make one pronounceable murmur...


SPOP.


This story will eventually explain what I have to say about SPOP, so continue. I remember exactly where I was on this sunny day in 4th grade. Sitting on a bench by myself at a new elementary school with no friends. I remember distinctly I was eating a ziploc bag of chexmix that my parents bought. It was one of those large bags from Costco and I begged them not to buy it for me because I didn't wanna waste their money. I truly understood the value of my parent's hard-earned money. What I didn't need, I didn't want. I was sitting there by myself in the shade eating what seemed to be undeserved chexmix....CRYING. My excuse is that I was thirsty from the saltiness so I needed to hydrate myself. But we all know the real story now...I was lonely. I went from being such a stud in the third grade, to having no friends at all. I honestly believe that loneliness is what drives so many people crazy. But that feeling fortunately disappeared as I eventually opened up to a few people. I then became a stud again as I became Vice President of that elementary school. And I continued my studly ways in middle school and high school. Then that loneliness came back when I entered college.

My first year and two quarters consisted of going to class, and coming home. I made a genuine effort to get to know people, but as a commuter it was so hard to make a real friend. Those two years turned me into a monster. I really did not like anyone or anything at Irvine. I had no motivation to do anything on campus. I gave up on igniting that stud-liness fire that I had inside of me. I wanted to transfer and go to a community college or a cal state because I felt like a university wasn't for me.

Then came the day that SPOP applications came out during my second year. The only fond memory I had at Irvine was the 3 days that I spent as a pop-lockin, puente policeman. Running around mesa court telling random people that they have "been arrested...FOR BEING SO GODDAMN SEXY." So I applied to become a staffer; knowing that I was up against some really amazing people. Let's take this time to thank the coords for choosing me. Thank you.

I still remember the first day of training when I came into the room...early. I met a few people and then a herd of others came rushing into the room. I immediately started to look for my nametag on the floor, only to wave hello and introduce myself, my year, and my major to a selected few. I found my nametag. Then I continued to pretend that I was still looking for it. One of the most uncomfortable feelings I've ever experienced. But a few months pass by and now I can do practically anything in front of any of them. Oh, the beauty of blossoming. The emotions I've felt these past months have truly been mind-blowing. I've gained so much from this experience and all I really want to do is to get people to experience their own experience so they can ignite their own passions to be equipped with the tools to change lives. To spark an entire generation of passionate, hard-working, open-hearted freshmen. To broaden people's perspectives so the campus could have a more accepting aura so lonely, but studly, people can maximize their time at UCI. PAYING IT FORWARD is ultimately what I'm trying to do.

A few words to describe SPOP:
incredible, knowledge, support system, real, fortunate, laughs, bonds, heart to hearts, tears, joys, lessons, adventures, appreciative, friends, learning, inside jokes, tired, passion, genuine, ROYAL.

I can write essays on each of those words. But my favorite one is appreciative, because I truly appreciate everything I have, everything I've had, and everything I'm going to have. And SPOP helped show that to me.

So how do you explain something that's indescribable? You don't. You just hope that one day you can only pass on the happiness that you've achieved from the amazing people that you've learned from. Some say that SPOP has changed them. SPOP doesn't change you. SPOP is a catalyst that lets the attributes that you already have flourish into what you can truly become.

Video Music Awards

Okay, seriously...it was fun to talk about 30 minutes after it ended, but to see it on yahoo news and everyone's statuses and all over t.v. is really pissing me off. Video Music Awards....the only time i hear music on this channel is at the introduction of a shitty "reality" t.v. show. I quote reality because these shows are no where near real if the producers are the ones telling the people what to say. The only thing I've gained from the VMAs is the fact that when shows are recorded live, it truly displays how people are when you can't go back and edit. No one really laughs when Jack Black talks. Kanye West...enough said. Lil Mama is a stupid ignorant immature dumbass that stands up whenever she hears the words "NEW YORK." People need to stop saying that she's mature for her age...cause she really isn't. She thought she was so clever with her remark to the transvestite on ABDC.

"You were born a man, but you chose to become a women. So act like one."

There are so many things wrong with that statement...it's wrong that they even aired it. For her to address that to the entire nation is disgusting.

And who the fuck cares what celebrities wore to the VMAs?! PLEASE TELL ME. It's so sad that this is what it's come down to. People revolve their lives around this garbage. I, personally, will go on with my life without the need to become a celebrity, or even meet one, unless they are a celebrity for the right reasons. So much time and money was spent on those few hours when there are real things to worry about in the world. As the King of Pop says "I see the kids in the street with not enough to eat. Who am I to be blind? Pretending not to see their needs." We need more Michael Jacksons.

Reason

Lyric of the day:

"Things happen for a reason they say. But I say there's a reason things happen."
The Blue Scholars

At first when I was thinking about this quote it seemed like the same thing. But then I dug deeper, and it means so much more. When people say that things happen for a reason, it often means that an episode of their life occurred, and that that part of their life was destined to happen for them to become who they are. But when there's a reason things happen, it empowers the individual to have control over their lives. Nothing is set in stone, so the result of it happening occurs from the build up of previous events that the individual controls and that in turn leads to the next "thing" to happen.

See the difference? I probably wouldn't if i read that. It's so hard to put into words, but that's what makes it so beautiful. But to me the difference is choice. That's the only thing that separates us from every other animal on this planet. If we lose our ability to choose, we let the world define who we are. We become robots of the mass media and corporate worlds. We become mindless fucking customers buying shit we don't need. We all do it. I do it. You do it. Everyone in America does it. It's what globalization does to us. Our lives become a systematic schedule. The things you need to become "happy" is a result of going to school, going to college, getting a job, then starting a family. Not everyone gets the same level of education, so that already fucks people over in the beginning of this game. Then college? It's definitely a privilege. Overpriced education is a privilege. Then a job? ...good luck. But if you find a decent one, have fun paying the banks back for the loans you took out for college.

Family is the only stable thing you can really rely on. SO APPRECIATE IT.

Fucked up lyric of the day:
"You wit da right man, you ain't gotta price scan or ask how much, what it look like? Son, I'm from Brooklyn. What it look like?"
Fabolous

WHAT. THE. FUCK.