(to ‘O Christmas Tree’)
O doctor’s note! O doctor’s note!
Thy paper is so needed
O doctor’s note! O doctor’s note!
Thy paper is so needed
Not only for this one exam
But to extend some deadlines
O doctor’s note! O doctor’s note!
Thy paper is so needed

(to ‘Joy to the World’)
Gone from the world, exams have come!
Let profs receive a coal
His every lecture note prepared my doom
And still I’m Facebook-ing
And still I’m Facebook-ing
And sttiiiill, and still, I’m Facebook-ing

Commuting sucks.

“Jobs are for suckers. Careers are for lollipops.”

The dormant gam3r within me abruptly awoke when Blizzard Entertainment finally released the highly anticipated StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. After my transaction went through, I stood there wondering when I’d next experience the word “Approved”. Excelling in Real-Time Strategy probably has zero benefits to my Real-Life Strategy but let’s face it: I’m hooked! My addiction to StarCraft and Brood War first developed in grade 6 when the Internet itself was a fairly new phenomenon. It’s funny—and quite sad—to see how history has a way of repeating itself. If you’ve recently committed yourself to B.NET again, cheers to another long phase of being painfully single. Hello StarCraft II, goodbye boyfriend. Colon. Open Bracket.

From top to bottom, left to right: Al Green, Barry White, Billy Paul, Marvin Gaye, Whitney Houston, and Luther Vandross. These six artists were first introduced to me at a very young age and words can’t describe the powerful impression it had on my soul. I obviously couldn’t relate to the adult content (for example: “Let’s Get It On”) but feeling the raw instrumentals and the passion in their vocals made my heart stir. I remember the exact moment when I fell in love with Rhythm and Blues.

But then…
Why am I constantly finding myself in situations where I’m being directly criticized for my exterior features? I’m flattered, of course, when people recognize any cosmetic/garment/accessory changes but what you see is NOT what you get. Initially, these critical “attacks” on my appearance seemed threatening to my reputation but if superficiality is where they’ve drawn their conclusions, our affiliation can remain on a superficial level. I could spend this lifetime defending myself and rewriting my first impressions but ultimately, I am powerless to people’s opinions. Please don’t take offense if I’m unable to recognize your new < insert item here > or your < insert accomplishment here >. I was distracted by your personality with hopes of getting to know you better—you know, below the surface.

If I could give you the world on that silver platter
Would it even matter? You’d still be mad at me
If I could find in all this a dozen roses
That I would give to you, you’d still be miserable
‘Cause in reality, I’m gon’ be who I be
And I don’t feel no faults for all the lies that you bought
You can try as you may, bring me down but I say
That it ain’t up to you, gonna do what you do

Hate on me, hater
Now or later
‘Cause I’m gonna do me,
You’ll be mad baby
Go ‘head and hate on me, hater
‘Cause I’m not afraid of
What I got, I paid for
You can hate on me

— Originally by Jill Scott