What would you do if given $500?

Amira:
If I had $500 I would buy myself some clothes and I would put some in the bank to save. I would also give $150 to my mother to help pay bills to get some off her back because I know that they’re killing her. I would be happy that I put my mind to something and helped out with bills at my house.

Bobby:
If I had five-hundred dollars I would buy a better microphone and a new beat pad. If I had any money left over, I could put it away for college.

Toya:
If I had $500, I would use $300 to pay for my school books and Give my mother $100 so she could pay a bill in the house. However, I am a huge fan of giving back, so therefore, I would give my church my last $100. Even though all of my money would be spent I would feel more relaxed knowing that I did something useful with my money, rather than spend it on junk.

Mikel:
If I had 500 dollars, I would spend $200 on clothes and then with another 200 I would help my mom out. I would put the last $100 in the back so I could use it

Tiera:
If I had $500, I would put $200 towards school so that when the school year comes back around I wouldn’t have to ask my mom for money. In less than 4 months I’m going to be 18 years old so I think it's time for me to become more independent, and more responsible for my own. And with the rest of the money I would give $150 a piece to my mom, and sister so that they can use it for what ever because they always help me out or buy me things when I can't afford it. That's what I would do if I had $500.

 What do you want to do with your future?

Amira:
My future career choice is to be a nurse . The reason I would pick nursing is that helping people is something I want to do in life.

 

 

Bobby:
My main goal in life is to become a sound engineer artist. 

 

 Mikel:
When I grow up I want to be the manager of a bank. The reason I want to do that is because I like math a lot and when I was younger my uncle always used to tell me to save my money. Plus my aunt is the manager of a bank in New York and she told me to save my money and as soon as I get old enough to open up my own bank account, because when I get a job I can put my money in my own bank account instead of having a lot of money in my pocket. I know if I was walking with a lot of money on me, I would spend it.

Tiera:
I want to go off to college to become a ultrasound technician. The job seems very interesting since I have done some research on it. Also, the job pays good money. I feel as though it's a good start. I also enjoy the aspects that come with it. By that, I mean see a baby's first heartbeats. To me that's a very joyful moment. So that's why i want to be an Ultrasound Technician when I grow up. It’s not just a dream to me, it's a goal that I will accomplish!

Toya:
Becoming a radio personality is all that I ever dreamed about from a very young age. Some people say it's not a really good job while others say it's a very good job but just not for me. So I decided to take every one of their opinions into my own hands by making their opinions my motivation. One day I will be a radio personality and use my skills on the radio to connect with people from all over Philadelphia, New Jersey, or where ever my radio station gets signal, to let my audience know to never let anyone tell you that you can't do something.

 Week 3

Amira:
Today was a good day at work. I did everything that I had to do and got to finish with no problem. I didn’t think it was going to take me this long but its done.

Bobby:
My studio is up and running, it’s called “the tunnel”. I have some of the best equipment, the best sound, and I just bought a high sensitivity mic. I’m just letting the world know about my studio.

Toya:
My motivation is my past. From being a young child in a single household I always wanted to be better that what I was exposed to. That is why I believe getting an education and getting a career that I love will help me show others around me that it is not where you come from, but where you are going. So, as a living testimony, in the future I will be a somebody that is looked up upon.

Tiera:
I just want to say that I’m very grateful for this internship here at Fun Times Magazine. It's a great opportunity that I never expected to have. I’m going to take advantage of this because it's a great start to becoming an independent person. It’s motivating seeing how everyone here gets up every morning with a positive mental attitude, even on the rainy days, especially Amanda. She's a great help and a good person at heart. The people here are very kind in every which way. To Miss. Kym, I just want to say Thank You! once again.

Week 4

Amira:
Love is blind. You can’t find it if you don’t look for it because it’s hard to find somebody that you can love and trust for the rest of your life.

Tiera:
I really enjoy the opportunities that come with this internship. Today we’re looking for ads so that we can make goodie bags for the fashion show that's coming up. I really love fashion. I love going out to go shopping, and dressing up and looking pretty. Hey, what can I say I’m a girlie girl. But I really do enjoy working here. Can't wait to blog for the Global Fusion Concert!!!

Toya:
Life is something we sometimes take for granted. We receive love from those who love us and treat them wrong. Every day we wake up saying how much we hate our lives, never stopping and taking the time out to tell Jesus “thank you” for waking us up this morning. So from today on I will live every day like it was my last.

 
Global Fusion

Amira:
My goal at global Fusion was to learn how to interview stars. At the same time it was super hot and there was so many people.

Toya:
On Saturday I was given the chance to attend Global Fusion along with some of my fellow interns. We had fun there and I must say there was a lot of work that needed to be done. The heat was tearing my skin up and taking my energy away. However, I made it through the day and was also given the chance to see some rappers from around the neighborhood. Therefore, if I could offer any advice to future interns about Global Fusion it would be to dress comfortable and relax.

Tiera:
I really look forward to going to the event this Saturday. It seems as though it's a great opportunity. I know I keep saying that, but I’m just really enjoying this job. I plan on taking advantage of it.

 

Web Research

Amira:

 

Do you think dropping out of high school is a smart choice? I don’t think it’s a smart idea, because you won’t make it in real life. Some people do things without thinking, and they usually follow the wrong people. They see people doing things, making a little money, then they want to do the same. If you drop out of school, there’s a chance that you can go back to school, and finish what you missed, but most people don’t go back because they get into the streets, in jail, or dead. Then they just believe that they can’t make it. Eventually their lives end up being all about drugs and other things. They think that they are going to get rich, and that’s not going never happen, they’re just dreaming. I say that because how are you going to be rich with no education. I mean, it’s possible but it’s very rare. But nobody can tell you what to do with your life it’s all up to you.

Rate of drop-outs: Over the last decade, between 347,000 and 544,000 10th through 12th grade students left school each year without successfully completing a high school program. State dropout rates represent the proportion of young people ages sixteen through twenty-four who are out of school, and have not earned a high school credential. In October 2000, 3.8million young adults were not enrolled in high school and had not completed high school.

 

 

 Tiera:
I surfed the web and it seems to be a lot of violence among teens. I feel as though that teens should become more involved in school activities, so that they can stay out of trouble in the streets

Toya:
Man shot in the head, woman ran over in a shoot out: On July 29, 2010 in Christiana, Delaware around 1:00 am, a shooting occurred. During this shoot out a man was shot in his head and a woman was run over by car when the gun fire happened . Police say the shooting started from an argument in a home nearby. Reading this article I was pulled into this article. For example, both victims were innocent and are now suffering all because people want to act dumb. My opinion is that we as the human race need to just relax and put the guns down.

 

 Week 7

 

Toya:
Had a blast this weekend with my family and friends. However it is almost time for me to say my good byes to those I love around me. Yes, I am off to college on August 20th and I am more than scared. My fear of being away is failing. When I think of others I know that went off to college and failed, and how people talked about them, it makes me scared. That is why I am afraid to be away from my family, but they are the reason I am in school in the first place. So I guess I have to turn my fear into confidence.

 Tiera:
Today is a new day, it’s a new me. I'm leaving all the bad things and people alone. That's the way I feel and nobody can change the new me.

Amira:

Everyday I turn around I see somebody my age pregnant. It's crazy because you would think that they still want to enjoy teenage life. But, that’s the kids today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We all aim to reach our potential and be all that we can be in life. When we face new beginnings whether a new business venture, a move, starting a new job, having a baby, getting married, aging, buying a house, leaving an old job, beginning college or graduating from college, we tend to want to cling to the more familiar and resist change. << MORE >>

We affirm the Year 2009 as a year of fulfillment! Yes, we can!! May we achieve these in Jesus’ Name. Amen” Open your eyes, we thank you Chief Bacchus for the Prayers. May you live forever. Our cover is President Barack Obama. Besides a great campaign strategy, one writer in a Philadelphia daily mentioned what Obama needed to do to win: remaining scandal free and in the good books of Oprah Winfrey. He did both and won. Like a good salesperson, Oprah sold Obama to the nation. Obama has become another icon on the crowded marquee of “products” which Oprah has successfully marketed. She effectively morphed the fairy tale of his presidential run into a reality. << MORE >>

Funtimes: How expensive is good health?
Dr. Umeh : Well, it’s always good to be healthy and people don’t have to wait until they get older, or have problems before they wake up, and learn how to take care of their health. Once you are aware and take good care of your health and well being, there is nothing expensive in maintaining good health.
I cannot overemphasize the impact of exercise, eating well and getting enough sleep, upon someone’s health. Start early enough in life to watch what you eat, and exercise as regularly as possible. As time goes by, some ...<< MORE >>

Dear Aunty Mamie
    I have been very dishonest with my boyfriend lately. We have been together for almost two years now and I love him very much. However, every time the word “children” comes up in a conversation, he’ll get very upset. I am not sure whether he wants kids because we never talk about it. “Kids, “children” or “pregnant” are words he hates to hear, so to avoid fights, we never talk about it. About a week ago, I found out I was pregnant. It has been almost two weeks now and I still have not told him. I’m ...<< MORE >>

Let me begin by saying that I am not in a relationship. I have been single for a long time. Being single has objectively allowed me some time to evaluate the relationships I had in the past and I was not happy with my grade. I concluded that during the life of those relationships I settled for men who were not up to the standards I set for myself. I am not talking about compromising in order for a relationship to work. Like two people who agree to give a little to get a little, for example my agreeing to make the bed while my boyfriend makes the morning coffee! I am referring to overlooking the obvious character flaws in a person just for the sake of having a relationship.

I do not know too many people who do not want to be in a relationship. If however, you are with someone only to fill a void in your life, then you have problems on your hands.

Some of my family and friends are either dating or married. However, I do not envy or even wish to have a relationship similar to theirs. These are no Will Smith and Jada Pinkett love affairs. We are talking about men with no goals or careers, who are unemployed, freeloading, still living at home with momma, not paying child support, driving their (women’s) cars but not filling the tank with gas, playing PlayStation all day , and depending on the women to take care of them.

Yes, I have also had my fair share of men like those. It is hard to admit that I had subjected myself to the same pain and misery that I watch my family and friends go through on a daily basis.

There are plenty of reasons why we sometimes close our eyes to this obvious foolishness...

· The sex is good and I can afford a toy like him. That’s cool.

· When he is working, he does give me some money for the bills. But since he has police records, it is hard to get a job and when he does get one, it is even harder to keep it because of profiling, sexual harassment from female bosses, excuses, and excuses. Choose any.

· I am only with him until I meet somebody better. Go girl!

· Why should I be alone? You’re right

· I don’t feel like I am settling for less. For real

· I love him. Wow

When my girlfriends and I talk, we all agree that men should be loving, self sufficient, hardworking, and dependable men. However, when it is time to go our separate ways we leave to go home to the same nonsense.

What’s the point of proclaiming today will be different if you continue to wake up next to the same trifling man. What’s the point of voicing how unhappy and stressed you are if you are going to zip your lips in front of the person that is the center of your unhappiness and stress. We know our worth, we know how we should be treated, and we know what a good man should bring to the table, but we allow our eagerness to have a relationship to overcome us and take the first man stepping off the bus.

Men deserve our respect, understanding and compassion. We know men, especially African American men, have it harder than most. Please don’t let me forget how hard you are trying to get yourself together.

However, there are men that cry broke when it’s time to pay a bill but are the first to put in for drinks when it’s time to go to the liquor store. The men that can’t afford to pay child support but just purchased the latest pair of Jordan’s for $300. The same men that can’t remember our birthdays but can memorize every inaudible word of the latest rap song.

Guess what, I don’t understand and my compassion has run out.

I am a beautiful, God fearing, 31 year old woman who was raised in the heart of Chicago’s ghetto by a single mother. I have seen it all... I have witnessed abuse, been lied too, felt neglected, and unloved but through it all I have managed to earn a college degree. I am raising my 3 year old son and 16 year old niece alone. I own my car, home, and I aspire to be the best person possible.

Now, can you tell me why should I just settle for any man?

 

"Africans use the sisters." Jackie pronounced.

"Monique, my friend", she continued, "married an African and they had a society wedding". It was well attended and a roll call of who’s, who. After the reception day, the bride and groom drove home in a carload of gifts. The groom dropped off the bride and told her he was going to bring the remainder of the gifts and never came back. It is four and a half years now and no person has explained his whereabouts…."

Telling the story, Jackie, ...<< MORE >>