These are 20 things to do that aren't too extravagant or energy worthy, but will pass the time throughout your day!

These are 20 things to do that aren't too extravagant or energy worthy, but will pass the time throughout your day!
Every day is a battle.
I feel like I'm slipping further and further away from my faith, my morals, and my values.
I've fallen into a trap and lately I just don't know if there's even a way to escape.
It's so hard living with depression. One day you feel decent and the slightest thing happens and it's like the world is crashing down around you and you're just sitting there watching it all happen.
I have triggers and to avoid them, is nearly impossible.
I wish I was stronger. I wish my mind wasn't weak and that I was more secure with myself.
I wish that God could give me purpose again.
It started May 22, 2015. The day of my grandmother's death. Up until that morning I had been going to bed every night saying a prayer to God to just perform some miracle on this beautiful and strong Christian woman to keep her around a little longer. I had wasted so many opportunities to open my heart to her. About my anger towards God for doing this to her.
She was my rock, my confidante, my best friend, vocal coach, therapist, and spiritual counselor. She always believed in me, and the things that I could accomplish despite any odds that may be placed against me.
Losing someone like that hurts deeply. It's like a light that was once inside of you is burnt out and you start to feel hopeless and unsure of yourself. When she was here I knew where I was going, I had a purpose and it was all because she was guiding me and instilling so much confidence in me as a person.
I spent many nights after her funeral waking up with anxiety attacks or no sleep at all because I couldn't stop crying or agonizingly missing her smell or her hugs.
Here I am over a year later and I do not feel closure or comfort or even a smidge of understanding.
I just feel numb.
I knew if she was here, she'd beat me for letting myself get so far deep into a state depression over her passing.
I find myself being more and more dependent on people. More and more afraid of loss and fearing that I'll never be truly loved and not because I don't have others in my life that love me unconditionally, but because I no longer have someone that I knew no matter what i might've done or said she would be there with her arms wide open.
I've let myself go in ways that I never imagined I would. I am ashamed and humiliated with myself because I never completed the healing process when I know that's something she wants of me.
I simply put it off because it was easier to ignore the pain than to overcome it.
Worst of all, I feel hopeless because no matter how many times I talk about it I simply hear the same thing over and over. "What would she want you to do?" "Would she want you to sit around and mope?"
Yeah duh, I know that, but it does not bring mean any closure. It does not make me feel better, it does not bring me any closer to healing.
It's just a constant ring of fire. I cry, I get angry, I get numb.
And I've been numb for way too long.
I want to make her proud but I know I'm only failing her.
Which as you guessed, spirals me into another depression.
Going into her house now, is like a metaphor for how I feel inside; empty.
I only pray that there will be a day I will feel okay and that not all will be lost when that happens.
Finally, the weather is beginning to feel like Fall. I woke up the other morning and felt the cool breeze in the air-- it wasn't too much, but it was just enough to bring that excited feeling back to my bones. My body sensed the slight change immediately as I walked out my front door. Pretty soon, I'll be wearing sweaters instead of t-shirts and Toms instead of flip flops.
I don't have a favorite time of the year, honestly. I love each season equally. There are several different aspects of each individual season that bring a smile to my face. With Fall, my favorite part is the crisp air that whips sweetly around me. I also love the changing of colors in the landscape and how the sunset and sunrise also changes. I love wearing sweaters and feeling all cozy and warm.
I'm excited for October. Pumpkin carving, hot chocolate, baking cookies, bonfires and Halloween are just a few wonderful things that October brings to my mind.
Plus, change is nice. Yes, summer is fun and amazing. However, after ninety days of walking around on the sun, I'm ready for some cooler weather. Living in the South during summertime is no joke. I do love to swim and lay on the beach catching some rays-- don't get me wrong. I also love football season and enjoy the other beautiful and fun-filled moments that fall brings.
I don't care about pumpkin spice drinks or Ugg boots-- or scarves, really, because they just burn me up.
I'm thankful for the season change. It's a refreshing time for me and many others. Fall always creates something delightful and inspires me to do so. You can't resist the allures of this season-- whether it be her varied pallette of colors or her gentle, coolness-- something will draw you in for a while. You'll belong to a new season until it's time for the next one to roll around.
It's such a beautiful and amazing world we live in. Thank you, Jesus.
With the nature of “piety and impiety” being subjective ideals, all things in this world have positive, and alike negative components. To some, this may be common sense. It may seem natural to assume there is no universal good, for there is no universal law. Nevertheless, some people have come to find their opinions superior. Some people have come to decide that what they find to be “just” should be, and is, universally “just." But does pure, absolute goodness exist? If something were to be solely pious, would we see it to be?
Let us use water as an example. As we have come to know, water is key to human survival. Surely, water must be all good? Water keeps us, the plants around us and the animals we coexist with alive. In other words, water is our absolute means to survival. However, some people have lost their lives to water. Some have drowned in water, some have drunk too much water, and perhaps, while they still recognize water as a need, they do not see water as good, nor pious - they see it as water.
This may be an interesting approach to commence a discussion, as controversial as the one regarding guns and terrorism, but it is all connected.
It’s all perspective.
The second amendment of the United States of America states that Americans have “the right to bear arms." On that same note, millions of Americans across the country buy guns, for several purposes such as protection, hunting and so on. This is part of our constitution, we (Americans) CAN buy guns, thus making it just to own guns, and in some places, use guns. But over the past 10 years, our country has experienced nothing short of devastation. From Sandy Hook to the recent attack in Orlando, we have had mass shootings - lives taken, families disturbed, all at the hands of guns. Regardless of where we place the blame, guns were designed to kill. The guns are what are killing our people, and it seems like it would be almost natural, common sense for legislators to abolish them! Yet, once again it is our RIGHT to bear arms. Whether our right, is right... now that is the question. Several Americans will shake their heads or riot in response to the idea of abolishing guns, for the truth of the matter is the majority do not use their guns to kill.
Let’s stop right here and switch gears.
The first amendment in the Constitution of the United States of America grants ALL Americans the right to practice any religion, and PROHIBITS any laws impeding exercising any religion. There are hundreds of recognized, and many more unknown religions, present and practiced in America, Islam being one of the many. Billions of people across the world, and millions in America alone have found conviction in Prophet Muhammad, and found love and peace in Islam. Americans have the RIGHT to exercise their faith in Islam. Unfortunately, an uproar of extremist values pulled from a radicalized sector of Islam has shed some negative light on the religion as a whole. This extremist group known as “ISIS” has caused severe harm to people all over the world, including Americans. This has made many people and even political figures jump to say we should kick all Muslims out of the United States due to their supposed “threat." This makes many Muslims and non-Muslims alike raise their eyebrows, for the majority of Muslim people are amazing, peaceful people.
Oh, the irony...
Some people find joy from guns. They find guns to be an absolute good. Others have felt the violence and negative outcome of the guns. They wish to abolish guns.
Some people prescribe their faith, and lives to Islamic ideologies. They find their beliefs to be an absolute good. Others have felt violence from extremists. They wish to abolish all Muslims from America.
Some people find water as an absolute good, for it is their means of survival. Others have felt negative effects caused by water. While they must still drink water, they perceive it differently.
Once again, It is all perspective.
I was born in Royal Oak, Michigan. I moved to Portland, Oregon, then to Naperville, Illinois, then to Irvine, California and have resided in the Orange County area since. I am pridefully and ignorantly a product of Orange County. We have more gun control in California, and are almost one of the most diverse states, I’d say. My neighbors are Muslims, my grandma was Muslim, and they are all amazing. On the other hand, up until a month ago I had never seen a physical gun, and the only exposure I have to guns is their relevance in the news and media with gang violence, terrorism and shootings.
A month ago, I visited one of my best friends in Wyoming. Completely contrary to California, Wyoming is an extremely conservative state. People in Wyoming love guns, and shooting around is some peoples' favorite past time. A lot of people in Wyoming are also blind to diversity. I am Iranian by heritage, but I get away with racist comments due to my white complexion. Observing the things people would say about what was going on in the news, and about Muslims period, internally pulled me apart - I kept my mouth shut.
On one of the days during my visit, my friend took me out to one of the open spaces in Wyoming. When we arrived, she popped the trunk and there lied two pistols and clay disks. This is what was planned for the day. This is what was supposed to be “fun." I stared at the gun with goosebumps up and down my body as I watched her and all her friends pick up the pistol, throw up clay disks and sing along the country music in the background. I immediately understood. It was all understanding. Or, you know... perspective.
I just hoped they would understand mine.
They urged me to try it out, and for the experience I did. But the second my finger pulled the trigger, I felt the impact of what seemed like the “toy” I was playing with. One mistake, and something, someone, could be dead. I was holding a firearm. I was holding a weapon. My perspective was different.
I understand the ramification of guns. I also see the devastation created by extremists. But we cannot continue to yell at each other. Bigotry must end. We, the majority, are not the problem - it is the minority. Respectful gun owners and proud Muslims make the exact same argument, but what is bigger than the argument is the concept - no one is right. All things have good and bad, positives and negatives, the way you perceive what you do is due to the life you have led. People will be different from you, some even opposed.
I urge you to seek an understanding, perhaps a perspective other than your own. You cannot hate people for not believing in what you do.
Never forget, some people fear their own means to survival - it is all perspective.
Halloween is approaching and many are searching for the perfect costume. Whether it's for a party or a family get-together, everyone wants to have a memorable and cheap costume. Here are some last minute ideas, because we've all been there.
This costume is great for the super on-the-way-to-the-party-now last minute. All it requires is a white t-shirt and a sharpie, which you can find for cheap almost anywhere.
White T-shirt: $2.98 at Walmart
This one might be a little cheesy, but I guarantee you'll get a laugh out of it. Almost everyone owns a plain colored shirt and you can pick the labels up at your local Walmart or Dollar Tree. If you're feeling crafty and have some extra time on your hands you can even try making them yourself and coming up with funny names.
T-shirt: $9.89 at Walmart
Both shirts: $9.89 a piece at Walmart
Letters can be made with construction paper: $10.84 at Walmart
The best part about this costume is that it's minimalist, yet nearly everyone knows who you're dressed up as. Go ahead and make Damien proud. Seriously, will Mean Girls ever not be an option?
Hoodie: $14.92 at Walmart
Sunglasses: $12.99 at Walmart
You can take it to the bank that you don't have to have a lot of cash to make this costume look great!
Shirt: $14.08 at Walmart
Beanie: $8.17 at Walmart
Bag: $7.53 at Walmart
Dollar sign can be made with duct tape: $5.14 at Walmart
This is one of the best last-minute group costumes I've seen. It almost makes me fall head-over-heals for them.
Black shirts: $9.02 at Walmart
Black pants: $5.96 at Walmart
Lines and circles can be made with poster board: $5.67 at Walmart
This Netflix and Chill costume is great for best friends who do everything together (even if it's last minute).
Shirts: $7.00 at Walmart
Letters and snowflakes made from card stock: $10.49 at Walmart
Rosie the Riveter is a classic because it's easy to do and it's super cheap. You may not even have to buy anything!
Shirt: $15.51 at Walmart
Bandanna: $8.74 at Walmart
This costume is for everyone who loves a good pun.
Shirt: $11.09 at WalmartDuct tape: $5.14 at Walmart
I don’t consider myself to be a religious individual. I was raised Catholic but I’ve never gotten much out of attending church. However, I remember reading about the history of the Jewish people in high school. It was astounding to me that a single religious minority could be singled out for so much persecution and hatred. I suppose that is why I consider myself a supporter of Israel. If any group of people deserves their own state and community, it is certainly the Jewish people. But with the advent of social media, more people are witnessing the deadly conflicts that occur between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic organization known as Hamas.
Even though I personally support a two-state solution, I will never march in a Pro-Palestinian rally or support its toxic BDS relative because, by extension, I would be marching in favor of Hamas, and that is something I cannot do. By standing with those students who shout for an end to the “occupation” of Gaza I will be supporting a group who, in their official charter, detail a vast Zionist conspiracy and makes reference to the virulently anti-Semitic Protocols of the Elders of Zion. The charter states, in part, “The Zionist plan is limitless. After Palestine, the Zionists aspire to expand from the Nile to the Euphrates…Their plan is embodied in The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, and their present conduct is the best proof of what we are saying.” I would be marching in support of a group that advocates the killing of not just Israeli’s but of all Jews. I would be marching in support of a group that called the holocaust a “lie made up by the Zionists”
I’m not sure if the students who support Palestine realize this. Maybe they fail to comprehend the wave of antisemitism that is currently sweeping through. Furthermore, there was a noticeable spike in anti-Semitic violence following Israel’s offensive into Gaza. These statistics worry me. It concerns me that an Islamic terrorist organization can be repackaged as a valiant group fighting their Israeli “oppressors.”
Again, I believe that the Palestinians have a right to be a self-sufficient people in charge of their own destiny but in order for that to happen Hamas must vow to 1. Acknowledge the existence of Israel and 2. Immediately cease all rocket attacks against Israeli civilians. No one wants to see a newly formed Palestinian state merely become a proxy funded by Iran to further target Israel. Yes, we need a comprehensive peace agreement and no further civilians, be they Israeli or Palestinian, deserve to be killed. However, with Hamas in power, that reality is far less likely.
Songs About Being 17
Grey's Anatomy Quotes
Vine Quotes
4 Leaf Clover
Self Respect
1. Brittany Morgan, National Writer's Society
2. Radhi, SUNY Stony Brook
3. Kristen Haddox, Penn State University
4. Jennifer Kustanovich, SUNY Stony Brook
5. Clare Regelbrugge, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign