I came across this one night and it go me thinking: I this what’s happening? I lived in Philly for 4.5 years and because my school has absolutely no room for its students many of us live off-campus, but close to the university. Living in an inner city, especially Philadelphia did some things to me. Basically, I was easily annoyed at EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE every time I stepped out of my apartment. I was constantly ambushed with images of teen pregnancy, drug/thug-life, and a host of other images, not to mention language that I was never accustomed to before college. While living in Philly I noticed a number of changes in myself, namely, the way I speak, and at times my will to get things done. In the video, TonyaTKO talks about her move to Harlem and the effect it’s had on her and I wondered (even though this is seemingly obvious), Is this what the Black community has a case of? What do you think?

By the way TonyaTKO references nihilism, defined here.

Today, I was reading this New York Times article and thought back to my freshman year at college.  During “move-in” weekend and a number of other school events, there stood a table with some “cool” incentive (pens, backpacks, water bottles, etc.) in exchange for your life! Well, close to it.  A number of young, financially illiterate college students became victim to the world of credit card debt.  Big banking corporations such as Bank of America, the company featured in the article, have contracts with universities that benefit everyone, except for the student.  the article states,

“Bank of America’s relationship with the university extends well beyond marketing at sports events. The bank has an $8.4 million, seven-year contract with Michigan State giving it access to students’ names and addresses and use of the university’s logo. The more students who take the banks’ credit cards, the more money the university gets. Under certain circumstances, Michigan State even stands to receive more money if students carry a balance on these cards.”

Wow, really? Is it really ok to exploit students like this, well apparently some students are fighting back– as they should– some set up tables on campus to warn of the danger of debt and urge students to support limits on on-campus marketing.  Here‘s some extra info on students’ credit card use from NYtimes.com

Just wondering, why don’t they offer some financial literacy seminars with this?

Eat healthier… Yes, it’s more expensive to eat healthy, but if you buy fast food everyday instead of cooking you’re probably spending more money anyway. To lessen the cost, you can join a local food co-op, which has locally grown produce at lesser prices than your local grocery store in exchange for volunteering a couple hours a week. Here are a few in the NYC area:
4th Street Food Coop (lower east side)
Flatbush Food Coop (Brooklyn)
Park Slope Food Coop (Brooklyn)

Try a juice cleanse… No, I actually haven’t tried it yet, but I will this year. They can be expensive, but many say it’s worth it.

That’s all for now, in the next few days I’ll be posting some more ways to feel better in ’09