A Facial Mask that Works!

      Enough! I have had it with acne. My dermatologist said that my skin would clear up after puberty, but he was wrong. I still get those persistent white heads and the ugly black heads, when will it stop? A consultant from Progressive Health said, "How long it takes for acne to clear depends on a lot of factors. In some people, acne clears early after adolescence and with little treatment. However, most people are not so lucky."  I don't feel lucky at all. Some of you may be curious about the different types of acne, well here you go. You could have:

•  Whiteheads- these develop from the total blockage of the pores by sebum, bacteria and dead skin cells. These plugs of greasy mixture are seen as tiny white spots on the surface of the skin, and they don't last as long as black heads.
• Blackheads- these develop from the partial blockage of pores by sebum, bacteria and dead skin cells. This mixture pushes out to the surface of the skin but the black specks are actually formed by the oxidation of melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color, in the air. They are stable and can be difficult to clear off.
•  Papules- these are seen as red, inflamed and tender bumps on the skin. They look ripe enough to pop but papules should be left alone since aggravating them will only make them break out in larger numbers and cause extensive scarring.
• Pustules- these are inflamed red circles with white or yellow centers. Pustules are just pimples, and they can be carefully squeezed to pop.
• Nodules- these are not a type of lesions like the above. They are swollen acne spots appearing as large, hard and painful bumps under the skin. They should never be squeezed since they can easily cause acne scars. Nodules can flare up repeatedly when aggravated.
• Cysts- these are similar in appearance to nodules. However, cysts are filled with pus. They are also large, swollen, painful bumps. They should not be squeezed and they can cause acne scars.
• Acne Scars- these are produces as the wounds caused by aggravating any of the above lesions and nodulocystic presentations of acne tries to heal. Acne scars can be simple indentations on the skin, have a wave-like appearance or form keloid structures.\

Today I conducted a little experiment where I mixed some things togther to make a facial mask. Up until now I have tried Clean & Clear, Proactive, Neutregena, and natural recipes. Bottomline is that nothing worked. Here's the thing, I do drink water, eat healthy, and feel unstressed so...what is the problem? Along the way I discovered that my skin type is oily, and I have sensitive skin. What a terrible combo am I right. So I mixed the most interesting thing together and here is what they are:

The application is easy and painless, after it dried I was it off nice and easy with a water lather. My mom and I both enjoyed it and love the results. My face feels fresh, clean, and tight. 

From Adolescent to Grown Adult

        It's safe to say that this journey has been a long one. Still, I remember my freshmen year and how new everything was. High school was definitely a learning period for me and a bunch others. Along the way adolescents should have learned social skills, common sense, good habits, and quality information. Who really did all of those things? Social skills, sure, but good habits? Man I was lucky to ignore all the bad habits that I learned. If I'm being honest then all the "quality information" that adults (such as teachers, elders, and parents) tried to teach me went in one ear and out the other. Now, I'm on my way to college and a new chapter of my life has opened. New car, New campus....New problems. Already I've seen friendships diminish, while others try to desperately hang on to whats left. Not me, my circle is so small its a period. Just kidding! All of my friends are great and we're keeping in touch. its funny how we went from face-to-face conversations to phone calls every day, almost, but it happened and we make effects to hang out, which are very successful. I know that others can't sing that happy tune. Such is life, we lose some some and then we gain some. instead of losing some I keep gaining and hopefully this trend will continue. 

       Parents love giving speeches. I find it really convenient that they are ready to release you into the world at eighteen and just as your walking through the golden doors of freedom they say, "Pay your own bills."Like seriously! what are bills. I know now, they are little pieces of hate mail sent to destroy your life. How am I supposed to pay tuition, and pay for my car, my books, my food, gas, my phone bill, and not die? It's almost impossible and yet some survive. If you thought this was my life, think again. My mom has proven herself to awesome. I can stay home for free and my tuition is paid for thank to scholarships. all that leaves is the little stuff and that's okay because I have a rock beside me and she won't let me fall...too hard. Still, this is the time to make mistakes, better now then later when it really counts. If you've followed my journey then thanks. I will keep posting and you can keep reading. Til next time...... 

Re-inventing My Blog

Hello Everyone!
I know that it has been awhile since my last post and I am truly sorry about that. I kinda hit a wall about what I want to write about, it's not writer's block. There are so many topics that I can choose from and all of them have so much information that I wouldn't know where to begin. This blog does mean a lot to me, so I'm going to change some things. If this blog is going to reach the fan base that I hope for then I need to make it the best that I can. Hope you like it!!!!!!!!!!!!

When Does your Boyfriend Take Priority Over School?

    One's boyfriend takes priority over school, never. You can be happy in a relationship and make honor roll in school, but I'm the only who sees it this way. Everyone has a different situation, but the results never seem to be great. One girl can have a 6 month relationship, everything seems great to her, right? In reality, she pays for every date, one pregnancy scare and he disappears, phone conversations become dry, and your failing classes. Not failing because your heartbroken, failing because you forgot what was important.  I've seen this happen so many times. Why must teenagers fall in every stereotype, then wonder why they lose friends, reputations, and self-confidence. School isn't going to go away just because your boyfriend dumped you. Neither is a job, or life. The world isn't going to stop moving on because you stuck, I read all about it. The way I see it, boyfriends are like friends. They come and go, but a degree is there to stay. Nothing is wrong with being in a relationship, just don't disillusion yourself. As teens we are bound to make mistakes, fall hard, love harder, and live are lives. I'm speaking, right now, about a reoccurring issue and it needs to be solved. Girls aren't the only ones who become blind, boys do as well. Some of you can think of some poor guy who has a job, a car, and is always broke because his paycheck get spent on his girlfriend. This would be considered a good guy, because he like to spoil his girl. All I have to say is there is a difference between generosity and stupidity. On the other hand, there are people who don't care how much they lose because they are happy in a relationship. Anyone who agrees is entitles to their opinion. 

     To show an example of this kind of relationship. An Albanian-American woman, Drita D'vanzo, fell in love with an Italian-American man, Lee. In this process she lost her family, but built a new one and is doing well. Relationships come naturally with sacrifice, but teenager shouldn't be making these types of sacrifices. We are too young.  School is important, some are going to agree others aren't, that's life. At the end of the day, it's up to you to decide how you spend the rest of your life, ans how you are going to deal with all of your regrets. 

Islamophobia

Last week I attended a Cultural Awareness meeting. The topic, of course, was about Islam and how Americans, and the French perceive Muslims. These types of meetings always begin the same way, with an explanation of the topic. With that being said Islamophobia is the fear of terrorists in America. I'm sure any of you can think of a better definition, but that's all I got. As the discussion directors talked more about it and what is currently happening in France, I became appalled. In France, there is a sort of rule/law that women cannot were Burqa (head to toe, one piece, garment that only reveals the eyes). Did it ever occur to anyone that those women chose to wear it, so it was not by force? Also, I have been told by several of my Muslim friends that it is an honor to wear one. In my opinion, what is happening in France is the result of ignorance. If the people in charge took the time to study the culture then they would see that there is more to the Middle East than terrorism. In my humanities class my professor posed a question-How long do you think this fear has been around? Obviously that question was rhetorical because only she knew the answer.  The answer is since the 1400s. There was a time, believe it or not, when Bangladesh was thought to be the center of the world because many races traveled their in search of better lives (sound familiar?). At the time Bangladesh offered shelter, spices, and knowledge to those who sought it. Unfortunately there were countries who grew envious of that fact. I could go on, but then I would have to cite my college book. The point is fear of Islam, but more specifically Muslims have always existed, but it resurfaces in different ways. In my opinion, I do not believe that an entire race should be judged based on the actions of a couple of groups (ex: Taliban and ISIS). Feel free to disagree. I think most people would agree that fear makes people say and do stupid things. I am an American, yes that is true, but I say this because our country is far form perfect. We have proof in our history books about the horrors America has inflicted upon other countries, but why can this be justified?

Look at this chart. Notice how many Muslims there are compared to the minimal amounts of terrorists. I like to look at the facts. No one is perfect, so who are we to judge. What is happening in someone else country is not our concern. Before I close, let me ask one more thing. If you seen two families on an airplane, one Muslim and the other Black/ White, which one would you sit next to?

And so he wept

With ears to hear and eyes to see he wept. To know pain so early in life, wept. Why do parents make their kids feel like crap? 4 years and 5 months should be a happy time. He with a child-like innocence like no other must look into the eyes of a shrew. And so he wept. So loud his cries were, your ears would ring, but mine bleed. I am there. A comforter for his pain, because I am no stranger to the situation. How many times have looked outside with weary eyes, I've lost count. Now, he sits beside me and no words are spoken. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "The sun illuminates only the eye of man, but shines into the eye and heart of the child." It took me awhile to understand what Emerson meant, but when I see my little brother watching the sky and trees he looks happy and even peaceful. Everyday I wish to see that light in his eyes. I would rather cry than see tears fall down his face, and so I wept.

When is The Right Time to Lose Your Virginity?

Let me start off by saying that this is a difficult question to answer. Everyone is different, therefore when they are ready to have sex is also different. Some may be ready as early as 15, or 16 while others are ready much later in life from 18 to 21. The first thing that anyone should know is that timing is not the issue and it should not concern you; the important thing is how ready YOU are. No matter your age the body has to be ready, or developed. If your special sections are prepared for the actions then you'll probably know that now isn't the time. Mind set also plays a huge factor. If you are being pressured into having sex, than it is probably not you who wants to do it. There is no official way to excite yourself about sex, if you want it then you want it....if not than DO NOT DO IT. Peer pressure is not worth a possible baby, or worse...an STD. Learn everything you can about sex and the repercussions BEFORE you do it, you might learn something. Honestly, a baby is not the worst thing to happen to a teenager. All they do is keep you up at night, take your money, make people judge you and your child, whine, throw up/gag, etc. That's not bad, is it? As for the right time maybe you should focus on the right person before the actual timing. Choosing the right person can change a lot of things, will you love this person? will they love you? do any of you have a job (possible baby)? is he/she pressuring you? can either of you handle it (mentally/physically)? I'm sure that there are other questions, but that's all I can think of right now. All I have left to say is do you, if your ready than your ready. Don't let people pressure into doing something you might regret. Know all the facts before you do something that might change your life forever. Please practice safe sex, and do not have sext before 17 and 18. BYE;)