Atheists v. Christmas

So today's topic is Atheism vs Christmas. Why is this such an interesting topic to me? You guessed it, I am an atheist and I celebrate Christmas!

That right there is the reason I decided to do this post. Warning to anyone reading this: this is my opinion, simple as that. I will share with you what I believe and allow you to interpret or use the information however you see fit.

The opinion above is quite a normal one. It's something that I'm sure confuses some people who celebrate Christmas and other religious holidays for just that, their religion. I know that if I were religious, I would seriously question why people who don't even worship him celebrate his birth,

There is no simple truth. Society in the United States has made the holiday season into something completely nonreligious. Consumerism has taken over. Companies keep workers in on Christmas day now to make sure that everyone can get their last minute gifts and meals. This has become such a normal thing that it's hard to think twice about it. 

Christmas has also turned into more of a "spending time with friends and family" than "worshiping the birth of Jesus Christ". There are two ways to celebrate it, secularly and religiously. Because honestly, are there still people out there who believe that Jesus was born to a virgin? 

Also, due to the fact that all of my family celebrates the holiday, if I were to declare my atheism and refuse to participate, I know for a fact that there would still be people getting me gifts and I would still want to get them gifts. 

So, in conclusion, respect the way that someone wants to celebrate a holiday. Just because they don't believe in a higher power does not mean they are not allowed to spend the time with their family and just enjoy the spirit of the holiday. 

Sincerely, Noel

Parents

Yes today's topic is going to be parents!
I think because I am a teenager and am going through "that phase where you're supposed to hate your parents" I have quite a unique view on it.

First off, a little background on me:
My parents were divorced when I was 14 and now I stay mostly with my mom but periodically with my dad. Now it's also important to know that my dad and I don't quite get along well but because he is my dad I have to keep up a good relationship with him.

So now here we are.

Yes, I understand that parents can be very very annoying. And everyone's parents are different. Some may have lost a parent or even both. My respects go to those kids who have survived through the death of a parent.

Adults always talk about how obnoxious and rebellious teenagers are but it's simply not the truth. Yes, I know a few kids that don't want to go to school and back talk adults and smoke weed. But those kids still have potential. This may not even be a phase!

So my advice to parents is to pay attention to what your kids are saying! Often times when kids need help they hide that in an argument. Be open with your kid. Don't tell them they should go to college to get a career but tell them to follow their dreams, even if that means not going to college.

My advice to kids is suck it up! You will only be under the supervision of your parents for a small fraction of your life. Enjoy the time you have with someone who is supporting you financially and mentally. Usually, they want the best for you!

Peace out,!

Dream: Poem

Have you ever had one of those dreams?

Things seem different but the same.

You can feel your heart pounding and the wind against your face.

Everything feels real.

Everything that happens feels real

You look into someones eyes and you can feel.

You can feel their touch lingering.

They seem so real, they make everything OK.

But you wake up, you wake up.

And you are alone.

Nobody in the bed next to you.

Those types of dreams.

They are just that casual reminder that you are alone.

Always alone.

Driving in the Snow

Hello! So today my town got almost a foot of snow over night. This would be a fun wonderful time for everyone, but it was already a no school day. The only people that would be going out today would be people who really need to. It was nice to stay inside all day but really, would it be worth it to get on the road? My brother was driving only about a mile to pick up his girlfriend and they slid off the road. Just in a few hours, my town has had over 160 crashes. Making me think: what should you consider when you decide whether or not to go out on the road?

1. URGENCY: How urgently do you  need to get where you are going? If it is just running errands or going to spend some time with someone, is it really worth it? Going out in the snow with a vehicle can be life-risking. Save yourself and save your loved ones!
2. TEMPERATURE: Quite an obvious one. However, there are circumstances where it will snow and then the temperature rises to over freezing. In that case, the snow will melt much easier. This will lead to just slushy roads, much less dangerous than icy ones. So if the temperature is freezing or below, think about staying in!
3. WINTER WARNINGS: Have there been any recent weather warnings for winter weather in your area? Sometimes there are just small bursts of snow, making it still mostly safe to drive, so there is no winter warning. If there is one however, pay close attention to it, especially the times of the warning. Also, they may mention things like "stay off the roads". 
4. CAR: What type of car do you have? Is it made to drive during the winter months? For example, four wheel cars typically handle better in icy conditions than two wheel. 

If the situation is urgent and it is very dangerous to be on the roads, put chains on your tires.You will not regret it when it saves your life!

About me

Since this is a new blog, I'm gonna do this so ya'll can know those little details of my life 

 Bold which one applies to you.

You are in high school.
You dropped out of high school.
You live within 20 minutes of your best friend.
You don’t have a best friend.

You live within 20 minutes of the last person you kissed.

You live within 20 minutes of your ex. 
You have hugged someone in the last 48 hours.
You have been to the movies within the last week.

You have had 3 or more boyfriends/girlfriends just this year.
You have been a designated driver.
You have broken merchandise and not paid for it.
You have played strip poker.
You are Catholic.
You are atheist.
You recycle regularly.
You are a brunette. 
You have dated a blonde.
You are friends with a redhead.
You are taller than your mum.
You are taller than your dad.
You have a bank account.
You’ve written a check for less than $5.
You have visited the Statue of Liberty.
You have visited the Eiffel Tower.
You have visited Big Ben.
You have visited the Colosseum.
You have visited The Great Wall of China.
You have never been out of the country.
You have been a waiter/waitress.
You own a Bible.
You own something with a Pentagram on it.
You have used a Ouija Board.
You have been a witch for Halloween.
You have been a zombie for Halloween.
You have your eyebrow pierced.
You have a Monroe piercing.
You have your nose pierced.
You have no tattoos.
You have more than 2 tattoos.
You straighten your hair occasionally.
You have worn a dress in the last 3 days.
You live somewhere that gets snow.
You celebrate Hanukkah.
You were at your own house last New Year’s.
You were at a bar last New Year’s.
You slept through last New Year’s.
You have worked on Christmas Eve.
You have worked on Christmas.
You have been told ‘I love you’ by someone today.
You were told by someone who’s not family.
You slept in your own bed last night.
You are dating the last person you kissed.
You regret kissing the last person you kissed.
You are wearing a necklace right now.
You are wearing something red.
You are wearing something blue.
You are wearing something purple.
Your phone number ends with an even number.
You have kissed the last person you called/texted.
You are currently listening to music.
You are waiting for something.
You don’t like seafood.
You have eaten deer/ moose sausage.
You have given a complete stranger your phone number.
You have been hit on at work.
You have been hit on by someone more than 20 years older than you.
You have been whistled at.
You were creeped out by it.
You are a good speller.
You are usually punctual.
You were dating someone in December of 2008.
You are still dating that person.
You have cheated on someone.
You have been cheated on.
You have been on a cruise ship.
You have camped out in your own backyard.
You are wearing something that doesn’t belong to you.
You are a Pisces.
You are an Aquarius.
You are a Leo.
You wonder what will happen when you die.
You are afraid of the dark.
You write in all capital letters.
You have been told you have nice handwriting.
You have had a song written for you.
You have had a picture drawn of you. 
You have curly/wavy hair.
You are wearing a watch.
You are wearing flip flops.
You wouldn’t date someone who smoked. 
You know someone with the same birthday as you.
You are a morning person.
You are a night owl.
You slept in past 10 am today. 
You have big plans for next weekend.
You are thinking of someone right now.
Your job is stressing you out.
You don’t have a job.
You have never had a job.
You were fired from your last job.
You know some sign language. 
You will usually try something at least once.
You have been swimming in the last month.
You are pessimistic by nature.
You have taken a ballet class.
You have taken karate.
You have taken gymnastics.
You wish on shooting stars. 
You wish at 11:11. 
Your birthday has already come this year. 
You have been in a relationship that lasted longer than a year.
You ended your last relationship.
Your ex ended your last relationship. 
You aren’t over your ex.
You have gone after someone you knew was bad for you.
You have let someone use you.
You were/are a teenage mom.
You are an otaku.
You are a cosplayer.
You were named after someone.
You like your name.
Your last drink was water.
You have visited somewhere said to be ‘haunted’.
You have skipped school just because you didn’t feel like going.
You have taken medicine when you ‘feel a headache coming on’.
You are self-conscious about your body.
You have a hangover
You have a pet fish.
You have had a Jehovah’s Witness show up at your house. 
You have godparents.
Your parents are still married.
You have step-siblings.
You are the oldest.
You are adopted.
You have a triplet
You don’t want kids. 
You want more than four kids.
You have a bad temper.
You have made out with a complete stranger.
You usually make the first move in an intimate situation.
You have broken your arm.
You have had to get stitches on your face.
You have had an MRI.
Your fingernails are painted.
You like to draw.
You like to sing.
You can play an instrument.
You keep a lot of secrets from people.
You don’t think people would accept you if they really got to know you.
You don’t trust people easily.
You borrowed something you really need to give back to someone.
You drive a car older than a 2002.
You have lost a friend you never thought you would.
You know a child who died of cancer.
You know a teenager who died in a car wreck.
You have done something illegal in the past 24 hours.
You have cut your hair in the last week.
You wear glasses. 
Your favorite season is Autumn. 
Your favorite color is orange.

Your favorite animal is a dolphin. 

You last rode in a car with a relative.
You last rode in a car with a girl/woman.
You last rode in a car with the person you are dating.
You regularly watch Asian drama.
You love Chinese food.
You have to go to school/work tomorrow.
You answered every question truthfully.

First Car

 Don't be confused by the title, because I still have not gotten my first car, unfortunately! However, today I am going to be talking about the right time to get a car because we all know some kids don't deserve to get a car right away.

I turned 16 five months ago and got my license two months ago. Ever since I got my license I have been begging my parents to help me pay for one. You see, when my brother got his license they refused to buy him a car, but mostly because he was a bit of a pot head. So because I'm the good kid in the family I kinda thought that I would get a car, right?

NO! Right after my brother got a job (2 years after getting his license!) he got a car! Now since I have a job and am a lot more mature about money and such things, I was hoping they would give in to my constant nagging.

My friend got her license a month ago and you know when she got a car? 4 months ago! That's right, she got a car before she got her license.

So I guess what I am trying to say is, there is a right time to get your first car. Here are some things to consider before begging your parents or-for the parents reading this-getting your little baby a car.

1. MONEY! How much money do they have saved up? And how much are you willing to pitch in? Are you going to be making monthly payments or are they? Who is getting the loan? Who is paying for the insurance? Who will pay for gas?
2. MATURITY! How well are they doing in school? Do they have a job? Do they spend their weekends at home studying or out partying? 
3. RESPONSIBILITY! Parents- Are you willing to let them go? Do you think they will be safe being independent on the road? Does it seem like they will be able to car for a car? 

So yes, there are a lot of things to consider! But in the end, it is the parents decision- or I suppose if the kids have enough money on their own. 

Why: Poem

Why is it that when someone compliments more than once it's my instinct to say stop?

It's like no-stop one compliment is all I deserve.

Why do I feel that way, why do I only deserve one compliment?

Why do I feel rude and disrespectful when I say thanks?

Sometimes, I feel like people compliment me because they feel bad

"She doesn't get enough compliments, let's give her one"

"Poor girl, let's tell her we like her shoes"

But why am I the poor girl?

Why is my self-worth measured in the number of times someone tells me I'm pretty?

Why do I go home crying when nobody noticed my new shirt?

Why is the only reason I am still alive because she told me she liked my hair?