[tiffany34990]

first off..thank you arefin for the kind words. all i say is i try.. fail a lot but yea.

secondly i can rant on this topic b/c of who i am and all.

but i'll try to make this short.

1. it is true parents well it's a lot of their faults...their lil boy or girl can't possible mess up in life.. it becomes the teachers fault or mentors b/c they didn't spend one on one time w/ the student or they just teach the kids the wrong thing... okies my mom always disapproves of how kids hate to try to eat new things b/c of their parents just saying they won't like it...we have different taste buds then our parents... unless you try it you won't know you like it

2. tv. okies i didn't grow up watching a lot of tv. i see my niece and nephew just sitting there watching tv for entertainment.. it is really not that great.. soo many things that aren't appropriate for age groups and parents just let them.and excerise and using your own mind w/ games is better.

3. chances.. yes many are afraid to as ms. frizzle said in the magic school bus.. "take chances and get messy"..you have to believe in yourself and just go for it

4. there are still leaders and followers... i like to believe i have become a leader. it's easy still to get into peer pressure and all. it seems to have gotten worse in the eyes of my parents. everyone wants to fit and and be cool.

5. one thing i have to say is what my mom always tells me: "you have to know who you are and where you come from and don't be ashamed" if you don't know yourself and backgroud how do you except yourself to make a difference if you don't know your wants, likes, needs, or goals

6. growing up... well everyone has to do it...we all like to be kids at heart..but you have to take on responsiblites... a lot of kids don't have any at home...or they have so much to take on... we need a balance of course but what is it i'm not sure. but baby steps are a way unless well some unfortante things fall into your plate

7. making your own choices..this is a part of growing up and all. okies my mom ever since i was a little kid picked my schools.. really from day 1... my mom asked me how many days of pre-school i wanted.. choice between 3 days or 5 ..well i picked 5.. every big choice really.. i thank my parents a whole bunch for letting me choose what i wanted and felt is right..the same thing about college.. i'm going to USF.. i could have gone other places but it's my life and how i achieve my dream is up to me. but when you mess up...take the blame..it's better..you become a better person...with all our faults and achievements everyone is a great being...just have to find our calling in life (and yes that's hard to figure out for sure...i haven't really yet either)

8. (ha i better shut up soon lol) i suggest find something that motivates you... mine is simply if i dont' do it..i can't sleep @ nite..so i might as well tackle my problem or not sleep and well we all know you need sleep ...but always be proud of how you are and what you have done... and be accepting of others..everyone is different..yet everyone is the same..we all have feelings... as we learn all the time..don't just shoot down someone's idea in a design review.. let everyone have a chance.. you never know it could be a good one..

sry this is long again...but really kids need to be themselves, take some chances and try...not hid behind their parents and all.. i am actually a very shy person and i sorta fully gotten out of my shell... in addition though... don't except to be praised when you do something great.. i think that's a lot of kids' problem today. they expect to be told its great what they are doing. you have to realize when you are doing something great so be proud. the more you rely on you..the better you are.. and well friends are great i knwo they are... remember your family.. they are the ones that will support you no matter what.. some kids forget about their family..listen you many not like what your parents says but listen to your elders..they have gone through a lot that we haven't yet and can help. and remember too stand up for what you believe in as people always say but it's true.

FIRST has helped me that's why i love it so much. i thank my big bro for getting me into this. i love FIRST and my hs team 180 for letting me take chances... yes like arefin said...i was pushed down many many times..and not wanted in the pit..but i took over and became the pit captain.. if you want it bad enough you'll find a way.. arefin always tells me that.. FIRST is a great community as i say time after time b/c really it is b/c there are so many great people that probably have sorta gone through what you have or truly have and are soo willing to help. overall i have never met a better bunch of people that i call a part of my great big family.

and i shall now end this ranting.... but... i wish everyone luck in life...society will never be perfect...i'm not sure how it is going to turn out...but i'm sure it'll be okay..w/ things like FIRST around and the people in FIRST there is good. younger generations just have to learn somehow all the things we are learning and with time they will. and well when some of us become parents perhaps will remember this thread and realize yea parents do affect us...well okies everyone affects us.. need positive role models.. i hope everyone can be a good role model for others... i think you all are.. so yeah good luck in life... peace w/ you all..

sorry sorry again this was long...