It is a word that has been used for centuries. It has historical significance in one meaning, while possessing a pretty up-to-date connotation in another. It is a word that can remind someone of an important, upcoming day, a romantic rendezvous, and one's companion on such an outing. What is this word to which I am referring? It is the word “date.” Date is a word that has many different meanings.
The first kind of date is the calendar date. A calendar is a system of organizing units of time for the purpose of estimating time over wide-ranging periods. By convention, the day is the smallest calendrical unit of time; the measurement of fractions of a day is classified as timekeeping. The overview of this definition is due to the variety of methods that have been used in creating calendars. The common theme of calendar making is the desire to systematize units of time to satisfy the needs and preoccupations of society. In addition to serving practical purposes, the process of organization provides a sense, however illusive, of understanding and controlling time itself. Thus, calendars serve as a link between mankind and the “cosmos.” It is little wonder that calendars have held a revered status and have served as a source of social order and cultural identity. In most societies, a calendar reform is a remarkable event. Adoption of a calendar depends on the vivacity with which it is introduced and on the eagerness of society to accept it. For example, the acceptance of the Gregorian calendar as a worldwide standard spanned more than three centuries. The legal code of the United States does not specify an official national calendar. Use of the Gregorian calendar in the United States stems from an Act of Parliament of the United Kingdom in 1751, which specified use of the Gregorian calendar in England and its colonies. However, its adoption in the United Kingdom and other countries was laden with contest, chaos, and even violence. It also had a deeper cultural impact through the disruption of traditional festivals and calendrical practice. All in all, however, the calendar has benefited society in immeasurable ways. Without the calendar system of time keeping, editors wouldn’t be able to put a date on the Sunday newspapers. Without dates, the MLA format would not exist; therefore, the ability for one to place the date on his or her assignment for English Composition, or any other class for that matter, would be disabled! What kind of a society would we be living in if this were the case? Marking down one’s little brother’s birthday on one’s calendar, jotting down a doctor’s appointment in a weekly planner, and scheduling at all, altogether, would be impossible without the time keeping system. Makes one think, doesn’t it?
The second kind of date is an engagement to go out socially with another person, often out of romantic interest. A date can consist of many different things. A pair may decide to go to the movies. They may choose to dress up and dine at a fancy restaurant. The couple may wish to go for a picnic in a picturesque park, or they may decide to go to the beach, depending on where they live and on how close they are to one. The options are endless. A date is an opportunity to get to know a person better. Whether the pair are together, officially, or not, a date is always fun when you are with a decent partner.
The third kind of date is a person with whom you go out with for a particular excursion. One’s partner may be a close friend. He or she may be an acquaintance. He or she may be a love interest or even a “blind date” that you had never met before the night of the meeting. An outing has the potential to be a lot of fun no matter whom you are with.
Every definition of the word “date” has some sort of significance. Whether it be an appointment, a person, or an activity one participates in with somebody, each one of these types of dates are applicable to our daily lives. One cannot deny the use of the calendar system because, let’s face it, we refer to it all of the time! A guy may not be interested in girls, and a girl may not be attracted to the guys, but we all know ones who do date and have, therefore, heard all of the hilarious and, oftentimes, disastrous dating experiences that they have gone through. One may simply dislike the idea of dating altogether, but the idea is still there, and that person will know stories, regardless.
No matter what one’s stand is on relationships and “dating” and on the calendar system, it is interesting to discover the various definitions of the word “date.” “Date” can be a statement of calendar time, as on a document. It can be a prior arrangement to meet for lunch. The word “date” can even refer to a person’s escort for some sort of event. Date is, indeed, a word that contains more than one meaning.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Paradise Lost
In the past, the country was a paradise. Today, it is an inconceivable mess. It used to be a holiday destination for people from all over the world. Now people are risking their lives to get out of the country and as far away from it as possible. From being ruled by an upright, Christian man named Ian Smith, this country is now being flushed down the toilet by a communist thug who goes by the name Robert Mugabe. From being Rhodesia, a safe country for parents to raise their kids, Zimbabwe is now a land where millions have been kicked out of their homes for the benefit of government officials. Although Rhodesia and Zimbabwe are the same country, the past Rhodesia and the present Zimbabwe are about as similar as heaven is to hell.
While Rhodesia was beautiful, Zimbabwe is now a barren land with very little splendor left. Trees would line the streets and give the appearance of utter tranquility. Animals, such as zebra, elephants, and giraffe, would walk around Rhodesia freely. They could even be seen wandering about the major cities! Victoria Falls, a world famous landmark, was untainted by garbage or dirt. People from all over the world would travel far and wide in order to glimpse the beauty and magnificence of the Falls. Parks were free of litter, and they were a perfect place for families to hang out and have picnics together on any given afternoon. Zimbabwe, however, is pretty much a polar opposite to the old Rhodesia. Trees are not nearly as commonplace. Most of the wildlife in Zimbabwe have either died or have moved to neighboring countries. Victoria Falls is polluted from lack of care and interest in its general welfare. Not nearly as many tourists come to see it because it’s so difficult to even get into the country. There are no longer any parks for families to walk through because the greenery has died, and the trees have been cut down. President Mugabe doesn’t care about the scenery in Zimbabwe, so he will not lift a finger to clean up the mess he has made in the once exquisite land of Rhodesia. In place of Rhodesia’s paradise, Zimbabwe looks a lot like how I image hell to be.
While Rhodesia was safe, there is no place of refuge from the tyranny in Zimbabwe.. Parents didn’t have to worry about their children wondering around town because they knew their kids would be fine. Even five-year-old children were free to roam the streets by themselves! Christians could worship without restraint. Families could sleep peacefully at night, knowing that no one would attack them in the middle of the night, or try to evict them from their own home. Yet, in the country of Zimbabwe today, children can’t go anywhere without an adult near by, watching over them and protecting them. If parents don’t watch their kids, someone could simply whisk them away and maybe even recruit the children into aiding the communist parties in their evil cause. Christians are persecuted daily for their “offense” of worshiping the Lord. Crime is ever increasing. Zimbabwe’s current president, Robert Mugabe, murders anyone who opposes him or gets in his way. Families live in fear. They have no idea when or where the next attack may come from. Living in their homes is a “luxury” to be enjoyed until someone from the socialist party of Zimbabwe decides that he or she wants to live in the house instead. The ability to inhabit the land of modern day Zimbabwe grows increasingly tougher each day.
While Rhodesia was a Christian country, Zimbabwe is a land ruled by a communist dictator. Christianity was respected and honored back then. When one traveled through Rhodesia, churches were a very ordinary sight. Faith was not an issue, and citizens were free to choose their religion. Possessing a Bible was not considered a felony. Getting in and out of the country wasn’t difficult in the slightest, and the Rhodesian currency was strong. Today, faith is not something to be taken for granted. Thousands, if not more, have been ruthlessly murdered for breaking the law against being a Christ follower. All of the churches have been burnt down and destroyed, forcing believers to worship in secret meeting places. Those who are fortunate enough to still own a Bible have to hide them for fear of being discovered by President Mugabe and his band of wicked followers. People wait for days on the Zimbabwean borders, waiting to be let in. Military roadblocks abound. There can be up to even 30 roadblocks in the space of 100 miles. The Zimbabwean Dollar is now worth zilch. Possessing trillions of “Zim Dollars” won’t even get you a loaf of bread. It is very safe to say that Zimbabwe has the highest inflation rate ever in any country in world history.
It’s so sad to see how a nation, once so perfect, could digress into something so dreadful. From poetry to puke, the country of Zimbabwe has taken a nosedive for the worst. It’s crazy to comprehend that Rhodesia and Zimbabwe are one and the same place. We need to remember that America could easily get to the same place that Zimbabwe currently finds itself in. We, as American citizens, have to realize how incredible the gift of freedom really is. Rhodesia’s past and Zimbabwe’s present are about as opposite as they can possibly get.
While Rhodesia was beautiful, Zimbabwe is now a barren land with very little splendor left. Trees would line the streets and give the appearance of utter tranquility. Animals, such as zebra, elephants, and giraffe, would walk around Rhodesia freely. They could even be seen wandering about the major cities! Victoria Falls, a world famous landmark, was untainted by garbage or dirt. People from all over the world would travel far and wide in order to glimpse the beauty and magnificence of the Falls. Parks were free of litter, and they were a perfect place for families to hang out and have picnics together on any given afternoon. Zimbabwe, however, is pretty much a polar opposite to the old Rhodesia. Trees are not nearly as commonplace. Most of the wildlife in Zimbabwe have either died or have moved to neighboring countries. Victoria Falls is polluted from lack of care and interest in its general welfare. Not nearly as many tourists come to see it because it’s so difficult to even get into the country. There are no longer any parks for families to walk through because the greenery has died, and the trees have been cut down. President Mugabe doesn’t care about the scenery in Zimbabwe, so he will not lift a finger to clean up the mess he has made in the once exquisite land of Rhodesia. In place of Rhodesia’s paradise, Zimbabwe looks a lot like how I image hell to be.
While Rhodesia was safe, there is no place of refuge from the tyranny in Zimbabwe.. Parents didn’t have to worry about their children wondering around town because they knew their kids would be fine. Even five-year-old children were free to roam the streets by themselves! Christians could worship without restraint. Families could sleep peacefully at night, knowing that no one would attack them in the middle of the night, or try to evict them from their own home. Yet, in the country of Zimbabwe today, children can’t go anywhere without an adult near by, watching over them and protecting them. If parents don’t watch their kids, someone could simply whisk them away and maybe even recruit the children into aiding the communist parties in their evil cause. Christians are persecuted daily for their “offense” of worshiping the Lord. Crime is ever increasing. Zimbabwe’s current president, Robert Mugabe, murders anyone who opposes him or gets in his way. Families live in fear. They have no idea when or where the next attack may come from. Living in their homes is a “luxury” to be enjoyed until someone from the socialist party of Zimbabwe decides that he or she wants to live in the house instead. The ability to inhabit the land of modern day Zimbabwe grows increasingly tougher each day.
While Rhodesia was a Christian country, Zimbabwe is a land ruled by a communist dictator. Christianity was respected and honored back then. When one traveled through Rhodesia, churches were a very ordinary sight. Faith was not an issue, and citizens were free to choose their religion. Possessing a Bible was not considered a felony. Getting in and out of the country wasn’t difficult in the slightest, and the Rhodesian currency was strong. Today, faith is not something to be taken for granted. Thousands, if not more, have been ruthlessly murdered for breaking the law against being a Christ follower. All of the churches have been burnt down and destroyed, forcing believers to worship in secret meeting places. Those who are fortunate enough to still own a Bible have to hide them for fear of being discovered by President Mugabe and his band of wicked followers. People wait for days on the Zimbabwean borders, waiting to be let in. Military roadblocks abound. There can be up to even 30 roadblocks in the space of 100 miles. The Zimbabwean Dollar is now worth zilch. Possessing trillions of “Zim Dollars” won’t even get you a loaf of bread. It is very safe to say that Zimbabwe has the highest inflation rate ever in any country in world history.
It’s so sad to see how a nation, once so perfect, could digress into something so dreadful. From poetry to puke, the country of Zimbabwe has taken a nosedive for the worst. It’s crazy to comprehend that Rhodesia and Zimbabwe are one and the same place. We need to remember that America could easily get to the same place that Zimbabwe currently finds itself in. We, as American citizens, have to realize how incredible the gift of freedom really is. Rhodesia’s past and Zimbabwe’s present are about as opposite as they can possibly get.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
It Takes Two to Tango
Relationships are not easy for one to maintain. And, when they are long distance, they can become nearly unbearable. The long-distance relationship is something feared by every couple encountering change in their lives, particularly change in the way of either the boyfriend or girlfriend moving away. With no possibility of anything beyond intellectual stuff, loneliness can easily become a constant companion. Despite all of these things, however, long distance relationships are an incredible way to discover the authenticity of a relationship.
The first thing a couple needs to put into action is communication. Setting a specific time each week to have either a phone conversation or a web chat is an absolute must. Communication is the primary thing one must depend on in order to make the long distance relationship work. Without communication, the relationship is rendered useless. Go without talking for a week or so, and tension will begin to seep into the relationship. When a couple spends time together face-to-face, it’s a lot easier to keep everything running smoothly. The pair doesn’t have to battle with when they are going to speak again because they are within pretty close range of each other. They don’t have to work so hard at communication because their actions will often speak for them in place of their words. No matter what happens, the pair must stick to their weekly chat commitment in order to fill each other in on their recent activities, how they are doing in general, and how they are dealing with the whole long-distance thing. It’s vital to express how you really are feeling in order to keep the long-distance relationship alive.
The second thing that the couple needs to keep in mind is that trust is a must. Honesty and trust go hand in hand with communication. Lies will tear you even farther apart from each other than distance ever could. It is so incredibly essential to talk through things when you have an issue with that special someone. Keeping it all bottled up inside and pretending that everything will be okay will cause the relationship to deteriorate into bitterness, hurt, and pain. Honesty, when applied to any and every relationship, will serve as a solid foundation as the couple learns to live apart from each other.
The third thing that the couple has to take into account is that forgiveness is key. Resentment never has and never will get anyone anywhere. One may say they forgive the other person when, in reality, the anger is still there hidden somewhere deep inside. That rage will make itself known eventually. When that day comes, it won’t be a pretty sight to behold. No matter what your significant other does, he or she deserves forgiveness. The Lord forgave us, worthless sinners, and gave us a second chance. So what gives us the right to judge other sinners when we, ourselves, are guilty of sin too? Couples simply have to learn to forgive and move on in order to have a functional, healthy, and long-lasting relationship. Once forgiveness has been given, the pair needs to establish that they will never refer to that past mistake again. If this step isn’t taken seriously, forgiveness will be proven futile and you will have to go over the agonizing process all over again.
The fourth and most important thing for the couple to know is that it takes two to tango. One person cannot hold the weight of the relationship on his or her shoulders alone. It is crazy to even attempt it. If there is only one person trying to keep the relationship going, the couple will ultimately fail in their endeavor to stay together. It takes effort from both ends to keep the relationship solid and secure.
Long-distance is not easy, but it is definitely possible. The warm fuzzies of a typical and tangible, face-to-face relationship are not and cannot be there when the pair is apart from each other. Yet, the communication, trust, and honesty aspect of the relationship will most certainly improve if the couple commits to working together in all areas of it. Long-distance relationships truly are a great way to ascertain how deep the roots of the relationship go. Nothing worth having is easy to obtain. Great things take time and tons of effort. Couples, who are willing to put in that effort, will reap in the benefits as they observe their relationships blossom into something far more beautiful than they could ever have possibly imagined.
The first thing a couple needs to put into action is communication. Setting a specific time each week to have either a phone conversation or a web chat is an absolute must. Communication is the primary thing one must depend on in order to make the long distance relationship work. Without communication, the relationship is rendered useless. Go without talking for a week or so, and tension will begin to seep into the relationship. When a couple spends time together face-to-face, it’s a lot easier to keep everything running smoothly. The pair doesn’t have to battle with when they are going to speak again because they are within pretty close range of each other. They don’t have to work so hard at communication because their actions will often speak for them in place of their words. No matter what happens, the pair must stick to their weekly chat commitment in order to fill each other in on their recent activities, how they are doing in general, and how they are dealing with the whole long-distance thing. It’s vital to express how you really are feeling in order to keep the long-distance relationship alive.
The second thing that the couple needs to keep in mind is that trust is a must. Honesty and trust go hand in hand with communication. Lies will tear you even farther apart from each other than distance ever could. It is so incredibly essential to talk through things when you have an issue with that special someone. Keeping it all bottled up inside and pretending that everything will be okay will cause the relationship to deteriorate into bitterness, hurt, and pain. Honesty, when applied to any and every relationship, will serve as a solid foundation as the couple learns to live apart from each other.
The third thing that the couple has to take into account is that forgiveness is key. Resentment never has and never will get anyone anywhere. One may say they forgive the other person when, in reality, the anger is still there hidden somewhere deep inside. That rage will make itself known eventually. When that day comes, it won’t be a pretty sight to behold. No matter what your significant other does, he or she deserves forgiveness. The Lord forgave us, worthless sinners, and gave us a second chance. So what gives us the right to judge other sinners when we, ourselves, are guilty of sin too? Couples simply have to learn to forgive and move on in order to have a functional, healthy, and long-lasting relationship. Once forgiveness has been given, the pair needs to establish that they will never refer to that past mistake again. If this step isn’t taken seriously, forgiveness will be proven futile and you will have to go over the agonizing process all over again.
The fourth and most important thing for the couple to know is that it takes two to tango. One person cannot hold the weight of the relationship on his or her shoulders alone. It is crazy to even attempt it. If there is only one person trying to keep the relationship going, the couple will ultimately fail in their endeavor to stay together. It takes effort from both ends to keep the relationship solid and secure.
Long-distance is not easy, but it is definitely possible. The warm fuzzies of a typical and tangible, face-to-face relationship are not and cannot be there when the pair is apart from each other. Yet, the communication, trust, and honesty aspect of the relationship will most certainly improve if the couple commits to working together in all areas of it. Long-distance relationships truly are a great way to ascertain how deep the roots of the relationship go. Nothing worth having is easy to obtain. Great things take time and tons of effort. Couples, who are willing to put in that effort, will reap in the benefits as they observe their relationships blossom into something far more beautiful than they could ever have possibly imagined.
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