5 Random Thoughts and March Madness Picks

I just have to start with this video: Princeton Black and Orange Remix

Before getting to my March Madness picks, here's 5 Random Thoughts that are just on my mind:

1. My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Japan. I'm also praying for all those involved in the rescue efforts and for a positive outcome for the nuclear situation.
2. What does it take to get some diversity on the Bachelor/Bachelorette? I mean honestly? Last night, the best thing on TV was the Bachelor season finale in which Brad chose Emily, but for years I've been wondering where are the minorities on this show? Not that I watch either the Bachelor or Bachelorette on a regular basis, but whenever I do the there are seems to be no black, Hispanic (I think some Latin American men have been featured), or Asians. Instead we have Flavor Flav, New York, Chance/Real, and Tila Tequila on VH1 - just saying.

3. The NFL Lockout is stupid. Here's my thing about the NFL Lockout: (1) We all know football is going to happen in September, but more important (2) There are everyday people who work for the teams (such as facilities workers and office staff) who are losing paychecks because of this situation - those are the people for whom I am most concerned. Besides, it's not like I'm craving my NFL football right now.

4. Lupe Fiasco's Lasers has nothing on Food and Liquor or The Cool. Lupe Fiasco is probably one of my all-time favorite rappers, but I'm just not going to listen to Lasers because it's not really his vision. I'm sure it's a good album but Lupe's first two albums were hip-hop classics.

5. I only have six more weeks of college left!

Alright time for my picks!

Love in the time of green cards - One's Upon Times

This is what love is about: just watch.

The Soundtrack of my Life: Wale - The Motivation (Be Cool)

"I know the world gets cold and the days get long
and the sun don't shine and you mind just wonders
why me, I say it cause we number one
this why we get up in the morning
It's gon be alright (be right)
It's gon be alright (be right)
It's gon be alright (be right)
Believe that
It's gon be alright (be right)" - Wale

Make it Plain

"This supposed to be your moment ain't it? It supposed to be your moment. It supposed to be your moment. What good is it being the one, when you're the only one who knows it?"

- J. Cole, Friday Night Lights (Intro)

First off, to all of you who read my last blog entry and took time to take in my message - thank you.

Also, thank you to Maya Reid for the best gift I've received in a long time: http://afrodisiaccordingtome.blogspot.com/2011/02/addition-to-list-of-things-i-really.html

During this past summer, my mother told me that sometimes its best to articulate my goals in order to fulfill them. March is going to be a very important month for me. To recap, February was about moving on and starting fresh. I got back on my feet, made some mistakes, and really lived for the first time in years. Most importantly, I learned that I need to do things for myself for once. For so long, I've done everything for others out of love for friends or respect for an institution (see my year as Social Chair of Quad), but here's the complicated thing: Princeton is not the type of environment that awards selflessness and at times I can honestly say I was selfless. Last semester, I was frustrated by the absence of material and emotional reciprocity and this frustration became a distraction.

But now I need to remove all of the distractions or residue feelings and focus. I have two goals that I need to accomplish this month:

1. Complete my thesis and hand it in on time (April 1st)

2. Stay strong in my courses

Sean Covey has a saying, "begin with the end in mind." In order to make this happen, I need to see myself walking across the stage in late May or June receiving my Princeton degree. I need to see myself handing a completed copy of my thesis to the congregation of the Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church and that will be a glorious, beautiful moment.

"Make it plain" was the title of Malcolm X documentary, but it also means to be clear and simple. These are my two goals for March, plain and simple - no distractions, no dramas - just dedication and focus.