Recycle Bins & SmartPlanet

Okay, I was basically trying to find some kind of video or image of the various recycle bins they have in schools in Japan to question why we can't do more of this in our schools and while doing so I came across an interesting internet site. The site, Smart Planet not only talks about ways things that can be purchased that are eco friendly, they also do reviews on new products like folding bikes, televisions, etc. I thought it might be interesting for people to take a look at and see what's out there. I still feel having a set of recycling bins in one section on each floor of all schoools would be wonderful.

Pursuing Dreams

I believe that people find they are passionate about many different things in life, but unfortunately have been told, they can only pursue one. I've lost count of the amount of teachers over the years who have told me that I have to narrow my career choices to one. There are many well-known people in the world, both past and present, who pursued several passions in their lives and I feel this also makes for a more balanced individual. So, of course, I am not going to listen. My career leads me down to three passions; writing, voice-overs and music.
In regards to writing, I originally (from the age of 7) wanted to write stories only. But, upon entering college I realize that I do enjoy writing critical analysis of various works of literature, films and Japanese animation. So I plan to write in these various fields. I will continue attending college so that I can further develop my writings and acquire the skills necessary to write creative, stylistically fresh material.
Next is voice-overs. I already practice voice exercises so that I, with practice, will have a wide range of various high and low voice characters in my arsenal. There is, unfortunately, no course that I have found while researching schools that have classes specifically geared for this field. However, I did discover there are workshops both in New York and California that are designed for voice-overs. One of the most well-known, Bang Zoom Entertainment, is located in California and also does a lot of the casting for Japanese animation. While in New York; however, I will be looking into acting workshops because I need to learn the acting lingo in order to be successful at a future audition.
The last of my passions is music. I am currently learning piano, from there I will learn guitar and start composing my own instrumental music. This I can also continue in college.
A lot of the professions I will be pursuing allow for me to travel so that I can visit several places overseas (Japan is definitely on the list!).
In order to help people, I feel they need someone who is both honest and inspirational. When I break into these various fields, people may start to remember who I am and may be more likely to hear what I have to say in regards to the environment, women's rights and other topics I feel need to be discussed. I want to effect change by using whatever fame I get as a springboard to discuss these issues. People like Bono, Angelina Jolie, Al Gore, and Leonardo DiCaprio don't sit back too scared to make a stand for fear it may hurt their career. I admire them for that and plan to do even more. Things such as education and medical facilities are something that all by right of being human are entitled to and steps need to be taken to ensure this as well as care for the environment.
The only way I know how to do this is to take it step by step. First LaGuardia, then a four-year college, and next . . . the world!

Do More

I thought about what I did today and realized that I do very little on a day-to-day basis to help the environment. I do recycle, but that is something required or you get fined, so it's not as though I've done something Earth shattering. No pun intended. One habit that I thought about that is not good for people or the environment is that I smoke cigarettes. Not only is it a potentially deadly habit, but I also realized as I was collecting paper to recycle how many empty packs I threw into the recycling bag. If I quit that is a lot less paper I'll be wasting and if we could assist more people to quit this addiction that would be even less waste. Overall, I don't do a lot of things that would hurt the environment; however, by not doing anything to help I am doing a lot of damage.
One thing I could do if I could actually make it a priority to remember and that is fairly easy is, rather than using the plastic bags given at stores when I shop, I could use the fabric bag I purchased. Unfortunately, I tend to forget to take it with me when I go shopping, so it might be best to leave it in my school bag. That way, if I go directly to the store from school, I will have it on me. It's not like it weighs a ton. I could also start bringing a refillable container for water or coffee instead of constantly buying two or three cups and throwing them out. Some places even charge less for coffee if you remember to bring your empty cup back for a refill instead of grabbing another.
My main concern in regards to the environment is global warming and the dangers it's creating for people, plants and wildlife. Polar bears are in danger of losing their natural habitat thanks to global warming. The warming temperatures are causing even more severe hurricanes and loss of life. Also, if certain sections of the world that were once ice were to melt completely, it would raise the sea level by about 20 feet. There are too many people who claim that we haven't even existed on the planet enough or have old enough records to know whether this problem is occurring due to our treatment of the planet. These people forget that we influence our surroundings all the time, by action or lack of it. We influence each other, and every living organism on this planet. If this planet goes even further downhill is the excuse of the people existing here now simply going to be, "Well . . . we weren't sure it was our fault." I really don't want to be one of them.