One Pimple is One Too Many - Movies

Hello beautiful people!

How are you today? Let's talk about something near and dear to my heart - MOVIES

It's no secret that I wish to be a film producer someday... and what better way to be prepared than to watch some awesome movies?
My favorite movie is A Walk to Remember. It's a beautiful love story between Landon and Jamie, based off the popular Nicholas Sparks novel of the same name. It's rated PG-13 so check with your parents before watching.

Another movie that never ceases to make me smile (and imo - is one of the most quotable) The Princess Bride. Released in 1987, I find it just as funny and as relevant as any other movie out there today. If you haven't seen it I would completely recommend you checking it out.

& finally, a movie you've probably been hearing a lot about it recently. I've been waiting for this movie ever since I can remember. I learned to read when I was 3. This was one of first books I ever read. To see it come to life has always been a hope of mine. And in a week or so, it will be a reality.


:)




What's your favorite movie?


Have a good week everyone!

Ariel

Postscript: For more up to date Movie Reviews, check out Shannon's Weekly Updates! :)
Second postscript: I apologize for the short entries lately. Finals and such! Hopefully things will settle down by next week! :)

One Pimple is One Too Many - Inspiration

What is your inspiration? What drives you to succeed - in spite of your circumstances?


I've had many opportunities to fail. I just haven't taken any. - Jesse Duplanits
Making mistakes is inevitable. We all can agree to this. However, half the battle is in your mind. If you think you're going to fail - no matter the problem - you will most certainly do so. However, if you have a mindset like Mr. Duplantis, more often than not you'll be successful. Think of Thomas Edison. "I didn't fail. I merely learned a 1000 ways not to make a lightbulb."

Before we can acquire great power, we must acquire wisdom to use it well. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
The things we go through can help us more than they hurt us, if you choose to view it that way. Instead of letting the things that go against you keep you down, learn from them and move on. Be an eagle and soar!

Don't brood. Get on with living and loving. You don't have forever. - Leo Buscaglia
It's true. Life's too short to be "moody" all the time. Failed a test? Skinned your knee? Got into a fender bender? Don't worry! You can always retest. Antiseptic and a band aid. Car insurance. :)
Seriously though, life is really too short to be wasted on complaining. Live and let live. Make the most of today because tomorrow many never come.

If it wasn't for you I would never be who I am. - "Where Are You Now" by Honor Society
There's always gonna be another mountain, I'm always gonna want to make it move. Always gonna be an uphill battle, sometimes I'm gonna have to lose. Ain't about how fast I get there, ain't about what's waiting on the other side - it's the climb. - "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus
I can't say I'm a fan of Honor Society but I will give them props for a beautiful and true song...
People come and go in life - it's okay. Who they are and how they long they were in your life will fade away...
but what will remain is the memory of your time together and what they did/said in your life that contributed to the person you are today. That's why it's so important to be conscious of the people you surround yourself with. Look at your group of friends and ask yourself honestly - are these the people I want to be like? If they are, great! If not, work into changing that.

The Climb is one of my favorite songs of 2009. Hands down. Some of you may scoff because she's a Disney girl but if you look past that and see the lyrics, it really is inspiring...


Dream. Dream the biggest dream you can ever imagine.
Then believe.
If you can dream it, you can do it.


Have a great week everyone!


Ariel

One Pimple is One Too Many - Reading

Hello <3


Today I want to talk about one of my favorite pastimes: Reading.

Now, before you run off because you get enough reading recommendations from school - I thought I'd point something out.

People always tell me that they're not readers. Reading isn't their thing. They've tried to love reading but aside from news stories, required reading from school or traffic signs, they just can't quite get lost in a book.
I say: You haven't the right book. Everyone loves to read, if they don't they just haven't found their book yet.
What do I mean by "their book"? That one book that changed the way you thought, the one that grabbed ahold of you from the very first page and didn't let go until you closed the cover, the one that made you laugh and cry until you couldn't do either anymore....
Let's find your book shall we?


My book was A Picture of Freedom- The Diary of Clotee: A Slave Girl from the Dear America series. I learned to read when I was three so I was always a "bookworm" but this is the first book that I remember reading over and over and over again. It's still on my bookshelf. I haven't read it in years but everytime I see it, I smile because for me, reading the Diary of Clotee inspired me to not only love reading - but to keep a consistent journal and write stories.

Since then I've found many books that I love.

Love Rules by Dandi Daley Mackall
Through Painted Deserts & Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller
Reconstructing Natalie, Daring Chloe and Dreaming in Technicolor by Laura Jensen Walker
the Christy Miller & Sierra Jensen Series

& my favorite author:
Melody Carlson
I gladly & completely recommend anything she has written. <3



There are so many books out there. Historical Fiction. Drama. Thriller/Suspense. Romantic comedy. Biographies. Inspirational.
I couldn't possibly name them all here.
I would say this:
Check out your local library.
Or even a popular bookstore.
Think about what you find interesting and I can guarantee, there will be a book about it.
If you need help, ask an employee. (Especially if you're at the library. The all love books there ;))


Happy reading!


Ariel

P.S. Weekly book recommendations are right here! Check out Amelia's Book Review Column! :)

One Pimple is One Too Many - Humor

Hello all!

By now everyone should be back in school - how is it going for you?
Let's take a break from all that learning for a second and talk about something anyone can do.

Laugh.

Laughing is truly one of the best medicines. Studies show that laughing can actually boost your immune system and improve your overall quality of life. So if you're feeling a little down or stressed because of school/work/family/friends etc...

Take a deep breath. Go ahead. Breathe in. Breathe out. Good.

And get ready to laugh!

(This is my kind of humor. Enjoy! :))


Have facebook? You will relate. I promise.


Remember Meekakitty (aka Tessa)? This is my favorite. NOM NOM NOM!


I love this show. I'm not sure when the new season comes out but check your local listings. You will not be disappointed.


This isn't exactly funny, more like ridiculously amazing. She rocks at editing.



I would do this in a heartbeat. Join me?



You knew this was coming. I've watched this probably 7738293711345 times. :)


Okay so I had WAY too much fun going through my favorites and finding videos for you all. Hah :)

Have a great week everybody!


Ariel

One Pimple is One Too Many - Music

Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul. - Anonymous

Music. One of the few things on earth that can connect people instantly.
What do you think of music?
What are your some of favorite bands/singers/songs?

Donna (@teddy_dunn) says her favorite song is Morning Light by Truman because:
it's so inspiring to me... it talks about how she thought her life was horrible, but now she's on top of the world...

@IsabellaAnna says she doesn't have a favorite song. When asked why she says:
I can't pinpoint a song that's my favorite just because there's so many great songs out there. They mean something different to me at different times.

Jen (@jeng2008 - & one of our column writers) says:
music defines my life. having me choose my favorite song is like asking me to pick my favorite sibling, it can't be done. i could come up with a few good choices, but just one, near impossible.

my favorite song ever would probably be "i want you to want me". i think the first time i heard it was when i first saw "10 things i hate about you"...the original with heath ledger & julia stiles...there's something about the lyrics that are just so raw, and, in my opinion, what ever girl thinks when she has a crush on a guy

I want you to want me
I need you to need me
I'd love you to love me
And I'm begging you to beg me

I want you to want me
I need you to need me
And I'd love you to love me
in John Tucker Must Die, Kate (Brittany Snow) says (paraphrased) "why can't love be like an old pop song? "i want you to want me"...that's it..." or something along those lines, it's been awhile since i've seen the movie...it's just one of those songs that every time you hear it, you grab your hairbrush & belt out the lyrics...or at least i do. :P

favorite song right now? this is the hardest to answer because i like soooo many different songs. anything that inspires you to make a difference or be a better person is what i would say. i think that's why i like the song "Send it On" so much.(My note: Send it On is by the Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato & Selena Gomez) if you really listen to it & take apart the lyrics, there's so much meaning to the song. be a better person, create a better planet...the possibilities are endless...it's like a Pay It Forward program...one act of kindness can become 2 & 2 becomes 4...all the way down the line until the one little thing that you did has created a movement without even trying...

~ ~ ~
I asked Labanya (@lalalabanya - our resident music expert) 1. Who do you think is the most popular band/singer in 2009? 2. What band/singers would you say have been the most influential and have the most staying power? 3. What traits would you say that gives them that staying power? 4. What are some of your favorite bands? 5. What is your favorite song and why?
Here's what she had to say:
Hmm..most popular band/singer. I don't know if I could choose just one. Taylor Swift, Demi Lovato, and Jonas Brothers (of course :P), Coldplay are doing really well right now. I do think that all having staying power, if they play their cards right. Black Eyed Peas is another one. Most influential-again, JB, Miley Cyrus, in some ways, Demi. I think they're influential because the songs they write, a lot of people can relate to and a lot of the lyrics definitely help some get through their day, just by listening to a particular song. Jordin Sparks is someone who I can definitely has staying power. The lyrics in her songs are relatable to teens/tweens.A lot of artists also have nice personalities so, I think people can look at them, not only as an artist, but also as a friend or just someone who can empathize. Favorite bands: JB (:P, music is extremely catchy and I love their lyrics), Honor Society (same reasons), Jordin & Demi (I can definitely relate to their music), Green Day (again, relatable lyrics), Carrie Underwood, Paramore, Shakira. I'm a dancer, so I guess you could say any artists who have catchy music catch my eye lol. Favorite song? Wow, that's difficult. Um. I really love Let it Rain-Jordin Sparks. The message is beautiful...basically, don't be afraid to say what you mean and let it all out <3. Another one The Climb-Miley Cyrus. Again, I love the message. And 1 more, Black Keys. That one definitely helps me get through my toughest days and sometimes, I almost feel like it was written for me.


Personally,
My favorite band is Switchfoot. They're one of the few bands that I will purchase the entire album without having listened to any of the songs before. However, my favorite song is Fix You by Coldplay. (It is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful, touching songs I've ever heard. If you've never heard it before, take a listen) I couldn't possibly name all of the bands that I consider amazing (or the songs) but usually what I'm listening to now can be found on my blog's playlist.

What does music mean to you? What are some of your favorite bands/artists? How about the questions I asked Labanya? What would your have been?

Remember:
The music is all around you, all you have to do is listen. - August Rush

Have a happy Monday,

Ariel

One Pimple is One Too Many - Blogging/Vlogging

Hey Everybody!

How are you doing today? Wonderful I hope!

Today I want to talk about blogging and vlogging.

Blogging
I've had my blog account since the beginning of time. (Otherwise known as December 2004.) Originally, it was a place for me send out random thoughts/quotes/poems etc into the blogosphere. The summer of 2007 I created a new blog with the specific purpose of keeping in touch with friends that I had met over the summer. Over time it evolved into a wonderful place to voice my ideas, thoughts, dreams and aspirations to the world. In blogging I've found not only a great outlet, but the chance to review books for two different publishing companies! (I've even had the opportunity of interviewing an author and having multiple authors read my reviews of their book!) The best thing is: anyone can be a blogger! You don't have to pay any money or have an extensive knowledge of grammar and vocabulary: all you need is a valid email and an idea! There are many different blog sites to choose from: Xanga, LiveJournal, Tumblr and of course Blogger. Choose the site that's right for you!

Here a few blogs that you might find interesting:

Face Replace - it hasn't been updated since April but the idea is intriguing enough! (The idea was co-started by Charlieissocoollike! More on him in the vlogging section :))
Yetton Adventures - Joy Williams used to be one of my favorite singers in middle school and I enjoy your music to this day! This is a blog chronicling her married life and her music
Weeno Photography - I just happened across this site one day and have been a faithful follower ever since. If you love quirky photography and a witty photographer to boot, you're in for a treat!

(Psst! Don't forget to check out the personal blogs of all our Column Bloggers! :))


&

Vlogging

Since the dawn of youtube in 2005, there have been vloggers (which in internet speak means: Video Bloggers) Basically, instead of writing an entry about what you did that day - why not talk about it? And with the extra help of cool graphics and editing, you can make a unique contribution to the vlogging world!

Some of my favorite vloggers are:

Charlie is so cool like - a British teen talking about his world and taking you along for the ride. (I'll be honest, I'd watch even if he was boring - I absolutely LOVE British accents! :))
Meekakitty - is a formal model living in New York. She is random, a little crazy and a whole lot of weird - but I think that adds to her appeal :) (My personal favorite? Toys Rus Adventure. Check it out! :))
Jonas Brothers You knew it was coming :) Usually used as a tool for promotion, you can catch the latest details on what's happening in the JB's busy schedule. Sometimes though, they post a video just for fun. (Joe's single ladies dance/JB&Demi's "Soap Opera"/Nick J Show to name a few)
Taylor Swift Taylor's videos have actually encouraged me to make my own videos. She's directed two of her music videos (The Best Day & I'm Only Me When I'm With You) and makes a habit of putting together a video compilation of what she's done recently. (Her newest video is about her upcoming trip to London, touring with Brooks & Dunn and hanging out with Demi Lovato! All set to the fabulous song known as One Time by Justin Beiber :))


IMPORTANT NOTE
While I believe that being honest with your readers/viewers is important, I would strongly recommend you don't post/talk about your personal information (your last name, address, where you attend school, email etc.) As always, I would suggest keeping an open communication with your parents when it comes to blogging/vlogging. Encourage them to read your blog/watch your vlog and even create an account for themselves! Not only will they appreciate you for including them into your lives, but you gain trust with them as well.


Stay safe and happy blogging/vlogging!


Ariel

One Pimple is One Too Many - Hoops & YoYo // Project Beauty // MLIA

Hey Everybody!

How are you doing? Wonderful I hope!
I wanted to share three things that have really made my week!

Hoops & YoYo
are a funny card company that started out as part of Hallmark and eventually grew into a big time company of it's own! Not only are there paper cards but they have e-cards, talking calendars, and more! If you ever need a to laugh, check them out!

Project Beauty
(@ProjectBeauty) is an organization was started in part by one of our very own Column Bloggers Labanya! (@lalalabanya). Labanya and her friend Leah (@leahkayxo) decided to make a positive difference in their world and started Project Beauty - a place on twitter where you're encouraged to be the best that you can be and to never give up - no matter how tough life gets. If you haven't already, I would definitely recommend checking it out.


MILA
is the acronym for My Life is Average. I personally think that everyone's life is extraordinary. (Remember: we all have a great story to tell) but the sheer genius of this site is amazing. It's fun to read about the random but completely hilarious things people go through everyday. (And is much better than reading depressing stories from that other site.)


Hope you guys are doing well! Have a great week!


Ariel

P.S. Need help on something I haven't covered yet? Email me at arielsmiles(at)rocketmail(dot)com! Don't worry - all names will be kept anonymous. Can't wait to hear from you! :)

One Pimple is One Too Many - Dreams

What are your dreams?


Work... is not what we do for a living but what we do with our living. - Bill Bennet
What do you want to be when you grow up?

Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Want to be the youngest person ever to climb Mount Everest? Or be the fastest in the sport of Speed Stacks? There's no stopping you! Commit to a goal and put forth your best effort to complete it!

I'm not afraid to tell fall, it means I climbed up high. To fall is not to fail; you fail when you don't try. - "Get Up" by Superchic{k}
The biggest failure anyone can do is to simply not try. You never know what you can accomplish until you step out and do your best. Even if you mess up or you miss your goal by a little bit, it's okay! Get back up and try again!

Life is a rollercoaster. Try to eat a light lunch. - David A. Shmaltz
Ups, downs and spins all around - life is crazy sometimes. (Much like a roller coaster). The key is to not take yourself too seriously. Yes, you should have goals and stick to them. By all means! But remember: life is meant to be enjoyed. Take a break every now and then. Read a book or go hang out with friends... don't be SO FOCUSED that you miss out on all that life has to offer!


Hope you all accomplish all of your dreams!

Ariel

P.S. Need advice on something I haven't covered yet? Email me at: arielsmiles@rocketmail.com :) Don't worry - all names will be kept anonymous. Can't wait to hear from you!

One Pimple is One Too Many - Friendship

The better part of one's life consists of his friendships. - Abraham Lincoln

President Lincoln had it right. Friendship is an important (and some consider the best) part of one's life... the question is then: what is friendship?

Friendship is the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weight thoughts nor measure words. - George Elliot

Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art... it has no survival value, rather it is one of those things that give value to survival. - C.S. Lewis

What qualities do you look for in a friend?

Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down. - Oprah Winfrey
The "friends" who are always around when you get some extra cash or have cool clothes aren't really your friends - they only want what they can get from you. Instead, look for the people who genuinely care about you and have your best interests at heart.

A blessed thing it is for any man or woman to have a friend, one human soul whom we can trust utterly, who knows us the best and worst of us, and who loves us in spite of our faults. - Charles Kingsley
Best friends. An instant connection where the two of you immediately clicked and you've been inseperable ever since. Or maybe you have a friend that you don't hang out with a lot but you know if you ever called with an emergency they'd be right there (and vice versa). Friends that become like family... the people you love, trust and depend on no matter what. These are the kind of friendships to look for.

One last note:

The only way to have a friend is to be one. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
See someone sitting all by themselves at the lunch table? All by yourself in a class with no one you know? Get out there and make some new friends! Smile to people. Introduce yourself and shake their hand. You may not become BFF's eternally but at least you'll have a smiling face to sit next to!


Me ke aloha pau ole a hui ho.
(Hawaiian for
""With everlasting love and affection until we meet again.")

Ariel

One Pimple is One Too Many - Back to School

It's that time again - you're back from summer vacation and it's time to start a new school year! Here a few quick tips to make this year an amazing one!

Always eat a good breakfast before school.
Grabbing a breakfast bar on the go doesn't count. Studies show that eating a healthy breakfast every day helps you focus better and increases your chances of making a better grade.

Make sure you have everything you need before you leave the house.
To make sure you don't forget anything, talk to your parents about getting a dry-erase board that you can hang right beside the door. Write down everything you need to take to school the night before (projects, homework assignments, field trip permission slips etc.), be sure to pack everything in your backpack and cross it off before you leave.
(You can also look into getting a dry erase board to hang in your room. (or wherever it is that you study) That way, you have a better chance of not forgetting to complete an assignment.)

Pay attention while in class and take notes.
Always have a pen and/or pencil ready to take notes of what the teacher is saying. Be sure to write down all your assignments as they're given to you and to listen to the lesson so you'll have a better understanding of what you're supposed to learn.

Be a friendly face.
Every year there's always the "new kid". Get to know him or her. Ask them where they're from and what they think of their new school. You never know, they could become a great friend! Even the kids you normally don't hang out with, maybe the shy girl in math class or the the guy in band who eats alone - reach out to them. Remember, the only way to have a good friend, is to be a good friend.


You're in charge of your school experience. Make it a good one!

Remember:
Life's what you make it so, let's make it rock! :)


Have a great year everybody!

Ariel

One Pimple is One Too Many - Self-Esteem

There could never be a more beautiful you.
Don't buy the lies, disguises and hoops they make you go through.
You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do.
So there could never be a more beautiful you...
- Jonny Diaz "More Beautiful You"

Self-esteem is what we think of ourselves.
When you look in the mirror, what do you see?

Instead of looking for all the flaws and imperfections, look at all the things that make you the special person that you are! Here are some tips to do just that.

If you don't see yourself as a winner, then you cannot perform as a winner. - Zig Ziglar
Be optimistic. Set goals for yourself and try your hardest to accomplish them. You never know what you can do until you try. (This is especially important for school - whether you want to raise your grades or make first chair in band - if you believe you can do it then you're already halfway there.)

When the fight gets hard, you fight harder. When the mountain gets steep, you climb faster. - Nick Jonas
Life's hard. Sometimes things aren't going to go exactly as we planned. However, if you keep a positive attitude even in a bad situation - things will improve! If you feel like you've hit rock bottom remember: the only way to go now is up.


The easiest thing to be in the world is you. The most difficult thing to be is what other people want you to be. Don't let them put you in that position. - Leo Buscaglia
You are an original - there is no one in the world quite like you. Embrace who you are and learn to love yourself. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. No matter your size - anyone can be confident in who they are and how they look.


One more thing:
You are beautiful. You are what Willis was talking about. You're important. You're special. You are one of a kind; a pecuilar treasure. Don't ever forget that.


Have a wonderful week everybody!

Ariel

One Pimple is One Too Many - Twitter

What's the deal with Twitter?

Twitter (in its own words) answers the simple question: What are you doing?
It's a cool way for to keep in touch with friends, see what your favorite celebs are doing and let the "twitterverse" know more about you!

The letter to the editor last week posted that our entire team of column bloggers are on twitter. If you aren't following us - you totally should. (@magicalspork, @jeng2008, @stephamus, @arielsmiles @labanya_x3, @twinswholaugh, @dekoposh)

I've had a great time getting to know not only my fellow column bloggers but my other followers from all around the world. It's a super cool way to get connected!

Check with your parents on what they think about twitter and if you could get one. In fact, invite your mom/dad to join twitter! Not only will they get to see what it's all about but MAJOR trust points for being upfront with them.

(And if you have a twitter without parental permission, I would strongly recommend telling them about it. While they may be upset at first, it's really important you share this with them - not only to strengthen their trust in you but for your safety as well.)

Two Things To Keep In Mind:

If you wouldn't yell it out in a crowded mall, don't post it.
It may seem like fun to talk about what you're doing at 1234 Mulberry Lane but remember: if you're twitter is public - ANYONE can see what you're putting out there. (Even people without a twitter account.) Same goes for private accounts - while the world may not be able to see what you tweet, you should still use caution when tweeting.

& probably the most important:

You should never, I repeat NEVER give out personal information (your last name, address, phone number, email etc.) to someone on the web, especially without parental permission. Remember, not everyone is who they say they are on the internet.


Stay safe and happy tweeting!

Ariel

One Pimple is One Too Many - Teen Driving

Driving - it sounds like a dream doesn't it?

Finally, the power to just start the car and go wherever you want!

However, driving has some extra responsibilities you need to be mindful of.
Here are some tips to make your driving experience safer.

Reduce the number of passengers in your car.
It might seem cool to be the one driving all your friends around but adding just one extra passenger can double your chances at having an accident.

Hang out with friends at the mall, the coffeeshop, the beach, at home (basically anywhere without wheels) instead of in the car.

Don’t drive if you've been drinking or doing drugs, and don't ride with anyone who has been either.

The next three might seem like common sense but they're worth repeating:

Drive the speed limit.
Don't text or talk on the phone when you're driving.
(Now I know, this one seems hard but trust me - you're conversation can wait until your stationary. And that doesn't mean when you stop at a red light or stop sign. When you're talking on the phone or texting a friend while driving, your attention is diverted elsewhere instead of where it needs to be, the road.)
Put down the MP3 player while you're in the car.
(I'm not saying you shouldn't listen to music, it's a lot of fun jamming out in the car! But if you have your headphones on, it's much easier to think about the next lyric instead of the car next to you. Even if you're playing the music on the car radio, be sure to turn it down not only as a courtesy to the cars around you, but as a safety measure for yourself.)


It's no secret that driving can be dangerous but did you know:

In the U.S., 5,000 teens die every year in car crashes. That's an average of 14 a day.
Don't let your friends (or you) be one of the 14.

300,000 teens are injured in car crashes each year. That's like all of Tampa, Florida, getting hurt in one year.

Car crashes are the No. 1 killer of teens in the U.S., even more than alcohol and drug abuse, violence and suicide.

If you drive between 9 p.m. and midnight, you're twice as likely to get in a crash

Two-thirds (66%) of teens who die in car wrecks are not buckled up.


Be sure to talk with your parents about safe driving and to follow the rules they set for you. You're parents have been driving for a lot longer than you have and remember what it feels like to be a new driver!

Be safe and have a great week!

Ariel

P.S. Statistics taken from Keep the Drive. For more information on how to be a safe driver and to become an advocate for safe teen drivng, check out Keep the Drive

One Pimple is One Too Many - Hobbies

Hey Everyone!

After a few weeks of intense column entries - how about something fun?

I want to talk to you about hobbies!

What is a hobby?

Anything you can possibly think of!

Music. Reading. Writing. Sports. Knitting. Collecting Coins/Dolls/Sports Cards etc. Bird Watching. Dancing. Drawing. Photography. Painting. Learning Languages. Cooking... the list goes on and on...

Think of something that you like to do or something that you want to do and try it out!


Have fun everyone!


Ariel


P.S. Still need some help in choosing a hobby? Check out the video below! Who knows - YOU could be the next champion. :)

One Pimple is One Too Many - Teen Drinking

Teen drinking is an unfortunate trend that continues to grow.

According to the Federal Trade Commission

Sixteen percent of eighth graders, 33 percent of high school sophomores, and 44 percent of high school seniors report recent drinking.

More than 10 percent of eighth graders, 22 percent of sophomores, and 26 percent of seniors report recent binge drinking.

More than half (58%) of 12th graders report having been drunk at least once in their life. One fifth (20%) of 8th graders report having been drunk at least once in their life.

Most teens report that alcohol is “fairly easy” or “very easy” to get — including 62 percent of eighth graders, 83 percent of sophomores, and 92 percent of seniors.


When asked my opinion about teen drinking, my first and immediate response is very simple:

Don't do it.

Teen drinking is not only extremely hazardous to your health - it is illegal.

But you don't have to take my word for it, listen to some of the experts:

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens, accounting for more than one in three deaths in this age group. In 2005, 23% of drivers ages 15 to 20 who died in motor vehicle crashes had a BAC (Blood Alcohol Count) of 0.08 g/dl or higher.

Teens are at far greater risk of death in an alcohol-related crash than the overall population, despite the fact that they are below the minimum drinking age in every State. Among 15- to 20-year-old drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2006, 31 percent of the drivers who were killed had been drinking...

Research indicates that the human brain continues to develop into a person's early 20's, and that exposure of the developing brain to alcohol may have long-lasting effects on intellectual capabilities and may increase the likelihood of alcohol addiction.

The age when drinking starts affects future drinking problems. For each year that the start of drinking is delayed, the risk of later alcohol dependence is reduced by 14 percent.

While it may look "cool" to drink or you may be feeling pressure from friends to drink, remember: Just say NO. No friend should ever make you feel you have to do something you don't want to do.

And don't let anyone ever tell you that you have more "fun" when you're drunk. You can have an awesome time with your friends while still being completely sober.


Stay safe everybody!

Ariel


P.S. Teen alcoholism is also a very real problem. If you feel like you or someone you know has a problem with alcohol abuse please call 1-800-662-HELP.

Looking for a Column Writer on Monday

We are currently looking for a Tween or Teen Column Writer to write Column "One Pimple is One to Many" on Monday's all about being a Teen!

dekoposh, Inc. Team