Urban Place

A Sad Story

I am a single working mother and going to college for a better life for my three year child and myself. I am taking a course called "Urban Community." We were asked to do a major project on problems in the Urban Communities. I choose the topic Homeless."

Each day I would walk the streets of the homeless and offer them something to drink and to eat. I know its tough to survival on the streets. Last night I ran into a group of 30 kids who were living on the streets on NY. I spoke to a few of them. They were ages 13 to 16. My heart went out to them and I just wanted to cry. I had to be strong. One girl who is pregnant and her boyfriend was very supportive toward her but I had told all of them about the Convent House, that there is help out there.

I told her she needs the proper care for her child’s needs. She told me that she has been taken care of her child and that she will do the right thing. My heart was broken when I saw all these children on the streets of New York.

They told me they traveled all over the place as a group. Some of them said they hooker and panhandle and do odd jobs for people. None of them were high on drugs nor were they drinking. At least not this group. I asked about their families and if they contact them to let them know they were alive. Most of them said, "NO.’ They all look like a happy family and they took care of one another. I really tried to persuade them to get help and to contact their families but they did not want to. I did not want to push the issue.

All these kids were very respectful. Some of them enjoyed reading and writing. They said their education is important to them but they teach each other. Some of them enjoyed skate boarding, dancing and playing music.

One girl asked me if I could give her a hug and I did. She started to cry and said, "Thank you for not treating us as freaks like everyone else does. People don’t realize that we all have our own problems but some are worse then others." She told me that her stepfather was sexually abusing her and her mother did not believe her. She ran away." Her street name is little Mary.

They were good kids just trying to make ends meet. I told them that I don’t have much to offer because I am a single Mom just making ends met. I had offered them sandwiches and soda. They were so happy to have something to eat and told me that I can’t change the world but at least there is someone who really cares.

I cried and told them to be save and to please be careful because we all live in a dangerous world. They told me that they are moving to a new area and did not say where. God Bless these Children.

Then I killed every one of them with my machine gun

Considering the very last sentence that is several spaces below this touching story, I’d say that you have a vivid imagination. Considering that you also know how to hide your Q&A, I’d say that you are familiar with how YA works.

What that tells me is that you are someone who is very, very bored, and somehow feels that your sick story is funny. (based upon your last line that you have to scroll further down: Then I killed every one of them with my machine gun").

Someone who feels that this is funny needs to find something better to do with their time.

This is going to be a long story. Very very long story so be prepared.

Ok so, last week this girl asked me out to go shopping with her. I went to the mall with her, spent a good 6 hours walking around. I didnt know if i really wanted to date her at that time so i wasnt sure if it was a date or not…

So after going to the mall, she invited me to join her at her friend’s place. Her friend was having a sober party. So we go to the party as "friends" and the party lasts untill about 2 am… which is when everyoen else leaves and this girl tells me she’s sleeping over. She asks me to stay abit longer…

Ok so we go into the host’s room with the host and we watch a movie in the dark… up at one point, the host is kind of akward so she asks me if i’ve ever made out with anyone. I say yes i have. Then she asks the girl who asked me out if she’s ever made out. She says no.

So the host tells her. Why dont you get some practise? you have a guy right here. At that point i was kind of.. wow o_o. shocked.

But i made out with her. Then i went home.

I guess i fell in love that night…. Anyways

Two days later, we go out on a date and it was pretty crappy. I failed miserably because i didnt really plan anything out and it ended up as her taking me on the date. We went downtown and bought 3 concert tickets to a rock show fridaynight. One ticket for me and one for her and one for her friend ( i paid). After buying tickets we go back to our sub-urban neighboorhood and we have dinner etc etc…

The her friend (my good friend as well) shows up and we hang out for a bit… Eventually it gets late and i escort my new ladyfriend home. She says she’ll call friday during the day to say when we’d meet up to go down to the concert.

So on friday… I’m calling calling calling and she’s not picking up at all…

then at around 5:00 her friend (also my friend) calls and tells me to meet up. So i meet up and she comes up to me with 50 bucks and hands it to me. She says she bails out on the concert and my new girlfriend is bailing too (they were talking)… Aparently she’s having lots of trouble and not feeling well..

So i’m not sure what to do. I’ve lost some money and i have no people to go to the concert with… then at 6:18, 1 hr before we leave, my girlfriend finnally calls me. She says that she doesnt think this is the right time for a relationship and that she’s so sorry about what she’s done and she didnt mean to hurt me if she did…

I’m all like.. wtf. shocked but calm… Phone call lasted 20 seconds or less.

Later that night at around 2 am, her friend (my friend also) calls me and says that they spent the night shopping downtown… She tells me that my girlfriend was really down the entirenight and she says that she thinks my girlfriend is "unsure and confused". I ask her what the hell i’m supposed to do. She gives me her advice. She says wait it out. "if you try to talk to her, you might scare her off". she says that my girlfriend will call me when she’s calmed down. So i’m like ok.. i’ll wait…

All this time, however, i want to talk to her soo badly. I have no idea whats going on. The last time we spoke, we exchanged like 5 words. My friend is still telling me to wait it out but she isnt saying how long to wait. My other friend, however says that the longer that people wait, the more likely they’ll decide to say no to me because once you think things through, you end up saying no.

On facebook, i’ve seen that one of my friends wrote on my girlfriend’s wall asking about her "new bf"… and my gf responds with "its complicated"… Does that mean we’ve broken up or what?

To sum it up the relationship story:
We kissed our first "date"
We went out two or three times
She already said she wanted me to be with her.

So my question is… it’s been 5 days now since i’ve talked to my (ex)girlfriend. I have no idea what she’s thinking. She seems to be compromised between a break up and a relationship. I dont want to call her and scare her off… The friend who told me that actually knows her really well. But then again… should i call? if not, when should i?

Writing her is not so "in your face" or threatening. It will also peak her curiosity.

I would keep it short.

Things like: I like you. I’m thinking of you. I’d like to talk when you’re ready. I’m sorry if anything I did caused you heartache or confusion.

Good luck, man. Must of been a passionate make out session!

I ask because there is more inbreeding that takes place out in the country. People in isolated population groups don’t know as many people and out in the sticks you may have to drive around more to meet people.

Inbred people are smaller and less intelligent, on average. Have you seen people stutter more out in the country? This is one flaw which can arise from inbreeding.

The country inbreeds are mostly just fictional stories. Though, it does happen. Just not as bad as people make it out to be.

I went to a small school in a small town and believe me when I say that we are anything but small. Most people in my class were above 6 foot tall. Though, I was only 5’10”. I was actually pretty small compared to most. It sucked.

We were also a fairly intelligent class. At least half of us graduated with 7 science, 6 math and 3 foreign language credits. We considered you an idiot if you didn’t take Spanish and French and make it to pre-cal before graduation.

So, you are just following stereotypes. I don’t know the statistics but there were no inbreeds in my community, as far as I know, and we were all pretty decent when it came to intelligence and size.

4.One major effect of economic interdependence is that when you face a natural disaster, like a hurricane or earthquake, the disaster

A.will always cause decline in the demand for crude oil in the nation hit by the disaster.
B.can have negative impacts on the economies of nations not directly hit by the disaster.
C.will not have an effect on the total available supply of food in the world.
D.will require that countries around the world come to the aid of the nation hit by the disaster.

5.One effect of globalization is the huge role mass media plays in
A.outsourcing.
B.cultural diffusion.
C.multinational corporations.
D.traditional cultures.
\6.A movement that ensures that fair prices are paid to farmers in developing countries is called

A.ASEAN.
B.free trade.
C.fair trade.
D.the World Trade Organization.
7.The increasing interdependence of the world’s countries has been accompanied by the dramatic growth of

A.multinational corporations.
B.oil-producing regions of the Middle East.
C.population movement to urban areas because jobs are scarce.
D.attempts to increase oil consumption with new energy sources.
8.Opponents of free trade

A.believe that it does not provide new markets for goods.
B.support the work of the World Trade Organization.
C.believe that it encourages practices that exploit workers and destroy the environment in developing countries.
D.do not support social responsibility in corporations.
9.What global social challenge spreads quickly and affects the health of many people?

A.Outbreak of contagious diseases
B.Famine
C.Mass migration
D.Lack of food resources
10.One global social challenge is the lack of quality health care in developing countries, which can have an effect on the life expectancy of the people there. Which continent’s average life expectancy is only 30 to 39 years?

A.Europe
B.South America
C.Asia
D.Africa
11.What are some of the main challenges facing large groups of people and countries around the world today?

A.Human rights abuses, poverty, disease and natural disasters
B.Countries are not able to meet the needs of consumers
C.Many people are moving to rural areas
D.NGOs are not responding to the financial needs of developing countries
12.Which of the following is a global challenge related to population?

A.Urbanization
B.Lack of family ties
C.Uneducated work force
D.Businesses unable to meet consumer needs
13.NGOs work to overcome social challenges by trying to improve the welfare of groups such as women, children, and indigenous peoples. What is an NGO?

A.The Universal Declaration of Human Rights group
B.A petition or treaty signed to improve human rights
C.A nongovernmental organization that provides services or promotes public policies
D.A globalization organization that provides services to the Red Cross
14.Examples of rapidly growing cities due to urbanization are

A.San Marino and Palau.
B.Sao Paolo and Mumbai.
C.Monaco and Andorra.
D.Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paolo.
15.Health issues, such as diseases becoming epidemics, are a growing social challenge because of

A.the spread of democracy leading to increases in immigration.
B.a type of pneumonia known as SARS appearing in China.
C.foreign aid failing to make an impact and increasing poverty.
D.international air travel, which allows diseases to spread rapidly, as infected people move from place to place.

4-b
5-c
6-c
8-b
10-d
11-a
13-c
14-d
15-d

I was raised by a very Italian man whose name would have been Salvatore Cannizzo and he will be remembered as such in my eyes. He was a good father, excellent provider and a good businessman. Hence, he influences me everyday and when I work, I can hear him. As a family, we owned and operated an Italian Restaurant in Homestead Florida in the 80’s. I grew up in Homestead Florida, where hurricane Andrew obliterated my home town neiborhood (I wasnt’ there when it happened). In Florida, I learned to like the beach, oysters, Jimmy Buffet, and lots of swimming. If I had stayed in Florida, I would have turned into a dope-smokin, mango eatin, deep-sea fishin, scuba-divin, hammock sleepin parrothead. I was good at track in high school and ran the hurdles. My good father is poor and lives somewhere in rural Okeechobbee. My good mother is semi-quasi rich and own a million dollar home in Urban Orlando. With all that I experienced in Florida, living in Montana has really taught me to appricate a nice weather day when it happens. I have typical generation x values: I distrust big institutions that I don’t know about, I don’t like living by too many rules, I am a non-conformist, I don’t like it when people wear the same clothes as me, I did (at one point as a teenager) have an identity crisis. I reject status, money and social climbing so typical of baby-boomers. I personally only want what I want out of life and since luxury is alot cheaper, I only have to worry about having fun at work and enjoying what I do. I put a higher priority on happiness. I HATE lables. I can’t stand them. I definetely embrace risk and I am highly independent, sometimes aloof. It has been said that I lack interpersonal skills but that maybe because I do from time to time. I place a high priority on parenting and I think I might have overindulged my children. Oh, Well, I’ll work on that. Im not a work-a-holic but I do try to work hard if I really want something.
Who I’d like to meet:
If you like pina-coladas, and gettin’ caught in the rain, if your not into yoga, if you have half-a-brain, if you like makin’ love at midnight, in the dunes of the cape, I’m the love that you looked for….write to me and escape. Yes, I like pina-coladas, and gettin’ caught in the rain, I’m not much into health food, I am into champaign, I got to meet you by tommorrow noon, at the bar in O’Mallys, where we will plan our escape

And your point is? Uhmmm did you forget to add "Pot Smoking" to this? Oh yea, I saw that you did…maybe if you avoided that before writing the question?

I’m a soon to be sophomore in college and I don’t particularly like my school, there aren’t enough people (1000) and there isn’t really much to do. Where can I find a college or university like one you would see in Sydney White, Greek, or Urban Legends. I want a school where you can find parties meet tons of people and feel like you have gone to that movie school. I live in New York so if you could give me options that a particularly close (nothing on like the other side of the world). Even places like Canada or some place lower like the Carolinas I would consider. Thanks so much

Colleges that are larger than where you’re at, have that "typical college" feel and social life, and even look the part (grassy quads, ivy covered brick buildings, etc.) right in your region, include: Fordham University (Rose Hill Campus), Rutgers New Brunswick, SUNY Binghamton, Boston College, UMass Amherst, UConn, U New Hampshire, U Vermont, Adelphi University, Hofstra University, Bentley University, U Rhode Island, Bucknell, Villanova, Hobart & William Smith, Lehigh, Marist College, Montclair State U, Ramapo College of NJ, Quinnipiac U, Seton Hall, SUNY New Paltz, SUNY Stony Brook, SUNY Oswego, SUNY Cortland, SUNY Geneseo, SUNY Plattsburgh, the College of New Jersey, Tufts, U Maine Orono, U Rochester, Widener U, Utica College, Wesleyan (CT), Penn State University Park, U Delaware, U Maryland, UNC Chapel Hill, U Virginia, SUNY Albany, Ithaca, and George Washington U.

Up in Canada, I’d suggest U Toronto and McGill.

So (just to give some background)..I just moved from NY to a relatively less urban area to go to grad school. I logged on to manhunt, just to see if there were any guys around the area, and ironically, there happens to be a guy within my age range, that also goes to the same grad school. He has a pretty demanding job (gets to work by 6am, gets back by 9ish).

So we talk for a little while (bout 2-30 minute conversations), and we agree to meet. We meet up, he picks me up and drives me to his place, and we chat for a while before having sex. I’ve had random hook-up sex before, but this really didn’t feel like it. First of all, it was *really* long..close to 3 hours. I ended up spending the night at his place (he had to get up early and didnt feel like driving me at like 2am, which I could definitely understand). When we wake up around 4:30, we have sex again..again, it was nice. Throughout the sex, he keeps talking about how he likes me, how he’d be upset if some other guy was with me, etc..he wasn’t drunk or anything, but then again, it could’ve just been bedroom talk, so…

The thing is, I *really* like this guy…but I dunno if he likes me. He says he’s free on friday, and we’re supposed to meet up again then, but honestly, I dont wanna wait..like, I want him *now*. I mean, he did say all that stuff, but like I said, it could’ve just been pillow talk. I texted him, but he didn’t respond, so…I just dont know what to do. Should I call him or just wait for him to call me back?

Well, sweetie, if you want to know if it’s pillow talk or not, I would go out with him friday and have a good time sans sex. If he still talks to you the same way as he did when you two were physical, it was sincere. And if you want to, bring it up over lunch/dinner (wherever the date takes you). I’m a blunt person, so if it were me I would say something like, "So the other night you said some really sweet things to me like…yadda yadda yadda…did you really mean that?" But I would only do that if you’re into the direct approach ^_^

He sounds sweet, and very responsible to have such a demanding career. I hope things go well for you.

I will study abroad in the fall of 2010 at either the University of Aberdeen, Scotland or the University College Dublin in Ireland. I’m from the midwest of the United States and weather is not a factor in my decision. I’m a Sociology/Anthropology Major with a concentration in Media Studies. I’m not necessarily looking for a strong academic program in these subjects; my main criteria is what the culture of the actual place is like. I want a place that is located within a city or have easy access to it, yet have some accessibility to nature/not-urban-areas. I also plan on traveling around the country and to other countries. I would also like a place where it is possible to be off campus often and meet other people who are not students.

My worries are that Dublin may be too urban for me and Aberdeen may be too small/depressing (are all the buildings actually gray?)

Thank you for any advice!

I would agree that it depends on what you’re looking for. I do not know much about Aberdeen, but University College Dublin is a great school, located in a fun and cultural city. It’s good that weather is not an issue because you’ll see sun, clouds, and rain – depending on the time of day. There is a lot to discover in Dublin. If you don’t want "bland color"- Dublin is best known for it’s "colorful doors." You’ll forget about the buildings when you count how many different colors a front door can be. Yes, it’s urban, but it’s a relatively small city- so it’s not overwhelming. There are also several great (and free) museums to visit. Dublin is a great hub for travel around Ireland as well as other countries. You’re close to two major train stations and only a half hour from Dublin airport. There are great day or weekend trips around Dublin that put you right into nature. Ireland is known for its mountain hiking and the coastal views. Right outside Dublin you’ll find Newgrange, Knowth, Glendalough, and waterfalls near Wicklow. Here’s an article about trips around Dublin (http://www.gullivergo.com/blog/?p=1084).

It sounds like you’ve narrowed down your choices, but if you still need help in your study abroad search, I work for a new travel/study abroad website dedicated to helping students go overseas. It’s called Gulliver (http://www.gullivergo.com). Here are other programs in Dublin (http://bit.ly/4VOpdY) or Aberdeen (http://bit.ly/6WtUJv). Just an idea of what’s out there. When you decide where you want to go, check out our Prepare to Go section (http://www.gullivergo.com/prepare-to-go) to learn about funding, housing, internet, cell phones and other tidbits for your trip. Good luck and Happy travels!

It was a nice house. The house which would come to be the key which would lock me in a permanent dungeon of horror forever. In 1997 I came to

Willington,Iowa. A small town into which little big buisiness or large shopping centers had come. I had moved here because of the quiet and calm of a small

town.
The house was an old Colonial era house of modest but large size. It was on a sprawling piece of land with many caves, creeks, cliffs, pools, and other

geological oddities I felt would be quite enjoyed by my daughter and son. The locals were never incredibly friendly to us urban folks. But that was not a big

problem because we would only come to town for groceries and other things of the sort. We had 250 acres to explore. Quite enough to occupy our free time. I

was an author. I had gained custody of the children from Martha and was very happy to have my children back with me.
In the first few months we had grown to love the place and we all felt a certain emotional bond with its charm. We all slept well in our beds confident of a

new start in Willington.
It started in 1998 two and a half months after our settlement there. My 10 year old daughter complained of pains in the
chest. I took her to the doctor and he saw nothing physically wrong. She took some aspirin and that was all. The next day both my children were complaining

of the same pains. My son being one year older than her. Could maybe the doctor said be a growth spert. But after about a week the pains had stopped in both

of them.
The next few weeks were normal except for my son was not going out to explore in the woods anymore. I asked if he would go with me but he simply said "But

you cant fight it." In a childish way. Never again would my boy or girl go into the woods.
A month or so after these incidents. I was typing at my typewriter and as normal fell asleep. I remember distinctly horrible dreams of doom and twisted inner

torture which numbed feeling. i also had dreams of great outer
spherical battles between great forces of godly power. White great mounds of force lunging down upon dark forboding rocky fluids twisting around the light

figures of…good I gathered. I felt confident at first behind the great white beings but soon my confidence turned into uncertainy which became terror at

the sight of constant battle between these forces. I woke up with straining on my chest as my children descibed.
Leaning back on my chair I fell forward as my eyes met the paper which had been typed in front of me. I looked over it seeing that it was complete gibberish.

Letters put together so that when you pronounced them a horrible feeling in the throat came over you. The words and sounds when read came out as gutteral

ugly sounds which seemed to be words. I felt incredibly strange reading it. I felt as though I could almost read them. Like almost being able to read latin

from derivatives. But I came to terms with the fact I couldnt read them. I came back to myself after
wondering over the paper. I began alarmingly worried about what had typed it and why it was gibberish. I felt a great stress and instincively ran to check on

my kids. They were both downstairs doing the work I had assigned to them on the floor in front of the television. They were working and watching T.V. at the

same time. I immediatly asked if they were messing with my typewriter. They both said no reminding me they wrent allowed in my study. I immediately went

throught the possibilities of how this strange yet forbodingly intriguing piece of writing had been typed. In my sleep I might have run my arm over the

keyboard, but how would that explain the spacing between words? I became very alarmed and my children asked what I had. I showed them the paper and they knew

nothing about it. I had forgotten about the great pain in my chest with all the wondering. I had no idea what to do. I seemed to subconciously make the

connection between my dreams and what had been on this paper.
I am not sure where to go with the story now.
Pretty fuckin scary huh?

More intriguing than scary, although it sounds like if you really got into the heart of the story it could deffinitely get scary. I could’nt tell you were to go from here becuase I have no idea what the dreams are about. And I’m sure you’ve got some kind of outline of how you want the story to be anyway.
P.S. Watch your language.

A Fellow Writer

But I’m young and I want to expierence London for its urban culture, I wanna have alot of fun, meet people, including guys, and just have the time of my life, any ideas on what I should do while in London to have the best time ever? Places, concerts anything would be awsome

Well there is a lot of clubs/pubs which is where u will find most young people. You could go sigh seeing- Buckingham palace, big ben, London eye etc. Lots of art/history/science museum. The science one is amazing but I forgot the name. All depends on what your into.