The MSG Allergy Myth

Chances are, if you've ever had MSG come up in a discussion, it was about how bad it is for your health. It really gets a bad rap, especially in the U.S. This reputation is completely undeserved, however. Next time, take a moment to question whoever thinks MSG is bad for you; can they even name any specific reasons for why it's unhealthy? Most likely, the answer is no.

Sweden: Socialist Paradise

Some of you may shake in fear at the sight of the word "socialist", but no worries: Sweden's economic system is not entirely socialist. Just like every other country on Earth, it is a mix of everything. However, many cite Sweden as being the ideal socialist paradise. Before you start pointing your patriotic missiles at me, let me tell you a little about life in Sweden.

Don't Take Things for Granted

I'm still pretty young, so there's a lot about life that I don't know about. I've yet to experience anything beyond an education, and I've never had to worry about the essentials like food, shelter, or even money. My family has had plenty of financial issues stemming from our immigration status, but I was always too young to understand the struggle my parents were going through.

In the end, it seems I was spoon-fed through most of my life. I guess it was good parenting on my mom's part for loving me and caring for me so much that I didn't even realize how much my family was suffering. Though, at the same time, I never learned how to appreciate what I have. Even as a young adult, I find myself having trouble doing the simplest tasks.

My point is, if there's any lesson I can share with the world, it's that you should never take things for granted. Just because people love you and care for you, doesn't mean they'll always be there to hold your hand. People come and go. It's up to you to take care of yourself.

If there's anything I'm good at, it's taking things for granted. I take my terrific home life for granted, my education and opportunities, and even my loved ones for granted. Keep sitting back and letting others live life for you, and you'll end up confused and miserable. Trust me, good things never last.

Today is Valentine's Day, so even if you're single, just take the time to think about what your loved ones have done for you, and how your behavior might impact them. The problem with most people is that they don't do this quite enough. Don't regret growing old and finding out that in the end, they were the only parts of your life that really mattered.

Phones are Terrible

I don't know about you, but I'm a little ticked about the state of the modern telephone. It's just god awful. Before you say "What?! The telephone is one of the greatest inventions in human history!", just hear me out. I'm not talking about the telephone as an invention in general. I'm talking about the state of voice quality in modern phones.

"It's up to you"

Everybody should be familiar with this one. You're with a friend or a group of friends, and you ask "what do you guys want to eat?" At that moment, there will undoubtedly be a person that says "I don't mind anything, it's up to you". At first, it might seem like they're just being open-minded and polite, but that's just wishful thinking on their part. In truth, "it's up to you" basically translates to "Don't ask me, I don't feel like deciding". It's dismissive; an avoidance of responsibility. It contributes nothing to the situation; if anything, it makes everything more frustrating.

It doesn't just stop there, either. There are people who say "anything is fine", only to shoot down every suggestion you give. It makes absolutely no sense. If you have a preference, just say it! I've actually seen people get mad about a decision after specifically stating that "ANYTHING is FINE". Please, just try and help make a decision. Don't try to hide your indecisiveness with this pretentious bullshit. You're basically just dead-weight in a survival situation...or an asshole.

Not Dressed for Winter

It's currently 20 degrees Fahrenheit. My college campus is up on pretty high hills, so it feels closer to 10 degrees. It's so cold that my face hurts. It...it just freaking hurts. A lot. No amount of bundling up seems to be enough to stop this blistering pain.

So I'm walking, and everybody is covered in parkas, scarves, and hats. Then there's that one guy who's wearing a T-SHIRT. I see this constantly. My question is, what is wrong with these people? Do they have super-human abilities? Are they poor? Is that why they don't have a jacket on? It's a college campus, these kids have parents. There is no way that money is an issue.

Therefore, the question is still in the air. Why do these people choose not to dress appropriately for winter? It's really just beyond me, and I haven't been able to understand for years...