It has been forever since we posted, but

it has been very busy.

Since I have started working fulltime out of my house with various business ventures, it has been one thing after the other. I am certain you all know how difficult it can get when you start anything off new.

I have some fantastic news however. Regina, my sweet IMP, has been excepted to Reno University. She will be starting College in the fall. This kid has been working her little behind off.
We are trying to find scholarships for her now, trying to get information for loans and please if you are just another service trying to screw out of money, don't bother. I don't have any money to shell out any further.

Right now I am trying to come up with enough money to take care of her Registration fees etc.
Anyone has any legit work from home jobs I can do, that don't cost me a thing to sign up. I would be glad to hear from you.

Wishing you all, happy holidays.

Mommy Advocate.

Impy we are having a Store!

Here I go again. Everytime my poor little girl thinks that she is safe and she can finally relax her evil mommy is coming up with yet another thing for her to get involved with. In this case it isn't just for her to do so.

Introducing *Drumm Roll please* The Official Teenage Advocate Supporter Store.
Would you like to help spread the word, while looking chic and be comfortable? Want to help out keep the blog alive and maybe show your support in black and red colors?

Come and purchase a couple of fun for you and useable items at:
http://www.cafepress.com/teenageadvocate

Thank you in advance for your Support!

Just thinking out loud....

have you ever done something that just seemed to scare the living lights out of you? After a very long period of time at my workplace I was put in the position to either get very physical in a violent way or walk away for good.
You can only push people so far before they finally explode and last Wednesday I was hitting the little red button near the bomb in my case. I threw my job and walked away.
Then the reality hit me several days later, when everything I was building up just seemed to collapse around me. I was getting so focused on what I was doing that I couldn't handle things anylonger.
Then today someone asked me a question on the internet. How come you no longer counsel people online? What a question I thought to myself, why would I ...
Suddenly I remembered my expert status at kasamba, something I had done month ago and had gained a lot of satisfaction from. I had become so busy that with my old job that there wasn't any time to counsel any longer. Now here was my chance. Isn't the universe a strange place afterall, just when I was starting to despair the message to return was getting loud and clear. I was to return to the drawing board and start again.
If you have questions you would like to discuss with me or just need someone to talk to you can reach me live via my Kasamba Virtual office.
The charges at kept at a low 75 cents a minute.



I will be glad to help you with your problems. Until later!

Regina Sunderland aka Shalamar

An article to feast your eyes on

My mom wrote an article about an interesting subject. From what I gather, she was watching the news when they began talking about a new way to end 3rd world hunger. Read her article Our New Answer to World Hunger in Third World Countries!, and tell us what you think about this interesting find.

Yours Sincerely,
The Teenage Advocate

Michigan Law Maker Wants to Arm Educators

Here is another current event. Some of you might have heard about this already, but now you can say what you think. (Oh I found this event while searching for a current event article for Government class. Who said school can't help in real life?)

Due to current events, a lawmaker in Michigan wants to arm specially trained faculty. Over the past years, about 50 students have been killed because of shootings in schools. The idea grew out of events like the shooting at Virginia Tech where 32 people were shot dead. Other events like, the shooting in the Amish school in Lancaster County, Pa. resulting in the death of 5 girls and the shooting at Columbine High School in Colorado resulting in the death of 13 people. With these events in mind, Agema filed a bill that would allow properly trained gun-owning faculty and staff that hold permits to pack concealed pistols inside a school or on school property. This proposed legislation would allowed parents or guardians of students whom already posses gun permits to carry guns on their person when picking up or dropping of students. It would also allow faculty and staff members to carry concealed weapons at the principal’s discretion.

The article can be found at:
http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=3586066&page=1

Property Owners Sue Energy Companies

For my personal and Business Law class I had to research a current case. I was having a hard time finding one I liked, until I reached this one. The reason I liked it is because it was foolish and funny. Read and tell me what you think. I am going to summarize it. If you want to read the article I read go to:

http://money.cnn.com/2007/09/04/news/economy/greenhouse_gas_lawsuits/index.htm

Plaintiff (The person or people doing the suing): Group of property owner’s in Mississippi

Defendant (The person or people being sued): Energy Companies

Issues:
The plaintiffs are suing the defendants for releasing pollutants, which contribute to global warming.
Ray Whitman (the defendant’s lawyer) points out that there are too many factors to contribute to global warming.

So what do you think?
Will the defendant win the case or will the plaintiffs win?

Topic: 1 for English and 2 for Spanish....what were we thinking?

Ok, this may seem a little petty to you, but I am really sick and tired of picking up a phone and hear the request: “Please press 1 to continue in English and press 2 for Spanish.” Here are my number 1 and 2 on this one. I am residing in the United States of America; so far our national language is English. Yes, we are founded of a many people, but for some reason nobody besides the Mexicans seem to think they have to change the national language.
I am from Germany; I learned the language of my chosen country. It is proper to adept to the country you wish to live in. Two, I am sick and tired of having to cow tow to those that come over here and don’t even try to become part of this country. No I am not speaking of the immigration process, that is a whole new debate, but of trying to function in a meaningful way. If you are here, it should be a rule that you try to speak the language, not make others tip toe around you. You are a guest here! A GUEST!!!!! Until you learn to become part of this great family we once called the United States of America that is all you ever will be. And you know what happens to guests? They overstay their welcome when they are not polite and enjoyable. I would say I know a few millions that now have overstayed their welcome.
As for the good hearted Americans, sorry IMP you hear this everyday. Try taking the blinders off please. We are not doing anyone a favor by nursing our bleeding hearts. This was once the greatest country in the world, the word America once brought awe and fierce pride into the hearts of nations and people alike. We were looked upon with respect. Now, let’s face it we have become such little wuzzes that we are the laughingstock of the Global Nation. Sure we still have the super ego, but now we are just like any other Babysitter. They smile into our faces and behind our backs they make fun of us. Maybe it is time to dust of the old whopping stick and give a good old fashioned ass whopping to those that can not go by our rules.
Ok that is enough out of me, Imp you have the floor.

A quick tip for the Website / Blog marketing folks....

In order to achieve good Google rankings, you have to achieve a high link in ratio with qualified (your topic and subject specific) incoming links. Dead links or irrelevant links can even damage your creditability with google and many other search engines. For that reason it is extremely important to find a legit and knowledgeable “link exchange program”. Most of us don’t have the time to search the internet and find those that are interested in adding links to your website. In some cases we need links and are unable to post return links on our own Website or Blog.
In the case of one of my Article Websites, I need the links, but can not place return links on it. At Associated Content the same deal applies. For that reason I went on a search for an excellent Link Exchange Program that would work well for all of my venues.

TelaLinks.com fit the Bill in all areas. They offer highly specified link exchanges with three different levels to choose from. Sign up is extremely easy and the process is quick an efficient. They have 3 different options to choose from.

You can join the link exchange for Free! In this case you are required to put a code on your links page. Once you have uploaded the Code to the specific Page / folder you send the information to the amazing Tech at TelaLinks.com and it will be verified from there. Once seen as live, the exchange will automatically begin between your site and all those participating in the process.

Option 2 is called the NO CODE Advertisement and they are currently running a special for this option. From only $9.00 a month (really a steal) you can have up to 5400 links pointing to your Blog or Website and the best part of it is that you don’t have to put any codes on your end. With other words, your site stays clutter free.

Option 3 is by far the best one and at $19.00 a month a very good deal. This option is called the Sponsored Advertiser Program. A fantastic set up in which you won’t have to do anything once you have signed up and agreed to pay the program. Telalinks.com does everything for you. Again you receive 5400 links instantly pointing to your site. But read for yourself regarding all the other extra perks of this option.

They offer two different options of payment which makes this very easy to handle indeed. One is paypal (a company we all know and trust), the other is 2check out (another well respected merchant accounting firm).

Where do these links come from? Andreas, my Contact, has assured me that these are all quality links, not harvested from link farms, clone directories, dead links or one server set up, but high quality human edited and targeted links from quality and relevant websites and other blogs.

Another bonus is the very quick setup. You are up and running with 24 hrs. Quick service and should you have any technical questions or problems, there tech support team responds quickly and with very knowledgeable answers.
I personally use their services and am very satisfied with them. If you are looking for a great link exchange program, look no further.

This Site gets an easy A. Make sure to check back with me in a couple of month for further updates and review of this site. At this point I hope to be able to show you a graph of the wonderful work they are providing.

In the meantime, make sure to give them a try.


Good luck with your Website and blog, remember to link up with someone you think has something positive to offer.

An Escape to the Unknown

The above picture was downloaded from a free image site
a few years ago. I do not remember where.

Positive Alternatives to using drugs and drinking

When people talk about their drug addictions, they usually talk about how it made them feel. They say that it is like a walk on cloud nine. When asked why they use drugs or drink they respond: “It is a way to escape”, or “It takes my mind of the present.” For others it was a case of peer pressure. I have luckily never used drugs and I do not drink. It might be because I have a healthy way to escape. There are other alternatives then using drugs, drinking, or doing bodily harm.

Sports

Sports give the player a sense of pride when their team wins, and a determination to do better when the team loses. It also provides the students to do better educationally to stay on the team.
Some prefer contact sports like football and boxing to escape their everyday problems. This allows them to focus their anger or depression into a more productive avenue. It also gives the player an opportunity to make friends of the right kind.
Others prefer calmer sports, like swimming and volley ball. Just like football, it allows them to focus their attention on a more productive level. These sports give the player the same sense of satisfaction as a boxer, yet it does not require them to encounter their opponent until the end of the game/race.
Lastly, there is weightlifting. This is a sport yet it is not competitive. Weightlifting is just as productive as the other sports, but it does not give off a competitive air. Like other sports, it allows the lifter to focus his/her energy on lifting weights rather then hurting themselves or others. It can be done either with friends or with a trainer. If weightlifting is your healthy alternative, remember never to do it alone.

The Arts

Creating a piece of art allows the doer to gain a sense of pride and determination. Like sports, creating something takes practice and there is always room for improvement. The artist either can be self-educated or can take a class. The latter provides the student an opportunity to make friends who enjoy doing some of the same stuff.
Some love to paint, sculpt, or build. This allows the artist/sculptor/builder to express themselves in their work. It also allows the artist to focus their anger, and depression into making a descriptive work of art. Creating something gives the artist a venue to express him or herself and not get in trouble. For a piece of artwork can mean anything.
Others love to perform and be the center of attention. This is also good. It allows the performer to gain healthy attention and to escape themselves. For when you act, sing, or dance you are who ever your character is. Performing is also a great alternative for a person who is not gaining enough or the right kind of attention. This also gives the child a way to make their parents visibly proud.
Writing is another great alternative for kids. This allows the child to warp their lives into a more appealing life. Writing allows the author to express him or herself and escape to the unknown. It also gives the person a sense of accomplishment when their work is complemented.

Reading, Playing Games, and Listening to Music

Reading gives the reader a way to escape into unknown lands, to learn without learning, to become someone they are not. It gives the reader a place to hide. Reading not only expands the imagination of a person but the vocabulary as well. Reading is my way to escape from my problems. That is all reading is an escape.
Playing games is also a way escape yet it is also a way to let out ones anger. It takes the player into a virtual realm where they can be whoever they want to be. Some might say, it is because of video games that kids are so unruly, but in truth is it because of video games that the players may not be as unruly as they can be.
Listening to music is a way to block out the world, and a way to ignore those you want to ignore. To listen to music for some is the same as a walk on the beach for others. It might not be a way to exert energy, or a way to express ones self, yet listening to music is more of a stimulant to relax.

Each person has a different way to cope with his or her problems. Some smoke, do drugs, or drink. Others find healthy ways to relax and escape their troubles for a while. The healthy alternatives given above should not be done in excess, yet when done in a healthy amount one can benefit from them. Finding healthy alternatives to cope with ones life is more beneficial in the end then the quick fix you get from doing drugs, drinking, cutting ones self, and smoking. Remember there are other alternatives then slowly ending your life.

Expectations

I have American Literature for one of my English classes and the following article/essay was an assignment from my teacher.
Sit down, be prepared when you get to class, and listen, are a few rules given to students everywhere. A student is expected to be in class on time, be quite when the teacher or someone else is talking, and show their teacher respect. What about the teachers, are they held to the same guidelines as their students, or are their responsibilities different?
Control is an important aspect a teacher needs. A teacher must be able to show that they are in charge. They need to be able to keep their students under control. A class should not get out of control, just because the teacher cannot show he/she is in charge. There is a difference between being lenient and being a pawn. One can be lenient and still be in charge, it is just a matter of knowing when to be which.
Not only is the ability to control ones class important, a teacher must also be able to control his/her temper. It is not advisable to lose one’s temper over a simple problem. A class is supposed to be a safe and educational environment. The minute a teacher cannot manage his/her anger the classroom is no longer safe. It is one thing to show annoyance and another to lose one’s temper.
An educator is also required to follow the same guidelines given to their students. If a student is expected to be punctual then their teacher is expected to do the same. One must be willing to execute the same actions that are required of their pupils. If a teacher does not see it fit to be on time, then in due course neither shall the students.
We all are expected to do certain actions and in turn expect others to perform similar procedures. Teachers are not exempt from this rule. Yet, like others, they can choose whether to carry out such requirements.

Topic: Should Kids be responsible to help around the house?

Chores. These days most people don’t even know the meaning of that word anymore. The question on the Table is. Should kids be expected to help out around the house and given age appropriate responsibilities with the result of an allowance for them? Or if an allowance is given for the chores, should it be reduced if the work is not done? Basically, like a Paycheck. If you are not willing to work at your Job, you don’t have that job very long. Should cleaning ones own Room or washing the dishes be rewarded with allowance or should it be part of being a Family and everyone shipping in what they can?
Imp you have the floor! Everyone else is welcome to put their 2cents in too.

Advice for Teens and Parents: Topic: Child predators in our Schools

Advice for Teens and Parents: Topic: Child predators in our Schools

Topic: Child predators in our Schools

More and more Schools seem to have a little, tiny problem. They seem to hire Teachers that just love their Students... A bit too much!!!The news is constant about Teachers being arrested for child porn, for undue relations with their Students or for trying to coerce the Students into sexual favors.My Question is: What do you think should be done about this problem. Remember, this is not gender biased; the chicks are getting just as sick.

Debate: What is too short?

Today you find many teenage girls wearing short skirts. It is the new fashion. About 90% of girls between the ages of Eight and Nineteen are wearing mini skirts. Some schools are trying to prevent it by installing dress codes, yet those of the female gender find ways around these obstacles. Is this becoming a problem or should girls be allowed to flaunt it while they still have it?
What do you think?

Imp

Welcome all Readers

Monday, September 3, 2007 7:30pm

Good evening readers. The date above is when I wrote this. I am Regina Kamrud aka Imp. I am the smart ass and my mom's "secretary". As you might already know, I am the teenage advocate. I am also the coauthor of this blog. I would like to welcome all readers. Welcome teachers, parents, and teens. Another fact you might already know is that the relationship between my mom and I is not your regular, everyday mother/daughter relationship. My mom is my best friend, model, doll, mom, partner in crime (coauthor of this blog), and my heroine. I am proud of my mom and not afraid to say it. To me my mom is the coolest mortal out there.
Why am I proud of my mom?
I am proud of her because she went through a divorce, the lose of a child (SID), the moving of two more children (My sister, Diana, now eighteen has lived her grandparents since the summer of her sixteenth birthday, and my baby brother, Alex, now fourteen has lived with his father for about two years.) and depression, yet she still finds the will to workout with me at four in the morning, pack my dad his lunch, work on her articles, raise me, spend quality time with me, make us dinner and give my dad a massage once or twice a week. Personally, I think that is something to be proud of.
Now that you know why I love my mom so much, I hope you will understand our relationship a little better. And I hope one day the relationships of parents and teens will become like ours.
I love you, mommy.
Thank you, Readers.
Yours truly,
The teenage advocate

P.S. I did not write this because it is false, I wrote it because it is true. And by the way, teens I agree with you it was corny, but I don't care.

Some private thoughts by Regina Sunderland (Mom) plus links to some of her published Articles

Hello Everyone,

I hope you had a great Labor Day. I had to work, my little Imp (yeah right little) was busy working on her SAT registration and trying to find Scholarships on the Net.
If anybody ever thought getting your life set up is easy, they have forgotten what is was like to be a teen.
Now, since I have the floor for a few moments without my little Monster, I would like to talk out of the Pocket so to speak.
This is for all of you, Teens and Parents alike.

I watch youngster on a daily basis. You know what scares me the most? No, it isn't guns in the hands of teens or even the Gangs, even so that Idea really doesn't make me all that happy either. It is the loneliness so many of our kids have. Do you know how often I hear from teens no older and often much younger then my Baby that nobody cares about them. Of course most of us felt that way at their age also, but they really mean nobody cares.
They are no longer required to check in with there Parents.
Half don't know where their Parents are, have no emergency contact or anything.
School is an afterthought. A home cooked meal is a frozen entree out of the freezer. Most of those kids know more about sexual positions then I do and hello I am in an alternative relationship. Kids at age 4 cuss so bad they could make a sailor blush and what is worst the Adults think it is cute.
Wake up everyone, that is isn't cute. It isn't funny and our kids are in trouble.
Then there are those Teens that are really marvelous. They are super, great even.
Do we adult listen to them? No, most just get told to shut up. I don't think that is fair either.

Sometimes it is really difficult for me to let my daughter debate with me, the old Adult mentality of "how dare you question me" pops up, but you know what? I am glad I keep it under control and let her have her say. She is respectful about it, even so she is a little smart ass. She knows that when I raise my eyebrow, playtime is over.

We have a rule in my house, between me and her. You get to say whatever you want as long as you can back up your reasoning. You can prove your point to me and I will listen. There are times she knocks me flat with her reasoning. Now I have invited other teens to do that as well and most are just shocked.

My personal wish for this Blog is that tons of Youngsters from at least 10 on up, Adults and especially Teachers, Counselors, Grand Parents, Parents come on here and participate. I want this to be an open Blog for People to be heard. If you can show that you can reason well, can be respectful to everyone regardless of the age then I will start sending invitations out for other Authors to join us.

I have written several Articles on different Subjects. Here are links to them. Please leave me a comment or join my fan club if you enjoy them. Tell others about this blog and my Writing Sites. Help us make a difference! Here is your chance. Come and be heard.

http://hubpages.com/hub/How_to_teach_your_teenagers_a_work_ethic_and_life_skills
http://hubpages.com/hub/How_to_understand_you_Teenager_better
http://hubpages.com/hub/Why_is_hugging_so_important_between_parent_and_child
http://hubpages.com/hub/Making_your_wishes_known_without_nagging
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/319452/what_makes_a_man_a_dad_.html
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/319512/mother_vs_mom_what_type_are_you.html
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/306885/the_best_peer_pressure_antidote_talking.html

If you want to look around what else I write about you can visit me at:
http://www.reginasunderland.com/
http://www.hubpages.com/profile/reginasunderland
http://www.associatedcontent.com/reginasunderland

Thanks for stopping by
Regina Sunderland
(Mommy Advocate)

Introducing the Authors

Introducing the author, R&R, better known as Regina Kamrud and Regina Sunderland! Hey, stop rolling your eyes mom.

Stop being a little smart ass Imp, but keep going your doing fine.

Until my mom can talk…better yet type straight, I shall introduce myself. Uhhum *clears throat* in the blue ink, Miss Regina Kamrud, She is sixteen years old and respectfully the Smart Alec of the year.

*laughs so hard has to run to the bathroom*

There went the typing straight Idea. I guess I shall continue. *looks at ceiling * Moms! But you’ve got love them.

Hey…Hey!

I love you, mommy. (Chester cat grin)

I love you too, Imp. And while I have a moments breathe.
I am Regina Sunderland and you’ve guessed it Regina’s mom. I am a 37-year-old freelance writer and artisan. As well as the voice of reason…I guess.

Hey! I have reason…at least I think I do. Plus my intro was funnier.

Yes, it was, and yes you do. That is the reason for this blog.

Yes it is. Okay I am going to be serious for a moment. Oh, please don’t have a heart attack! It can happen.

*clutches heart, gasps for breathe, then bursts out laughing* You see ever since Imp was little…

I’m still little…ish. *looks down at mom*

*ignores outburst and continues* She didn’t just ask me for something, she debated me for it. And come to think of it she was pretty good at it. It wasn’t a great surprise that she wanted to be a lawyer. Imp(Regina K.’s nickname) never does anything half way, be it amaze me, or drive me up the wall, so of course she chose Harvard as her preferred college/university. (I am still trying to figure that one out.)

Why not Harvard? It is the most prestigious, most expensive (down side) and the best law school there is.

And she has a point there. See what I mean? And Imp, I meant I was still trying to figure out how to pay for that one and find someone to sponsor you.

I knew what you meant, but did the readers? Ok, maybe they did. I just wanted to have some fun, plus I was quite for too long.

Anyways the point is, Imp and I have been discussing and debating subjects since she was knee high to a grasshopper.

How you can be knee high to a grasshopper me no know. Imp so big, grasshopper so tiny. *shrugs and ponders*

This may take a while.

Hey!

Love you.

Uhhu

Where was I? Ah yes, Imp and I debate serious subjects from teen pregnancies, immigration, and drugs to (I know this might not sound/look serious) the latest teen fashion.

Don’t even get me started on that. Girls if your skirt…

IMP!

Fine, I’ll save it for an article, but I will not be silenced.

Wouldn’t dream of It.*shakes head, keeps fingers crossed behind back, and tries to look innocent*

Oh, you can dream, but it won’t happen.

Can I have the floor for two minutes?

*sigh* I guess. *sniff, sniff*

I’ll make it short, Imp. Anyway, what I was trying to say is this. Teenagers are a great deal smarter then most adults give them credit for, and my Imp has proven that. All too often adults either silence their voices or don’t even listen to them, which is not the way to prepare them for the future. Imp and I may not always agree on everything, but I believe it would be great for parents and teens alike to read about the different views generations bring to the table. Tag Imp, You’re it.

Finally! No offense mommy.

*raises eyebrows*

Seriously…semi-seriously now, sure we debate back and forth, but the subjects are essential learning tools. My mom has written well over fifty articles, and quite a few of them are on parent-teen relationships, which give her more then enough experience on the subjects. There is also the fact that she is a parent of 3 teens, one of which she is still raising (that would be me). Whereas, my experience lies in school papers and poems, and the fact that I am a teen.
Now I know there are parents out there practically screaming at the computer “What a disrespectful little person.”

The word is brat, Imp, brat.

Thanks ma.

I love you. *evil grin* Oh, Imp, when you are done with what you want to say you might want to explain our ‘I love you’s.

I will. Anyways, I am not disrespectful parse just a Smart Alec. Remember that underlined word in the beginning of the introduction? I am respectfully, respectful, respect. See there it is. As for why we keep saying I love you to each other, it is just a polite way to say “Go fly a kite” (or an equivalent thereof). At times, we even get into, I love you arguments because I do not want to be disrespectful and mommy just wants to be nice. Depending on the tone of voice and expression an ‘I love you’ can mean anything from the actual meaning to “your in big trouble missy”.

All joking aside, we really do love each other. It is just a more civilized…

Civilized my…

IMP!!!

Butt, that is all I was going to say mommy. *flutters eye lashes and tries to look innocent*

Uhhu

What?! What could you possible think your cute, adorable, lovable…

Imp get to the point. *gives the mother look*

Fine, this blog is for you dear readers. Remember, here every voice is heard no matter how quite. Hey, that could be our motto.

Fine with me.

Great! One last thing, we are not mind readers. At least I’m not. So please tell us what you think and what issues you would like us to cover. Plus, we do give advice to the best of our abilities.

Oh, Imp and I have decided to keep this blog open. Therefore, you can comment and even start a discussion of your own. However, this blog will remain friendly and in the form of a debate. All verbal abuse and rudeness will be dealt with severely. Please remember: both adults and teens are equal in this blog.

Goodbye for now,

Regina Sunderland & Regina Kamrud


Warning: This blog is not for the easily offended or the faint of heart. Some subjects touched in here will range from easy going to emotionally deep. They will also range from school topics to politics. So please do not get on this ‘ride’ if you have/are:
1. faint of heart
2. easily offended
3. pessimistic
4. Or any other such problematic characteristics.

Note: We do not mind if you feel strongly about a subject, but by no means are you to down grade another because they do not believe the same as you, spell as good as you do, or anything else that you are or think you are better at. Most of the readers get enough of this at home; school, or work and they do not need you to help.

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