Judging Yourself. (Off To Mexico!!)

[ReneeisaGeek]

I love the nightmare before Christmas poster you have on your wall that's my favourite movie and your videos are very good!

[honeymist204]

i think that your videos are really good and i admit that i sometimes feel insecure about myself and wondering if my life could improve because i live in benefits and very little money and have had a history of depression and stuff and sometimes its taken me along time to get out of it and i was wondering how do you stop yourself from falling into depression or getting seriously stressed? because that happens to me alot

[drdantepereirea]

I heard u have a better chance of getting in to these programs if your a minority

[vladeechilocci]

Such a fake insecurity in you, bro! =) Can you just enjoy yourself for a minute and be cocky for a while. =) You really nice guy, and I'm afraid that someone will use it. =(

[tgriffplayer]

wow great job!!!

[JOEBLACK36]

Bravo brother!! You should be proud. I know this is late but I hope you had a great experience in Mexico.

[artrenai]

I know how that feels. My mentor once told me... you are your only competition congrats. although its late.

[defeatingthenorm]

so modest

[raymondsauza]

Hey I just wanted to say that I love your vlogs and I think you're cute

[tfranklin1788]

are you a capricorn?

[xypowerpop]

@tfranklin1788 nope! leo :D

[tazed10]

thank you for the advice!!!

[lalipop1996]

Congrats on the scholarship! You deserve it!!!!

[NeraFX]

I don't comparing is something you ever stop doing. I compare myself to others as much as I used to when I was younger, the only difference is that I don't get all down about it as much. I don't see anything wrong with comparing as long as you're satisfied with who you are and what you do. Besides, if we didn't compare, there'd be no competition, and therefore no progression!

[wade1977]

Good luck in Mexico, lots of crazy stuff going on there.

[evenstephen85]

I know I don't comment ever, but I watch your vlogs regularly and have to tell you CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are incredibly inspiring and your words of wisdom have touched me profoundly since I have some self-esteem issues (even at age 24). Anyway, I am SO PROUD of you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!! Have an AMAZING time in MEXICO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - Stephen in Seattle

[xypowerpop]

@evenstephen85 wow, thank you! :D lol, lots of exclamation points. I wish you'd comment more, Stephen inSeattle :-)

Your words are very uplifting, and knowing you watch my videos and listen to my thoughts helps me SO MUCH. more than I can express in words.

yay mutual benefit? lol

[sleekcartim]

You are stronger as a result of all u have to deal with in life, which is more than most. know your power lil bro

1 LIFE

[xypowerpop]

@sleekcartim i've had to deal with some craziness, but it's nothing compared to loads of other people ^^ thank you though

[sleekcartim]

Hey we ALL have our own strengths & beauty. We know yours & now they do... You deserve everything you achieve!

1 LIFE

[bazooca25]

your eyes are so sexy xxxx

[xypowerpop]

@bazooca25 haha thanks Demi ;-)

[NEWReviewMan]

UR WELCOME~!:D

and thank u, congrats!! :DDD

[TConradC]

Congratulations. We have have self doubt from time to time. Tom

[xypowerpop]

@TConradC So true, Tom. When feelings of self-doubt begin to trickle down into my being though, i get angry, and it makes me want to try harder just to prove myself wrong and succeed.

[005Sanders]

i try not 2 compare myself with someone but i do similar things like thinking im not gonna be able 2 do something or that a certain thing will never happen (for example somebody having the same orientation and liking you, ik you probably have experienced that 2). But like most of the time when i have those thoughs or feelings of doubt the total opposite happens. so i usually try not 2 have so many doubts or be 2 cocky. cause like u said thats unhealthy.

[xypowerpop]

@005Sanders oop. can't forget to tell people not to be too arrogant - that's another thing too. forgot to speak about that in this video.

[theroads29]

Congradulation! You are a positive force in the universe. I did study abroad in college, the experience is great and will help you grow as a person. You are a true inspiration. Keep up the good work. Good luck in Mexico

[xypowerpop]

@theroads29 Where did you travel for your study abroad trip? :D I'm glad you had fun, and I hope I (like you said) am able to grow as a person after this. ^^

[theroads29]

@xypowerpop

My study abroad trip was to the major western European countries. This included England, France, Germany, Spain, Italy and Greece (Greece was cancelled). It was an incredible experience I will never forget. There is something special about learning another culture or country other than your own, especially when you take the time to talk with the citizens of that country and get to know them. Hope you have fun!!! (even though I am an alumni of Florida State University) LOL

[Althalus1990]

congradulations xy!

[xypowerpop]

@Althalus1990 thanks !!

[NewCreation181]

OMG congratulations!!!! I'm happy for you, and proud of ya ;) have fun in Mexico! But yeah, I know how you felt, I've often had that feeling of "good about yourself one minute, bad the next." I enjoyed this video, especially the positive message. Then again, I always love your videos XD

[xypowerpop]

@NewCreation181 thank you ^^ and I'm glad you've always loved my videos - hope that continues! haha. I tried to be really positive/uplifting in this one.

[xypowerpop]

@LoveLoveMEIDO i hope so too! lol.  thank you

[JambaJoy]

I concur with most of the commenters...You exemplified what they were looking for despite what anyone else had to bring to to the table. Oh and you mentioned in a previous video the fact that your family might be forced to move?! :( Will you offer an update?

[xypowerpop]

@JambaJoy yayyy, i'm not the only one who uses concur in regular conversation!!

(random, my apologies.)

I'll try to remember to talk about the family thing in my next video. *suspense*

[JambaJoy]

@xypowerpop Haha Don't worry, I have those "I'm not the only one!" moments all the time.

Yes, very suspenseful indeed. :O

[trisshandy]

I echo all the great comments your YT subscribers have already made. Have a super time and let us know what you think of the experience.

Wow! what a month for some of my YT favorites - BigScott falls in love and Facebooks his way out of the closet, Erik ends his sexual frustration (and gets ready for his trip to Germany), and you have your first gay date and win a prestigious scholarship. It really does brighten my life. Thanks!!

[xypowerpop]

@trisshandy Haha, wow. A big month indeed! I've been following Scott lately (though I'm mad he doesn't reply to me. I was counting on him being my newest YT friend. maybe i'll make a video directly for him), but remind me which channel is Erik's again? I haven't been keeping up with many people's videos - and i may not even be subscribed to him :O

I think it's the springtime that's bringing about all this craziness :)

and of course; thank YOU.

[xypowerpop]

@trisshandy oh snap duhhhhh Erik. StraightActingGayGuy nvm. I'm so dumb. of course.

i'm an idiot.. @_@ lol

[trisshandy]

@xypowerpop - Er - topic= (not) Judging Yourself. Quote - "duhhhhh . . . I'm so dumb"!! Just an expression of course (like 'that's so gay!?') They say Einstein was 'absent-minded;' so you're excused. (part 2 to follow)

[JCJasion]

Congratulations Darien!!!

[xypowerpop]

@JCJasion thanks so much Jim <3

[StraightActingGayGuy]

It's great to hear that you'll be studying in Mexico! You'll have a wonderful time! Congratulations!

=)

[xypowerpop]

@StraightActingGayGuy thanks Erik ^^

[verballyunspoken]

First of all, CONGRATS!!! Obviously you DO deserve to be a finalist because you were chosen!..lol It's not always about your commonality with others but rather how you stand out amongst the crowd. Achievement and accomplishments may get you in the door, but they may not keep you in the room.  Your ambition, aspirations, charisma, personal goals, etc. is what intrigued the judges. Good job! Don't be concerned with what everyone else has done. Continue to be yourself, it works well for you!

[xypowerpop]

@verballyunspoken wise words ^^ thank you. i'll try to stay true to myself

[mzbrwneyez06]

have a safe trip and enjoy yourself :)

[xypowerpop]

@mzbrwneyez06 thanks! <3

[johnetie]

We all do it, the comparison game. I think you have hit the nail on the head, we should not compare. Just believe in yourself and do your best. Great video.

[xypowerpop]

@johnetie YOU hit the nail on the head better than I. I was far too verbose. I could've shortened my video to 10 seconds if I just said what you said! hah.

[LILRuthlessplaya88]

you are gorgeous...beautiful smart and sexy....not bad .....:)

[xypowerpop]

@LILRuthlessplaya88 i don't know 'bout all that! hehe. But thank you, very much :-)

[vladeechilocci]

You are extremely smart guy! =)

I enjoy watching your videos ...

[xypowerpop]

@vladeechilocci woo. I hope you continue to enjoy them and interact with me :-)

[AndrogynyQueen]

congrats! i'm glad that you got it. You have a very good head on your shoulders, so i'm not surprised. Keep up the good work.

[xypowerpop]

@AndrogynyQueen thank you Bri! :D I appreciate it

[he2tazzy4u]

Congrats man! I go to UF and I might see you around campus! Again good luck!

[xypowerpop]

@he2tazzy4u that'd be cool :-) haha. Thank you!

[josephwhetstone]

i actually disagree with that statement, i think that comparing yourself to others and feeling bad about yourself is actually a good thing. if you are happy with where you are then you have no reason to move yourself up in class and prestiege. and if no one attempts to move up socially that will in the end lead to the feeling of inadequacy and disappointment in ones self. what IS bad is the feeling of defeat, you should never feel defeated, always strive to be better and more aware.

[xypowerpop]

@josephwhetstone Well, I said that It's a good thing to aspire and to push yourself and better yourself in every way possible ~ don't get me wrong. But comparing yourself to others and looking down upon yourself doesn't really change much. I think the force that REALLY drives people comes from the desire to be in a better situation, not the negative emotions involved with self-pity/hatred and low self-esteem. Ya know?

[vladeechilocci]

@xypowerpop totally agree!

[jdnesbeth27]

Hopefully they don't kill you in mexico lol that place is dangerous

[xypowerpop]

@jdnesbeth27 the entire country of mexico isn't one big warzone! lol. i'll do my best to stay safe :P there are always risks when traveling abroad.

[vladeechilocci]

@xypowerpop NOT EVEN ONE country in the world isn't safe. Here in US you just know where not to go to stay alive....lol Usually when I travel i hook up with ppl from neighborhood and feel safe then! =) lol

[alexakachristian]

First, Congrats on all the possitives :P Second, A very inspiring and wonderful video. I have to admit I compare myself to my sister and cousin way too much. I feel as though they are better than me on so many levels. Anyway, Glad your doing good and stay strong :P

[xypowerpop]

@alexakachristian thank you!

[ThereWillBeDaniel]

Nice! Last year a girl from my class got that scholarship too. (She's a total bitch, but that's irrelevant.)

How did you like the campus?

[xypowerpop]

@ThereWillBeDaniel ooh, you should tell me who that was (in private) :P I got to meet a bunch of the past winners. lol

[shorty275]

congrats

[xypowerpop]

@shorty275 thanks!!

[missptv9090]

i feel like a proud mother lol

congrats on all ur accomplishments, u kno ur the JAM!!

[xypowerpop]

@missptv9090 aww haha, thank you ;-)

[sfcalvinaz]

First of all, great, insightful vid. Secondly, isn't it interesting how your destiny is tied to YouTube in a way?!?! Interesting, huh??? I am proud as Tahitian Punch of you right now!!! Do you get to go to Mérida? *hugz* ~Calvin~

[xypowerpop]

@sfcalvinaz it's VERY interesting.  Maybe I should put a lot of effort in my channel again (aka a video every day or two) like I used to. lol. This channel has given me so soooo much.

yep, my host family lives in Mérida so that's where the other scholars and I will be based. We venture all around the yucutan peninsula though.

[xypowerpop]

@sfcalvinaz yucatan*

[CjKaiTv]

Don't feel intimidated babe, you're very academically accomplished and capable of going anywhere intellectually!

[xypowerpop]

@CjKaiTv aww, thanks man :) I hope so. If I still want to go to grad school after undergrad (right now I do, but god knows how i'll feel in 4 years), I'm gonna try for an Ivy league school >:D it's gonna be sick

[brianbell]

hey, u should be proud u got the scholarship, don't be afraid to talk yourself up when it's deserved

[xypowerpop]

@brianbell heh, I'm pretty happy/proud of myself ~ it's just that some people have gotten mad at me about this kind of stuff before >_> maybe i should take your advice and talk about it anyway.

Well, I linked the info in the vid/description, so if you're curious you can check it out, lol

[Chosenoneknuckles]

Hey dude, many MANY congrats on gettin' in. Mexico is a pretty large place isn't it? I'm sure you'll find lots of adventure and frolics there, at least from what an American mate of mine has told me of it.

And I've felt similar thoughts [who honestly hasn't on some level, regardless of context?] when I awaiting on whether I made it into Uni [anywhere] - though I didn't personally meet many of those trying for a place prior.

Well take care, work hard [but not too much] & play hard sexy dude!

[xypowerpop]

@Chosenoneknuckles yep, thank you :D the 8 of us scholars will be exploring Mérida and the Yucatan peninsula. It's gonna be pretty interesting.

I'm glad you can relate to the video. ttyl <3 heh

[Justified248]

So you're going to UF? :]

[xypowerpop]

@Justified248 yep yep

[tattooskin72]

Saying grats just doesn't seem to cut it :) I'm so excited for you... never doubt yourself and your abilities.

[xypowerpop]

@tattooskin72 thanks Michael <3

[TheExtremeBiblicist]

Well all this sounds good. There's lots of gorgeous men in Mexico and Latinos are quite romantic. What an adventure. BTW, did you think of how many of the others found you intimidating? UR gorgeous, articulate, popular, talented?

[TheExtremeBiblicist]

It is sooo great seeing you! Great vid. But I'm divided just a bit. I think you need to realize that it's going to be tough and you have to be competitive. If you know you can get wiped off the map you will work harder, so I'm glad for that.

[ConsiderMeGuru]

This was really inspiring to hear man. Congrats, and have fun in Mexico!

[AngelTeranMusic]

Cool! Congrats! Where exactly in Mexico are you gonna be?

[xypowerpop]

@AngelTeranMusic Mérida ~ ^_^

[deepblue301]

and have fun in Mexico!!! omg so jealous right now :D where is mexico are you going to study for the summer?

oo and have you heard from NYU yet, if you havent i wouldnt worry, my top school was the last to reply, they seem to do that.

anyways good luck with that ..

all the best!

[xypowerpop]

@deepblue301 goin' to Mérida.

and I HAVE heard back from NYU. forgot to include that tidbit in this video. lol.

ya'll will see what i ave to say about that later :-)

[deepblue301]

yay congrats on the scholarship!!!!!

i have compared myself to others, more so recently and regards to the art that i have created in school, i'll finish a painting and be really proud of it, then i'll see a friends painting and its so much better than mine... at least in my opinion ...and it will usually make me feel like shit. make me wonder why i am in an art program .. the funny thing is they feel the exact same with my work lol,

[xypowerpop]

@deepblue301 YESSSS OMG I DO THIS THE MOST IN MY ART CLASS. I'll sculpt something that I think is really nice and I'll look at one of the more experienced sculptors next o me or across the studio room and I'll feel like shit because theirs is sooo much better than mine. We're in the same boat, hang in there!!

[spinto12]

hey pretty eyes...CONGRATS! was there any doubt? judging by your channel alone, u deserve the scholarship. this vid will/has inspired a lot of people. thanks 4 sharing.

[xypowerpop]

@spinto12 thank youuu. There was A LOT OF DOUBT, at least in my head. lol. I was told that the committee of interviewers really liked me. which is good, because I thought I was radiating too much awkward energy, hah.

I hope this reaches the people who need it the most - and I hope they don't judge themselves too harshly when comparing themselves to others.. :-/

[nochokin]

great video...you are wonderful ...dont worry about them

[xypowerpop]

@nochokin aww, why thank you. sometimes it's hard not to critique the hell outta myself.

[Neppybutt]

Where exactly will you be for the 6 weeks, in Mexico?

[xypowerpop]

@Neppybutt my host family lives in Mérida ^_^

[ak2495]

congrats on the the big win. Im glad you get to have that experience. it is going to be awesome for you.

BTW... i really wanted to write this comment in spanish but i can barely spell in english and it has been like 8 years since i had a spanish class so all you get is...Adios, amigo

[xypowerpop]

@ak2495 haha. My Spanish is so broken right now. I need to brush up on it if I plan on surviving this summer x_x S'all good.

thanks :D lol

[ebrownjr81]

Congrats on the scholarship!!! You have a bright future ahead of you man!!!!!

[xypowerpop]

@ebrownjr81 thank you! :D i hope so, lol

[technol21]

Hmm, you didn't seem that wired to me.

...as I try to get you drunk the first night you arrive and put your drunken exploits on your channel, see how the committee likes that!

You forgot to say "GO GATORS!" sheesh, how will you ever make it around here. You're going to need some obnoxious WOOOORANGEANDBLUEGOGATORSCHOMP­CHOMPMOTHERFUCKERSYAYUF in you...though I barely have any of this a year later lmao.

And just to be cordial, congrats again!

[xypowerpop]

@technol21 LMFAO. Well, I felt wired last night.. An I'm going to be referencing the committee very often when I'm down there - as if they're some amorphous, omnipotent Big Brother-like force. :P

I told you I want to have more school spirit in college - but unless I'm at a sports game/rally, or drunk ~ don't expect to hear me yell and shit. Darien doesn't do yelling.

thanks Noelle <3

[technol21]

@xypowerpop lol it's weird to hear keep referencing Gville as down there since it's like WAY UP for me

...and I never really commented on your video, though I agree with everything you said. I also find myself doing the opposite (seeing someone else/their work worse than me, thinking "ha, at least I'm better than that!") and then feeling equally as bad afterwards. But I think it's natural to compare yourself to others, I suppose how we deal with those reactions is a true reflection of character

[CindySprinkles]

So, you look a lot older in this video. I don't know why, but I like it. [=

[xypowerpop]

@CindySprinkles Yay :-) I'm glad. Maybe it's the tan?  Maybe not.

Well, nevertheless I'm glad you like it. I feel really good now, haha.

[CindySprinkles]

@xypowerpop Haha, well I'm glad I've made you feel good. =D

[rhyanova]

congrats on the scholarship...im sure you will shine during those 6 weeks

[GoodyGian]

Aww, I like this caffeinated you! So cute - lol. It goes well with DC's tune.

I didn't know it was that prestigious an award - congrats, again! I'm sure those other kids you compared yourself to aren't as well-rounded as you. Truth.

[xypowerpop]

@GoodyGian thanks, hehe. I wonder what I'd be like while high or drunk o_O (a damn mess.)

I honestly think one of the reasons the committee liked me was because i wasn't trying to seem well-rounded. everyone else was an academic and an athlete and did all sorts of shit. A lot of surface knowledge on a LOT of different topics.. Here comes geeky artsy me, telling people the only time I exercise is when I run late at night to clear my head and get ideas... i got glares, lol.

[xypowerpop]

@GoodyGian i've come to the conclusion that being "well-rounded" is just an idea and an ideal that people want to mold themselves into. I'm not too concerned with it (anymore), I just do what interests me ^^

[inquisitiveian]

lol.. yes you were a little wired but its okay. im happy for you. and the judging yourself thing. everybody does it. its natural.

[xypowerpop]

@inquisitiveian haha. thank you :-)

[inquisitiveian]

lol.. yes you were a little wired but its okay. im happy for you. and the judging yourself thing. everybody does it. its natural.

[miglegtr]

i like that place

[xypowerpop]

@miglegtr Cool ^^ I've never been.

[miglegtr]

@xypowerpop i might go to china next spring

[xypowerpop]

@miglegtr sweet!! I've always wanted to visit China. What are you doin' out there? :D

[miglegtr]

@xypowerpop i am going to study a little bit of the language, philosophy and chinese history :D

[xypowerpop]

@miglegtr oooh, i'm jealous. that'll be fun. I hear Mandarin is incredibly difficult though. I'm sure you can handle it!!

[miglegtr]

@xypowerpop ive been studying it for nearly 3 semesters... it is VERY hard. im hanging in there!

[HeyImRiddy]

MEXICO! Sounds fun! Congrats mate!

[xypowerpop]

@HeyImRiddy it's gonna be a blast! :D thank you!

[Dooman16]

I do it all the time. Especially in school. & i love the ending song.

[xypowerpop]

@Dooman16 I never really did it much at school because a lot of my classmates have smaller goals and don't really reach for the stars like the kids i met at the university.(and me, i guess). (that sounded really condescending. ignore that, haha)

I'm glad you like the song ^^ I have YouTuber BetamaxDC to thank for it. He's so talented.