Well, it looks like my last blog was totally in vain...
One of the things I want to talk about in THIS blog would be my annoyance of the school district to decide to split the Junior High into two high schools. What does that do?? Splitting all of the students, for the sole reason of boundaries and distance, isn't a good idea, as the ninth graders need the support from the friends they've had three years to make!! In the future, I really hope they change that boundary majiggr.....
I'd actually like to post this poem I found in my english class. Pretty good...
Smile
Barbara Hauck
She smiled at a sorrowful stranger.
The smile seemed to make him feel better.
He remembered past kindnesses of a friend
and wrote him a thank-you letter.
The friend was so pleased with the thank-you
that he left a large tip after lunch.
The waitress, surprised by the size of the tip,
bet the whole thing on a hunch.
The next day she picked up her winnings,
and gave part to a man on the street.
The man on the street was grateful;
For two days he'd had nothing to eat.
After he finished his dinner,
he left for his small dingy room.
(He didn't know at that moment
that he might be facing his doom.)
On the way he picked up a shivering puppy
and took him home to get warm.
The puppy was very grateful
to be in out of the storm.
That night the house caught on fire.
The puppy barked the alarm.
He barked 'til he woke the whole household
and saved everybody from harm.
One of the boys that he rescued
grew up to be President.
All this because of a simple smile
that hadn't cost a cent.
I really liked this poem, because this is pretty much exactly what this world needs. We all don't realize that if every one of us helps out even in the teeniest way, we can change the world so greatly.
And here's just another random poem.
Sharpen, Sharpen, Sharpen
Sharpen, sharpen, sharpen.
I crank the handle fast.
Sharpen, sharpen, sharpen.
Until it's sharp at last.
Scribble, scribble, scribble.
Hey wait! It still won't write.
Sharpen, sharpen, sharpen.
I crank with all my might.
Sharpen, sharpen, sharpen.
It must be done, I guess.
Scribble, scribble, dribble.
Oh goodness, what a mess!
Darn it, darn it, darn it.
I guess I'll start again.
Teacher! Teacher! Teacher!
I need another pen.
--Kenn Nesbitt
Last words....
Well, as this is (really, this time) the last time I'm going to be "blog"ing, i'd just like to say goodbye, and I'll miss you all, thanks for replying (you can take that sarcastically if you want), and see you in high school if you're going to the one i'm going.
I'll miss you all!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
Since this is probably one of the last blogs I'm going to write, I'd just like to impress upon all y'all the fact that I don't have to write here anymore, which means this'll probably be the last you'll get to hear from me!! MWUHAHAHA!
(Oh, and I meant, "I don't GET to write here...." because, of course, I just LOVE writing about 500 maniacal words here every darn week!
Just Kidding, Thompson, I LOVE writing here....don't get me wrong.....
anyways....... four score and seven years ago, our teacher, Thompson, brought upon this course, a new task, conceived in tediousness, and dedicated to the fact that he just loves to torture us!!!
Kiddin', again!!
But seriously though, I'd like to spend this blog, this last, precious blog, to mess around, which has been what I've always wanted to do this whole year, but scared to because my grade was in jeapordy......
but...when life gives you the last blog of the year.... shove it in everyone's face!! yeah!!
Last blog, last blog, last blog, last blog, last discussion topic!! That was typed insanely fast by the way, which is really ironic because the "insanely fast" part was typed at literally half a word a minute.
I think I really am hyper right now, although I haven't had anything to eat yet, although it's in the early afternoon!!!
So what the heck am I doing here!!?? see you all layta!!! I'm outa here.......
Oh, and I seriously love and am going to miss you all!
seriously :P
(Oh, and I meant, "I don't GET to write here...." because, of course, I just LOVE writing about 500 maniacal words here every darn week!
Just Kidding, Thompson, I LOVE writing here....don't get me wrong.....
anyways....... four score and seven years ago, our teacher, Thompson, brought upon this course, a new task, conceived in tediousness, and dedicated to the fact that he just loves to torture us!!!
Kiddin', again!!
But seriously though, I'd like to spend this blog, this last, precious blog, to mess around, which has been what I've always wanted to do this whole year, but scared to because my grade was in jeapordy......
but...when life gives you the last blog of the year.... shove it in everyone's face!! yeah!!
Last blog, last blog, last blog, last blog, last discussion topic!! That was typed insanely fast by the way, which is really ironic because the "insanely fast" part was typed at literally half a word a minute.
I think I really am hyper right now, although I haven't had anything to eat yet, although it's in the early afternoon!!!
So what the heck am I doing here!!?? see you all layta!!! I'm outa here.......
Oh, and I seriously love and am going to miss you all!
seriously :P
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Science Olympiad NATIONALS!!
These past few days, I've been in Georgia, for the National Science Olympiad tournament, and I'd like to post here my stressful yet fun and pleasing experience over there!
Thursday
I wouldn't call it a day, as we left at about three in the morning, and I had only gotten no more than two hours of sleep the previous day/next early morning. So, I pack and get ready for the tournament until about one in the morning on Thursday, then take a rest and wake up only a couple hours later.
You can imagine what it would be like that day, having only two hours of sleep.
The airport went ok, except for the fact that the device I built for one of my events was so big even when we took it half-apart, that we had to pay around one hundred and ninety dollars to get it over to Georgie! Now, imagine the size of the package, and imagine me carrying this big as a truck piece of cardboard through the airport!
The flight, overall, went pretty well, and was very exciting, even though I've been on tens of flights over the pacific before. The takeoff and landing didn't bug my ears at all, which was a surprise and relief to me because the most recent flight I had before that hurt my ears so bad that they were still hurting after I had gotten out of the airport!
We arrived in Georgia mid-day, and begun our long and tedious drive to the city where the tournament was, since the place where we were headed didn't have an airport. After about three or four hours, we arrived at the hotel we were staying at and we checked in. The rest of the day was mostly just relaxing and waiting for the next day...
Friday
I got up at about five in the morning, to do my usual morning routine and eat the free breakfast provided by the hotel. At around seven, we took the device my partner and I built and we went to the place where we would compete to calibrate it. Unfortunately, the temperature and humidity, and other factors, were very different from Utah, and we had to start over on the calibrations. And, to add even more issues to the already stressful and big problem, halfway through our FIRST try at our new calibration, the air conditioning was turned on, which changed every one of our calibrated marks again! The material we used for the device wasn't very constant, varying very much with the slightest changes, so the calibration went bad, leaving all of us nervous for the next morning, when the competition was.
The calibration ended at about two, and we headed back to the hotel, staying there for a couple of hours, before it was time to go to the opening ceremonies of the tournament.
So, the team went (in separate cars) to the college that was hosting the event, Augusta State University, and we entered the auditorium. Now, this wasn't your normal auditorium. This auditorium was GINORMOUS! And, if you think about it, it'd have to be in order to fit 60 or so teams from about 46 states!
After the opening ceremonies, there was a trade-off, where you brought random things and traded them with others. It was fun, and it was also the most chaotic thing I've ever been a part of. You had no idea where you were, and you could literally get run over by a stampede. But, luckily, no one died. ;)
Saturday
Saturday was the day of the competition, which I'll skip unless you'll want to be reading this for another five hours.
The competing ended at about four, and we went outside of a building for pictures. The award ceremony was at night, and it lasted until ten at night. After the awards, we went back to the hotel, and all the kids got in one room, and trust me, it was chaos. But, with us teenagers, all chaos is fun. (Unless, of course, you're so loud that someone opens their door and asks all the parents to keep the kids quiet. Yes, that really happened. But, I don't think we were any quieter. XD)
Sunday.
Early in the morning, we drove to the airport, and on the way, stopped at a restaurant, which took so much time that we were in a BIG hurry to get on the plane. Talk about even more stress! The plane ride was as good as the first one, and we arrived at about three in the afternoon, arriving home at four.
And from that point on, I've just been doing my homework, which was stockpiled from the two days of school that I missed.
Tomorrow is NOT going to be good!! (I also missed my CRTS!!!!!)
The trip was fun, and was a great experience for everyone.
Thursday
I wouldn't call it a day, as we left at about three in the morning, and I had only gotten no more than two hours of sleep the previous day/next early morning. So, I pack and get ready for the tournament until about one in the morning on Thursday, then take a rest and wake up only a couple hours later.
You can imagine what it would be like that day, having only two hours of sleep.
The airport went ok, except for the fact that the device I built for one of my events was so big even when we took it half-apart, that we had to pay around one hundred and ninety dollars to get it over to Georgie! Now, imagine the size of the package, and imagine me carrying this big as a truck piece of cardboard through the airport!
The flight, overall, went pretty well, and was very exciting, even though I've been on tens of flights over the pacific before. The takeoff and landing didn't bug my ears at all, which was a surprise and relief to me because the most recent flight I had before that hurt my ears so bad that they were still hurting after I had gotten out of the airport!
We arrived in Georgia mid-day, and begun our long and tedious drive to the city where the tournament was, since the place where we were headed didn't have an airport. After about three or four hours, we arrived at the hotel we were staying at and we checked in. The rest of the day was mostly just relaxing and waiting for the next day...
Friday
I got up at about five in the morning, to do my usual morning routine and eat the free breakfast provided by the hotel. At around seven, we took the device my partner and I built and we went to the place where we would compete to calibrate it. Unfortunately, the temperature and humidity, and other factors, were very different from Utah, and we had to start over on the calibrations. And, to add even more issues to the already stressful and big problem, halfway through our FIRST try at our new calibration, the air conditioning was turned on, which changed every one of our calibrated marks again! The material we used for the device wasn't very constant, varying very much with the slightest changes, so the calibration went bad, leaving all of us nervous for the next morning, when the competition was.
The calibration ended at about two, and we headed back to the hotel, staying there for a couple of hours, before it was time to go to the opening ceremonies of the tournament.
So, the team went (in separate cars) to the college that was hosting the event, Augusta State University, and we entered the auditorium. Now, this wasn't your normal auditorium. This auditorium was GINORMOUS! And, if you think about it, it'd have to be in order to fit 60 or so teams from about 46 states!
After the opening ceremonies, there was a trade-off, where you brought random things and traded them with others. It was fun, and it was also the most chaotic thing I've ever been a part of. You had no idea where you were, and you could literally get run over by a stampede. But, luckily, no one died. ;)
Saturday
Saturday was the day of the competition, which I'll skip unless you'll want to be reading this for another five hours.
The competing ended at about four, and we went outside of a building for pictures. The award ceremony was at night, and it lasted until ten at night. After the awards, we went back to the hotel, and all the kids got in one room, and trust me, it was chaos. But, with us teenagers, all chaos is fun. (Unless, of course, you're so loud that someone opens their door and asks all the parents to keep the kids quiet. Yes, that really happened. But, I don't think we were any quieter. XD)
Sunday.
Early in the morning, we drove to the airport, and on the way, stopped at a restaurant, which took so much time that we were in a BIG hurry to get on the plane. Talk about even more stress! The plane ride was as good as the first one, and we arrived at about three in the afternoon, arriving home at four.
And from that point on, I've just been doing my homework, which was stockpiled from the two days of school that I missed.
Tomorrow is NOT going to be good!! (I also missed my CRTS!!!!!)
The trip was fun, and was a great experience for everyone.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Mothers! Yay!
So, since it's Mother's Day, I'd like to spend some time to talk about my dearest....
dad..
haha joking.
anyways..I guess we all know it's true when we hear that our mothers are the ones that love us the most. There are millions and billions of examples every single one of us could give about certain times or circumstances where our mothers have sacrificed everything for our own good.
Mothers are the center of this world, and without their teaching and constant guidance to point us in the right direction, this world would be lost.
I can recall so many times when, if I needed serious aid, such as forgetting something at school, or needing help on an assignment, my mom was always there, spending hours more than I would myself to help me.
Mothers are the center of every home. Without their teachings, a child wouldn't know good from bad.
The best kid would not be so good if is mother didn't care about him. There is a very close comparison between how much a mother cares, loves, and teaches her child and the way that the child turns out in the future. How and what a child becomes in his life is a reflection of what his mother has done, and so far in my life, my mother has done the best she can do, sacrificing everything she has for me, so that I can have a better life than she had, so that i wouldn't have to go through the hardships and trials she had to go through.
My mother would, without question, sacrifice anything, including all their time, efforts, and even money for their children. Whenever I needed anything in my life, whether it be a small toy, a small snack, or tools for a school project, my mom would, without any hesitation, go out and get it right away. She is always selfless and cares nothing about buying too many things for herself. She always puts her sons and daughter first before anything else, and is, in fact, right now on her way to send my sister over back to BYU, on Mother's Day, when her day should, in fact, be spent on relaxing and enjoying her time. But instead, she is taking care of her daughter, and is so selfless that she can take several hours out of her time so that her daughter can go and study to get a good grade, which will lead to a perfect and healthy life.
Mothers are never selfish towards their kids, and always put them first. They are loving, kind, and teach their children the values and standards they want them to know. They are always looking out for them and they would go through anything to see them lead healthy, happy lives.
dad..
haha joking.
anyways..I guess we all know it's true when we hear that our mothers are the ones that love us the most. There are millions and billions of examples every single one of us could give about certain times or circumstances where our mothers have sacrificed everything for our own good.
Mothers are the center of this world, and without their teaching and constant guidance to point us in the right direction, this world would be lost.
I can recall so many times when, if I needed serious aid, such as forgetting something at school, or needing help on an assignment, my mom was always there, spending hours more than I would myself to help me.
Mothers are the center of every home. Without their teachings, a child wouldn't know good from bad.
The best kid would not be so good if is mother didn't care about him. There is a very close comparison between how much a mother cares, loves, and teaches her child and the way that the child turns out in the future. How and what a child becomes in his life is a reflection of what his mother has done, and so far in my life, my mother has done the best she can do, sacrificing everything she has for me, so that I can have a better life than she had, so that i wouldn't have to go through the hardships and trials she had to go through.
My mother would, without question, sacrifice anything, including all their time, efforts, and even money for their children. Whenever I needed anything in my life, whether it be a small toy, a small snack, or tools for a school project, my mom would, without any hesitation, go out and get it right away. She is always selfless and cares nothing about buying too many things for herself. She always puts her sons and daughter first before anything else, and is, in fact, right now on her way to send my sister over back to BYU, on Mother's Day, when her day should, in fact, be spent on relaxing and enjoying her time. But instead, she is taking care of her daughter, and is so selfless that she can take several hours out of her time so that her daughter can go and study to get a good grade, which will lead to a perfect and healthy life.
Mothers are never selfish towards their kids, and always put them first. They are loving, kind, and teach their children the values and standards they want them to know. They are always looking out for them and they would go through anything to see them lead healthy, happy lives.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
A New World
This is the essay I wrote for the CHANGE MY WORLD essay contest. Feel free to comment on any errors I might have (and probably have) made, and to express your own opinions on how to change any passage. Here it is!
Imagine a world of harmony. Imagine a world where all individuals show compassion, express love, and exercise charity. Imagine a world of peace, where wars and battles are unheard of and where people go out of the way of their own lives to help those in need. This dream, the hope that this world could be a better place, is in the hearts of every single individual living on this earth. Therefore, if I could change one thing in this world, I would give everyone the mutual understanding they so clearly lack, to have them realize that, in the end, their hearts all desire the same thing – a peaceful world of harmony and love.
In this world, there are many rumors and predictions of wars, as well as battles taking place this very moment. Ask yourself, “Why do we fight and murder?” “What can be so different between countries that it results in bloodshed and ruthlessness?” All these conflicting countries need is just some mutual understanding towards each other. So what if countries disagree on certain things? So what if one country has issues and problems? Is any reason to fight enough to make up for the hundreds and thousands and millions of lives murdered in war? We, as one unified people, need to think. We need to learn from past mistakes, not live them over again. Weren’t World War I and World War II enough lives lost? We are fools if we think that fighting is the only way to overcome worldly problems. If we are given the ability to solve problems and issues with compassion and reason, instead of wars and slaughter, we will certainly make this world a better place, where each and every country coexists in peace.
Not only do we need to work together in peace as a world, but also in our own separate nations. Civil wars have split many countries apart, resulting in more deaths and more conflicts. One could understand why nations fight and go to war, but why would a nation go against itself? Take the United States campaign parties for example. Why are the Republican, the Democratic, the Constitution, the Green, the Libertarian parties and all those others fighting and fighting, when they all want the same thing? Doesn’t each party want the best for America and its citizens? If we exercise mutual respect and tolerance toward each other, we would be one, understanding each other and working together towards a common goal – the good of the people and the nation.
Finally, we also need to have a more mutual understanding and greater kindness in our families and personal friendships. In my life, I have experience several, several times where conflicts and discomfort resulted in fights, whether verbal or physical. Surprisingly, however, most of these arguments were caused by small problems, ranging from stealing a potato chip to beating someone at a video game. It isn’t worth it to cause so much pain over such little things. If we understood each other’s values and standpoints, we could very well see life in a brother or friend’s point of view, thus resulting in peace and love. If we are patient and tolerant towards those we are close to, we will be sure to greatly diminish, if not eliminate, the times we fight and argue.
In conclusion, I would give everyone the love, tolerance, and understanding to know that the right solution to a problem, no matter how large or small, is not fighting. It is not an argument, and is most definitely not murder and war. It is finding peace within ourselves to see and use reason to solve problems to create a world we all dream to have. If every individual realizes this, that understanding and loving one another is better than fighting, than the world will truly, finally, be a better place.
Imagine a world of harmony. Imagine a world where all individuals show compassion, express love, and exercise charity. Imagine a world of peace, where wars and battles are unheard of and where people go out of the way of their own lives to help those in need. This dream, the hope that this world could be a better place, is in the hearts of every single individual living on this earth. Therefore, if I could change one thing in this world, I would give everyone the mutual understanding they so clearly lack, to have them realize that, in the end, their hearts all desire the same thing – a peaceful world of harmony and love.
In this world, there are many rumors and predictions of wars, as well as battles taking place this very moment. Ask yourself, “Why do we fight and murder?” “What can be so different between countries that it results in bloodshed and ruthlessness?” All these conflicting countries need is just some mutual understanding towards each other. So what if countries disagree on certain things? So what if one country has issues and problems? Is any reason to fight enough to make up for the hundreds and thousands and millions of lives murdered in war? We, as one unified people, need to think. We need to learn from past mistakes, not live them over again. Weren’t World War I and World War II enough lives lost? We are fools if we think that fighting is the only way to overcome worldly problems. If we are given the ability to solve problems and issues with compassion and reason, instead of wars and slaughter, we will certainly make this world a better place, where each and every country coexists in peace.
Not only do we need to work together in peace as a world, but also in our own separate nations. Civil wars have split many countries apart, resulting in more deaths and more conflicts. One could understand why nations fight and go to war, but why would a nation go against itself? Take the United States campaign parties for example. Why are the Republican, the Democratic, the Constitution, the Green, the Libertarian parties and all those others fighting and fighting, when they all want the same thing? Doesn’t each party want the best for America and its citizens? If we exercise mutual respect and tolerance toward each other, we would be one, understanding each other and working together towards a common goal – the good of the people and the nation.
Finally, we also need to have a more mutual understanding and greater kindness in our families and personal friendships. In my life, I have experience several, several times where conflicts and discomfort resulted in fights, whether verbal or physical. Surprisingly, however, most of these arguments were caused by small problems, ranging from stealing a potato chip to beating someone at a video game. It isn’t worth it to cause so much pain over such little things. If we understood each other’s values and standpoints, we could very well see life in a brother or friend’s point of view, thus resulting in peace and love. If we are patient and tolerant towards those we are close to, we will be sure to greatly diminish, if not eliminate, the times we fight and argue.
In conclusion, I would give everyone the love, tolerance, and understanding to know that the right solution to a problem, no matter how large or small, is not fighting. It is not an argument, and is most definitely not murder and war. It is finding peace within ourselves to see and use reason to solve problems to create a world we all dream to have. If every individual realizes this, that understanding and loving one another is better than fighting, than the world will truly, finally, be a better place.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Slower agin? (Magazine Review for Science)
Ranjana Mehta, “Survival Mode That Protects Cells When Oxygen Is Low Also Slows Aging”, Science Daily
A possible way to slow aging and fight old age disease?? Might that really be possible?? The answer is yes; a biochemical pathway that helps keep cells alive when oxygen is low also plays a role in longevity and resistance against some diseases of old age, which researchers are trying to use to find a way to not only slow age, but fight diseases.
Researchers at the University of Washington (UW) have found that nematode worms live longer if their genetic make-up permits their cells to turn on the hypoxic response, a cell's protective reaction to a drop in oxygen, under normal oxygen conditions. Not only do these worms live longer, the researchers noted, but their cells are relatively free from the toxic proteins that accumulate and clump together as an animal ages. Researchers state that defining cellular mechanisms that prevent accumulation of these proteins may point to new therapeutic targets for devastating diseases that often accompany old age in people.
This being said, I think it is amazing how science is evolving and changing. It is breath-taking how we are on the verge of maybe finding a way to longer life spans. This research and technology, if successful, could and should be used to help those who wish to prolong their life and definitely those who are suffering from a disease caused by old age.
This new technology and research would be terrific, as it would greatly benefit those suffering from old age diseases. In the article, a researcher states, "What we're focused on now is figuring out how HIF is protecting the animals from aging. In both worms and people.” Kaeberlein agrees. "This is a completely new pathway for aging and age-associated disease. If we can understand at a very detailed level how HIF is slowing aging, we may be able to use that information to develop effective therapies for treating age-associated diseases in people."
In conclusion, it would be marvelous if scientists and researchers succeeded in finding the way to prolong age and maybe halt old age diseases. There are many who are dying from these diseases every day, who suffer from Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, and several other degenerative conditions that afflict the elderly. This new method and technology could change the world as we know it.
A possible way to slow aging and fight old age disease?? Might that really be possible?? The answer is yes; a biochemical pathway that helps keep cells alive when oxygen is low also plays a role in longevity and resistance against some diseases of old age, which researchers are trying to use to find a way to not only slow age, but fight diseases.
Researchers at the University of Washington (UW) have found that nematode worms live longer if their genetic make-up permits their cells to turn on the hypoxic response, a cell's protective reaction to a drop in oxygen, under normal oxygen conditions. Not only do these worms live longer, the researchers noted, but their cells are relatively free from the toxic proteins that accumulate and clump together as an animal ages. Researchers state that defining cellular mechanisms that prevent accumulation of these proteins may point to new therapeutic targets for devastating diseases that often accompany old age in people.
This being said, I think it is amazing how science is evolving and changing. It is breath-taking how we are on the verge of maybe finding a way to longer life spans. This research and technology, if successful, could and should be used to help those who wish to prolong their life and definitely those who are suffering from a disease caused by old age.
This new technology and research would be terrific, as it would greatly benefit those suffering from old age diseases. In the article, a researcher states, "What we're focused on now is figuring out how HIF is protecting the animals from aging. In both worms and people.” Kaeberlein agrees. "This is a completely new pathway for aging and age-associated disease. If we can understand at a very detailed level how HIF is slowing aging, we may be able to use that information to develop effective therapies for treating age-associated diseases in people."
In conclusion, it would be marvelous if scientists and researchers succeeded in finding the way to prolong age and maybe halt old age diseases. There are many who are dying from these diseases every day, who suffer from Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, and several other degenerative conditions that afflict the elderly. This new method and technology could change the world as we know it.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Day of the Play
In our French class, the third years have to prepare French plays, and perform with the Spanish class (who, obiously, prepare Spanish plays) for a whole school day! The plays were about a month ago, and it was probably one of the most rushed and stressful days of my month! I'll tell you why.
Unfortunately, the day of the play was on a monday, and, as we all know, mondays are the most likely days to forget about important events, due to the stressless and fun weekend. Well, the day started out pretty casually, with me getting up and doing my usual stuff. I left home at about 7:30, which is when I usually depart, and I went to my first period class (science) and just chilled.
Well, being the careless person that I am ( XD ), I didn't realize why so many people were gone from our class, and it wasn't until some minutes into reading time when two of my friends entered into the room, with their French costumes on, looking at me like some maniac; I HAD FORGOTTEN ABOUT THE PLAYS!
Now, the last day of the week before the day of the play, friday, we were practicing in the activity room, and since I had finished all of my parts, and I had nothing left to do except wait and wait for the bell to ring so I could go to lunch, I had decided to leave early as some people had already. Little did I know that before class ended, during the period that I was gone, the teacher had told us to come about an hour and a half earlier on the day of the play - monday. Although there were texts going around, and Facebook was smothered with reminders, I still didn't know about coming early on Monday.
So, after my two friends came in to get me, I sprinted down to the activity room, to find that the whole class was already dressed up in their costumes. I wasn't in my costume, and the plays were starting in about ten minutes!! Talk about STRESSFUL!
Surprisingly, though, I wasn't the only one who forgot. Another friend, who played two parts in our four French plays also forgot, and we were both in the same situation.
But, although the day was crammed, and I had to make up a ton of homework, not to mention a test I had to take in Algebra II, the day went by quickly, and it was a blast. The plays went well, and we were all very pleased. It was a highlight of the class!
Unfortunately, the day of the play was on a monday, and, as we all know, mondays are the most likely days to forget about important events, due to the stressless and fun weekend. Well, the day started out pretty casually, with me getting up and doing my usual stuff. I left home at about 7:30, which is when I usually depart, and I went to my first period class (science) and just chilled.
Well, being the careless person that I am ( XD ), I didn't realize why so many people were gone from our class, and it wasn't until some minutes into reading time when two of my friends entered into the room, with their French costumes on, looking at me like some maniac; I HAD FORGOTTEN ABOUT THE PLAYS!
Now, the last day of the week before the day of the play, friday, we were practicing in the activity room, and since I had finished all of my parts, and I had nothing left to do except wait and wait for the bell to ring so I could go to lunch, I had decided to leave early as some people had already. Little did I know that before class ended, during the period that I was gone, the teacher had told us to come about an hour and a half earlier on the day of the play - monday. Although there were texts going around, and Facebook was smothered with reminders, I still didn't know about coming early on Monday.
So, after my two friends came in to get me, I sprinted down to the activity room, to find that the whole class was already dressed up in their costumes. I wasn't in my costume, and the plays were starting in about ten minutes!! Talk about STRESSFUL!
Surprisingly, though, I wasn't the only one who forgot. Another friend, who played two parts in our four French plays also forgot, and we were both in the same situation.
But, although the day was crammed, and I had to make up a ton of homework, not to mention a test I had to take in Algebra II, the day went by quickly, and it was a blast. The plays went well, and we were all very pleased. It was a highlight of the class!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Walk Two Moons- Review
It started out as an english assignment, my reading of "Walk Two Moons". However, I soon became obsessively addicted to the book, and finished two days later. There were many reasons I was drawn into this book, but I mainly loved it because of how it was so masterfully written, and how, while reading, I realized how closely my life compared to Sal's.
The story is one of a young girl, Sal, who travels with her grandparents to see her mother, who left her and her father some years ago. On the long trip, Sal's grandparents request a story, and Sal decides to tell them of her life after her mother left, after they had moved away to her previous home. The unique way the author wrote the story was outstanding. As Sal tells her story to her grandparents, the reader feels as if he/she is with them on the trip, listening to every word, bawling to every sorrow, and jumping for joy in every scene of happiness. Occasionally, throughout the book, the story is interrupted as Sal's grandparents comment on their feeilngs at the moment. Whatever they say, the reader finds him/herself completely agreeing. It is as if Creech wrote the novel, knowing exactly how to make the reader feel the way she wanted. There was one point in the climax of the story, where, again, it is interrupted by a commentary conversation between Sal and her grandparents. Annoyed, the reader would trudge along to find, in joy, that the grandmother insisted on the continuation of the story. I felt a deep connection with Sal and her grandparents while reading the novel because Sharon Creech wrote in such a way that the reader never felt left out, that the reader always felt included in the story.
Sal's life was filled with sorrow at first. She found herself wrenched from her farm home, which she adored, to a city house, with only a small patch of grass in the front. One can only imagine how the young girl, so attached with nature and her surroundings, felt when she was stripped of the willow trees, the singing larks, the sweet aroma of flowers, and the beautiful meadows. Life was good and life was perfect, making a perfect opportunity for something to creep in and ruin eveyrthing. In her new school, her class studies mythology, and Sal is required to give a report on Pandora's Box. If you don't already know, Pandora's Box was filled with all the evil and darkness of the world. There was only one good thing, and that was hope. Sal ponders:
"That night I kept thinking about Pandora's box. I wondered why someone would put a good thing such as Hope in a box with sickness and kidnapping and murder. It was fortunate that it was there, though. If not, people would have the birds of sadness nesting in their hair all the time, because of nuclear wars and the greenhouse effect and bombs and stabbings and lunatics. There must have been another box with all the good things in it, like sunshine and love and trees and all that. Who had the good fortune to open that one, and was there one bad thing down there in the bottom of the good box? Maybe it was Worry. Even when everything seems fine and good, I worry that something will go wrong and change everything."
At this point in the story, I felt the deepest connection between me and Sal. My life was once exactly as hers was. I always had the fear AND hope of being happy, having joy. If my life got too perfect, something would always come along and ruin it.
In conclusion, I loved this book, because of the deep understanding I shared with Sal, and because of the way the novel was written. Sal tells the story as a means of reflecting on it and coming to accept it, and that is what I have to do. You cannot change what life has given you, but you can change what you do with it.
The story is one of a young girl, Sal, who travels with her grandparents to see her mother, who left her and her father some years ago. On the long trip, Sal's grandparents request a story, and Sal decides to tell them of her life after her mother left, after they had moved away to her previous home. The unique way the author wrote the story was outstanding. As Sal tells her story to her grandparents, the reader feels as if he/she is with them on the trip, listening to every word, bawling to every sorrow, and jumping for joy in every scene of happiness. Occasionally, throughout the book, the story is interrupted as Sal's grandparents comment on their feeilngs at the moment. Whatever they say, the reader finds him/herself completely agreeing. It is as if Creech wrote the novel, knowing exactly how to make the reader feel the way she wanted. There was one point in the climax of the story, where, again, it is interrupted by a commentary conversation between Sal and her grandparents. Annoyed, the reader would trudge along to find, in joy, that the grandmother insisted on the continuation of the story. I felt a deep connection with Sal and her grandparents while reading the novel because Sharon Creech wrote in such a way that the reader never felt left out, that the reader always felt included in the story.
Sal's life was filled with sorrow at first. She found herself wrenched from her farm home, which she adored, to a city house, with only a small patch of grass in the front. One can only imagine how the young girl, so attached with nature and her surroundings, felt when she was stripped of the willow trees, the singing larks, the sweet aroma of flowers, and the beautiful meadows. Life was good and life was perfect, making a perfect opportunity for something to creep in and ruin eveyrthing. In her new school, her class studies mythology, and Sal is required to give a report on Pandora's Box. If you don't already know, Pandora's Box was filled with all the evil and darkness of the world. There was only one good thing, and that was hope. Sal ponders:
"That night I kept thinking about Pandora's box. I wondered why someone would put a good thing such as Hope in a box with sickness and kidnapping and murder. It was fortunate that it was there, though. If not, people would have the birds of sadness nesting in their hair all the time, because of nuclear wars and the greenhouse effect and bombs and stabbings and lunatics. There must have been another box with all the good things in it, like sunshine and love and trees and all that. Who had the good fortune to open that one, and was there one bad thing down there in the bottom of the good box? Maybe it was Worry. Even when everything seems fine and good, I worry that something will go wrong and change everything."
At this point in the story, I felt the deepest connection between me and Sal. My life was once exactly as hers was. I always had the fear AND hope of being happy, having joy. If my life got too perfect, something would always come along and ruin it.
In conclusion, I loved this book, because of the deep understanding I shared with Sal, and because of the way the novel was written. Sal tells the story as a means of reflecting on it and coming to accept it, and that is what I have to do. You cannot change what life has given you, but you can change what you do with it.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Ender's Game- READ IT
At first I wasn't very interested with this book when my brother became obsessed. But, last week, I guess I decided to give it a shot, due to its augmenting popularity in my school.
I read Ender's Game in two days, spending almost every minute of my time flipping the pages. I love this book. Ender's life often reminds me of mine, because he was a tool, a robot, used for others' purposes. He hardly ever had time for himself because he was doing what others insisted on him doing. When I saw this book on various shelves of my friends, all with a five star rating, I couldn't resist. It has now become one of my most valued and favorite books.
I read Ender's Game in two days, spending almost every minute of my time flipping the pages. I love this book. Ender's life often reminds me of mine, because he was a tool, a robot, used for others' purposes. He hardly ever had time for himself because he was doing what others insisted on him doing. When I saw this book on various shelves of my friends, all with a five star rating, I couldn't resist. It has now become one of my most valued and favorite books.
Science Olympiad 2009
It was the 26th of March. I had to wake up at 6 A.M., and I got home at about an hour before midnight. I had to work hours a week, and I hardly had time for anything else. But it was worth it. What was I working so hard for? The answer is SCIENCE OLYMPIAD. Despite others looking down on us, and despite how much time and dedication we had to have put in to succeed, all the members of our team still pulled through, leading the school to its, once again, state championship.
Science Olympiad was tiring, stressful, and tedious, but the joy we had when we walked up to receive our medals and trophy made it all worth it in the end. We all met at Fairfield Jr. High in the early morning, and traveled by bus to Weber State University. There, we went to our homeroom, and we all went our separate ways, to each of our events. My day was jam-packed, because not only did I have four events to arrive and compete at, but I also had to sacrifice another hour of my time to carry and impound my trajectory device at the Dee Events Center.
Overall, however, it was a fun and exciting experience. Before my fourth event, “Compute This”, I had time to run back to the home room. Once there, I gorged myself and stuffed my pockets with junk food. Now, picture how hyper I USUALLY am, and imagine how much more hyper I would be if I had a thousand cheeseballs, two Twinkies, three ding dongs, a muffin, and four juice boxes in my bloodstream. Luckily, however, that did not affect my partner and my results in the end. We received first place. I had also received two silver medals, and would have received gold in an event that we chose to drop.
Science Olympiad has been a great experience throughout all of junior high, and I have learned so much from it. It’s been an outstanding way to make friends, learn, and have fun.
Science Olympiad was tiring, stressful, and tedious, but the joy we had when we walked up to receive our medals and trophy made it all worth it in the end. We all met at Fairfield Jr. High in the early morning, and traveled by bus to Weber State University. There, we went to our homeroom, and we all went our separate ways, to each of our events. My day was jam-packed, because not only did I have four events to arrive and compete at, but I also had to sacrifice another hour of my time to carry and impound my trajectory device at the Dee Events Center.
Overall, however, it was a fun and exciting experience. Before my fourth event, “Compute This”, I had time to run back to the home room. Once there, I gorged myself and stuffed my pockets with junk food. Now, picture how hyper I USUALLY am, and imagine how much more hyper I would be if I had a thousand cheeseballs, two Twinkies, three ding dongs, a muffin, and four juice boxes in my bloodstream. Luckily, however, that did not affect my partner and my results in the end. We received first place. I had also received two silver medals, and would have received gold in an event that we chose to drop.
Science Olympiad has been a great experience throughout all of junior high, and I have learned so much from it. It’s been an outstanding way to make friends, learn, and have fun.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Crammed
Has your day, or week, or month, or year, or even LIFE ever been SO crammed that you can't have even a minute to yourself? Welcome to MY world! Of course, I exaggerated a bit when I said I didn't even have a minute to myself, but it certainly feels like it! My usual schedule for a normal school day is school, homework, piano, and probably sleep. I hardly have any time for anything else. So, knowing that this probably won't change for a while, maybe YOU could learn from this. DON'T cram your life up with things you know you won't have time for. Every day, I have homework, school, tennis, violin, piano, reading....etc etc etc. Most of the time, I don't even get to half of those things. What does that result in? You can do everything but you can't do anything, if that makes sense. The youth need time for themselves, because rest is vital and stress really destroys them.
In my life, I hardly ever have time for myself. Most of the time I am doing just what my parents insist on me doing, such as piano, or schoolwork. But life isn't just about working, working, and working. It should be balanced between work and play, so one won't feel so overwhelmed. When we get overwhelmed, we do worse on everything, which defeats the purpose of parents pushing you in the first place. A life where all you are doing is what others want you to isn't a life at all. It is like you're a robot, and people program you, giving you no choice or mind of your own. You do what they want you to do, and never finding joy at any time of any day.
Doing all the things I do really puts on a lot of stress. For example, this last week, there was the science olympiad state competition, and I spent the whole previous week calibrating my trajectory device. I didn't have ANY time to practice piano, and I had barely enough time to even do my homework. Now, if your time is taken up THAT much, then something is really wrong. It shouldn't be like that. You should be able to rest as much as you work, because without rest, your work will be meaningless, and unaffective. If you rest occasionally, or frequently, you will actally do much better than if you worked tediously non-stop.
So, I hope you can take my advice when I say, don't put to much onto your shoulders that you can't carry, because it will really bring you down. Do not cram your life and push your own time out of the picture. Find time to rest, because if you don't, the stress will build up more and more until you feel like you can't take it anymore. There should be an equal balance between hard work and rest, and we all need to understand that.
In my life, I hardly ever have time for myself. Most of the time I am doing just what my parents insist on me doing, such as piano, or schoolwork. But life isn't just about working, working, and working. It should be balanced between work and play, so one won't feel so overwhelmed. When we get overwhelmed, we do worse on everything, which defeats the purpose of parents pushing you in the first place. A life where all you are doing is what others want you to isn't a life at all. It is like you're a robot, and people program you, giving you no choice or mind of your own. You do what they want you to do, and never finding joy at any time of any day.
Doing all the things I do really puts on a lot of stress. For example, this last week, there was the science olympiad state competition, and I spent the whole previous week calibrating my trajectory device. I didn't have ANY time to practice piano, and I had barely enough time to even do my homework. Now, if your time is taken up THAT much, then something is really wrong. It shouldn't be like that. You should be able to rest as much as you work, because without rest, your work will be meaningless, and unaffective. If you rest occasionally, or frequently, you will actally do much better than if you worked tediously non-stop.
So, I hope you can take my advice when I say, don't put to much onto your shoulders that you can't carry, because it will really bring you down. Do not cram your life and push your own time out of the picture. Find time to rest, because if you don't, the stress will build up more and more until you feel like you can't take it anymore. There should be an equal balance between hard work and rest, and we all need to understand that.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Around the dreadful age of teens, the youth do not realize that violence is not the answer! (Well, the guy teens anyways..the girls have their own type of fights XD) You hear stories of some kid insulting another this other kid, and how this other kid punched the first kid, which got the first kid mad, so the first kid had the latter kid in a headlock!! All for what?? Just some dumb insult! Is a mere insult, "Yo, you suck!", an excuse for a bruise, a scrape, and a weeks suspension from school? We need to realize that violence is not a good way to solve problems because it results in even more anger and the problem is worse than it was when it first started out.
In school, it's not that rare to hear someone say, "Dude, I hate that kid. I wanna beat him up." What sense is that??? I mean, would beating a kid you hate up solve anything? Never have I heard of a case (I would bet anything that anyone else has either) where some kid beat another kid up and the next day they were best friends! It just doesn't work that way. If you hate a kid, why don't you go and talk to him? It's save a lot more time, and it would be so much more effective than punching their nose into their brain. Golly, common sense, people! Whenever you get into a fight, your relationship with the other person or people just gets worse! Why would you go and do something that didn't benefit you? Sure, you get the pleasure of seeing them with a huge, bulging, pulpous eye the next day, but the only thing that will come out of it is anger, which may lead to even more violence and aggression. In my life, I haven't really HATED anyone. There were only a couple times where a kid annoyed me, but I didn't really think of starting a fight mainly because I knew the consequences would be a lot worse than if I just ignored him when he turned all obnoxious. Turns out, a couple years later, it all has passed. The kids moved on. The consequences that came out from ignoring the annoying, obnoxious kid are so much better than if I had slammed my fist into his face.
So, in conclusion, remember to think about what you're doing the next time that little dork of a punk comes and annoys you. It's better to ignore him than to get overly angry with him and start a fight. Let it pass, and you'll see that it doesn't really matter in the long run.
In school, it's not that rare to hear someone say, "Dude, I hate that kid. I wanna beat him up." What sense is that??? I mean, would beating a kid you hate up solve anything? Never have I heard of a case (I would bet anything that anyone else has either) where some kid beat another kid up and the next day they were best friends! It just doesn't work that way. If you hate a kid, why don't you go and talk to him? It's save a lot more time, and it would be so much more effective than punching their nose into their brain. Golly, common sense, people! Whenever you get into a fight, your relationship with the other person or people just gets worse! Why would you go and do something that didn't benefit you? Sure, you get the pleasure of seeing them with a huge, bulging, pulpous eye the next day, but the only thing that will come out of it is anger, which may lead to even more violence and aggression. In my life, I haven't really HATED anyone. There were only a couple times where a kid annoyed me, but I didn't really think of starting a fight mainly because I knew the consequences would be a lot worse than if I just ignored him when he turned all obnoxious. Turns out, a couple years later, it all has passed. The kids moved on. The consequences that came out from ignoring the annoying, obnoxious kid are so much better than if I had slammed my fist into his face.
So, in conclusion, remember to think about what you're doing the next time that little dork of a punk comes and annoys you. It's better to ignore him than to get overly angry with him and start a fight. Let it pass, and you'll see that it doesn't really matter in the long run.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Free to Bars
I was reading the news on my Wii the other night, and, unfortunately, in my point of view, any public person can now walk into a bar without registering.
In my opinion, I absolutely do NOT think this is a good idea. Before, people who wanted to enter a bar had to sign some papers and other stuff like that. But now, papers don't have to be signed, which means ANYONE can go into a bar!
Now there is a bigger chance of bad things happening. Do we really need the extra risk?
In my opinion, I absolutely do NOT think this is a good idea. Before, people who wanted to enter a bar had to sign some papers and other stuff like that. But now, papers don't have to be signed, which means ANYONE can go into a bar!
Now there is a bigger chance of bad things happening. Do we really need the extra risk?
Passion for Piano
This is an essay I did for a requirement for honors english:
Whenever I answer the question, "Hey, can you play today?" it always seems to be "No, I need to play piano." When hearing that, people always give me this look that means, "Wow, get a life!" They don't understand why I practice so much. I love producing music because it is a way to express myself, it is a form of communication that everyone understands, and it is a skill that will last forever.
Stress balls, meditation, and rest, are some of the many ways people use to control anger. But does music work as well? Absolutely. Having experienced much stress in my life, I have found that music is a fantastic remedy.
Being of Asian heritage, many peers ask me to translate something into Chinese. Wouldn't the world be a better place if we all spoke the same language? Music is that language, the one thing that ties this whole world together. when one plays piano, he or she knows that those listening will listen and understand. It is great to know that.
IPods, computers, and cell phones have dominated the world. But these things break: they cannot last forever. A skill, such as playing the piano, will stick with you for the rest of your life. It is something that you cannot break or lose.
Playing the piano is my passion because it expresses my feelings, can touch anyone of any background, and will stick with me until death. Music can touch one's life forever.
Whenever I answer the question, "Hey, can you play today?" it always seems to be "No, I need to play piano." When hearing that, people always give me this look that means, "Wow, get a life!" They don't understand why I practice so much. I love producing music because it is a way to express myself, it is a form of communication that everyone understands, and it is a skill that will last forever.
Stress balls, meditation, and rest, are some of the many ways people use to control anger. But does music work as well? Absolutely. Having experienced much stress in my life, I have found that music is a fantastic remedy.
Being of Asian heritage, many peers ask me to translate something into Chinese. Wouldn't the world be a better place if we all spoke the same language? Music is that language, the one thing that ties this whole world together. when one plays piano, he or she knows that those listening will listen and understand. It is great to know that.
IPods, computers, and cell phones have dominated the world. But these things break: they cannot last forever. A skill, such as playing the piano, will stick with you for the rest of your life. It is something that you cannot break or lose.
Playing the piano is my passion because it expresses my feelings, can touch anyone of any background, and will stick with me until death. Music can touch one's life forever.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Comma Rules Essay - Television
Technology has taken its slow but deadly course, and something has crept into the society of the twenty-first century: television. Conquering the youth, television has taken over what was once hard-working, diligent, and responsible minds. Television, though millions could argue otherwise, is very destructive, because it wastes valuable time, can become very addictive, and it distracts individuals from school, work, and home.
According to the A.C. Neilson Co., the average daily household TV viewing is about eight hours, and the average American watches about four hours of TV every day. Do we have time to waste four hours every day staring at a TV screen? There are definitely more productive things to do!
Television is addictive. We all know that. Taylor Stoehr, from the University of Massachusetts, states, “The media function very much like drugs and alcohol, whether or not one thinks of them as addictive.” And she is absolutely correct. The youth of this country are, if not already, becoming severely addicted to television. Most kids are so addicted, that they are even willing to ignore the threat when their parents yell, “Turn that TV off and get to bed or you’re grounded!!”
Children and teens who are addicted to television are becoming more and more lazy when it comes to schoolwork. One of my teachers has exclaimed, “Students nowadays just don’t care anymore about schoolwork or grades!” It’s true. Television, and other factors, have affected the progress and performance of today’s students greatly. It’s time to take a stand.
As you can see, television is ruining the lives of the world, because it is so highly addictive and distracting! So the next time you are about to turn on the TV, think about what you are doing. It is not worth it to stare at a television screen and waste valuable and precious time, when you could be doing other, more productive activities!
According to the A.C. Neilson Co., the average daily household TV viewing is about eight hours, and the average American watches about four hours of TV every day. Do we have time to waste four hours every day staring at a TV screen? There are definitely more productive things to do!
Television is addictive. We all know that. Taylor Stoehr, from the University of Massachusetts, states, “The media function very much like drugs and alcohol, whether or not one thinks of them as addictive.” And she is absolutely correct. The youth of this country are, if not already, becoming severely addicted to television. Most kids are so addicted, that they are even willing to ignore the threat when their parents yell, “Turn that TV off and get to bed or you’re grounded!!”
Children and teens who are addicted to television are becoming more and more lazy when it comes to schoolwork. One of my teachers has exclaimed, “Students nowadays just don’t care anymore about schoolwork or grades!” It’s true. Television, and other factors, have affected the progress and performance of today’s students greatly. It’s time to take a stand.
As you can see, television is ruining the lives of the world, because it is so highly addictive and distracting! So the next time you are about to turn on the TV, think about what you are doing. It is not worth it to stare at a television screen and waste valuable and precious time, when you could be doing other, more productive activities!
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Persuasive Essay
As practice for my english class, we had to come up with an essay and have it scored by computer means. I'll try my best to recollect and write what I composed...the issue was this: The legislature is thinking about passing a bill regarding requiring one to earn a high school diploma in order to receive their driver's license.
Legislature,
Many teens have died in car accidents. In fact, teens have the higher tendency then any other age group in getting into car accidents. Why is that? Teens are still young, which means they haven't yet developed their responsibility enough to understand the risks of driving. For these reasons, I praise your decision in requiring pre-graduates to earn their diploma before driving. This bill should be passed because teens are still young and careless, the goal of driving could push students to study harder, and because no one has the right to put other lives in jeapeordy.
First of all, the youth are still young. Most teens cannot grasp the fact that driving, though fun, can be extremely dangerous. They need time to become more responsible, and going through high school will do just that. Young teens can be reckless, and they sometimes can lose control. But not only can passing this bill lower the risk of crashes, but it could also benefit other causes.
Imagine your average teenager. We all know that one of every teenager's dreams is to finally be able to sit in the driver's seat, kick the pedal, and let it rip!! But, if with the new bill, the students would have to work hard and earn their high school diploma. If they don't, then there goes their hopes of driving. Students would work harder, fearing not being able to graduate from high school, and not driving.
Lastly, letting teens drive before they are ready not only could severly injure or kill themselves, but would also affect the innocent lives of others. It isn't fair to lose one's life because some careless teenagers were messing around at the steering wheel. No one has the right to jearpeordize innocent lives!
So, in conclusion, I hope you go forward with this bill, and I sincerely hope it will pass. This is the right thing to do because letting the youth drive at this young of an age could be risky, and it could help in the studies and grades of the students. The passing of this bill would ensure greater security and safety of the public, and I support you in your decision.
Legislature,
Many teens have died in car accidents. In fact, teens have the higher tendency then any other age group in getting into car accidents. Why is that? Teens are still young, which means they haven't yet developed their responsibility enough to understand the risks of driving. For these reasons, I praise your decision in requiring pre-graduates to earn their diploma before driving. This bill should be passed because teens are still young and careless, the goal of driving could push students to study harder, and because no one has the right to put other lives in jeapeordy.
First of all, the youth are still young. Most teens cannot grasp the fact that driving, though fun, can be extremely dangerous. They need time to become more responsible, and going through high school will do just that. Young teens can be reckless, and they sometimes can lose control. But not only can passing this bill lower the risk of crashes, but it could also benefit other causes.
Imagine your average teenager. We all know that one of every teenager's dreams is to finally be able to sit in the driver's seat, kick the pedal, and let it rip!! But, if with the new bill, the students would have to work hard and earn their high school diploma. If they don't, then there goes their hopes of driving. Students would work harder, fearing not being able to graduate from high school, and not driving.
Lastly, letting teens drive before they are ready not only could severly injure or kill themselves, but would also affect the innocent lives of others. It isn't fair to lose one's life because some careless teenagers were messing around at the steering wheel. No one has the right to jearpeordize innocent lives!
So, in conclusion, I hope you go forward with this bill, and I sincerely hope it will pass. This is the right thing to do because letting the youth drive at this young of an age could be risky, and it could help in the studies and grades of the students. The passing of this bill would ensure greater security and safety of the public, and I support you in your decision.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Not like it wil affect me anyways, since I'm going to be in high school, but is it good to switch to a block schedule next year?
What are the pros and cons of a block schedule? Theoretically, since a block schedule only has 4 class periods a day, the result would be less homework each night, compared to 7 class periods a day; where it is possible to have 7 periods of homework in one night. A block schedule can also allow more time to complete daily homework for example, if a class is taken every other day; then the students have the extra day, given in a block schedule, to go into the teacher's classroom and ask questions on problems not understood which could be very beneficial.
So, in my opinion, I think I would like the block schedule, although, since I'm moving on to high school after this year, it wouldn't really matter to me what the junior high did. A block schedule would be fun.
What are the pros and cons of a block schedule? Theoretically, since a block schedule only has 4 class periods a day, the result would be less homework each night, compared to 7 class periods a day; where it is possible to have 7 periods of homework in one night. A block schedule can also allow more time to complete daily homework for example, if a class is taken every other day; then the students have the extra day, given in a block schedule, to go into the teacher's classroom and ask questions on problems not understood which could be very beneficial.
So, in my opinion, I think I would like the block schedule, although, since I'm moving on to high school after this year, it wouldn't really matter to me what the junior high did. A block schedule would be fun.
Television
Technology has taken its slow but deadly course, and something has crept into the society of the twenty-first century: television. Conquering the youth, television has taken over what was once hard-working, diligent, and responsible minds. Television, though millions could argue otherwise, is very destructive, because it wastes valuable time, can become very addictive, and it distracts individuals from school, work, and home.
According to the A.C. Neilson Co., the average daily household TV viewing is about eight hours, and the average American watches about four hours of TV every day. Do we have time to waste four hours every day staring at a TV screen? There are definitely more productive things to do!
Television is addictive. We all know that. Taylor Stoehr, from the University of Massachusetts, states, “The media function very much like drugs and alcohol, whether or not one thinks of them as addictive.” And she is absolutely correct. The youth of this country are, if not already, becoming severely addicted to television. Most kids are so addicted, that they are even willing to ignore the threat when their parents yell, “Turn that TV off and get to bed or you’re grounded!!”
Children and teens who are addicted to television are becoming more and more lazy when it comes to schoolwork. One of my teachers has exclaimed, “Students nowadays just don’t care anymore about schoolwork or grades!” It’s true. Television, and other factors, have affected the progress and performance of today’s students greatly. It’s time to take a stand.
As you can see, television is ruining the lives of the world, because it is so highly addictive and distracting! So the next time you are about to turn on the TV, think about what you are doing. It is not worth it to stare at a television screen and waste valuable and precious time, when you could be doing other, more productive activities!
According to the A.C. Neilson Co., the average daily household TV viewing is about eight hours, and the average American watches about four hours of TV every day. Do we have time to waste four hours every day staring at a TV screen? There are definitely more productive things to do!
Television is addictive. We all know that. Taylor Stoehr, from the University of Massachusetts, states, “The media function very much like drugs and alcohol, whether or not one thinks of them as addictive.” And she is absolutely correct. The youth of this country are, if not already, becoming severely addicted to television. Most kids are so addicted, that they are even willing to ignore the threat when their parents yell, “Turn that TV off and get to bed or you’re grounded!!”
Children and teens who are addicted to television are becoming more and more lazy when it comes to schoolwork. One of my teachers has exclaimed, “Students nowadays just don’t care anymore about schoolwork or grades!” It’s true. Television, and other factors, have affected the progress and performance of today’s students greatly. It’s time to take a stand.
As you can see, television is ruining the lives of the world, because it is so highly addictive and distracting! So the next time you are about to turn on the TV, think about what you are doing. It is not worth it to stare at a television screen and waste valuable and precious time, when you could be doing other, more productive activities!
Sunday, February 15, 2009
16
Only about one year till I get to drive. Excitement is a biggie. But it seems so.....weird that I'm almost going to be driving! When you're small, you always think of people that drive, people that are in high school as huge, OLD...people. But when you get to the age, you feel like maybe you're TOO young.
Animals For Scientific Research?
Should we be using animals for scientific research? Is it right?
In a way...we are animals, aren't we? So why is it all right to test drugs on mice, or monkeys, etc. when we believe it's cruelty and un-just to test on humans?
But in another way, medical technology wouldn't be what it is today without the tests and experiments on "animals". So is this a good or bad thing? The animals will die in a few years anyway right?
I don't agree that we should test drugs on and murder innocent animals, even IF they'll die in a few years anyways. But it's is probably the only way. Maybe, after time, we'll be able to create artificial animals to test on.
In a way...we are animals, aren't we? So why is it all right to test drugs on mice, or monkeys, etc. when we believe it's cruelty and un-just to test on humans?
But in another way, medical technology wouldn't be what it is today without the tests and experiments on "animals". So is this a good or bad thing? The animals will die in a few years anyway right?
I don't agree that we should test drugs on and murder innocent animals, even IF they'll die in a few years anyways. But it's is probably the only way. Maybe, after time, we'll be able to create artificial animals to test on.
Favorite Subject
When asked what my favorite subject, I often become confused. I can't tell if the people are trying to say, "What's your favorite class or period to be in?" or "What subject of school do you enjoy doing the most?" Of course, I don't really think of it that much, because, well...it's school. And in ANY teenager's eyes......i'll leave it at that.
If I was asked the latter question, the answer I would give would most likely be math. Why? Math comes very easy for me, although the LOADS of homework we get in my class are irritating, frustrating, and tedious. So if asked the FIRST question, I wouldn't say my math class. My favorite period of the day would probably be seminary. That time of the day is always calming, peaceful, and never gives any stress.
I think math gets a little TOO complicated. Why in the WORLD would someone spend ten hours figuring out when Jack and Jill would finally see eachother if Jack left two minutes after Jill did, and their houses were 253.84628463721548 miles apart, if Jack was biking at 7.162548 miles per hour and Jill was jogging 3.1643659 miles per hour?? Come ON!! All we want to do is just GET THROUGH COLLEGE!! Is that too much to ask? Ok, a little off topic, so back to the point. Let me rephrase my thoughts. I like math, when it isn't so complicated and frustrating that i need a rest!
If I was asked the latter question, the answer I would give would most likely be math. Why? Math comes very easy for me, although the LOADS of homework we get in my class are irritating, frustrating, and tedious. So if asked the FIRST question, I wouldn't say my math class. My favorite period of the day would probably be seminary. That time of the day is always calming, peaceful, and never gives any stress.
I think math gets a little TOO complicated. Why in the WORLD would someone spend ten hours figuring out when Jack and Jill would finally see eachother if Jack left two minutes after Jill did, and their houses were 253.84628463721548 miles apart, if Jack was biking at 7.162548 miles per hour and Jill was jogging 3.1643659 miles per hour?? Come ON!! All we want to do is just GET THROUGH COLLEGE!! Is that too much to ask? Ok, a little off topic, so back to the point. Let me rephrase my thoughts. I like math, when it isn't so complicated and frustrating that i need a rest!
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Winter: probably my least favorite season. Why? Because of the snow and the rain. You're probably thinking, "This guy is CA-WAY-ZEE!!" But I have a good reason. I don't mind the snow and the rain, OR the cold weather, but i DO mind it when, because of the snow and the rain, they park officials TAKE DOWN THE TENNIS NET! Can't they build a huge roof or something?? It drives me mad how for a whole fourth of a year of my life, I can't play tennis like I usually do, because of something called nature! Everybody says practice makes perfect, but I can't practice anymore. They only way I can play tennis this time of the year is every week, when I have my private lessons, but lessons are never the same. It's better and a whole lot more entertaining to play and mess around with your friends.
CRAMMED!
Life really needs variety. This is my schedule every school day of the week: get up, school, come home, homework, read, and piano!!!! I wouldn't say working is BAD, but it certainly IS when the ratio of work to play is 10,000:1!!! Some parents think it's WISE to force their kids into working 24/7, when it's one of the most FOOLISH THINGS TO DO!! Parents need to let their children have a good balance between work and play, because it can extremely stress them out, and it's IMPERATIVE to have some rest after tedious work.
Stress: a MAJOR factor in an average teen's life. I know from experience that stress can be disasterous. In my life, I'm stressing all the time, whether it be from piano, homework, school, or simple matters at home. As we all know, that doesn't feel good at ALL. Too much stress could result in total mental breakdown (haha i can SEMI-relate to that....) and could affect schooling, and other work, which would be ironic, since parents are trying to get their children to do WELL in those parts of their lives. It's very foolish to force your kid to work hard and well, when, in the end, it'll stress them out and they'll do even worse.
Have you ever wondered why school's have recesses or lunch breaks? The obvious reason is most likely because students need rest from their schooling. When in elementary, I've always looked forward to the half-hour breaks of the day, as most of us all have. A good play refreshes the mind, and clears out some stress.
As you can see, it's really important for parents to ease up on their kids, because stress can be terrible, and the play time relaxes the mind. Parents need to see if they are too hard on their kids, because it would be an abomination to try and work your kids to death, which would go against their main goal.
Stress: a MAJOR factor in an average teen's life. I know from experience that stress can be disasterous. In my life, I'm stressing all the time, whether it be from piano, homework, school, or simple matters at home. As we all know, that doesn't feel good at ALL. Too much stress could result in total mental breakdown (haha i can SEMI-relate to that....) and could affect schooling, and other work, which would be ironic, since parents are trying to get their children to do WELL in those parts of their lives. It's very foolish to force your kid to work hard and well, when, in the end, it'll stress them out and they'll do even worse.
Have you ever wondered why school's have recesses or lunch breaks? The obvious reason is most likely because students need rest from their schooling. When in elementary, I've always looked forward to the half-hour breaks of the day, as most of us all have. A good play refreshes the mind, and clears out some stress.
As you can see, it's really important for parents to ease up on their kids, because stress can be terrible, and the play time relaxes the mind. Parents need to see if they are too hard on their kids, because it would be an abomination to try and work your kids to death, which would go against their main goal.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
I miss eighth grade! I miss my english class, because we didn't have to do the tedious AR tests! Why do we even have to? Shouldn't reading be a student's choice? When reading is forced, it trains all of us students to HATE reading. Schools need to think of a new way to get us to read, or simply just dump the idea of FORCING us to read. We shouldn't have AR tests because they don't really evaluate how well a student has read and understood the book, they can DISCOURAGE reading, and it's not right to force students to read.
I've taken many tests where they were made carelessly. These tests don't evaluate how well you REALLY have understood the book. It's just a bunch of questions. If schools wanted to see how well their students have read, they should have teachers talk to them, and have the students tell and explain what happens in the book, and what they think about it, not take a test on 10 or 20 questions that just ask what happened.
People can cheat on AR tests. All someone has to do (Don't look at me, I'm just guessing.... ) is just ask someone who has already read the books to tell them about it, and they would have the main idea of what happens, and most likely pass the test. I know someone who had to take a test for science and didn't even read the book. He passed the test, which shows how accurate the tests really are....
When people like us are forced to read, we don't enjoy it like the schools are trying to make us. Books should be read for FUN, not for grades.
I've taken many tests where they were made carelessly. These tests don't evaluate how well you REALLY have understood the book. It's just a bunch of questions. If schools wanted to see how well their students have read, they should have teachers talk to them, and have the students tell and explain what happens in the book, and what they think about it, not take a test on 10 or 20 questions that just ask what happened.
People can cheat on AR tests. All someone has to do (Don't look at me, I'm just guessing.... ) is just ask someone who has already read the books to tell them about it, and they would have the main idea of what happens, and most likely pass the test. I know someone who had to take a test for science and didn't even read the book. He passed the test, which shows how accurate the tests really are....
When people like us are forced to read, we don't enjoy it like the schools are trying to make us. Books should be read for FUN, not for grades.
I really need a new computer!!
About three weeks ago, my computer at home broke down, and, unfortunately, my dad won't let me use his laptop. tch! So these past weeks, I have had to go to our neighbors to do all my homework. (Thompson, if you're reading this, HINT, HINT!)
A good thing is, that I'M GETTING A NEW COMPUTER! YAY! I think after five or six years using the new computer, I'll break it so we can get a newer one... haha joking!!
About three weeks ago, my computer at home broke down, and, unfortunately, my dad won't let me use his laptop. tch! So these past weeks, I have had to go to our neighbors to do all my homework. (Thompson, if you're reading this, HINT, HINT!)
A good thing is, that I'M GETTING A NEW COMPUTER! YAY! I think after five or six years using the new computer, I'll break it so we can get a newer one... haha joking!!
More Sports in School
One thing that really bugs me about junior high, is how they don't have as many sports as, in my opinion, high school does. Yes, it has wrestling, volleyball, basketball, but what happened to football, soccer, and TENNIS???? Junior high schools should have more sports, because teenage interests aren't just volleyball, basketball, and wrestling, people who like other sports need to wait till high school, and more sports are fun!
There are so many more sports out there than volleyball, and wrestling, etc. And I'll bet anything most people out there prefer football over volleyball. So why does the school district insist on the current sports? Is volleyball cheaper or something? School would be so much better if they had more sports.
Sports encourage exercise. If there were more sports, then people's interests would be suited more, and more people would start playing sports. If junior high had tennis, I would probably be playing and exercising 24 hours a day. But they don't, so I'm this hobo that stays at home doing homework and reading... blech. I had to wait three years, and I'm still waiting for the high school tryouts to come.
Football and tennis, and all those other sports would make school so much fun, because it would suit the interests of more and more people. School HAS to be more than just volleyball, wrestling, track, and basketball!!
There are so many more sports out there than volleyball, and wrestling, etc. And I'll bet anything most people out there prefer football over volleyball. So why does the school district insist on the current sports? Is volleyball cheaper or something? School would be so much better if they had more sports.
Sports encourage exercise. If there were more sports, then people's interests would be suited more, and more people would start playing sports. If junior high had tennis, I would probably be playing and exercising 24 hours a day. But they don't, so I'm this hobo that stays at home doing homework and reading... blech. I had to wait three years, and I'm still waiting for the high school tryouts to come.
Football and tennis, and all those other sports would make school so much fun, because it would suit the interests of more and more people. School HAS to be more than just volleyball, wrestling, track, and basketball!!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Another Pet Peeve......
Another pet peeve of mine (Yeah, I know, you're probably going, "What the heck is wrong with this kid.........he needs a life..... he needs to find something else to do than writing a thousand words for his honors english blog and listing all his pet peeves....) is when, at school, people judge you when they haven't even bothered to try to know you. I wish people would first get to know me before they thought of me as something I'm not. (Or maybe I am............maybe i'm lying.... which doesn't really make sense, because, if i'm lying, that would mean I'm actually telling the truth, because I was lying about lying, which would mean I was really lying......anyways...back on topic.) You should get to know people first, because first, it hurts their feelings, (and I sound like a 5 year old.......) and second, because you're going to have one heck of a time making friends in high school and the rest of your life.....
That happens occasionally to me, and it drives me (yes, again..) up the wall. But whenever that happens, I just ignore them and move on, thinking, "get a life...!"
That happens occasionally to me, and it drives me (yes, again..) up the wall. But whenever that happens, I just ignore them and move on, thinking, "get a life...!"
For Those Who Think Anything That's Not "Playing" Is A Waste Of Time......
For those of you (as I mentioned before) who think piano, and reading, and other things like that are wastes of time, YOU BETTER READ THIS, BECAUSE I'M NOT JUST WRITING 1000 WORDS FOR NOTHING!
It's another one of my biggest pet peeves when, when I say I play piano a couple hours a day, they laugh and say that I have no life. So I'll just go on thinking, when you grow up and have a mediocre job, and I'm a concert pianist, or doctor, or lawyer, or business manager, I'm the one who's gong to be laughing at you, bub!!!!! I'll be going, "get a REAL life". Things like that aren't wastes of time, because they will help you later on in life!
In the future, when you apply for a scholarship, (and if you think that is a waste, you need to sort our your priorities..) anything will help. That includes piano, Rhapsody, Science Olympiad, reading, and most certainly not "hanging out with friends". I'm not saying that we shouldn't hang with friends, I'm just saying we should balance the time. (Or, in my case, unfortunately, it's 99% "productive work" and 1 mere percent of play............grrr....parents....) And what you make out of yourself in college and your job is what your life is all going to depend on.
It's another one of my biggest pet peeves when, when I say I play piano a couple hours a day, they laugh and say that I have no life. So I'll just go on thinking, when you grow up and have a mediocre job, and I'm a concert pianist, or doctor, or lawyer, or business manager, I'm the one who's gong to be laughing at you, bub!!!!! I'll be going, "get a REAL life". Things like that aren't wastes of time, because they will help you later on in life!
In the future, when you apply for a scholarship, (and if you think that is a waste, you need to sort our your priorities..) anything will help. That includes piano, Rhapsody, Science Olympiad, reading, and most certainly not "hanging out with friends". I'm not saying that we shouldn't hang with friends, I'm just saying we should balance the time. (Or, in my case, unfortunately, it's 99% "productive work" and 1 mere percent of play............grrr....parents....) And what you make out of yourself in college and your job is what your life is all going to depend on.
Guilt
Now that I've said some good about teachers....I feel sort of guilty. :>
One of my biggest pet peeves is when teachers give you tedious, boring, and useless assignments that, in my opinion, are a big waste of time. These assignments, such as boring crosswords, and worksheets that you don't learn from at all, waste your time, and get in the way of other productive things you might be doing.
I find them in every class. In every class, there are assignments that are boring and are given SOLELY for the purpose of.... homework. ugh! Well, maybe i've exaggerated, not EVERY class. But once in a while, there are assignments like coloring art, or finding jumbles of words in a mass of letters. There might be ONE thing good about those worthless assignments: They give you free points, unless, you're like some people, and you don't do them.
There've been so many times where I arrived home and had to spend an hour or so coloring a dumb worksheet (The long time probably was my fault. I can't color something unless I make it perfect.........) I COULD'VE been playing piano, or reading, or just simply doing other things like that that are productive. (Now for you people out there who think piano, and reading, etc. are wastes of time and are for those who have no lives, I'll get to you later)
So, for you teachers out there, or peers who are going to be in the future, just remember to not give worthless assignments, because they are wastes of time, and take up other, valuable time. They drive students (Well, I'm not sure if other people have this problem...) up the WALL!!
One of my biggest pet peeves is when teachers give you tedious, boring, and useless assignments that, in my opinion, are a big waste of time. These assignments, such as boring crosswords, and worksheets that you don't learn from at all, waste your time, and get in the way of other productive things you might be doing.
I find them in every class. In every class, there are assignments that are boring and are given SOLELY for the purpose of.... homework. ugh! Well, maybe i've exaggerated, not EVERY class. But once in a while, there are assignments like coloring art, or finding jumbles of words in a mass of letters. There might be ONE thing good about those worthless assignments: They give you free points, unless, you're like some people, and you don't do them.
There've been so many times where I arrived home and had to spend an hour or so coloring a dumb worksheet (The long time probably was my fault. I can't color something unless I make it perfect.........) I COULD'VE been playing piano, or reading, or just simply doing other things like that that are productive. (Now for you people out there who think piano, and reading, etc. are wastes of time and are for those who have no lives, I'll get to you later)
So, for you teachers out there, or peers who are going to be in the future, just remember to not give worthless assignments, because they are wastes of time, and take up other, valuable time. They drive students (Well, I'm not sure if other people have this problem...) up the WALL!!
Flattery
I don't know how this topic came into my head. Perhaps it was one too many looks at that page of persuasive topics in Mr. Thompsons class. Maybe I'm doing it just to flatter the teachers.
Teachers should get paid more. Outrageous right? I figured since my sister is majoring in elementary education, I should finally warm up to teachers....
Why SHOULDN'T teachers get paid more? Without today's teachers, there wouldn't be tomorrow's future. Most of us don't know how hard teachers work. I have a hint of it, because of my sister, and because I've gone to some of my teachers' classes well after school ended to see them still working at their desks. Teachers really deserve more: They work tediously, selflessly, for the good of their students, and they make us what we are.
Teachers (well, MOST teachers...) care more about their students than they do themselves. They would take an hour of time out of their work to help their students understand a concept, or help them get their grades that half a percent higher to acheive an A.
Without our teachers today, we wouldn't be like this nation is today. Teachers are what makes up the lives that keep our government going, and what care for the citizens. We should treat them as we do the doctors or lawyers that we hold in such high esteem.
Teachers should get paid more. Outrageous right? I figured since my sister is majoring in elementary education, I should finally warm up to teachers....
Why SHOULDN'T teachers get paid more? Without today's teachers, there wouldn't be tomorrow's future. Most of us don't know how hard teachers work. I have a hint of it, because of my sister, and because I've gone to some of my teachers' classes well after school ended to see them still working at their desks. Teachers really deserve more: They work tediously, selflessly, for the good of their students, and they make us what we are.
Teachers (well, MOST teachers...) care more about their students than they do themselves. They would take an hour of time out of their work to help their students understand a concept, or help them get their grades that half a percent higher to acheive an A.
Without our teachers today, we wouldn't be like this nation is today. Teachers are what makes up the lives that keep our government going, and what care for the citizens. We should treat them as we do the doctors or lawyers that we hold in such high esteem.
Friday, January 9, 2009
The worst part of each of my days would most likely the "waking up" part. Waking up bugs me, because even if I set my alarm, it still doesn't make me get up. Don't get me wrong; the alarm wakes me up alright.....how could it NOT? It's the most annoying thing you could ever listen to! Sheesh, I'm sleeping deeply and comfy cozy when suddenly I'm awakened by this annoying "HONK, HONK, HONK, HONK, HONK....!!!!!"
To make this all worse is that I'm so tired and sleepy that I just let it keep HONKING! I don't even bother to stop it!
One of my pet peeves is when someone receives a gift......and saves it thinking that it'll be a nice gift to give to someone else. It seriously drives me up the wall!!!!! I mean, what's the point of someone GIVING you a gift if your just going to be rude and give it to someone else!
If someone did that to ME, they'd get a smack in the FACE.
I think I'll move to hawaii or something, where it's not so COLD!!!!
I hate the cold. My body is really weird.....it never gets cold, or, at least, I never FEEL cold, but my internal organs are probably freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeezin. Maybe that's why I get sick or get a cold or get a SORE THROAT...........
I would have SUCH a happier life if there wasn't a such thing called BEING COLD!!!
If there's a list I have about "the things I hate the most about life", it'd be sore throats.
I absolute DETEST sore throats......and I'm probably writing this now, because...well...i DO have one, and I'm drinking orange juice to help it...
I hate waking up every morning to realize your throat is all clogged up and mushy and gooey and "mucusy".
I hope it isn't a cold. That certainly would be a disaster....due to the fact that I have a competition in two days......... wouldn't be a good thing.
I can't wait till this week is over.
This weekend, I have yet ANOTHER huge competition out of state. Preparing for it has been extremely tiring, and the stress it gives is overwhelming. I SO can't wait till monday, when it'll finally be over.
This sounds really...........i don't know how to put it....stubborn i guess.....but I hate losing. Don't we all? But then there's your parents or tutors or teachers that tell you to practice so you WON'T lose...... I mean, it's not like we don't WANT to do our best...sometimes your brain doesn't let you.
I'm excited to feel the RELIEF and STRESSLESS peace of mind that will come to me after I compete......only 3 days...only 3 days...
How does this help???
It bugs me SO bad when teachers give my classes assignments that don't even help!
I mean, in one of my classes, the teacher gives us this paper, said to be celtic art or something...and tells us to color it.........does this help the SLIGHTEST bit in LIFE??
If we needed to know about celtic art, couldn't looking at it be enough?
And if we colored it, wouldn't it ruin the effect of the original colors?
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