My Little Break.

Finally! I was finally able to use that free movie ticket of mine that I won about a few months ago. My family and I wanted to go out and watch a movie for quite some time now. We haven't been able to go to the movies all together. All seven of us. Generally, my older brother is up north attending college and I usually am stuck at home studying and doing homework. So it usually ends up where some kids go and some stay back. And because all our schedules are different where my parents work different hours, siblings have concerts and sports games, and I myself have many things as well we hardly get to all hang out and have some family time.

We have been planning this family movie night for quite some time. In fact, we were suppose to go watch Moana when it came out before Thanksgiving day, but due to the infamous APUSH Press Conference I was not able to go. And because I was the one to really want to watch Moana my family decided to wait until I was free. And so Sunday, about two and a half weeks later, I still had work to be done, but I was like why not. I'll probably not even get too much stuff done anyways.

So I sat for my second time ever in the new movie theaters. And you know there is always that group or one person that has to destroy the movie experience for you. Well in this case there was a group of obnoxious teenagers who did not care what others had to think. It was as though they had already watched the movie and was just there to talk. There was about six of them and they said several inappropriate things that I wish my ears never picked up, but I couldn't help it as they were to the left one row behind. I remember before the movie had even began and the trailers were still playing these two girls walk in and are shouting their friend's name trying to find them. So unnecessary and so from then I knew this group was all trouble. Then at one point someone drops their phone so someone takes out their phone to shine their flashlight mode (not sure what the right terminology is, but close enough) in search for the dropped phone which was again really bothersome. It got to the point I just wanted to get up and yell at them, but that is not like me. I was on the verge of getting up to call security, but I didn't want to miss a scene. So I tried to block these people out and had a semi-great experience at the movies today.

So, yes, movies this time around were ruined. However, the inner kid inside of me loved the soundtrack and colors of the movie. I also, not going to lie, teared up at a part and I didn't expect that to happen with such a movie. Overall, I would recommend this film to any family and would go to see it again if I could.

Like I mentioned the songs were just amazing! So thankful to have a person like Lin-Manuel Miranda! His compositions were just superb! Side note: I first heard of Lin-Manuel through Mrs. Hennings who showed us a Hamilton clip from Lin-Manuel. And I did not know that Lin-Manuel was the creator of the songs for Moana. So when the crab song and Maui song appeared I knew right away that these songs have been written by Lin-Manuel. With that being said here are some great songs from the movie that I could listen to all day:"Know Who You Are", "Where You Are","How Far I'll Go","An Innocent Warrior","We Know The Way", and "I Am Moana". You know just to name a few! I could've just listed the whole soundtrack it seems. But no I encourage you guys reading this to listen to the music! There is just something tropical and uplifting about this type of music.

"Immigrants In Our Own Land"

Getting to know a bit about the author (Jimmy Satiago Baca) himself prior to reading this poem was great because I was able to get that insight and found the purpose as to why Santiago wrote what he wrote. To know he was illiterate, came to America from Mexico as an immigrant, and got himself incarcerated by selling drugs to now reading one of his poems makes it all surreal. The whole poem is given more meaning knowing that this is what an author actually experienced and felt. The viewpoint becomes this real experience that I can actually believe to be true and I can finally see through the eyes of the author and an immigrant. For me this no longer becomes your conventional poem, although all works of poetry are never the same as there does not have to be any "rules". However, I mean not conventional in regards to how this does not seem to be this creative and rhyming piece that needs to be looked at closely in order to understand.
"Immigrants In Our Own Land" is definitely more prose type and isn't complicated and simple to comprehend. With that being said, Santiago is able to give us the whole outlook of what is like being someone coming from new lands by starting off his poem in an optimistic fashion. Signifying that the immigrants coming over are very hopeful for this new opportunity that awaits.  Consequently, that is all turned around and by the looks of how Santiago expresses his ideas in the next few stanzas shows that - trying to achieve the new life isn't what it all seems to be. "But in the end, some will just sit around talking about how good the old world was." This to me shows the regret of these people who thought that leaving their life at home is for the better. In the end, it becomes apparent that people's expectations versus reality is totally different when trying to come to new lands with the desires for a better life.
After reading Jessica's post I did not even realize the metaphor of immigrants entering a prison rather than a new world they can call home. This helps to perfectly demonstrate the feeling of these people seeking for a better life. I also like how Jessica was able to break up the stanzas and analyze bits and parts from the words Santiago spoke.

Chasing the American Dream!

Is This Not True!

There probably is another reason for lights in refrigerators, but I think this is the best reason out there! C'mon this has to be true?

Beautiful 3-D Jelly Cakes

This takes some mad skills! Maybe not, but I am surely impressed and they just look so lovely!

Proud To Say This Is My Dog!

Rain. It finally started raining. I didn't think during our Thanksgiving break it would, but thankfully it did because we need it. My family and I forgot that we shut the back door so our dog wasn't able to take shelter/cover. However, we do have a brilliantly smart dog. I go to open the living room curtains and I see up against the sliding door in the only spot that is dry. A few more minutes out there he would've ended up wet. But thankfully I went to go and open the curtains. And Izzy (if you don't know already is my dog's name) was too cute that I had to snap a picture before I could let him in. So here is that picture:

My New Big Question

So this was my original question. However, as I was trying to watch a YouTube video there was an ad. An ad in which a man begins to experience some heart problems and this heat problem gives him a scare. This man, Matt Prindle, (in his video that I watched in the ad) had a funny yet serious part that made me both giggle but also helped me come up with my new question. That scene had the following words spoken: "This is the beginning of something pretty amazing. Sometimes it takes a serious health scare to get serious about what's important. Being present. Soaking in all this. Enjoying it! Pursuing it! And having fun along the way right? Which might mean to...means to go out on a limb and have some fun...." I have always thought of this situation already and tried to make something out of it so I can pursue a related question, but I wasn't sure what I wanted to find. But now after having seen this video of Matt's I have my  question. My new question is along the lines of why does it take something to happen in order for people to realize that they must live in the moment and cherish what they have? Why waste time in waiting and not start loving everyone and everything now? What happened to living life to the fullest? What is possibly holding us back? I guess I can tie the two concepts of time and cherishing life before it become too late together because I do not want to entirely give up and throw away my other question because I am still very much interested in finding out more. I am wondering at this moment if I will be able to tackle two questions?

You have to watch to the end now in order to see what I was talking about above!

This Child Is Amazing

Have you guys heard of that TV show called Little Big Shots? I love to see all the amazing talent these little kiddos have! When I was some of their ages I probably was just learning to read my ABC's and write my name. I can only awe in amazement and wish I could've done something similar when I was their age. I guess I am really late on this, but I came across this YouTube video that shows yet another child talent. Meet this four year old Russian girl who is fluent in seven languages. This video was on my recommended feed and the title caught my attention. Even though I wasn't able to understand most of what Bella was reading I still was able to just sit through the video and watch her earn those petals. I was sharing this with friends and they all told me they have already seen this video and that I was about a few weeks late....oooops. I have been taking Spanish for some years now and I definitely have not become fluent in it. So to see a four year old become fluent in not just one, but seven languages is truly remarkable! If you haven't seen the video yet here it is....

We Are Saints!

Random Post for the day! I missed the last PV football game where I saw many pictures of how amazing our school spirit was! I was ecstatic to see that we had that in us and I wanted to check it out for myself! So I attended our last football game with some close friends of mine and the show up was good. I loved the confetti cannons, however, I loathed the baby powder. It really was suffocating and because I sat at the way top every time we scored baby powder was up in the air and the wind pushed it up to where we were sitting. Now I sat at the way top to see all the cheers and confetti and pom poms shake, but I did not anticipate the horrible baby powder. So definitely true that a little can go a long way. Because a small amount of baby powder is perfectly fine. But have it like the game that is a big no no. I did take panoramic pictures throughout the day and here are the best two:

Vignette In Time

Now let's go back in time! What does that even mean? Well I mean I shall take you on a journey way back yonders. Okay not that way back, but back in time when something really memorable happened. Something I will never forgot and something I will be forever grateful for. In a nutshell, my seventh grade science teacher had chosen me to be apply to this summer opportunity call Tech Trek or more formally known as The American Association of University Women (AAUW). So the application period was quite tough. Every day leading up to the deadline I was unsure if whether or not I should apply. I was a bit shy during this time in my life and so I did not know if I could make that leap. But it was one day I said to myself "Why not"? I knew it wouldn't hurt for trying and after a few days upon turning in my application I had received a call that invited me to the final process - an interview. I was quite nervous and I remember that I sat in the waiting room with my mom just talking my butt off trying to calm the nerves. When the lady called my mother and I inside the conference room there were other ladies there and my picture was taken and so it was, the interview began and once it did get started I was totally fine. I left that room feeling super proud and overjoyed that I just had my first interview. And not even a few weeks passed and I received another call telling me I was accepted. I was trying really hard not to scream on the phone and wanted to hand up as quick as I could. Because once I hung up I was screaming and jumping up and down filled with delight.

So that was all that happened to get into this program. I believe it was another five or six girls from Santa Maria that also got accepted as well. To the actual day itself I remember so clearly. I had everything packed and got little sleep the night before. My parents and I had to wake up quite early because we had to drive to Santa Barbara and get to UCSB by a certain time. When we got to the place we definitely couldn't get lost because there was this whole line of girls and their parents waiting to be checked in. I waited in this line for quite some time and when I got to the front I was asked questions about medications specifically for the boat ride. Okay well technically my parents were asked, but I could have replied myself. I got my folder that day which had papers inside and a whole list of the girls attending and where they come from. From this point I went to get my key for my room and went up to leave my suitcase and this is the time I got to meet my roommate Ali! I had gone to the room first, had some trouble unlocking the dorm room go figures, changed into my camp shirt, and met my dorm mother or caregiver for the week who ended up being in the program since it began and she attended Stanford University. Loved Gerry. In fact, she was retiring that year due to age and because she was one of the older ones there she was someone who I loved to hear stories from and her experiences. Anyways, so my roommate walks into the room with her parents and we are saying hi and then someone yells that we had to meet out into this quad area on the campus. This is where we met our teachers for the week and afterwards we went to this cool science presentation. And after this we went back to the dorms where everybody said goodbye to their parents. This would become the first time I left the house all by myself. Okay, this was only the first day. If I went on I would probably be writing a novel by now! To sum it all up, well this summer trip lasted a week and was paid all by the branch in Santa Maria that makes this possible for a few girls every year. And this week was full of firsts! I went on my first boat ride where I saw dolphins for the first time who were riding the waves along the boat, I slept in the dorms with a roommate, I ate delicious campus food that provided dessert even for breakfast... yumm, I met a whole lot of friends, and so much more. This truly was a once in a life time opportunity that I am glad I did not let pass me by.

 This is that folder we received before getting our keys to our dorm room.

 My dorm mom and junior counselors and hallway dorm mates.

 This was all of us that first day before we went to eat  lunch.

I remember 2013 like it was just yesterday! And just seeing these pictures again makes me smile and want to go back!

An Earth Shattering Fart

A Sound Of Thunder was so out of the blue. To go from reading something like Emerson's On Self-reliance to this piece of literature was a sigh a relief. I thought we were once more tasked with having to read this difficult piece of writing and having to do all this crazy stuff with it, but to my surprise that absolutely did not happen. Instead, I found myself following the plot easily and understanding what was going on. I was taken on an adventure like none other when reading this story. Everyone talks about time machines as a kid, or at least I have, and so to see that come up again in another piece of writing and with a different perspective to it was quite neat! I am not too much a fan on dinosaurs -just not my forte I guess- but I found it quite interesting that this is what the character was wanting to do - to hunt dinosaurs. Overall, a fun thing to read about, but now I am left wondering why DP even had us read this. I'll have to wait and find out what is now in store.

It is all about the Butterfly Effect!

Emerson Presentations Day IV

Stephania: did a collage of quotes and says that if we take chances and listen to the heart we will gain experience. "Believe In Yourself" was the title of her poster and she picked these quotes based on liking and what spoke out to her. Fatima and Jordan: They did a CD collage. Talked about society being a wave and how you can expect it to go one way. Discusses greatness appealing to the future and left class with telling us that if we stay true to ourself and once we find that truth then we must stay strong. Leydi: made a video picking out her favorite quotes from the essay and would first have the quote appear and then next an explanation of what she thought the quote was saying. Alexis: Frank Ocean song played and exemplified how we shouldn't do drugs and if you follow that path then you'll become sluggish and thought of as stupid. So it's all fun and games in the beginning and you know it is not good for you to drink and smoke yet you still do it because at parties that is what the kids do. That is a no no and rather than following this wrong path we have to find a way to not follow trends and be yourself. Main message is that the crowd is what leads you into the wrong decisions. Angel: made a powerpoint and says not to follow the crowd or copy others. Elaborates on how you are the only person to make yourself happy. Cayla: Made a short video that showed a tornado and how that is like the eye of the storm. How the storm represents society and society therefore spins around and around like a tornado.  Main message is to not seek outside self. Linda: made a CD that she put songs onto one of which was "Man In the Mirror" which was said to delineate being and making that change in society.

Emerson Presentations Day III

Cerenity, Adriana, And Clemente: brought in boxes which represented cakes. They were comparing how the smallest box is not the best and the biggest box is also not the best, but the one in the middle is just right. And they added onto this saying that physically not everyone is the same. The box that had no fondant on it signified the rare/bare form of you that Emerson wants you to be. The best looking cake even though it looked good there was still some imperfections. All in all, this presentation showed that everyone is trying to be this character they are not so that they could just fit in. Abigail/Peter: Share Emerson's ideas in a song. Took the Michael Jackson song "Man in the Mirror" and changed the lyrics up. And what the members of this presentation wanted us to get from their singing was to follow what the lyrics and don't be forced. Don't be forced to do things you don't want to do. Paloma: Painted this grand piece of art in which a character was split and one side was man and the other woman. The woman's hair was wavy which represented society as a wave. The man was painted as a galaxy and all these vibrant colors representing man being his own star. The woman's heart was a guitar in which the strings depicted hearts vibrating to the iron string and how the strings on a guitar have different sounds. Grass=society and Eyes=everyone who stares and judges. Eyes closed on the character itself portraying that they don't care about what others have to think of them. Bridgett: on blog and chose five quotes from the essay that spoke to her. Had said something about sinking ship and how the water coming aboard represents negativity and that eventually will engulf the ship just like comments can destroy a person or make them feel less of themselves. Wave as a background. Again, shows from the essay how a society is wave. Also says that if we learn to be comfortable with selves then we will began to love ourselves as well.

Emerson Presentations Day II

Jacqueline: She made a poster in which she compiled quotes from the essay. Talked about fear and how we shouldn't care about what others think. Also talks about how the life is yours and making it yours and ends presentation from quote found on Instagram. Alejandra and Rosie: "Why be born an original, but end up dying a copy" and they represented this saying with eggs. They had one raw egg and one hard boil in which they show first the raw egg with just a slight pressure added we will crack just like that. On the other hand, with the hard boiled egg you can slowly peal yourself piece by piece and reveal yourself that way rather than cracking under pressure and spilling all that in you. This was different from other presentations I have ever seen and I would give them creative points. Liliana: brought in brussel sprouts and said that farmers are the only ones to believe in them yet several other people hate them. Class left with confusion and DP tells us to write down extended metaphor which we later learn is when comparison of two unlike things such as ideas and concepts that is carried throughout a couple of sentences or phrases. Similar to an allegory which is an extended metaphor throughout the whole story.

Emerson Project Completed 👍

Yip Yip Hurray! We were told to come up with an idea for what we shall do to wrap up on Emerson. I had wanted to make a collage using pictures and I asked Daniel what he was doing and he was also planning to do a collage. So from there we partnered up to make this dope project in the time allotted because we were told we would get as much time as we needed and then boom! Preston drops it on us and says we have until Monday-3 days! So Friday Daniel told me he wanted to do a quote collage and I told him I wanted to a picture collage and so were thinking he'd do the quote side and I'll do the picture, but then I thought how weird would it be to just have one whole side full of quotes. And then we came up with merging both quotes and pictures. So Daniel met up with me at my house on Sunday and we spent about five hours collecting all the pictures and looking through about fifty magazines! We compiled a whole stack of just images and words that came to our heads that related to Emerson and his message On Self-reliance. Daniel had to leave because it was indeed getting dark and I was fine with having to put everything together since he did come to my house. And little did I know we had collected so many images and words that the collage was a massive piece of work! I was on the floor for some hours trying to lay everything out and getting everything to fit well. My back started hurting and my tush was not liking the hard floor and the next thing you know it is 1 in the morning. Like holy cows. Just to lay everything out and tape it down was a lot of work. And then I took it a step further and wanted to laminate the whole thing, but sadly I don't have those fancy machines that could quickly do that. And unfortunately I did not have packaging tape on hand and so it was just regular office tape. I spent two rolls of tape laminating the collage. I felt this was necessary because I didn't want pictures hanging off when we were presenting and it just would bother me. Plus, I had to some how roll this big collage and I wouldn't be able to do that if not everything was not taped down. So a few more hours it was. I couldn't handle working on the floor anymore so midway from taping I cleared the table and worked on there. And I was initially putting the collage together on the table, but when I was starting to compile thing I could already see that I needed a bigger surface to work with. So when the collage came together and the major parts were taped then could I move back to the table where half the project hung from the edge while I worked with the part I needed. In total, I spent a good 15 hours maybe and it paid off because the end results were amazing!

Ta-Da! Biggest collage I have ever put together that's for sure & definitely is grander than last year's collage!

Emerson Presentation Day I

After seeing presentations today I am glad that everyone got to choose what they wanted to do for their project. Not only are we able to see Emerson and his message in a new light, but I also got to see all the creativity that everybody had. So just a heads up to y'all these next couple of days or anything that says Emerson presentation well you can kind of guess, but it is notes on who presented and what they did to interpret Emerson's message.

So day 1: Lesley went up first as she signed up to go on this day. What she did was make a compilation of seven lyrics I believe that she found to tie into Emerson's work. Lesley doesn't agree with "self-Reliance" and so she took something she doesn't like all that too much with something she loves which is music. In particular, the band Twenty One Pilots. Top half was inspired by Blurryface and bottom half by Vessel. Samary: She did a foam poster board and selected quotes that spoke to her. Vanity and philanthropy was discussed and it was said that people should speak their mind regardless of what others think. Cesar: "How To Be A Genius 101" Loved that title! Had quotes and read them off and explained what Emerson was trying to get across. Said things on solitude, swaying to other opinions and how society sees us. And end with saying that if we want to be a genius we must be self-reliant. And then I went with Daniel and we ran out of time so to be continued tomorrow. And this is where DP says always good to end in the middle of a sentence when presenting or lecturing.

Talking 101 for yah!

My Emerson

For my project I am thinking of doing a picture collage. When I heard we had to make up what we wanted to do for our project I was flabbergasted and my gears where turning. I wasn't sure what I was going to do. However, as we were brainstorming ideas in class today for what we could possibly someone had mentioned a quote collage. Now I do not know how a true quote collage looks like, but I think just quotes won't be that spectacular. So I know I can make a mean collage having done a nice one last year for my WWI and WWII project. This time I am going to try and top that collage with this years. We will have to see about that.... so excited!

Part of last years collage.

Emerson For The Young Buck

To the kiddos out there...

There is no doubt in my mind, but you will hear this somewhere down the line growing up to be yourself. Trust me, I have experienced it myself and heard those exact same words! Like right now actually. I read this 175 year old essay called "Self-reliance" by Emerson and who knows you may also be reading this is the near future. Give it a few years I am sure of it. Though some may tell you to be yourself it is up to you ultimately. You have the power to choose how you will be yourself. And it is going to be hard to do if you do choose to only do whatever pleases you because society and the mean world will try and change you to become like them and everyone else around you. So you are going to have to do the best you could to try and combat that kid so that you can be you. Because right now little do you know it you are full of wonders and ideas that have not yet been beaten down, and you are going to have to try your very best to preserve that! Just trust me child when I say you are going to hear what I just told you more than once. Trust me on that.

         

 

Emerson Said It

1. "Nothing can bring peace but yourself": brought up in conversation saying that it is you and only you that can give yourself peace. So it begins with us and every individual on this planet if we desire that peace. In other words, we will never be happy with life if we cannot be happy with our fateful circumstances and ourselves.

2. "What I must do is all that concerns me, not what the people think." After what Cerenity had said about "Nothing can bring peace but yourself" Peter found this quote that was similar in what the first quote was signifying. And so this quote was added on to that first one to justify that people must do what they want to do in life if that is what pleases them. And when they find the courage to stray of the common path of man they must disregard the comments of those around them because ultimately you'll get remarks no matter what.

3. "We but half express ourselves, and are ashamed of that divine idea which each of us represents.": In my interpretation I believe this to be very true for many. Because sometimes we can be hanging around others and that makes us timid and only makes us show a side of us when really we are built with multiple and brilliant sides of our character.

4. "Man is timid and apologetic; he is no longer upright.": So it is that to this day people do not fight for what they believe in because they are fearful of what others think of them. And so we just tend to follow what everyone else is doing which is really unfortunate, but it is the hurtful truth.

5. "Meantime nature is not slow to equip us in the prison-uniform of the party to which we adhere." This quote goes to demonstrate how we have been compared to prisoners being guarded up. How we are quick to fall into the trap of continuous trends, therefore, we have locked ourselves up without even noticing it.
  

I'm Self-Reliant

Am I self-reliant? Well I finally finished reading Emerson's Self-Reliance hallelujah! No joke, but this is one of the harder readings I read in a long time. I normally don't have trouble analyzing documents/passages, but this Self-reliance was a tough one to grasp. With that being said, I have mixed feelings about what I just read. Sure, I wanna take his word for it and wake up witth this new mentality. But let's just face it that is most likely not going to happen. It is hard finding yourself in this world that expects you to be someone.  Emerson says we are all our own stars and that it is children and babies who are the true geniuses. And I totally get that because babies have yet to be swayed in their decision making and thought process. I feel as though Emerson is trying to say all is lost if everyone just keeps doing the same thing over and over again. As a result, someone has to start right now and persuade others to join them in an embarkment to being yourself and being true to who you really are deep down inside. Of course, Emerson having said this in a more sophisticated way! It is difficult because growing up somewhere down the line someone tells you to be yourself. Whether it be teacher or family or friends. However, look at them are they doing just that they told you to do? Probably not. So in a way I both agree to disagree with Emerson if that makes any sense what so ever. But if you asked me I would have to disagree more than agree just on the basis that not too much will change having read Emerson's urging message. Like I said I along with anyone else who has read this will not wake up as a new person who strives to only do what pleases them and what goes in their favor. It's called life guys.

Author In Progress

Well I think you can call this our first official writing assignment of the semester. For our wrap up test for Emerson we had to write three short answer responses and there was two extra options. I did not know you are recommended to do a pre-write for a short answer response. I mean I assume it's logical since you should at least do some type of pre-writing or thinking before you respond to a question or prompt. Overall, I did pretty well, but I know I have to work on something in particular because I continuously see myself faced with this situation in that I get carried away and I do not how to end what I was just writing. In other words, I need to be conscious of the time and be as concise as I could be and straight to the point. Because I surely do not have any fluff in my writing, but rather more details than necessary. Therefore, what I covered in three pages could've been done in two pages. I wouldn't be too worried about it this time around just because I was on a time crunch and I had to respond to five questions. So there was this type of mental pre-write, but I was just not organized in a way where everything flowed and was comprehensible. Now I know for next time straight to the point and trying to find a happy medium between details and thoughts with time into consideration. My journey awaits and I cnanot wait to better my writing as the year goes on!

Have You Heard About "The Lie We Live"?

A must watch, inspirational video that definitely opened my eyes!

Update 11/04: Pheeeww, I tried watching this video again, but I saw the copyright claim and I got scared! I thought I had done something wrong and was going to be contacted any day now.... I surely do not want to take anybody's work and I do not know how copyrights work. Thankfully, I found out that the creator himself had his video taken down due to a copyright made. So rather then being able to watch the video directly on my blog, here is the link to that same video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bf5jWjgWFqg.

Mapping My Mind (Emerson: Self-Reliance)

Before I go describing what I did to contribute to the mind map and why, I would like to say my first impressions are not so grand to put it at best. I love the collaborative aspect and thought, but this is all too messy and unorganized. I do no see structure and any stranger walking in on this will just see ideas going left and right - not knowing what any of this means. I would go in to try and fix this, but that will take some hours having to figure out what things should go under and what people are trying to say. Also, I do not want to play around with other people's works as I am fearful of deleting or doing something to upset a person which I might have already done by accident. I do not know maybe I am mistaken and this is the whole point. To just put out ideas and opinions for everyone to view. I just like organization and knowing what to look for, but this mind mapping idea is quite frustrating at the moment. And before I forget to mention, in class there was a brief discussion on what we should do to talk to each other as we make changes on this mind map like a group chat type of thing. The only idea that I heard was to use the course blog which to me does not sound like the best option. In fact, I think that will create more of a hassle and something that is inconvenient. If we used a medium such as Coggle they already have a conversation section where you could chat with others as you edit. At this point I am not entirely sure what to do to make anything better, but I just know that I am trying my hardest to work with what I got. With this all being said, my first few comments I added to the mind map was about the epigraph and how it portrayed a powerful message even though it might be cliche. Although I have not read majority of this piece I can anticipate that this essay of Emerson will be about being true to oneself and just being yourself in general. I mean the purpose of an epigraph is something to open a chapter or writing and gives suggestion to a theme, and Emerson does an excellent job at selecting his quotation here. Other things I added to the map would be things that caught my attention such as something that many can relate to and goes hand in hand with My American Voice post which was waiting to say something, but somebody who will say something comes along to say what you intended to say, but you were just too late. Down below is the picture of what has been done so far. And I have to admit looks cool, but again not my idea of how collaborating should be.

Update 10/25: There is hope as a plan of organization was devised in class today. Thank the Lordy. Better now than later before there would be too much information to organize. :)

Will This Ever Happen?

High schoolers and college students are notorious for not getting adequate amounts of sleep. Why is this so? I think some states have it figured out. START SCHOOL LATER/PUSH BACK SCHOOL START TIMES. Will there be a correlation on how students perform in school and school starting later? Well check out this article here. This article is an interesting one because as I was surfing the web this weekend I stumbled upon this article as its title caught my attention. SLEEP. SLEEP. Like what is it? Everyone is all too familiar with the word in some way or another. It surely is not in my world or at least not enough of it. Some days and weeks are better than others depending on the amount of homework and tests coming up. So when I cam across this article of course I had to read to see what it was all about. And the funniest thing is that I have always wondered why school starts SO EARLY. I remember playing volleyball Freshman and Sophomore year and when we had away games I would look at the other schools bell schedule and they always started a few minutes after us. Like Why? I would love to start school later. Freshman year was the dream as I didn't have a first period class and started school at 8:20. I was always full of energy and was never sleepy in class, but things have changed since then. After Freshman year I have been taking the school bus to school. And because the school buses for some reason cannot offer a second buss at 7:50/8 I have to catch the 6:50 one which means having to be up by 6:00. I just wish for one more hour! Consequently, it is safe to say that it is especially a struggle to those students who have to wake up early because they have some distances to travel in order to get to school. So why can't schools start later? If you look around work for most people doesn't start until later in the day. So why can't that apply to students going to school? I can only wish this will ever happen. Until then, I will always be wondering if whether or not our schools will push back their start times. And if they do will more kids be rested and ready to learn?

My American Voice

What does it mean to have a voice? And no I am not talking about that singing voice, but rather those moments we dare to utter a word or not say anything at all. I am not the person to be blunt with you, but if I was trying to help then you can expect me to get straight and personal and down to the point. I never intend to hurt anybody with the words I speak so I deliberately, and I want to say most times, will think before I speak. I think this is crucial in many cases because I know people who will just speak their minds which is awesome. However, not being able to think before you say something is a mistake I found. There is no doubt something you said can greatly hurt someone without you even knowing it. It may even be you say it and then  moments later you regret what you had just said and wish you could take it all back. Consequently, you are all too late and will burden yourself with repeating I should've said something different or I shouldn't have said anything at all. And so to prevent this slip from happening I truly believe one must think before they speak.

Omg, and I know I have these moments all the time but have you guys ever had an interview or just had a talk with somebody and you leave the situation and in your mind you think to yourself that you should've said that or shouldn't have said that? Like you intend to say something, but it all disappears in the moment and then when you leave that moment it all magically comes back. Like why? Why does it have to be like that. And so if you're like me you dwell on thinking what would have changed if you said this or that instead or why did you even say the words you did to begin with. Ultimately, you just accept it and move on or you will go back and be able to say the words you missed last time.

As for myself, I find that I don't use my voice quite as often as I am told to. Ever since elementary school I have had teachers constantly telling me that I should have spoken up because I had so much to contribute to the class. And I know why I never said anything which I will get to in a bit. I was always put in the back of the classroom because I wasn't causing trouble and my work ethic was great so I found that every year I sat in the way back. I did not mind this because I am used to being in the back of almost everything such as having to line up. I was almost always last due to last name. And so because I sat in the back I never had the courage and nerve to shout out answers or even raise my hand to say an answer. I guess you can say I was that shy kid in the back who dared not to speak up. I do remember though that if the class was dead silent and I knew I had the answer then I would raise my hand to speak. And this brings me to say I never speak up on most classroom occasions because the fear of being wrong. I never and still will never know how those around me will think of me. Or what my teacher will now look at me as. Being wrong is a fear of mind and I know it shouldn't be because that is what makes learning happen. I always admire those students who don't care what others make of them and who ask questions regularly. Sure, they could be annoying at times, but hey they are making the best out what is given to them and take those chances to ask away. I think several people have the fear of being wrong and as a result they tend to not speak up.... me (shyly raising my hand emoji). I am optimistic and hopeful that as each day unfolds I will be able to break out of my comfort zone and be able to speak up not having thought of what people think about me afterwards.

And another thing to point out. I think for a lot of shy folks or anyone who sees that they can express themselves through writing better than speaking goes for many. I personally like to write my thoughts more than I can speak them and it is through pencil and pen, or in this case online typing, that I am able to freely express my ideas and thoughts and just be sound to know that I won't be harshly criticized if that makes any sense? So there you have it! Another venture of mine    --> to find how to use my American Voice more! And as Steve Jobs puts it "Don't let the noise of others peoples opinions drown out your inner voice."

Vocabulary VI: Sentences 🍁Fall🍁

1. The album London Calling 2.0 was a revival of the old album from back in the 1950s.

2. Amelia was first introduced to blogs by her fellow colleagues, and ever since has been blogging daily.

3. I am not the only who just recently found out what a meme was as I found myself explaining what one is to a faculty member just the other day.

4. Every evening, Emily spends hours and hours surfing the Internet.

5. Several of these platforms are open source and free of charge.

6. Earlier this year we were to send our blog URL's to Dr. Preston so that he could add us to the member roster.

7. The video went viral just within a matter of a few hours.

8. The Jacob's computer caught some type of virus which unfortunately deleted all the data on their hard drive.

9. If you would like to find out more about Jamie's weight loss secrets you could visit her website at www. Fitness-Jamie.com

10. It is fitting that wiki is in the name Wikipedia since people are able to write anything and edit anybody's work.

11. Mr. Higgens told his class beforehand that if they did not type www first they will not be able to find the webpage. 

Vocabulary VI: Definitions 🍁Fall🍁

1. 2.0: used to refer to a slightly improved or different form of something         *Web 2.0: advanced ways of using the Internet, for example ways of sharing information using blogs and wikis

2. Blog: (a) personal website or online journal (b) an online journal where people can post entries about their experiences

3. Meme: a piece of video, a joke, or something else that spreads quickly on the Internet

4. Internet: the network of computer systems that allows computer users around the world to exchange information

5. Open Source: refers to a program in which the source code is available to the general public for use and/or modification from its original design free of charge

6. URL(Uniform/Universe Resource Locator): the Internet address of a website or the address of a web page on the world wide web

7. Viral: relating to or involving an image, video, piece of information, advertisement, etc, that is circulated rapidly and widely from one Internet user to another

8. Virus: (a) a software program capable of reproducing itself and usually capable of causing great harm to files or other programs on the same computer (b) a set of instructions secretly put into a computer, usually spread through emails, which can corrupt the system or destroy information stored on the computer

9. Website: a place on the Internet where you can find information about something, especially a particular organization

10. Wiki: (a) a website with information that users can change or add things to (b) a webpage, or a series of webpages, which can be written or changed by the people who use it

11. WWW: abbreviation for WORLD WIDE WEB, used in the address of some web pages.

*Not on vocabulary list, but wanted to add.

Team Quiz: Vocabulary V

We did not get the chance to take last weeks vocabulary quiz due to having to write an introduction paragraph. So today we took last week's vocabulary test. It was in a group effort having been split into two groups of about fifteen, and the last round (I guess you can say) was to use as many of the words describing the elections going on. We had about five minutes to do so and we came up with the following:

When it comes to this year's election, many people can anticipate that these two candidates will put up a good fight and accuse each other about doings from the past. Each candidate tries to remain stolid, but Hilary Clinton definitely out beats Donald Trump. It is aggravating because Trump and Clinton are constantly sticking their proboscis into everyone's business. Both do an excellent job at venomously attacking one another and each others ideas. With each debate, America is left suspended making viewers eager to see what the next debate has in store. Both candidates try to hypnotize the world into thinking they're fit to be the next president - trying to prove that they can transform the world into something greater, but they simply just illuminate each other's faults. BOOYAH! Another vocabulary quiz completed. Cannot wait to see what this week's quiz will be like!

Today I'm A Good Human: Goodie Two-Shoes Me 😇

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around." - Leo Buscaglia

This is what probably the fifth post about human kindness and doing good deeds I have done now? I do not mind writing about events or stories to spread a positive message. I enjoy it actually, and I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. This post is not a random thing that happened and made me want to go ooohhh I have something to share. In this case, my teacher has requested us to post something about being a good human being today, whatever that may mean to us, as our homework. Hence, the title "Today I'm A Good Human".

As you may already know, or might not know, I like to surround myself with positivity. Things to cheer me up and liven up my spirits is all that I ever need to enjoy life. I have gone through so much. Do I wish those things never happened and I would not have to face such occurrences? You bet! But in reality there is never anything you can do to prepare yourself for every situation there is in life, and really the only thing you can do is to keep going. In fact, I am a true believer in the saying "Pain makes you stronger, tears make you braver, and heartbreak makes you wiser. So thank the past for a better future." -Tinku Razoria It is the hard times in your life to shape you and who you have become today! Your personality. Your attitude. And your will. All influenced by the things that happen to us whether that be from good or bad incidents.

There is something about me who wants to keep giving. It is why I like to volunteer whenever I can. One of the things I like to do on my free time is to volunteer. You place me somewhere and tell me what I can do I will do just that and more. I love the feeling of doing good, and seeing those I am able to help makes the experience that much better. I love to see others happy and that is all I genuinely could ask for: is to seek and spread happiness. In a nutshell, that is my interpretation of what a good person is. To help others in any way, shape, or form and with integrity. I just had to add that little piece on there because if people in this world were to treat and help others for the sheer fact of trying to give aid to someone who is in need of assistance then we would all be doing something to help another human being out.

Mentor Letter Draft I

Dear Marc Levy,

I hope you are having a splendid day in France. My name is Katryna and I am writing to you from California. I am a junior in high school and this year for my English class we have all asked a question we are dying to know answers to. My big question, as we call it, is as follows: what would happen if the world went timeless and nobody accounted for time anymore? As I was exploring further into my question topic, I just so happened to come across your stunning words pertaining to the value of time "If you want to know the value of one year, just ask a student who failed a course. If you want to know the value of one month, ask a mother who gave birth to a premature baby. If you want to know the value of one hour, ask the lovers waiting to meet. If you want to know the value of one minute, ask the person who just missed the bus. If you want to know the value of one second, ask the person who just escaped death in a car accident. And if you want to know the value of one-hundredth of a second, ask the athlete who won a silver medal in the Olympics." After reading this you made me realize that the answer(s) to my question simply lie around me. I am sure your expertise is not on time, but rather being a novelist. However, if I could reach out to a person to seek some possible answers for my question I would first want to go to you. I am very much curious and would love to know why you thought about time in such a manner, and put it into this perspective where everyone reading this would understand. How did you know that these certain time intervals of peoples' daily lives could be compared to the such events you mentioned so that the effect would hit home with most everyone? Genuinely, I found your words ever so helpful! I did not know that within a minute I would be another step into investigating my big question that I have, and you have helped me already believe it or not! Because you bring it up, I am able to ask myself what the value of a minute is as I am the one who tries to catch the bus every morning at 6:55 a.m. Again, even though you may not have mastery on the subject of time I would like to hear what inspired you to say such things about wanting to know about time, and any input you can give for that matter will be amazing to hear. I await to hear from you soon, and I hope you will be able to find some time to help me with my question here. Have an excellent day!

                                                                         Your friend from the United States,
                                                                         Katryna Vong

Essay I Revised

After reading my colleagues' work and sharing ideas, I realized I do not have to do anything to improve my essay. Inside and outside of class, my peers provided wonderful and thoughtful comments about my essay. Ultimately, all ended up saying that my essay had great diction, syntax, organization, and flow. I was also informed by many that my essay met all the needs of writing a persuasive piece including a hook, clear thesis, and parting shot.  I am proud of the result. Hope you enjoy reading my essay: A Hug Is Nearly A Gun Spelled Backwards

Vocabulary V: Sentences 🍁Fall🍁

1. Shortly after noon, Frank was accused of robbing the bank on the corner of Maryland Avenue and Oceano Boulevard.

2. Not only did the man have a warrant for his arrest, but he was also being charged with aggravated assault and other related offenses.

3. Ever since she was a child, Nicole dreamed of becoming a Broadway star in New York, and this audition, that she has been anticipating for about a year now, will be her make or break moment.

4. Researchers suspect that it is some type of capillary action that prevents nectar from spurring out while being pumped.

5. Some greenhouse gases, such as nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide, readily dissolve in water and later diffuses into the atmosphere.

6. Maribel earnestly promised her friend that she would never forget her birthday.

7. Lucy has been in the sewing industry for several years, and never has she seen a curtain fringe so awful as this one.

8. In class, I lost track of where I was walking as I was hypnotized by the desktop picture (being portrayed on the Smart Board) of my teacher's daughter's gorgeous blue eyes. I was so mesmerized that I stumbled over a chair and found myself laying on the ground within a matter of seconds. LOL... true story!

9. When reviewing the party photos I had taken that day, there was one particular picture I really liked which was the one where the candles on the birthday cake had illuminated everyone's smiles.

10. Many described the man as having a melancholy personality very much similar to Dr. Phil.

11.  The caricature artist gave emphasis to the mosquito's infamous proboscis.

12. Much of the film's intensity comes from Nelly's stolid performance.

13.  With no tree in site, the partygoers' had to be innovative as they had to figure out how to suspend the pinata.

14. The stay at home mother of six children got a transformation like none other, and by the end she looked like a completely new and refreshed young woman.

15. The audience all gasped and shrieked as they saw the performer pull out one of the most venomous snakes in the world.

Vocabulary V: Definitions 🍁Fall🍁

1. Accuse: blame for, make a claim of wrongdoing or misbehavior against

2. Aggravate: (a) to make a bad situation, an illness, or an injury worse (b) to make someone angry or annoyed (exasperate/irritate)

3. Anticipate: (a) to expect that something will happen and to be ready for it (b) to think about something that is going to happen, especially something pleasant  

4. Capillary: (a) the smallest type of blood vessel (= tube carrying blood) in the body (b) any tiny tubelike device that moves a liquid from point to point (c) long and slender with a very small internal diameter

5. Dissolve: (a) to dissolve something is to break it up or weaken it, making it no longer recognizable (b) if a solid dissolves, or if you dissolve it, it mixes with a liquid and becomes part of it (c) to gradually become smaller or weaker before disappearing (d) to formally end a parliament, business arrangement, marriage, etc.

6. Earnestly: in a serious manner or very serious and sincere

7. Fringe: (a) if you have a fringe, your hair is cut so that it hangs down over your forehead (b) a decorative edge of hanging threads on a curtain, piece of clothing, etc.

8. Hypnotized: (a) to produce a sleep-like state in someone so that you can influences their thoughts and actions (b) to be so interesting or exciting that people cannot think of anything else

9. Illuminate: (a) to make a light shine on something, or to fill a place with light (b) to make something much clearer and easier to understand

10. Melancholy: (a) characterized by or causing or expressing sadness (b) grave or even gloomy in character (c) a constitutional tendency to be gloomy and depressed

11. Proboscis: (a) a long thin tube that forms part of the mouth of some insects and worms (b) the long thin (flexible) nose of some animals such as an elephant (c) the human nose (especially when it is large

12. Stolid: someone who is stolid does not react to situations or seem excited by them when most people would react - used to show disapproval

13. Suspended: (a) to officially stop something from continuing, especially for a short time (b) to make someone leave their school or job for a short time, especially because they have broken the rules (c) to attach something to a high place so that it hangs down

14. Transformed: to completely change in appearance, form, or character of something or someone, especially in a way that improves it  

15. Venomous: (a) full of hatred or anger (b) a venomous snake, insect, etc produces poison 

The Words I Needed To Hear!!

This is the best thing I've heard in a long time and it is just what I need!

I did not have the best day Friday and I will not share why, but what you need to know is that day taught me something....... it taught me that not everything in life will be fair or go the way you want. What a cliche right? In this moment I cannot think of another way to rephrase that. Let's just go with it and keep it simple. I have something I have been constantly thinking about and have to put it out there.

School, and life for that matter, is never easy (you know just another cliche, but my reminder). Besides, you do not hear people say that everything is hard before it gets easy for no reason. Never have a felt the pressure like this year - my Junior Year. All the staying up, the sacrifices, the studying, the responsibilities, etc. seem to be ruling my life. I mean sure getting an education is all that we [students] have to worry about and focus on, but every single week I hear students complain about teachers not understanding that we have lives too. Not going to lie, but I am one of those students and I think about the work load and why I am even doing this to myself. You can have teachers acknowledge that they know we have personal issues and extracurricular activities and busy schedules to then just add another project and assignment to your daily work. You might ask (because I know I have) WILL IT EVER STOP and the answer is NO. If you are feeling the hardships of school this video will be a great motivator and truly will encourage you to keep going.

Here are some of my favorite quotes about life and the difficulties that come with it:

"Life is hard. But not impossible..." - Unknown

"When life comes at you, come back twice as hard." - Unknown

"Life doesn't get easier, you just get stronger." - Steve Maraboli

"Forget what hurt you, but never forget what it taught you." - Shannon L. Alder

"You were given this life because you're strong enough to live in it." - Unknown

"In three words I can sum everything I've learned about life: it goes on." - Robert Frost

"Be strong because things will get better. It may be stormy now, but it never rains forever." - Unknown

"Be thankful for hard times in your life, try not to look at them as bad things but as opportunities to grow and learn." - Unknown

A Hug Is Nearly A Gun Spelled Backward

           To some, mourning the lives lost and praying for the families of the fallen is considered an act of patriotism. Patriotism may also be signified by waving flags or when one shows up to vote. Put differently, patriotism can be suggested as being closely connected to the nation in which one lives in or in which one feels strongly about. Unlike attachment to ones nation, personal relationships are close connections between people shaped by emotional bonds and interactions. Edward Morgan Forster, otherwise known as E.M. Forster, argues that personal relationships are more important than causes or patriotism and I would have to rightfully agree.

          Personal relationships is far more complex than what it is to be loyal to a nation. Relationships are not static and oftentimes is strengthened by mutual experiences. These emotional bonds that we develop with a person are continually changing and as we grow more towards learning about this person, a deeper affection and camaraderie will have also increased. Friendships and relationships start at the root of somewhere and whether that occurs later on in your life will not change a thing. What will matter is that a bond has been made and most often it is meant to last. There is something about giving affection to another person that cannot be replaced. Look at it this way, your government, your country, will not feel sorry for or with you. Instead, it is the people you surround yourself with and trust most dearly that are able to understand your needs. Coming from this approach, if I were to give my loyalty and trust away and had the option to give that to either my nation or best friend there is no doubt in my mind my best friend would prevail and outshine the nation. In truth, it is personal relationships that give approbation to people and it is this all internal and ever lasting affiliation with others that proves more important than a passion for ones nation.

           Some people may beg to differ that patriotism is more important than personal relationships. Do not get me wrong, I am definitely proud to be on American soil and to have been raised in such a wonderful country. Although, I have reckon that patriotism does not go to the extent in which personal relationships do. In other words, patriotism is nowhere near compared to personal relations in respects to what is more important to the soul and lifelong journey of a person. Sure, I can pledge the Pledge of Allegiance every morning, celebrate the Fourth of July, or even take Memorial Day off to commemorate those who have fallen. But these momentous events do not stand a chance to exceed an emotional bond someone has. In fact, these events are mainly seen as parties and days off. People certainly acknowledge our freedom and all the great our nation has to offer, but nobody, including myself, really holds patriotism true and dear to their hearts as would towards a loved one or best friend. There is something that speaks for itself when one argues that loyalty toward our country is of much more significance, and if anything remotely were to go against our nation this may exhibit a form of betrayal. In turn, this betrayal to America becomes an abandonment to our freedom and liberties. However, with that in mind, I believe being closely connected to those you love, those you care about, and those who care about you is of way more importance than a nation in which you live in.

          The comprehension between people is something you cannot simply get anywhere, let alone from your own country. To abandon your country over a friend or loved one goes to show that the support and commitment for others surmounts the fondness one could have toward their nation. One may think that being there for your country is absolutely the only thing to show pride and honor, but as previously stated personal relationships is far more important. As Forster says "If I had to choose between betraying my country and betraying my friend, I hope I should have the guts to betray my country."

When Logic Fails

Rhetoric is a method of writing or speaking that seeks to persuade an audience. Thus, it is crucial to understand logical fallacies so that they can be identified and avoided when attempting to persuade. As mentioned in another post of mine, logical fallacies are errors in reasoning that weaken the logic of your argument. Down bellow are 10 logical fallacies that state the fallacy in both Latin and (English) as well as give a general definition and example.

1. Argumentum Ad Antiquitatem (the argument to antiquity or tradition): use of historical preferences of the people (tradition) as evidence that the historical preference is correct. Otherwise seen as traditions being passed down with no other explanation, but this was how it was always done. Therefore, we shall continue doing it.

Ex. For three generations, the men in our family went to Harvard and became successful lawyers. Therefore, I am obligated to become a lawyer.

2. Argumentum Ad Hominem (argument directed at the person): ad meaning "man" and hominem meaning "man". Attacking the person rather than the argument.

Ex. A priest and an atheist were debating. The priest announced that nature is too complicated to have no creator. The atheist calls the priest gullible and deluded, and insults his attire. 

3. Argumentum Ad Ignorantiam (argument to ignorance): proposition is true simply because it has not been proven false/true.

Ex. In spite of all the talk, any big foot reports have not been validated. We may assume, therefore, there is no such thing as big foot.

4. Argumentum Ad Miseriocordiam (argument or appeal to pity): when sympathy or compassion is appealed to for the sake of getting a conclusion accepted. 

Ex. Officer there is no reason to give me a traffic ticket for going too fast because I was rushing to go see my mother at the hospital who is in critical condition.

5. Argumentum Ad Nauseam (argument to the point of disgust: i.e., by repetition): to try and prove something by saying it over and over again. However, no matter how many times you repeat something, the statement will become not become any more or less true than what it was in the first place. 

Ex. That movie, "Inside Out" deserves an Oscar for best Animated Feature Film. There are other movies alike, but not as good as this one. Some movies may also deserve such honorable mentions, but not the Oscar because "Inside Out" deserves the Oscar.

Mistakes For President

AAAaaaahhhh..... this first debate is worse than this extremely hot and humid weather, and that has to say a lot! To be quite frank, I know absolutely nothing about politics and have no interest whatsoever in what two people have to fight about. I guess you can say I am dumb on this subject matter. Ask me anything about what is currently happening and I probably will have little or nothing to say. And so here goes nothing as I have to watch at least fifteen minutes of what seems to be nonsense and report on logical fallacies that I have observed as part of my homework for this class tonight. BTW, this reminded me of Bridge to Terabithia when Leslie comes in as a new student and already hears her first assignment which is to watch this program at 7:00 pm and to write a page explaining what she has learned. Okay back to the debate.... ohhhh wait one more thing is it true that trump wears a wig? About five minutes in, my first comment was about Trump's weird looking top hair. And my dad heard and told me it is fake... IDK, I may just be blind and cannot tell false hair from real hair.... you just never know. I mean the hair was thinner in some parts creating this glow that the light illuminated through. It is probably just me, but that certainly caught my attention. I can look this up, but I do not wish to see what people have to say on Trump necessarily and I do not want my pages to be blowing up with Presidential elections and debates and pictures filling the ads on pages I am visiting. OMG another thing is Trump's look and demeanor and everything about him just does not seem to portray the role of a president if you want my honest opinion. Okay not trying to bash anyone here, but I did get waaay off topic lol. This here must be some type of logical fallacy right..... irrelevant and off topic.

Sometimes My Mind......

thinks about what I could have done differently, and sometimes my thoughts are about the endless possibilities I have.

Lately, I have been wondering if I have been working myself too hard? Just this Friday I had one of my teachers tell us to enjoy our weekend and that if we have five or six classes to work on we should take a break. I giggled and said to myself "IMPOSSIBLE." When it comes to school I sacrifice several things, especially family time. In fact, for about a month now, my family has had this camping trip planned out for this weekend.

On my mom's side I have many aunts, uncles, and cousins. All of them live up north and we (my family and I) so happen to be the oddballs out who live here in Santa Maria - 400 miles away. As a result, my mom's family are always able to gather together and do all these spectacular things. It is difficult for my family to partake in these spectacular events since we live far away and all have such busy schedules, but it was this year and this month that we would all finally get to do something together. At first, my parents were adamant about not going because they are not the outdoors type of people, but it was me who begged and convinced them that we should go. Lets just get one thing straight. I do not go out of town often, I have not gone to a lot of places, nor have I experienced much. As a matter of fact, I did not even know what In-N-Out was until last year..... I think. People think I am crazy and always want to drag me out so I can go to more places, but I can only wish. Don't get me wrong though, I am grateful for what I have gotten to experience thus far and would not replace any of that!

Anyway, I was highly anticipating this family trip. I was looking forward to my first ever camping experience: roasting marshmallows, hiking trails, using no phones, sleeping in a tent, etc. However, from the beginning of this month I kept contemplating if I would be able to go or not. And as the days were nearing to this outing I ended up painfully give up this camping day and picked school over family bonding time. The decision was a matter of what was more important, and in this moment schooling prevailed once more. I am telling you what school does to you. This leads me to also think is it worth working hard now so I don't have to later. I'm always told to work hard now so I don't have to later or so that I do not have to struggle later on. I wonder is this always going to be true? Will those who work hard now really not work hard later on in their lives? Because right now that absolutely does not seem to be the case. I hope that I will eventually see the pay off because I know it is out there somewhere...

As for now, I lay here with my adorable dog, Izzy, because I cannot move or do anything in this 90 degree weather!

Huh, I wonder what goes through my dog's mind...... I bet he is probably just relishing the time he gets to be in the house. I frequently find Izzy sleeping on his back and I do not know if that is more comfortable for him or if he likes it when the sun touches his belly. Who knows? Maybe he likes the new perspective on things?

Guyanese Immigrant Does The Unthinkable!

The title to this article is so long: "Guyanese immigrant raised by single mother working two jobs gets accepted by 21 colleges including all eight Ivy League schools."  Long, but everything summed up in one! What gravitated me into reading this article was the fact that this person was accepted into so many colleges including all Ivy Leagues. This is not the first case I have seen of someone getting accepted into all Ivy League schools, but out of all the articles I have read this one hits me the most. In what ways you ask? Well it is stated in the title lol...... the person is an immigrant from Guyana. So it was not the getting accepted into the most prestige colleges in the world that attracted me, but the element of an immigrant being able to accomplish such feats.

The journey for Kelly Hayes began in 2009 when her mother, Anetta, decided to move to America in order to provide a better life for her family. It was not specified how many children Anetta had, but it is certain that Anetta wanted to move to America especially for Kelly. Kelly was always the top of her class back in Guyana and when they went to Brooklyn, New York Kelly was enrolled in the reputable and distinguished High School for Math, Science, and Engineering at City College New York. It is no surprise that Kelly did so well in high school because ever since she was young she was an eager and willing student. Kelly's mother was by far her best friend, her rock, and biggest fan. Anetta was a single mother who worked two jobs: as a nurse aide and a health care aide. She worked a total of fifteen hours per day and supported Kelly in every way possible. Much kudos to this mother who worked such long hours and sacrificed and did so much for her family.

Honk Honk!!! My First Driving Experience...

After school on Friday I was clearing large bags of clothes, intended to go to donations, from our car back into the house because we haven't had the opportunity to go to a donation center. As I was clearing the trunk, I thought of asking my parents to let me drive. And to my amazement, after I finished unloading the bags, my father needed my soon to be car to be moved out of the driveway and asked me if I wanted to try. It was so funny because I did not even need to ask. On my free time my dad wanted to show me how to drive, but I just never found the time to do so. In truth, I haven't even touched the booklet. I mean I can hardly even pick up any book to read let alone a drivers lesson booklet. So today was that day I finally got the opportunity to drive.

For some reason I was not scared one bit. Of course, however, I had many questions before beginning such as changing gears and knowing when I'll be able to take my foot off the brakes and not have the car move. My mom was in the passenger seat and my brother, on his bike, saw me from the garage and obviously would come down to watch me learn how to drive. I believe the only thing I was really concerned about was hitting the mailbox, my dad's truck, or the neighbors car. Before I even changed gears from park I, for a second, hesitated and told my mom I did not want to start by learning how to back up, but she encouraged me and said "lets just do this." And so we did.  My mother also told me it is just like riding a go kart, and I only laughed and told her "well I never drove a go kart in my life, but I have driven bumper cars!"

My Yoda

I believe my ideal mentor who will be successful in guiding me to finding an answer(s) to my question is someone who knows how to allocate time efficiently. I cannot think of someone in particular, but I just know this mentor has to be someone who knows how to use time wisely. This person would already have that balanced lifestyle because they are keen about and cautiously know that life is too valuable to waste any time on. Even though this person may already know all there is to time, I want them to guide me to my answers and not just give me THE ANSWER. I want this person to be as much or even more excited than me when investigating my big question. I never like boring adventures, therefore, this buddy of mine had to be enthusiastic and be up for anything. The last thing I would want is for a blunt and effortless endeavor from my ideal mentor. This would totally defeat the purpose of having fun and thoroughly investigating ever nook and cranny there is to find. Instead, I would like to see creativity transpire and thoughtfulness come out of this journey. And what better way to embark on such expedition then with someone who also has the same goals, as well as someone who wants to be much apart of assisting me to their fullest abilities.

Big Question Discipline(s)

Revisiting my big question, I very much want to know why does the world account for time? How was time invented in the first place and why has it stayed this way? How has the universe become what it is resulting from this concept of time and what happens if we changed this concept by having no time? In other words, a world of no limits and perhaps more freedom or more chaos? To state the obvious, time can be derived looking all the way back to when people used the sun and the moon as ways of tracking the day - eventually leading to the creation of the calendar. Even simpler, time can be seen by that clock sitting on the wall in front of you just ticking away like nobody's business. I know that time ultimately is based upon the cosmos. To demonstrate this cosmological time think about night time approaching and the sky turning darker as each hour passes. If we had infinite time per se the sky will always be lit up and there wouldn't be any cycle or pattern that humans would be able to follow. What I also know about time is that it has become a significant subject in history, science, and religion. We started tracking time back when? I don't know, but I'll leave that up to history! As for religion, time becomes crucial when wanting to figure out the creation and end time. Time has a play in evolution, and I guess I'm essentially wanting to see how time (if changed in any ways) would affect the future of an expanding universe. This much transcends into the study of the future know as futurology. Time is such an interesting topic, and one that I am looking forward to further investigating in. I mean we are all living with time around us, but never have I stopped to think about the what if's and what time really means to people.

How ironic can this be? Time is mysterious, yet we do not have the time to be mysterious......