tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7527550991054766112023-11-16T09:04:53.160-08:00Welcome to the WorldAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556110883805604874noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752755099105476611.post-56096931482293256182014-04-22T18:36:00.000-07:002014-04-22T18:38:12.604-07:00The Free Spirit of My Childhood<div>
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What happened to the days when we would go to birthday parties just to have fun as long as our schedule permitted? Now it seems we can't RSVP to an invitation before asking our friends if they are going and finding out who else is invited. You can't show up on your own at a party you were invited to, you have to "go with" someone.<br>
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When did we become so afraid of independence? During this age of drivers licenses, we all claim that the accompanying freedom is the sweetest part. Freedom from parents that is. Freedom to be with our friends. This feeling of a need to always be with someone perplexes me.<br>
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Other than a crazy busy schedule, the main reason I never saw <em>Frozen</em> while it was in theaters is because I didn't have anyone to see it with (anyone who hadn't already seen it). Going to the movie theaters solo is unheard of. And lonely. It seems that whenever I want to go somewhere, the first thing I must do is find someone to go with me. I can't remember the last time I rode my bike alone and I don't believe I've ever gone to go get food by myself, even it's just a drink at Jamba Juice or a Taco Bell drive-through.<br>
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Is this one of the reasons why college seems so scary? We'll have to rebuild our social lives from scratch. If we go any distance from home for college, we'll likely lose most of the people we typically go out and do things with. I have a comfortable web of friends built up and going to college is a giant, independent step away from all of them. Who am I going to eat lunch with now? Who will be my go-to people when I need to get some shopping done? Who will I immediately lock eyes with when the teacher announces a group project?</div>
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I'm beginning to discover that I may have a fear of being alone in public. Studying at the library? That needs to be a study group. Am I afraid of how society views people who are alone? Or am I afraid of facing the world on my own?<br>
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Regardless of the reason, I'm excited to face this fear at the same as I face college. No doubt I will find myself on my own quite a bit, especially often at first. Even though there thousands and thousands of people at college, it'll be hard to find someone who wants to go eat at such and such place at such and such time. I won't be living at home for the first time in my life so I'll be forced into a world of independence and I'm curious to see how I respond to the responsibility.<br>
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I want to recapture the free spirit of my childhood. I want to go places and do things because I want to, not because all my friends agreed to go together. I don't want to have to stay home because I couldn't find anyone to go with me. I don't want to be slowed down by always traveling in a group. I want to RSVP for myself once again.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556110883805604874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752755099105476611.post-52562674289007375502014-03-31T21:11:00.001-07:002014-03-31T21:20:19.296-07:00Waking Up the Right SideMy schedule this year is this:<br><br>
1. Ceramics<br>
2. AP English<br>
3. AP Calculus<br>
4. AP Environmental<br>
5. AP Economics/AP Government<br>
6. Basketball/Track and Field<br><br>
As far as classroom classes go, ceramics is the clear outlier. But as far as my learning has gone this year, ceramics is right there in the mix. The majority of my day relies on the left side of my brain; ceramics provides a nice break. Not only a break, but a rare chance for an AP kid to use the right side of her brain. <div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn-U3oUPR3vKB2L3Q4qGWwucWuh7X7Vdhz2v4H_vc3bKxeI7M7LZs_kC-g1W2G1LhjHR3LFP4_a879LX-6uBuVOwkUWuw8gccBK4UFpBKZa-vZRrxmVp3bf3gWiGS30XttZP1IGW_6dsjK/s640/blogger-image--117040156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn-U3oUPR3vKB2L3Q4qGWwucWuh7X7Vdhz2v4H_vc3bKxeI7M7LZs_kC-g1W2G1LhjHR3LFP4_a879LX-6uBuVOwkUWuw8gccBK4UFpBKZa-vZRrxmVp3bf3gWiGS30XttZP1IGW_6dsjK/s640/blogger-image--117040156.jpg"></a></div><br>
Last year I lamented the fact that art was actually a required high school class but now I'm thankful I was forced to find room for ceramics in my schedule. The right side of my brain enjoys the hour of exercise it receives every morning. I feel sorry for those AP addicted kids who chose AP Art History over an actual art class.<br><br>
Ceramics, unlike my AP classes, reveals success clearer and in a more timely manner. All the AP classes I've taken are just an investment in my future. I took them in hopes of being accepted to high-caliber colleges and having some credits built up when I get there. In ceramics, I have a tangible form of success. All my projects can be put to use or given as gifts as soon as they come back from the kiln. I'm using my ceramics skills now. All I've acquired in terms of knowledge from my academic classes is met to serve a purpose later in life.</div><div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjueFb9Sz5JOtAB4z41EHGvMkUVqh0J-A4Yoe8GxQ_WC4A-kBKTBQf1CGArx4-W-PSeztX9pvFlX4p4PvpZLASpDuS0cb3_ZvOP3ksainiiwKMhPayTH8_YVs8xWPzdCnGYunfQ3a9Mj7Iq/s640/blogger-image--1208365510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjueFb9Sz5JOtAB4z41EHGvMkUVqh0J-A4Yoe8GxQ_WC4A-kBKTBQf1CGArx4-W-PSeztX9pvFlX4p4PvpZLASpDuS0cb3_ZvOP3ksainiiwKMhPayTH8_YVs8xWPzdCnGYunfQ3a9Mj7Iq/s640/blogger-image--1208365510.jpg"></a></div><br>
Being in ceramics has allowed me to meet a different sort of people. My other classes are filled with students whose focus is getting into that UC or Ivy League and achieving inflated GPAs. They are constantly comparing themselves- test scores, college acceptances, scholarships. Everything is a competition. Being an athlete, this competition is healthy and drives me to do better. It's my dose of immunity against "senioritus."<br><br>
In my ceramics class I have been immersed into a different sort of culture. I listen to teenagers who stay up until 2:00 in the morning doing things other than studying. I hear of parents who aren't 100% supportive of their children's education. I'm fascinated by the body piercings and tattoos my classmates want and the hair colors they are able to pull off.</div><div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_yswLiD_S2RdQUFx3p-mHI5J8Kv2DPXrZuArYDcYxsrUSigieZwyURZNV7gNlG4If38Kt0Z-qE7X84CNgAtqM0eWvGCcrTRYaGDumQYfbuA1FkrzPr0Cx_1eCsHKXkLcPxJY5cIDgtZs/s640/blogger-image-131893014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_yswLiD_S2RdQUFx3p-mHI5J8Kv2DPXrZuArYDcYxsrUSigieZwyURZNV7gNlG4If38Kt0Z-qE7X84CNgAtqM0eWvGCcrTRYaGDumQYfbuA1FkrzPr0Cx_1eCsHKXkLcPxJY5cIDgtZs/s640/blogger-image-131893014.jpg"></a></div><br>
Although I have little in common, I've found that the students I sit with in ceramics are easier to get along with. They genuinely want to be my friend, not just a study buddy. Ceramics starkly contrasts with the rest of my high school classes but it's a difference in classmates, thinking, and skill set that I'm ever grateful for.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556110883805604874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752755099105476611.post-72879410878997355122014-03-30T22:24:00.000-07:002014-03-30T22:27:04.800-07:00College Has Consumed Us<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYOXLzZHRbBsMA-cALDXt5lrZhxyHyP_NoERpGIjelA-J6_pamSnzMlQR50oRBray-Loz8LpbRrhGbpSL6GcM3BLLMm8f-gHesUteXUB3zjWdLtOd5DtW-KNB1Vnt0GN0ARx-JECMHHiVG/s640/blogger-image--706101927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYOXLzZHRbBsMA-cALDXt5lrZhxyHyP_NoERpGIjelA-J6_pamSnzMlQR50oRBray-Loz8LpbRrhGbpSL6GcM3BLLMm8f-gHesUteXUB3zjWdLtOd5DtW-KNB1Vnt0GN0ARx-JECMHHiVG/s640/blogger-image--706101927.jpg"></a></div><br></div>When applying to their school, colleges always tell you to be true to who you are and just be yourself. This weekend I had the unique opportunity to witness how colleges have changed who we are and how we view ourselves.<br><br>
This week was an exciting one for me in terms of visitors. My aunt, who resides in Ohio, spent the week out here in sunny California with my family. And my best friend from 2nd grade spent the weekend with me. But when these two strangers met, it was strange.<div><br><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ee0BeDVOD-GJCrn9BxqKzBhVc-ccvwYg36S2P4gaqYEn7Ge3YGHJYX6CrYgAGXq7HGT-API2FjPKVtK5ENE5LDU663kMknfpP-re14N6XNYFlaO4-cVUNEcORLNNsBjW3EtmOL6z3X_x/s640/blogger-image-1355912507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ee0BeDVOD-GJCrn9BxqKzBhVc-ccvwYg36S2P4gaqYEn7Ge3YGHJYX6CrYgAGXq7HGT-API2FjPKVtK5ENE5LDU663kMknfpP-re14N6XNYFlaO4-cVUNEcORLNNsBjW3EtmOL6z3X_x/s640/blogger-image-1355912507.jpg"></a></div><br></div>
Both of these ladies are super sweet and friendly and got a long great. (Almost to the point where I felt left out.) Having known my friend for 10 years, it was a weird experience to see how she presented herself to my aunt. She talked about herself, not in a bragging manner, but as if she was trying to come off impressive. She listed all the activities she was involved in- sports, choir- and pulled up videos on YouTube to aid her "presentation."<br><br>
These two had never met, but after spending just a couple of hours together, my aunt was all caught up on what was going in my friend's life. The way my friend was talking about herself was like she was reading off her college application, listing and describing all the things she had done, including scholarships she had received from colleges and how much each college she had been accepted to would cost her financially.</div><div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY9SQITDjnmEC3rGXtuGxvRSJF2gCXMMEHiAy5Yr2X-lEKFhec8l3BTx7231J6OUfkc_QD4rz1TzSjKw3acomkLcG4V2vU1BnUCt3B9fchM0-MqyRDYqYctoUky6uF9R9Xt7-IvbGJSmh4/s640/blogger-image--887185473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY9SQITDjnmEC3rGXtuGxvRSJF2gCXMMEHiAy5Yr2X-lEKFhec8l3BTx7231J6OUfkc_QD4rz1TzSjKw3acomkLcG4V2vU1BnUCt3B9fchM0-MqyRDYqYctoUky6uF9R9Xt7-IvbGJSmh4/s640/blogger-image--887185473.jpg"></a></div><br>
The more I think about it, their conversation was exactly like the college application process. You're describing your life to a complete stranger and highlighting all the things you've done in the limited time you have to present yourself in hopes that they will like you.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div>
While we're on the subject of college (a subject I can't seem to escape these days), I'd like to share a video I came across about an impressive sounding high school senior who was rejected by many schools. It makes me feel less alone in this game colleges play.<br><br>
<a href="http://youtu.be/M00NUOdt1yE">http://youtu.be/M00NUOdt1yE</a></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556110883805604874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752755099105476611.post-74589862429337416892014-03-30T21:00:00.002-07:002014-03-30T21:22:00.488-07:00The Phone CallThis blog post was inevitable considering that so much of my life is consumed by sports. Last weekend, the top 48 athletes from my high school's track and field team spent two nights in Santa Barbara competing in the Easter Relay's track meet. (Not sure why it's called "Easter" relays because Easter is next month...but the medals were egg-shaped so that was cool.)<br><br>
As far as track goes, shot put is my thing. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this event, it's basically consists of manually launching a cannon ball weighing 4 kilograms (8.8 pounds) as far as you can. To put things in perspective, that's the weight of a new born baby.<br><br>
Now I'm going to jump to the end here and tell you that I threw that cannon ball really well at this track meet. I threw 6.5 inches farther than my previous PR (personal record) for a mark of 32 feet 4 inches. A foot and a half farther and I'll be well into the all-time top 10 record list for FVHS.<div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWoXBdCLOYrPCOGWXcqfcoJPAqrgN9jrdjlrqODRycvkC2YZn8RXsyxKh5vsVh68Wgj8nQ2NAEg2LQB3HKK2D5mJxl3HEg2As9t3Z4dQN5zrZBTx13572JAl912S0ditA-OmWN67OHNVz/s640/blogger-image-287591598.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWoXBdCLOYrPCOGWXcqfcoJPAqrgN9jrdjlrqODRycvkC2YZn8RXsyxKh5vsVh68Wgj8nQ2NAEg2LQB3HKK2D5mJxl3HEg2As9t3Z4dQN5zrZBTx13572JAl912S0ditA-OmWN67OHNVz/s640/blogger-image-287591598.jpg"></a></div><br>
I didn't tell you all that to brag, although I am quite proud. I want to share why I performed so well that day so that others may benefit or that I may hear others' strategies and also benefit. Lots of athletes have athletic ability but the ability to perform is another thing entirely. All training is done before the day of the meet (or game). On the day of the meet, all your preparations are done and the results have pretty much been decided. I say "pretty much" because there is a HUGE mental factor that has yet to be determined.<br><br>
Besides all the physical preparation, my mentality the night before the meet and the day of determined how I competed in Santa Barbara. The night before as I lay in a cot in the hotel room, I envisioned what I was going to do the following day. I replayed myself throwing over and over in my head- slowing parts down, emphasizing key elements, and playing it full speed. I also imagined the shot put landing beyond the 30 foot line.<br><br>
With all the mental practice, I didn't have to worry and think about my throw while I was at the meet. I warmed up on my own and was conservative in my practice throws. I was in the last heat, the heat with all the top seeded throwers. So as I waited for the first heats to throw, I read a text from my dad who was at home, cheering me on.<br>
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Until they rejected me, UCSD was my top choice for college. I was pretty upset that I didn't get in and comparing myself to the profile of last year's admitted freshmen, I couldn't see why I wasn't accepted. The average ACT composite score (the most objective component of the application) was 29 and mine was 33. Whatever.<br><br>
While my competition and I were warming up, I chose several girls who threw about the same as me or moderately farther and in my head I decided that these girls went to UCSD. And I was going to beat them.<br><br>
One of the girls I was throwing against was the top thrower in the state and if she had gone to the Olympics back in 2008, she would have placed 28th with the throw she threw at Santa Barbara. Instead of intimidating me, it only made me want to throw farther and prove that I could hang with the girls in my heat.<br><br>
But the ultimate motivation was my dad. In terms of athletics, he is my biggest supporter and my unofficial coach. He goes to every meet and basketball game that he can, but this meet in Santa Barbara was too out of the way. Of course, he told me to give him updates after each of my events. What made me throw especially far that day was so I could make that phone call with happy news and be able to tell my dad how well I had done.<br><br>
Varsity throwers are typically given 4 throws. My first two throws were decent but nothing to celebrate. I walked off on my own and refocused. As I walked into the ring for my third throw, I decided that this throw was going to be for my dad. I've never thrown so far. Not in practice, not in a meet.<br><br>
Needless to say that the phone call after the meet made me happier than any medal. <div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj17LBcwPBwJkDsuOxrA79ByIQDz2TeyFcfFuom13WcM6vmAbLoiV5dbcVgkzyM5jUZ61I-g1OCWfUZlMHCMu7tFHqg9v2NSg9wtptBgFSmK-k0QV6-XMypJ09FUK0rG4-rkTyjXwVKljgH/s640/blogger-image-1222437492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj17LBcwPBwJkDsuOxrA79ByIQDz2TeyFcfFuom13WcM6vmAbLoiV5dbcVgkzyM5jUZ61I-g1OCWfUZlMHCMu7tFHqg9v2NSg9wtptBgFSmK-k0QV6-XMypJ09FUK0rG4-rkTyjXwVKljgH/s640/blogger-image-1222437492.jpg"></a></div><br>
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In my English class, we have just passed the midpoint of a "discussion" about Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad. By discussion I mean a Battle Royale All Will Learn type of discussion, otherwise known as a BRAWL. It's loosely similar to a Socratic Seminar but with the stress and lack of sleep level multiplied by 10. Although I am proud to declare that I did not allow this assignment to get the best of me and cry.<br>
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Heart of Darkness is a unique book in that it only contains three chapters which worked out in a painfully perfect way for our class BRAWL. Our class was split into teams of three and assigned to read chapter one. Then on a first come first serve basis, each group chose a category: theme and other, specific, comparison, organization, unusual, or theme examples.<br>
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We then had to compose open-ended, AP level questions about chapter one through the lens of our chosen category. This step was done on Monday and Tuesday. By Wednesday, our teacher had chosen his favorite 25-30 questions. Each group then had Wednesday and Thursday (and for a lot of us, Friday morning before 8:00 A.M.) to answer all the questions. <br>
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On Friday, one person from each group was selected and asked one question on the list. Each participant also had to respond to two other answers. This process was completed two more times so each group member had his or her turn with the remaining two chapters.<br>
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So now that you have a greater understanding of what a BRAWL is, you may be under the ill-informed impression that our BRAWL was fair and close to flawless with all its structure. Allow me to now inspect all the BRAWL's bruises and broken bones and prescribe a healing remedy.<br>
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The first fracture in the BRAWL is the constraint of time. Answering 28 open ended questions sucks up a lot of hours. Our class was given two nights and hopefully those two nights you had no sports practice, extracurricular activities, or other homework. Doubtful. With such a time constraint, many students hope to be able to answer all the questions rather than think deeply about each individual question. I find it strange that we were not allotted more time to develop our answers, especially when I reflected back upon a tweet I had made earlier in the year. Deeper answers seem to be the ultimate goal for teachers and it makes me sad because so many of the BRAWL responses had so much potential if they had been given proper time to develop.</div>
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On the same note, some of the questions that were submitted by the students and chosen by the teacher also lacked substance. Each student was required to submit at least one question related to their topic before each round of the BRAWL. Some students submitted the first question they thought of and that was it. To prevent irrelevant or incorrect or repeat questions from being chosen, the class should be given the ability to veto one or two questions from the list. Also, to help the teacher out, questions should be submitted online in such a way that students will be able to "like" or "dislike" questions as they are submitted. This is not meant to be offensive but instead to increase the caliber of questions being asked and to prevent students from submitting questions at will.<br>
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The way our class BRAWL was set up, each progressive round presented a bigger burden with fewer and fewer people sharing it. Three people to a group, one person BRAWL-ing per round. The preparation for the first round is fine. No one knows who will be called upon to answer so each group member freaks out just the same while answering the questions. When preparing for the second round, there are only two possible tributes left. After talking with my classmates, I found that in most groups, the person that answered during the first round was much more relaxed and much more likely to go to bed before 11:00 PM while the other two members stayed up even later than they did the first round. Then comes the third round and the victim is clear, there is only one group member left. For my group, I was that victim. I knew my fate was sealed and that I was going to have to represent my group with the answers we prepared. So naturally I was the one staying up late and getting up early. In order to even the playing field, groups should be informed of who their chosen one is before each BRAWL. This will make all rounds similar to round three and make round three seem less unfair.<br>
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This solution will solve another problem; it will cut down on the amount of time consuming preparation. Since I was last to BRAWL, I had to make sure I had my own answers for each question for each round of the BRAWL just in case I was called on. Yes, working with two others helped to ease the burden but when it came down to it, I knew that I wouldn't be able to make a case for their answers as well as my own. With beforehand knowledge of who the tribute is, each member will have to completely and fully answer all the questions only once. The other two members will be able to contribute to his or her answers by finding supporting quotes or outside information. This will make the answers deeper as well because all three students will be focusing on one answer per question instead of making three separate answers.<br>
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After each BRAWL, an online discussion is opened up and students can respond to any of the questions, whether they were brought up in class or not. I like how this gives the students who were outside the BRAWL ring the chance to share their opinions and how it gives unselected questions a chance. But in actuality the online discussion became a chaotic dumping of answers. In order to increase organization, a spot needs to be created where each question can be responded to separately so different answers from different questions aren't thrown into one overwhelming pile.<br>
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There also is a problem with those who are sitting outside of the questioning and answering circle. They sit there and do nothing. I feel like very few of them actually listened to what I had to say. There are many ways to engage the outside circle. A simple strategy would be to require that on the online discussion, those in the outside circle respond to something that was said in class within their answer.<br>
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Now don't get me wrong, I believe the BRAWL was a valuable learning experience and I now understand Heart of Darkness on a much deeper level than I ever thought necessary or even possible. Things that I overlooked were brought up by classmates and I was impressed by my fellow students' level of analyzing. Our Heart of Darkness BRAWL may be one the activities that best prepares me for the AP test but the fact remains that the biggest room in the world is the room for improvement.
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556110883805604874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752755099105476611.post-73427933871326308672014-01-30T22:08:00.001-08:002014-01-31T07:46:16.329-08:00Anxiety of Influence: You're Probably Suffering from ItNo, it's not some deadly disease but it is not to be messed with. Authors suffer from this "anxiety of influence" more than most. To sum it up, it's the pressure you feel when trying to create something new and different, separate from those who came before you. Harold Bloom is the mastermind behind this concept and the reason why some day or another, you'll hear it brought up in your English class. Want to be ahead of the game? Watch this video to get your feet wet:<br />
<a href="http://youtu.be/jMjLXDMK6ZA">Anxiety of Influence Video</a><br />
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Pretty fantastic acting, huh? Feel free to contact my agent.<br />
In my last blog post I talked about making an impactful and memorable presentation. Yes, this is the video I shared with my class that was remembered so well. After the video was showed and explained a little, my group and I got the class engaged on a deeper level. We put them in a situation where they would experience the pressures of anxiety of influence (and still have fun!). We started by baking three giant sugar cookies (the size of your standard cake) and showing them this picture:<br />
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<img id="docs-internal-guid-104f68f2-e6dd-2dfb-54d3-3fa2709040e8" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/1h6KY5c6xn3TS8-McR5xDPXjCVRMjN_jMSxk4YKGQbt7uAfBb__3x2KlyPDOQ6n6Rq9as6KeAeXjQp8gASP_LjizABBMnW33_lDHawbRqv6Whj6OJy5jaeCAVJ6y" /><br />
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We then proceeded to divide the class into three relatively equal groups and explained to them their challenge. Using the giant sugar cookie as their starting point and a bag of supplies, they were to create Frankenstein's creature and try to make it better than the ones pictured above. Each group was supplied with green frosting, black icing, and M&M's. Then we gave each group an item that no other group got; one received pretzel sticks, another white chocolate chips, and the other raisins. I'll let you decide if they were successful.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556110883805604874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752755099105476611.post-23158511136274840142014-01-30T21:33:00.000-08:002014-01-31T07:41:18.203-08:00Making an Impact, Making it MemorableTo wrap up the semester, our AP English class was required to give a group presentation as a final. Groups of 4 were assigned a different "lens" under which to dissect <em>Frankenstein</em> and then present their findings to the class in a memorable way. But to the point: although I believe my group had a successful run, there are quite a few things that I learned that I wish I had known before we embarked on our project. But that in itself is success because learning is the ultimate goal in any class.<br />
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After each group had their turn to present, we all took time to answer questions and write comments about each other's projects. My group read over our audience's responses and drew some meaningful conclusions about making a memorable and impactful presentation. I think these points are worth sharing, or at least writing down somewhere for future personal use, so I figured this place is as good as any.<br />
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The first step to making an impactful presentation is having something worth presenting- something for your audience to learn and use in the future. These were two (sometimes tough) questions we had to answer about each other's presentations: What did you learn? How will you use this information in the future? If your audience can't answer those two questions, why did you bother presenting? Not trying to be harsh, but seriously. Give your classmates a reason to sit up and really pay attention.<br />
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The next part to this, making your presentation memorable, will help with the paying attention part. Our class had quite the array of presentation techniques- some much more effective than others. I remembered many groups by the class engaging activities they included at the end of their presentation. Some had review questions but the best were the get-out-of-your-plastic-seat activities. Aside from my own, the best activity (and most memorable) was dressing up a few brave classmates as Frankenstein's creature to the best of our abilities. It was fun for the class and helped emphasize the presentation's point.<br />
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Another stark difference between presenters were those who stood in front of the class and gave a big ole speech and those who didn't. Sure, those who recited speeches probably did their research and understood what they were talking about but these presentations struggled to engage their audience. Their presentation had information but little was remembered afterwards. In my opinion, the better presentations included a skit, costumes, a visual aid, or, my favorite, a funny video. Not a video off the Internet, but a homemade video where the students in the back of the class branch out of their comfort zones in front of the camera and let their inner Hollywood shine. Our humor-attempting video was what most remembered the best about our presentation. But the other most remembered aspect of our project came at a bit of a shock.<br />
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<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/W6y6UHDOYuzu-p4rG9pNrLDJ-6qjMn_DMLd7XkkG7Yw0SZjJ-yhWa_7IacWGJZW5yMZgyBtqQVFe2y9V-puUc9j9WwN2zqvCGxKauQCRmcpx0i2-yTZNrTjfWUMm" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" id="docs-internal-guid-321314a2-e6ea-2d80-adeb-f5d60d0f74d0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/W6y6UHDOYuzu-p4rG9pNrLDJ-6qjMn_DMLd7XkkG7Yw0SZjJ-yhWa_7IacWGJZW5yMZgyBtqQVFe2y9V-puUc9j9WwN2zqvCGxKauQCRmcpx0i2-yTZNrTjfWUMm" width="400" /></a></div>
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The simple peanut butter and jelly sandwich. That stuck with our audience. When designing our project, my group needed a way to describe how Mary Shelley copied ideas from other authors, transformed them into her own, and combined them with her own. I suggested making a PB&J and use it as a metaphor for Mary Shelley's process. My group gave me doubtful looks but couldn't think of anything better so we rolled with it. And it stuck like peanut butter.<br />
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Next time you give a presentation to your class, be nice to your classmates- teach them something useful and make sure they remember it. Do yourself a favor too and have fun with it.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556110883805604874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752755099105476611.post-89082801809752977012014-01-07T05:43:00.002-08:002014-01-31T07:39:37.446-08:00Cups of Holiday Cheer: Everything You Need to Know About My Innovation ProjectAlthough my innovation project for my AP English did not go as I had originally or evenly secondly imagined, the event was a delicious success. But first, allow me to back up and explain the whole deal.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4vzom0CKOHtNMuQ1pu6CuNMHhvmr90cK8KfYW2grPs3eSqvMEcFZn-XWCvKEYgkJNESQbQjAM5_XkseXMbIpNH4qaHOJ2xECxKDl0rKXfauJXdt3iBoRq3SB5IhJdiJWyyceKWfNbRtg/h120/christmas+lights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" class="dk-O-x" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4vzom0CKOHtNMuQ1pu6CuNMHhvmr90cK8KfYW2grPs3eSqvMEcFZn-XWCvKEYgkJNESQbQjAM5_XkseXMbIpNH4qaHOJ2xECxKDl0rKXfauJXdt3iBoRq3SB5IhJdiJWyyceKWfNbRtg/h120/christmas+lights.jpg" style="left: 0px; top: 0px; transform: rotate(0deg);" width="200" /></a>I live in a neighborhood that comes alive during the month of December and the early weeks of the following January. The credit is owed to one house, a house two doors down from my own. The house goes all out decorating with blaring Christmas lights, giant trees constructed from lights, and arches of tinsel in the driveway, all of which are flashing in sync to music. It is quite a sight to see and hundreds do each night of the "light show."<br />
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So thinking like a businesswoman, I decided to use this multitude of people as my consumer base. I figured the only thing this wild show was missing was a toasty cup of hot chocolate. Along with the help of my little sister and the support of my parents, a plan developed. My sister and I were going to sell cups of hot chocolate from our driveway to those who came to enjoy the lights.<br />
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The next step was to pitch my idea to the class, a step that was successful same as the following steps. Before I even gave my presentation, a Make a Wish board member asked me if I had decided where I was going to donate all my profits. When I told him that I had not, he threw me a smile and said, "Make a Wish loves you!"<br />
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A few days later one of my basketball teammates, who also happens to be the president of Wounded Warrior Project, approached me asking if she could team up with me and use my project as a fundraiser for her project. How could I refuse the opportunity to help veterans of my country? So yes, I agreed and the planning picked up its pace.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKu4MfKyoFmTjuGYuWfMLKwrwlNRTJEBOl1kZnWTYHN0k4XZw7tw16VlqrKuFr_wZUmCBm8PU1jPvW9OR-kXfAinjZhdxxIsE6AFjWwBme1luibBrsVS1j_CgITaAbNnHU5nUfeA7XBNfI/h120/hot+chocolate+stand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" class="dk-O-x" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKu4MfKyoFmTjuGYuWfMLKwrwlNRTJEBOl1kZnWTYHN0k4XZw7tw16VlqrKuFr_wZUmCBm8PU1jPvW9OR-kXfAinjZhdxxIsE6AFjWwBme1luibBrsVS1j_CgITaAbNnHU5nUfeA7XBNfI/h120/hot+chocolate+stand.jpg" style="left: 0px; top: 0px;" width="200" /></a>We picked three nights that we were both available: the Saturday, Sunday, and Monday before Wednesday Christmas. Foot and automobile traffic was flowing those three nights, as were the dollar bills. We had upped our inventory to include hot apple cider and baked goods as well.</div>
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<a href="https://scontent-a-lax.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/p160x160/1535627_10152104761527302_1717208361_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Carolyn Valentine Herzog's photo." border="0" class="_46-i img" height="213" src="https://scontent-a-lax.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/p160x160/1535627_10152104761527302_1717208361_n.jpg" style="left: -1px; top: 0px;" width="160" /></a>The days leading up to the hot chocolate stand had my partner and I nervous. Neither of us had done something like this before and we began doubting how much traffic and profits we would attract. <br />
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Our worry was for nothing. The first night we speculated we had collected about $30 in the three hours we worked. We were shocked to find the actual total was $66. The following night was even more successful. Including a $40 donation from the house with the crazy Christmas lights, our total for the final night was the highest.</div>
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Subtracting out expenses for cocoa mix, apple cider, and mini marsh mellows, our profits came out to be $202.30. This was all from selling baked goods for $.50 and drinks for $1.</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556110883805604874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752755099105476611.post-498771493397114152013-12-16T20:50:00.004-08:002013-12-16T20:50:47.625-08:00Hidden GemsDisneyland and In-n-Out are great and all but what about those secluded or hidden places that bring a new kind of happiness? My English teacher recently gave a PowerPoint presentation on the top 50 places to take a date. I hadn't even heard of most of them. A lot of the locations were "what's the password" or locals only type of places. Every year, my church and the surrounding churches have a Christmas tradition. While participating in this tradition last night, I realized that I had found a hidden gem of my own, a gem that needs to be shared and shine on the world.<br />
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The Prince of Peace Pageant is put on by St. Luke's Lutheran church in Long Beach, along with neighboring churches. The Pageant consists of 16 scenes that tell the story of Jesus' birth (the true Christmas story). <br />
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Ever since I was old enough, I have been an actor in one of the scenes. I see it as my Christmas gift to Jesus. I had been involved with the Pageant long before I met the 15 year old age requirement by greeting viewers with candy canes or lighting candles. It's always great to see all the people who come and hear the news of Jesus Christ but I didn't fully appreciate what this Pageant was accomplishing until I was an actor in a scene and listened to those who came to look.<br />
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Being in a scene, I'm expected to remain still for an hour and a half but hearing parents explain the story of Jesus to their children deeply moves my heart. Those that walk by and thank me or those who drive by and shout a "God bless you!" assure me that my 90 minutes are well spent.<br />
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The Pageant always attracts a lot of foot traffic and yet I wish that the event could extend its influence over more and more people. The Christmas story needs to be shared and there are many who especially need to hear it.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556110883805604874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752755099105476611.post-33959276592693449202013-12-09T22:13:00.000-08:002013-12-09T22:13:41.954-08:00The 4th Quarter: A Message to High School Seniors<em>Senioritus</em> is a commonly heard phrase as my days in high school come to a close. Students have begun to use it as an excuse to blow off homework and teachers have used it since last year as a threat to make us do our homework. Why is it so hard to finish when we've come so far? Students aren't the only ones suffering, athletes are as well.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhauw1l02f6OwnV3Zrzd4tTeHQqtG3zA6lHQor0SkFRi2720zq-Nyf69YAqCiOMUVOJZq9z0AJFdj4gILahhUN-4DBFa78oGP-mmdMPWdBwdZ19DU-sxmwiMzEUhn5pqgzasJhuhhhtUMQx/s1600/basketball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhauw1l02f6OwnV3Zrzd4tTeHQqtG3zA6lHQor0SkFRi2720zq-Nyf69YAqCiOMUVOJZq9z0AJFdj4gILahhUN-4DBFa78oGP-mmdMPWdBwdZ19DU-sxmwiMzEUhn5pqgzasJhuhhhtUMQx/s1600/basketball.jpg" /></a>My basketball team's record as of tonight is 3-3. There's no reason it couldn't be 6-0, no reason except for the 4th quarter. Our wins are won by 30+ points and our losses are by 2 or 3 points. The losses weren't close games though, not before the 4th quarter anyways. Those games from quarters 1 to 3 had favorable scores much like the final scores of our undeniable wins.<br />
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Were we too comfortable with our lead, already chalking it up as win? Had we checked out of the game already, too tired or uninterested to finish? I don't know the answer. I wish I did.<br />
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Finishing may come as a challenge but when that challenge is overcome, as a team or as an individual, the rewards are rich. Freshmen-Junior year efforts are not thrown out. Put all four quarters together and you will have your victory. Finish strong my fellow seniors, finish strong.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556110883805604874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752755099105476611.post-70502062079990776742013-12-02T22:33:00.000-08:002013-12-02T22:33:19.563-08:00Technical TroubleAdvancements in technology have lengthened human life and have raised the standard of living. Thanks to technology, the Earth can support a greater population. In return, technology has asked for our dependence and teachers have willingly given it.<br />
<br />When technology lets teachers down, students take the hardest hit. When power points don't load for a student's presentation, the student must improvise and continue. The teacher, on the other hand, may simply change lesson plans. When a school site crashes, students frantically ask one another what the homework is. The same happens when teachers forget to post the assignment online. Some teachers will post the assignment in the early hours of the next morning and expect it done and other teachers will tell students to do it the next night, along with the newly assigned homework. Even when teachers do upload the assignment, complications are always a reality.<br />
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Teachers enjoy the ease of posting assignments online and not having to print photo copies for the class. I can't even do my math homework half the time without having to log into Facebook! With more and more assignments requiring internet, it is becoming harder and harder for me to complete my homework by a decent hour.<br />
In elementary and middle school, I could take my homework with me and work on it during car rides or while waiting at the dentist's. This is rarely the case now. Now readings, questions, and activities are all online.<br /><br />This is not typically a problem for those with smart phones or other Wi-Fi devices. I am not one of those people. I had a basketball game tonight that required a 40 minute car ride each way. There was a minimal amount of homework I was able to complete in those 80 minutes. That is why tonight will be a late night and tomorrow morning will be an early one. Tonight is not a lone case. Tonight's game is just one game in a tournament of games.<br /><br />Is technology making our lives easier? Sure. Is technology making my homework harder to complete than it should be? Definitely.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556110883805604874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752755099105476611.post-697490977428176212013-11-18T21:30:00.000-08:002013-11-18T21:30:14.871-08:00Paying for Public SchoolMy Macroeconomics teacher stressed that nothing is free. This is especially true when it comes to public education in America. The law requires children to go to school so naturally they have to make this service "free" and available to everyone. But has the government succeeded in creating a structured, productive, and free learning environment? Not by a long shot.<br />
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This is not entirely their fault. The government supplies schools with a however limited money supply, as it is able and sees fit. But it is the expectations of future employers and demands of teachers who prohibit public school from being truly free. (and the law of economics as well.)<br /><br />First of all, students have to supply their own pencils, paper, ink, calculators, etc. for a class. Then there are school projects that require poster board, supplies for 3-D models, and gasoline to make trips to the store. Even regular assignments often can not be done without some form of monetary exchange.<br />
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Teachers resolve to sweep this issue under the rug. Assignments that require a substantial amount of money are labeled "extra credit." So now fortunate students are able to buy their grades, or rather, their parents buy their grades. Or the teachers will claim that there is a way to complete the project without buying anything, but any student knows that their project will not be able to compare in the least bit. And of course, there are the teachers who will not mention anything financial and simply give students a due date and that's that.<br />
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I recently completed a science project that required me to have sealed containers for three different biomes, filled with a self-sustaining system that includes plants, animals, soil, water, and whatever else you might find in a desert, forest, or lake. Clearly, this is no small scale project. The species inside the biomes have to survive in a sealed environment (no gas exchange) for 3 weeks.<br /><br />My partner and I built our own terrarium in an effort to save money but needless to say, our total expenses was no where close to $0. This three week long project, for one of my five classes, cost a grand total of $90.29 (not including the prices of the supplies we already had at home.)<br /><br />Our teacher made no effort to cut the costs. She only suggested that if we had a terrarium lying around, we should use that. Very unlikely. In my opinion, the project should have at least been a group assignment to help cut the costs instead of an individual/partner one.<br /><br />With the limited budget for school, teachers are finding ways to tap into the funds of students' parents. Many science classes have lab donation fee letters sent home and are expected to be returned with a check. My <em>required</em> high school art class, ceramics, requires a flat fee of $20 per semester plus an additional $1 for every bag of clay I use on <em>required </em>assignments.<br /><br />When I built a boat as a physics extra credit assignment, the wood and paper was "supplied" for $5. But the project also required glue and water-based paint as well as tools to cut the wood, paint brushes, and clamps.<br /><br />If this is what free education costs, I fear for my parents' wallets when I begin college.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556110883805604874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752755099105476611.post-27646102276800021752013-11-11T23:58:00.000-08:002013-11-14T09:11:52.485-08:00Gathering in Sorrow<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxVaLxeO11wN8okf1vLAbHx0lSOLqFxMHF7tHP8rqnIObOS3CRc3uFLPmEI0fMXJ3rlsaWB3-RlftdCltWwwk7V_a-7rtvsYMvCc3Nv9mcJ8uaT4GULW4Wbwl_ScVj3KWI933mEk6injKe/s1600/blogger7.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxVaLxeO11wN8okf1vLAbHx0lSOLqFxMHF7tHP8rqnIObOS3CRc3uFLPmEI0fMXJ3rlsaWB3-RlftdCltWwwk7V_a-7rtvsYMvCc3Nv9mcJ8uaT4GULW4Wbwl_ScVj3KWI933mEk6injKe/s1600/blogger7.png" /></a>Most people would argue that in a perfect world there would be no suffering, no heartbreak, no pain. This would be followed by wishes to end all wars once and for all or to find a definite cure for cancer. That sounds like a world I want to live in. But after watching ESPN films: 30 for 30 - The Guru of Go, my mindset began to shift.<br />
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The Guru of Go follows the coaching career of Paul Westhead but also encompasses the unique story of Hank Gathers and his team. Hank Gathers died during a game of college basketball. This is without a question a tragedy for his friends, team, and family. Despite all the sorrow, the story following his death is a powerful one.<br />
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Hank's death brought his team closer together. Hank's teammate shot and made a left handed free throw in his honor. Each one of his teammate's will remember that game and remember that player who was so passionate about what he did, he paid the ultimate sacrifice. He inspired those who knew him and continues to inspire young generations of athletes.<br />
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Tragedy seems to bring people together. Is sorrow and pain and suffering therefore necessary to a society? It's hard to find a happier moment than when a soldier is returned home safely to his or her family. Without that fear of never seeing each other again, would the family had still been as thankful for one another? Or when a funeral brings a family together or an injured teammate rallies a team or a youth groups works together to rebuild homes after a hurricane- is misfortune the instrumental variable in all of these?<br />
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In a perfect world, families get along, friends lend helping hands, and neighbors care for one another. Is the united fight against evil and all the pain it brings what makes a society "perfect"?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556110883805604874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752755099105476611.post-37001200935884919012013-11-04T22:27:00.000-08:002013-11-04T22:27:11.521-08:00OpportunityTo be spontaneously innovative is proving to be quite a challenge for me. Sophomore year it was the 150 point project, last year it was the DIY project, and now it's a "what if?" project. Different names, same vague instructions. My creative juices are running dry.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEB3TDnePTE9PCwqcd3bAxDYSAXzMhJZh05bSyk1Y9jty8T5uzSEExN8oKblbDeY1SZNTZgCDLlGBfETWefE9QXT-9O5NVwk4ezuGJao8p04tQ1DekVDrxVByeF41D4mAfsk4gant2YLO3/s1600/blogger6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEB3TDnePTE9PCwqcd3bAxDYSAXzMhJZh05bSyk1Y9jty8T5uzSEExN8oKblbDeY1SZNTZgCDLlGBfETWefE9QXT-9O5NVwk4ezuGJao8p04tQ1DekVDrxVByeF41D4mAfsk4gant2YLO3/s1600/blogger6.jpg" /></a>While reading with the kids that I babysit tonight, memories from my glorious DIY project were brought back. (Read all the details of last year's golden project: <a href="http://littleauthorsdiy.blogspot.com/">http://littleauthorsdiy.blogspot.com/</a>) The rewards were rich, helping kids to grow both intellectually and socially. In the timeline of my high school years, this project gets a gold star.</div>
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I hope to recreate that awesomeness in another project this year but what made everything work out so perfectly last year? I had a partner with invaluable resources, a teacher who allowed me to miss his class once a week, and a classroom of eager six year olds. Once my partner and I had our idea and it was deemed possible by our mentors, we hit the ground running. Those were the glory days.<br /><br />Our class this year has spent a lot of time discussing where great ideas come from. I believe they are found when opportunity is recognized. Last year, the stage was set- I knew the right people. As for this year, I must continue to seek out opportunities.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556110883805604874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752755099105476611.post-80465580941845662982013-10-27T19:45:00.001-07:002013-10-27T19:45:46.304-07:00Silent Connection<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Snapchat, Facebook, Skype- the list goes on and on. With the continual advances of social media, humans are finding it easier and easier to connect with one another. Is any one of these methods superior? Who can say. But there is one method that is so overlooked, most would even not consider it a way to connect with one another. At least not prior to having read this blog post.<br />
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Talking on the phone, chatting live over the Internet, and sending videos- what do these things all <em>not </em>have in common? Silence. Not many speak of the power of silence but it really exists, probably with a much stronger force than you realize.<br />
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My AP English teacher likes to start each class with silence. The bell rings and all mouths are zipped. Silence ensues and the class is silent and still save for wondering eyes. Now our class is a family. Now can class begin.<br />
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Yeah, at first that didn't make since to me either. This is a class focusing on innovation and aren't ideas spread best through communication with one another? I didn't understand the sense of community silence brings until today, at my high school basketball game.<br />
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A basketball game? Decked-out cheering fans, red-faced shouting coaches, and the blare of expiring shot clocks refuse to allow silence to have a seat on the bleachers. Except today.<br />
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She was fouled after attempting a lay-up; flattened to the ground and suffered a high top to the face. After being helped up, she made her way to the line to knock down her two shots. The referee recognized she was still a little shaky from the foul and approached her. Towering over her, he lowered his voice and spoke.<br />
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The court was silent, preparing to fight for the rebounds. The bench was silent, hoping their player was okay. The bleachers ended all side conversations and tried to discern what was being said between player and referee. The fouled player nodded her head and the entire gym was silent. Not just quiet silent, but silent as in a pin dropping would have been considered relatively loud.<br />
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Despite the tension of a third quarter varsity basketball game, the silence was shared by parents, coaches, and players of both teams. <br />
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"Hey, why is it so quiet?!" Our assistant broke the communal silence and the gym broke into laughter. Because of silence the gym was united and unlike like two weeks ago, no parents were thrown out by referees for behavioral misconduct.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556110883805604874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752755099105476611.post-53083892878664930252013-10-21T22:06:00.000-07:002013-10-21T22:06:09.917-07:00In Trust We TrustTrust. A little word with an immensely big meaning. Trust makes us feel safe, allows us to venture out of our comfort zones, and to form relationships. But when trust is broken, the consequences are catastrophic.<br />
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Human to human trust is tricky. What is a safe level of trust? It's not the same as trusting a pair of training wheels to do their job. When human to human trust is broken, the hurt runs deep where it often remains and lurks. The deeper the trust, the harder the fall.<br />
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In the ideal world, trusting one another wouldn't be so frightening. If you trusted someone with your heart, it wouldn't be returned in pieces. In the ideal world, Iago's would stay in Shakespeare's literary fiction.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556110883805604874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752755099105476611.post-80481390427683052102013-10-14T20:31:00.005-07:002013-10-28T21:08:13.550-07:00Not So Secret IdentityBlogging as a student, I realized that I should take extra precaution as to what information I allow readers to see. How can I trust my personal information with who I do not know? Of course I won't be posting up my home address or personal phone numbers, but where is the line to be drawn? Or more interestingly, what if there was no line to be drawn?<br />
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In this technologically advanced age, spreading and sharing information takes only the click of a mouse. But with the Internet, it is easy to be drowned in the flood of YouTube stars, Blogger geeks, and fanatic Pinners. So how does one make a name for him or herself without displaying too much personal information?<br />
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Back to that line drawing business.<br />
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If the world didn't have to worry about Internet stalkers, user name hackers, and just plain creeps, it would eliminate the concern we have for our identities. In what world would this be possible? This would require erasing the difference between stranger and friend.<br />
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What if we all already knew each other without ever needing to have previously met? Anyone could talk to anyone and it would be okay. Imagine the resources we would be able to pull from, the connections that could be made, the innovation that would transpire. Without the fear of unknown, a worldwide necessity would be allowed to blossom- trust.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556110883805604874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752755099105476611.post-20531989667408094732013-10-06T16:04:00.001-07:002013-10-21T22:06:55.827-07:00The Simplest CatalystIn a world of fast consumption, kindness is often overlooked. It has no price tag so some jump to the conclusion that it has little to no value. Others like the idea of kindness, think it sounds great but do little to share it with their neighbors. They are so self-absorbed, trying to make things be the best for themselves. If they just realized that if they helped others, they would be helping themselves, I'm positive many would make some major lifestyle adjustments. Need evidence? Watch this.<br />
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One little act can make a huge difference. You may not see just how far your kindness goes but for me, just one brighter smile is all the proof I need. Stand out in the world. Be kind.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556110883805604874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752755099105476611.post-85820794090278936642013-09-30T22:02:00.001-07:002013-10-07T22:28:49.466-07:00At the Day's End<br />
We sleep for the very same reason that I am writing this blog post- it is a necessity. But we have made sleep to be more than a necessity. It's a luxury, a pastime, and a source of hope. <br />
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The hope of sleep at the end of the day is often what gets me through the many long hours of daylight. Basketball practice may make me exhausted and homework loads may keep me up until odd hours but I take refuge in the fact that no matter what, I will reach that moment when I am able to close all my books, let my head fall into the comfort of my pillow, and eject all other responsibilities to a spot on the sidelines. For me, "pulling an all-nighter" is never an option.<br />
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But what if we didn't need sleep? People would argue that this would be beneficial- we would be able to use all hours of the day and night to (potentially) be productive. The idea of never having to give in to exhaustion is appealing; humans could just keep on going.<br />
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I disagree. Sleep is our protection. It is our protection against overwhelming strains on our time. If we didn't need to sleep think of seriously increased level of expectations that would be piled on our already tightly knotted shoulders. The human need to sleep is an undeniable justified reason for a break. Even the craziest of craziest workaholics will eventually have to submit to slumber. They may hate it, but in reality sleep is protecting them against earning the label "insane".<br />
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Another important reason for sleep is the power nap I just indulged in. If such things did not exist, there would have been no inspiration for my blogging and this wonderfully thought-provoking blog post would never have been written. Thank goodness for sleep!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556110883805604874noreply@blogger.com1