Like most, I celebrate New Year’s by going to parties! I was invited to three different parties this year and we decided to go to my mom’s friend’s party! We eat, play games, have fun, and watch the ball drop in New York! You can’t help but remember all the ups and downs of the past year like big accomplishments. Some I remember are my eighth grade awards night, my first day of high school and my Confirmation. All these were amazing moments in my life that I will remember forever. I look forward to the coming year, not only for our skating show we have at my ice rink but for a big step in any teenager’s life, starting to drive. Fourteen and nine months I will start driving. I cannot wait, this is something I will take with me the rest of my life and I get to start in 2010!
Along with remembering the old and new I also make new years resolutions! To me the definition of resolutions, is a promise I will try to keep to help improve my life in this coming year. This year my plan includes eating better or healthier. Make my portions healthier and the food I eat. I am going to try not to eat junk food or fattening foods like I normally do. Another thing I need to start doing is exercising like running or working out. I am in bad shape and I need to get in better shape. It would be healthier and a better life choice.
One more thing I need to work on is my study skills for school. Normally on school days I hang out with friends after school instead of concentrating on studying for tests or quizzes I have which in turn makes my test scores low and then makes my grade in the class lower. I need to not do anything on school days and concentrate on school and studying then save plans for the weekend. I cannot wait for this New Year and hope it will be a great one!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
a christmas under the sun!
When I think about past Christmases that I have had, I always think of my favorite Christmas as everyone would, when I went somewhere completely out of tradition of what we normally do. Normally we have a Christmas at home where we go over my grandmas and open presents in the morning after breakfast but that year, we went to Puerto Rico with my Aunt, Uncle, and Cousin. Yes, for one glorious year we traded in the freezing snowy winters of Michigan for the warm tropics of the Atlantic Ocean. Sun, and beaches galore. It was amazing.
That Christmas, it was different. My cousin and her family are Jewish and celebrate Hanukah but they were very happy to help us keep our tradition of going to church. We usually go to mass of Christmas Eve but we went on Christmas day. We had breakfast, got dressed up in sun-dresses and went to a mass at a small catholic church near our resort. The church was tiny compared to ours and the Priest announced to the clergy that he had a cold and wanted to speed up the mass. The mass instead of being and hour was quickened by the ill priest to a little more then half an hour!
After, we went to lunch in the near-by small town at Wendy’s. This was an obvious change from our Christmas dinner. We had French fries and burgers instead of ham and other traditional food. We then “celebrated” by swimming in the ocean and pools and relaxing. We had gotten our presents before we left and got gift cards as a presents that day. It was a fun and different way to spend Christmas and I want to go back some day to spend another Christmas under the sun!
Friday, December 18, 2009
the power of one!
The film “The Power of One” that we saw in class was so touching and inspiring. This movie reminded me greatly of “Hotel Rwanda” not only because that was inspiring as well but that they were both about a single person trying to change there own country. Both were going against the law for what they believed in. I would have to say that before this, I never knew anything about the apartheid in South Africa; honestly I didn’t have the slightest idea of what apartheid even is. I knew that South Africa wasn’t the best place but I never knew about this side of it. Never would I have imagined Dutch or British or white people in that manner to be living in South Africa.
I was a little confused on whether or not guards and white people were that cruel to the blacks of South Africa. Was killing a normal scene in those times? And also what was up about the two different black African tribes which had some ethnic conflicts going on. What I thought was inspiring was how P.K. betrayed what was right and risked going to prison to simply teach uneducated Africans about reading. His love, Marria was accidentally killed as a result of this when the authorities invaded, if that wasn’t enough. Even after all of the heartbreak and numerous beatings he still pushes forward and gets right back up for what is right. But P.K. was right to do what he did because him teaching would start a chain reaction as we saw. The adults he had taught were teaching there children which would continue on for generations to come. Truly inspiring.
I was a little confused on whether or not guards and white people were that cruel to the blacks of South Africa. Was killing a normal scene in those times? And also what was up about the two different black African tribes which had some ethnic conflicts going on. What I thought was inspiring was how P.K. betrayed what was right and risked going to prison to simply teach uneducated Africans about reading. His love, Marria was accidentally killed as a result of this when the authorities invaded, if that wasn’t enough. Even after all of the heartbreak and numerous beatings he still pushes forward and gets right back up for what is right. But P.K. was right to do what he did because him teaching would start a chain reaction as we saw. The adults he had taught were teaching there children which would continue on for generations to come. Truly inspiring.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
top ten things that I am thankful for
1. I am always thankful for my family and how they support me in everything I do and how they care for me and love me. I know they will always be there for me.
2. My amazing friends!! I don't know how I would survive high school without my friends. They are my second family and they always make my life better!
3. I absolutely am thankful for my passion, and that is skating. Skating keeps me active and is how I show what I am good at. I love my girls on the skating team and we are all very close.
4. I am thankful that I have a nice home to live in because a lot of people are homeless and we take it for granted but we are extremely fortunate to have one.
5. My kitty cat is my best friend ever and after a long day I am so blessed and thankful to have my kitty. I love him SO much and am SO happy to have him! I couldn't even explain what I would do without him!
6. I am thankful that I am healthy and do not have any serious health issues unlike other kids my age suffering from terrible diseases. We should be thankful that we do not have to go through what they are going through.
7. No matter how much they bug me, I am thankful for my parents and that they have taken care for me and have given me almost everything I have.
8. This may sound kind of funny but I am thankful for the food and water we have to eat, drink, and live everyday because some children in places do not have little or no food or water. Sometimes they don't eat or drink for days and suffer malnutrition.
9. Now this may sound really funny, but I am actually thankful for the education and knowledge we receive at school and other places to better our lives. Some kids would kill to go to school and learn so we should value our education because as crazy as it sounds, it actually helps us!
10. Now the thing I am most thankful for in this world, is my life. I thank God everyday for waking up everyday because life is precious and truly is worthy of being thankful for everyday.
2. My amazing friends!! I don't know how I would survive high school without my friends. They are my second family and they always make my life better!
3. I absolutely am thankful for my passion, and that is skating. Skating keeps me active and is how I show what I am good at. I love my girls on the skating team and we are all very close.
4. I am thankful that I have a nice home to live in because a lot of people are homeless and we take it for granted but we are extremely fortunate to have one.
5. My kitty cat is my best friend ever and after a long day I am so blessed and thankful to have my kitty. I love him SO much and am SO happy to have him! I couldn't even explain what I would do without him!
6. I am thankful that I am healthy and do not have any serious health issues unlike other kids my age suffering from terrible diseases. We should be thankful that we do not have to go through what they are going through.
7. No matter how much they bug me, I am thankful for my parents and that they have taken care for me and have given me almost everything I have.
8. This may sound kind of funny but I am thankful for the food and water we have to eat, drink, and live everyday because some children in places do not have little or no food or water. Sometimes they don't eat or drink for days and suffer malnutrition.
9. Now this may sound really funny, but I am actually thankful for the education and knowledge we receive at school and other places to better our lives. Some kids would kill to go to school and learn so we should value our education because as crazy as it sounds, it actually helps us!
10. Now the thing I am most thankful for in this world, is my life. I thank God everyday for waking up everyday because life is precious and truly is worthy of being thankful for everyday.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Techniques and Messages in Film Making
Film making is a very long and sometimes difficult process as we learned watching The Rabbit-Proof Fence bonus feature on film making and reading the two articles. If I have learned anything, it would be that to get that magic on the screen, it is definitely not as easy as it may look. Philip Noyce, and the rest of the film crew for the movie had a lot of problems to encounter even before they could start filming such as finding the right girls to play the main characters Molly, Gracie, and Daisy. They had to look everywhere to find someone who was convincing, and actually looked the part of an Aborigine half-caste. For example, they traveled to large cities and small villages looking and auditioning for the roles of the girls. When they finally found the girls they wanted, they were not familiar with acting and had to take classes. Instead of going with the safe choice of an experienced actor they went with a convincing and relatable talent of a new actress. It was interesting how much more realistic the movie was when they had the new actresses. They had a sort of innocence about them that made it fantastically real and made the characters lovable and someone people could relate to.
Movie directors can also spread messages through film making to show what is really happening. They can actually teach people lessons through movies and can teach us about cultures, past or present. When Philip Noyce first heard what the movie was about, “The Stolen Generation” he thought it was a rock and roll movie. He probably never would of guessed, like most of us, that it was about the Aborigine people trying to be bred out. Since we do not know the message of the Stolen Generation it was a great idea to spread the message through film. The Rabbit-Proof Fence really opened my eyes to the fact that the Aborigines in Australia were very poorly treated by the government and people back then. Not many people knew about this but because of Molly’s story and the movie it can be spread so that the whole world is aware of this. Movies have spread so many messages in various ways, such as Blood Diamond. But now, thanks to movies these messages can be spread.
Movie directors can also spread messages through film making to show what is really happening. They can actually teach people lessons through movies and can teach us about cultures, past or present. When Philip Noyce first heard what the movie was about, “The Stolen Generation” he thought it was a rock and roll movie. He probably never would of guessed, like most of us, that it was about the Aborigine people trying to be bred out. Since we do not know the message of the Stolen Generation it was a great idea to spread the message through film. The Rabbit-Proof Fence really opened my eyes to the fact that the Aborigines in Australia were very poorly treated by the government and people back then. Not many people knew about this but because of Molly’s story and the movie it can be spread so that the whole world is aware of this. Movies have spread so many messages in various ways, such as Blood Diamond. But now, thanks to movies these messages can be spread.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
~my month in review!!~
Old Friends, New Friends:
In high school I have tried to stay friends with all of my close friends from last year, including my best friend Natalie! I have also made a bunch of new friends. How could you not with all the people in high school? I am friends with a bunch of older kids in all different grades. I have a variety of friends from seniors to other freshman. It’s good to know other kids in different grades because they can help you get to know the school especially if you are a freshman which is why I love both my old friends, and new friends!
SHS Activities Attended:
My most favorite after-school activity at high school that I have attended would have to most certainly have to be the Varsity football games on Fridays. I love going out and supporting the team even though it made be freezing outside. All of my friends go, so it’s almost like a huge party. I loved going to the freshman and Welcome Back dances, too!
Funniest, Weirdest, and Scariest Moments:
If I was to picture myself a year ago, where I would be on a school night- I for some reason would have never imagined I would be alone with my best friend at a bar at 9:30 at night. We weren’t drinking or anything, we were alone because we had been hanging out at a place next door and it closed up, and they kicked us out. My mom couldn’t come yet and we couldn’t reach her on our cell phones. To top it off, my cell died and we only had my friends. It was dark, raining, and cold so we decided to walk to the closest place…which happened to be the bar next door. We tried to stay calm as we walked in, of course everyone stared since we were young teenagers walking into a bar but we tried not to make eye-contact. I called my mom over and over. No answer. We were beginning to panic. What if one of the drunks saw we were alone and kidnapped us? They’d find out bodies the next day somewhere in a ditch. Well, luckily we got a hold of my Mom and she came to get us. I have never been more thankful to be in school the next day. That had to be one of the weirdest and scariest moments of my life. But now, I can look back on it and laugh.
Hardest, Easiest Class Assignments:
The hardest assignment for me would probably have to be this packet we got in geometry about how to do Proofs, which I didn’t get so much. In art though, we had easy assignments like drawing spheres, cubes, and cones which was easy. It got challenging with shading but it still was my easiest class.
Top Five Current Events:
• Slightly unstable Iran has nuclear capability.
• The G-20 met in Pittsburgh to discuss financial growth
• 20-inch rain in Georgia claims some lives.
• Swine Flu vaccines have been released and are in high demand. May have side-effects fro younger people.
• Typhoon Katsana claims over 300 lives.
Faces in the News:
Some faces in the news that you could see are Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton who has been having meetings with the President of Russia, Dimitry Medvedeve. Another is Herta Mueller from Romania but was raised in Germany. She won the Nobel Prize for literature. Hamid Karzai is another for being the current President of Afghanistan, accused of a voting fraud against opponent Abdullah Abdullah. A run-off election will be held soon.
Interesting New Words:
Some new words I learned are…
Freshie- A freshman.
Globie- A Global Ed. Student
Super Senior- A senior that has repeated the grade.
Palpitate- Racing or intense.
Akimbo- outstretched arms and legs
Paroxysm- Spasms or convulsions.
Popular or Memorable Songs:
One of the most popular songs over the summer was “I Got a Feeling” by the Black Eyed Peas. It is still in the top ten. I loved the song when it first came out, but now it is over-played way too much. I used to love it, and I still do but it gets a little annoying after the thousandth time you’ve heard it, right? I have to here it at least ten times on Wednesday since my Synchronized Skating Team is skating to it.
Popular or Memorable Movies:
One of the funniest movies I have ever seen is “Couples Retreat” which is number one in the box office. It is simply hilarious. Another cute movie that is 3-D is the movie “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs”, which was based off a book and is so cute!
Rumors or Gossip:
I’ve learned to realize that most of the rumors you hear in high school aren’t true at all. I know many friends that have had bad rumors spread around about them like my one friend had a rumor spread that she was gay. The best thing to do is not spread them and don’t believe them. They are almost 95% not true every time.
Fads and Trends:
Some fads and trends in my school are the always reoccurring “Ugg” boots every winter and the “North Face” jackets most people wear. Also school apparel is popular. Showing school spirit is always cool! Ribbons, bows and headbands are popular in hair, too!
First Cultural Event:
My first cultural event was a creative display about Arlington National Cemetery that I went to in the spring. I planned it out a week ahead of time then saved actually doing it to the two days before it was due. It worked out and I got a good grade for my fist time. (B+)
Homecoming:
I cannot wait for homecoming! I borrowed this gorgeous dress form my friend who is a senior at Northville and I had it tailored so it fits great. My best friends, Natalie and Laura are going out to eat Saturday at lunch then going to Laura’s house to get ready, then going to my date Sam’s house where we are going to have dinner and take pictures!! It will be so fun! Especially if it does not rain… I can’t wait for the game either! (If it doesn’t rain then either) but my friend Stephanie and I are going to dress up and party it out there!!
Advice for a freshman:
My sister is going to be a freshman next year, so some advice I would have is to definitely study hard because you can fall behind easily if you are not paying attention. Also, don’t be afraid to get extra help after school. Grades help improve your life in the future.
What I’m looking forward to:
I am looking forward to the rest of my school year. Who knows what will come with high school?? All I know is that it will be great!! I can tell it will be a fun year.
Other Noteworthy Events or Achievements:
Well, this isn’t really a positive event but I got an expander that I hate with a passion. It bugs me SO much. I can’t wait to get it out, but I guess I’m going to have it in for a while. Great. On the bright side, I landed my flip in skating which is a full revolution around in the air landing on the same foot you took off on. I was really excited when I got it!! I landed it ten times in a row but then I landed weird on my ankle so it hurt to do it anymore. I’m getting it back, though.
And this has been my Month in Review!!
In high school I have tried to stay friends with all of my close friends from last year, including my best friend Natalie! I have also made a bunch of new friends. How could you not with all the people in high school? I am friends with a bunch of older kids in all different grades. I have a variety of friends from seniors to other freshman. It’s good to know other kids in different grades because they can help you get to know the school especially if you are a freshman which is why I love both my old friends, and new friends!
SHS Activities Attended:
My most favorite after-school activity at high school that I have attended would have to most certainly have to be the Varsity football games on Fridays. I love going out and supporting the team even though it made be freezing outside. All of my friends go, so it’s almost like a huge party. I loved going to the freshman and Welcome Back dances, too!
Funniest, Weirdest, and Scariest Moments:
If I was to picture myself a year ago, where I would be on a school night- I for some reason would have never imagined I would be alone with my best friend at a bar at 9:30 at night. We weren’t drinking or anything, we were alone because we had been hanging out at a place next door and it closed up, and they kicked us out. My mom couldn’t come yet and we couldn’t reach her on our cell phones. To top it off, my cell died and we only had my friends. It was dark, raining, and cold so we decided to walk to the closest place…which happened to be the bar next door. We tried to stay calm as we walked in, of course everyone stared since we were young teenagers walking into a bar but we tried not to make eye-contact. I called my mom over and over. No answer. We were beginning to panic. What if one of the drunks saw we were alone and kidnapped us? They’d find out bodies the next day somewhere in a ditch. Well, luckily we got a hold of my Mom and she came to get us. I have never been more thankful to be in school the next day. That had to be one of the weirdest and scariest moments of my life. But now, I can look back on it and laugh.
Hardest, Easiest Class Assignments:
The hardest assignment for me would probably have to be this packet we got in geometry about how to do Proofs, which I didn’t get so much. In art though, we had easy assignments like drawing spheres, cubes, and cones which was easy. It got challenging with shading but it still was my easiest class.
Top Five Current Events:
• Slightly unstable Iran has nuclear capability.
• The G-20 met in Pittsburgh to discuss financial growth
• 20-inch rain in Georgia claims some lives.
• Swine Flu vaccines have been released and are in high demand. May have side-effects fro younger people.
• Typhoon Katsana claims over 300 lives.
Faces in the News:
Some faces in the news that you could see are Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton who has been having meetings with the President of Russia, Dimitry Medvedeve. Another is Herta Mueller from Romania but was raised in Germany. She won the Nobel Prize for literature. Hamid Karzai is another for being the current President of Afghanistan, accused of a voting fraud against opponent Abdullah Abdullah. A run-off election will be held soon.
Interesting New Words:
Some new words I learned are…
Freshie- A freshman.
Globie- A Global Ed. Student
Super Senior- A senior that has repeated the grade.
Palpitate- Racing or intense.
Akimbo- outstretched arms and legs
Paroxysm- Spasms or convulsions.
Popular or Memorable Songs:
One of the most popular songs over the summer was “I Got a Feeling” by the Black Eyed Peas. It is still in the top ten. I loved the song when it first came out, but now it is over-played way too much. I used to love it, and I still do but it gets a little annoying after the thousandth time you’ve heard it, right? I have to here it at least ten times on Wednesday since my Synchronized Skating Team is skating to it.
Popular or Memorable Movies:
One of the funniest movies I have ever seen is “Couples Retreat” which is number one in the box office. It is simply hilarious. Another cute movie that is 3-D is the movie “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs”, which was based off a book and is so cute!
Rumors or Gossip:
I’ve learned to realize that most of the rumors you hear in high school aren’t true at all. I know many friends that have had bad rumors spread around about them like my one friend had a rumor spread that she was gay. The best thing to do is not spread them and don’t believe them. They are almost 95% not true every time.
Fads and Trends:
Some fads and trends in my school are the always reoccurring “Ugg” boots every winter and the “North Face” jackets most people wear. Also school apparel is popular. Showing school spirit is always cool! Ribbons, bows and headbands are popular in hair, too!
First Cultural Event:
My first cultural event was a creative display about Arlington National Cemetery that I went to in the spring. I planned it out a week ahead of time then saved actually doing it to the two days before it was due. It worked out and I got a good grade for my fist time. (B+)
Homecoming:
I cannot wait for homecoming! I borrowed this gorgeous dress form my friend who is a senior at Northville and I had it tailored so it fits great. My best friends, Natalie and Laura are going out to eat Saturday at lunch then going to Laura’s house to get ready, then going to my date Sam’s house where we are going to have dinner and take pictures!! It will be so fun! Especially if it does not rain… I can’t wait for the game either! (If it doesn’t rain then either) but my friend Stephanie and I are going to dress up and party it out there!!
Advice for a freshman:
My sister is going to be a freshman next year, so some advice I would have is to definitely study hard because you can fall behind easily if you are not paying attention. Also, don’t be afraid to get extra help after school. Grades help improve your life in the future.
What I’m looking forward to:
I am looking forward to the rest of my school year. Who knows what will come with high school?? All I know is that it will be great!! I can tell it will be a fun year.
Other Noteworthy Events or Achievements:
Well, this isn’t really a positive event but I got an expander that I hate with a passion. It bugs me SO much. I can’t wait to get it out, but I guess I’m going to have it in for a while. Great. On the bright side, I landed my flip in skating which is a full revolution around in the air landing on the same foot you took off on. I was really excited when I got it!! I landed it ten times in a row but then I landed weird on my ankle so it hurt to do it anymore. I’m getting it back, though.
And this has been my Month in Review!!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
america's great culture
America’s culture is very distinct then most cultures. It isn’t made up of just one main culture, but of a lot of different cultures mixed together almost like making a smoothie in a blender. There are so many different flavors that it almost just combines and makes one distinguished flavor. But there are a few defining factors that make it America, such as holidays that commemorate American figures, (which other countries do not) , for example Martin Luther King Day, Columbus Day, Pearl Harbor Remembrance day, and a lot more. America is also very powerful with a strong central government and strong military forces. In fact, it is one of the most powerful countries in the world. An example of our powerful government is the fact that America was the first country with a democracy government; in fact early Americans invented this type of government.
I would define my own culture as being diverse and unique. I think my culture encourages individuality, we don’t have to abide by any dictator’s orders, and we can just do what we feel. In other countries, known as a “we” cultures provoke being one, and all being in a group. But in America, we have a “me” culture which lets us have the freedom to do what we want by ourselves and not like the group. I like to be my own person, and I am very thankful my culture lets me do that.
I would define my own culture as being diverse and unique. I think my culture encourages individuality, we don’t have to abide by any dictator’s orders, and we can just do what we feel. In other countries, known as a “we” cultures provoke being one, and all being in a group. But in America, we have a “me” culture which lets us have the freedom to do what we want by ourselves and not like the group. I like to be my own person, and I am very thankful my culture lets me do that.
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