Spring Break- A time when students K-12 have a week off from school. What do some students do with their break? Go on an exciting trip to Disney World or Mexico? Stay home and play a lot of Final Fantasy?
I spend my spring breaks in Hot Springs with family. I usually stay at my uncle's house, and this uncle of mine is not the every day uncle. He just so happens to live in Hot Springs Village.
Though Hot Springs is generally a place where wealthy retired folks live to show off their million dollar house and exquisite landscaping, my uncle knows how to keep everything fun. Usually, when I stay at his house, I sleep in the basement. The immediate thought of a basement is a cold, murky area that most people keep hidden. This basment contains a TV...hooked up to computer with an abundance of movies that I could watch for days (such as The Matrix, The Godfather, Vertigo, and The Shawshank Redemption).
The basement, of couse would never be the highlight of spring break. The highlight would be the time spent with my mom's super crazy side of the family. They know how to make me laugh and always have some sort of story worth hearing.
I also get to see my best friend (okay, she also plays the part of my cousin), Ashleigh. With an age difference of two years, Ash and I have had a sisterly bond since she was a baby. A dull moment never seems to happen when we are together; we are always stirring up some sort of trouble.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
A Diet Book Takes a Stand? (TAS book review)
217 pages
Though the title is not considered appropriate for most, Skinny B really proved a point about factory farming to its readers. Surprisingly, it's a diet/self-help book too. What a combination!
This book really has no similarity to any diet book I've ever heard of. Usually diet books sugar coat health facts, but the authors of this book, Kim Barnouin and Rory Freedman really pack punches with their blunt and tough words and grab the reader's attention. The authors tell the reader what she needs to hear. They not only discussed why meat-eating is unhealthy for everyone, but also took a major stand on factory farming, which impressed me. Freedman and Barnouin exposed a lot of what goes on behind closed doors of factory farms. I personally loved their unconventional style; however, some just cannot handle the honestly.
The theme of this book was quite heartfelt. Despite the title of the book, Freedman and Barnouin's point is that being skinny does not matter; as long as we're healthy, we should feel good about ourselves. I fully agree with the theme given. Women should be happy if they're healthy and fit, because not everyone will have a model's figure.
I recommend this book to every female out there that will not be easily offended. This book really proves a good point and really tackles major problems.
Though the title is not considered appropriate for most, Skinny B really proved a point about factory farming to its readers. Surprisingly, it's a diet/self-help book too. What a combination!
This book really has no similarity to any diet book I've ever heard of. Usually diet books sugar coat health facts, but the authors of this book, Kim Barnouin and Rory Freedman really pack punches with their blunt and tough words and grab the reader's attention. The authors tell the reader what she needs to hear. They not only discussed why meat-eating is unhealthy for everyone, but also took a major stand on factory farming, which impressed me. Freedman and Barnouin exposed a lot of what goes on behind closed doors of factory farms. I personally loved their unconventional style; however, some just cannot handle the honestly.
The theme of this book was quite heartfelt. Despite the title of the book, Freedman and Barnouin's point is that being skinny does not matter; as long as we're healthy, we should feel good about ourselves. I fully agree with the theme given. Women should be happy if they're healthy and fit, because not everyone will have a model's figure.
I recommend this book to every female out there that will not be easily offended. This book really proves a good point and really tackles major problems.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Persuasion
I don't use persuasion much, therefore I am HORRIBLE at trying to persuade others or maybe I am horrible at persuading and therefore I refuse to try. What came first: The chicken or the egg? Sometimes, if I'm lucky, I can persuade my parents to let me go somewhere. So, persuasion isn't huge in my book.
Will persuasion ever be a skill I try to master? Probably not.
I see companies trying to persuade to use their product everywhere, especially on television. Call America stubborn, but a lot of us are just annoyed.
That's what persuasion is for a lot of people: annoying someone or tempting someone until the moment they break and do whatever the persuader was persuading them to do. Others, are actually worth listening to. Very few people can convince me to do something I wouldn't do already.
Will persuasion ever be a skill I try to master? Probably not.
I see companies trying to persuade to use their product everywhere, especially on television. Call America stubborn, but a lot of us are just annoyed.
That's what persuasion is for a lot of people: annoying someone or tempting someone until the moment they break and do whatever the persuader was persuading them to do. Others, are actually worth listening to. Very few people can convince me to do something I wouldn't do already.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
What It Means to be a Winner
(Writer's Notebook)
Naturally, people want to be better than someone at something. It's called being competitive. Winning doesn't always prove that you're better than someone else at whatever it is you're competing at, just as losing doesn't mean you're not as good as others at whatever it is you're competing at. Remember: We all have are bad days and good days.
Winning is just a good feeling for most. The prize doesn't have to be tangible, it could be pride itself. Too much pride, however, causes someone to be an egomaniac. That type of a person is never fun to be around. I admit, sometimes I sometimes get a bit cocky when I compete in chair tests, but I never let it go to my head.
I've "won" spots in all-region and all-state and first chair in our little school band back in my junior high days. I felt accomplished, because I felt as if I deserved it.
Winning could either mean being lucky or very determined.
I guess you can pick up vibes that I have REALLY mixed feelings on the topic.
Naturally, people want to be better than someone at something. It's called being competitive. Winning doesn't always prove that you're better than someone else at whatever it is you're competing at, just as losing doesn't mean you're not as good as others at whatever it is you're competing at. Remember: We all have are bad days and good days.
Winning is just a good feeling for most. The prize doesn't have to be tangible, it could be pride itself. Too much pride, however, causes someone to be an egomaniac. That type of a person is never fun to be around. I admit, sometimes I sometimes get a bit cocky when I compete in chair tests, but I never let it go to my head.
I've "won" spots in all-region and all-state and first chair in our little school band back in my junior high days. I felt accomplished, because I felt as if I deserved it.
Winning could either mean being lucky or very determined.
I guess you can pick up vibes that I have REALLY mixed feelings on the topic.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Olympic Athletes vs. Every Day People
Olympic athletes get credited for their hard work and determination when competing in the Olympics. Some athletes' multiple hours of practice pay of when they get the honor and glory of being a medalist. They give athletes someone to look up to and aspire to be like.
Maybe everyone sees people with the determination and commitment of an Olympic athlete every day without knowing it. People who aspire to work in the medical field must have a load of determination to get astounding grades to get into good universities and excel there to go to medical school and do well there to be a trusted surgeon.
That doesn't apply to doctors only. It applies to everyone with dreams. I dream to keep music in my life and have the honor of teaching other minds about music or at least be a pro musician and play in random symphonies.
I have been "training" since 6th grade to reach that goal. I think it's going well, because I've been honored with making all-state band. Okay...so it was a low chair in, but still an accomplishment! I want to do better, though. Not to be able say that I'm better than a lot of clarinet players, but to reach this mental goal I have: do well at what I love doing.
Maybe everyone sees people with the determination and commitment of an Olympic athlete every day without knowing it. People who aspire to work in the medical field must have a load of determination to get astounding grades to get into good universities and excel there to go to medical school and do well there to be a trusted surgeon.
That doesn't apply to doctors only. It applies to everyone with dreams. I dream to keep music in my life and have the honor of teaching other minds about music or at least be a pro musician and play in random symphonies.
I have been "training" since 6th grade to reach that goal. I think it's going well, because I've been honored with making all-state band. Okay...so it was a low chair in, but still an accomplishment! I want to do better, though. Not to be able say that I'm better than a lot of clarinet players, but to reach this mental goal I have: do well at what I love doing.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
I'm Not Sure How A Cat Standing Up Is Going to Inspire Me, but...
(Writer's Notebook)
We were shown an adorable picture of a cat standing on its tiptoes, and I suppose it's supposed to inspire us on something in our world we want to take a stand on. I'm not sure how the to connect, besides the whole "stand" thing.
Anyways, something that I want to take a stand on --besides vegetarianism-- is abortion, one of those issues I have a more conservative view on. (Side note: I really hope I'm interpreting this assignment correctly)
In my eyes, everyone has the natural right to be born. It disgusts me that people abort babies just because they're not ready to be a parent. Here's a thought: If you're not able to support a child, you're not ready to have sex. Even with protected sex, there's always a small chance of pregnancy. That may sound super crazy to some of you.
I understand that the pro choice view is that people should have the choice whether to keep the baby or not and not just pro abortion. The thing is: that is the equivalent to deciding who's going to live and who's going to die and no one deserves that right (Another side note: I'm not big on capital punishment either). Not to mention that the methods of abortion are brutally cruel.
Anyway. I hope I responded correctly. If not, well... at least my view on abortion is out there.
We were shown an adorable picture of a cat standing on its tiptoes, and I suppose it's supposed to inspire us on something in our world we want to take a stand on. I'm not sure how the to connect, besides the whole "stand" thing.
Anyways, something that I want to take a stand on --besides vegetarianism-- is abortion, one of those issues I have a more conservative view on. (Side note: I really hope I'm interpreting this assignment correctly)
In my eyes, everyone has the natural right to be born. It disgusts me that people abort babies just because they're not ready to be a parent. Here's a thought: If you're not able to support a child, you're not ready to have sex. Even with protected sex, there's always a small chance of pregnancy. That may sound super crazy to some of you.
I understand that the pro choice view is that people should have the choice whether to keep the baby or not and not just pro abortion. The thing is: that is the equivalent to deciding who's going to live and who's going to die and no one deserves that right (Another side note: I'm not big on capital punishment either). Not to mention that the methods of abortion are brutally cruel.
Anyway. I hope I responded correctly. If not, well... at least my view on abortion is out there.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Welcome to Victoria's San Francisco
(Writer's Notebook Topic)
Resting in her soft and cozy home/nest, Victoria is situated on the very top of the Golden Gate Bridge and is gazing upon the midnight lights of San Francisco. A few cars are still coasting along the crime-diseased roads and many buildings still lit up. It's as though while the good people drift away into a deep slumber, the city rats wake up and begin the terrorizing. If only this city could just go to sleep, Victoria thought,Oh well, as long as I can manage to squeeze some hours of sleep in, I guess I'll be alright.
The golden sunrise over San Francisco Bay greeted Victoria and awakened her softly with its sweet-tasting mist.
Resting in her soft and cozy home/nest, Victoria is situated on the very top of the Golden Gate Bridge and is gazing upon the midnight lights of San Francisco. A few cars are still coasting along the crime-diseased roads and many buildings still lit up. It's as though while the good people drift away into a deep slumber, the city rats wake up and begin the terrorizing. If only this city could just go to sleep, Victoria thought,Oh well, as long as I can manage to squeeze some hours of sleep in, I guess I'll be alright.
The golden sunrise over San Francisco Bay greeted Victoria and awakened her softly with its sweet-tasting mist.
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