Sunday, December 9, 2012
Friday, November 9, 2012
Research Paper Progress Report
Topic: Racism in Soccer
Sources:
Bennett, Roger. "In the Struggle Against Racism, England Finds Hope." ESPN FC. 6 November 2012. 15 November 2012. Web.
This article is helpful because it compares the addressing of racism in England today to the acceptance of racism in soccer decades ago.
"FIFA Against Discrimination." FIFA. 2012. 15 November 2012. Web.
This is an important source because it states the stance against racism of FIFA, world soccer's governing body.
Hughes, Rob. "As Euro 2012 Nears, Troubling Issues Surface." New York Times. 29 May 2012. Print.
This article talks about developments at the most recent international tournament. These developments provide insight into how culture and politics affect international soccer matches.
Kuper, Simon and Stefan Szymansk. Soccernomics. New York: Nation Books, 2012. Print.
This book has a couple of chapters about racism in modern European professional choices for managers and players, and it has a lot of historical background to racism in it.
Longman, Jere. "Racism Charges Put a Sport on Edge." The New York Times. 21 December 2011. Print.
This article talks about two very recent cases of racism in soccer.
Longman, Jere. “World Cup Plans Anti-Racism Defense.” International Herald Tribune. 4 June 2006. Print.
Ouseley, Lord Herman, et al. "Kick It Out Annual Review 2010-2011." Kick It Out. 2011. Web.
This is a good source because it is a review from an organization that is dedicated to addressing racism in soccer.
Sources:
Bennett, Roger. "In the Struggle Against Racism, England Finds Hope." ESPN FC. 6 November 2012. 15 November 2012. Web.
This article is helpful because it compares the addressing of racism in England today to the acceptance of racism in soccer decades ago.
"FIFA Against Discrimination." FIFA. 2012. 15 November 2012. Web.
This is an important source because it states the stance against racism of FIFA, world soccer's governing body.
Hughes, Rob. "As Euro 2012 Nears, Troubling Issues Surface." New York Times. 29 May 2012. Print.
This article talks about developments at the most recent international tournament. These developments provide insight into how culture and politics affect international soccer matches.
Kuper, Simon and Stefan Szymansk. Soccernomics. New York: Nation Books, 2012. Print.
This book has a couple of chapters about racism in modern European professional choices for managers and players, and it has a lot of historical background to racism in it.
Longman, Jere. "Racism Charges Put a Sport on Edge." The New York Times. 21 December 2011. Print.
This article talks about two very recent cases of racism in soccer.
Longman, Jere. “World Cup Plans Anti-Racism Defense.” International Herald Tribune. 4 June 2006. Print.
Ouseley, Lord Herman, et al. "Kick It Out Annual Review 2010-2011." Kick It Out. 2011. Web.
This is a good source because it is a review from an organization that is dedicated to addressing racism in soccer.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Complaining about American Sports
Americans play a variety of sports, but America's favorite sports are generally not well represented worldwide. There are many wonderful sports in the world, but two of America's top three aren't even in the Olympics. Maybe they are not represented at the ultimate world competition because there are parts of American football and baseball that are utterly ridiculous.
Americans recently finished their investment with the World Series. The World Series? So it includes baseball teams from all over the world? No. Maybe it's because Americans think that we are the best at everything (well of course we are), that our world only consist of the American Major League Baseball. Yes, I know there is one team from Canada. Wow, how exotic. They should really stop including "world" in the title. If you want to see a properly named world event, go to the World Cup.
Another annoying thing about the World Series is how ridiculously long it takes. Seven games! Is that really necessary? I think they should mimic the UEFA Champions League and do two games, one away and one at home, and add the scores together. There's an easy way to balance home advantage and make it simple. But I guess baseball teams can do multiple series instead of single games, because baseball does not require that much exercise anyways.
Football players get their dose of less exercise by only having one game per week. European soccer clubs have league games on the weekend with occasional cup games midweek, but is football seriously more tiring than soccer? Football players switch out between offense and defense, unlike the limit of three substitutions for over ninety solid minutes in soccer. Let me not forget to mention they can suck oxygen from the sidelines, and they can rest every time play stops. That is a lot of rest time; I wonder how a sport manages to have more stoppage time than actual playing.
And how did they come up with the name football? Football makes use of hands more than feet to move the ball. But actually, general use of players has nothing to do with the ball; they just repeatedly run into each other. If you want to do that, don't be a wimp; lose the armor and go play rugby. And this method of play is all perfectly orchestrated. Before every play, the quarterback is looking at that thing on his arm, and is probably in contact with coaches, preplanning a play. In every other sport, players make up the play as they go along and that is part of the beauty of the game. In basketball, the American sport I have no problem with, players have to make quick intelligent decisions of where to pass. It requires more brain power, and brain power isn't being lost in collision concussions.
Nevertheless, Americans all indulge in the same sports enthusiasm. I go to my high school football games (much more for the screaming than for the game). While most American spectators don't actually watch the game, maybe that is what Americans desire. We can't focus on a ninety minute soccer game for the glorious goal, and we require more commercial breaks than one long set at half time. When would we go get food? Americans don't have patience, so we need breaks and boring play so that we can multitask and get distracted. We only enjoy watching sport as a reason to scream and eat. It's the American way.
Americans recently finished their investment with the World Series. The World Series? So it includes baseball teams from all over the world? No. Maybe it's because Americans think that we are the best at everything (well of course we are), that our world only consist of the American Major League Baseball. Yes, I know there is one team from Canada. Wow, how exotic. They should really stop including "world" in the title. If you want to see a properly named world event, go to the World Cup.
Another annoying thing about the World Series is how ridiculously long it takes. Seven games! Is that really necessary? I think they should mimic the UEFA Champions League and do two games, one away and one at home, and add the scores together. There's an easy way to balance home advantage and make it simple. But I guess baseball teams can do multiple series instead of single games, because baseball does not require that much exercise anyways.
Football players get their dose of less exercise by only having one game per week. European soccer clubs have league games on the weekend with occasional cup games midweek, but is football seriously more tiring than soccer? Football players switch out between offense and defense, unlike the limit of three substitutions for over ninety solid minutes in soccer. Let me not forget to mention they can suck oxygen from the sidelines, and they can rest every time play stops. That is a lot of rest time; I wonder how a sport manages to have more stoppage time than actual playing.
And how did they come up with the name football? Football makes use of hands more than feet to move the ball. But actually, general use of players has nothing to do with the ball; they just repeatedly run into each other. If you want to do that, don't be a wimp; lose the armor and go play rugby. And this method of play is all perfectly orchestrated. Before every play, the quarterback is looking at that thing on his arm, and is probably in contact with coaches, preplanning a play. In every other sport, players make up the play as they go along and that is part of the beauty of the game. In basketball, the American sport I have no problem with, players have to make quick intelligent decisions of where to pass. It requires more brain power, and brain power isn't being lost in collision concussions.
Nevertheless, Americans all indulge in the same sports enthusiasm. I go to my high school football games (much more for the screaming than for the game). While most American spectators don't actually watch the game, maybe that is what Americans desire. We can't focus on a ninety minute soccer game for the glorious goal, and we require more commercial breaks than one long set at half time. When would we go get food? Americans don't have patience, so we need breaks and boring play so that we can multitask and get distracted. We only enjoy watching sport as a reason to scream and eat. It's the American way.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Senior Project Update
So I haven't really done that much on my senior project, but I will try to describe what I have done to make it sound somewhat progressive.
First, I changed my project slightly. I was going to relandscape both my front and back yards, but now I am only doing the front yard. I got it approved by Mr. Gilbert a while ago. This is not (entirely) out of laziness. We got chickens since the last time I wrote an update about my senior project. And they poop everywhere and eat everything. They live in the backyard, and their pooping and eating would ruin pretty landscaping possibilities. Also, my dad built this large clunky fence through the middle of the backyard to keep their feathers and poop in one section. And I don't like the fence and there is a bunch of other ugly and complicated stuff in the backyard, so it seems too ambitious. Doing just the front yard will allow me to be more focused and do a better job.
I haven't done any physical landscaping work. But I have been to several senior project workshops, which were helpful, especially because Mrs. Guerard helped me find that there is a local Native Plant Society (I am doing my research paper on native plants). And actually I am meeting with my mentor tomorrow during my free fifth period. Also I watched a couple HGTV landscaping shows, which were somewhat inspiring, but also made me wish that I had a work crew that could do a yard in three days.
Honestly, most of what I have done is push this to the back of mind and decide to focus on college essays instead. But I am excited to learn how to get started when I meet with my mentor tomorrow.
First, I changed my project slightly. I was going to relandscape both my front and back yards, but now I am only doing the front yard. I got it approved by Mr. Gilbert a while ago. This is not (entirely) out of laziness. We got chickens since the last time I wrote an update about my senior project. And they poop everywhere and eat everything. They live in the backyard, and their pooping and eating would ruin pretty landscaping possibilities. Also, my dad built this large clunky fence through the middle of the backyard to keep their feathers and poop in one section. And I don't like the fence and there is a bunch of other ugly and complicated stuff in the backyard, so it seems too ambitious. Doing just the front yard will allow me to be more focused and do a better job.
I haven't done any physical landscaping work. But I have been to several senior project workshops, which were helpful, especially because Mrs. Guerard helped me find that there is a local Native Plant Society (I am doing my research paper on native plants). And actually I am meeting with my mentor tomorrow during my free fifth period. Also I watched a couple HGTV landscaping shows, which were somewhat inspiring, but also made me wish that I had a work crew that could do a yard in three days.
Honestly, most of what I have done is push this to the back of mind and decide to focus on college essays instead. But I am excited to learn how to get started when I meet with my mentor tomorrow.
Monday, October 22, 2012
On Gore Vidal's "Drugs"
I accept the main idea of Vidal's statement, that "each man has the right to do what he wants with his own life," "as long as he does not interfere with his neighbor's pursuit of happiness." Whatever one believes to be essential to their pursuit of happiness, even if it is irresponsible or not respectable, should be accepted if it does not inhibit the similar search of other humans.
I would completely accept the statement if the actions of individuals could be completely without influence on others, but with drugs and other illegal activities, this ideal is not generally the case. Drugs cause fractures in families, and harm to those who must provide the money for another's addictions. In these cases, I do not accept Vidal's assumption that people with easy access to drugs are not necessarily threats to their neighbors. Drug use will always attract the attention of others, and outsiders may be thrust into their acquaintances' downward spirals with illegal drugs.
The easy access certain people will have to drugs will be displayed to everyone around them. This will disgust some and intrigue others. Teenage choices to use drugs "can have both immediate and long-term health consequences for themselves, their families, and their communities (National Survey on Drug Use and Health)." They may have made these choices based on the actions of their chosen role models. Those chosen role models, drug users by choice, are influenced the pursuit of happiness of their followers and by extension, their follower's families, and followers of their followers, and so on and so forth. In this way of constant influence, drugs have the ability to take over entire communities, such as it did in South Central Los Angeles. Any drug use takes a lot of emotional effort on the members of families and friend circles who want to prevent it.
There is also the obvious monetary cost. Even if drugs are legalized and "sold at cost," as Vidal proposes, there is still money involved, even if not at steep cartel prices. Currently, people spend billions on drugs each year, and the number is ever increasing. Money people should save or spend on food, will be spent on drugs to ease the pain of hunger or lack of shelter. The homeless generally have a disproportionate amount of drug use. Those who crave drugs, need money, and they will sometimes get that money from others, affecting those other people's resources for the pursuit of happiness.
I would completely accept the statement if the actions of individuals could be completely without influence on others, but with drugs and other illegal activities, this ideal is not generally the case. Drugs cause fractures in families, and harm to those who must provide the money for another's addictions. In these cases, I do not accept Vidal's assumption that people with easy access to drugs are not necessarily threats to their neighbors. Drug use will always attract the attention of others, and outsiders may be thrust into their acquaintances' downward spirals with illegal drugs.
The easy access certain people will have to drugs will be displayed to everyone around them. This will disgust some and intrigue others. Teenage choices to use drugs "can have both immediate and long-term health consequences for themselves, their families, and their communities (National Survey on Drug Use and Health)." They may have made these choices based on the actions of their chosen role models. Those chosen role models, drug users by choice, are influenced the pursuit of happiness of their followers and by extension, their follower's families, and followers of their followers, and so on and so forth. In this way of constant influence, drugs have the ability to take over entire communities, such as it did in South Central Los Angeles. Any drug use takes a lot of emotional effort on the members of families and friend circles who want to prevent it.
There is also the obvious monetary cost. Even if drugs are legalized and "sold at cost," as Vidal proposes, there is still money involved, even if not at steep cartel prices. Currently, people spend billions on drugs each year, and the number is ever increasing. Money people should save or spend on food, will be spent on drugs to ease the pain of hunger or lack of shelter. The homeless generally have a disproportionate amount of drug use. Those who crave drugs, need money, and they will sometimes get that money from others, affecting those other people's resources for the pursuit of happiness.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
On "Politics and the English Language"
George Orwell comments on how the English language has evolved with politics; politicians use the increasingly ambigious and superfluous words of the modern English language. I see this change in language everywhere, not just in politics. People use euphemisms to hide the pain of the truth. Students switch their original word choices for college vocabuluary from a thesaurus. Politicians hide a lack of facts under inspiring speech. But at some point, it has to be about the content, not the flowery diction.
Orwell uses lots of example throughout this essay, and the examples are essential to backing up his point. He uses long lists of italicized phrases and words to show examples of the problems he his describing. Some of these phrases are outdated, but since he has such long lists, modern readers will find at least one example that has stuck around in the everychanging English language. The five examples of passages placed between paragraphs 3 and 4 were particularly good in showing the excessive and vague nature of high language. As I read those passages outloud, I still found myself confused and tuned out.
The juxtaposition of Orwell's language with his example passages provided a good comparison and contrast for language; while I could not comprehend some of the examples, I definitely got Orwell's point. Another excellent comparison and contrast was between the verse from Ecclesiastes and Orwell's modern interpretation of it (par. 9-10).
Orwell also uses classification to show the many ways the language has changed. He divides the essay into these topics: Dying Metaphors, Operators or Verbal False Links, Prententious Diction, and Meaningless Diction. My favorite was "Prententious Diction." I know I have been guilty of trying to use fancy jargon, and almost everyone has. People use prententious diction to try to sound smarter, but it really just makes everything harder to understand. No one wants to read an essay while stopping to grab the dictionary every other sentence. Just talk normal and tell the truth; it makes it easier for all of us.
Orwell uses lots of example throughout this essay, and the examples are essential to backing up his point. He uses long lists of italicized phrases and words to show examples of the problems he his describing. Some of these phrases are outdated, but since he has such long lists, modern readers will find at least one example that has stuck around in the everychanging English language. The five examples of passages placed between paragraphs 3 and 4 were particularly good in showing the excessive and vague nature of high language. As I read those passages outloud, I still found myself confused and tuned out.
The juxtaposition of Orwell's language with his example passages provided a good comparison and contrast for language; while I could not comprehend some of the examples, I definitely got Orwell's point. Another excellent comparison and contrast was between the verse from Ecclesiastes and Orwell's modern interpretation of it (par. 9-10).
Orwell also uses classification to show the many ways the language has changed. He divides the essay into these topics: Dying Metaphors, Operators or Verbal False Links, Prententious Diction, and Meaningless Diction. My favorite was "Prententious Diction." I know I have been guilty of trying to use fancy jargon, and almost everyone has. People use prententious diction to try to sound smarter, but it really just makes everything harder to understand. No one wants to read an essay while stopping to grab the dictionary every other sentence. Just talk normal and tell the truth; it makes it easier for all of us.
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Young Bloggers
I looked up the top teenage blogs, and this is my favorite one that I found.
This is why it's cool:
1) She's only 13, and she started the blog when she was 9!
2) It has a mix of a lot of different things: fashion, photography, art, music, and her musings on life.
3) It starts playing music when you scroll down. And she quotes a lot of music, which I am a fan of.
4) She puts in quotes and pictures very well.
5) The sidebar is really excellent. It has a clock, links to her interviews and recognition, an ask box, drawings people have made of her, her favorite blogs and artists, and sorted topics of her blog.
6) It shows that you don't have to have perfect English in blog posts. She doesn't have the best grammar, but it's still fun to read.
This is why it's cool:
1) She's only 13, and she started the blog when she was 9!
2) It has a mix of a lot of different things: fashion, photography, art, music, and her musings on life.
3) It starts playing music when you scroll down. And she quotes a lot of music, which I am a fan of.
4) She puts in quotes and pictures very well.
5) The sidebar is really excellent. It has a clock, links to her interviews and recognition, an ask box, drawings people have made of her, her favorite blogs and artists, and sorted topics of her blog.
6) It shows that you don't have to have perfect English in blog posts. She doesn't have the best grammar, but it's still fun to read.
Friday, October 12, 2012
Research Paper Topic
1. Topic: Racism in Sports (and I can narrow it down to just soccer if I should)
2. Recently there has been a couple of high profile cases of professional soccer players racially abusing players on the field. The Football Association has been working on charging these players. Their still is a lot that cannot be stopped, however, because the managers, the faces of the soccer clubs, are always white men, and other examples.
3. One resource I know I will use is the book Soccernomics. They had a section on the history of racism in soccer. There is probably a lot of material out there and cases I have not heard of, and I will find them and use them as resources.
4. I can't believe that these professionals would do stuff like the cases I mentioned earlier. And what I read in Soccernomics interested me to learn more.
5. People have probably done racism in sports, but the recent cases made a new perspective into the fact that IT'S STILL THERE in sports.
6. Should I narrow it to just soccer, or should I find some of the best cases across sports?
2. Recently there has been a couple of high profile cases of professional soccer players racially abusing players on the field. The Football Association has been working on charging these players. Their still is a lot that cannot be stopped, however, because the managers, the faces of the soccer clubs, are always white men, and other examples.
3. One resource I know I will use is the book Soccernomics. They had a section on the history of racism in soccer. There is probably a lot of material out there and cases I have not heard of, and I will find them and use them as resources.
4. I can't believe that these professionals would do stuff like the cases I mentioned earlier. And what I read in Soccernomics interested me to learn more.
5. People have probably done racism in sports, but the recent cases made a new perspective into the fact that IT'S STILL THERE in sports.
6. Should I narrow it to just soccer, or should I find some of the best cases across sports?
Classification of Players
When players are employees of a football club, they have more work-disrupting problems than the regular sick days and vacation days. They miss their scoring opportunities, they get injured, and they lose their spot in the first team. In soccer, there are a few types of players, and most of the classifications are very annoying.
Players that are Injured
Injuries are part of the game. When soccer is a job, bodies are the equipment and they periodically break down. A manager could have found a fantastic team, but when more than half of the starting defenders are injured, there is a major problem. That particular problem plagued Arsenal for much of last year, resulting in many goals against.
The timing of injuries can also frustrate a player's opportunity to hold a spot in the starting line-up, while letting someone else take advantage of their mishap. Bacary Sagna has been out with a leg break for a long time. He used to be a star defender, but his replacement, Carl Jenkinson, may be competition for his regular spot as right defender.
The timing of injuries can also be frustrating to everyone involved. When star center midfielder, Cesc Fabregas, left Arsenal, fans thought youngster Jack Wilshere might be able to take his place. Even the English national team has been placing their hopes on Wilshere for the 2014 World Cup. However, after his excellent form when he first joined the starting team, Wilshere has been injured for FOREVER. It may take along time to return to his top status, a frustrating disruption to his bright future.
Players that Could Be Playing Better
Perhaps more annoying than injuries, bad spells of soccer are cruel and confidence-thrashing. In this category, players have no excuse for their misplays except for their own lack of skill and fortune. They can fall into this category by transfering to a new team, being beat out for a position by a new signing, or sitting on the fence between substitute and starter.
Olivier Giroud transfered to Arsenal this summer from Montpellier. Although he scored 25 goals in his French season, he only finally scored his first Premier League goal last weekend. Fans hope this will jump-start his striking power, and bring his potential to the Arsenal level.
Personally, I am most sad to see Theo Walcott slip through the cracks. His inconsistency has recently lead him to the bench. He played a lot more last season than he does now, probably as a result of the latest summer signings. His lack of play has aroused transfer rumors, but with a goal and an assist last weekend, maybe he can make his way back up the ladder.
Players that We are Actually Happy With
We praise those players who are actually in form and have stayed away from injuries. These players cement their place in the starting line-up and push themselves into the fantastic highlight reels.
Let me sing my praises to Lukas Podolski, Santi Cazorla, and Mikel Arteta, and let me pray to the soccer gods that these players stay high and far beyond the previous categories.
Players that are Injured
Injuries are part of the game. When soccer is a job, bodies are the equipment and they periodically break down. A manager could have found a fantastic team, but when more than half of the starting defenders are injured, there is a major problem. That particular problem plagued Arsenal for much of last year, resulting in many goals against.
The timing of injuries can also frustrate a player's opportunity to hold a spot in the starting line-up, while letting someone else take advantage of their mishap. Bacary Sagna has been out with a leg break for a long time. He used to be a star defender, but his replacement, Carl Jenkinson, may be competition for his regular spot as right defender.
The timing of injuries can also be frustrating to everyone involved. When star center midfielder, Cesc Fabregas, left Arsenal, fans thought youngster Jack Wilshere might be able to take his place. Even the English national team has been placing their hopes on Wilshere for the 2014 World Cup. However, after his excellent form when he first joined the starting team, Wilshere has been injured for FOREVER. It may take along time to return to his top status, a frustrating disruption to his bright future.
Players that Could Be Playing Better
Perhaps more annoying than injuries, bad spells of soccer are cruel and confidence-thrashing. In this category, players have no excuse for their misplays except for their own lack of skill and fortune. They can fall into this category by transfering to a new team, being beat out for a position by a new signing, or sitting on the fence between substitute and starter.
Olivier Giroud transfered to Arsenal this summer from Montpellier. Although he scored 25 goals in his French season, he only finally scored his first Premier League goal last weekend. Fans hope this will jump-start his striking power, and bring his potential to the Arsenal level.
Personally, I am most sad to see Theo Walcott slip through the cracks. His inconsistency has recently lead him to the bench. He played a lot more last season than he does now, probably as a result of the latest summer signings. His lack of play has aroused transfer rumors, but with a goal and an assist last weekend, maybe he can make his way back up the ladder.
Players that We are Actually Happy With
We praise those players who are actually in form and have stayed away from injuries. These players cement their place in the starting line-up and push themselves into the fantastic highlight reels.
Let me sing my praises to Lukas Podolski, Santi Cazorla, and Mikel Arteta, and let me pray to the soccer gods that these players stay high and far beyond the previous categories.
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Monday, October 1, 2012
I Want A Husband
As I think about it, it would be nice to not have to work in my future. I want to be supported and be able to buy nice things, but not have to do the work for it. I would like to have a husband.
I want a husband that has the perfect job. I want a husband that completely supports me financially. He might have to spend a few extra hours in the office, but I guess I can tolerate that. I want a husband with lots of money. I want him to work and have pride in bringing in all the money while I am able to do as I please. Maybe I can take up baking or sewing. I want him to make so much money that he can later retire and then we can sit pleasantly on the porch and drink tea.
I want a husband that will do the dirty work, will clean the car and change the oil. I want to be able to remain on the porch without worries because my husband will be a handyman and will fix whatever brakes. I want a husband that will unclog the toilet and fix the fence. I want a husband who will protect me from everything and everyone that could hurt me. I want a husband who will go investigate when I hear frightening noises at night. I want a husband that will kill all the spiders. I want a husband that will hold me during scary movies.
I want a husband who will buy me nice things. I want a husband that will send me to the mall or to the spa. I want a husband that shows off his money by the things he buys me. But I also want to show him off, for if I have a husband I have succeeded as a woman. I want my husband to shower me in diamonds and affection. I want a husband so that I will not become a single old cat lady.
I want a husband that is the perfect gentlemen. I want a husband that still pulls out my chair and opens doors for me; I don't want the physical exertion of these meaningless tasks. I want a husband that buys me flowers and chocolate. I want a husband that takes me out to fancy dinners and shares his dessert. I want a husband that takes me to far away countries for beautiful vacations. I want a husband that will leave me basking on the beach while he goes on hikes and to museums. I want a husband who will suprise me with romantic gestures and remember our anniversary. I want a husband whose purpose in life is to make me happy.
My God, who wouldn't want a husband?
I want a husband that has the perfect job. I want a husband that completely supports me financially. He might have to spend a few extra hours in the office, but I guess I can tolerate that. I want a husband with lots of money. I want him to work and have pride in bringing in all the money while I am able to do as I please. Maybe I can take up baking or sewing. I want him to make so much money that he can later retire and then we can sit pleasantly on the porch and drink tea.
I want a husband that will do the dirty work, will clean the car and change the oil. I want to be able to remain on the porch without worries because my husband will be a handyman and will fix whatever brakes. I want a husband that will unclog the toilet and fix the fence. I want a husband who will protect me from everything and everyone that could hurt me. I want a husband who will go investigate when I hear frightening noises at night. I want a husband that will kill all the spiders. I want a husband that will hold me during scary movies.
I want a husband who will buy me nice things. I want a husband that will send me to the mall or to the spa. I want a husband that shows off his money by the things he buys me. But I also want to show him off, for if I have a husband I have succeeded as a woman. I want my husband to shower me in diamonds and affection. I want a husband so that I will not become a single old cat lady.
I want a husband that is the perfect gentlemen. I want a husband that still pulls out my chair and opens doors for me; I don't want the physical exertion of these meaningless tasks. I want a husband that buys me flowers and chocolate. I want a husband that takes me out to fancy dinners and shares his dessert. I want a husband that takes me to far away countries for beautiful vacations. I want a husband that will leave me basking on the beach while he goes on hikes and to museums. I want a husband who will suprise me with romantic gestures and remember our anniversary. I want a husband whose purpose in life is to make me happy.
My God, who wouldn't want a husband?
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Monday, September 24, 2012
p.314 #2. Cryonics: Another Quest for Immortality
Mitford's essay "Behind the Formaldehyde Curtain" mentions how morticians arrange and fix corpses so that the "concept of death has played no part whatsover." Americans focus on ignoring the end of life, euphemizing it as only passing away into another world. This common human fear of death has fueled the search for immortality throughout history. Cryonics, the phenomenon of quick-freezing the dead, is another theory in the quest for immortality. Too bad no one has discovered how to unfreeze the bodies and get them working again. For now, they lie in a limbo of liquid nitrogen.
As bodily functions begin to fail, humans become legally dead, and then they can escape into "neurological suspension." Their bodies are chilled as quickly as possible, and their fluids are swapped for anti-freeze solutions. If this is what you prefer, for only $28,000 your body can be shipped to the Cryonics Institute in Clinton Township to join the other frozen immortals: 37 people, 10 cats, and 6 dogs.
As previously stated, the human should be quickly chilled. It's also nice if Heparin is given to them. Then pack that human away and send them to the Cryonics Institute. Once it reaches the institute, the "wash out and perfusion" procedure, where blood is changed with a glycerin-based solution, is performed. A few hours later the human snuggles into a sleeping bag in a nice box of wood and fiberglass for a week. Dry ice sits on the box and its chilly vapors cool the body, decreasing it to negative forty degrees Fahrenheit. Next the body is put in an insulated container with liquid nitrogen. For a week, the human sinks into the liquid nitrogen until fully submerged at negative 320 degrees Fahrenheit. At last, the human can settle down in their long-term home called a cryostat. Their liquid nitrogen level is joyfully checked every day. Family can visit whenever they want, but shamefully will not see their relative through the cryostat.
The process freezes human cells so that the human is legally dead while their cells are still alive. With the correct heating process, cells will unfreeze and the body will turn on again. No one has discovered how to restore the bodies and reverse the damages of freezing, but they are working on it. Currently, Robert Ettinger, the founder of the cryonics movement, lies in liquid nitrogen, but if he is revived, he will certainly have more to add to his 1964 book, The Prospect of Immortality. His future, and many others, awaits the scientific technology to revive their bodies and make immortality a reality.
As bodily functions begin to fail, humans become legally dead, and then they can escape into "neurological suspension." Their bodies are chilled as quickly as possible, and their fluids are swapped for anti-freeze solutions. If this is what you prefer, for only $28,000 your body can be shipped to the Cryonics Institute in Clinton Township to join the other frozen immortals: 37 people, 10 cats, and 6 dogs.
As previously stated, the human should be quickly chilled. It's also nice if Heparin is given to them. Then pack that human away and send them to the Cryonics Institute. Once it reaches the institute, the "wash out and perfusion" procedure, where blood is changed with a glycerin-based solution, is performed. A few hours later the human snuggles into a sleeping bag in a nice box of wood and fiberglass for a week. Dry ice sits on the box and its chilly vapors cool the body, decreasing it to negative forty degrees Fahrenheit. Next the body is put in an insulated container with liquid nitrogen. For a week, the human sinks into the liquid nitrogen until fully submerged at negative 320 degrees Fahrenheit. At last, the human can settle down in their long-term home called a cryostat. Their liquid nitrogen level is joyfully checked every day. Family can visit whenever they want, but shamefully will not see their relative through the cryostat.
The process freezes human cells so that the human is legally dead while their cells are still alive. With the correct heating process, cells will unfreeze and the body will turn on again. No one has discovered how to restore the bodies and reverse the damages of freezing, but they are working on it. Currently, Robert Ettinger, the founder of the cryonics movement, lies in liquid nitrogen, but if he is revived, he will certainly have more to add to his 1964 book, The Prospect of Immortality. His future, and many others, awaits the scientific technology to revive their bodies and make immortality a reality.
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Let Us Expand on a Topic
I'm glad this essay reminded me of all the wonderful books I have read, but I must say it was kind of hard to write an essay when it just made me want to stop writing and reread Looking for Alaska... again.
Monday, September 10, 2012
On the Structure of the "Illiterate Society"
The essay begins in short and simple syntax. This speaks as though something must be conveyed to the illiterate of which the essay regards. In the fourth paragraph, the repetition of negative "neither" and "nor" in the "neither of, nor for, nor by the people" relates the repeating failure. These both show the failure of our society to teach something as simple as reading. Many other structural elements will relate the problems about our illiterate society.
Paragraph six is a dream sequence that uses very simple sentences. The simplicity fits the thoughts of the dreamer, who dreams that he is illiterate.
Paragraphs eight through fourteen have continuingly increasing length. They all are filled with repetitions of "Illiterates cannot... They cannot... They cannot." In these paragraphs, Kozol begins to list the problems illiteracy creates. He first begins with the simple single-sentence paragraph eight of "Illiterates cannot read the menu in a resturaunt." The lengths of paragraphs gradually grow; for example, paragraph twelve is twelve lines, and even contains one seven-line run-on sentence. The increasing complexity of the paragraphs and sentences relates to the increasingly overwhelming effects of illiteracy. The overwhelming sense conveys how illiteracy can control a person's life.
In paragraph twenty-four, Kozol states that "most illiterates are virtually immobilized." This statement is then followed by very short and choppy sentences, which convey the inability to move on for very long. The paragraph then ends with several rhetorical questions, showing the questioning and confusion of illiterates. Several other paragraphs near the end of the essay end with questions. The idea that the readers are left with questions emulates how the questions about illiteracy are unsolved in our present society.
In the next paragraph it is said that "choice... is diminished in the life of an illiterate adult." The diminishment is personified by the change in structure of the nine paragraphs: they are some of the shortest paragraphs in the essay. While Kozol speaks of examples in which lives were diminished by illiteracy, the paragraphs themselves are diminished. In the short paragraph thirty-nine, the short sentence "Children choke." personifies the figurative choking actions of illiterates.
Paragraph six is a dream sequence that uses very simple sentences. The simplicity fits the thoughts of the dreamer, who dreams that he is illiterate.
Paragraphs eight through fourteen have continuingly increasing length. They all are filled with repetitions of "Illiterates cannot... They cannot... They cannot." In these paragraphs, Kozol begins to list the problems illiteracy creates. He first begins with the simple single-sentence paragraph eight of "Illiterates cannot read the menu in a resturaunt." The lengths of paragraphs gradually grow; for example, paragraph twelve is twelve lines, and even contains one seven-line run-on sentence. The increasing complexity of the paragraphs and sentences relates to the increasingly overwhelming effects of illiteracy. The overwhelming sense conveys how illiteracy can control a person's life.
In paragraph twenty-four, Kozol states that "most illiterates are virtually immobilized." This statement is then followed by very short and choppy sentences, which convey the inability to move on for very long. The paragraph then ends with several rhetorical questions, showing the questioning and confusion of illiterates. Several other paragraphs near the end of the essay end with questions. The idea that the readers are left with questions emulates how the questions about illiteracy are unsolved in our present society.
In the next paragraph it is said that "choice... is diminished in the life of an illiterate adult." The diminishment is personified by the change in structure of the nine paragraphs: they are some of the shortest paragraphs in the essay. While Kozol speaks of examples in which lives were diminished by illiteracy, the paragraphs themselves are diminished. In the short paragraph thirty-nine, the short sentence "Children choke." personifies the figurative choking actions of illiterates.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Arsenal, RVP, and Soccernomics
Over the summer, I read a book called Soccernomics, by Simon Kuper and Stefan Szymanski. I have been thinking about studying economics in colleges, so of course I found combining the topic with my favorite sport to be an interesting first gain of knowledge about economics. If you ever watched or read Moneyball (that baseball movie with Brad Pitt, if you don't remember), Soccernomics is that Billy Beane-like analysis of soccer.
The first part of the book was about the English Premier League's transfer market. Economics and statistics are used to find value in players that are overlooked, and to know who which clubs can afford. My favorite club, Arsenal, is managed by an economics major, the great Arsène Wenger. I have an Arsenal bag that says "We don't buy superstars, we make them." I chose to buy this bag because other clubs (*cough cough* Manchester City) spend millions of dollars to buy a starstudded team. It irritates me to no end that teams going into endless debt buying wins, while wonderful Arsenal uses balance and economics.
This has been particularly irking this year because all summer I was following the traumatizing summer pursuit of Robin Van Persie. After years of being injured and nutured by Arsenal for seven years, he finally had a breakout year last season and was the top scorer in the entire English Premier League. And last summer he decided he wanted to leave. I won't go into much detail, but summer was a tug-of-war. No wanted to pay big bucks for a 29-year-old, and Arsenal didn't want to sell him for anything less than big bucks, but no one wanted to miss out on the hottest player on the transfer market. (But what I knew from Soccernomics didn't give me much hope that RVP would stay.)
The soccer world is ruled by contracts and money. It is frightening for us fans. Especially when you get to go to Arsenal's Emirates Stadium in London, and you can't decide which jersey to buy, for fear that the player you spend seventy pounds on will be sold for $24 million. Out of that fear I avoided the #10 RVP jersey. I even skipped on Walcott, and instead went with #19 Jack Wilshere.
The transfer market closed, and before that happened, Robin Van Persie was sold to Manchester United (and then Man U lost their first game of the season and I found it hilarious).
While I nurse my wounds, the same wounds I nursed last year when FÃ bregas left (at least we didn't lose Walcott, but Wilshere just had to change his number to the special #10. I knew this jersey-buying business would never work out perfectly), I am still interested in the study of the transfer market. Arsenal bought three new, and cheaper, players: Podolski, Giroud, and Cazorla. I know Soccernomics policies must have been used; none of the three were definite starters in their national teams at the Euro 2012 Cup, but they all, knowing Arsenal, will be turned into superstars. AND IT'S ALREADY STARTING! THEY SCORED LAST WEEK VS. LIVERPOOL AND IT WAS AWESOME!
Anyways, bear with me if you don't like soccer (But you should, it's the beautiful game, and the world's favorite game. Only America doesn't realize this. I could go on a rant about American football versus ACTUAL football, but I will restrain myself.) But if, *sigh*, you don't like it, economics applies everywhere. I find it interesting. Sometimes, a lot of times, money makes the world go round. And hopefully, the very smart economists at Arsenal will continue to create beautiful soccer. And the games I watch each weekend, though sometimes equally frustrating, are way better than the dirty money behind them. GOOOOO GUNNERS!
The first part of the book was about the English Premier League's transfer market. Economics and statistics are used to find value in players that are overlooked, and to know who which clubs can afford. My favorite club, Arsenal, is managed by an economics major, the great Arsène Wenger. I have an Arsenal bag that says "We don't buy superstars, we make them." I chose to buy this bag because other clubs (*cough cough* Manchester City) spend millions of dollars to buy a starstudded team. It irritates me to no end that teams going into endless debt buying wins, while wonderful Arsenal uses balance and economics.
This has been particularly irking this year because all summer I was following the traumatizing summer pursuit of Robin Van Persie. After years of being injured and nutured by Arsenal for seven years, he finally had a breakout year last season and was the top scorer in the entire English Premier League. And last summer he decided he wanted to leave. I won't go into much detail, but summer was a tug-of-war. No wanted to pay big bucks for a 29-year-old, and Arsenal didn't want to sell him for anything less than big bucks, but no one wanted to miss out on the hottest player on the transfer market. (But what I knew from Soccernomics didn't give me much hope that RVP would stay.)
The soccer world is ruled by contracts and money. It is frightening for us fans. Especially when you get to go to Arsenal's Emirates Stadium in London, and you can't decide which jersey to buy, for fear that the player you spend seventy pounds on will be sold for $24 million. Out of that fear I avoided the #10 RVP jersey. I even skipped on Walcott, and instead went with #19 Jack Wilshere.
The transfer market closed, and before that happened, Robin Van Persie was sold to Manchester United (and then Man U lost their first game of the season and I found it hilarious).
While I nurse my wounds, the same wounds I nursed last year when FÃ bregas left (at least we didn't lose Walcott, but Wilshere just had to change his number to the special #10. I knew this jersey-buying business would never work out perfectly), I am still interested in the study of the transfer market. Arsenal bought three new, and cheaper, players: Podolski, Giroud, and Cazorla. I know Soccernomics policies must have been used; none of the three were definite starters in their national teams at the Euro 2012 Cup, but they all, knowing Arsenal, will be turned into superstars. AND IT'S ALREADY STARTING! THEY SCORED LAST WEEK VS. LIVERPOOL AND IT WAS AWESOME!
Anyways, bear with me if you don't like soccer (But you should, it's the beautiful game, and the world's favorite game. Only America doesn't realize this. I could go on a rant about American football versus ACTUAL football, but I will restrain myself.) But if, *sigh*, you don't like it, economics applies everywhere. I find it interesting. Sometimes, a lot of times, money makes the world go round. And hopefully, the very smart economists at Arsenal will continue to create beautiful soccer. And the games I watch each weekend, though sometimes equally frustrating, are way better than the dirty money behind them. GOOOOO GUNNERS!
Friday, September 7, 2012
On "Greasy Lake"
Boyle's "Greasy Lake" begins very humorously. The characters call themselves "bad" by the fact that they drive their mothers' station wagons and let their fathers pay their tuition at Ivy Leagues. They try too hard to not care about trying hard. The first paragraphs are full of unusual perspectives such as their own masculinity and the nature of Greasy Lake. The author states "this was nature" after describing a lake filled with garbage where they could drink beer and smoke pot. This sorry excuse for nature imitates their weak beliefs of being the bad boys of the suburbs.
The humorous tone then continues with the joke they intend to play. The protagonist loses the keys, "in his excitement" (even though he should probably be remaining cool, and not be so excited about such a clever, yet everyday, joke) as they jump out of the car. Then it is hilarious when the readers discover that the second mistake is a wrongful identification of the car. Readers can imagine that the try-hard bad characters will now be confronted by a "very bad" character.
The story turns ugly as this confrontation begins. The narration is still somewhat funny, as the narrator talks of his only other fight, in sixth grade, as the four fighters chant their "battle cry" of "motherfucker," and as the author puts a parenthetical thought about a detective novel. But as soon as "something came over" the narrator, readers sense the foreshadowing of greater violence. The stark reality of the sudden knockout is shown through the short and simple sentences at the end of the paragraph that continues onto the top of page 264.
Then the protagonists turn cruel. The violence brings out an animal nature that makes them try to rape the girl in the car. I find it disgusting that their fear over their first violent encounter encourages them to be increasingly "bad" to mask their insecurities. The arrival of another car prevents them from completing the act, and they bolt in scaredy-cat fashion. The narrator ends up in the Greasy Lake. The second car is full of blond heads, friends of the man the protagonist the iron bar. They destroy the narrator's car, and then bolt in a similar frightened fashion, showing the true nature of all these "bad" boys.
In the lake, the narrator finds a dead body. The narrator speculates on the possible causes of death, and all of these causes relate to the "bad" lifestyle. The narrator and his two friends return to the scene and their car. They pick up the pieces, realizing the troubles of leading this bad lifestyle. The author uses the simile comparisons to "war veterans" to show that they are contemplating the wars of their bad actions. Then a car of two girls arrive, drunk girls who have not yet had this realization about their lifestyle. They look for their friend Al, who the readers and protagonists interpret as the dead man in the lake. As the girls look for Al, I as a reader propose that the girls may also soon have a realization about their everyday activities. The protagonists deny the girls offer to do drugs, showing that they are letting go of their attempts to be bad.
The humorous tone then continues with the joke they intend to play. The protagonist loses the keys, "in his excitement" (even though he should probably be remaining cool, and not be so excited about such a clever, yet everyday, joke) as they jump out of the car. Then it is hilarious when the readers discover that the second mistake is a wrongful identification of the car. Readers can imagine that the try-hard bad characters will now be confronted by a "very bad" character.
The story turns ugly as this confrontation begins. The narration is still somewhat funny, as the narrator talks of his only other fight, in sixth grade, as the four fighters chant their "battle cry" of "motherfucker," and as the author puts a parenthetical thought about a detective novel. But as soon as "something came over" the narrator, readers sense the foreshadowing of greater violence. The stark reality of the sudden knockout is shown through the short and simple sentences at the end of the paragraph that continues onto the top of page 264.
Then the protagonists turn cruel. The violence brings out an animal nature that makes them try to rape the girl in the car. I find it disgusting that their fear over their first violent encounter encourages them to be increasingly "bad" to mask their insecurities. The arrival of another car prevents them from completing the act, and they bolt in scaredy-cat fashion. The narrator ends up in the Greasy Lake. The second car is full of blond heads, friends of the man the protagonist the iron bar. They destroy the narrator's car, and then bolt in a similar frightened fashion, showing the true nature of all these "bad" boys.
In the lake, the narrator finds a dead body. The narrator speculates on the possible causes of death, and all of these causes relate to the "bad" lifestyle. The narrator and his two friends return to the scene and their car. They pick up the pieces, realizing the troubles of leading this bad lifestyle. The author uses the simile comparisons to "war veterans" to show that they are contemplating the wars of their bad actions. Then a car of two girls arrive, drunk girls who have not yet had this realization about their lifestyle. They look for their friend Al, who the readers and protagonists interpret as the dead man in the lake. As the girls look for Al, I as a reader propose that the girls may also soon have a realization about their everyday activities. The protagonists deny the girls offer to do drugs, showing that they are letting go of their attempts to be bad.
Monday, September 3, 2012
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Debrief of "The Box Man"
An important new insight for me was the mention of the Box Man's bandaged legs. In my first reading, it had irritated me that there seemed to be few negative descriptions of the box man's status. I realize that the author shows how his solitude is preferable to many others, but there are still many perils to being homeless that were not depicted. In the discussion, I also heard many new interesting questions I had not thought to ponder. I had not previously thought of the season as part of the setting; it was intriguing to think about if the absense of a cold winter season was the author's intention. I also had not thought about the changing lengths of paragraphs. I found it interesting that the longer paragraphs could signifiy traveling deeper into solitude.
I wish we had talked about the contrast between the box man and the priviledged men on the subway. I thought the differences between the Daily News, which the box man reads, and the Wall Street Journal would have been a good discussion. To me, the Daily News represents a desire for knowledge of the more general world while Wall Street Journal suggests elites who only think of the street they work on.
I said every response I wanted to say during the discussion, but I wish I had brought up what I mentioned in the previous paragraph.
I wish we had talked about the contrast between the box man and the priviledged men on the subway. I thought the differences between the Daily News, which the box man reads, and the Wall Street Journal would have been a good discussion. To me, the Daily News represents a desire for knowledge of the more general world while Wall Street Journal suggests elites who only think of the street they work on.
I said every response I wanted to say during the discussion, but I wish I had brought up what I mentioned in the previous paragraph.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Long Form: Black Boy
LONG FORM FOR NONFICTION
Title:
Black Boy
Author:
Richard Wright
Subject:
AP English Comp. Summer Assignment
link to Long Form: https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B1Kf7irDxJIrLW84RFhoUVd0cVU
links to literary criticism:
Turner, Sarah. “Insatiable Hunger: A Literary Analysis of
Richard Wright’s Autobiography, Black Boy.”
2009. web. http://www.studentpulse.com/articles/81/an-insatiable-hunger-a- literary-analysis-of-richard-wrights-autobiography-black-boy
“Black Boy (1945).” January 2000. web. http://brothersjudd.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/reviews.detail/book_id/425
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Senior Project
It all started when I ran over our white picket fence with a car.
We all had one week left to decide what our senior project was going to be. I was contemplating my many options as I started to remove the broken fence pieces. I had a few ideas, but I wanted to find something that I was truly interested in.
I was also thinking about the ugly picket fence. I did not even like the fence before I broke it. (While talking about this incident, I want to note that I am not a bad driver! I have never hit anything else except for that fence, and when I hit the fence I was backing out and turning in my parent's very large car which I am not used to driving and it has horrible visibility) Anyways, I looked through the slats of the fence at the overgrown weeds that we call the front yard. I grumbled to myself, saying that a new fence wouldn't even make the yard look much better.
"This fence is going to be a big project," said my dad as he watched me work.
"Maybe it should be my senior project then," I jokingly said to myself. Then I suddenly realized, "I SHOULD REDO THE YARD FOR MY SENIOR PROJECT!"
I have always enjoyed the outdoors and pretty gardens. When I was little, I used to love to help pick out new flowers to put in the garden. I used to occasionally help my mom plant or weed. I always planned on taking over my own section of the garden, but I was always too busy.
Since we began remodeling the basement, both our front and back yards have been ruined by constant construction work. The self-done remodel (my dad is an architect and always insists that we do all the work ourselves) has taken FOREVER. I am convinced that our house will not look finished before I leave for college, and that is only the inside of the house. I can't imagine when my parents will ever fix up the outside, and my dad would never call in a professional landscaper. I am tired of having a house that is constantly unfinished, so I decided to fix this problem and have a fun experience with my senior project.
I decided I would learn about landscaping and redo the front and back yards as my senior project. I am going to write my research paper on something about native plants, and I will use them in my garden. I have been out of town for much of the summer, so I haven't started any physical work. However, I did find much inspiration in my travels. Here is some cool landscaping I have seen:
I'm really excited to get started and especially excited to see the final product!
We all had one week left to decide what our senior project was going to be. I was contemplating my many options as I started to remove the broken fence pieces. I had a few ideas, but I wanted to find something that I was truly interested in.
I was also thinking about the ugly picket fence. I did not even like the fence before I broke it. (While talking about this incident, I want to note that I am not a bad driver! I have never hit anything else except for that fence, and when I hit the fence I was backing out and turning in my parent's very large car which I am not used to driving and it has horrible visibility) Anyways, I looked through the slats of the fence at the overgrown weeds that we call the front yard. I grumbled to myself, saying that a new fence wouldn't even make the yard look much better.
"This fence is going to be a big project," said my dad as he watched me work.
"Maybe it should be my senior project then," I jokingly said to myself. Then I suddenly realized, "I SHOULD REDO THE YARD FOR MY SENIOR PROJECT!"
I have always enjoyed the outdoors and pretty gardens. When I was little, I used to love to help pick out new flowers to put in the garden. I used to occasionally help my mom plant or weed. I always planned on taking over my own section of the garden, but I was always too busy.
Since we began remodeling the basement, both our front and back yards have been ruined by constant construction work. The self-done remodel (my dad is an architect and always insists that we do all the work ourselves) has taken FOREVER. I am convinced that our house will not look finished before I leave for college, and that is only the inside of the house. I can't imagine when my parents will ever fix up the outside, and my dad would never call in a professional landscaper. I am tired of having a house that is constantly unfinished, so I decided to fix this problem and have a fun experience with my senior project.
I decided I would learn about landscaping and redo the front and back yards as my senior project. I am going to write my research paper on something about native plants, and I will use them in my garden. I have been out of town for much of the summer, so I haven't started any physical work. However, I did find much inspiration in my travels. Here is some cool landscaping I have seen:
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Sarah!
Hello, my name is Sarah. I have had an awesome summer because I did all
of my favorite activities, so I am going to describe this summer in order to
describe myself.
About a week after school ended, I was in Germany! I am very glad that I have parents who choose to spend money on plane tickets, to places like Belize and Italy, over random luxuries. I love traveling, and in college I am most excited to take part in study abroad. My favorite German experience was eating giant pretzels in the English Garden in Munich while watching the public viewing of the German national soccer team beating Greece in the Euro Cup quarterfinals. I wish that I was in Europe for every international soccer tournament; I love taking part in cultural experiences like that. We ended the trip in London, which I adored; I have an obsession with vibrant metropolises.
While vacations are fun, I have found that visiting tourist attractions is not as rewarding as volunteering and learning about local life. The day after I returned from London, I joined my youth group (of First Presbyterian Church) for a second mission trip to Los Angeles. I had previously been on unforgettable mission trips to New Orleans and Los Angeles. I have met the most inspirational people at housing sites, mission organizations, and on the streets. This year I had a conversation with a homeless man and he talked about the concert there will be in heaven. He ended up taking our hands and praying for us, my friend ended up crying, and I will never forget it.
I rushed home from Chicago to make it to the last four days of an incredible week called Lark Camp. Soccer and school can be exhausting, so I relax with music. I have taken piano lessons since I was in Kindergarten, and I also try to teach myself guitar and ukulele. I used to play clarinet in band, but now I am in choir. Two favorite parts of my year are what my friends call my hippie camps: Strawberry Music Festival in May and Lark Camp in August. While Strawberry is fun, Lark Camp is perfect. I annually spend my favorite week of the year at Lark Camp in the Mendocino Woodlands with one of my best friends and her mom. We spend the days in classes such as Zimbabwean Marimba, Belly Dancing, and Morris Dancing, spend the nights dancing swing, salsa, Balkan, or contra, and spend the early mornings listening to our friends have spectacular jam sessions until sunrise. Everyone is extremely nice and interesting and talented, and I wish I was there all the time!
This summer was wonderful and exemplified everything I love, and I hope senior year will do the same!
About a week after school ended, I was in Germany! I am very glad that I have parents who choose to spend money on plane tickets, to places like Belize and Italy, over random luxuries. I love traveling, and in college I am most excited to take part in study abroad. My favorite German experience was eating giant pretzels in the English Garden in Munich while watching the public viewing of the German national soccer team beating Greece in the Euro Cup quarterfinals. I wish that I was in Europe for every international soccer tournament; I love taking part in cultural experiences like that. We ended the trip in London, which I adored; I have an obsession with vibrant metropolises.
Here's me and my friend Julia by the extremely beautiful Neuschwanstein castle
While vacations are fun, I have found that visiting tourist attractions is not as rewarding as volunteering and learning about local life. The day after I returned from London, I joined my youth group (of First Presbyterian Church) for a second mission trip to Los Angeles. I had previously been on unforgettable mission trips to New Orleans and Los Angeles. I have met the most inspirational people at housing sites, mission organizations, and on the streets. This year I had a conversation with a homeless man and he talked about the concert there will be in heaven. He ended up taking our hands and praying for us, my friend ended up crying, and I will never forget it.
Here's the group at the Midnight Mission, where we served breakfast one day.
After those two amazing
trips, I spent a small time at home catching up on fitness. Other than school,
soccer is the center of my life. I also play tennis, but that is mostly for
fun, and I don't have much to say about it. I love soccer so much because I am
on an amazing and hardworking club team. A few years ago our team got a
professional coach, and we have worked very hard and have improved at a
fantastic rate. The dedication of my team has paid off; last year, we won the NorCal State Cup! That championship sent us to Chicago for the National Tournament
at the end of July. We weren't very successful in Chicago, but it was a surreal
experience to compete with the top eight performing teams in the country for
this year. I am honored to have such talented teammates, and working with them
has been the most consistent and rewarding activity in my life.I rushed home from Chicago to make it to the last four days of an incredible week called Lark Camp. Soccer and school can be exhausting, so I relax with music. I have taken piano lessons since I was in Kindergarten, and I also try to teach myself guitar and ukulele. I used to play clarinet in band, but now I am in choir. Two favorite parts of my year are what my friends call my hippie camps: Strawberry Music Festival in May and Lark Camp in August. While Strawberry is fun, Lark Camp is perfect. I annually spend my favorite week of the year at Lark Camp in the Mendocino Woodlands with one of my best friends and her mom. We spend the days in classes such as Zimbabwean Marimba, Belly Dancing, and Morris Dancing, spend the nights dancing swing, salsa, Balkan, or contra, and spend the early mornings listening to our friends have spectacular jam sessions until sunrise. Everyone is extremely nice and interesting and talented, and I wish I was there all the time!
This is my fabulous Morris Dancing class, where you dance with sticks.
I came back all musically inspired and am now trying to tackle "The Girl with the Flaxen Hair" on piano, and it is a pain because it has six flats, but I'm really exctied for when I conquer it. Anyways, this year of Lark somehow even topped all of the past years, and it was a perfect end to summer.This summer was wonderful and exemplified everything I love, and I hope senior year will do the same!
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