Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Coming to the end...
So who knows, maybe I'll keep up with this blog occasionally. For school purposes, it is the end. I want to dedicate this last blog to someone who has touched many people's lives and is no longer with us anymore. Brian Flagstad was a teacher at Hinckley-Finlayson High School, a place I used to go to during middle school. I had him as a math teacher and I have never met such an amazing guy. Not only was he great at teaching and what he did but he had a way of relating to us kids. He made everyone feel welcomed. He gave every kid hope and the feeling of success. Many of the kids at that school came from a rough background and their life at home was not one to be spoken about. When they came to class and talk to Mr. Flagstad, the feeling of acceptance and being loved came and compensated for the love they lacked elsewhere. It is hard to see a guy like this gone. He was only 47 and he died of heart complications. I have never seen a community so devastated over one person. He truly touched the lives of many. I know many are struggling over this loss and my prayers and thoughts go out to them. He truly was an amazing man and will be missed by all. This loss in many lives have made me realized how short and valuable your life is. I really look up to how Mr. Flagstad lived his life. I stumbled upon this quote last night and the beginning and the end reminded me of him. "Love all. Trust few. Do wrong to no one." - Shakespeare. He taught everyone something they can take with them for the rest of their lives. He will be forever missed.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Writing Marathon - Rhetorical Modes
1. When you think of old people you think of a crabby, impatient, weak person who you can’t stand being with. The only reason you go visit them is because your parents tell you that you have to go. Your parents say your grandparents love you, but you struggle to believe that they even have a heart left. Most people never get to see the real heart of their elders. My great-grandma is everything but that. She was someone I wanted to see. She always had a smile on her face and loved the life she was living. You would never have guessed the agony she went through because she never showed it like most do. She was patient, strong, and lovable. She gave love to all of those around her and no one can ever replace that love that she gave.
2. The process of leaving is composed of several emotional aspects that no one would ever expect. The act of leaving causes heartache, causes anger, and it causes fright. Sadness. Those long days before you leave are the worst days of your life. You act as if someone just died. Your friends that you have had forever are gone and you can’t help but let the tears roll down your face. Anger. You become angry at those who have caused this pain. In your mind they become nothing but worthless and inconsiderate. This state of mind is irrational, but it’s normal. Fright. You’re beginning a new life. You enter into a world unknown where the atmosphere is foreign to what you are used to. You are left with nothing but a blank slate and the fright of filing this slate builds. Who knows what others may think of you? First impressions are everything. All these stages of feelings are normal but the way you handle them when they arise is the key to being successful in your departure.
2. The process of leaving is composed of several emotional aspects that no one would ever expect. The act of leaving causes heartache, causes anger, and it causes fright. Sadness. Those long days before you leave are the worst days of your life. You act as if someone just died. Your friends that you have had forever are gone and you can’t help but let the tears roll down your face. Anger. You become angry at those who have caused this pain. In your mind they become nothing but worthless and inconsiderate. This state of mind is irrational, but it’s normal. Fright. You’re beginning a new life. You enter into a world unknown where the atmosphere is foreign to what you are used to. You are left with nothing but a blank slate and the fright of filing this slate builds. Who knows what others may think of you? First impressions are everything. All these stages of feelings are normal but the way you handle them when they arise is the key to being successful in your departure.
Friday, January 15, 2010
ANSWER KEY!
1 example
2 definition
3 narration
4 classification
5 description
6 cause/effect
7 compare/contrast
8 process analysis
9 argument/persuasive
10 division of analysis
2 definition
3 narration
4 classification
5 description
6 cause/effect
7 compare/contrast
8 process analysis
9 argument/persuasive
10 division of analysis
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Friendship
1. My mom and dad are best friends. They tell each other everything, know everything about each other, and are always there for each other when they need it. They fight sometimes, but their bond can never be broken. They joke around and have memories of fun experiences that will never be forgotten.
2. Friendship is unique to each individual, pair, or group. It's a bond that can't be broken due to the emotional connection the friends shares. Friends are the ones who are there when the rest of the world walks out. They are the ones who keep you together, know what to say, and love to be there no matter what. Friendship is a necessity to life. Without friends, who would you have to turn to?
3. In my new school, I entered into this foreign place with no friends. The first day I walked the halls aimlessly. During lunch a kind girl offered for me to sit with her since I obviously had no where else to go. We talked and began to get to know each other, realizing how much we had in common. Little did we know, this was the beginning of our amazing friendship.
4. When we think of friendship we picture two people inseparable from the hip who have known each other since they were born. They are always sharing everything, finishing each other's sentences, and going to places together as if they were one person. They seem to never have problems and are always having fun. People don't typically see the most genuine forms of friendship because this image of the inseparable pair creates a distorted stereotype. The friendship you have with family, significant others, or people you meet at school all differ and it may not always be an easy relationship. Friendship includes fights and arguments that counter those happy moments you also have. Most friendships are formed over the course of time through maturity and you don't have to talk all the time. The happy image of friendship distorts the type of friendship that you're willing to fight for, no matter what.
5. Endless summer days and nights leave two girls no worries in the world, only the promise of fund and discovery. They stay up late talking about boys and how stupid they are and they giggle uncontrollably until the laughter tires them out. They wake up with endless possibilities ahead of them. During the day, adventures unfold for the girls on the pristine lake. They jump in the cool water after a deep-tan on the boat. Exhausted from a long day, the night still holds many possibilities of endless chats, bonfires under the stars, sappy chick-flicks, or maybe a party of terrible consequences. Whatever they choose, they don't care as long as they do it together. The cycle repeats and they hope it never stops.
6. Friendship is the result of recognizing commonalities in someone else. It forms after mutual bonding takes place. When someone longs for a person to talk to, to trust, and to open up with and when someone with all those qualities comes around the formation of a friendship begins. Friendship is the cumulative effort of two people in need of a better half.
7. The differences friendship and enemies hold are obvious. One cannot be both a true friend and an enemy just like you can't both love and hate someone. Friendship can be mixed up with acquaintances, but if it's a true friend, the distinction can be made. You'll feel the bond that's inseparable where acquaintances you could live without one another. You will know if it's a true friend, but don't let the similarities fool you.
8. Friendship is not something that you can just have appear. It's something you have to work on to maintain through and can be done through three easy steps. To begin, you have to make sure you choose the right person. Friendship is a two-way street and if your friend isn't trustworthy or honest you might want to be careful and look elsewhere. Second, you need to create common ground. You need to understand what each person likes and dislikes so problems don't arise. Lastly, you need to be able to have fund around each other. No one wants a boring friendship, so creating excitement creates memorable moments friendship thrives on. Missing a step may lead to a rocking relationship that might not be manageable to keep for a lifetime.
9. Mend your friendships. Many people go through life never repairing something that once meant so much to them. People are afraid to admit they were wrong, or even if they weren't to accept the fact that the other made a mistake. You try to push aside the fact that you long to have that relationship again. In the bond that friendship creates, it is never broken. The bond may be tattered or torn, but it is always repairable. Mending our friendships will teach you humility and acceptance. Life is too short to stay mad. Fight for something you once loved and cared for because one day it may be too late to fix it.
10. Friendship is composed of trustworthiness, commonality, and reliance. Without one, it is not friendship anymore. It involves both people knowing that whatever is spoken between each other will not be spread around. This is the base of friendship where reliance on each other will come much easier if you can trust your friend. In friendships, common ground is also involved. Friendships call for laughter and enjoyment, but if you didn't agree on anything that wouldn't be able to happen. Being able to relate is a component necessary for the friendship to keep thriving. The part of friendship that keeps the bond lasting forever is reliance. A friend is supposed to be the one there for you through thick and thin, no matter what. Without reliance you just have an acquaintance. The other person needs to be there for you and it's the same the other way around. Reliance interlinks with trustworthiness in the sense of friendship. Without any of these components, your friendship will crumble at your feet.
2. Friendship is unique to each individual, pair, or group. It's a bond that can't be broken due to the emotional connection the friends shares. Friends are the ones who are there when the rest of the world walks out. They are the ones who keep you together, know what to say, and love to be there no matter what. Friendship is a necessity to life. Without friends, who would you have to turn to?
3. In my new school, I entered into this foreign place with no friends. The first day I walked the halls aimlessly. During lunch a kind girl offered for me to sit with her since I obviously had no where else to go. We talked and began to get to know each other, realizing how much we had in common. Little did we know, this was the beginning of our amazing friendship.
4. When we think of friendship we picture two people inseparable from the hip who have known each other since they were born. They are always sharing everything, finishing each other's sentences, and going to places together as if they were one person. They seem to never have problems and are always having fun. People don't typically see the most genuine forms of friendship because this image of the inseparable pair creates a distorted stereotype. The friendship you have with family, significant others, or people you meet at school all differ and it may not always be an easy relationship. Friendship includes fights and arguments that counter those happy moments you also have. Most friendships are formed over the course of time through maturity and you don't have to talk all the time. The happy image of friendship distorts the type of friendship that you're willing to fight for, no matter what.
5. Endless summer days and nights leave two girls no worries in the world, only the promise of fund and discovery. They stay up late talking about boys and how stupid they are and they giggle uncontrollably until the laughter tires them out. They wake up with endless possibilities ahead of them. During the day, adventures unfold for the girls on the pristine lake. They jump in the cool water after a deep-tan on the boat. Exhausted from a long day, the night still holds many possibilities of endless chats, bonfires under the stars, sappy chick-flicks, or maybe a party of terrible consequences. Whatever they choose, they don't care as long as they do it together. The cycle repeats and they hope it never stops.
6. Friendship is the result of recognizing commonalities in someone else. It forms after mutual bonding takes place. When someone longs for a person to talk to, to trust, and to open up with and when someone with all those qualities comes around the formation of a friendship begins. Friendship is the cumulative effort of two people in need of a better half.
7. The differences friendship and enemies hold are obvious. One cannot be both a true friend and an enemy just like you can't both love and hate someone. Friendship can be mixed up with acquaintances, but if it's a true friend, the distinction can be made. You'll feel the bond that's inseparable where acquaintances you could live without one another. You will know if it's a true friend, but don't let the similarities fool you.
8. Friendship is not something that you can just have appear. It's something you have to work on to maintain through and can be done through three easy steps. To begin, you have to make sure you choose the right person. Friendship is a two-way street and if your friend isn't trustworthy or honest you might want to be careful and look elsewhere. Second, you need to create common ground. You need to understand what each person likes and dislikes so problems don't arise. Lastly, you need to be able to have fund around each other. No one wants a boring friendship, so creating excitement creates memorable moments friendship thrives on. Missing a step may lead to a rocking relationship that might not be manageable to keep for a lifetime.
9. Mend your friendships. Many people go through life never repairing something that once meant so much to them. People are afraid to admit they were wrong, or even if they weren't to accept the fact that the other made a mistake. You try to push aside the fact that you long to have that relationship again. In the bond that friendship creates, it is never broken. The bond may be tattered or torn, but it is always repairable. Mending our friendships will teach you humility and acceptance. Life is too short to stay mad. Fight for something you once loved and cared for because one day it may be too late to fix it.
10. Friendship is composed of trustworthiness, commonality, and reliance. Without one, it is not friendship anymore. It involves both people knowing that whatever is spoken between each other will not be spread around. This is the base of friendship where reliance on each other will come much easier if you can trust your friend. In friendships, common ground is also involved. Friendships call for laughter and enjoyment, but if you didn't agree on anything that wouldn't be able to happen. Being able to relate is a component necessary for the friendship to keep thriving. The part of friendship that keeps the bond lasting forever is reliance. A friend is supposed to be the one there for you through thick and thin, no matter what. Without reliance you just have an acquaintance. The other person needs to be there for you and it's the same the other way around. Reliance interlinks with trustworthiness in the sense of friendship. Without any of these components, your friendship will crumble at your feet.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Super-Mom
As a teenager, adolescent years create growing stress between one and their mom. We are finding ourselves and developing independent thoughts different from our parents. The relationship we tend to have with our mom is a love-hate relationship. However, in the end, we would not know what we do without her.
Growing up I looked like the girl who had everything. No one would have expected the battle we were facing in my household. We found out that my mom had a growing tumor in her brain and throat. It was a rare form and in a vital location, which meant it was in need for special attention. My mom went through treatment and drained her in every form. We found out that my mom would have to go to a doctor in Phoenix in order for her to get the proper care she needed. This meant my parents would be leaving my sister and me for a period of time we knew would not be easy. In the moment, my emotions were in disarray. I disregarded what other people in my family were feeling.
Through the whole process, I came to admire everything about my mom. I grew to admire the fact she did not share her fear, and upheld a strong appearance even though she knew she might not make it. She went on with her daily life with a smile as big as the moon. She was gone for over a month, and came home a woman of a different appearance. I never saw my mom weak before. I actually never saw either of my parents in the despair I saw when they came home. My worries all washed away when she came and smiled at me and mouthed to me, Don’t worry. Mom is tough.
My thankfulness has grown tremendously and my appreciation for her will never dwindle. I may not show it to her all the time, but she is the strongest woman I know. She pursues her goals with no fears and teaches us all to love life, every minute of it. One of the most important things she taught me was: to love and appreciate what you have, for the day will come when those things are gone and you can never get them back.
Growing up I looked like the girl who had everything. No one would have expected the battle we were facing in my household. We found out that my mom had a growing tumor in her brain and throat. It was a rare form and in a vital location, which meant it was in need for special attention. My mom went through treatment and drained her in every form. We found out that my mom would have to go to a doctor in Phoenix in order for her to get the proper care she needed. This meant my parents would be leaving my sister and me for a period of time we knew would not be easy. In the moment, my emotions were in disarray. I disregarded what other people in my family were feeling.
Through the whole process, I came to admire everything about my mom. I grew to admire the fact she did not share her fear, and upheld a strong appearance even though she knew she might not make it. She went on with her daily life with a smile as big as the moon. She was gone for over a month, and came home a woman of a different appearance. I never saw my mom weak before. I actually never saw either of my parents in the despair I saw when they came home. My worries all washed away when she came and smiled at me and mouthed to me, Don’t worry. Mom is tough.
My thankfulness has grown tremendously and my appreciation for her will never dwindle. I may not show it to her all the time, but she is the strongest woman I know. She pursues her goals with no fears and teaches us all to love life, every minute of it. One of the most important things she taught me was: to love and appreciate what you have, for the day will come when those things are gone and you can never get them back.
Be Thankful for What You Have
As a child, my parents took me to the Philippines several times to visit my grandpa. I just thought of it as another trip. My trips there didn’t mean anything until I became older because I was so sheltered from what was going on around me.
My trip to the Philippines when I was 14 seemed to be different from those before. I became more attentive to the world around me. I realized it wasn’t the same as back home. We were at a stop-light and kids bombarded our car. The innocent eyes looked at me as if I was their last hope. I hid. I began to cry. I wanted to go back home. The safety of my bed could not have sounded any better than it did at that moment.
After that incident, life went on like normal, but my eyes were opened when we visited the slums of a family we sponsor. I was petrified. We got out of the car and stepped into a new world. The “house” was nothing more than four walls, a hole for a bathroom, and some mats for a bed. Girls my age had to deal with problems nobody should ever have to live with. The weird thing is they were happy. They appreciated life. The love they showed to us and others was greater than anybody I have ever known. It seemed like such a bizarre concept. As a society, we never take the time to step back and be thankful for what we have. Others are suffering, yet they look at the bright side of life.
The experiences as a child have molded me to who I am today. My trip to my own country has given me knowledge you could never gain in a classroom setting. So many people will go on living their lives never knowing how much others truly suffer. You need to live, learn, and be thankful for what you have. Sometimes it may require you to step out of your comfort zone, but you will never truly know what is going on until you experience it for yourself.
My trip to the Philippines when I was 14 seemed to be different from those before. I became more attentive to the world around me. I realized it wasn’t the same as back home. We were at a stop-light and kids bombarded our car. The innocent eyes looked at me as if I was their last hope. I hid. I began to cry. I wanted to go back home. The safety of my bed could not have sounded any better than it did at that moment.
After that incident, life went on like normal, but my eyes were opened when we visited the slums of a family we sponsor. I was petrified. We got out of the car and stepped into a new world. The “house” was nothing more than four walls, a hole for a bathroom, and some mats for a bed. Girls my age had to deal with problems nobody should ever have to live with. The weird thing is they were happy. They appreciated life. The love they showed to us and others was greater than anybody I have ever known. It seemed like such a bizarre concept. As a society, we never take the time to step back and be thankful for what we have. Others are suffering, yet they look at the bright side of life.
The experiences as a child have molded me to who I am today. My trip to my own country has given me knowledge you could never gain in a classroom setting. So many people will go on living their lives never knowing how much others truly suffer. You need to live, learn, and be thankful for what you have. Sometimes it may require you to step out of your comfort zone, but you will never truly know what is going on until you experience it for yourself.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Inner Ring
I found the "Inner Ring" to be rather interesting. It really puts forth a valid point that no one really looks at. We all strive to fit in or be liked by others. We change our fashion to be "in", we go to parties to be "cool", and we get good jobs so we can look "successful". Anything you really do in life, is for others. Have you ever just done something for yourself. Not for rewards or for recognition. You may not have noticed it but you reap some sort of acceptance. With friends it is often the case. We live in a society where being "unique" is unacceptable. We need to fit standards and be approved of by eachother. It really hit me that we try to hard to be accepted. Once you are in one ring, you get bored. No one is ever fully satisfied. You may go through the heartache of being in one group, but once you are accepted into it, the outside seemed better, so you try to get into another group. Once you have something you want something else, you want more. It is like the human circle of want. You always want more. No matter what. You can never be satisfied with what you just have. Take a look around. The happiest season of them all, and yet our focus is on presents and getting the best things for eachother and hoping the same for ourselves. In reality, we all are programmed to want love. We long for love and being accepted into that inner ring gives us a sense of that. I think we need to learn to be satisfied with what we have and not long for other things we don't.
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