Live in the Moment

What I’ve learn in this past school year is numerous of materials. Thinking, writing, speaking, listening, reading and I started to develop some great learning habits. My year was wonderful and I have great time learning thanks to my humble humanities teacher, Mr.Appino. Have you ever done projects?

In our 2011-2012 humanities class, we read many books, discuss them in literature circles and went through a cycle of roles, different POVs, research, drawings and what we find interesting. It’s amusing having a Literature circle because I get to hear and reflect on what others think about the book, compare and contrasting ideas is interesting. Additionally, the test is free thinking so I find that very phenomenal. We can write your answers not based on our memory of the book, not the vocabulary, but our own opinions and what we think something means. It’s been a pleasure to be in the same class with Mr. Appino because all homeworks are due electronically, and I love typing so that makes my humanities teacher cool.

Furthermore, I learn how to write better thanks to our modest Mr.Appino. He gives us guidelines, rubrics, showed us examples, and gives us a chance to try it out before we write. Since I work according to the template/guidelines, my writing becomes more organize as the year goes on. My sentence fluency as well as my transitional and word choice turns better each and every day. My awkward phrases, fragments sentences decreases thanks to all the practice Mr. Appino made us do. I think following the steps and 6 traits really help me become a better writer because before I stepped into middle school, my ideas are everywhere on my paper, it’s confusing, and sentences are usually awkward or doesn’t really make sense. It was quite challenging for me to organize my humongous idea into such a small writing piece and includes the entire main and details points in my piece.

On the other hand, I think my speaking ability in English improves tremendously this year because we share our opinions, ideas out loud to everyone and elaborate on it, I stumble less, think before I speak more, and I think that sharing our opinions, reading our articles/ poems out loud to other people really help me with my speaking English skills. Also presenting/debating on our topic who should win the Boston Massacre debate really helps my giving speech skills. I still find myself stumbling over hard words but compared to when I first stepped through Mr.Appino 8th grade class, I enhanced immensely. In addition, my listening skills also improve because listening to other people share their opinions are boring at first, but why not give them a chance? They listen to you when you share, why be so selfish and not do the same? So, I decide to show respect and listen attentively to the speaker, and I understand and see different POV and perspective on the same subject. It had intrigued me to learn more about that subject sometimes, but at most I listen to others share more than I do because listening is learning.

Moreover, some good learning habits I started to develop is organizing my schedule so my homework wouldn’t be a burden/trouble in the future process of studying. What’s more is that my commitment to certain writing is longer than before. I’m more patient and followed the steps of the writing process before I write any kind of piece.  Nevertheless, I study and read a lot, approximately 3 books a week so my vocabulary broadens very wide. I take full responsibility for my homework, projects or whatever I do in class. Excuses are just another way of hiding the truth from not only the mentor but yourself.

               Overall, I think this year has been astonishing for me. It’d been such a remarkable year and I learn so much being in this class. I think not only I’ve improved on my writing, reading, listening, and thinking and learning ability, I also improve myself as a whole. Changing a bit each step further I took and that which leads into the near future. Miraculously, I found something surprising in each and every one of my classmate in this class that I’ve never known before or paid attention to. I have no regrets for anything I’ve ever done in this classroom, and I wish nothing would change. Mr. Appino is an astonishing teacher and it’d been absolute delight having him as my Humanities teacher.

Gazelle Caged

Why must some species die in able to save others? What do you think the purposes of zoos are besides attracting attention from tourist, educating students and people all over the world, sight seeing, taking pictures or for display? For me personally, I think zoos are kind of animal-rescuers place. Only “pets” aren’t allow in zoos because they’re too common, too plain, too simple or to simply summarize, too many of that creature.

“American zoos are on the verge of giving up on trying to save them.”

All rights reserved by Delboy555

Why would anyone, for that matter, trying to give up other “un-endangered species, to save the endangered ones? Even if the “plain” breeds aren’t at risk like the others, we still have to protect them because they’re like us. They have lives, feelings, can endure pain, can cry, has feelings and cells and blood, everything that we’re made up of, only different structures and form. In my opinion, I think that they shouldn’t give up on those animals who aren’t at risk, but built a larger home or set them free/ make them feel more at home. Animals weren’t endanger before hunters started hunting, lack of natural resources, destruction of homes and family’s members disappearance due to the reason stated above. The only concern I have for these “not-at-risk” animals to go back to their natural habitat is that hunters will soon start illegal or hunting for food to provide for us, or maybe for fun. That’s my only one and big perturb to these animals.

The result is that zookeepers, usually animal lovers to the core, are increasingly being pressed into making cold calculations about which animals are the most crucial to save.

As it’s stated above, zookeepers whom had work for many species before, grown attached to them, and now forced to leave them, and take care of MORE at-risk animals. Even though the animals do need special care, zoo sponsers and owners could hire more people to help out with the endangered animals inable for the zookeepers to stay alongside with his/her long-relationship companion. They should be considering how the zookeepers feel at this point because surely,they’re feeling this matter is unjustfy, sad, woebegone and miserable since it’s like loosing your puppy.

“It’s great to be helping another animal, but I still miss them,” Ms. Fischer said, sighing. “We had expertise and we were good with them, and they were spectacular.”

http://www.diigo.com/user/jthompson16

Mr. Chut Wutty

I wonder why the government didn’t do anything about this matter, stating from the fact that this part of the forest is off limits. No can can log in this area, but how come Mr. Chut Wutty had found illegal loggers hiding among bushes? I don’t know, do you? Even though we can’t expect the government to solve every single issue, this isn’t a small issue, and someone lives has an impact on it.

From Mr. Young’s word, Mr. Chut Wutty seems like an organize, respectable and honorable man, such a depression to his friends and family, whom has lost someone who’s so dedicated to the environment around him. I admire Mr. Chut Wutty because he died a famous death. Not only did he spend his life researching and protecting plants and nature, he also did a very good role on being a model to fellow students like me, who has a fortunate chance enough to read an article about this phenomenal man.

http://www.diigo.com/user/jthompson16

• Shrimp with tumors on their heads
• Shrimp with defects on their gills and “shells missing around their gills and head”
• Shrimp without eyes
• Shrimp with babies still attached to them
• Eyeless fish
• Fish without eye-sockets
• Fish without covers on their gills
• Fish with large pink masses hanging off their eyes and gills
• Crates of blue crabs, all of which were lacking at least one claw
• Crabs with holes in their shells
• Crabs with shells that have no spikes or claws or misshapen claws
• Crabs that are dying from within

“ Symptoms of exposure include “headaches, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pains, chest pains, respiratory system damage, skin sensitization, hypertension, central nervous system depression, neurotoxic effects, cardiac arrhythmia and cardiovascular damage.” Even more damningly, it can disturb the growth and development of a fetus.” 

“The Gulf of Mexico provides nearly half of the seafood caught in the US (40%). With its inhabitants dying or suffering mutations before they’re caught, it looks like seafood shortages are inevitable. According to various fishermen, brown shrimp catch has dropped by two-thirds, white shrimp have been wiped out and some fishermen’s seafood catch are ten percent of what they normally are. Seafood, as America knows it, has changed. And without the proper funding or commitment or BP accepting the blame, these effects might last longer than anyone thinks.”

http://www.diigo.com/user/jthompson16

Verse 1:
On the day we met, you had me at hello
Your blue eyes shine, with honesty and loyalty
Little did I know , you can’t keep that little promise
We made the first day we met

Pre (chorus) :
You can’t ask me to stop loving you

chorus:
you know you can’t
you know you can’t
ask me to
stop loving you
stop loving you
stop loving you
you know you can’t
you know you can’t
just ask me to
ask me to stop loving you

Verse 2:
On valentine
On valentine
you ask me to
come and meet you
come at meet you
on your doorstep
I’m so naiive
I’m so naiive
to think that you’re
giving me more memories
You apologize
Apologize
Don’t know what for
Not until you said
Let’s take a break
Let’s just break-up
You’re not the one for me
Can you please
stop loving me?
A girl appeared
Behind your curtains
With a snarky grin

Chorus:
you know you can’t
you know you can’t
ask me to
stop loving you
stop loving you
stop loving you
you know you can’t
you know you can’t
just ask me to
ask me to stop loving you

Verse 3:
My heart’s breaking
My eyes hurting
My head’s turning
Come and save me
Out this misery
Tonight I fall
fall for you
all over again
You my one and only
you’re the one and only guy
Who loves me for who I am

Chorus:
you know you can’t
you know you can’t
ask me to
stop loving you
stop loving you
stop loving you
You know you can’t
You know you can’t
just ask me to
ask me to stop loving you.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

A pair of glasses with attractive white/silver band above the eye can do multiple tasks for you. They can run a form a Google’s Android operating system that appears to be both voice-controlled and less familary view controlled at the same time. This technology is not used by many people, but loved by most since it’s convenience and astounding. By looking upwards, a bad of small icons floats above the wearer’s line of sight, and can interact with the icons to view the weather, send text messages, and do what a smartphone can do.

Can you imagine texting your friend through a fashionable device that doesn’t need to be carried around? How amazing is that. Think about it. Glasses can’t be stolen like phones because you wear them on your face, you  can keep track of where it is, and where it goes.  From my opinion, this glasses might be an extremely big hit world-wide.

I think that this is an impressive invention because then, people won’t judge others by appearances. Everyone would look the same, so people will try to find others’ inner beauty before judging them. Furthermore, this invention maybe will put an end to bullying because when people bully others, it’s based on their appearances, but if everyone’s wearing the same product, they have no more reason to bully others.

However, according to the article, they’ve only came up with white or silver band glasses or contacts. I think they should include more colors, design, campaign to attract more customers beforehand. They should start marketing now, so more people will want to buy, and their stock prices will increases tremendously. I’m hoping this product will come out soon this summer in a cheap price so people can buy them easily and follow the trend!

My diigo

Judging from this quote, I think that his point of combating for such a long time isn’t helping the situation because it’s not heard. He’s troubled, offended and upset that his voice isn’t take notice of, so I would gladly put down my net-book and join a militias and fight against British because they’re injustice by not considering others opinion. Furthermore, he clearly speaks from his soul, I can hear the passionate love he felt for his country through his steady, strong voice.

It’s not shouting, but persuading us, mesmerizing us with such slick technique, luring us into the American patriots side, making British authority sound worse than they already are, and making us look good and more important. I think that it differentiates on different perspective.

Why? Well why not? I want to be justice, and I’m not taking sides. On the other hand, what the brethrens doing is wrong, especially the parliaments. They are making up ridiculous rules, making citizens pay more money for things on a daily bases: taxes on sugar, paper, silk, clothing, tea…anything you name it! If their economic is so low, why don’t they try harder instead of taxing people to get that money?

In my opinion, taxing society on necessary possession are dense tariffs. Therefore, patriots should act now. I want to call all of my friends, families, people who supported us, and you, to form a militias and fight against the cruel British. We should boycott their goods more, make relevant propaganda and speak our mind. Sons of Liberty, it’s time to rise and protest against the British parliament, government and authority! Don’t be afraid to speak your mind.

Children are forced into submission
Girls sex slaves, boys child soldiers
Can we win their love, I wonder
By motivating people, I ponder

The plan is for everyone to remonstrate
Make U.S brethren supplicate
To help us in everyway they can
Love is welcome hate is banned
Let’s all wear red to celebrate

The time is going to be extenuate
We beseech for your sympathy, why idle?
Helping those in need is vital
Now the moment is critical
Spend every second like it’s your last
We have the ability to gain liberty
Through our devotion and mind.

We need volunteers that are kind
sympathetic, with great hearts and will
Let’s solace these miserable children
I hope to persuade you through this petition

Uganda will see us as their revere
Since we had help them when state is severe
In the matter of perquisite life or death

Joseph Kony is now our enemy
Together we form a big, strong army
Like packs of hungry wolves
Kony’s like a lost scaredy
spark that can be ceased
who has nowhere to hide
Come out where you are and defy

Your mistakes in life, we might forgive
But never forget, your ugly crimes
The sun would cry
If you weren’t captured
The moon will wept
If you’re not brought to justice
The stars will stop shining
If you were unpunished

You should know better
Than to maintain power
Expect the unexpected
Suffer your consequences
Kony, you can never arduous
from where you are
Sincerely,
Your worst nightmare

Perfection is so beautiful that you can’t miss her. Everything clicks while you admire her walk down the roadblock, or up for a morning jog. Her whole outfit matches entirely, and everything is in its place. White socks, white tennis shoes, white earrings, white headband, white eyeliner, white jogging suit and a matching wristband. Her hair is tied neatly in a ponytail, her face with light makeup, making her look as astonishing and elegant as ever. She hardly raises her voice at anyone, never praised anyone for anything good they’ve done, but that doesn’t mean she’s cocky. Her favorite phrases are: “You could always improve on …”; “You’re good, but don’t you think I’m better?” Classmates and friends sometimes call her a know-it-all and snob, stating that they’re all jealous. Something about her laugh, her smile, and her actions looked practiced, rehearsed, but she’s still stunning. Sexy and Handsome are her current boyfriends. Cool and smooth are Perfection’s exes meaning they always pick fights with Sexy and Handsome. Clearly, they’re so not over her. Perfection only has three best friends, Beauty, Intelligence and Carefulness. They follow her as though she’s their leader. Together, they’d form a club to admire Discipline and Angelic. Everyone describes her as a model with brains; yes indeed she is. She has perfect grade, perfect GPA, perfect boyfriends, and perfect job. She’s a singer, a model, CEO, and works as secretary for government.
As Destruction, Messy, Crude, Uncertainty and Messy came around, her facial expression changes immediately. Perfection slightly adjusts her eyes elsewhere, her nose scrunched up so cute that it looks kissable, and the corner of her lips tugged downwards, into a frown. Of course they’d be her mortal enemies because her aura is shiny, while theirs is black and dirt. She’s every guy’s dream girl. Not only she’s sporty, a beautiful nerd, but also she’s a fashionista.
Five magnificent statues of dragons aligned up perfectly in front of her porch. Big water fountains, colorful astonishing garden awaits you as you look through her tightly secured gate. Her mansion is big, tall and looks scrumptiously pulchritudinous. If you amazed her slightly with your behavior, she’ll invite you over for an afternoon tea party, but beware, she’s there to ask questions about your life. Do not tell her everything because she’ll bring you down. She will do anything to be on top, even if it means your life is on the line.
Best to admire her dazzling figure from afar, not close up, cause you’ll see that malicious face once you get to know her.

Forgiveness:

Forgiveness is plain, but when you look closely, you’re wondering why you can’t see her splendid beauty in the first place. Her eyes make stars look like they’re not shining; her chestnut colored hair is tied into a messy bun with bits and strands falling perfectly down her heart shaped face. Her nose is small, pudgy, but adorable. Ecstasy words escaped from those beautifully lush lips, words that’ll sooth your sorrow, will warm your heart, and will make you smile. They might be simple, but weighty. Forgiveness likes wearing cream or light color dresses that go pass the knees, making delightful whooshing sound when she walks by. I was mesmerized by her beauty, inside and out. Her soft touch will leave you craving for more. She’s gentle and delicate as a piece of fragile crystal. Don’t be mistaken, she’s stronger than she looks. She loves everyone, including haters. She pities them even. In the morning, she always set out to bless everyone with an air kiss and a good morning greeting. When a new neighbor came in, she welcomes them warmly with batches of delicious home-made chocolate chip cookies. Forgiveness moves as quick as lighting, always helping others with their trouble. Cussing never existed in her world; she speaks softly, almost a low whisper but you can hear every single word clearly. I would describe her as “Mother Theresa”.
Once, I accidentally spilled soy sauce on her favorite pink and white polka-dotted dress while serving her steaming hot buns. I expected her reaction to yell, scream at me, cuss, and hit me. That’s what everyone would do, not her. She smiles soothingly, assuring me its fine. “Give me the hot buns now dear, I am starving” she joked.
After she finished her breakfast, she set out to go home change, not caring if anyone saw her in that catastrophe dress… Forgiveness is the girl of my dream.
The triplets, Sharing, Caring and Giving had always been with her through the good and bad times. They shared every little secret with each other, and all of them have a warm heart.
The only group that brings distaste to her liking is Abuse, Cruelty, Blame and Greed. Even though they’re not one of her favorite person, she always gave them the same heart-melting smile that she gave to everyone, slightly sadder. She pities them, I don’t know why.
Forgiveness used to be a nun, Catholic school teacher, a therapist, nursery care takers, helpers, but now, she’s working as a volunteer in the Charity group. All of her jobs fitted her mild personality, making her more special in everyone eyes. Even though she already has Calm and Compose brothers as her bodyguard and boyfriends, I can’t help wanting her all by myself. You’ll love her instantly when you get to know her.

KONY 2012 from INVISIBLE CHILDREN on Vimeo.

By Liesl Marelli

I think the essay’s message here is telling us that people do care, just not enough. “Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all which have potential to turn a life around” ( Leo F. Buscaglia). Because of our underestimation, we didn’t do anything to help those in need. We didn’t even try to find out about it, elaborate the thought, just thinking that our life is complicated enough already, deal with our own business and don’t care about others. However, when you needed help like these people, who are going to lend a hand to you? No one, because they usually do what you do, mind their own business. Fortunately, we still have people in our lives that care for us, we don’t have people hunting us down, making us their sex slaves or child soldiers, unlike these kids in Uganda. So to solve this problem, we should stand up against Joseph Kony, help these despondent children, and turn their world around, from completely hopeless to a fulfilling life with faith, hopes and promises, wishes that will come true. Last but not least, they should earn happiness, something they clearly never experienced before, or had been forgotten.

by juliannarose

The image that had made my heart painful, tears swelling up my eyes, is the snapshot of hundreds of Uganda children lying on the cold damp ground, finding a safe place to sleep, running away from home to escape from rebels and laying on top of each other like dead bodies. They look so small, fragile, and vulnerable and I want to help them, I just don’t know how. Why did this happen? The reason for this incident right here is Joseph Kony. He’s the one who had abducted around 30,000 children, killing them, turning girl’s life into prostitution, young boys into child soldier, forcing them to manipulate other’s faces, deforming them. Whoever tried to escape will be captured, tormented and eventually kill. This crime has been going on for 26 years, and no one had incarcerated this malevolence criminal yet. Kony have had peace offerings, but decided against it. His group, LCR and he are gathering more people to join in forces, making this world an appalling place. The reason behind his action was shocking. He didn’t have a reason; he wants to do this because of power.

By techraider

Two most shocking events that happen in the video are: at first, the US government doesn’t approve of helping these children; how the same event would happen with different outcomes. Why wouldn’t the government doesn’t approve of helping these poor kids in the first place? Did they think that those kids doesn’t matter or not worth while for their time? I think that even though as busy as they are, they should at least try to think it over or arrange some meetings , donate funds or send soldiers to help them at LEAST. I was so enraged on how they didn’t offer help in the first place, that I shut down the Kony2012 tab, and then realizing I need to watch it, I opened it again. On the other hand, if this happens one night in America, it’ll be all over the news. Why didn’t it appear on the news for years in Uganda? Why didn’t anyone help them, look for them, tell the government about this tragic event? Is it because of their skin color? Is it because the Uganda government didn’t find these children all that important to be discussed about, or do they just plainly ignored / avoid this atrocious affair?

by MaikeBorn 365

There’s one point in the video, where I gasped out loud. “They cut his neck. I saw.” (Jacob) I can’t imagine the pain Jacob has to go through, seeing someone who he loves, dies in front of him and there’s no way he could save them. I know Jacob wants revenge, wants freedom, wants happiness, but those thoughts are brushed away in this terrible situation. He said he rather die than be on Earth. He could meet his brother up in heaven; they’ll rejoin and live a happier life than now. Just those little words had made my heart quiver, shivers running through my spine, and tears are flowing endlessly out the corner of my eye. We must understand and feel sympathy about what Jacob’s going through, he’s just so pure and naive.

by juliannarose

Medias are so important in life that you can never imagine. Moreover, people like me think that media is what we already have, oh whatever, but in reality, would you feel bored without streaming music on you-tube, watching TV, texting, calling your friends…? Of course! What makes this media more important than other sources is that they spreads ideas like wildfire. Ideas, rumors, creativity, anything can be spread worldwide if something is stated, like this. When something BIG appears, you want it. You want to find all about it, causing the media to be more important, attracting more people’s attention. I think that captions do match the photos, translating the not very native languages and help support ideas, giving examples and better judgment to the videos. The words do elaborate on the story, retelling some details, but didn’t tell the whole story. Furthermore, photo essay did a good job because everything connects, not just facts and life style, but they decided to make a serious video into something humorous, heart-breaking, and captured everyone’s attention. I wouldn’t make any changes to the video because it’s perfect. Giving us all the details and plans we need just like a television show, it’s absolutely perfect.

It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice. 

By martinarn