Google!

Most people think that when searching on Google, you can rely on the first page. But most people aren't aware that this isn't the best way to find your information. For searching a small topic, this might be okay, but when it comes to researching, the first page isn't always the way to go.

In class, we learned a few search tools that could help us find a website more quick and accurate depending on the information we want to know. I learned that adding a simple "AND" or "OR" could really narrow the research down. I also learned that if you minus something, it could help. (Ex: -videos -pictures)

 The topic we were told to research was "How do democratic and republican positions on the 'fiscal cliff' differ?" The first thing I did was to type up the question on google to see what would come up. After, I just started to mess around with the drop-down columns to see what I could do. After I got the hang of it, I started to minus things that I found irrelevant, such as videos, pictures, and blog entries. I also emphasized fiscal cliff by putting quotations around it, which I also found helpful. I then clicked on "Past 24 hours" and "Past year" just to see the difference. I learned that the smallest change could really effect the results!

Learning about these search tools and and all the different things we can do to narrow down our research really helped! It also WOW'd me on how cool it is. I find it much more easier, as well as entertaining! Learning about Google's search engine is very helpful and probably the best thing I've ever learned in school!!

Proposition 35

With all the interesting props that are out, I would have to say that Prop 35 stuck out to me most. Proposition 35 increases penalties for human trafficking. There are two kinds of trafficking: sex and labor trafficking.

Pros on Prop 35 is that it would lessen the human traffickers, scare people who thought about doing it, and most importantly it would prevent human trafficking and keeping everyone safe, espeically children and females. A con on Prop 35 is that existing criminal penalties for human trafficking would stay in effect, meaning that the number of children and females would increase over time.

If I was 18, I would vote YES on Prop 35. I believe that human trafficking is a serious crime that deserves a longer consequence. Also being a female, I wouldn't want to be sold for my body and just thinking about how that feels, makes me even more supportive of this Proposition.

The Middle Ages were so different than daily life today. How you lived depended on various things such as your occupation, gender, and social standing. The way you looked also played a major role on how your life would be.

            If I lived in the Middle Ages, I would probably only be a wife. I wouldn’t have a job rather than being a house wife because of the fact that I am a female. Females didn’t have much roles back in the day and that is why I would only be a wife. The challenges I would face would probably be knowing that I can’t do what I want and can do simply because of my gender. It would suck to be looked down on because I’m a girl and be stereotyped because of it. My family would be a middle class, happy family. We would always stick together and we all got along. I don’t have military training also because of my gender. I would be content with the way my life was because I’m lucky enough to have a family and a home. I wouldn’t ask for much because I’d be thankful of what I do have. I would value my family and morals above all. I would respect myself and my body and wouldn’t give it up to guys. I would cook for my kids, and be a happy house wife for my husband when he came home. My plan for the future would try to change the way everyone thought of females and just continue having a happy and successful family.

            The reason why I say all this is because I know how my life is today and it’s what is equivalent to how The Middle Ages were.

Summoner

Summoner's image: http://nehsmediacenterenglish.wikispaces.com/file/view/sum.jpg/43421047/sum.jpg

Summoner's description (middle and bottom of the page): http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/canterbury/section3.rhtml

The Summoner's job is to summon people before the authorities. He has a very bright red face with narrow eyes and scabby brows, who children were afraid of when he appeared. Aside from already having a fire-y face, he has pimples. The Summoner is also an alcoholic, who would shout and jabber Latin phrases. The Summoner is usually unfair and would use his power for his own benefits.

American Dream

        Coming from a family with high expectations usually means having a lot of pressure or extra weight on your shoulders. But with all that pressure comes a train of thoughts, usually what you’re future will look like. Being from a family similar to mine, you would hear that education is important because your future relies on that. Usually, parents only want what’s best for us, because they’ve already been there. They want their kid to be successful and with a job. And if you were to ask what teens’ dreams were, that’s what most of them would say. To most people, wealth and being famous is what they’d consider to be important. But my American Dream is to have a happy, successful, healthy, and most importantly, a complete family.

                Our “American Dream,” I believe, has a lot to do with the way we were raised, or what we’ve been through. Everyone will have different dreams, but all similar in a way. We all want to be stable, some way, somehow. And that’s usually achieved with the decisions we make today. Personally, I think education plays a huge role on our future. Not technically where we go, but just going. Colleges become more and more competitive to get into, but I think just finishing college is what’s going to really matter later on. With dedication and motivation, I think anyone is capable of reaching their dream. No matter how hard it gets, if you want something bad enough, you will strive for it. It becomes difficult because every day, there’s going to be more and more people who will want the same as you, but you just have to remember not to lose focus. In the article “Generation Screwed,” they describe the way the economy is today. And the truth is, our generation and economy really is messed up. But instead of it being an excuse, I think it should be our motivation to try harder and do better.

                To me, having a family is more than just important. They’re my world. Without mine, I wouldn’t know where I’d be. And that’s the same impact I want to leave later on. If it means having to work every day, I’d do it. My dad and grandparents do everything they can to give me what I need and want, and I will make sure to do the same for my kids. Growing up, the mother figure I had was my grandma and she inspired me to be a better person each day. She never taught me wrong or wished for bad. My grandma inspired me to do everything I can for my future. My whole family was always so supportive of me, and that's exactly what I want to be for my family later on.

               Although I always had someone to depend on, I was taught to never be dependent on anyone. My mentality was to be independent and never had to rely on anyone. So with that, I will make sure to finish college and find a job, not only to support my family, but to support myself and not worry about asking anyone else for help. In order to have a happy and successful family, it's important to know how to handle yourself and go through certain things alone.

               When dealing with goals and dreams, it usually takes time. But if you want something bad, then you'll work for it and learn to be patient. With an American Dream like mine, though, I have nothing but time. I know it will take a while but when the time comes, it will be worth it. I know it's simple but my family will always come first.

Acceptance to college

          The main concern for many teens today is college, and being accepted into the college they desire. But the closer it gets, the more worried we get. The pressure from our peers and more importantly, our parents, can really get to us. So once senior year comes, many of us are just so drained and ready to let the year fly by. But what most of us don't realize is that colleges actually want us to work to the best of our ability, especially it being our last year to show them what we've got.
          When seniors decide to slack off their last year in high school, they think that colleges won't see -or won't even care, for that matter. They think that once they've been accepted, they're set. But that's where they're wrong. With the way the economy is today, colleges get harder and harder to get into. It becomes more competitive each year since there's people all around the world trying to get that same spot. So why stop trying when you're just around the corner? That same reason should be exactly why you want to try even harder. With that, colleges should have every right to revoke your acceptance once you start to slip, so it'd be best to stay on the safe side and continue working as you normally would, regardless of having that acceptance letter in hand or not.
          With college already being as competitive as it is, you should already be trying your best even when you get that acceptance letter. You have so many more oppurtunities to do things you want and to take the easy way out, but senior year is definitely not one of them. Why slack off when you get that letter, when there are so many other people out there dying to get that spot? Only difference is, they're trying their best for something they really want, while you're letting the school year fly by just because you think it's okay to.
          If colleges didn't take away the entrance to their campuses from seniors who decide to take the easy way out, then imagine how school all around would be like. Nobody wants someone who will slack off right at the end. Colleges want those who will always do their best, until the very end. They don't want students who will slack off right when they get in. Imagine it this way, you wouldn't want to hire someone who is only great at the interview and knows absolutely nothing when it comes to the real thing. It can't all be just for show. And that's what colleges are trying to get out to us. Once we turn in that application, it's our own duty to make sure we finish what we started. We commit ourselves to something and we would only be cheating ourselves if we didn't follow through with whatever it is.
          Senior year is definitely a year we will all cherish, no matter how it turns out. But it's very important to not get off task and stay on top of it all. Just because you're around the corner from graduating, it still should be no excuse to fool around. Seniors should work just as hard as they were doing all throughout their high school career, if not even harder. Knowing that the college of their dreams could take away their acceptance to their campus anytime after they already get in, should be enough motivation to keep them from slacking off.

Senior year highlights

Instead of asking what I'm excited for most about my senior year, I think it would be a lot easier to ask what am I NOT excited for. I can tell you straight off the bat that everything about this year is going to be a blast.. Until Senior Project comes along. It never really sounded so good, and I'm sure it's going to prove me right when we start it next semester. I know senior year isn't going to be all fun and games, but before we all know it, it will be May 31st and we'll ask where the time went. But even though I'm a little worried about Senior Project now, I'm still very excited for the all activities that will be going on this year.
Since the school year has just started, I can say that football season is what I'm really looking forward to at the moment. Being on the bleachers, watching our football team in the bright lights, is probably the best way to spend a Friday night. To me, anyway. The feeling of just watching your team, especially when they win, is just a good feeling. Especially when surrounded by all your friends and all those good vibes. Another thing I can say I'm really excited for is Senior Ball! Although it's still far from now, I'm already thinking and worrying about how I'm going to look and who I'll be going with! I know that regardless, it'll be a good night. I'm also very excited for Grad Night. I'm really looking forward to spending one night with all my peers before we all separate. I know we didn't have one last year, and I know it's difficult due to money issues and getting things approved by administration, but I really hope things will go right this time around because what better way ending your senior year, your last days of high school, than with the people you spent all four years, maybe even more, with?! ..Especially if it was at Disneyland :)