Hi all, I just wanted to let you know that I have read all of your columns and will be emailing you tomorrow with your grades. It has taken me longer than anticipated to read and assess all of your columns, but I can say that on the whole they have been wonderful and I think that most of you will be happy with the grade that you receive. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading them, all 110 columns! In the future, so that we can continue to do these assignments with some regularity and so that you can share your writing with your classmates and in turn read their work, but so that I can continue to maintain some semblance of a life outside of school (yes, teachers have a life too!) I will read and comment on the columns, but will not assess them. You will get the full points for writing them, as you did with your first writing assignment about your essence. You will still get assessed on your unit papers as well as the occasional in class essays that we will do, now that you have tables to write on. This way we can continue to write on our blogs and you can do so without worrying about your grade, you can write for the pleasure of writing and sharing your incredibly insightful and mature opinions with me and with each other.
Mr. Nic
Friday, August 29, 2008
Monday, August 18, 2008
One Proud Teacher
I just wanted to take a quick moment to commend all of you for the time, effort, passion, creativity, and energy that you have put into this assignment. I had high expectations for this, but you have exceeded even those, and I just want to say how proud I am to be able to work with you, and how much I am looking forward to this school year. I will be reading through the columns and comments that you all posted over the next few days, and hope to be caught up on my reading and grading by the end of the week.
I will discuss in class how you will be graded on these, and I do take some time to grade them as I read and reread them carefully, so be patient with me as I know I don’t get you immediate feedback. What I lack in timeliness I will try to make up for with depth in my assessment of your writing.
Remember, I am looking for, in order of importance, the quality of your ideas, your writing style, and the fundamentals of your writing. In other words, what you have to say, how you say it, and that you say it in the proper fashion. I really enjoy reading good creative writing, and to that end I welcome you to challenge yourself and to try different things with your writing. I would rather you take some risks and fall short than to play it safe and give me the standard 5 paragraph AIMS essay, and I will take all that into account when grading and assessing you.
Again, thank you for being such wonderful students and for giving so much of yourselves. I will always do everything I can to live up to the challenge and the honor of being one of your teachers here at ASA.
Mr. Nic
I will discuss in class how you will be graded on these, and I do take some time to grade them as I read and reread them carefully, so be patient with me as I know I don’t get you immediate feedback. What I lack in timeliness I will try to make up for with depth in my assessment of your writing.
Remember, I am looking for, in order of importance, the quality of your ideas, your writing style, and the fundamentals of your writing. In other words, what you have to say, how you say it, and that you say it in the proper fashion. I really enjoy reading good creative writing, and to that end I welcome you to challenge yourself and to try different things with your writing. I would rather you take some risks and fall short than to play it safe and give me the standard 5 paragraph AIMS essay, and I will take all that into account when grading and assessing you.
Again, thank you for being such wonderful students and for giving so much of yourselves. I will always do everything I can to live up to the challenge and the honor of being one of your teachers here at ASA.
Mr. Nic
te music Mr. foxx ( cameron ^^) p.s., not changed to show work wasnt just done
Music. Music is expression. It fills the soul with faith, longing, happiness, or just in general, emotion. Emotion and music work hand and hand to create perfection. The pieces of music made by these key elements span far and wide, separated by the emotions they portray. The different kinds of music are separated in to select genres which differ for there artistic ideals. Personally, I like every genre of music except for country. For some reason country doesn’t stick out like all the other kinds. Its slow but always mostly major. Its made for people who don’t know how to dance and its, just generally, safe. That’s why, out of all the genres, country comes out on bottom for me.
Music to me is a way of knowledge. Learning guitar, piano, singing, etc. are ways of gaining information and learning something new. Regardless of whether I’m good or bad at any of them isn’t the question. The reassurance that your experiencing an art form is all that counts.
I would have been listening away on my pod but you see, I I’ve lost it temporarily! So all the songs from seussical are just waiting for me to find it. I really feel like a lonely record player without my ipod. My ipod to me is a way to get away when everything is too frustrating. The song into the west beckons me to listen so I can go to sleep.
I’m sorry if I’m cutting this endeavor short, but I’m afraid my essay can only be 300 seeing as Mr. Nicholas would probably want me sleeping already, and I hope he understands I did the best I could have in this current situation.
Thank you for reading how I feel about music, I hope you enjoyed it, but now I must go to bed to be able to wake up in the morning.
Music to me is a way of knowledge. Learning guitar, piano, singing, etc. are ways of gaining information and learning something new. Regardless of whether I’m good or bad at any of them isn’t the question. The reassurance that your experiencing an art form is all that counts.
I would have been listening away on my pod but you see, I I’ve lost it temporarily! So all the songs from seussical are just waiting for me to find it. I really feel like a lonely record player without my ipod. My ipod to me is a way to get away when everything is too frustrating. The song into the west beckons me to listen so I can go to sleep.
I’m sorry if I’m cutting this endeavor short, but I’m afraid my essay can only be 300 seeing as Mr. Nicholas would probably want me sleeping already, and I hope he understands I did the best I could have in this current situation.
Thank you for reading how I feel about music, I hope you enjoyed it, but now I must go to bed to be able to wake up in the morning.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Bungie made a pretty sweet game.
To me, keeping the ties that keep me together and in good health with my friends and other relationships is one of the most important things I do. The best way I can do this is through my video games. Video games are defined as games played by electronically manipulating images produced by a computer program on a television screen. In my household, the machine that keeps me in touch with my friends, domestic and worldwide, is the Xbox360®. This machine is capable of connecting to the World Wide Web and allowing friends and other people to compete and allow distinct endeavors that require other real people.
When I had first entered ASA as a 6th Grader, I had lost all of my recent friends at the school I was going to. I met many people and gained new friends. In my second year, most of the friends I had made left and I made new friends in my next class. These friends have stayed for quite some time while some left and new ones came. As the years continued, it became ever more difficult for me to keep in touch with my friends outside of school. I became increasingly worried and soon I was able to keep in touch with most of them after I had gotten my gaming console.The game and game type in which I interact with other people and learn about differences in some cultures most is Halo 3, which is an FPS (First Person Shooter). This game type, to me, is the best way for me to keep in touch with people and gain something to do, like a hobby. These games allow for a couple of people to compete against each other and to increase in skill. As that happens they learn about each other and, usually, them selves. This game has shone me a great deal about how I am able to keep myself relieved of stress and how I like the challenge of finding out a way to penetrate the defenses of an enemy that is the same as you but is able to understand what I am doing. From that I have learned that I am usually good at strategic planning. These games have helped me with ever decaying friendships, stress at home and at school, and to learn how to deal with a large amount of differing human psyches.
These games are an integral part of my own mental growth and are the only ways that I have found in 4 years of failed attempts that I can keep the ties that are important to me.
Daniel Theobald
music love
Jean-luc
Music
American music and music in general can change people. Music can change your clothes the way you talk the way you present yourself and many other things about your personality. American music can span from rap to medal giving a wide verity of speech clothing and other aspects of a person. Music is a medium for some one to express them selves the choice of music for me would be for rap and rand b because these two genres speak of love and other subjects like politics. What also attracts me to those two genres is the actual music it is a pealing to me because it calms me. Without R&B I would have to use some other medium to express myself. Even though I still have these two music options I use my clothing to represent what I’m feeling. Music has not only taken my life at home but my life at school because I use the knowledge that I receive from school to make my own music. In many other cultures as well as our own music just not listened too but has either ceremonial or popular dance that goes along with the beat. For most of the music that I listen to there is an array of different dances. Because of most of the music I listen to there are a lot of stories that you might relate to that can make you laugh. Because of the array of emotions you can feel you can listen to a song that can brighten up your bad day. Although I don’t listen to religious music I have a great appreciation for it because the people that create it are expressing the feel about something, religion a very important thing for some people. Although music may play a large roll in my life I don’t let people define me by the music I listen to because of genre people can label you much like in high school he’s the rocker he’s the jock. Because of labels I like to look at other music so I could be well rounded. In most schools there are an array of people that like different types of music so it would be good to know and appreciate other types of music. The main reason for music is to have a good time and to express yourself in a positive light. I believe that music is a grate way to express your self if you have the chance to tell people about yourself.
Music
American music and music in general can change people. Music can change your clothes the way you talk the way you present yourself and many other things about your personality. American music can span from rap to medal giving a wide verity of speech clothing and other aspects of a person. Music is a medium for some one to express them selves the choice of music for me would be for rap and rand b because these two genres speak of love and other subjects like politics. What also attracts me to those two genres is the actual music it is a pealing to me because it calms me. Without R&B I would have to use some other medium to express myself. Even though I still have these two music options I use my clothing to represent what I’m feeling. Music has not only taken my life at home but my life at school because I use the knowledge that I receive from school to make my own music. In many other cultures as well as our own music just not listened too but has either ceremonial or popular dance that goes along with the beat. For most of the music that I listen to there is an array of different dances. Because of most of the music I listen to there are a lot of stories that you might relate to that can make you laugh. Because of the array of emotions you can feel you can listen to a song that can brighten up your bad day. Although I don’t listen to religious music I have a great appreciation for it because the people that create it are expressing the feel about something, religion a very important thing for some people. Although music may play a large roll in my life I don’t let people define me by the music I listen to because of genre people can label you much like in high school he’s the rocker he’s the jock. Because of labels I like to look at other music so I could be well rounded. In most schools there are an array of people that like different types of music so it would be good to know and appreciate other types of music. The main reason for music is to have a good time and to express yourself in a positive light. I believe that music is a grate way to express your self if you have the chance to tell people about yourself.
Music is who I am Gump (Forest)
Music. It is probably one of the most influential things of all time. This being said I have been greatly affected by it. This is because music represents who you are. Meaning you are attracted to music that goes along with what you are used to feeling. This is not only in lyrics however because the style and sound of the music you listen also shows your inner emotion. For example think of the stereotypes when you think of different types of music. For rap you might be thinking of gangsters while when you think of hard rock you think of Goth. While I know that not all of us are these type of people just because you listen to certain styles of music but you do hold some of the same basic interests. For me I listen to mostly rock and alternative. This shows that I have some of the same interests and feelings as Goth. For example rock music can be empowering but also when you start getting into the harder types it gets more angry. This allows me to let out some of my everyday problems through listening to my music. On the other hand when I listen to something softer and smoother I am filled with hope and resolve. So I chose the music I listen at a certain instant based on what I want to accomplish. So when I want to think I put on something smooth and calm like soft rock or even classical music. My favorite album for chess is a album of renaissance music. Before I started writing this I just put my MP3 player on shuffle so I could write about the different types of music as I listening to them. The song right now is actually pop which I would consider to be music that is meant to dance to.
Music can also change the person who you are. I grew up on classical music, my parents say that is why I so smart, show tunes, and smooth alternative. So when I started listening to pop then rock then hard rock it was a big change. I first did it out of pure rebellion of classical. But slowly it grew on me and I began to notice that, despite my parents opinion, it made me calmer. I now realize that I was, like I said before, able to take my problems out through the music. So I would have to say that music made me the person that I am today.Fashion Fashion Fashion- Rubius Hagrid (ruby)
Fashion is one of the most important things in my life other than the obvious necessities required to survive.(school, living, breathing, etc.) Fashion is important to me because I want to have a career focused on it. Everyday of my life involves fashion, and I take pride in how things look and usually never leave the house with out looking my very best. For my career I wish to become a fashion designer and open a small store in London, England and expand from there. Then when I turn 38 I want to become the editor and chief of a fashion magazine. As you can see, I have it all planed out.
Some reasons my life involves fashion as such an important role is because to me what is on “the outside” does count. It’s the first thing people see, and I really believe there is no reason to not make it look good! I mean sure, the “inside” counts and is the most important part to a person, but the “outside” is what people can see at first glance, and just from that they can already know a little about you. And from this I move on to my next subject.
Expression. Fashion is another way of expressing ones self. Those who don’t even have a remote care for fashion express themselves with it. (They wear clothing that says, “I don’t care about fashion”). Now lets say you see a…. Punk Rocker. The first thought that will probably come to mind is that they are a punk rocker. You see? Fashion shows the world what people want to be seen as. For myself, I want the world to see that I take pride in finding shirts that look good with checkered shorts. And that I am not the average fourteen year old girl with normal fourteen year old thoughts. I am a defined individual with an unusual obsession in vintage styled clothing.
Fashion is not just an important thing for me. It appears on every single person on earth, (yes. Even those who don’t wear clothing) and I am sure many others also enjoy expressing themselves through-out the use of clothing. In different cultures men and women express their heritages throughout the use of clothing. Just look at the difference between the clothing Indians wear compared to Africans. Expressing ones self is a world wide trend.
Fashion is an important part of life to me. And I just hope that my love for fashion might someday become my career.
Some reasons my life involves fashion as such an important role is because to me what is on “the outside” does count. It’s the first thing people see, and I really believe there is no reason to not make it look good! I mean sure, the “inside” counts and is the most important part to a person, but the “outside” is what people can see at first glance, and just from that they can already know a little about you. And from this I move on to my next subject.
Expression. Fashion is another way of expressing ones self. Those who don’t even have a remote care for fashion express themselves with it. (They wear clothing that says, “I don’t care about fashion”). Now lets say you see a…. Punk Rocker. The first thought that will probably come to mind is that they are a punk rocker. You see? Fashion shows the world what people want to be seen as. For myself, I want the world to see that I take pride in finding shirts that look good with checkered shorts. And that I am not the average fourteen year old girl with normal fourteen year old thoughts. I am a defined individual with an unusual obsession in vintage styled clothing.
Fashion is not just an important thing for me. It appears on every single person on earth, (yes. Even those who don’t wear clothing) and I am sure many others also enjoy expressing themselves through-out the use of clothing. In different cultures men and women express their heritages throughout the use of clothing. Just look at the difference between the clothing Indians wear compared to Africans. Expressing ones self is a world wide trend.
Fashion is an important part of life to me. And I just hope that my love for fashion might someday become my career.
Alcyone's Music
Within this world, every country has certain aspects that define their culture and heritage. I believe that music is the most crucial element of a culture for its all around us with a deep connection to each country. Music personally brings me into a different place all together; one where I am at ease and always can escape to. These elements are a representation of a countries strength, and heritage. The musicality of a song can come from the ancient times but have been passed down from generation to generation changing ever so slightly as time its self changes.
Music is one way to express an emotion,story, or passion through notes on an enormous range of instruments. These instruments can be beautifully crafted only to bring tranquility to the area's its notes can reach. In other countries, there are instruments that interest me such as the bong-go and the rain stick. Instruments as well as music from these distant countries captivate me because different cultures interpret music in different ways then we do. Countries such as China, France, and Israel fascinate me with their music where as specifically Africa uses music to sound like nature or wild life. Another way to bring music to life is through experimenting with natural objects such as crunching leaves or beating a rhythm. Playing music really impacts my life because I play musical instruments almost every day. The instrument I enjoy playing the most are the piano, but more importantly, the viola. I like to play classical music rather than listen to it.
There are also many forms of music spreading from classical and folk, to alternative and rock. I personally enjoy almost every form of music and can listen to a variety of genres all day. Music is the one thing I can turn to when I am sad, mad, or happy. Since I listen to different kinds of music, when i am feeling down, I listen to softer music, where as when I am happy, I listen to music that gets me dancing. Alternative and rock are perhaps my favorite forms of music to listen to. I enjoy also enjoy music where the lyrics either tell a story, or can get stuck in your head for the rest of the day, but in a good way. I also enjoy songs where there are certain words or perhaps that make you stop and think. Personally, I like to think of abstract ideas and concepts that are "out of this world". An example of a phrase that made me thin was from Snow Partol's "Chasing Cars" verse, "Those three words, I've said to much, but not enough." This line made me realize that there is a difference between saying something, and meaning something different. Music impacts my life tremendously; I love listening to all kinds as well as watching musicians play, and even playing my own form of music.
Video Games and Me-Neo
Though not the most important thing in my life, video games are a real pleasure. I have a PSP (Play Station Portable), PS2, and Game boy SP. Most of my games are rated T (teen) and I have beaten a lot of them. Also, I like a lot of different genres. I have games in fantasy, sci-fi, fiction, comedy, war, and sports genres.
As far as fantasy, I have some sweet stuff. I have all the Lord of the Rings games. I have beaten both The Two Towers and The Return of the King. I have not, however, beaten The Fellowship of the Ring. The other two (two towers/return of the king) were awesome and I replay them a lot. At this point, I have overwritten almost every single save slot on both games and can now make through both games without dying once. I keep losing my way on the Fellowship and therefor have to restart the levels a lot. Still, sci-fi is cooler.
I have a lot of games for science fiction. Star Wars is actually top on this list because I have three Star Wars games. One is the one I've had the longest. Its title is Star Wars: The Clone Wars (yes like the movie that just came out). I am close to beating it, but I can not. I'm stuck on level 15 where I have to kill two very powerful droids (if anyone knows how to beat the protodekas on level 15, tell me how at school and I will thank you deeply (lol)). The second is Star Wars: Racer Revenge. This is weird because it is impossible to beat (pod racing). The third is new, Star Wars Battlefront II (not new game, but I got it a year ago and have only played it once). It is awesome. Literally, no one can beat it because it has an endless cycle of levels and battles. Comedy and fantasy kind of go together.
I have two games in comedy/fantasy. The comedy is a scooby doo game. It seems to have no plot (Game Boy), so I don't really play it a lot. The fantasy game is cool though. It is Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII. Basically, all I do is run around slashing people with a really big sword. It is awesome but I can't beat it (as per protodekas, anyone who can beat Sephiroth has my gratitude so long as they tell me how to). That's really all I have for this genre.
I have a few sports games. One is a bmx game (Game Boy) which also seems to have no plot. Another is hockey, which I love (anyone want Madden '04?). That's actually it.
I almost forgot. Another fantasy game I have is Eragon. I've beaten it like 70 bazillion times and can actually make it through the whole thing without dying once. Still, the war games are more interesting.
War games are pretty fun. I have two Medal of Honor games (beaten them), one Call of Duty game (trying to beat it a third time) and a tactical strike game (boo). They are good (except the t.s. game) and I would not sell them in a million years.
Although video games are not the most important part of my life, they help me to wind down and let off a little steam. Video games will always be a part of me. But really, I'm serious. Does anyone want Madden '04?
As far as fantasy, I have some sweet stuff. I have all the Lord of the Rings games. I have beaten both The Two Towers and The Return of the King. I have not, however, beaten The Fellowship of the Ring. The other two (two towers/return of the king) were awesome and I replay them a lot. At this point, I have overwritten almost every single save slot on both games and can now make through both games without dying once. I keep losing my way on the Fellowship and therefor have to restart the levels a lot. Still, sci-fi is cooler.
I have a lot of games for science fiction. Star Wars is actually top on this list because I have three Star Wars games. One is the one I've had the longest. Its title is Star Wars: The Clone Wars (yes like the movie that just came out). I am close to beating it, but I can not. I'm stuck on level 15 where I have to kill two very powerful droids (if anyone knows how to beat the protodekas on level 15, tell me how at school and I will thank you deeply (lol)). The second is Star Wars: Racer Revenge. This is weird because it is impossible to beat (pod racing). The third is new, Star Wars Battlefront II (not new game, but I got it a year ago and have only played it once). It is awesome. Literally, no one can beat it because it has an endless cycle of levels and battles. Comedy and fantasy kind of go together.
I have two games in comedy/fantasy. The comedy is a scooby doo game. It seems to have no plot (Game Boy), so I don't really play it a lot. The fantasy game is cool though. It is Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII. Basically, all I do is run around slashing people with a really big sword. It is awesome but I can't beat it (as per protodekas, anyone who can beat Sephiroth has my gratitude so long as they tell me how to). That's really all I have for this genre.
I have a few sports games. One is a bmx game (Game Boy) which also seems to have no plot. Another is hockey, which I love (anyone want Madden '04?). That's actually it.
I almost forgot. Another fantasy game I have is Eragon. I've beaten it like 70 bazillion times and can actually make it through the whole thing without dying once. Still, the war games are more interesting.
War games are pretty fun. I have two Medal of Honor games (beaten them), one Call of Duty game (trying to beat it a third time) and a tactical strike game (boo). They are good (except the t.s. game) and I would not sell them in a million years.
Although video games are not the most important part of my life, they help me to wind down and let off a little steam. Video games will always be a part of me. But really, I'm serious. Does anyone want Madden '04?
Food is My Life- Dane Cook
Food is a major interest in my life because one I enjoying making it and sharing it with others. And two it taste good and I enjoy tasting others creations. I try to cook for my family at least once a month. The variety of food my family eats is vast. We eat food from Indian to American. When I eat another culture’s food it makes me want to visit there to taste it first hand, from the experts who created. If my family travels we always stakeout the best restaurant in the state and/or city. Then we rank the food on a scale one to ten, one being horrible and ten being overwhelmingly amazing.
If I am stressed about schoolwork (mostly during presentations) a family meal at dinner always cheers me up. If I skip a meal during the day I would not feel as well as I could have for the rest of the day if I had eaten. The kind of food I eat (protein or carbohydrates) effects if I am more or less active the rest of the day. If I eat protein I feel more prepared and more alert than when I eat only carbohydrates.My favorite food is crapes. When I come home to a dinner with crapes, or another one of my favorite meals, I am always a little worried about getting the assignments done before eating dinner. The want to enjoy my dinner and want to relax after dinner, is what pushes me to work harder to get my assignments done. So you could say that food fuels (or motivates) me to work harder. Another type of fueling that food accommodates is actually fuel known as oil. I find it noble how food is being made into alternate types of fuel for our economy and the growing population of cars on the road. It makes one think that maybe one-day, because of food; we will no longer be dependent on oil and gasoline. So I think this adds to my experience in the world because when our society is loosing one key element (oil), we can compensate for that by using food.
Music to My Ears-Mr. Nic
There are very few things in life that I enjoy more than music. Time spent with loved ones, a fiery sunrise, a peaceful sunset, and a big old tuna sandwich on sourdough are a few, but music is one of my favorite things to experience. When I listen to good music I am taken away to another place, I become almost oblivious to my surroundings. Whether I’m in my car banging out the drum solo on the steering wheel or strumming the guitar line on my center consul, or at the gym with my iPod and mouthing the lyrics while keeping time with my feet, I get to a place where I don’t even care if people are looking at me funny or what they even think because I’m in the middle of a great tune and nobody can touch me.
Some songs bring back memories of certain times in my life, sometimes sad memories but mostly great ones, as my life has been made up of mostly wonderful people and great experiences. I can hear a song and it will take me back to a certain time and place, usually accompanied by a big smile on my face as I remember high school days spent cruising up the esplanade at the beach at sunset, or sitting in my buddy’s car in front of my house, him doing the lead and me doing the backup vocals.
When I hear great music I get emotional. I get goose bumps at some music, and some music is just so good that it brings tears to my eyes. Not because I’m sad, but the opposite, I just feel so good to be alive and so fortunate that it humbles me and brings tears streaming down my face, and I’m old enough that I don’t care anymore if that seems unmanly so I just let them fall. I also come to tears at movies, plays, and musicals, again not even at a usual tear jerker moment, like when Old Yeller died or when ET wanted to go home, but just when something moves me.
My tastes in music have expanded over the years, but I still love all of the musical styles that I have been exposed to since I first fell in love with music as a little kid. When I was only 2 or 3 years old I used to listen to my record player so much that as a punishment my parents would take my record player away. It did the trick because I didn’t want that punishment again.
Growing up my parents made a decision to not have a TV in the house, so in addition to reading a lot, I spent countless hours in my room, lying on the floor and listening to my albums and to the radio, which back in the days before corporate radio dominated the airwaves was really enjoyable. From Elvis Presley records that I listened to and Sam Cooke records that my grandparents had in their collection when I was a pre-schooler, to heavy metal, which I started listening to in junior high, to new wave or alternative music that I listened to in high school, to the classic rock that I got turned on to in college, to jazz which I also fell in love with in college, to classical music that I used to listen to when studying for exams but have come to greatly appreciate in recent years at any time, to opera, which I fell in love with only last December watching the performance of La Boehme at the Orpheum theatre, music is something that enriches my life and gives me great pleasure, and it is something that will always be a major part of who I am.
Some songs bring back memories of certain times in my life, sometimes sad memories but mostly great ones, as my life has been made up of mostly wonderful people and great experiences. I can hear a song and it will take me back to a certain time and place, usually accompanied by a big smile on my face as I remember high school days spent cruising up the esplanade at the beach at sunset, or sitting in my buddy’s car in front of my house, him doing the lead and me doing the backup vocals.
When I hear great music I get emotional. I get goose bumps at some music, and some music is just so good that it brings tears to my eyes. Not because I’m sad, but the opposite, I just feel so good to be alive and so fortunate that it humbles me and brings tears streaming down my face, and I’m old enough that I don’t care anymore if that seems unmanly so I just let them fall. I also come to tears at movies, plays, and musicals, again not even at a usual tear jerker moment, like when Old Yeller died or when ET wanted to go home, but just when something moves me.
My tastes in music have expanded over the years, but I still love all of the musical styles that I have been exposed to since I first fell in love with music as a little kid. When I was only 2 or 3 years old I used to listen to my record player so much that as a punishment my parents would take my record player away. It did the trick because I didn’t want that punishment again.
Growing up my parents made a decision to not have a TV in the house, so in addition to reading a lot, I spent countless hours in my room, lying on the floor and listening to my albums and to the radio, which back in the days before corporate radio dominated the airwaves was really enjoyable. From Elvis Presley records that I listened to and Sam Cooke records that my grandparents had in their collection when I was a pre-schooler, to heavy metal, which I started listening to in junior high, to new wave or alternative music that I listened to in high school, to the classic rock that I got turned on to in college, to jazz which I also fell in love with in college, to classical music that I used to listen to when studying for exams but have come to greatly appreciate in recent years at any time, to opera, which I fell in love with only last December watching the performance of La Boehme at the Orpheum theatre, music is something that enriches my life and gives me great pleasure, and it is something that will always be a major part of who I am.
The Element of Music- Kanon
Music is a very broad and intriguing concept of life. In my opinion, music is one of the very reasons teenagers stay sane. By listening to music, one can escape anger, sorrow, boredom or anxiety. I myself listen to a wide variety of music from a wide range of genres. One genre of music which has greatly influenced my life is K-Pop (Korean Pop) or J-Pop (Japanese Pop). These genres of music define the way I dress, act and talk. How do genres like this influence me to dress, talk and act the way I do? Well… the bands that I watch under this category of genre act, dress and talk exactly the way I do. So in other words, they inspire me to do what I do. These bands are Antic Cafe and Super Junior. I love listening to their music and squeel at the very mention of their name. Sure... you can call it an obsession I have.
I guess, the truth is, many people listen to music which defines them and/or their lifestyle. This concept is not always true, but most of the time, someone’s personality can usually hint to the type of music they choose to listen to. This concept ties in with clothing as well. If someone listens to oldies music, they might decide to wear a shirt with an oldies band, such as the Beatles, or an oldies singer, such as Elvis. And I have seen many people wear clothing such as this, which is pretty awesome. Because, it shows me how music has not only influenced my life, but the life of all the people around me.
Music in general has affected the world as a whole, changing the lifestyles of everyone everywhere. It helps people escape the annoyances of life, party to a good beat or jam out on the way to school (as I do every day… even though it scares my mom at times). But, this is the whole point of music! Not to scare your mother (even though I’m sure that could work), but, the point of music is to enjoy it without worrying about what other’s opinions are. If you likfe a certain song, then you like it, end of discussion.
Music is an element of life which will always be there to make you laugh, smile or cheer you up. This is one of the many reasons I enjoy listening to it. Music has cheered me up many times and will continue to make me smile and party away with my friends (which is another element of life, but not the point of my paper). So… respect the music!! \m/>.<\m/
I guess, the truth is, many people listen to music which defines them and/or their lifestyle. This concept is not always true, but most of the time, someone’s personality can usually hint to the type of music they choose to listen to. This concept ties in with clothing as well. If someone listens to oldies music, they might decide to wear a shirt with an oldies band, such as the Beatles, or an oldies singer, such as Elvis. And I have seen many people wear clothing such as this, which is pretty awesome. Because, it shows me how music has not only influenced my life, but the life of all the people around me.
Music in general has affected the world as a whole, changing the lifestyles of everyone everywhere. It helps people escape the annoyances of life, party to a good beat or jam out on the way to school (as I do every day… even though it scares my mom at times). But, this is the whole point of music! Not to scare your mother (even though I’m sure that could work), but, the point of music is to enjoy it without worrying about what other’s opinions are. If you likfe a certain song, then you like it, end of discussion.
Music is an element of life which will always be there to make you laugh, smile or cheer you up. This is one of the many reasons I enjoy listening to it. Music has cheered me up many times and will continue to make me smile and party away with my friends (which is another element of life, but not the point of my paper). So… respect the music!! \m/>.<\m/
Religion - Penguino
My religion has the more of an impact on my life than any other thing involved with my life. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (also known as the Mormon Church). Mormonism follows the guidelines of the bible, and another book accompanying the bible called the Book of Mormon.
Many people outside of the Mormon Church think that Mormons practice polygamy which is not true. Until 1890, Mormons did practice polygamy, but most people are not aware that now, if any member of the church practices polygamy, they will be excommunicated.
You might see Mormon missionaries walking door to door preaching about Mormonism, much like the way Jehovah’s witnesses do except for the fact that you can only become a Mormon missionary when you are 19(for guys) and 21(for girls). Each missionary goes on a mission. Men go on 2 year missions and women go on 1 ½ year missions. Going on a mission helps you learn many things like financial management.
Mormons celebrate all Christian Holidays because Mormonism is basically Christianity, but with more rules.
During the week, the youth in the church have many separate meetings.
There are two different youth groups the Young Men, the Young Women. Each of the two groups separated into three different groups determined by age. For the Young Women, the first age group is Beehives (ages 12-13), the second group is the Mia Maids (ages 14-15), and finally, the Laurels (ages 16- 17). The Young Men’s groups are Deacons, Teachers, and Priests all of the groups holding the same age limitations as the Young Women. The majority of the weekly meetings are not separated into young men and young women, but the two groups are joined to make one full youth. We go to church every Sunday, and another weekly meeting we have as youth of the church is mutual. Mutual is an activity day where the youth in each separate section of the church (ward) can bond through fun activities chosen and scheduled by the youth themselves. Most wards have mutual every Wednesday, but my ward has mutual every Tuesday because the church is filled every Tuesday by other wards.
The youth start going to seminary (a type of bible study) when you start your freshmen year of high school. Seminary starts fairly early in the morning every weekday (Monday – Friday). Seminary in the morning wakes me up so that I am energized for a whole school day and even maybe more activities. Also, being in seminary partially helps me regulate my sleeping patterns because I know I have to get up at around 5:00am to 5:30am to get to my 6:00 am seminary class and make it to school on time.
Although it may not be very evident in the previous information, I love my religion and my weekly routine, because it helps me draw my relationship closer to my Lord, God.
Many people outside of the Mormon Church think that Mormons practice polygamy which is not true. Until 1890, Mormons did practice polygamy, but most people are not aware that now, if any member of the church practices polygamy, they will be excommunicated.
You might see Mormon missionaries walking door to door preaching about Mormonism, much like the way Jehovah’s witnesses do except for the fact that you can only become a Mormon missionary when you are 19(for guys) and 21(for girls). Each missionary goes on a mission. Men go on 2 year missions and women go on 1 ½ year missions. Going on a mission helps you learn many things like financial management.
Mormons celebrate all Christian Holidays because Mormonism is basically Christianity, but with more rules.
During the week, the youth in the church have many separate meetings.
There are two different youth groups the Young Men, the Young Women. Each of the two groups separated into three different groups determined by age. For the Young Women, the first age group is Beehives (ages 12-13), the second group is the Mia Maids (ages 14-15), and finally, the Laurels (ages 16- 17). The Young Men’s groups are Deacons, Teachers, and Priests all of the groups holding the same age limitations as the Young Women. The majority of the weekly meetings are not separated into young men and young women, but the two groups are joined to make one full youth. We go to church every Sunday, and another weekly meeting we have as youth of the church is mutual. Mutual is an activity day where the youth in each separate section of the church (ward) can bond through fun activities chosen and scheduled by the youth themselves. Most wards have mutual every Wednesday, but my ward has mutual every Tuesday because the church is filled every Tuesday by other wards.
The youth start going to seminary (a type of bible study) when you start your freshmen year of high school. Seminary starts fairly early in the morning every weekday (Monday – Friday). Seminary in the morning wakes me up so that I am energized for a whole school day and even maybe more activities. Also, being in seminary partially helps me regulate my sleeping patterns because I know I have to get up at around 5:00am to 5:30am to get to my 6:00 am seminary class and make it to school on time.
Although it may not be very evident in the previous information, I love my religion and my weekly routine, because it helps me draw my relationship closer to my Lord, God.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
My Religion
My religion has a great impact on my life. I am one of Jehovah's Witnesses (Jehovah being God's name). My religion is biblically based, which means that my beliefs come from a deep study of the bible.
One of my beliefs as a Jehovah's Witness is to remain politically neutral, as Jesus did. I remain politically neutral because I believe that God will fix earth's problems and imperfect men cannot do this. As a matter of fact, the reason Jesus sacrificed himself was so we could be perfect and live forever in God's kingdom (scriptural reference in Revelation 21:3,4).
Another thing I do not do because I am a Jehovah's Witness is the celebrating of holidays. The reason I do not celebrate holidays is because Jesus did not celebrate today's holidays (not even his own birth) nor are these found anywhere in the bible. Almost all holidays can be traced back to Babylon and its king, Nebuchadnezzar, who worshipped the false gods that represented the holidays. For instance, did you know that Easter was not originally created to commemorate Jesus' death? Have you ever thought what bunnies and chicks have to do with Jesus' death? Rather, Easter was a time when the Pagans were celebrating their god of fertility, which is where the bunnies and chicks come from (very fertile animals).
The thing that Jehovah's Witnesses are most known for is going door-to-door and talking about God's kingdom. You have probably seen Family Guy or the Simpson's crack jokes about the Jehovah's Witnesses preaching. I am known for being a social and not a very shy person. I am this way because every weekend I go door to door talking to strangers about my religion. Doing this requires a lot of courage. Not only has preaching helped my social skills but it has also helped my presentation skills, which is good when our presentations roll by.
My religion has also affected my appearance. As a Jehovah's Witness, I believe that dressing in provocative clothing would be a bad representation of God. I also believe that having bad hygiene would be a bad representation of God.
Another way my religion affects me is that much of my time is spent on religious activities and study. I attend three religious meetings a week, in addition to various conventions throughout the year.
I am so thankful for my religion because I look forward to the future when God will restore a paradise on earth. I know that if I have any questions about any topic, the answer will be in the bible.
-Sparkles
One of my beliefs as a Jehovah's Witness is to remain politically neutral, as Jesus did. I remain politically neutral because I believe that God will fix earth's problems and imperfect men cannot do this. As a matter of fact, the reason Jesus sacrificed himself was so we could be perfect and live forever in God's kingdom (scriptural reference in Revelation 21:3,4).
Another thing I do not do because I am a Jehovah's Witness is the celebrating of holidays. The reason I do not celebrate holidays is because Jesus did not celebrate today's holidays (not even his own birth) nor are these found anywhere in the bible. Almost all holidays can be traced back to Babylon and its king, Nebuchadnezzar, who worshipped the false gods that represented the holidays. For instance, did you know that Easter was not originally created to commemorate Jesus' death? Have you ever thought what bunnies and chicks have to do with Jesus' death? Rather, Easter was a time when the Pagans were celebrating their god of fertility, which is where the bunnies and chicks come from (very fertile animals).
The thing that Jehovah's Witnesses are most known for is going door-to-door and talking about God's kingdom. You have probably seen Family Guy or the Simpson's crack jokes about the Jehovah's Witnesses preaching. I am known for being a social and not a very shy person. I am this way because every weekend I go door to door talking to strangers about my religion. Doing this requires a lot of courage. Not only has preaching helped my social skills but it has also helped my presentation skills, which is good when our presentations roll by.
My religion has also affected my appearance. As a Jehovah's Witness, I believe that dressing in provocative clothing would be a bad representation of God. I also believe that having bad hygiene would be a bad representation of God.
Another way my religion affects me is that much of my time is spent on religious activities and study. I attend three religious meetings a week, in addition to various conventions throughout the year.
I am so thankful for my religion because I look forward to the future when God will restore a paradise on earth. I know that if I have any questions about any topic, the answer will be in the bible.
-Sparkles
Dance- Suzi :)
There are many forms of dance in the world. There is ballet, flamenco, contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, cultural dances, and dances that portray religion. Dance to a lot of people is just moving bodies in ways that our body was never meant to be in. Although to people, such as me, in the dance world agree it is moving our body, but its how we do it. Us dancers have to show expression and our passion just through a simple plié (bending the knees). Dancers use most of their expression by telling a story. Stories are most commonly used in ballet.
In ballet, stories or ballets include “Swan Lake”, “The Nutcracker”, “Sleeping Beauty”, and so on. Since there is not any talking in ballet, the story must be told through arm movements, which are similar to miming, and they also use facial expressions. Another important detail about ballet is the technique. Technique is basically the key to ballet. It includes stretching the feet, keeping the body lifted, using the plié, and the most important is turnout (which is a lot harder than it looks). A dancer must think of all of these at the same time in order to perfect the movement. Another form of dance that includes a lot of work and technique is flamenco.
Flamenco originated from the gypsies in India. When the gypsies migrated to Spain, they decided they enjoyed it there more than they’re home because of the climate. With flamenco the dancers use some footwork but mostly to travel around the stage. The art uses mostly the arms, hands, and most of the upper body. If you were to see a professional flamenco performance, you would notice the dancers in the back yelling towards the ones dancing. In the background, they are not upset with the dancer, they are simply encouraging the dancer to keep going. One form of dance that barely has any technique is contemporary or modern.
In modern the only technique or “rules” is to keep your bottom in and lengthen the body, unless instructed so. The famous modern dancers include Martha Graham (who is considered the mother of modern dance), Paul Taylor, Isadora Duncan, and many others. Modern started in the early 1900s as a rebellion against formal dance, such as ballet. When modern first started it was unacceptable to viewers except for its followers. Instead of the body being in an upright position, it can be bent in different ways and jumping into the air like a maniac. Even standing on stage doing finger push-ups would be considered modern! Modern soon became a famous art form and is probably the second largest form danced, if not the largest.
Besides dancing, it a dancers’ job to make their movements look easy and to me that is a true dancer.
In ballet, stories or ballets include “Swan Lake”, “The Nutcracker”, “Sleeping Beauty”, and so on. Since there is not any talking in ballet, the story must be told through arm movements, which are similar to miming, and they also use facial expressions. Another important detail about ballet is the technique. Technique is basically the key to ballet. It includes stretching the feet, keeping the body lifted, using the plié, and the most important is turnout (which is a lot harder than it looks). A dancer must think of all of these at the same time in order to perfect the movement. Another form of dance that includes a lot of work and technique is flamenco.
Flamenco originated from the gypsies in India. When the gypsies migrated to Spain, they decided they enjoyed it there more than they’re home because of the climate. With flamenco the dancers use some footwork but mostly to travel around the stage. The art uses mostly the arms, hands, and most of the upper body. If you were to see a professional flamenco performance, you would notice the dancers in the back yelling towards the ones dancing. In the background, they are not upset with the dancer, they are simply encouraging the dancer to keep going. One form of dance that barely has any technique is contemporary or modern.
In modern the only technique or “rules” is to keep your bottom in and lengthen the body, unless instructed so. The famous modern dancers include Martha Graham (who is considered the mother of modern dance), Paul Taylor, Isadora Duncan, and many others. Modern started in the early 1900s as a rebellion against formal dance, such as ballet. When modern first started it was unacceptable to viewers except for its followers. Instead of the body being in an upright position, it can be bent in different ways and jumping into the air like a maniac. Even standing on stage doing finger push-ups would be considered modern! Modern soon became a famous art form and is probably the second largest form danced, if not the largest.
Besides dancing, it a dancers’ job to make their movements look easy and to me that is a true dancer.
fashion-Kenzie
To most people, fashion is simply the clothes they put on their backs. However, to me, it is a form of expression. Clothing is a way to express individual identity and make a statement into who you are, who you were, and who you want to become.
Trends often follow the general sentiment of the season. For example, in spring, when the first buds of may start to appear, the fashion world explodes with newer and more vibrant clothing than ever before. In fall, softer colors emerge, signaling the harsh winter to come (okay, well harsh for everyone in the world but Phoenix). For me personally, I don't care what season it is, as long as the malls are open!
Trends can also follow the political world. If Hillary Clinton had been the presumptive Democratic Nominee, there would have been a rush of pant suits going down the runways. Manufacturers also use the candidates faces on everything possible, from the obvious t-shirt to talking McCain and Obama flip-flops (slightly disturbing, I know). This fuels excitement about upcoming elections, and encourages people to hit the polling places for their favorite candidate. This fact is also an example of how the fashion industry has a positive effect on society.
And then there's the obvious source of trends, the Brittney Spears and Paris Hiltons of the world. Though their taste in clothing may be questionable, it's no secret that we take our fashion cues from them. This not only increases their fame (and fortune, if I might add) but fuels the economy. So fashion is not merely swaths of cheap fabric sewn together, but it's what you live your life in. The memories you create, the world you change. Fashion is everywhere. It affects everything and anything, no matter what. And personally, I wouldn't have it any other way!
Mormonism - Yaya kay
My religion plays a big part in my life. I have become so centered around Mormonism that I do not need to think about what I should and shouldn't do. It just comes naturally.
On the first Sunday of the month except, April and October, we go without food and water for the first two meals of the day. We open with a prayer that shows our gratitude for all that the Lord has given us. We tell him that we are willing to sacrifice a necessity in order to gain spiritual, emotional, or physical health. In Sacrament meeting we still partake of the Sacrament, and everyone may share their testimonies with the congregation. This gives everyone a chance to listen to and learn from others' experiences. Whereas in regular Sacrament meetings, a few people have been assigned to give talks on a gospel principle.
After Sacrament meeting (every Sunday) we have Sunday School for one hour. This is when a lesson is prepared by a designated teacher for that particular age group. All of the youth (ages twelve to seventeen) are split up: twelve and thirteen, fourteen and fifteen, and sixteen and seventeen. After we have Sunday School, the youth are split up according to gender. The girls are called Young Women (YW) and the boys, Young Men (YM). The Young Women have a lesson also split up into age groups. This is convenient because some wards (areas of the church) have a lot of YW. Others do not have as many, in which case, a joint lesson will take place.
On Wednesday, an activity is set for the youth. Sometimes it includes both the Young Men and Young Women combined. Other times they are separate. This provides a way to do service projects or to just have fun.
Throughout high school, Monday through Friday, I have early morning Seminary. This is to get in tune with the Holy Ghost for the day as we go about our daily routines. I particularly enjoy it because it helps me concentrate better and to be a better friend.
This is my weekly routine that I am happy with. It provides me with opportunities to get to know my Heavenly Father better. I am able to be friends with those I do not go to school with. I understand more than I would if I was not a Mormon.
Every Sunday I go to church. I first take the sacrament to renew my Baptismal covenants, and to take upon the name of the Lord. In the New Testament of the Bible, Jesus Christ and his apostles partake of the Sacrament. They used bread and wine, while we use bread and water. The bread symbolises Christ's body that was broken and bruised as he died for us. The water symbolises his blood that was shed for the remission of our sins in the Garden of Gethsemane.
On the first Sunday of the month except, April and October, we go without food and water for the first two meals of the day. We open with a prayer that shows our gratitude for all that the Lord has given us. We tell him that we are willing to sacrifice a necessity in order to gain spiritual, emotional, or physical health. In Sacrament meeting we still partake of the Sacrament, and everyone may share their testimonies with the congregation. This gives everyone a chance to listen to and learn from others' experiences. Whereas in regular Sacrament meetings, a few people have been assigned to give talks on a gospel principle.
After Sacrament meeting (every Sunday) we have Sunday School for one hour. This is when a lesson is prepared by a designated teacher for that particular age group. All of the youth (ages twelve to seventeen) are split up: twelve and thirteen, fourteen and fifteen, and sixteen and seventeen. After we have Sunday School, the youth are split up according to gender. The girls are called Young Women (YW) and the boys, Young Men (YM). The Young Women have a lesson also split up into age groups. This is convenient because some wards (areas of the church) have a lot of YW. Others do not have as many, in which case, a joint lesson will take place.
On Wednesday, an activity is set for the youth. Sometimes it includes both the Young Men and Young Women combined. Other times they are separate. This provides a way to do service projects or to just have fun.
Throughout high school, Monday through Friday, I have early morning Seminary. This is to get in tune with the Holy Ghost for the day as we go about our daily routines. I particularly enjoy it because it helps me concentrate better and to be a better friend.
This is my weekly routine that I am happy with. It provides me with opportunities to get to know my Heavenly Father better. I am able to be friends with those I do not go to school with. I understand more than I would if I was not a Mormon.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Everything Is Public - Joan
In the age of technology and all that is digital, people have much easier access to information. Easier accessibility results in more things becoming public.
Thinking about that makes me wonder just how much can truly be safe with the heightened accessibility we all have now. You don’t have to be a celebrity or political figure to become the media’s scapegoat. One of the newest trends is to video helpless high school victims get beaten up by their peers, and BAM! just like that you can make breaking news on your local TV station.
Media creates pressure. Everywhere I look I am bombarded with what I should look like, what I should like, where I should live, and what should I like. As a girl, I get to see hundreds of billboards portraying beautiful, flawless, size-00 women, which makes me think, “May I should only weight fifteen pounds too.” That’s not the only form of pressure. Just think about the new “branding” commercials. Aren’t we taught in schools that were not supposed to brand those and others around us? What’s to happen when you look at a regular pair of Levi jeans, but then only imagine them on rough and rugged, good-looking cowboys instead of yourself? What’s the point in the consumer buying them if they don’t believe they look as good in Levi jeans as those modeling them? The media is starting to make people set the bar a little too high for the population to reasonably jump over.
Now it’s not like everything about the media reeks of shallow façades; the media has helped get the ball rolling on a lot matters. During the Vietnamese War the media through radios and certain stations were able to bring the true account of what was happening to the soldiers we were sending over. The media also makes us aware of what is happening to other countries, like Darfur, giving us the opportunity to help those else where that are suffering and feel grateful for what safety we do have, despite the fact we have to trade out privacy for it. For all that we are now capable of in the Digital Age, it’s not hard to see that the media has become of super power, greater than any country can ever rise to become. No matter how much negativity and setbacks come from the media, it shall always prevail. I know that despite the pressure I so often feel from our society’s media, there will always be something good intermixed that balances it out. So do I feel that the media leaves an evil impact on me? No that’s not the case, I just believe that our lives have become too much of an open book as a price to pay for our easy access now. It’s all in due time to see what happens to this super power, and whether it’s outcome is worth a little peek into everyone’s lives.
Thinking about that makes me wonder just how much can truly be safe with the heightened accessibility we all have now. You don’t have to be a celebrity or political figure to become the media’s scapegoat. One of the newest trends is to video helpless high school victims get beaten up by their peers, and BAM! just like that you can make breaking news on your local TV station.
Media creates pressure. Everywhere I look I am bombarded with what I should look like, what I should like, where I should live, and what should I like. As a girl, I get to see hundreds of billboards portraying beautiful, flawless, size-00 women, which makes me think, “May I should only weight fifteen pounds too.” That’s not the only form of pressure. Just think about the new “branding” commercials. Aren’t we taught in schools that were not supposed to brand those and others around us? What’s to happen when you look at a regular pair of Levi jeans, but then only imagine them on rough and rugged, good-looking cowboys instead of yourself? What’s the point in the consumer buying them if they don’t believe they look as good in Levi jeans as those modeling them? The media is starting to make people set the bar a little too high for the population to reasonably jump over.
Now it’s not like everything about the media reeks of shallow façades; the media has helped get the ball rolling on a lot matters. During the Vietnamese War the media through radios and certain stations were able to bring the true account of what was happening to the soldiers we were sending over. The media also makes us aware of what is happening to other countries, like Darfur, giving us the opportunity to help those else where that are suffering and feel grateful for what safety we do have, despite the fact we have to trade out privacy for it. For all that we are now capable of in the Digital Age, it’s not hard to see that the media has become of super power, greater than any country can ever rise to become. No matter how much negativity and setbacks come from the media, it shall always prevail. I know that despite the pressure I so often feel from our society’s media, there will always be something good intermixed that balances it out. So do I feel that the media leaves an evil impact on me? No that’s not the case, I just believe that our lives have become too much of an open book as a price to pay for our easy access now. It’s all in due time to see what happens to this super power, and whether it’s outcome is worth a little peek into everyone’s lives.
music. - miku~
My music is my passion. As many of my friends know, I jump at any chance to squeal on about my favorite band. I’m surprised they haven’t banned me from saying their names yet.
This aforementioned band is a Japanese group called Antic Café (commonly shortened to An Café). They can be put into the genres of J-rock (Japanese rock), oshare kei, and visual kei. I will explain the last two later. To put it simply… An Café is my life. Truly, I am the happiest when I’m listening to their music. No matter how upset or angry or sad I may be, hearing their amazing sound will always cheer me up. I am very lucky to have seen them in concert. And it’s not only their incredible songs that I adore. Their friendship, their fashion, their personalities… The way they are always having fun, always smiling, never growing up… It really inspires me. I would not be the person I am today if I had never found them. They have changed me so much, and I’m sure they’ve made me into a better person. Always, I am striving to become more like them. I want to be happy and make others happy. This is a lifelong guideline that they have instilled in me.
I suppose I have a bit of explaining to do. I mentioned two types of genres in the above paragraph: visual and oshare kei. In a way, these two things are fairly key in understanding me. I will start with the first. Visual kei refers to a movement among Japanese musicians. It is characterized by the use of eccentric and sometimes flamboyant looks. This can include striking make-up, unusual hair styles, and elaborate costumes. It is very commonly connected with androgynous aesthetics. Secondly, oshare kei is a sub-set of visual kei. Oshare bands incorporate a sound that is influenced by modern pop punk but they continue to retain Visual elements such as rhythmic shouting, guitar solos, and songs that can be around five minutes in length. The clothing style is usually very bright and colorful, ‘cutesy’ even, and a lot of Japanese street fashion is incorporated as well.
Now that I’ve explained for a while, I’ll get to the connecting. These genres aren’t just about music to the people that love them… It’s a subculture, a lifestyle. Surprisingly, I’m not the only one with pink hair. We have our own fashion trends, sure, but it’s also about just being unique. Different. Our bands are our passion and inspiration, but we want to inspire others as well. It’s about living life and having fun. And though, being in America, most of my fellow fans live across the world from me… We have a connection that is amazing. I am so proud to be a part of it. This kind of music… These bands… They have impacted my life in incredible ways.
(Have I rambled? Sorry, I could talk for ages about this... >w<)
- miku
This aforementioned band is a Japanese group called Antic Café (commonly shortened to An Café). They can be put into the genres of J-rock (Japanese rock), oshare kei, and visual kei. I will explain the last two later. To put it simply… An Café is my life. Truly, I am the happiest when I’m listening to their music. No matter how upset or angry or sad I may be, hearing their amazing sound will always cheer me up. I am very lucky to have seen them in concert. And it’s not only their incredible songs that I adore. Their friendship, their fashion, their personalities… The way they are always having fun, always smiling, never growing up… It really inspires me. I would not be the person I am today if I had never found them. They have changed me so much, and I’m sure they’ve made me into a better person. Always, I am striving to become more like them. I want to be happy and make others happy. This is a lifelong guideline that they have instilled in me.
I suppose I have a bit of explaining to do. I mentioned two types of genres in the above paragraph: visual and oshare kei. In a way, these two things are fairly key in understanding me. I will start with the first. Visual kei refers to a movement among Japanese musicians. It is characterized by the use of eccentric and sometimes flamboyant looks. This can include striking make-up, unusual hair styles, and elaborate costumes. It is very commonly connected with androgynous aesthetics. Secondly, oshare kei is a sub-set of visual kei. Oshare bands incorporate a sound that is influenced by modern pop punk but they continue to retain Visual elements such as rhythmic shouting, guitar solos, and songs that can be around five minutes in length. The clothing style is usually very bright and colorful, ‘cutesy’ even, and a lot of Japanese street fashion is incorporated as well.
Now that I’ve explained for a while, I’ll get to the connecting. These genres aren’t just about music to the people that love them… It’s a subculture, a lifestyle. Surprisingly, I’m not the only one with pink hair. We have our own fashion trends, sure, but it’s also about just being unique. Different. Our bands are our passion and inspiration, but we want to inspire others as well. It’s about living life and having fun. And though, being in America, most of my fellow fans live across the world from me… We have a connection that is amazing. I am so proud to be a part of it. This kind of music… These bands… They have impacted my life in incredible ways.
(Have I rambled? Sorry, I could talk for ages about this... >w<)
- miku
Elements of Culture Instructions-Mr. Nicholas
Here are your instructions for the assignment, in case the time we spent at the end of class wasn’t sufficient to explain what I am looking for.
Choose one or more of the elements of culture that were listed on the board, the list includes the following elements: food, language, literature, movies, music, dance, television, theatre, sports, video games, school, family, friends, fashion, religion. If there is another element that you think would fit this list that you want to write about please do so. If you are unsure, email me and I can let you know what I think. I will try to check my email a few times both Saturday and Sunday. If you have any general questions about the assignment, feel free to ask via email as well.
The main thing is that this is your impression of what the element(s) you choose means to you. How does it impact your life, and how does it add to your experience of the world. Explain what it is and why it matters to you, why you enjoy it or why it is important to you.
There are no right or wrong answers for this assignment, as with much of the writing that you will do for our class. Do not stress about getting it perfect, especially on your first try. While you will be assessed on what you write, one assignment will not make or break your grade, and I don’t expect perfection. So take it easy, think about what you want to say, and then start writing, trust that the right words will come as you begin the process. Just as when you perform a piece of music, or a dance, or a play, you have to trust yourself and get into the moment without worrying about things beyond your control, such as how the audience will react, or how your teacher will respond.
As far as your assessment does go, I am looking for the content and quality of your ideas, the style with which you present them, and the fundamentals, such as spelling, grammar, and sentence structure. I am grading you then as follows, three parts content, two parts style, and one part fundamentals.
I look forward to reading your columns and to discussing your ideas next week in class. Happy writing!
Mr.Nicholas
Choose one or more of the elements of culture that were listed on the board, the list includes the following elements: food, language, literature, movies, music, dance, television, theatre, sports, video games, school, family, friends, fashion, religion. If there is another element that you think would fit this list that you want to write about please do so. If you are unsure, email me and I can let you know what I think. I will try to check my email a few times both Saturday and Sunday. If you have any general questions about the assignment, feel free to ask via email as well.
The main thing is that this is your impression of what the element(s) you choose means to you. How does it impact your life, and how does it add to your experience of the world. Explain what it is and why it matters to you, why you enjoy it or why it is important to you.
There are no right or wrong answers for this assignment, as with much of the writing that you will do for our class. Do not stress about getting it perfect, especially on your first try. While you will be assessed on what you write, one assignment will not make or break your grade, and I don’t expect perfection. So take it easy, think about what you want to say, and then start writing, trust that the right words will come as you begin the process. Just as when you perform a piece of music, or a dance, or a play, you have to trust yourself and get into the moment without worrying about things beyond your control, such as how the audience will react, or how your teacher will respond.
As far as your assessment does go, I am looking for the content and quality of your ideas, the style with which you present them, and the fundamentals, such as spelling, grammar, and sentence structure. I am grading you then as follows, three parts content, two parts style, and one part fundamentals.
I look forward to reading your columns and to discussing your ideas next week in class. Happy writing!
Mr.Nicholas
Movies!
One of the things I enjoy doing is seeing, renting, and buying movies. I love going to the movies with friends/family and getting popcorn, drinks, and candy. I especially love having movie day at A.S.A., because the movies are so much better with A.S.A.’s enthusiasm.
My favorite genre of movies is definitely comedy. Romance movies I find sappy, and I’m a wimp when it comes to scary movies. If I watch them any time other than the morning, I won’t be able to sleep for about a week. Watching movies is an entertaining activity that distracts you from your everyday life. I like it when I’ve had one of the most awful days ever and I can come home and put a funny movie on and I’ll forget all about my day.
When I was little, my all-time favorite movies were Annabelle’s Wish, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Beetle Juice. Annabelle’s Wish takes place on a farm. There is a whole barn of animals that, every Christmas, get one wish from Santa. They all wish that they could talk. Annabelle is a calf born in the farm, and at her first Christmas she sees Santa’s reindeer. There’s more to it, but eventually Annabelle becomes a reindeer. The Nightmare Before Christmas is about the Town of Halloween. In this story, the character Jack is thrown into Santa Town, and takes a liking to the ways of Christmas. He goes back to his town and tries to change his town into Santa Town, but, being filled with ghouls and ghosts, their Christmas goes horribly wrong. They end up kidnapping Santa and getting him caught by the “Boogeyman.” Eventually they save Santa and everything goes back to normal. Finally, Beetle Juice is about a couple who drowns and become ghosts. A new family moves into their home and they try to scare them out. The family changes their house completely and the couple decides to hire a “poltergeist.” The poltergeist ends up trying to scam the couple. Of course there’s a happy ending and the families learn to cooperate and compromise. I would watch the movies until I could probably recite scenes if you asked me to. Well, maybe not, since I was around 4-8. My parents got so tired of rewinding the movies for me so I could watch them over again.
Now, a movie that I can always watch to cheer me up is Austin Powers. That movie is hilarious no matter how many times I watch them. I think Mike Myers is one of the best actors for comedy movies. He gets so involved in his parts and that adds so much to the movies. His latest movie The Love Guru is hysterical.
My favorite genre of movies is definitely comedy. Romance movies I find sappy, and I’m a wimp when it comes to scary movies. If I watch them any time other than the morning, I won’t be able to sleep for about a week. Watching movies is an entertaining activity that distracts you from your everyday life. I like it when I’ve had one of the most awful days ever and I can come home and put a funny movie on and I’ll forget all about my day.
When I was little, my all-time favorite movies were Annabelle’s Wish, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Beetle Juice. Annabelle’s Wish takes place on a farm. There is a whole barn of animals that, every Christmas, get one wish from Santa. They all wish that they could talk. Annabelle is a calf born in the farm, and at her first Christmas she sees Santa’s reindeer. There’s more to it, but eventually Annabelle becomes a reindeer. The Nightmare Before Christmas is about the Town of Halloween. In this story, the character Jack is thrown into Santa Town, and takes a liking to the ways of Christmas. He goes back to his town and tries to change his town into Santa Town, but, being filled with ghouls and ghosts, their Christmas goes horribly wrong. They end up kidnapping Santa and getting him caught by the “Boogeyman.” Eventually they save Santa and everything goes back to normal. Finally, Beetle Juice is about a couple who drowns and become ghosts. A new family moves into their home and they try to scare them out. The family changes their house completely and the couple decides to hire a “poltergeist.” The poltergeist ends up trying to scam the couple. Of course there’s a happy ending and the families learn to cooperate and compromise. I would watch the movies until I could probably recite scenes if you asked me to. Well, maybe not, since I was around 4-8. My parents got so tired of rewinding the movies for me so I could watch them over again.
Now, a movie that I can always watch to cheer me up is Austin Powers. That movie is hilarious no matter how many times I watch them. I think Mike Myers is one of the best actors for comedy movies. He gets so involved in his parts and that adds so much to the movies. His latest movie The Love Guru is hysterical.
Video games -[bass]ically jaimie
Something that is a big impact on my life is video games. I find video games fun, entertaining, and an escape from reality. Sometimes though, I play them too much, and for too long. When I am playing them, I don't want to do anything else. I don't do my chores, I don't eat regularly, and those are things that should be done everyday. I am less likely to want to do something else, or to be persuaded to do anything else when I am playing.
The video games I play are Halo 3 (on X-Box 360), and lots of Play Station 2 games like Guitar Hero, Project 8, and Sims. I think the reason why I play so much is because I am good at them. I learned with ease what the controls were and what to do, and I enjoyed what the games were about. Guitar Hero is a game where you play as a rockstar in a band trying to get famous. Project 8 is one of many skateboard video games. In this one, you play as a skater trying to be in a video that Tony Hawk is making. In the Sims, you play a family living their life, and you control their every move. Last, but most certainly not least, Halo 3. In Halo, you play as a guy trying to kill off aliens. However, I play X-Box Live, so I play with other people, and we just kill each other.
As I mentioned in the paragraph above, one of the reasons I like to play video games is because I am good at them. I seem to enjoy to do things I am good at. This is probably because I feel better about myself when I do something like video games and complete a mission. It makes me feel that I have accomplished something, when I can really do it almost every single time. Another potential reason why I like video games is because it is easier to do than washing the dishes, or taking out the trash. I don't have to put that much energy into sitting down and pressing buttons, verses bagging the trash, taking it out, and putting in a new bag.
Basically, I am lazy, and video games is just another thing that I can do, and not put that much effort into. I don't get graded on them, I can do what I want. Like using cheat codes, but there are no cheat codes for the french homework, or the article your teacher told you to annotate (at least no one has submitted them to Cheat Planet yet).
[bass]ically jaimie
The video games I play are Halo 3 (on X-Box 360), and lots of Play Station 2 games like Guitar Hero, Project 8, and Sims. I think the reason why I play so much is because I am good at them. I learned with ease what the controls were and what to do, and I enjoyed what the games were about. Guitar Hero is a game where you play as a rockstar in a band trying to get famous. Project 8 is one of many skateboard video games. In this one, you play as a skater trying to be in a video that Tony Hawk is making. In the Sims, you play a family living their life, and you control their every move. Last, but most certainly not least, Halo 3. In Halo, you play as a guy trying to kill off aliens. However, I play X-Box Live, so I play with other people, and we just kill each other.
As I mentioned in the paragraph above, one of the reasons I like to play video games is because I am good at them. I seem to enjoy to do things I am good at. This is probably because I feel better about myself when I do something like video games and complete a mission. It makes me feel that I have accomplished something, when I can really do it almost every single time. Another potential reason why I like video games is because it is easier to do than washing the dishes, or taking out the trash. I don't have to put that much energy into sitting down and pressing buttons, verses bagging the trash, taking it out, and putting in a new bag.
Basically, I am lazy, and video games is just another thing that I can do, and not put that much effort into. I don't get graded on them, I can do what I want. Like using cheat codes, but there are no cheat codes for the french homework, or the article your teacher told you to annotate (at least no one has submitted them to Cheat Planet yet).
[bass]ically jaimie
Monday, August 11, 2008
Welcome to our Class Blog
This site will serve as a place for our class to post a variety of writing assignments that we will partake in during this school year. I believe that writing is a fundamental skill for all students to excel at, and just as when you are performing a musical piece, a dance, or a play in front of an audience, when you write for an audience it sharpens your performance. There is something about knowing that people are watching, listening, or in our case reading what you have to say that motivates you to think more carefully about what you want to say and as importantly how you say it.
I want you to be creative in your writing, try new techniques and styles, don’t be afraid to voice strong opinions about issues when you have them, but always be able to back up your assertions with hard evidence. You should also not be afraid to stay neutral on topics when you don’t have a strong opinion, or when you can see both sides of an issue and are on the fence. Above all, be true to yourself in your writing, develop your own voice and your own unique style, be concise and stay focused on your task at hand. Most importantly, write often and write well, like with any skill the more you practice it well, the better you will become at it. Read good writing and try to emulate what you think works, taking the best of what you experience and synthesizing it to create your own style.
I look forward to reading your columns and pieces, and to seeing how you progress over the school year, and for those of you who are 9th graders and continue on at ASA, over the next two years. Tell your friends and family to read your writing and leave comments, and I encourage you to read each other’s work and to offer comments, praise, and constructive criticism, as all of this will only help to make you a better writer, a better communicator, and ultimately a more well-rounded human being and engaged citizen of the world. Happy writing!
Sincerely,
Mr. Nicholas
I want you to be creative in your writing, try new techniques and styles, don’t be afraid to voice strong opinions about issues when you have them, but always be able to back up your assertions with hard evidence. You should also not be afraid to stay neutral on topics when you don’t have a strong opinion, or when you can see both sides of an issue and are on the fence. Above all, be true to yourself in your writing, develop your own voice and your own unique style, be concise and stay focused on your task at hand. Most importantly, write often and write well, like with any skill the more you practice it well, the better you will become at it. Read good writing and try to emulate what you think works, taking the best of what you experience and synthesizing it to create your own style.
I look forward to reading your columns and pieces, and to seeing how you progress over the school year, and for those of you who are 9th graders and continue on at ASA, over the next two years. Tell your friends and family to read your writing and leave comments, and I encourage you to read each other’s work and to offer comments, praise, and constructive criticism, as all of this will only help to make you a better writer, a better communicator, and ultimately a more well-rounded human being and engaged citizen of the world. Happy writing!
Sincerely,
Mr. Nicholas
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