Day: October 9, 2011

Banned Books Week topic in World History

r3t5nom1 Comment

                                                         BBW
This past week we talked about National Banned Books Week. In my opinion, banning books is wrong. Why wrong you might ask? Wrong because by banning a book we are hiding and keeping information from the people. Wrong, because in most cases the content of a book is merely a reflection of a real life issue or occurrence.

A book touching on the topics of homosexuality or racial differences is not a valid reason to ban a book. A book about the old south that has the “N” word in it is not a fair reason to ban a book, especially because the “N” word is being used to provide the reader a feel for how things were in the south way back when.

Books shouldn’t be banned because there is a bigger possibility that the people reading a book about a war will be shocked and learn that war isn’t the answer, than for those people to think that they should go out an mass murder a crowd of people due to their influence from that book.

If people are this afraid of what a books content will do to the minds of those who read them, then I wish you luck with real life problems because you are clearly unaware of what sort of things life brings to the table.

If a book can change every bodies mind of what a government is doing and lead the people to revolt and demand a change, then the government was definitely doing something wrong.

Books are powerful tools for understanding and for expression, but most of all books are a way to describe a situation or a period of time in the highest about of detail possible. even if it means there is foul language, racial differences or sexual implication portrayed in the novel.

BBW

What do you think about Book Banning?

Confined.

theycallmedame3 Comments

They primp you hair.

They give you a glowing tan.

With the help of plastic, your smile has never been bigger.

They make you beautiful.

Well, they tell you you’re beautiful.

But all you feel is trapped.

Imprisoned in your gaudy, sparkly outfit, preparing to dazzle the audience.
All you want to do is scream.

Tear the frill of your dress, smear your makeup, and let out a grotesque growl to prove that you’re not just peachy-keen.

Beneath this facade you’re crying for freedom from the rusted shackles clamped to your free-will.

You have the dream and the wish and the will power to run away from this fabricated life, but you don’t.

You’re scared of the outside world.

Terrified of what is inside of you.

You know that once you tear away at all the cosmetics, all the clothes, the shoes, the glamor, the guilt, the pure rage that has been embedded into you since day one, that you will feel just as ugly as you do now.

That without all of the attention, all of the glamor and fans and trophies and doting mothers affection, you’ll be nothing.

You’ll look in the mirror and you’ll see a pale, skinny, scared and ugly girl gazing back from sunken eyes.

You’re broken. Defined by your reflection.

A stranger stares back at you.

You shatter.

And each shard asks the question: Why?

Broken.
Ashamed.
Frightened.
A worthless little girl.

You and me?
We were never a beauty queen.

jj

Yourcupatea1 Comment

jj

jj is an alternative indie group from Sweden who has been producing music since 2009. Consisting of duo Elin Kastlander and Joakim Benon the band released their debut album jj n ° 2 in early 2009 along with their first single jj n° 1.

jj

Now signed to American label Secretly Canadian the pair released jj n° 3 in Sweden and the U.S in March 2010. Their alternative sound consists of indie pop, electronic and hip-hop among other genres, mixing them together to create great songs.The mix of sounds accompanied  with the rusty voice of female, lead singer Elin Kastlanger and powerful lyrics, the work of jj is really something you have never heard before.

Although they have released many of their own songs they are also famous for their covers of current songs, many of which appear on their mix tape Kills. Their renditions range from all sorts of genres including The XX,The Game and Akon. They really are one of a kind.

So if you feel like giving something different a listen check out jj.

New York City

kirbyfullyloadedLeave a comment

According to Urban Dictionary, you know you’re a New Yorker when:

“You say “the city” and expect everyone to know that this means Manhattan.

You have never been to the Statue of Liberty or the Empire State Building.

The subway makes sense.

The most frequently used part of your car is the horn. 

You think Central Park is ‘nature.'”

Click here to view an entire list of what makes you a New Yorker.

I am most definitely NOT a New Yorker.  As my best friend would say, I don’t know how to cross a city street (because pushing the “walk” button doesn’t count).  I’m from San Diego, 8th largest city in the United States with an estimated 1.307 million residents.  So I should know about cities right?  WRONG!  I moved to Ventura, California when I was 7 and the population is barely crawling past 106,400 thousand people.

So when I went to “the city” in 2008, I was mind blown.

My aunt and uncle used to live in Chelsea, a neighborhood on the west side of Manhattan.  I took this picture out of their loft window:

Read More »

OVS Cross Country!

thehungryrunnergirlLeave a comment

The OVS cross country team ran its first meet this past Wednesday, October 5th, at the Thacher School against Thacher, Besant Hill, Dunn, Laguna Blanca, Cate and Midland. It was raining, but after 2:30 the sun came out and it was a perfect condition for running.

The girls’ race started at 3, from the track and boys’ at 3:30.

The Thacher School cross country course has a lot of little hills. However, compared to our Pi course, it should be a piece of cake. Personally, I don’t like down hill but I love up hill so their course wasn’t that bad.

The boys ran hard; it was fun cheering with my roommate 🙂 I’m proud of you guys!

For girls, we lack of one girl so we couldn’t compete as a team… But we all ran pretty well 🙂 It was such a fun meet!

BUT! Yesterday, this awesome girl came up to us and told us that she wants to join the cross country team! Which means, girls can compete as a team too! Most of the people here don’t like cross country running, I’m probably the only one who loves running to death, but I want to thank her for being brave!!! I know she will be an awesome runner!

Also, I would like to thank the faculty members, parents and two, sweet journalism
students, (even though they missed the race) who came to support us!

GO OVS CROSS COUNTRY!!! GO SPUDS!!!

Dream Team travels to Buffalo

backinphilly2 Comments

A couple posts ago, I expressed my surprise regarding the Buffalo Bills’ progress through the NFL season. Now, I’m out to say that the Bills’ story ends here. The Philadelphia Eagles (for whom I have a very extreme bias) face off against the Cinderella story Bills in Buffalo this Sunday. I will be taking the trip home to San Diego to witness this battle with my family. I have been a fan of the NFL for years and as long as I can remember, I have never been really all that excited for a game between the Eagles and Bills. However, with the Eagles seeking a much-needed second win and the Bills showing that they aren’t going to just roll over this season, I have pre game butterflies for this competition. The so-called “Dream Team” will enter battle once again. Will we be surprised as fans and witness a well-played game? My vote goes for no. I love the Eagles, but after the past few weeks, it has been very difficult to be an Eagles fan. After the massive pickups in the offseason (Asomugha, Babin, Young, Brown, Rodgers-Cromartie, Jenkins) we were slated to be competing for a Super Bowl. Now, it’s not even an easy game to face the Bills. Don’t put your money on either team. The Eagles because of their horrid play this season and the Bills because even though they beat the Patriots two weeks ago, they lost to the Bengals last week. What has this league come to?

null

If this trend of random wins keeps up, the 49ers are going to face the Browns in the Super Bowl with the halftime show being Lil Bow Wow. See what I did there? I named three things people don’t care about.

Please NFL. Stop confusing us.

RIP Steve Jobs

rangerthecatLeave a comment

OH MY GOD WHAT THE @*^%?

I look at my Facebook page and the first thing I see is basically “1 billion friends posted about Steve Jobs.”

Well, not really 1 billion, but about 30. And I just couldn’t believe that Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, had passed away.

I remember my first iPod that I ever owned. I remember walking into the store, getting out all my money from my piggy bank that I had saved up, and paying for my white iPod video, my new prized possession.

At that time, I did not think about the iPod itself. Someone had taken the time to invent and perfect this marvelous creation that a majority of people around the world now own and use on a daily basis. But, I do remember thinking that it was the coolest thing EVER.

Then the iPhone became popular along with Mac computers, and Apple had officially become one of the most popular electronic s companies on the market. And so a legend was born, Steve Jobs, who continued to create new things and improve already top-notch electronic devices.

He was a huge influence in the world of technology. I am sure most of these advancements we have today would not exist without him.

I don’t own an iPhone or a Mac, but I do have an iPod and I’d say it is one of the best devices I own. Too bad he won’t be around to invent more.

RIP Steve Jobs. Obviously I didn’t know you personally, but you were pretty kick-ass.

Peaberry & Galette

kirbyfullyloadedLeave a comment

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Darn Good Crepes.

I’m going to say it once and only once:  You haven’t lived until you’ve eaten a crepe from Peaberry & Galette.

Located in the Keauhou Shopping Center in Kailua-Kona, Peaberry & Galette is a small “french style crêperie and cafe” that serves savory and dessert crepes, teas, Kona coffee, and a variety of other goodies.

Dessert Crepe Menu

Honestly, these crepes are to die for.  The first time I went there we ordered two crepes, caramelized apple, and chocolate banana.  I started on the caramelized apple and realized I was eating what must equate to God among food.

It is this buttery golden brown confection with a tawny glow and covered in warm autumn tones.  The crepe itself is light and flavorful, the thinnest, sweetest pancake you’ve ever tasted in your life. Folded neatly, it rests beneath a delicious nest of smooth vanilla ice cream and soft, caramelized apples.

The apples are rolled in cinnamon and tucked gently into the vanilla, creating a symphony of sweet and spicy flavors with a fresh juicy kick.  Ribbons of warm caramel and sprinkles of powdered sugar and cinnamon lace the dessert together and it is topped off with a tasteful crown of fluffy whipped cream.

Now tell me that doesn’t sound amazing.  Say it out loud, with a straight face.

I know.  IMPOSSIBLE!

It was so good I even took a picture of it!

Caramelized Apple Crepe from Peaberry & Galette

I have a very close relationship with my food.  I like to describe it the way I would describe a very attractive person.  For you ladies, this is my Robert Downey Jr., my Vouge cover man.  For you gentlemen, this is your Halle Berry, your Victoria’s Secret model.

Clearly:

1 minute 53 seconds later

Believe it or not, I timed it.

The chocolate banana was equally incredible.  Another gorgeous, buttery crepe lay wreathed in freshly sliced bananas.  A beautiful, white scoop of vanilla ice cream rested daintily, yet seductively atop its dusky, golden perfection.  Dark, fragrant chocolate sauce criss-crossed over the masterpiece, creating a labyrinth of alluring, delectable beauty.

I was so taken with this dessert I didn’t even get a picture.  That night was truly a supernova of flavor.

So I suggest that you head on over to Peaberry & Galette on your next stop in Kona.  I promise it is well worth the trip.

Click here to view the menu!

Why I Chose Politics

therightliberal1 Comment

I could blog about anything I wanted. I could choose to pursue a profession that was less cut-throat and more fun. I could hide under a rock and pretend it was not there.

But instead, I have chosen to involve myself in the often frustrating and  continuously puzzling world of politics.

(Augustus Caesar, one of the greatest politicians in history)

Yet I do not lack reason for this choice. While many see themselves as having a calling in fields such as business, health-care or others, I have always seen myself in politics.

My reasons are simple. I feel it is a way in which I can help people, something I have skill in, something that I enjoy, plus there is money too. It is not easy nor is it always fun, but I feel as though I would fit in well.

Politics is tricky because humans do not agree. It is difficult because a politician seeks progress in a world that is not often accepting of change. The best politicians make people feel as though nothing is changing when in fact, everything is.

Take FDR for example. At first glance, one might say, “Everyone knew how much the world was changing during his time in office!” But did they?

We look back and see how much he did to halt the Great Depression, from passing bills to inspiring the people. He also led us through one of the most difficult war times our country has seen.

But what made him great was the instilled confidence in the people. He was calm and confident. He understated the reality of the situation. He understood that sometimes the American people did not need to know information until after the fact.

The confidence he instilled in the people and the respect he earned is the glorious side of politics. There is a chance (though quite slight) to obtain a type of immortality; infamy. I do not see this as being the sole reason why anyone should seek public office, but if one’s goal is to help the people in every way possible, representing them and what they believe, then go for it.

I see myself in the wild world of politics out of a self-duty. I do not see it as a chore nor a thing of pure enjoyment. I see politics as my way of leading and my way of giving. I do not believe in fate but I do believe (at least at this point) that I want to help create the world I will live in.

Warren G. Harding said, “America’s present need is not heroics but healing; not nostrums but normalcy; not revolution but restoration.”

This is true today and it will be true tomorrow. And despite what we face, I want to be part of it.

What A Month.

yrreskrap1 Comment

October.

And I’m already feeling the symptoms of senioritis.

A stress-packed conglomeration of college applications, standardized testing, school, cross country meets, and more college applications.

The first day of October commenced with a good early morning dosage of standardized testing. Yes, the SAT’s. However, I don’t remember ever sleeping so long (9 hours) during my five-year stay at Ojai Valley School.

I was also assigned four reading journals and an essay this week for AP Literature. How I am going to finish those assignments, I have yet to figure out but I will get it done.

My next big event is this upcoming Wednesday. At Thacher, I am running in a cross country meet. As well as on the Wednesday after that and (surprise surprise) the Wednesday after that. This is my first time running cross country and I am nervous. I don’t know what to expect. All I know is that the course will be three miles but I guess I will find out in three days exactly how it will be.

On October 22, I will be taking the ACT…in Oxnard. Which means that I will be waking up at five o’ clock, getting breakfast somehow, driving down to make it by 7:45 a.m. to register and take the test.

Two days before that, I will have figured out my SAT score from the test I took yesterday.

One day before, October 21, I would have found out whether or not I have become a finalist in the Questbridge National College Match program. This is my most important deadline and I expect myself to be checking every moment of the day for a notification from the program telling me whether or not I have made it. If I do make the program, I will be able to be offered a four-year full scholarship at the schools of my dreams, Williams College and Amherst College. I am anxious. I had been working on my essay for months. With the help of my mentor, Fred Alvarez, and my college counselor, Dave Edwards, I turned in my final product. Hopefully, my work has paid off.

The last weekend of October is also Parent’s Weekend here at OVS. I will be very busy having conferences with my teachers and having a seminar on that Sunday.

The UC Application is also up online as of yesterday. I need to get started on that soon because I will not have the time to work on them on the upcoming weekends.

As overwhelming as this month seems to me, I know that I need to take things one step at a time. If I bombard myself with all of these events at once, I know the quality of my work will be compromised. I just need to pray to the man up above for a break, big or small, so that my college stresses could be relieved soon. My senioritis isn’t helping either. 249 days until graduation!