I am taking summer school this year not because I want to, but because if I don't I will not be able to graduate high school next year with my friends. I really screwed up with my course selection, but I do not regret it.
This is not my first time doing a new credit summer school course. The year before I went into grade 10, I took my grade 10 U math, and it really screwed me up. Math is not my strongest subject, so I thought I should get it out of the way. I didn't want to do summer school that time either. During my grade 10 year, I took three months during my second semester to travel participate on a student exchange. It was highly recommended that I take one course in summer school, and I am glad I did. But I wish I wouldn't have chosen math. You see, I messed up because I took my 11 U math a year and a half later. By that time I had forgotten literally everything. Long story short, I failed my 11 U math course, but I will be retaking it.
That may not seem to have anything to do with why I am here now, but trust me it definitely does. Because I did go to Spain, I missed my course selection. When I came home, there was no way to fit in 11 U English. This really didn't bother me. I was going to simply take my final two English courses next year, in my final year. What I didn't think about was what would happen if I failed any course, because I've never done that before. Because I did fail that silly math class, I had to re arrange my whole plan.
I had two options:
1) either take math, one of my worst subjects to begin with, in summer school. That way I could continue with my original plan and take both 11 and 12 U English courses in my final year. But then I would have to work harder than ever, and I know that math in summer school was already a challenge for me the first time.
2)take English in summer school, one of my best subjects. That way I could take extra time in my final year to get help with math.
As you can see, I chose to take my English now. I can not afford to screw up my math again.
English is one of my strongest subjects, and I figured since I haven't taken an English course in a while, it would be better for me to refresh during the summer. Now I can focus next year on my math, and not rush through it, because I will need a lot of extra help.
Hopefully next year I will succeed with my math, because either way I am happy I didn't waste my summer on a subject that I loathe.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
Dear child of today:
Hey Kids, listen up. This is my advice to you, and I'm giving it to you based on my own experiences. You don't have to listen to me, but if you're gonna read this then at least think about what I'm about to say.
1. Get outside more
2. Take a break
3. Live one day at a time
4. Don't sweat the small things
5. Make memories
This summer, I had to babysit a few kids and I noticed something that surprised me. They did not want to go outside! I've watched six different kids, and four of them just wanted to stay inside and watch cartoons. My best memories from childhood all involve being outside and having adventures. I know I sat inside and watched cartoons,but I couldn't tell you what I was watching. It wasn't important for me to remember. For me, watching cartoons or playing ps2 as a kid was just a way to waste time, while I was waiting to go do something. I mean, it's summer right now! It's sad to me when a kid just sits around inside, and kinda pathetic. Get outside kids. Go enjoy your childhood, get dirty for goodness sakes! TV and video games are not bad, but there are things better than them. Like having an imagination. You can't learn how to make believe without going out and trying it yourself.
Yes, you might just need a break one day. And if that's the case, go for it. Take a lazy day and just relax. But remember that you never know what tomorrow might bring for you. So at the end of the day, make sure you are happy. Always go to sleep with a smile on your face, and no regrets. It's a waste if you go to bed upset or angry with someone, or wishing you would have done something more. At the same time, there is tomorrow so don't sweat the small things.
The little things make your life full. It could be as simple as eating chocolate ice cream and feeling insanely happy, or saying hi to someone new. Everything you do has an impact, no matter how small. It could have a negative or positive affect, so try and stay aware of how you treat others. When you grow up and look back on how you spent your childhood, will you remember the little things, or the big ones? And which memories will be more important to you?
Memories are being created all the time, but the ones from your childhood are special. You can't remember all of them, so the ones that are memorable really do count. For me, I remember running around with my neighbors playing Star Wars. It's a silly but wonderful memory because it lets me remember how carefree I was. When you grow up, you may lose you're favourite stuffed bunny, but you still have your memories. Make as many as you can, while you are still able to. They will make you happy, and at the end of the day happiness is, in my opinion, the one thing that matters most.
I heard this recently form my friend Amy, and it applys to what I'm trying to say. She said "When I was 5 years old, my mom always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down 'happy.' They told me I didn't understand the assignment; I told them they didn't understand life."
Just do what makes you happy, and think for yourself kids. Don't let anyone get you down, and be original. If you get outside, you'll create a great imagination for yourself. You will easily be able to think outside the box. And by taking a break every now and then you won't stress out and you'll be able to think clearly. Tomorrow will come, so why worry about it today? You can't change the past, and you can't control the future, so live now. The little problems in life are not important; they will pass. What is much more important is the small, happy memories you make. Make as many as you can, because you really do grow up faster than you'd ever think.
1. Get outside more
2. Take a break
3. Live one day at a time
4. Don't sweat the small things
5. Make memories
This summer, I had to babysit a few kids and I noticed something that surprised me. They did not want to go outside! I've watched six different kids, and four of them just wanted to stay inside and watch cartoons. My best memories from childhood all involve being outside and having adventures. I know I sat inside and watched cartoons,but I couldn't tell you what I was watching. It wasn't important for me to remember. For me, watching cartoons or playing ps2 as a kid was just a way to waste time, while I was waiting to go do something. I mean, it's summer right now! It's sad to me when a kid just sits around inside, and kinda pathetic. Get outside kids. Go enjoy your childhood, get dirty for goodness sakes! TV and video games are not bad, but there are things better than them. Like having an imagination. You can't learn how to make believe without going out and trying it yourself.
Yes, you might just need a break one day. And if that's the case, go for it. Take a lazy day and just relax. But remember that you never know what tomorrow might bring for you. So at the end of the day, make sure you are happy. Always go to sleep with a smile on your face, and no regrets. It's a waste if you go to bed upset or angry with someone, or wishing you would have done something more. At the same time, there is tomorrow so don't sweat the small things.
The little things make your life full. It could be as simple as eating chocolate ice cream and feeling insanely happy, or saying hi to someone new. Everything you do has an impact, no matter how small. It could have a negative or positive affect, so try and stay aware of how you treat others. When you grow up and look back on how you spent your childhood, will you remember the little things, or the big ones? And which memories will be more important to you?
Memories are being created all the time, but the ones from your childhood are special. You can't remember all of them, so the ones that are memorable really do count. For me, I remember running around with my neighbors playing Star Wars. It's a silly but wonderful memory because it lets me remember how carefree I was. When you grow up, you may lose you're favourite stuffed bunny, but you still have your memories. Make as many as you can, while you are still able to. They will make you happy, and at the end of the day happiness is, in my opinion, the one thing that matters most.
I heard this recently form my friend Amy, and it applys to what I'm trying to say. She said "When I was 5 years old, my mom always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down 'happy.' They told me I didn't understand the assignment; I told them they didn't understand life."
Just do what makes you happy, and think for yourself kids. Don't let anyone get you down, and be original. If you get outside, you'll create a great imagination for yourself. You will easily be able to think outside the box. And by taking a break every now and then you won't stress out and you'll be able to think clearly. Tomorrow will come, so why worry about it today? You can't change the past, and you can't control the future, so live now. The little problems in life are not important; they will pass. What is much more important is the small, happy memories you make. Make as many as you can, because you really do grow up faster than you'd ever think.
Monday, July 18, 2011
LIT Circles: reflection on discussion
Today was the first time our class was able to discuss our books. My group is reading Brave New World, and it's a very interesting novel. I really am enjoying the idea Aldous Huxley has, with everyone being engineered the same and each having a predetermined destiny. My group discussed the first twelve chapters in depth, and I'll admit I wasn't able to read quite that much. Some points that were raised included looking at Henry Ford as God, which I found interesting. I liked just hearing how different people interpreted the book, and it allowed me to reflect on what I had read and how I had viewed it.
Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder
Perfection is a tricky thing. I don't think it is truly achievable, not in every way. There are aspects on what most think perfection is that are within our grasp, but most of the time perfection can get in the way of what is really important. Today, most people in out society strive for physical perfection and lose sight of what they are really doing.
The media forces an idea that there is such thing as a perfect human, in a sneaky way to make you feel bad about yourself. Once you feel terrible enough that you aren't good enough the way you are, you'll try just bout anything to become that idea of perfect. This has become a big problem for younger kids, and girls are the easier example. Magazine advertisements constantly show women being desired by everyone, for their looks. This makes many girls see the tiniest 'flaw' with themselves, that little thing that no one would notice or worry about, as a horrible and an unacceptable weakness. It can get so far out of hand that mental illnesses have been a result, most commonly in forms of bulimia or anorexia. The ads show a way to 'fix' whatever flaw a girl may have: bad hair, a scar, too many curves, not tall enough, timid eyes, et cetera. There are so many ways media has put down and recreated body image to fit a standard but unrealistic idea, in order to sell a product easier.
Selling out is not perfection. Perfection comes from accepting yourself, and not being consumed with how others view you. Yes, I think it's important to make yourself presentable, especially in certain situations. First impressions, for example, can be a very important thing. People to do judge, and I think it's unfair to ask a person not to judge another person. There's a double standard there, but I won't get into that right now.
The way the media views perfection in a physical aspect comes down to having everything having an orderly -plan, and a neatness about every detail. On models, every hair is arranges just right. There is a structure to the way a model looks, how she is posed, and every model has large similarities to really assert what 'perfection' is: perfection is being like everyone else.
People that are different stand out for a reason: they are not how everyone wants them to be. They have decided not to care, or to make a conscious decision to change how they look at the world. This is reflect then on how the world views them, as flawed but also daring. That person has to be confident to swim against the current and not drown in the process. They have to fight to stay confident, which I personally think is a greater quality than having hair that isn't frizzy and looks the same as everyone else.
I believe that perfection is a personal view, just like that saying 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder'. If you think you are perfect that is great. There will always be that one person that disagrees, because not everyone can agree in the first place what perfection is. So maybe you really are truely perfect and not everyone has realized it yet, you never know. Live to be love yourself, and be happy with what you have.
The media forces an idea that there is such thing as a perfect human, in a sneaky way to make you feel bad about yourself. Once you feel terrible enough that you aren't good enough the way you are, you'll try just bout anything to become that idea of perfect. This has become a big problem for younger kids, and girls are the easier example. Magazine advertisements constantly show women being desired by everyone, for their looks. This makes many girls see the tiniest 'flaw' with themselves, that little thing that no one would notice or worry about, as a horrible and an unacceptable weakness. It can get so far out of hand that mental illnesses have been a result, most commonly in forms of bulimia or anorexia. The ads show a way to 'fix' whatever flaw a girl may have: bad hair, a scar, too many curves, not tall enough, timid eyes, et cetera. There are so many ways media has put down and recreated body image to fit a standard but unrealistic idea, in order to sell a product easier.
Selling out is not perfection. Perfection comes from accepting yourself, and not being consumed with how others view you. Yes, I think it's important to make yourself presentable, especially in certain situations. First impressions, for example, can be a very important thing. People to do judge, and I think it's unfair to ask a person not to judge another person. There's a double standard there, but I won't get into that right now.
The way the media views perfection in a physical aspect comes down to having everything having an orderly -plan, and a neatness about every detail. On models, every hair is arranges just right. There is a structure to the way a model looks, how she is posed, and every model has large similarities to really assert what 'perfection' is: perfection is being like everyone else.
People that are different stand out for a reason: they are not how everyone wants them to be. They have decided not to care, or to make a conscious decision to change how they look at the world. This is reflect then on how the world views them, as flawed but also daring. That person has to be confident to swim against the current and not drown in the process. They have to fight to stay confident, which I personally think is a greater quality than having hair that isn't frizzy and looks the same as everyone else.
I believe that perfection is a personal view, just like that saying 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder'. If you think you are perfect that is great. There will always be that one person that disagrees, because not everyone can agree in the first place what perfection is. So maybe you really are truely perfect and not everyone has realized it yet, you never know. Live to be love yourself, and be happy with what you have.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Someone Like Me
I am happy being me.
I truly am glad that I am the way I am, and I was raised the was I was. The bad moments in my life helped shape who I am today, and I wouldn't change anything.
Looking at my sisters, I can see similar aspects of myself, just changed through experiences and interactions. I like looking at them to see how their view and opinion contrast my own. I like to argue with them, because I don't know exactly how they think. It's a nice change to have another point of view, and it helps me think for myself.
If there was someone else exactly like me I would never want to know about them. I would not want to face myself. I have a hard enough time reflecting on certain personal issues, and do have the bad habit of avoiding things that cause me pain. Having to deal with someone who is me would cause me to criticize myself to the point of exhaustion. Plus, I would try to justify everything and there would be no one to tell me I'm wrong. I like having someone who questions my opinion, it makes me fight harder.
Someone like me would get on my nerves, and I would be constantly frustrated. I like who I am, but don't like people like me. We don't get along and fight too much. Fighting exhausts me, and I have better things to do with my time.
I like living in a world where everyone is different; it's a challenge to figure people out, and understand them. Living with myself there would be no challenge, and instead it would just be itrritating to know absolutely everything. There would be no privacy. I need my own privacy, my own space.
The world is a great place and needs everyone to be different. The different perspectives allow for growth and progress. Similarities lead to little conflict, or an overpowering idea. People were not meant to be the same, and that's how I want to live. Unique from everyone else.
I truly am glad that I am the way I am, and I was raised the was I was. The bad moments in my life helped shape who I am today, and I wouldn't change anything.
Looking at my sisters, I can see similar aspects of myself, just changed through experiences and interactions. I like looking at them to see how their view and opinion contrast my own. I like to argue with them, because I don't know exactly how they think. It's a nice change to have another point of view, and it helps me think for myself.
If there was someone else exactly like me I would never want to know about them. I would not want to face myself. I have a hard enough time reflecting on certain personal issues, and do have the bad habit of avoiding things that cause me pain. Having to deal with someone who is me would cause me to criticize myself to the point of exhaustion. Plus, I would try to justify everything and there would be no one to tell me I'm wrong. I like having someone who questions my opinion, it makes me fight harder.
Someone like me would get on my nerves, and I would be constantly frustrated. I like who I am, but don't like people like me. We don't get along and fight too much. Fighting exhausts me, and I have better things to do with my time.
I like living in a world where everyone is different; it's a challenge to figure people out, and understand them. Living with myself there would be no challenge, and instead it would just be itrritating to know absolutely everything. There would be no privacy. I need my own privacy, my own space.
The world is a great place and needs everyone to be different. The different perspectives allow for growth and progress. Similarities lead to little conflict, or an overpowering idea. People were not meant to be the same, and that's how I want to live. Unique from everyone else.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Drowning Disappearance
I have a horrible time waking up in the mornings, so Monday morning I tried something different. The alarm that tries wakes me up is an annoying beeping that i tend to ignore. So I switched from that awful beeping to a radio station. It worked! I woke up right away, and the music helped me to stay awake.
It wasn't just music that I was listening to though as I got ready for school. There was a very interesting news story that caught my attention and seemed unbelievably creepy.
The broadcaster was talking about Marie Joseph, a 36 year old woman who drowned at an American water park recently. What made her story so interesting was all the details. Joseph was only at the water park to help supervise some of her friend's children, and couldn't swim at all. She went down a water slide with a nine-year-old boy, and never surfaced. The boy reported it to a lifeguard but no one responded.
Then Joseph's friends left the water park. They didn't look for her, and even left her stuff at the park. The staff locked the park up, and still didn't notice her body beneath the water. Joseph's body was not found for two more days. This means that the staff had to open and lock up the pool without seeing her. And also people were swimming around her dead body for those two days.
Even the health inspector didn't see her, and he made two visits to the pool in the time that Joseph was floating in it. Her body was found by some kids when they broke into the pool after hours.
I can't imagine something like that happening, and I was shocked when I heard the story. I mean, yes she drowned and that's horrible, but her story just got worse and worse.
Why didn't any of the six lifeguards on staff respond? Why did the boy not speak up when it was time to leave? Why did Joseph's friends just leave? Did other swimmers even notice her? And how could you lock up the pool, repeatedly, without noticing her body??
The whole incident is being investigated, and hopefully they will be able to answer these questions. Joseph may have been forgotten and ignored for those two miserable days, but she will never be forgotten again.
It wasn't just music that I was listening to though as I got ready for school. There was a very interesting news story that caught my attention and seemed unbelievably creepy.
The broadcaster was talking about Marie Joseph, a 36 year old woman who drowned at an American water park recently. What made her story so interesting was all the details. Joseph was only at the water park to help supervise some of her friend's children, and couldn't swim at all. She went down a water slide with a nine-year-old boy, and never surfaced. The boy reported it to a lifeguard but no one responded.
Then Joseph's friends left the water park. They didn't look for her, and even left her stuff at the park. The staff locked the park up, and still didn't notice her body beneath the water. Joseph's body was not found for two more days. This means that the staff had to open and lock up the pool without seeing her. And also people were swimming around her dead body for those two days.
Even the health inspector didn't see her, and he made two visits to the pool in the time that Joseph was floating in it. Her body was found by some kids when they broke into the pool after hours.
I can't imagine something like that happening, and I was shocked when I heard the story. I mean, yes she drowned and that's horrible, but her story just got worse and worse.
Why didn't any of the six lifeguards on staff respond? Why did the boy not speak up when it was time to leave? Why did Joseph's friends just leave? Did other swimmers even notice her? And how could you lock up the pool, repeatedly, without noticing her body??
The whole incident is being investigated, and hopefully they will be able to answer these questions. Joseph may have been forgotten and ignored for those two miserable days, but she will never be forgotten again.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Who is to Blame for Suicide?
Suicide is a horrible tragedy that many people have to deal with at some point in their lives. I have personally been affected by suicide many times in my life.
When a person completes suicide, I've noticed that almost immediately the close family members try to find a cause, reason, or excuse for this tragedy. They start making wild accusations and eventually completely breakdown. They want to keep their loved one's memory alive, and in the most pleasing way. So they blame others, their environment, media, or even themselves.
I don't think a suicide can be blamed on any one factor. I don't think there is even a way to blame anything at all. A suicide happens when a person is in so much pain, and they cannot cope with it any longer. They are suffering and simply want to be at peace.
The way a person has been raised, and how they perceive themselves is very important. The way you look at yourself should never be overlooked. If you feel you are a good person, then it's likely you won't get those nasty thoughts that lead to suicide. Those thoughts of worthlessness can start when you feel vulnerable, and then snowball out of control. That's where someone you trust again becomes vital. If a person has caring parents that are encouraging, this doesn't necessarily mean they won't commit suicide. It just means that they will have a supportive outlet to help cope with their everyday problems. By being able to share your life with a parent, a close friend, a significant other, or even a therapist will help relieve stress. That person can help you handle your troubles, allowing you to work through your worries one step at a time. Without someone else in your life, everyday can be a struggle and no one is there to remind you how much you mean to them. I would not want to live a life where I had no one to care about, or where no one cared about me. You need someone there to allow you to vent about a problem, or share your opinion.
Suicide happens when their support system fails them. I'm not saying you should blame they friends and family for not noticing a change, but to the person that commits it definitely will be an influence. The victim of suicide hopefully tried all that they could to relieve the pain they were feeling, and it is possible that the pain got so far out of hand that they just didn't know what else to do.
There isn't just one factor that leads to a suicide. It normally starts with a large event or trauma, such as being laid off, a rape, or death of someone close to you. Other times stress over years from verbal abuse, obesity, or harassment build up inside a person until they cannot take it anymore. At that point, something triggers the decision; maybe they didn't want to face something, or were envious, or had failed too many times before. Some people choose to blame the years of unsaid feelings, while others blame the trigger.
I think suicide cannot be blamed on one thing alone, but it instead varies from case to case and from each circumstance. I think suicide is only an option once you have explored other solution possible. Suicide happens when emotions are mixed up and you cannot battle it out any more.
When a person completes suicide, I've noticed that almost immediately the close family members try to find a cause, reason, or excuse for this tragedy. They start making wild accusations and eventually completely breakdown. They want to keep their loved one's memory alive, and in the most pleasing way. So they blame others, their environment, media, or even themselves.
I don't think a suicide can be blamed on any one factor. I don't think there is even a way to blame anything at all. A suicide happens when a person is in so much pain, and they cannot cope with it any longer. They are suffering and simply want to be at peace.
The way a person has been raised, and how they perceive themselves is very important. The way you look at yourself should never be overlooked. If you feel you are a good person, then it's likely you won't get those nasty thoughts that lead to suicide. Those thoughts of worthlessness can start when you feel vulnerable, and then snowball out of control. That's where someone you trust again becomes vital. If a person has caring parents that are encouraging, this doesn't necessarily mean they won't commit suicide. It just means that they will have a supportive outlet to help cope with their everyday problems. By being able to share your life with a parent, a close friend, a significant other, or even a therapist will help relieve stress. That person can help you handle your troubles, allowing you to work through your worries one step at a time. Without someone else in your life, everyday can be a struggle and no one is there to remind you how much you mean to them. I would not want to live a life where I had no one to care about, or where no one cared about me. You need someone there to allow you to vent about a problem, or share your opinion.
Suicide happens when their support system fails them. I'm not saying you should blame they friends and family for not noticing a change, but to the person that commits it definitely will be an influence. The victim of suicide hopefully tried all that they could to relieve the pain they were feeling, and it is possible that the pain got so far out of hand that they just didn't know what else to do.
There isn't just one factor that leads to a suicide. It normally starts with a large event or trauma, such as being laid off, a rape, or death of someone close to you. Other times stress over years from verbal abuse, obesity, or harassment build up inside a person until they cannot take it anymore. At that point, something triggers the decision; maybe they didn't want to face something, or were envious, or had failed too many times before. Some people choose to blame the years of unsaid feelings, while others blame the trigger.
I think suicide cannot be blamed on one thing alone, but it instead varies from case to case and from each circumstance. I think suicide is only an option once you have explored other solution possible. Suicide happens when emotions are mixed up and you cannot battle it out any more.
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