Blog #30: More Nature Writing

If you read any of the other books, respond to this one:

1. Describe specific connections between the text you read and your experiences in the many aspects of MSB.

In the book 'Into The Wild' there wasn't much water discussed. but it was informative about nature and the elements of nature. Alot of people love the wild, and find loads of things beautiful about it. In the MSB project, most of everyone was talking about thw problems and pollutions in the wild and water, and how it it affects its inhabitants negatively. But this book presents the beauty in the wild nad of the world. Not everything is ruined and ugly, there s still something to treasure in nature. 

Honors History Blog #4

My successes this semester as an honor student would be my determination to get my work done, and balancing my school work and honor work. At first, I thought it would be a challenge to have the normal class work, and trying to remember the honor work, but i think I did really good a planning which assignments to do, and I did better than I thought I would do in getting the assignments done on time, and remembering what to do ad when it was due.

 

 

I would looked at Audreys homework blog more, so I could be sure that I had my due dates right. I would have also used my planner more to remember the due dates and multiple assignments. 

 

 

For the next semester of honors, I want to plan more, and schedule my time better so I won't be so busy and stressed with the amount of work. I also want to make sure I ask for help more because I seemed to ask for help at the last minute this year, which is something that kind of made me more stressed than Is should have been. 

 

 

 I would pick my Gatsby essay. I did better on the essay than I thought I would. I was confused about the book, and felt that I was looking at it from a completely different perspective than everyone else was. So my confidence on my essay wasn't as high as it should have been. But my grade was good and I was extremely happy with it.

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Blog #30: More NAture Writing

#29. Nature Writing Final

            In the book, “Into the Wild,” Chris McCandless fulfills his dream/passion by taking a long journey around the United States, to Mexico, and up to Canada. He lived his life on his own terms, and used only the material things he deemed necessary. Once he died, because lack of necessary materials, people in Alaska and all through the country called his adventure and decisions immature and ignorant. I beg to differ. Through Chris McCandless’ struggles and adventures, I see something admirable or noble, because it is always good to pursue your dreams and, in doing so, brought peace to himself, and made a positive impact on the people he encountered along the way.

Most peoples’ dreams are big outlandish wishes that they want to come true. But they never go after it, or, if they do, they get side tracked by life and it stays a dream. A dream is like a life goal. It gives you something to look forward to. Chris McCandless dreamed of having an adventure, “he was looking for more of an adventure and freedom than today’s society gives,” (pg 174) living in the wild, with no society, no economy, and no governmental pressures on him. So he took a trip to Alaska (with no phone, no car, and no money). He fulfilled his dreams and despite the challenges of finding food, crossing unknown waters, and staying warm, he “found what he needed for happiness… rest, nature, books. Music, love for one’s neighbor.” Following a dream helps people know what makes them happy.  

His long journey to fulfill his dream also led him to understand himself better and become at peace with the things that he allowed to trouble him. Towards the end of his journey, he finally understood what he wanted out of life, “a mate, and children…” Chris, a once talented young man, seemed like he thought he could accomplish anything and everything his way without help. He saw no boundaries. His trip around the country, and long journey to fulfilling his dreams, presented his abilities, strengths and weaknesses. Gallien offered to give him decent gear to survive his trip, and Alex stated he wouldn’t run into anything he couldn’t deal with. After having trouble finding food, he realized hunting wasn’t one of his many talents. Chris survived without many of the numerous things most people would call necessary; a decent roof, clean clothes, other people. Prior to starting on his dream, he got the truth about his parents marriage, and vowed to never see them again. He held that anger, confusion, and emotion with him throughout his journey.  In the end, Chris finally came to peace with his parents “imperfections… and was ready to go home”.

While he followed his passion, and found peace for himself, he also impacted the lives of the people he met along the way. He only knew them for a short time, and yet they still had a big place in their heart for Chris McCandless. Wayne Westerberg was one of the people Chris impacted. Westerberg remembers Chris as “extremely ethical” and intelligent. Jan Burres, another friend met along the way, was one of the few people he kept in contact with and let know about his whereabouts. The person he had the biggest impact on was Ronald Franz. Ron Franz was a man that lived most of his life in one small town, driving around the state occasionally for his job. But after he spent time with Chris, he was convinced that a nomad life would do him good; no tax, no rules, and a new free living. He even offered to adopt Chris as his own son.

Chris followed his dreams, with an emotional heart, and a dedicated spirit. He found peace with himself and made an impact on those he barely knew. And through all the struggles, and his adventure, I see him as noble or admirable.      

Blog #28: Nature Writing Essay Draft

People are admired for their life changing accomplishments, called a hero for their heroic actions, ad noble for completing what most of earth's population don't complete in a lifetime. Gandhi spent his life fighting for civil rights, he  was determined to see an end to injustice. So I see him as noble or admirable. Vegans stay on a strict diet of anything and everything that hever had breath; despite America's new "Super Hamburger" motto. I see their determination as noble or admirable. Michael jackson loved his music career and built it on perfection; he struggled with the tabloids and media against him. His determination for perfection in his music until his death is admirable or noble. Like Gandhi, the vegans i know, and Michael Jackson, Chris McCandless lived his lifed determined to follow his passion. admirable or noble.

Since Chris's passion was learning the world his way. "If he'd fourteen or fifteen, he would have simply gone on without me," says his dad about a camping trip they went on when Chris was just a little boy. McCandless lived his life learning about the word on his own. He was so committed and determined to follow his passion, he didn't let hunger, the weather, or other people get in his way. His car was stuck in the river and he left it because he wasn't done exploring and learning the world.

Mahatma Gandhi used his life to fight for civil rights in India. The government of his country was against him, and he struggled to fight for the rights of the workers. I admire him for his determination to fight for what he strongly believed him.

Vegans, the ones I know, believe in saving animals from cruel murders . They believe in eating vegetables and plants of the earth. Television promotes meats and dairy foods. With Mcdonalds and Taco Bell on every corner, they have to fight the peer pressure an temptation of the common American culture. They stay on their strict diets, which makes them admirable or noble.

Michael Jackson lived his life around music. He grew up and worked on perfecting his music career. That was his passion. The media and tabloids kept him in the lime light as the villian in all stories. And still, he was determined to follow his passion, which makes me see him as admirable or noble.

I see Chris McCandless's life-long determination to follow his passion, despite his struggles of pain, sorrow, and hungerm and through his adventure around the country as admirable or noble. Like Gandhi, Vegans i know, and Michael, Chris stayed headstrong and focused. There were obstacles in their way, but the looked past them and followed towards his passion.

Nature Writing

Into the Wild


Choose two of the following:





1. Read the italicized passage on page 168 that McCandless wrote and the italicized passage he highlighted from Tolstoy on page 169. Based on these writings and events in this chapter, what convinced McCandless that it was time to return to civilization? What did he learn from his time “in the wild”?

Mccandless learned that being in the wild isn't as easy as he thought. Hunting food was hard, but preserving it was easy as well. He was ready, mentally, to kill other animals, and he felt guilty and heart broken when he needed to kill the moose just ot survive. He didn't know the basics of preserving food. So he pretty much learned he didn't have the 'hunter's' mindset, and killing wasn't for him.
He read two books by men that had spent their time in the wild, and realized their passion and happiness was in the stability of life, and helping of others. McCandless understood this and decided that he was ready to go home. He had been out in the wild long enough and it finally dawned on him that, yes, being independent and self reliant is fun, but stability and consistency is also good.



3. Do you feel, as one letter writer did, that there is “nothing positive at all about Chris McCandless’ lifestyle or wilderness doctrine …surviving a near death experience does not make you a better human it makes you damn lucky” (116); or do you see something admirable or noble in his struggles and adventures? Was he justified in the pain he brought to family and friends in choosing his own solitary course in life?


No. I feel that Chris' need for the wilderness and to live the life he lived was really good for him. Some people love to deal with stocks, which is really boring in most eyes.  Some people enjoy the army or drawing crazy paintings. The people that love doing this, take on these jobs because they have a passion for it. These jobs bring them joy and excitement... or whatever they enjoy it for. So, nothing positive may not have come out of  Chris McCandless lifestyle for the people that had nothing ot do with him, but for Chris, this lifestyle helped him understand himself and give him the fulfillment and mind-clearing that he needed. And i admire Chris for his adventure. He did what he wanted to do, what he dreamed of doing. He followed his passion, dispite his fears of water, despite his hunger and starvation, despite everything he didn't know and everything he had yet to understand about Alask and the different people he would meet. He did what he loved, and most people don't do what they love in their entire lifetime. And that makes his actions and adventures admirable.

Professional exhibition

If you are having a professional organization exhibit your work:


1. Post a link to the organization.

2. Post contact information for a member of that organization that is assisting in the exhibition of your work.

3. Post the date & place of the professional exhibition.

4. Post any requirements they have & evaluate your progress towards meeting them.

Blog #25 The Great Gatsby

By Mariyah Gillis

One time or the other in our lives, one will experience happiness. People often assume that money, ideas and other people are the result of their happiness. In the Great Gatsby, Nick uses the characters; Tom and Gatsby, to teach the reader that material possessions are not reliable sources of contentment and only bring temporary happiness. Some people live their lives going mad chasing after money, hoping that money will bring them joy. Others use make-up in hopes that it will show their beauty and in-turn creates happiness. The realization is happiness is an internal emotion, only controlled by ourselves and inner being. No one or nothing can create happiness. Thus, we are in control of our emotions. Nick shows this lesson through the actions of the other characters in the novel.

Objects, fade, shrink, die, break or are misplaced. Items do not last forever. Tom low in self esteem and unhappy with the life he already had and the marriage he was currently in, needed a pedestal to make himself feel better. No matter where he was whether it was in Paris, Chicago, or New York, he needed something/someone to give him the same feeling of importance he once had, when he reached his “acute limited excellence” at twenty-one. He yearned to be on a pedestal, the pedestal he once was on in college. As a result, he found another woman to give him the attention that he desired and make him feel important once again. When he received the news from her husband, the news that she was planning to move away, he was devastated. Later the same day, his mistress died in an automobile accident and his pedestal obliterated. The emotions that he invested with the mistress were negatively impacted because she was an unreliable source of happiness.

Gatsby, a once poor farmer from the States invested his happiness in past memories of Daisy. He lived his life trying to relive those once happy moments. Since she was wealthy and was considered highly affluent. He trusted that wealth, parties, and big houses and bright lights will attract her once again so that he could relive those memories. He spent his entire life trying to attain the very riches that he thought would attract her. However, she never noticed the grandiose parties he had and the bright lights went unnoticed. Daisy did see Gatsby, and his memories were now reality for a moment. But after a while, Daisy departed from Gatsby, and moved away. Nick shows how Gatsby uses material items to try and draw Daisy back to him. In the end, she doesn’t go back to Gatsby, and he’s left alone in the world purposeless. He put all his faith in riches, objects, and memories and they were unreliable sources of satisfaction.

Basing your joy on objects and unreliable possessions only bring brief satisfaction. Nick tells his story at a time, in American history, where our nation dramatically reduced moral and values, and focused on riches and assets. Myrtle Wilson, the wife of a used auto salesman, yearned to be rich. Money and wealth was the foundation of her happiness. She met a man (Tom) who provided her with the material objects that made her feel prosperous and distinguished above those around her. “I want to get one of those dogs,” she said. And Tom provided her with a dog. The apartment they shared was small, and “crowded to the doors” with things she didn’t necessarily need, nor want. For her, Tom was her way out. She was happy with him. But it was only momentary happiness, because she had to go back home to her husband the next morning.

The characters in the book, “The Great Gatsby”, based their pleasure on commodities which solely gave them temporary happiness for the moment. Nick presents this lesson throughout his retelling of ‘The Great Gatsby’.

Blog #24

Sewage Coastal Problem




"...sewage pouring into the world's seas and oceans is polluting their water and coastlines and endangering the health and welfare of the people and animals that inhabit them..."

[http://www.physorg.com/news79196531.html]



Sewage causes bacteria to enter the wate, and harm any mammal or sea creature that is vulnerable, such as humans, otters, and birds, Maybe even some fish. Pollution takes a toll on a variety of creatures.

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BLOG #23: Environmental Current Events



Oil is leaking from an offshore drilling rig in the Timor Sea near Australia's Northwest coast. Authorities say it will be weeks before the leak is plugged: they are awaiting the arrival of a drilling rig from Singapore to plug the leak.

"This is a potential disaster for turtles, whales, dolphins, sea birds and sea snakes. The oil and gas spill is still not under control and is expected to continue leaking for two months. Depending on winds, the slick could be pushed to atolls like Scott and Ashmore Reef - areas that are globally significant for their unique wildlife," warns Dr. Gilly Llewellyn, Conservation Manager with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Australia.
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Mission Bay Water Quality
Madison's Blog
This is important because having people study water qualities and making it public is informal to the people so they can either take action against the pollution and uncleanliness of the water, or to stay away fromm the water, so them or their acqauintances don't get any illnesses.
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Wal-marts Illegal Run off
 
Wal-mart's storm run-off has been affecting the nearby waters and now have to pay a $3.1 billion law suit from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
 
Storm water laws have been placed, and Wal-Mart is now liable for the storm water pollution. All the Wal-Mart companies (wal mart superstore, sam's club, and wal-mart markets). The government is making sure superstores and big companies follow that storm run-off implementations to the 't'.
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Fifth Circuit Restricts Reach of "Navigable Waters" Under OPA


 
The government sued landowners thart had been leaking oil. They went to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and they found the landowners liable for the costs of the U.S. government cleaning up the spill.
This shows that the U.Ss government is really paying attention to oil pollution all around the board, and making sure people follow the implemented laws to stop the distruction of our waterways and ocean life.

Honors Essay #3

      by Mariyah Gillis

      The 1920's was a new decade in American history. America went through significant changes after the war in culture, society, U.S. economy, technology, and more. The most significant changes made in America during this time, also called the Roaring 20's, was it's new choice in music, underground hustle, and the worth put on women.
      Jazz music was the most popular music of the day and connected blacks and whites rich or poor. From small clubs on street corners to radio stations across the country, jazz was everywhere. It sprung up in New Orleans, as "basement" music, and took United Staes by storm. Everyone enjoyed it. The 1920-1929 was the Jazz age, and everyone knew it.
     While jazz was America's mainstream, available for eveyone and anyone willing and able to hear, alcohol had become famous underground. Even though it was banned in the country, it was still sold and consumed every day; smuggled into America by bootleggers. The bootleggers got their alcohol supply from Mexico, Canada, and the West indies. Some people made the substitute alcohol, which was extremely dangerous, using wood alcohol or medical supplies. Alcohol was everywhere in America if you knew where to look. Many people (like Scarface) took advantage of the underground business and became rich. The law didn't really know how to stop the mafias and organizations that gained their riches from the illegal business.
     Meanwhile, the police steady trying to cut down on the alcohol coorporations. New laws were being made for the rights of women. The 19th Amendment allowed females to vote and cooperate with the country's business, which changed them from the average 'housewives' to the participators in America. Females' wages were also raised from the low wages were also raised from the low unfair pays to a price more equal to their quality of work and time. Women were gaining a stance in the country for the first time.
      Which in turn, is why the new outlook on women, music, and the underground alcohol affairs were the most significant changes in America's roaring 20's.

BLOG #23: Environmental Current Events

Oil is leaking from an offshore drilling rig in the Timor Sea near Australia's Northwest coast. Authorities say it will be weeks before the leak is plugged: they are awaiting the arrival of a drilling rig from Singapore to plug the leak.
"This is a potential disaster for turtles, whales, dolphins, sea birds and sea snakes. The oil and gas spill is still not under control and is expected to continue leaking for two months. Depending on winds, the slick could be pushed to atolls like Scott and Ashmore Reef - areas that are globally significant for their unique wildlife," warns Dr. Gilly Llewellyn, Conservation Manager with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Australia.
Currently measuring at least 85 kilometers, the spill is directly in the path of many migrating species, including loggerhead turtles, dolphins, and the pygmy blue whale, a subspecies of its larger relative. Tons of dispersant chemicals have been dropped in the contaminated water.

Llewellyn is especially concerned for sea turtle hatchlings. "[They] spend a huge amount of time on the surface of the water. Unfortunately, this means that recent hatchlings from the beaches and islands of North West Australia could be swimming into the slick," she says.

Australian media has reported that there may have been a cover-up in the size and scale of the oil leak, after Australian Senator Rachel Siewet, a member of the Green Party, flew over the oil spill and claimed it was worse than people had been told and that it could reach Australia's coast. She also said that she saw whales swimming near the oil.

Australia's Federal Resources Minister Martin Ferguson denies Siewet's report, saying that the spill is far from the coast (80 miles) and is dispersing in the water naturally.
It is estimated the drilling rig has been leaking 470,000 liters a day since August 21st. The rig is owned by Thailand-company PTTEP Australasia.











Oil is leaking from an offshore drilling rig in a Sea near Australia. And no one is stopping or trying to solve it.



Oil is leaking and no one is solving the issue. They keep drilling.

Why are they drillinghtere, and who is involved.

People know the effects their business has on the marine life and the ocean in general, yet they still continue hazardous acts.

Blog #22 MSB organizations

San Diego City Council District 6
[The mission statement is really long, and talks about all aspects of the water conservation solution.]
http://www.sandiego.gov/citycouncil/cd6/pdf/clairemontvision.pdf
[This talks about all of the missions for the Clairemont area]

The san Diego City Council is an agency of government, and they work with various federal governments, obviously, so that's that.

CA Coastal Commission
The Boating Clean and Green Campaign is an education and outreach program that promotes environmentally sound boating practices to marine business and boaters in California. The program is conducted by the California Coastal Commission and the California Department of Boating and Waterways.

they helped to make the environmental boating laws. The Coastal department of Boating and Waterways is a state government agency that is also involved and incoorporated into the Boating clean and Green Program.

Blog #21: Chapter 1-4 Gatsby

Gatsby seems like he's new to the environment, like Nick. But Gatsby found a way to become popular and well-known by having parties, and showing everyone around that he was one of the wealthiest guys in the West Egg. Nick, on the other hand, lives in an apartment between the rich people, and keeps to himself. He hangs out with the few people he knows and meets through his already known friends. Nick hangs out with people that have different habits and morals than him, like Tom and Myrtle, or Gatsby and Ms.Baker. Gatsby is surrounded by people that don't really know him, like Nick. They have rumors about Gatsby, and most have never met him, and if they saw him, they wouldn't know who he was. Nick is hanginig out with this people that have lived in new York for a big chunk of their lives, and he's from the mid west. Everyone is absorbed by their money and having fun, he's just like a bystander, and doesn't really deal with the money spending type stuff.

BLOG #20; The Great Gatsby

The narrator is Nick Carraway. His perspective in the book is like the fly on the wall. He is pretty much following around Tom and narrating what goes on with them [so far]. He's a laid back person that doesn't like when someone's scandalous or treacherous (like Tom acts and like how Myrtle acts). Hes weird, but doesn't like to be rude and judge people without rightfully knowing them. 

2. What do you think F. Scott Fiitzgerald accomplishes by chooses this specific narrator versus another choice, such as a different character or 3rd person?

 

By choosing Nick as the narrator, there's more of a story. From anyone elses point of view, the story would be twisted. Since he isn't really doing anything, there's nthing to critique or say about himself. And he seems to be everywhere the action is, so when he tells the story, he doesn't really have to lie about himself or the situation, because it didn't really involve him. Idk how to explain it, but like... he was like the fly on the wall watching and recording everything down. Tom wouldv'e acted like he was the good boy, Myrtle would've been the same, Gatsby wasn't there, etc. 

Blog #19: Critique a Professional Example

The most succesful element of this work sample is the way the artist depicted the colors and light. The picture looks really nice and extremely professional. It depicts what its supposed to depict [air pollution] in a very strong way because of the high contrast and the colors chosen.

The message of the work is air pollution. I know this because I looked up 'pollution' is google. And guessing by the fact that he has a gas mask on, something is in the air that could harm i=his body if he was to breathe it in, therefore I guessed air pollution. Or war, but the website for this picture said this has something to do with 'industrial' so maybe industrial work pollution. I don't know. But either way it is pollution.

I don't really know who the intended audience for this work is.

The lighting, I've already explained that. The colors, becuase they are dark and gloomy, so he's not wearing the gas mask becuase he's happy or it's stylish. The shadows, and the way the artist painted him and the industrial pipe thing in the background gives it the whole industrial breathing problem effect.

technique: Lighting. And he used one factory symbol in the background that kind of gives a little hint of what the picture depicts.

I chose this art peice becuase it has the type of elements that I plan on using in my art to make the message 'pop out' more. I want to use alot of contrast, and not gloomy colors, but the right colors to show water pollution. And i like this picture. It looks really good.

Humanities Literature #2

The Scarlet Letter
by Mariyah Gillis

The wild, uncivilized stories are more captivating than the conventional stories. Conventional literature is often common and everyday events, most likely predictable and similar to real life. Wild, free stories are surprising and predictable. Uncivilized stories act as an escape from ‘everyday’ into another life.

“The scarlet Letter” starts off the story by telling about the prison door in a Puritan town. The lady inside, Hester Prine, was condemned as an adulterer because she gave birth to a child with no proof of a husband. The rest of the town thought she should be put to death in the gallows, or tortured in the dungeon chambers.

This book comes off as a predictable fable about a sinner in the Puritan community; a lady went against the laws in a strict law-abiding town, and therefore should get punished.” The end. In a civilized book, it would probably, most likely, discuss the logistics of how the trial went and the details of the punishment. No surprises, predictable, and pretty much what would go on occasionally in a Puritan town. It would be seen as a common, standard novel of the 1800’s.

But, on the contrary, the uncivilized free and unrestrained thinking in “The Scarlet Letter” is what makes the book a ‘must-read’. Just when you think the story couldn’t get any more outrageous, the baby’s daddy is revealed as the reverend; the town’s religious leader, in charge of the citizens and those who commit a sin. Who would have ever guessed the very man punishing Hester is the one that helped her in her sin to get there?! Yet, the tale continues as a strange traveling physician comes by the town and sees Hester and child, noticing the child didn’t resemble him at all, and takes revenge on the Reverend without letting the know who he really was, “under the appellation of Roger Chillingworth … was hidden another name, which it’s former wearer had resolved should never be spoken of,” Hester’s husband.

Without the startling secrets, revengeful plots, scandalous tricks, undercover truths, and completely uncultivated way of thinking, “The Scarlet Letter” would be a tame, dull, conventional book better not read.

Blog #18: Newspaper and MSB

I learned good newspaper and writing skills while completing the Industrialization newspaper article that I can incorporate into my MSB project. I plan on doing a Photo Essay or a Large-Scale Art Installation, so improving my writing skills in the Industrialization Newspaper is something I would most definitely use for the writing parts of my MSB project. I also learned organization and on planning before time. I need to make sure I learn how to use different software and equipment, before planning on incorporating it into my project. When the Industrialization project first started, I realized I would have to use InDesign, but I didn't make sure I fully understood it. So in the end, I was frustrated and rushed to learn the software in order to finish the project. With the MSB project, if i decide to do a Large-Scale Art Installation, I need to make sure I understand the equipment i plan on using before anything else.

Blog #17 MSB project

Organizations:

BlueWater Network
http://www.envirolink.org/resource.html?itemid=521104151613&catid=5
This Organization focuses on the motorized recreational, shipping, and oil transport pollutions. I would want to interview one of the workers, and ask them what kind of pollution they have had to deal with the most. I would also ask them what kind of effect the pollution has had on marine life.

Marine Animal Rescue Program
http://www.aqua.org/oceanhealth_marp.html
They rescue endangered and harmed animals. I would interview one of the rescuers or workers, and ask what are the most serious injuries and cases they've had to deal with when trying to help an animal. What type of pollution have they noticed effect the animals the most.

Pacific Rivers Council
http://www.animalconcerns.org/resource.html?itemid=1062&catid=5
I would want to know some of the stories that they've had to deal with. like the type of animal situations, and the cases they've had to see with marine animals being endangered or harmed.

Government People Involved:

California Environmental Protection Agency
http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/grants_loans/srf/
Made interests rates low so water quality projects wouldn't be so expensive. Annually gives out $200 and $300 million to eligible projects.
-they could be involved becausse now people are a little closer to getting clean water and a clean environment, therefore helping the marine animals get back to a clean and healthy water environment.

Government of Canada
http://www.marinepollution-pollutionmaritime.gc.ca/eng/contact_us/menu.htm
The Government of Canada is steady findng ways of preventing pollution to the marine animals environment. The government is involved and backs up the marine animals' protection.
-Lots of governments, not only America, realize that water pollution is a big factor, and may affect the animals and organisms inside the water. so they are looking at the water, and making sure it's healthy to protect the living organisms that inhabitate it.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
http://www.ukrivers.net/pollution.html#govtag
They ae an organization that looks at every aspect of the marine pollution sources, and they branch into various types of marine conservation groups.

Blog post #15 MSB project

Post two different ideas of final products that you might be interested in making. For each one, do the following:

1. Write a sentence describing the final product (such as, "A documentary video that addresses the question....")
2. Post an example of a professional or other high-level product that could serve as a basis for your work.
3. List three specific ideas that you can take from your example to lead you to a high quality product. Write specifically how you will apply these ideas to your work here. Be as clear, exact & specific as you can!

Large-Scale Art Installation
-An artistic picture that represents water polluted by oil and it's affect on people and the environment.
-

Honors History Writing #2

Vote McKinley for President of 1896

by Mariyah Gillis


Our dear America is still trying to bounce back from the civil war, the violent groups, and the old financial situation. But while we sit here and hope for the best, the democratic President brings us down to a devastating financial state, unemployment rates have soared to 20%-25% as people get laid off from their jobs, and businesses have gone bankrupt all across our once thriving nation.
Many people have been wondering who will get us out of this state of turmoil; this ground breaking fall in the country’s banking and sky rocketing heights of inflation. How can America become the prosperous nation it once was? Who will bring that change?
As frustrating as times are, the decision for a new president is an easy choice to make. Governor William McKinley has proved that he is qualified to be the next president for year 1896.
For years, McKinley has governed many areas in America. He knows how to make big decisions, wise decisions, which to benefit those who he has governed. He has shown he can make good judgment and wise decisions. In the economic state we are currently in, we need a leader that’ll make strong and wise decisions that will improve our country.
Bryan was elected to congress two times in 1890 and 1892. Democrats have been in the White House for the last 4 years. Our country’s terrible state of being is a reflection of the democratic leadership skills. Do we really want another democrat in office to push our country further downhill? McKinley, a republican, will pull our country uphill.
With his genial personality, Mr. McKinley makes sure to include every organization (even traveling salesman and bicycle clubs). He includes the rich and those that are poor. He takes care of all, and uses wisdom to handle every situation.
“We sent him a telegraph, last year, stating ‘Immediate Relief Needed’. We had no food or supplies to live off of,” said one of the once impoverished minors if Hocking Valley.
When Governor McKinley got their telegraph, in a matter of a few hours, he sent a railroad car full of supplies and food (paid for out of his own pocket). Bryan has never emptied his pockets for the people he governed while he was a congressman.
Mr. William Bryan is a great orator. Great speeches do not pay the bills. Speeches don’t lead a commonwealth. Speeches don’t change large-scale economic problems; international nor national. Bryan is a man of impressive, intelligent words. And his actions have yet to show the dedication and care for the well-being of the people.
The same couple of topics are brought about when Mr. Bryan campaigns. “He speaks on the same concepts. Free silver and monitary policy is his conversation started everywhere he goes,” says one of his old fellow Congressmen. McKinley is against silver, because “it is a debased currency and overseas markets use gold, so it would harm foreign trade.”
Bryan thinks it is wise to include silver into the currency, because some people (specifically the farmers and people of poverty) can’t get much gold from the little savings they have. Using the bimetallic system was inflationary. The minors were already mining silver, so there was an abundance of silver, therefore making the U.S. currency rate goes down, and therefore causing inflation. Second of all, the rest of the world used the gold system, so using silver would complicate the international trade.
Maybe Bryan truly is trying his best to resolve the present dilemmas in our country. But the way he’s going about to solve them is unintelligent, and would cause America more problems, not only nationally, but internationally. McKinley promised to promote industry and banking. He understands the problems of our nation, and he looks at the problem from every situation, to make sure the resolution to solving the problem doesn’t worsen the situation. He also guarantees prosperity for every group in a pluralistic nation, even if it means taking the money and supplies out of his own pocket, as he has clearly displayed with the impoverished minors last year.
If Bryan promised that, would you believe he was capable? Vote McKinley. He knows what’s best for the American people as a nation, and makes sensible decisions to get our country back on track, and running the way we know our country should be.


Bibliography:

Blog # 16: msb comments, ideas, and plans

From Vaughn's blog (http://vaughnhumanityblog.blogspot.com) I thought she had a good way of looking at things. I had been thinking about how the animals cause the pollution, but i didn't think about how pollution affects the animals. I really like the question she asked. Im going to think more on how the animaps are affected. Or i'll focus on which animals are greatly affected or whatever. Something close to that.

From Madison's blog (http://mmhuman.blogspot.com/2009/10/how-common-is-it-for-people-to-get.html) i noticed she used lots of personal evidence. She made her question relevant and tied her story back to home. She had charts and statistics. She used pictures and she made he story more interesring because she showedthat it could affect me too. (that sounds really selfish but i didnt mean it like that). I wanna pick a story or a topic to write about that would be more personal and have more impact on the people reading it


From Calvins blog (http://calvinbrownhthma.blogspot.com/2009/10/15-msb-products.html) i learned a different poont of view on "how" to do the final project. Instead of just a simple photo essay Calvin plans on doing a photojournalist type thing. That's really cool and creative. So i plan on being more creative in whatever final product i decide to do. Make it more "mariyah-ish" i quess. Put my own spunk in it.

Blog #14 MSB Questions &&Resources

Is it likely to get any type of sickness from Mission Bay on an average day (when it hasn't rained)?

-What types of diseases and viruses are in the water at Mission Bay?
-How many people have gotten sick due to the 'critters' in the water?
-What types of pollution are swimming in the water alongide the marine life and humans?

Internet
Pictures
Hospital Reports
News Reports
Scientific Water Testings
Stats.

I can't really find anything on how the water's bad. So i'm guessing that the water is really healthy and good for people. but maybe i'm just looking in the wrong places.

Honors Novel Essay

Famil Problems
[The Glass Castle]


Jeannette Walls lived her life as the 'raggedy Anne' girl with the dysfunctional family. Her father was the town drunk, her mother's too focused on her dreams to care about the well-being of her own children, an older sister with brains but no where to apply them, a younger brother that wears his older sisters' hand me downs, and a baby sister that couldn't live without being dependent on someone else. Everybody's family has problems, some families just do a better job at hiding it than others. Whether it be financial problems, or a housing situation, unbearable family members, or an unforgettable past, every family has to deal with something. Jeannette's family had to deal with all of the above, and that's just a tad bit harder to conceal from the world.

Dinitia Hewitt was one of the kids that beat up Jeannette. She didn't like how Ms.Walls was always trying to be the smarty-arty of the class. The red headed white girl in a class full of blacks and remedials, unbathed, and wearing the same 2 shirts every other day. Dinitia terrorized Jeannette's walk home. Her and her crew would go up to Jeannette when she seemed alone, gang up around her, and jump her until Dinitia said the beating was over. She controlled the gang of kids. If she wanted to beat up Jeannette during lunch instead of after school, the crew would follow suit. When Dinitia didn't feel like jumping Jeannette, they all sat back awaiting her next command. Dinitia had power, and she used her power to hide the problems she had in her family. She went home every day, and every day her mother's boyfriend raped her. All the power on the school courts couldn't help her when she got home. Even the most powerful people have the family problems.

Grandma was a kind, loving, caring lady. Every time the Walls family would come to stay for a little while, she would provide them with brand new clothes, 3 meals a day, a warm bed, a hot shower, and teach them responsibility. Jeannette saw her Grandma as an angel, but her mother couldn't stand her mother. She lived her life to be everything her mother wasn't. The grandmother was over-protective,and used order to hide that problem. She controlled everyone and anyone that went into the house by making sure they kept up their appearance and learned manners for anywhere they went. 5 minutes with this lady would be a lovely day with someone who cares. But years of living with her made Jeannettes mom resilient and tired of her own mother. So despite the perfectness of Grandma's life, she had personal family problems with her own child, 'Mrs' Walls'.

Jeannette grew up and saw how everyone had problems no matter what kind of family situation they were in. Everyone in life was dealing with something one way or another, and everyone that seemed 'problem-less' were the ones that were in control of their lives and made sure their lives and behaviors resembled 'control'. Dinitia controlled the gang of kids and not once did Jeannette see her crying in the corner at school. Grandma controlled order in her house and order for anyone living with her, To con people and get the money to support his drinking 'career', Rex Walls controlled a serious strong face and an assured appearance. Jeannette then took control of her life, saved up money, and moved to New York with her sister. She left behind her parents and did exactly what he wanted to do in life, with control. She became a famous writer and reporter for a well-known newspaper in New Yorker. She covered up her childhood and family history with her achievements and her extraordinary writing ability. No one in her new life knew where she came from, and about the life that had made her who she is today. With control, she was finally able to hide it well.

Media Saves the Beach questions

How to jetskis and boats affect the water?
the boats leak like oil in the water don't they? do they put stuff into the water, or the trash on the boat, does it ever go into the ocean.. or even the cruise ships, the waste from the cruise ships, do they empty that into the ocean?

How much damage do people cause?
Is all the pollution only from people, do animals do somethings? what else affects the water, because people can't possibly be doing everything?

When they make new beaches, do they thinkg about if the health risks?
because Mission bay is disgusting, did they have a plan for it? if so, the plan apparently failed. DO they plan on making new beaches just like mission beach?

Civil War Magazine Article Thing...

The Mind of Diversity

Mariyah Gillis

On a plantation from sun rise to sun down, A small hole-filled blanket on the damp floor served as a 'comfy' place to rest each night. In 1815, blacks were put on a stage and humiliated in front of any willing bidder. Like furniture in an auction, they were looked at as an 'it' instead of a 'person'. Once sold, one wrong decision could result in discipline as harsh as an ongoing lash slashed across a bare back, or a tight noose around the neck... attached to a tree. The law did nothing to stop this, or prove that it is wrong. To have something to smile about was a blessing.  Others were persecuted as well. Native Americans were robbed of their land, and their culture. They were forced into the same slave-lives as blacks. The people, considered Americans, saw nothing wrong with this because they owned the land, the supreme all-mighty people.

Today, that same child, that would have been slaves to a wealthy white man, is sitting next to the 'white mans' child. The same expectations are put on the colored student as put on the white student. The man that would have been hanging from a noose on the tree is a doctor at Kaiser Permanente. As dark as his skin may be, he’d never have to worry about being hung or whipped because of something he might have done. Native Americans now have their own reservations, land only for them, where they can preserve their culture and won't forget their history as the first on North American soil. Labor, involuntarily and unhealthy, is against the law, and against the moral standards of most people.

Why the change? It's good to think that the civil war, "America's Second Revolution", started the beginning of modern America today. For 400 years, the United States was close-minded and couldn't look past skin color and 'non-White Christian' culture. As people started to open their minds a little, the state broke into two, the Union and the Confederates. The North against the South. The Republicans against the Democrats. Thus causing the Civil War. After 4 years, the civil war was won by the Union (the people going for the freedom of the slaves). The country made new laws to give rights to the slaves and to make sure no one else could be enslaved in such harsh circumstances. Equal rights came, slowly but surely. But with every major change, there's always people that have an opposition. In the south, the Ku Klux Klan came about after the Civil War to make sure former slaves didn't get the same opportunities as the whites. The red shirts and the white league sprouted out from the KKK to put fear across the face of every colored person that wanted to take a stance in the country. Across the nation, segregation held blacks back from the same good opportunities whites were offered. The few organizations that tried to provide support and protection for the blacks [i.e. the Freemen’s Bureau] didn't have back up from the government, because the justice system was highly unreliable. For a while, even the president, Johnson, didn't support the change. And the few presidents after him that did agree with the change wasn't aggressive with making the change possible. America started off with baby steps towards diversity and eqaul opportunity. But with every struggle and conflict, America's steps got bigger.

New ideas and outlooks came about, and people started to look at diversity and different cultures in a different way. Yes, there is still racism, and yes, there are still groups like the KKK and the red shirts who focus on white supremacy and a superior race above all others. 400 years cannot be completely erased with 150 years of trying to change. America is still a country of opinions and cultures, and not everyone is going to agree and go along with the majority way of things.     

But with the help of many, races other than white were able to make a stance in America; the country that first pronounced them an 'it'. Many new black minds came about after the civil war; like Booker T. Washington and Frederick Douglass. 1875; Robert Smalls, a former slave, got elected into the House of Representatives. Daniel Hale Williams, a black surgeon, performed the first open heart surgery. Cesar Chavez started a strike against unfair work, and made the country re-look at how people are paid.  Now we have a black president, and amendments that state every person is equal, no race excluded. From a nation of racial conflicts and oppression of anything different, to a diverse country that accepts every, and any race, for equality and opportunity.

What's the deal with the Reconstruction?

The Reconstruction era was a time in American history where the south had to be rebuilt and regoverned because everything they had during the Civil War needed to be rebuilt and/edited. It was right after the civil war, and it wasa time to change the South. One of the first attempts to establish order in the south was the Freedmans bureau, but that went bad, because the bureau was supposed to give protection to the blacks seeking it [with the help of the government] but the government wasn't helping. It was working at first when they started putting the blacks into governor positions and stuff, but when the Union armed pulled out, that all went down the drain.

http://www.adl.org/learn/ext_us/kkk/intro.asp?LEARN_Cat=Extremism&LEARN_SubCat=Extremism_in_America&xpicked=4&item=KKK
The KKK was joined during the Reconstruction period, and  they are still going on. They have made lead-way for other white-supremicists around the country. The klan has become widespread, and has even become mobile on the internet. The klans are now cooperating with the neo-Nazi groups.

Sewage Coastal Problem

"...sewage pouring into the world's seas and oceans is polluting their water and coastlines and endangering the health and welfare of the people and animals that inhabit them..."
[http://www.physorg.com/news79196531.html]

Untreated sewage water is polluting water around the world. In our class, we are learning about the problems Earth's water is having because of humans and government systems, The sewage systems are dumping untreated bacteria and diseases into the oceans, and poisoning the marine life. This ties in with our school project, because it shows how humans are starting problems in the ocean in a matter of seconds, that'll take years to solve.

Final Post.

[Uplifted]

Mad at the world because all I can think about is ‘the problems’. My parents just don’t know, and my friends don’t seem to understand. Teachers give work on top of work, and if I tell them, why would they care? It seems like everything’s gone wrong, and nothing goes my way. So sitting in my room with the door locked shut and the stereo turned loud, I tuned out the world. “To all the youth world that thinks nobody understands. Well I understand that.” The music coming out of the stereo caught my attention.

Finally, someone who knows; someone I can relate to. Mary J. Blige’s music seemed to come at me every time I needed some uplifting words (or when I just needed to be assured that I wasn’t the only one). Lyrics like; “Straight up, I ain’t got time for new friends, I need paper”. “I want you to rescue me, take me from this misery.”

If it wasn’t lyrics to relate to, it was positivity that made me look at the good side of situations, instead of the bad. “Work what you got” and don’t worry about the haters. Take the positive out of the negative and focus on the compliments people give you, instead of the hateful words people say just because they aren’t happy with themselves. She sang about real life situations, and positive uplifting ways to overcome troubles. And she led by example.

Without disrespecting herself, keeping a strong feminine personality, and taking her life into her own hands, she stayed true to herself, and lived the words she sang. No bad gossip was ever said about her, because everyone knows she handles her own business. Now she has reached a level in her life that she only imagined about when she was younger. When it seems like anger got the best of me, and I don’t know what to do, I’d just think about the words of her songs and everything’d be okay.

Because of that, I’m confident about what I plan on doing in life, and I know it’s not necessary to lower my self-standards to get there. The problems I used to trip on don’t seem as big anymore.

When my friends come to me with their problems, I can give them positive helpful advice about getting through it, instead of sitting there complaining with them. “Well, hold on, I say. Things will soon turn my way”. Life doesn’t stay bad for too long and troubles are just obstacles I need to get over to get to where I dream if being in life. And I will get there without demeaning myself, or lowering my self-standards, to stay a strong independent female.

[Bioloqy]

A&T Television networks. (2009). Retrieved on September 11, 2009, From Biography Channel Website: http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biography_story/1132:1289/1/Mary_J_Blige.htm



EZLyrics. (2005). Retreived September 11, 2009, From EZLyrics. Website:

http://www.elyrics.net/song/m/mary-j.-blige-lyrics.html

American Icon Reflection 2 [part 1]

1. I discovered that I usully have very organized writings, but I make it more personal and don't explain myself very well. So I need to work on that more.

2. Punctuate with Purpose and Purpose.
       -I used that because I wanted to give more emphasis and meaning to some lines in my writing more than others. It worked well, and emphasizd the parts of my writing that I wanted emphasized. It helped the message that I wanted to make more clearer, which was cool.

3. If I had one more draft, I would add more quotes and make it more interesting. I probably explain myself some more.

4. "Well, hold on, I say. Things will soon turn my way." Life doesn't stay bad for too long and troubles are just obstacles I need to get over to get to where I dream of being in life.
          -That pretty much ties up the whole artist statement. My life is full of obstacles that I need to learn to vercome, and the lyrics of Mary J. Blige have helped me to realize that. It may not be easy, and even if sometimes I do feel like Im the only one in my situation, it's just a temporary situation that I will get over.

Optional Assignment

Question 1
       -"Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness" was first originated from an english philosopher named John Locke who [originally] said "No one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions." It was later put into the Declaration of Independence as "Life, Liberty, and..."

Question 2
     -Hamilton, J. Madison, and John Jay wrote the Federalists Papers. The federalists papers were  written in order to try and win the ratification of the new constitution from the state of New York. They wrote [in summary] "Hamilton rejects giving power to appoint in hands of the electorate or their legislature. Appointment is the responsibility of the president. Impartiality and the President’s sense of duty to the People are to guide his appointments. Impartiality and merit are to guide the President in his nominations.Problem posed by a Senate with sole power to appoint. Hamilton explains why the President has the power to nominate and is not given the “absolute power of appointment". Hamilton explains the relationship between nomination and appointment. ..etc."

Question 3
     -John Locke. promoted an ideology  that is coherent with an oligarcial system. He expressed the radical view that government is morally obliged to serve people, namely by protectinglife, liberty, and property. He insisted that when government violates individual rights, people may legitimately rebel.
    -Gottfried Leibniz. he believed in auniverse which followed a "pre-established harmony" between mind and matter.
    -Emmerich de Vattel. He was most famous for his 1758 work in Droit des gens; ou, princep... In english= The Law of Nations of the Principles of Natural Law applied to Conduct and to the Affairs of Nations and of Sovereigns

Picture

Okay, so here's my photo. It took me the whole saturday to come to this one. I don't know. Its a kind of a tie between this one and thee other one I have, but I only put this one up. Ima do the 'bpi' think Monday morning tosee if it'll fit and what not, but this is pretty much what it it. It's way bigger than it appears. i was thinking about cropping the background [after i check the bpi] so i can take alot of the attention of the back and put it on me.

Artist's Statement &&Critiques.

Summary:
-So Madison [my critiquer] suggested that I tell more about how I first heard Mary J. Blige's music, and how it first inspired me. She also suggested that I go into more detail about my change in attitude when I started listening to Mary J, and looking up to her and what-not. Oh, and to also go into more detail about how she's inspirational in person as well as in song.

Plans:
-My plans and goals for this artist statement is to clearly show how uplifting music inspired me to be more positive, as well as explain that I can do alot in life [anything I want] and I don' have to demean or misrepresent myself to get or become what I want.

New Draft:

2nd draft:

      Mad at the world, because all I can think about is 'the problems'. My parents just don'tknow, and my friends don't seem to understand. Teachers give work on top of work, and if I tell them, why would they care? It  seems like everythings gone wrong and nothing goes my way. So sitting in my room, with the door locked shut and stereo turned loud, I tune out the world. "To all the youth world that thinks nobody understands. Well I understand." The music coming out of the stereo caught my attention.

       Finally, someone who knows,and someone Ican relate to so i won't be the only one. Mary J. Blge's music seemed to come at me everytime Ineeded some uplifting wordss (or when I just needed to be assured that I wasn't the only one). Words like "Staight up, I ain't got timw for new friends, I need paper." "I want you to rescue me, take me from this misery." And if it wasn't something to relate to, it ws jus the positivity that made me see the good out of the bad. "Work what you got." and don't worry about the haters. Take the positivie out of the negative, and focus on the compliment you get, instead of the hateful words haters say. She sang about real life situatins and positive uplifting ways to overcome troubles, and she led by example.

      When it seems like anger got the best of me, and I don't know what to do, I'd just think about the words of her songs and everything'd be okay. Without disrespecting herself, keeping a strong feminine personality, she stayed true to herself and lived the words she sang. No bad gossip was ever said about her, because everyone knows she does hers. Now she has reached a level in her life that she only imagined about when she was younger.

      Because of that, I'm more confident about what I plan on doing on life, and I don't have to lower my self-standards to get there. The problems that I used to trip on don't seem as big anymore. When my friends come to me with their problems, I can give them positive helpful advice about getting through it, instead of sitting there complaining with them. "Well, hold on, I say. Things will soon turn my way." Life doesn't stay bad for too long and troubles are just obstacles I need to get over to get to where I dream of being in life. And I will get there without demeaning myself, or lowering my self-standards, to stay a strong independent female.

Photography Techniques

  1.) Rule of Thirds.
       -I like the rule of thirds because it makes the picture look more creative, and focuses on the background scene a little more, which i like. And I think using the rule of thirds would make my image look more sophisticated, and that would be good because Mary J is extremely sophisticated so that'd be perfect.

  2.)Contrast
     -I want the subject of the image to contrast with the background alot. I don't know.I just think that would look really good.

  3.)Backlighting
     -In one of Mary J's music videos, the one called 'Just Fine', she has the starshot lights in the back and having that in my image would be really cute, and it would add a touch a 'Mary' you know?!

American Icons - Resources

Resources for Mary J. Blige
-Websites
...mjblige.com
...http://www.starpulse.com/Music/Blige,_Mary_J./
(these are important because they provide the autobiography, anmd information of Mary J. Bliges life and history, what she came to be, the gossip and facts about her life right now, and the new updated news on her.)

-Music
...Mary J. Blige's songs
(Any of her songs, if not all of them, would be a good source because her music is pretty much the way I know, and heard, about her. Her music symbolizes her if not anything else.)

Visual Media
...television
...pictures
(this would be a little resource, not that important though. Because part of the reason Mary J is such an icon to me is because her style, and the look she poses when she takes pictures or is in front of cameras.)


Resources ASPCA
-Websites
...www.aspca.org
(This source would provide all the information on the ASPCA that i need. Extremely informative because it's the official website for thee organization.)

-Media
(The ASPCA has a tv show that would very helpful, and shows (in action) all that the ASPCA does.)

-interview
(i can call them, and ask them about their organization. About what they do, and how they do it.

American Icon

Mary J Blige represents a classy individual that knows what she wants out of life, and does her best to get there. Mary J. Blige is a vocal artist in the R&B hip-hop industry, and she has yet to demean herself to get there. Her style is unique, and she made a lot of the music that I listen to it. Thee music she has made inspired me to make better choices in my life, and I've been able to relate to a few of thee songs as well.

Mary J. Blige came form the poor areas of New York. She earned her respect from thee audience she had in New York, when she was young, by her 'street cred'.She was raised fighting for what she wanted. Her mom was a nurse and a jazz artist. She didn't plan on being a famous vocal artist, but her mother sent a recording of Mary singing karaoke, and her career started from there. She made real songs,that people in her neighborhood and in her similar 'life-situation' could relate to. With dedication, respect for herself and everyone around her, she became a major voice of her generation.

 

Mary J. Blige inspired thee 'Just Fine' attitude; being positive, and happy to be you. She sang songs on loving yourself, and dropping thee unnecessary negativity around you. Believe in yourself. She said 'work that', and ignore the haters that are unhappy with you, because they are just unhappy with themself. Celebrate the good things everyone's told you. Don't be ashamed when you need to change, because it's good for yourself.

And for those 'down moments', when it seems like no one knows what I'm goin through, she sang 'Runaway Love' and 'Be Without You', 'We Ride', 'Enough Crying', and 'The One'. She's such an inspirational person, and a true American Icon.

How did this icon become important in American culture?

Thee Aspca is an organization that saves animals from cruel circumstances and situations. Not everyone that owns an animal knows how to take care of it, or has good intentions. Some animals are raised in diseased environments, or aren't fed for months at a time, or worse. The Aspca removes the animals form those environments, and gets them back to health right before giving them to adoptive owners that are better suited to take cre of it. They've saved many animals from near death situations, from puppies to horses, cats and alligators.

What does this icon represent to you and why?

This icon represents rescue... pretty much. It shows me that there is always someone out there that is looking for my best, and my well-being. It represents the 'caring part' of america. In a country where war is everywhere,  violence is right across the street, and the neglect and abuse is happening inside our own homes, Aspca shows that there are people fighting against injustice for those tht can't speak/save themselves. By taking the animals out of their bad situations and putting them into a better home, it shows me that there's always a better place somewhere.

How did this icon become important to me?

I first saw the Aspca on tv. I never knew animals were treated so badly, and so frequently around the country. Horses were neglected and left in stables to stand in their own feces. Dogs were stuck in a cage without food and left towatch each other starve to death in the backyard of a healthy owner. Chickens were shaved and left in a pit to fight to the death. The Aspca were the people that would convict somebody of the animals rough living, and make the animal as good as knew. And I think that's wonderful because if they didn't do that, so many animals would be dead, tortured, or worse, and no one would know. It would never be brought to thee light.

Music represents self-expression, emotion, and freedom. True Freedom. Music is my way of expressing myself; a way to release all my emotions [anger, happiness, sorrow.. etc] and put it out there, even if it's only to myself. To put a beat to some words, and sing it at any volume i please, or rap at any speed goin down the freeway. Music is like my open diary. There's a song out there for every time, every moment, and every feeling I have. And if I can't find it, or I don't like it, I can make my own. Music  is everywhere and in everything. I love it. You can dance to it, rock to it, sing and rap to it, nod yo head to it. Music represents... the American dream, in a way, and I love it.

I started living with music at a very young age. Both my parents were in the choir at church, and my family was always singing something for some reason. So I grew up with gospel and od school. Then when I got into middle school, I was introduced to different genres such as BET, MtV, kids at school, Rock, Latin, and Soul. Singing has always been something I've enjoyed. I'd be in class making songs and raps, remixes to the popular songs at the time, and making lil' dances to go along. Me and my lil buddies. Music has played a big part in my life. Now, I can't focus without, if i can't hear a steady beat and a good voice on top, my attention span shortens, and my mind tends to wander. Ha.

But music is important, not only in my life, but in American culture as well. Music is in everything. Music plays as the bride walks down the aisle in a wedding. There's music in church and in every religion [that i know of]. Music is in commercials,and there are tv stations based solely on music. The White House sings a song while they face the American flag. Slaves used music when they had no other way of communicating. Music is so universal, it's crazy. There's music in Russia, Japan, Costa Rica. The birds sing songs while chillin in the tree tops. So it's not an American culture type-thing [music], it's a worldwide connector. Ha, the universal langauge. Yeah That.

Welcom Back to school

This year i hope to gain a sense of responsibility and more independence. My goals for thee upcoming junior year is to end the year with the satisfaction that I have done thee best that i could and that i have no regrets. I plan on turning in on my assignments on time, and to thee best of my abilities so I have nothing to worry about when I apply for colleges.
I hope to improve on my time-management school, with school, family, work, sports, extra, etc.

In Humanities, I hope to improve my reading comprehension (because I'm not very well at that). I hope to learn, or develop, open-mindedness, because... i mean, I'm not close-minded, but I'm extremely stubborn. I don't change my mind very much when it concerns other people, and I hope to improveon that.