English and You Can Too

Happiness Is...

2008-06-02T18:10:00.000-07:00

Happiness is knowing what you want
In life and going out and getting it.
Happiness is being with you're true
Friends and knowing where they stand.
Happiness is putting in hard work and
Stepping back to admire what you've done.
Happiness is finding that one true person that
You know is the right one for you.
Happiness is sharing memories with the
People you care about.
Happiness is being able to get back up
After you've been knocked down.
Happiness.....
Is what makes life worth living.

Genetic Engineering

2008-03-13T18:12:00.000-07:00

There is a fine line between bettering our race and species, and just plain messing with mother nature. Genetic engineering has been widely discussed topic as the years have gone on. With the technology of today being what it is, it's no problem to create a child to look anyway you would like it to. You want a boy, no problem, how about some brown hair and blue eyes. It's sounds like buying a new car. You pick out all the features you want it to have and wait for it to arrive. I don't believe that we should mess with mother nature. Humans have been doing just fine in the past and I don't see any reason to start changing that now. It's not like we haven't been able to survive the way we are. I think we should let the birthing process do it's job and what happens, happens.

I know that every father wants to have that son that is athletic and good looking and be able to accomplish everything that their father couldn't. Though I don't believe that it is right to engineer your child to be like that. You should love your child just because they are yours. Not because they are athletic or smart. You shouldn't have to create your child to be perfect just so that you are happy with them. I just think that the birth process is too natural and complicated for us to be trying to change it. People come in all shapes and sizes and varieties. I think we should leave it that way. We need diversity in our society, its what makes us who we are.

I don't feel that we will appreciate ourselves as much. We won't have to every worry about our children because we will know right from the beginning that nothing is ever going to be wrong with them and that they are going to be perfect. I think we will take our children for granted because everything will be simpler for the parents. It takes away from the suspense of having your child and wondering what they'll look like and what they'll be interested in. You'll be choosing it all right from the beginning. I'd rather wait and watch my child grow to experience the full effects of your child growing before your eyes.

This is what I feel about genetic engineering. I don't believe we should be dabbling in such a natural process. Humans haven't ever even come close to becoming extinct so I don't think we need to change a thing. I think we've been doing fine for thousands of years and there is absolutely no reason we should change a thing. I wouldn't want to choose my child, I want them to come as they are. I want to be able to love that child no matter what and appreciate everything about them. Without having to genetically build them.

This I believe

2008-02-14T08:02:00.000-08:00

This I Believe

2008-02-12T06:46:00.000-08:00

I believe what doesn’t kill you, only makes you stronger. Through dealing with hardships we learn to become tougher and how to survive.

When you are faced with a tragedy and adversity, you learn to fight through it. You find that inner instinct that says don’t give up. You know you’re going to make it through no matter what it takes. Not only can you become physically tougher from these situations, you become mentally stronger. You’re able to endure more pain; you won’t give up as easily. You learn to fight through the pain because you know you’re going to make it.

About 8 years ago my grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer. She told all of us right from the beginning, “I’m going to beat this”. When we would visit her we could see the pain in her face but she always put on a smile for us and never complained. Her doctors were becoming concerned when the cancer began to spread. I remember one day when we were all sitting with her in the hospital and we had just found out about the cancer spreading. We were all down and worried, and she just said, “I’m not going anywhere.” She would always reassure me that she planned on watching me graduate and get married and that she wouldn’t have it any other way.

That was 6 years ago. She has been cancer free since then and enjoying life to the fullest. She is one of the strongest people I know. The pain and suffering she endured while having cancer is something I can never understand. What she went through is amazing and she is an amazing person because of it. I have so much respect for her and always will. What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger.

Surviving In Spain

2008-01-18T19:41:00.000-08:00

There are many key elements that you must keep in mind when traveling to Spain that differ form normal life in America. You may not even realize something you did offended someone or doing a simple task like crossing the street can a be a race for your life. Food, something you may think you can't go wrong with, FALSE. There are many things to consider when traveling and I hope to keep you safe on your adventures around the world.

First thing we'll start with is gestures. In America the thumbs up symbol, no big deal right? In Spain, you give someone the thumbs up you better run the other way. Don't ask me exactly what it means but they don't seem to like it there. The "a ok" symbol, yeah don't try it. They don't warn you of any of this before you arrive, it's just "enjoy your trip!" So take my advice on these two things.

Now crossing the street in Spain is probably one of the most exhilarating things you will ever do in your lifetime. There are tons of blind corners and the most dangerous people are the bastards on the mopeds. They come zipping down the road oblivious to all traffic signs and people around them. Red light? Means absolutely nothing! They will run you over regardless! The vehicles always have the right away. If you get to the middle of the street and you hear an engine rev don't hesitate or look, JUST RUN.

Food is something I always thought couldn't go wrong because I love food. Well once again Spain had a surprise for me. There are certain things that they may put in your food that you wouldn't consider in America because it's fatal. They like to put parts of animals in the food that you wouldn't even know an animal had. Especially if they find out you're American, they don't seem to like us for some reason. Always make sure you know what you're eating and what it consists of and check it when you get it. I can't stress that enough.

As long as you keep all these tips in mind you should be able to survive a trip to Spain. I know Spain is supposed to be beautiful and majestic, don't get me wrong, it is, but there are just those few things you need to be aware of. Just to help make your trip a bit more relaxing and enjoyable. If these rules are followed you should have a wonderful experience in the beautiful country that is Espana. And don't forget to pick up a few phrases of Spanish, even though there are a bunch of english speaking people there surprisingly.

The Importance of the Work

2007-12-31T15:21:00.000-08:00

This article makes a very good argument in favor of Holden and many other's like him during the time period of the 50's. It talks about how he is very graphic and it shows how Holden truly thinks and what is really going on in his head. It states about how the book has been banned in many schools and libraries around the country. When the as the article states, it brings out the graphic realism that is the world today. It shows what this person really thinks about the world and despite all the profanity its the truth. It argues how Salinger may have helped pave the way for many other novels that followed The Catcher in the Rye. Holden is a very unique character who truly speaks his mind. The article argues these points very well.

Gray-Because it's American

2007-12-18T18:43:00.000-08:00

Gray is the color of reliability, security and maturity. It has a laid back and calm like quality. It’s the color that is always dependable, and always comes through in the end. It is a safe color that is mature and will always be there. Its color than can always be trusted and will always be there when needed. It is the color that will do anything for anyone just to help a friend. It is the most reliable and dependable color there is.

I am gray because I possess very similar qualities to the color. I am extremely dependable to all of my friends. If I have a friend in need I am there immediately to assist them. In the recent snow storm I had a friend slide off the road into a ditch and he couldn’t get his truck out. I came along with my Jeep and a tow strap, and pulled him out of the ditch. When friends are in need I’m usually the first one to be called, because they know that no matter what I will be there and that I am very reliable and will do anything for anyone to help them out.

I have been called mature by my friends and family. I’m usually the one to reel in people if they get out of hand or off task. While working on projects or “The Cabin”, I help to keep everyone working and paying attention to the task we have at hand. I’m able to do this but still have a good time, even though I get the, “yes father”, from all my friends when I do. I am very responsible and I can be trusted with just about anything. I am very capable of handling most any situation.

I am also a very calm and laid back person, like the color. It takes a lot to really get me mad and going. I’m easy going and I usually won’t argue with anyone, I’ll just go along with what they want to do, unless I know for a fact it won’t work or is a bad idea all together. I like to relax when I can and work when I should. This quality allows me to have fun and not to just be all about work.

Gray is the perfect color to match my personality. It is me; it’s all the qualities about me. I am dependable, reliable, secure with myself, and laid back. My friends would all agree that this color describes me and my personality. It is the color I am, and it is color that I like. It says who I am, what I’m about, and what I believe in. It shows the true person that I am inside. Gray is me.

The Joop

2007-12-06T06:19:00.000-08:00

I can still remember when I bought my Jeep like it was yesterday. It was three years ago in the summer before freshman year. I was 15 years old and my father and I were looking for a vehicle for me that we could fix up so it would be ready when I could drive. I looked at a few trucks and even a Dodge 2500 Cummins, but then I found it. Less than 2 miles from my house, a 1988 Jeep Wrangler. It had my name written all over it. We bought and drove it home to my garage where it would be torn apart and put back together for the next two years.

On the outside my Jeep looked good, but under the hood was a different story. The interior was nice, gray leather seats, gray and stainless steel steering wheel, and the old-fashioned gauges Jeep is known for. With 220,000 miles on it that engine was on its last legs. We decided to replace it, we put a brand new 2.5L, 4 cylinder, 150 cubic inch engine in it to start. Slowly piece by piece it became a brand new vehicle. I spent every waking moment on that Jeep. New gears in the rear, all new joints and bearings, and new carpet. The old white finish on the body was faded and dull, though there wasn't a speck of rust to be found.

We stripped the whole body down, sanded it right down to bare metal. We turned our garage into a spray booth as my father and I prepped and primed the Jeep, and finished it off with a nice charcoal gray finish. We proceeded to paint the hard top a gloss black as well. From there we installed new Bush Whacker fender flares and slow pieced the Jeep back together.

Of course, no Jeep is complete without a lift. We decided to go with a 3 1/2 inch lift from Rough Country Suspension. To accent the lift and the black and gray color scheme we put on Black "D" Window Wheels and a set of 32X11.5 Sport King off-road tires. The Jeep is finally done.

This one of my prized possessions, it represents my ability to work hard and my perseverance. It represents my skills and what I'm capable of doing when I put my mind to it. I learned an enormous amount about trucks when I started on my Jeep, expanding my knowledge as best I could. It represents a bond between my father and I, all the time we spent working together on it, that can never be broken.

Book Review: A Long Way Gone

2007-11-24T10:19:00.000-08:00

Ishmael Beah grew up in a world much different than most people. He grew up in Sierra Leone, Africa. There were constant dangers surrounding him and his family. There was civil unrest, predators, rebels and hundreds of other dangers they dealt with on a day to day basis. Africa was right in the middle of a rebellion of epic proportions, the rebels had so much power that African army didn’t dare show its face around them. Ishmael and his family had to live through these rough times. Until they were too overtaken by the rebels as so many other towns had been before them. They were split up and only Junior and Ishmael were together.
Junior was Ishmael’s older brother. He watched and guarded over his younger brother. He kept him safe when they were wondering about by themselves trying not to get captured by the rebels. Junior was cool, and calm, he was the level-headed one who kept them together and kept them on the right path. Ishmael is the younger brother and the author. He follows his older brother’s every move and knows that they must stay together. Although they wind up being split apart Ishmael knows he must continue on.
The story unfolds as Ishmael comes across other boys and continues his journey on with them hoping to find his family once again and not be captured of killed by the rebels. The boys stop at villages looking for family, food and shelter. They are reduced to stealing and scavenging for food. They usually have to either sleep on verandahs or in trees. They must run and hide at any sign of a gunshot or of a rebel approaching them. They are captured by villagers who think they are a part of the rebel cause, each time coming up with ways to prove their innocence. Danger lurks around every single turn and on every path.
Few people can relate to these experiences, this is something that no child should ever have to endure. We get to look through the eyes of Ishmael Beah and see what he saw, what he did, and what he lived through. It sends a powerful message that he truly was, “A Long Way Gone”.

Memoirs: A Long Way Gone

2007-11-03T16:36:00.000-07:00

"If fear alters your behavior, you're already defeated." Brenda Hammond. In "A Long Way Gone" the boys face many different situations that bring them within inches of death. These boys have learned to control their fear and how to avoid these situations and still keep their heads on straight. If they let fear conquer them, they wouldn't be alive anymore. If fear kept them from thinking clearly and altered the way they move and escape they would be killed. By overcoming the fear they have within themselves they have survived as long as they have. Fear is something these kids frankly, don't have time for. They needed to grow up real fast and learn how to survive, and they did. They adapted to the horrors around them and have kept themselves alive this long. They have pushed their fears aside and managed to stay alive.