Hamlet Paper #2

Wow! This paper is super hard. I am really glad that Ms. Frailly extended the deadline for it because I needed more time to work on it and 'perfect' it. Although I had it 'finished' on Wednesday and could've handed it in, I'm glad that I didn't have to just yet. Even though this paper is crazy hard and extremely challenging for me, it has been a great learning experience because I have never before written a paper like this. I went an talked to Ms. Frailly Tuesday morning because I felt stuck, I wasn't quite sure if I was on track or not, and I wanted her opinion and help before I wrote one more word. Because I get easily discouraged at this point in the semester, it's good to talk with a professor to kind of pump me up and bring me back to reality. So, I've barely got 8 pages, and I'm going to finish tweaking it right now and hope for the best. Then I get to work on my Reflective essay (those are always fun-sarcasm). I'm trying really hard not to get stressed out, but thankfully, I have understanding friends, an encouraging family and the Almighty God to pull me through!

Peace in Crunch Time?

It's that time of year again...not Christmas, Easter, or Summer(although it's pretty close). It's CRUNCH TIME! Yep, the time near the end of the semester when a student becomes frazzled with so many final projects, papers and exams, that they lose sleep, become super grouchy, and always running out of time. Yeah, you know what I'm talking about, you're smack in the middle of it right now. I am too! But you know, as I sit here at my desk, working on my literary research paper at 3:14am, I'm running out of time, have a crazy busy weekend planned, clearly not going to get alot of sleep tonight. It's really cool though because I was reading my Bible a few days ago and I found this totally-amazing, make-you-want-to-cry-your-eyes-out verse! I can't remember where it's found exactly but it said "For the Lord hath sustained me..." and I thought that was really amazing because in the midst of the craziness that comes at the end of the semester, God is right there guiding me, calming me and sustaining, so that I can come through and give Him the glory! I'm so thankful for my Creator and my Saviour. Without Him, I would be nothing but a crazy mess without peace when I need it most, now!

Air Pollution in China

I recently had to write a research paper for geography on the air pollution condition in China. I had no idea what I was writing about, or the disturbing information that I found when researching the topic. The extremely unsafe level of air pollution in China is so bad, that there is a rise in respiratory diseases, cancer patients, birth defects and other serious health concerns among citizens. Visitors to the more industrialized business districts even find that it is hard to breathe and coughing is nearly constant. I could not believe some of the statistics that I discovered, like due to air pollution and acid rain, over 90% of Chinese citizens consume contaminated water every day! That is really alarming, but it also makes me very grateful for the clean air and clean water that I am blessed with. I know that sometimes I complain or joke about living out in the middle of nowhere, but with its cons comes many pros, like clean air and water for example. I don't have to wear a mask during my morning commute, pure filtered water isn't a privilege for me, and knowing that every breath that I take isn't filled with toxins and synthetic poisons is so reassuring.
This research, like all of my other school projects, papers and exams, provided me with a learning experience that reaches farther than just the condition of China's air. I learned to be grateful for the things that I take for granted everyday; clean water, fresh air, and my health. God is so good to me!

The Star-Spangled Banner

“O say, can you see…” I love those words; the first five words of the Star-Spangled Banner. Whenever I hear our national anthem, I am filled with pride and patriotism for what this song stands for… Francis Scott Key wrote these words while viewing the American flag after an intense overnight battle. He went to sleep (if he even slept) to the sound of cannons, muskets and the sound of the American Fort McHenry being bombarded in one of the British attacks in the War of 1812. When he woke up the next morning, he expected to see the fort flattened, bodies scattered about, and no sign of an American flag- which meant surrender. Much to his surprise, however, he saw the valiant red and white and blue banner blowing magnificently in the sea breeze as the sun announced the new day. Filled with pride, and overcome with emotion, Key wrote down the words to America’s national anthem. He titled this poem “The Defense of Fort McHenry” and was later put to the well-known tune of “To Anacreon in Heaven”. We hear the song performed at major events and put our hand over our heart in tribute. I was at a basketball game, and while the National Anthem was performed, I felt a great sense of pride and gratitude. I looked around and saw a veteran (my step-Grandfather) and I wondered what it is like for him, and other war-heroes, to sing or hear the “Star-Spangled Banner”. I love this song for what it stands for, who it stands for and the glory of the freedom that I have today.

...History...

Before this semester, I have never really been a big fan of history, especially American history. I've never found it to be interesting or intriguing, it seemed to be dull, and in the past where it needs to be. My perspective has totally and completely changed. Being in Mr. Dick's American History I class has totally transformed my perspective on history. Mr. Dick makes history exciting, interesting and fun. He has really challenged the class to learn about the antebellum history of our country in a deeper way.
When I first signed up for this class, I was a little shaky on how it would be, American History I sounded BORING to me. But Mr. Dick totally proved me wrong because now, although the class is at 9:30 in the morning, I look forward to coming because I get a chance to learn something new about the history of my country. When I signed up for this class, I had no idea that my outlook on history would be completely transformed. Here I am blogging about how much I love history now! It's pretty cool! =]