Global Issues Paper

This week in English, we have focused on our Global Analysis paper in History. The subject I'm writing on is "Facebook Privacy Issues." I think I have done very well in my writing and I'm interested in my topic which makes it easier to write about! Everyday this week, we have been in the writing lab working on our basic and then our detailed outline. I think I got a good bit done in the lab when I wasn't distracted by really loud people (SENIORS.) But I took care of them. If you're in Block 3, then you'll get what I'm talking about! All in all, I got a good amount of writing done on my outline.
During the weekend, I spent about 150 minutes working on perfectly my outline and writing my introduction. I'm still researching more everyday. I'm actually learning new things about my topic that I never knew before that I can include in my paper. I 'm going to work on it a lot more during this week and by Monday I'll have a rough draft!

Champions!

 Saturday morning was the day we had been getting ready for since the U-High Varsity Girls team had beaten us a couple of weeks before.  They had only beaten us by one point with 1 minute to go in the game. Since they are our biggest and toughest rival, it made it even worse. So we practiced harder, watched film of the game, and came together as a whole to play what was going to be our biggest game of the season against U-High. We had to get there at 10:30 am just to be ready and warm up, but we just listened to music, talked, and painted the nails of our pinkies blue (Even our coach!) It was soon time to go to the field and we started to pass the ball and joke around as our pump-up music started playing. As the U-High players started arriving and so did the fans, we knew it was time to get serious and ready to play.
  At 1pm, the ref blew the whistle to start the game. The sound of vuvuzelas and artificial noise makers filled the air. Of course, the normal soccer game atmosphere.  I can honestly say that I've never seen such an intense game in my life. There was a lot of sweat, blood, and some dramatic acting from the U-High players.  After 80 minutes of intense playing and pain, we were still tied and we went in double over-time. No one scored then either so it went to penalty kicks. Each team gets five kicks  alone with the opposing team's goalie. The pressure was at its highest. After our goal keeper, Moira, saved two fantastic kicks, it was up to Mary to make the very last goal that decided whether we win or lose. She stepped up to the line, ran, and kicked the ball. The moment seemed to be in slow motion. As the ball swished inside the back of the goal, the stadium erupted in cheers. WE HAD WON! Everyone on the bench and the field sprinted to Mary and Moira as we all celebrated and were filled with emotion. Even though I didn't play, it was a moment that I will definitely never forget.  GEAUX KNIGHTS!!!

Dog-Sitting

I've ALWAYS wanted a dog ever since I was little, but my dad's allergies always prevented that from ever being an option for us. My brother and I have tried multiple times to convince my parents to get us a short haired dog! We thought had had found a loop hole, but then my mom said the same thing she always does when we bring up the subject,"Having a dog is a lot of responsibility! And what will that poor dog do while you're at school?" I always tell her that the dog just stays at home and eats, sleeps, and goes to the bathroom until we get home! But she never buys it.
What my brother and I decided to do was prove them wrong. Our friend, Mo Isom, needed someone to take care of her two dogs, Jacey and Penny, for this weekend. We immediately jumped at the opportunity! It was much harder than we thought. I had to wake up to bring them outside early in the morning when they started to whine because they had to go to the bathroom. Picking up what they had left wasn't so great either. There were ups to the experience though! They were SO adorable and playful with everyone. They really liked running up and down the stairs which was pretty funny to watch. Most importantly, we learned that is a lot of responsibility, but maybe one day we will be able to achieve that level of responsibility and get a dog of our own!

 

English this week...

Well we've FINALLY finished our literary analysis papers! It feels like a weight lifted off my shoulders, but now we've got to go onto yet another essay.  Our Global Issues Project for History is our new assignment. Since I'm in Coach Coco's class, I don't know too much about the project because he barely spoke about it, but Friday in class, we continued working on our bibliographies. I'm doing my paper on Problems with Privacy on Facebook." It is a big issue these days since almost everyone has a Facebook! I really think the topic is relatable and people really need to learn about the dangers online. That's why I chose it!
I'm still reading A Walk to Remember and I'm really enjoying it a lot! Landon Carter is a real troublemaker and the police soon catch him in the act. He has to do community service, act in the school play, keep his grades up, and tutor. A girl named Jamie Sullivan soon comes in the picture. She is a very bright, kind girl who is in all of those things too, but she is there to volunteer. Landon is not having a very good time and Jamie tries to get close to him to help him out. Landon doesn't like how close she is getting, but he still needs her to help him with his grades. She agrees to help him on one condition. He has to promise not to fall in love with her.

A WALK TO REMEMBER:
Jan, 19th- 40 min
Jan. 20th- 50 min
Jan, 22nd-1 hour
72 pages

Bad Week for Football...

This week in football might not have gone as well as some of us had planned. Before the BCS Championship on January 9th, New Orleans was filled with some pumped LSU fans. They were either partying in the French Quarter or tail-gating outside the Superdome! Every LSU fan had high expectations for their Tigers, but as the game started, it slowly came crashing down on us. After all the bragging and boasting about beating Alabama, they were DESTROYING us. Many thought if was because of the quartback we had in, Jordan Jefferson. Apparently, the whole dome was screaming for Jarret Lee to go in, but the people watching the game on the television couldn't hear any of that because they had covered the sound. At the end of the 4th quarter, most of the LSU fans had already left and the game had ended at 21-0. Tiger Nation was dissapointed and many were complaining online. Many of my facebook friends were complaining about how horrible we did and how Les Miles was so stupid for not playing Jarret Lee. Some people that had been saying "Geaux Tigers!" now were actually saying "Roll Tide". I was so surprised how some fans reacted.
How could you switch teams in a matter of hours because of one game? Sure they might've messed up one game, but it's just one out of many!  I just think about the fantastic season the Tigers have had and can't wait for next season! I still bleed purple and gold and am proud to be an Tiger fan (as well as any other true LSU fan)!!!

Going back to School...

After two weeks filled  with great experiences, I was very upset when January 3rd had finally come. I was excited to see my friends, but not go back to school work AT ALL. It was difficult just to wake up early again! We immediately got back to work on all of our papers that we had started before the holidays. I had to keep myself awake throughout the day which wasn't enjoyable. Thankfully, the first day we didn't get a load of homework because the teachers knew we had to get used to going back first. I knew that wouldn't last long...
During exams, we had to postpone our Literary Analysis papers. But before then, I was so worried about it. I had no idea how to write a thesis about a short story and have evidence to back it up too! How could we write a 3-5 page paper on such a short story? I managed to write a thesis, but still was had my doubts about it. We worked on it more during class and I started to get it when Dr. D explained it more in depth. During the holidays, I actually tried not to think about it! We jumped right back into it the first week we got back. Now, with a little more work, we have our rough drafts and edited with our group members. Soon, we will have finished our final draft and will be finally DONE!
This week, I started reading a book by Nicholas Sparks called, "A Walk to Remember". I read 150 minutes and I'm enjoying it! I can't wait to see what happens.

New Year's Resolutions

I've heard many people say that resolutions are pointless and that no one ever actually goes through with them. I disagree with those people. It's good to have resolutions so you have a goal to work and strive for through the year. It's true that many people forget about their resolutions, but the people that don't and work hard are rewarded!
For the last few days of 2011, I was in New Orleans with my family. I don't get the chance to see them very often because a lot of them live in Colombia which is in South America. I got to go to my cousin's wedding the day before New Year's Eve. It was a wonderful experience that I won't soon forget. I really got to see the meaning of family. All of us reunited for the joining of two people who were deeply in love just really showed me how much I missed my family. There was a lot of laughing and crying, but I just felt love all around me. That feeling continued for the next days that we all spent together. I quickly stopped when they had to get back on that plane and return to Colombia. I didn't understand how all that joy turned into sadness in a couple of days. But now I know that I can remember the great time we had together and smile. I don't think I've ever smile so much in my life! When the clock struck 12 on New Years I knew what my resolutions would be. I really want to spend more time with my family and appreciate them more. Who knows? Maybe I'll go to Colombia to visit! I also want to smile and laugh more because it makes life better and just overall fun! I'm really looking forward to a great 2012!