Semester Reflection Part 2

Describe your vision for yourself in pursuing higher education.
I plan to attend a 4 year college and major in something with Veterinarian Studies (Pre-Vet) or Animal Biology/Zoology.

What is a quality in a classmate that you would like to develop in yourself?
A quality in classmates that I've worked with would be to gain leadership abilities, since in groups, I tend to be more of a follower. I would like to be a leader to easily share my ideas and have a thought that people are hearing them.

Beyond grades, what motivates you to work hard at school?
I am motivated by the thought of college, and through high school classes which subconsciously teach how to take notes and learn how to manage your time with assignments. This is especially important in college, since there is notably a lot of work that you are expected to know how to deal with when you get there. Not to mention, what you do in high school greatly changes your chances of getting into whatever college you're interested in, so that's a motivation too.

Reflection Part 1

Valuable Mistake
One mistake would be letting my grades slip. I had a huge roller coaster throughout this whole year, and it really taught me how to be strong and pull through to be my best.

Most Valuable Project
To this day I always have loved the American Icons Project. It was great and it helped me to initially start out my writing to test the waters.

Academic Challenge
I have never been able to write essays easily. It has always been a struggle for me, and this year it didnt change. I had to push and push to get an essay done.

Writing Reflection

1. At the beginning of the year I found it difficult to create leads and endings to my writing pieces. I had always felt that I had strong content to put in but I could never find a way to pull a reader in or lead a reader out without making me feel awkward about writing the whole piece in general. I found that my ending for Ampersand was presented stronger and at the same time satirical.

2. I would like my writing to evolve into intriguing work that pulls readers in. I want it to be interesting, and to use all of the writing tips to make my writing the best it can be. Such as in Ampersand, my work started with a nice opening sentence to pull the reader in.

Historical Reflections

If I could run into any historical figure, I'd want it to be late president Franklin D Roosevelt. I wouldn't mind him being a student, but if he was a student, he wouldn't have had that much experience in his life, so I'd like him to be a professor for a philosophy class that I'd take. He would be teaching after his presidential occupation had been finished (but not dead, mind you).

Roosevelt would be an amazing public speaker in a classroom environment. I believe he'd treat the students as equal to himself as he did to American citizens when he became president in the 30's. I think he'd personally connect to the students as a teacher opposed to just teaching them blindly.

"We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future."
"In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved."

http://www.quotationspage.com/quotes/Franklin_D._Roosevelt.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USArooseveltF.htm
http://millercenter.org/academic/americanpresident/fdroosevelt

Literary Reflections

If I could have a roommate from a book we read in class I would choose a Tralfamadorian from Slaughterhouse Five. I wouldn’t chose one in particular because they are one in the same. I think a Tralfamadorian would be a great friend because they could offer help and tutor me when I am confused. A Tralfamadorian would also help me get through life with all of the philosophies that Tralfamadorians have learned throughout years like “when a person dies he only appears to die. He is still very much alive in the past…” Tralfamadorians also see the fourth dimension, so my friend could help me out with seeing the fourth dimension.

If I am down about things my Tralfamadorian friend would pick me out of it by using the quote that Tralfamadorians go by, “So it goes”

Overall, I think a great roommate would be a Tralfamadorian because one would be a great, true and trustworthy friend.

Semester DOS, Honores History #2

World Wars 1 and 2 are important because they led to the way countries acted internationally and nationally following these wars.

After WW1 the Paris peace conference led to the Treaty of Versailles, which then brought forth the existence of the League of Nations. This treaty placed the blame of the war on Germany, and they were forced to pay money, lose land, and have a smaller military. The Ottoman Empire disengaged, leaving the Allies space to breathe. That is, until WW2.

In WW2 the Allies and the Axis powers fought it out. This war was extremely widespread and there was a lot of damage to many countries. After the war, the Allies wanted to maintain international peace, so they formed the United Nations (adopted on October 24, 1945). The Allies also adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a common standard of achievement. The powers also established their own spheres of influence. After this war, the U.N. was ready to keep peace throughout the world.

World Wars 1 and 2 have affected our world today in many ways. In WW1 the Treaty of Versailles was made, causing Germany to have less land, and only a specified amount of military personnel. Then the League of Nations and the International Court of Justice were adopted. Now there are laws that countries have to follow, along with agencies to make sure that the countries follow the rules. Also, if a country wants to start a war, they must go to the U.N. and ask for approval. There is also such thing as a war crime. The International Court of Justice tries and prosecutes criminals on the international scale (ex. Saddam Hussein). Seeing all of these laws, agencies organizations, and a court come out of WW’s 1 and 2, we can see that they really do impact our world today.

DOS Blog#15

Technology:
Atomic Bombs and Firebombs(ex. napalm)

Firebombs:
This interests me because the US and Great Britian didnt have a strategic reason for bombing Dresden, and many people think the Allies used Dresden as more of a test for newer weapons such as napalm. I would like to go more in depth into why the allies kept the Dresden attack secret for whole and why this really aided the allies in new technology.

Atomic Bombs (Fat Man and Little Boy):
This is interesting because not only did the US suckerpunch Japan with one atomic bomb, but then used another one to shove it in their faces. I know a lot about Atomic Bombs but I would like to understand wh the US went to such drastic measures.

DOS Blog#14

1. WW1: The most interesting thing about WW1 was that the assassination of Franz Ferdinand caused the start of WW1.
Source: Wikipedia
WW2: The US only joined the war after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. And Japan bombed the US because the US had been cutting off supplies to Japan, and Japan thought that it was a hostile move, so they attacked the US.
Source: My Brain

2. I want to review the history of WW1 and go more in depth with the studying for WW2.

3. These wars created agencies, laws, the international court of justice, league of nations, and the UN. A lot of these are still in use to this day, and will be for the foreseeable future.

WW2 Letters

I am going to be a soldier fighting on Iwo Jima. I am in the 25th Marines Division. I will be writing about my Lt. Col. Justice Chambers being shot the first day of attack, and my worries about Iwo Jima being a huge struggle.

S2 blog 10

I think it does. It goes into depth about everything and what happens, and it explains out the hardships and such. It wasnt really pity, it was knowledge, and that helped show what the farmers were going through.

S2 blog 9

Freedom and Structure.

I feel as thought I have worked well with in the freedom we have for Ampersand. I do think deadlines and drafts due at certain points definitely help me get everything done and completed in time

Semester TWO, Blog#8

FDR and Obama are similar because they created similar stimulus packages, they fell into a bad economy and they made similar decisions when trying to fix the economy, while trying to maintain popularity.

Semester TWO, Blog#7

I think my company would crash. Seeing as though it is a non-profit organization, and they rely on people donating, if they didnt have money, no one would donate and they would have to get rid of the animals. There is a lot of money that goes into running an animal compound, and it definitely would have sunk without money from donators.

Semester TWO, Blog#6

Tom Joad Jr.


"...But sometimes a guy'll be a good guy even if some rich bastard makes him carry a sticker."

This made me think about who Tom Joad really is. He seemed like he could manipulate the truck driver really easily, and it showed he is goo at taking advantage of people.

"Homicide,' he said quickly. 'That's a big word--means I killed a guy. Seven years. I'm sprung in four for keepin' my nose clean."

He killed a guy. But he said it as though It wasnt a big deal, and that he is really a nice guy, because he had good behavior in jail.

"An old turtle,' he said. 'Picked it up on the road. An old bulldozer. Thought I'd take it to my little brother. Kids like turtles."

It made me wonder. Why is he taking a turtle to his brother?

"It ain't the same,' he said. 'Looka that house. Somepin's happened. They ain't nobody there."

Took him by surprise. No ones at his house. Now he has to find work elsewhere.

Semester TWO, Blog#5

Osamah's Photo Essay

I really liked his pictures, they were clean and looked planned out.

Photo Essay

Audrey's Photo Essay

I liked her photo essay just all together.

Photo Essay

Shanna's Mentor Interview

I liked how she mentioned how everyone worked in the same office. It wasnt the main point, but I was drawn to it.

Interview

Semester 2: Blog#4

Ampersand:

I hope to create a polished piece of writing for this book. Hopefully, some sort of story about working with animals. Thats what Im going to aim for. I hope to be managing editor, project manager, and hopefully our book comes out professional and polished.

Photo Essay

I push the brown door to the side. The cold, crisp air greets my body in a bear hug. I walk in, stomping the mud off of my feet. A shiver escapes my body. It’s like a jolt of lightning. “Wow, it’s really cold today” I say. Ed looks up from the food he’s chopping and nods in agreement. “How are you today?” He asks. “I’m good, and freezing!” I wrap my arms around myself, trying to hold in the warmth that isn’t there. We have one goal for the day, feed the animals. Ed Hamilton, one of the keepers at the Embery Institute for Wildlife Conservation is currently chopping vegetables to go into the bowls for the animals. Who am I? I am Deanna Fox­­­­—Intern at the Institute, being trained to become a full time volunteer.

“So did I tell you two more weavers escaped? No one does their work around here. I’m the only one who checks the hole in the Aviary” “Damn. Do you think they’ll come back Ed?” He laughs. “Well, if people check the traps then maybe” He goes back to chopping. Grapes for the toucans, the parrots, some for the monkey. He cuts the fruits and the vegetables, tossing them into the appropriate food bowls. I go around hosing the cages, starting with the Scarlet Macaw, Cruiser, and finishing with the owls. I scrub the cages, shivering in the wind and finally finish. Ed finishes the last couple of leaves from the lettuce. He cleans up and looks over, “Hey, grab these bowls and go feed the birds, then Andele.

I walk over, seeing that Andele (sloth) is still snoozing in front of the heater. I squeeze through into his sleeping area, and poke him with papaya. “Here Andele” I coo, “Come get your food. Come on Andele, wake up.” He pokes his head out, and sniffs the food. He realizes that its good, and decides to wake up. He slowly clambers out and greets me. I reach over with the papaya, and he opens his mouth in return. Chomping down on the papaya, he is pleased. I give him some lettuce, and some more papaya. I scratch him, and I hear Ed call me, “Hey, are you ready to feed the baby condor?” I leave Andele at his food bowl and walk back to the feed room, a smile on my face—of course I’m ready.

After preparing the liver, rats and meat, we head off down to the condors cage. “Hey birdie!” Ed calls, the condor flaps its wings, the 12-foot wingspan acting as a big fan. She (the condor) greets Ed, and he pets her little head. “Time to hand feed. He instructs me to hold the liver out, and I do just that. The condor hops over and swallows it whole, gulping it down as if she hadn’t eaten before. Surprisingly, I let the condor lick the blood from my hand. I grab a rat by the tail. “Here condor! Come get this rat.” The condor hops over and attacks the guts. Intestines go flying blood squirts, and soon the rat has no insides. Ed and I make eye contact. One word floats between us, dishes.

Walking over to the sink, I add bleach and soap to the water. I soak the dishes. Commence Scrubbing. Bowl one, two, three, and four go by in a minute, the small ones. Scrubbing and cleaning, I get through them all. Finishing up, I wash my hands and goes into the feed room. “Well Ed, we finished before dark.” He laughs. “See you tomorrow” He says. I nod. “9:30 sharp like always.” I shut the door behind me. As I walk to my car, a grin draws across my face, good day. I drive off into the sunset, another day at the ranch under my belt.

Semester 2: Blog#2

A couple miles down State Route 67 in the East county of San Diego, I turn right onto Willow Road. This road can lead to a jewel. My car bounces down the muddy road, soaked from rain. River through river I splash, the trees hang over my car, as I turn where it says 'Deliveries'. Driving down, there are some little houses, fences and rings to run horses. A stable stands before the other cars. Shift gears. Emergency Brake, and my car sits by the others already there. Get out. Breathe in. The air is fresh. No smog, no pollution–just air. I continue on this journey. Walking up past the barn, a donkey comes over to greet me. Pet the donkey. Steal a kiss. His name is Eeyore. Continue on. I walk through the maze of different rooms, and get to the trailer. The door is open. It looks like she got up a little early for me. Her dog runs out. Jessie. I pet the dog, and smile. Looking to the left, sitting on a huge box, is a cheetah. A site to puzzle a person. First a donkey, then a dog, and then a cheetah. I enter the trailer. At the computer there she sits. Leaning forward towards the computer, glasses on, typing with one finger. She's hard at work. She turns, and there we are, face to face. Joan Embery. This tall, crazy blonde character stands up in greeting. Her booming voice startles at first, but her warm smile changes that quickly. She says, "Want to see the Ranch?". My eyes open wide, a slight gasp escapes my throat. "Lets go check it out!". She gets up and walks past. "Jess!" She calls. Not much use since her dog is right by her side already. She walks to the golf cart, pushes a box off the seat. She summons me to hop in. Then her dog, squeezes on and gracefully sits, with her bottom on the bench of the cart. I laugh. Seeing a dog sit so human like is odd. Joan backs out with ease, and shoots off through the stables. I look all around at the horses, the mules, the zebra! Too much. I hold on for dear life, we bounce and speed around the Ranch, as she points out where everything is. This ride is over too soon. We return to the trailer, and I wipe my shoes on the leopard print rug. I sit down in the worn leather chair. Looking at her, she sits as well. She looks at me, "Well, how about that interview?"

Second Semester! Blog#1

Videos:

What makes a good final product is not only an amazing interview, that has an underlying story, but a brief bio about the interviwee so the readers get to know about them.