Freshman Year Reflection

     At the end of my middle school year I was still believed to be “young-minded.”  Before my big change developed in High School my only goals were to never  stay home, hanging with friends, and being un-stressful and free. My mind was also set to believe that my mom would take care of all my problems, lots and lots of boys and to make my mothers pockets empty. That was the Medinah from June-August of 2011. Then September came.

     It was my first day of High School my head was rumbling with mixed emotions of excitement, being nervous, and fun times that I may have. But instead it seemed to be the opposite. High School was mainly about work, work, work and learning things on your own from experiences of being independent, like a few of my 9^th grade teachers told me this year . As September turned into October my mind developed into work mood. Throughout my whole 9^th grade year all I received was pounds of work on my shoulders, and a few times I did struggle.

     The amounts of work I was given made me focused. And being focused made me realize a lot. Since my independence grew larger so did my “young-mind.” I was now able to travel around the city on my own, I began to find and search for ways to make my own money, my schedule was always full, and I stop depending on my mom to guide me the way through. My young-mind seemed to have matured. Which was a huge change for me this year. My experiences and situations that happened during this change were good and bad. But it turned out even better.

     From the beginning of my freshman year to now, June 2012 I’ve learned what I want to do after college as a career, I became more organized, I worked even harder and boys came along later. This freshman year was great for me, I made new friends, visited new places and  seen new things. All of this is only the embarking of the rest of my life.

     

Tickets For Jay-z's MusicFest Go On Sale This Morning

      As Philly is getting ready for its festivities this upcoming labor day (Made In America Concert), on September first and second to be exact, everyone is pretty hyped up about the popular artist Jay-z future performance. At 10 this morning the tickets for the concert were sent off to the Live Nation and Ticket Master box offices to go on sale. The tickets are being sold as passes, a one-day pass or a two-day pass. The tickets are costly with the lowest price of $99 up to the highest price $655.

     The array of genres that are to be played at this concert are classic and indie rock, a little taste of R&B, electronic and a mix of the usual Hip Hop. Some groups and artists that are scheduled to show are Skrillex aka DJ, Maybach Music aka Rick Ross, Wale, and Philly's very own Meek Mill, D’Angelo, Dutch DJ Afrojack, Dirty Projectors, Janelle Monáe & Santigold, Odd Future, and Passion Pit. Each artist represents one of the genres I listed. More artists and bands or DJs are yet to be announced. Philly's in for a huge party this labor day!

     Well I think that the Made In America concert this upcoming Labor Day was a good idea to bring more attention and visitors to Philly. But I think that since it’s on the Parkway that the tickets should actually be free. No event that was ever held on the Parkway ever cost a thing. And for the tickets to cost the lowest of $99 seems pretty ridiculous to me! I really don’t think its worth that much but Ill be viewing the concert from my home.

   

     

ThisIBelieve.org : Love Is Stronger than Death by-Opal Ruth Prater

     Opal Ruth Prater and her husband Dusty lived together in Virginia. Both raising four children on a farm something bad happened. Dusty had passed away from a bad heart condition that he was dealing with and which the doctors had predicted would go away. After that day, Ms.Opal began to grow sad. It all started after the funeral when she seen his shirt on the chair from the last time he wore it. Memories came back to her from that very day he wore the shirt. As she picked it up with tears in her eyes, she held the shirt towards her face and embraced his smell he left on it. Sadness became more tragic as the shirts smell went away after it got lost in the farm with the animals one day. Her only reason to move on from this tragedy was to care for her children and they comforted her and made her feel all right. Ms.Opal felt her life, her home; everything was empty and incomplete without Dusty there. Now that its fifth teen years since Duty’s death and the four children are all grown up to wonderful people Ms. Opal realized and learned something.  She believes that as long she is here Dusty is still alive. She believes her children and her grandchildren carry his spirit on earth forever. In addition, she concludes that love is stronger than death.
      I chose to listen and read this article because of the book Romeo and Juliet. The story of Romeo and Juliet has a similar belief that love is stronger than death as well. This story really made me think. Her story about missing her husband and feeling like she can’t go on, but her only motivation was to raise her four children made me realize the real things in life that I wouldn’t even think about. I enjoyed this story and learned a lot from it.

Broadcasting a World of Whiteness

     The show "Girls" shown on HBO has brought some attention about one certain issue. People believe that this show and plenty others have a lack of diversity in its T.V. shows and only show that there is a world with only just White people. Coming and bring this issue about has cause so much controversy and dispute about race and who is really paying attention to what is going on.  People come to know that not only the cast of different shows are not diverse enough but also the scriptwriters and even the back stage crew are not diverse as well. For example, two black men who they didn’t choose in an applying section of the movie tryouts have sued against the ABC T.V. network. Also with having all white characters on a certain show lures them into making mean and hurtful racial comments. Therefore, since this all white cast and crew has come to be such a normal thing on T.V. shows, productions have not found it offensive at all. This has led other T.V. networks such as BET, with an all Black cast and crew to become more competitive in the T.V. network world. But even most shows contain all white character; there are still other special shows that show not just diversity but also other things such as different lives and lessons. In addition, this issue has brought many positive changes along.

     This article reminded me of how my life isn’t full with any diversity at all. I go to a school that is mostly African American, my community is all African American and my friends I hang with are all African American. Reading this article made me think as to going out and trying to meet different people that I wouldn’t normally hang out with. This article indeed put me into a deep thought. I mean growing up my mom raised me around only African Americans. She taught me not to date White or Chinese men, which I don’t. So her raising me in that type of mind set did make a huge impact on me, but this article made me want to take risks about race and want to learn more and more.

    

New Fashion Wrinkle: Stylishly Hiding a GUN !

     In a 182-year-old clothing company they have created new pants called "Chino Pants". A special feature about these comfy and flexible pants is that they can hide a gun and other weapons such as knifes or flashlights. This came about because more people are getting permits to have and carry a gun with them because laws are becoming harsher on carrying around a licensed gun. These pants are sold at the price of $65 and are particularly made for gun owners who carry their guns with them and other weapons. They have also made shirts and other pieces of attire to hide a weapon in and also able to pull it out quickly. People wearing this clothing believe that it’s based off of clothing made for policemen and for soldiers. Many sports and other retail stores are trying to get a hold of there own "protecting clothing" but are making the clothes look very normal. They do this so a possible attacker may be afraid or unsure to do anything because its possible they may be "strapped". But everyone isn't a fan for just the fashion; they are only concerned with there protection.

     Well I do believe that carrying around licensed weapons is becoming more popular because people aren’t aware of who can do harm to them, now even more since they’ve made the pants and other stylish “weapon hiding attire”. I also do think Americans should carry guns for protection, but it also may lead to more deaths and injuries since everybody is armed.   

   

Parkway Haves a Health Fair

     On April 12, 2012 Parkway held a health fair with the seniors presenting information dealing with their senior projects that they worked very hard on. During the health fair it started off with one of the seniors presenting a PowerPoint presentation to us, and having a speaker come talk to our class. His topic was on drugs and he gave us plenty of facts, real stories, and situations about the topic. Then we headed down to the auditorium where about 7 seniors had tables set up showing us and letting us know about different things dealing with health.

    One table was on healthy eating. The girls told us information and facts about fruits and veggies, calories, promoting healthy eating habits and they even offered us a piece of fruit. Another table was on Abortion from sources to adoption, to DHS stations to send the children to; their goal was to stop abortion. One table was about having safe sex. They distributed free condoms going toward HIV and other sexual diseases preventions. One senior also went around to collect money going towards a stop to animal abuse. They health fair turned out to be a huge success informing other students about many things we should know for future reference.

     I honestly enjoyed the health fair here. I learned more information about doing my senior project and ways I can began earlier and get it done faster. I also learned more things on health that I didn’t know like when women get older they need to get more things checked out on there bodies more than young teens do. I would like to see another health fair held here. I want to learn even more.

The LAST True Stop for Trolleys

  Many of years ago, America was in love with trolleys. With having 15.7 billion trolley trips in 1929 everyone was satisfied until cars were invented. When cars were invented, it lead different trolley companies into Bankruptcy from the high taxes that had to be paid off with low carfares. After that tragedy trolleys were no more spoken of. 
     However, here in Philly trolleys are still used and operate mostly in one particular area of the city, West Philadelphia. The trolley that operates in West Philadelphia connects to different neighborhoods traveling under tunnels that pass through the western part of the Schuylkill River all the way to Center City letting out on 36th and 40th streets. 
    With starting off with 50 trolleys with plenty of routes, the NCL made Philadelphia cut down to only 14 trolleys. They had to choose carefully to make sure each trolley was the busiest in the city. Soon after SEPTA took over the trolleys only seven stayed strong and we soon made it to have the second largest trolley system in America. Philadelphia's trolley system became a big tourist attraction.
       Nevertheless, one day a fire broke out in a bus barn and destroyed 1/3 of the trolleys. Therefore, some trolley routes had to be turned to buses and the tunnel trolleys were the only that survived it. 
     Many cities all over the country are trying to get the trolleys going as well. With us dealing with financial problems the trolleys and buses and the best ways to go for peoples transportation.


     Well I do like the trolleys but I never knew they where such a big problem as the article made it seem like. I prefer the buses more than the trolleys because the move quicker so people will not have to stand at a bus stop to long. But trolleys hold more passengers. I would like to look to more into this trolley situation.

Trayvon Martin Case Shows the Need to Stand up for our Black Sons

     Most do not only want the Justice for the young 17 year old Trayvon Martin to only be the arrest of his shooter, George Zimmerman. They believe justice for him is also giving young black children, focusing more on young men, to not be labeled as troubled or a threat to the community. They want young black men to be able to travel openly without worries of others being afraid of them. Parents of young black men want to teach them starting at birth all the way to adulthood about situations such as different backgrounds, integrity, honesty, justice, respect and the true meaning of community. Parents also believe that what ever there child turns out to be they will play an important part as well.

     They believe we should take a stand because this not only happening in Florida. It’s happening everywhere. They believe it is based in different systems created in this world based for African American children.  Some systems based of things like health, education, discipline, welfare and the Juvenile Justice systems.

     Therefore, they believe that we stop this by doing things. Like reaching out to the community, helping schools, vote, and volunteer and most importantly teaching our children.

     Well I do agree with the fact that there isn’t just one type of justice there for Trayvon. This situation made people realize how bad the labeling of a normal African American child was. It made me realize how important proving others wrong about how us African Americans may act or be.

For Women Under 30, Most Births Occur Outside Marriage

     The percentage for women under 30 having kids and no marriage has been rising slowly over the past 50 years. This issue only used to happen to the poor but now has become a new trend. However, most White women in their 20s, who have minor college education, have come to make up most of that population. Since 2/3 of the U.S. babies are born to a mother under 30 who is not married, they have come to believe this will make a big impact towards many generations to come. People who graduate college still believe in marriage before having a baby. They also think that this issue is going to change the way families grow and having believing marriage is only for people with a good education background.      With the changes of
 More children being born outside of marriage studies show that they are most likely deal with poverty, doing badly in school, and having emotional and behavior problems. They believe that more children are being born outside of marriage because of things such as the birth control pill, having fewer jobs for men making them "unmarriageable", the sex revolution, which gave women more rights having them become more independent and condoms. The percentage of single mothers has been rising as well and women fell they do not need a man around to provide for them. Such things like welfare have women believe that as well.
       With different races having different percentages of birth with marriage. Other things came along as well such as education, having said that well educated women get married before having a baby. They also came to find that couples who live together that aren't married come to have babies as well, but there relationships never seem to turn out good before the child turns 10. Nevertheless, not being married can stop you from spending time with your child as Ms.Mercado stated.
     Well right now, I am still unsure about getting married. But I do want children. My mom always says to me "don't have children if you’re not married". My mom and my dad are married and I do believe it made a big impact on my behavior, my life, and my education status as well. But I feel I can be very successful and independent without a husband around, then I again I feel having a happy family is better for the well-being of my child and me. So I’m going to just experience and research more as I get older and see how thing turn out then.
      

Hula 'the language of the heart'

    

When Ms.Connie Majka went on a trip to Hawaii, she felt it was a life changing experience. During her visit, it was her very first time ever to actually see a hula dancer. When she saw how beautiful and graceful the woman was doing the dance, she feels in love with hula and wanted to do it herself. She began to study hula, started to teach it to others and then eventually opened a studio. This was the only hula school alive, and 25 women strong kept it held together. The woman also known as "the hula sisterhood" is excited to be apart of the flower show here in Philly, which is Hawaiian theme this year. One woman from the group, Robin Fischer, tells how peaceful, soothing, and welcoming doing the Hula is. The different songs used for hula dancing each give off its own beauty and stories. Ms. Majka also made a song for hula that she actually song and danced off named "Honey Flower”. While doing the dance the students dress appropriately adding the pa'u skirts and no shoes. With accessories of flowers, necklaces, bracelets etc. they tell a story through the hula dancing. In Hawaii’s history, they always communicated through hula. Majka feels hula actually touched her heart deep down inside.

     From reading this article and having my background information on the dance hula. I already knew and believed it was a dance that brought healing, un-negativity, peace, and beauty. I would also like to try the dance my self. It seems very helpful to clear the mind and soul. I really like this article and would like to know more on the dance of hula.

Facebook is using YOU !

Facebook is now selling pieces of stock. But the only thing that Facebook has to provide for the stocks and its money are its users information. The successful website gets its money from different ads that appear from information on someone’s profile. With Facebook making $3.2 billion off of advertising and Google making 10 times that number the use of what somebody sent in a email to things people searched for, many things from the Internet has prevented people to get child custody and to also has say so in situations dealing with the law. There are also companies that are used only to look up information about what people do online. Using other people’s information from online can give off stereotypes. That is NOT against the law and just searching something simple as "Stalking" for a paper for school is used as something to do with my own safety.

After reading this article I am concerned about what I write online. I am concerned because certain things I do online shows what type of person I might be. I also believe the things I write or do over the Internet can be brought up in my future, and I don't want something dumb and stupid that I put on Facebook or Twitter from when I was 15 being held against me when I am all grown up.  I also believe Lori Andrews main point for writing the article was to inform readers about how what we do on the Internet is infected to our privacy and us.

The Upcoming of Fat Tuesday

Our country is getting hyped up for the upcoming of Fat Tuesday. Fat Tuesday is the ending of celebrations for Mardi gras in towns such as New Orleans. Fat Tuesday is religiously brought up from catholic and French believers. But since Fat Tuesday calls on for the biggest party ever it brings out every type of person, from different backgrounds, to different beliefs to come together and enjoy all the fun. February 21,2012 is the day Fat Tuesday will come this year. With the partying and fun starting way before the day is even thought of the carnival and parade season come along as well. But this is brought up from Mardi gras where these crazy fun parties began, and become a never-ending celebration. During Mardi gras, which is French for Fat Tuesday many green gold and purple beads are thrown, and pounds of foods are eaten. With New Orleans at the top for hosting the best Mardi gras, it is celebrated all over the world.

Well I would like to join the fun and celebrate Mardi gras and Fat Tuesday too. It sounds like a lot of fun and I believe I would enjoy the festivities a lot. I also would like to learn more on the history of the Mardi gras and its celebration. I also was glad to learn that there were seasons for Carnival and Parades, and that was very surprising to learn. I wonder if they celebrate Mardi gras in Philly. I would like to know some info on that as well. Hurray for Mardi gras!

 Fat Tuesday

Im A Criminal and so are YOU !

Michelle Alexander claims she is criminal. When she tells people that they are surprised, they say it because she does not look like one. Therefore, they ask her questions of how she is a criminal and she tells them they are criminals as well. They do not believe they are criminals and they believe the criminals live in the ghettos and worse parts of the city. Then she tells them that breaking the law considers them as criminals and they have not been caught yet. So when she uses the statement that “we are all criminals”, she believes it would have people think about the horrible consequences of freedom of those criminals who actually are caught. Most people look down upon African Americans because of the crimes they committed. Criminals who are caught loose privileges such as the right to vote, or access to education. This punishment is harsh towards somebody who a committed little crime like drugs, which will forever live on in the rest of their lives. If Obama looked at himself as a criminal maybe, he would realize the consequences given to them are too much. Therefore, Ms.Alexander believes the criminals are she and she is the criminals.

This article did make me think. I thought about all the things I did that were considered against the law. I realize, YEAH I am a criminal. However, before reading this article, I didn't really think that what I did could label me as a criminal. Now I think different. I also did look at the things that I believe criminals did and labeled them as Ms. Alexander said we do. I also never knew that criminals had such harsh punishments. It just made me want to do something about it.

Photoshopped or Not? A Tool to Tell

By the use of Adobe's Photoshop software they can turn pictures of celebrities and models into a whole new them. The software lets you change many things on a picture such as removing pimples, shedding weight, and brighten up your skin. People believe this is a problem and that it may cause "UNREALISTIC" goals of how your body should look. Therefore, Dr.Farid and Eric Kee are trying to invent a tool to show off how much fashion and beauty photos have been tainted from a scale of 1 to 5. They got interested in this category because they wanted to research the images from advertisements and fashion magazines. They believe that these images lead up to situations such as eating disorders, anxiety about body image mostly in young women. Dr.Farid and Eric Kee is mainly trying to determine how much the face and the body of the person in the photo was changed and peoples outlooks or opinions on them. So they used before and after photos and made different people rate how much different it looks on the scale from one to five. They believe this would help stop the changes in pictures.

Well I do believe that having pictures of super skinny models and overly perfect images of women cause eating disorders and low self esteem. Because having women on T.V, magazines , and even the internet, where most people spend there day at, may cause people to think that that is the way they’re suppose to look since the girls that look like that are on T.V. and are pretty and get a lot of attention. Having these images, I think makes girls yearn for the attention they have which may cause low self-esteem because it makes them they are not enough or attracted enough. In addition, I do think the images should be labeled to inform people who are reading that the person in the picture really does not look that way.

In China, Human Costs Are Built Into an Ipad

The article I read was about how workers who associate with iPhones, iPads, and other Apple products are in dangerous surroundings at work. They gave one example by telling a story about an explosion in Building A5 in the area that iPhone cases were polished at. The company reports that some of its' suppliers had been thrown out the wrong way and they contain dangerous chemicals. A couple incidents dealing with injuries from chemicals to clean the iPhone screen or other explosions have happened at the Chengdu plant. However, the Apple Company is not the only ones dealing with these troubles. Places like Dell, I.B.M, Motorola, Nokia, and many more been having similar situations as well. Apple is trying to help the situation by creating a code of conduct. Nevertheless, some believe Apple really does not care for anything else but there own products. Apple had employees working long sifts for little pay. They also slept in little dorms with barley any room, which was also a desk most employees had to stand all day while on the job. Reports were sent to Apple of unsafe working conditions at the Chengdu plant. There were also complaints about the dangerous aluminum particles. Apple did respond to ANY. With explosions, continuing to go Apple is still popular and will always be the customers care more for Apple products than for Apple working conditions in China.

Well I agree that the conditions of Apples workers still will not change customers mind about buying Apple products or increase Apples popular. But then again I believe it is wrong that people are losing there lives just from working in a simple factory. I think they sound use eco-friendly chemical to use for there products. It would stop the dangerous setting and help the earth as well. But I will not stop buying Apple products because of this even though I do agree on the fact that it is wrong.

Cracking Teenagers' Online Codes

    My article was about a crazy, outgoing 34-year-old woman named Danah Boyd. She is a researcher at Microsoft Research in Cambridge Massachusetts. She has known as a "Respected Figure" in research for socializing over the internet. She researches young teen’s behaviors and benefits from using online websites such a Facebook and Twitter. Danah also is the first person who is an anthropologist, to actually study in that category.
    As we, all know adults worry about safety online towards teens. They believe that children may give out too much personal information, or that it is not good to chat with strangers. However, Danah Boyd disagrees with those thoughts. She believes that this generation of teen’s ability to explore the world has been destroyed. She believes life for a child is safer than it ever was; also, she believes children interact on the internet because there are no adults to control what is going on. Dr.Boyd stated that giving kids freedom online actually helps them with advice and gives voice of experience. Danah gave an example of her story.
    At the age of 16, 13 of Danah's classmates died and she believed she was next. With divorced parents and the unknowing of where her father was, Danah was a problem child in school, hung around the wrong people, and did bad things. But the internet saved her. Danah begun to chat with strangers online, understanding that there were good people out there to help. This positive experience was a big help in her life.
    She believes most people are afraid of the fact that maybe perverts, looking for children online. When the sexually predators end up to be the people that the child knows and trusts.
Dr.Boyd is continuing to get her education, also to keep researching and letting the info she finds be known. She now concluded that the internet is a safe answer to children’s problems.
     Well I think that since I have been taught about internet safety and what not it keeps me from holding my feelings back on the internet. Now since I have read this article it actually gave me some relief that if I do talk to strangers online they are not out to get me, but maybe there to help. I also like the fact that Danah Boyd did the research it can show adults to let us children have some freedom, and privacy in our personal lives. I am going to tell my mom about this to see her opinion because I am all for everything Dr.Boyd has to say about teens it is a wonderful thing.

Teaching Kids How To Break Up Nicely

The article “Teaching Kids How to Break up Nicely” was brought to discussion when 200 teens from different schools in Boston got together and talked about break ups from and on Facebook. That discussion resulted in questions such as “Should you delete pictures of your ex after splitting up?” or “Is it okay to unfriend your last girlfriend to stop you from looking at her profile?” The Boston Public Health commissions were the people that held a conference and actually begun this “Break Up” discussion among teens. The students included in the conference came up with a list. The stated all the healthy and unhealthy things to do after a break up. Students gave opinions and examples of how to there own relationships ended because of incidents on Facebook. The conference gave the teens examples of what healthy break ups were. From pictures and videos of celebrities to telling them the rights and wrongs. The moral lesson was to have teens discuss relationship problems in person rather than Facebook. Many teens realized it and hope it would fix future break ups.

Well my opinion about the article was that I fully understand everything the article was trying to let me know, including its moral lesson.  I’ve had problems on Facebook with my past relationships as well so understood how the teens in the article was feeling. I also believe that since they have facts and info on unhealthy and healthy ways for teens to break up they should inform teens all over the world. This article taught me something and I hope to use it in the future.

Rumor Has it:The New Iphone 5 , New Exciting Features

Rumors say that the 5th version of the I-phone is on it's way to being born. Predicting to be released along the lines of this New Year, this version of the I-phone is to be better, more futuristic, and everything more then the I-phone 4s possibly was. It’s also included to have double the storage, and faster downloads. Fans and supporters of the apple company are eager to find out what the I-phone 5 has in store for them. The I-phone 5 is also expected to have a clear or see threw body. It's also heard to hold an A6 processor, which adds juice to the phones battery, and containing up to almost 20 hours of video calls. The phones new screen is to be bigger a better ranging from 3.8 to 4 inches wide. One cool feature is that it may have possible 3-D images, which may only be see in this phone. Also to be a world phone, which means it will hold 3 antennas letting you able to switch to different carriers wherever and whenever you please. The I-phone 5 is an amazing invention.     

Well I believe that the making of so many versions of the I-phone is unnecessary. People are going to want more and more and it may be hard to come up with new ideas since they used them all up. I also don’t like that apple isn’t paired up with other phone companies. Everyone wants to experience the I-phone 5 and switching to a new phone company is too much. But then I do like the fact that apple is trying to stay up with the new technologies the future brings ahead of us, but still is dealing with the death of Steve Jobs. I’m a fan of apple as well, keep the inventions Apple.

OSAMA BIN LADENS DEAD : BIGGEST STORY OF 2011

The official killing of Osama Bin Laden would be the most talked about story that took place in 2011 forever! Osama Bin Laden was known as the biggest threat of wanting to use terrorism towards the United States of America and take over. He stirred up and let us know he hated the U.S. starting with the 9/11 attacks which brought devastation and thousands of deaths to America. He was the great leader of the group Al Qaeda and has been hiding from us for decades.  Also known as the US most wanted; Osama Bin Laden was founded in a hide out located in Abbotabad, Pakistan 100 yards away from the Pakistani Military Academy. The Bin Laden operation took 40 minutes which ended his death from a shot in his head. No one wanted his remains so his body was buried at sea. Obama was very proud and gave a little speech or announcement as to his victory of finally finding the great Osama Bin Laden. Everyone in America was full of excitement and relief that this horrible person was now dead!

Well I am very proud of Obama to succeed something that our recent President Bush was trying to do for the past decade. So I believe his killing was the biggest story in 2011. I also believe it was the biggest story because this will forever go down in history. Also that it would keep us in peace and out of potential danger of possible attack. The killing of Osama put an official stop towards the biggest terrorist group Al Qaeda, which much hate for America.