Crash

Sorry I’ve been lagging with my blog. I haven’t had time to write anything with all the homework my teachers have been piling on..plus I just don’t have anything to discuss that really strikes a chord. This weekend, however, I decided to watch one of my all time favorite movies Crash.

Now I don’t like it because of the actors or the way it was shot or any thing like that. I enjoyed this movie because of the message it has for everyone. It seems clear to me that many people define racism as a white person showing hatred or intolerance for a black person, or at least that’s how the entertainment world makes it seem. I have seen YouTube videos and Black Entertainment Television (BET) where people, specifically black people, say that racism is always against blacks. Our country has done so much to prove that we are not racist or at least trying not to be. Black people have their own TV station, their own month, and we even have a new black president. So why are people still saying that we are racist?

Yes, I will admit that I believe everyone is a little racist sometimes. We all have our black jokes and white jokes, along with Mexican and Asian jokes as well. I love the movie Crash because it really demonstrates every point-of-view and shows that it isn’t just one group of people that are racist. EVERYONE IS. I don’t believe we can ever really stop racism but we can try. In Crash, a man named Anthony (a black man) made a point: “Listen to it man. N***** this, N***** that. You think white people go around callin' each other ‘honky’ all day, man? ‘Hey, Honky, how's business?’ ‘Going great, cracker, we're diversifying!’” I refuse to understand the concept of black people throwing racial slurs at their own race. It makes absolutely no sense to me. I also don’t understand why they have a black history month when we don’t have a Jewish history month or a white history month, or even an Italian or polish history month, etc. Morgan Freeman on 60 Minutes perfectly conveys what I am trying to get across. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FO214IFRW1M (Watch it! It's only 55 seconds of your time)

If every person in this country could stand still for just 113 minutes to watch this movie, they would receive the message it has to offer and see that racism comes in all forms. I, myself, cannot stand that because I am white, I am a “racist who has no idea what African Americans have been though”. I also do not appreciate when black people blame my ancestors for enslaving them. First of all, my ancestors were not in this country during the time of slavery. And when my grandparents actually did come to this country in the early 1900s, they were treated horribly along with many other ethnic groups, such as the Irish. Even if they were not enslaved, they were still treated as though they belonged on the cotton plantations along with the blacks (even though they were Caucasians).

Countries around the world call us a melting pot but are we really a melting pot? How can this be when everyone segregates themselves and puts other races down to feel superior to them? This to me is not what a melting pot should really be. We should all be proud of our heritage but do we really have to rub it in everyone’s faces and try to get everyone to feel bad for their ancestors? No. this has to come to an end. Just stop with the black history month. Stop with the specific TV stations for only a certain race. This is not black history, white history, Jewish history or any other type of history… this is American History. We are Americans.

P.S. If you think this makes me sound racist, believe me I’m not. I am thrilled we have a black president and could not be more overjoyed to see how far America has come (race-wise) even if I don’t agree with all his plans and ideas.

P.P.S. I highly recommend Crash. It is a great movie.

Adventures With Jamie

Monday, February 16 was a thrilling day for my friendly companion Jamie Rochlitz and myself. We decided to set off on a random adventure (like most of our adventures) to the Henry Ford Museum. To our luck, it was FREE DAY! Yes, Jamie and I are much too cheap to actually pay to get in so it worked out to our advantage. Anyways, it was the first time I've ever been there (not counting Greenfield Village) and truth be told, I had an amazing time.

I thought it was really comical that out of all the great history there such as the chair Abraham was assassinated in. Kennedy's car. The car Regan was shot in. The First kinds of plains and everything else, little and big that has to do with history... nothing was more exciting than the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile. My face immediately lit up when my eyes caught site of it. Jamie and I got a picture next to it along with all the other 5 year olds waiting to receive their picture next to it. They even created a Weinermobile Cafe and a weinermobile wax figurine machine. If you pay 2 dollars, it will spit out a mini replica of the mobile for you to take home as a souvenir. Even the gift shop had t-shirts with the big hot dog on it!

It's almost kind of sad how every piece of history that museum had to offer, and I was more amused by a giant wiener on wheels than pieces of history that changed America. I do enjoy history and museums to a great extent, however I guess it really shows how much not only myself, but the rest of America tend to not acknowledge our important history artifacts. We are far too enthralled with entertainment and amusing ourselves than actually stepping back and appreciating how far we have come in America... not to mention it showed a bit of my immaturity (and the old man's who was waiting to get his picture too).

50 Facts (feel free to make one too!)

I saw this YouTube video by Mitchell Davis about 50 random things, not just facts. So instead of making a video, I decided to make a blog. It is a random assortment of anything that has to do with me, such as, people, places, objects, dreams that I've had, memories, things I feel or think of.... you get the idea.
this is just off the top of my head so who knows what I am going to come up with.
okay, here we go...

1. Sweatpants
2. Barnes & Noble
3. Dr. Seuss
4. My Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T10. I adore that camera.
5. Photography
6. Donnie Darko. Every time I see it, it makes me think about things beyond human comprehension.
7. Signs directed by M. Night Shyamalan. I never get sick of that movie.
8. Ferris Bueller’s day Off because I wish I had the guts to do everything Ferris did.
9. Anchorman always makes me happy.
10. My mom, because even though I can't talk to her about EVERYTHING, she is always there for me no matter what.
11. Michigan
12. Any friend who has ever been there for me.
13. Livie, my dog who died on September 10, 2008. She only lived to make me and my family happy and never asked for anything in return (except for maybe a belly rub). After spending probably thousands of dollars on medical bills, all that money was worth it just to have her around a little bit longer.
14. Youtube
15. Blogger
16. Facebook
17. Bianca, my sister, because she’s been someone I can look up to my whole life and no matter how much we fight and how many times I've said I couldn't stand her, I am just thankful I’m not an only child.
18. Dasani water. Or just water in general. I always have some with me.
19. My new puppy, Charlie! He is the sweetest thing I could ask for!
20. LOST. Amazinggg show!
21. The office.
22. My Nana
23. My Papa Nino
24. Rain
25. The smell after it rains.
26. Andy Warhol. His art is godly.
27. Boy Meets World
28. Are You Afraid of the Dark (I keep coming up with movies and tv shows.)
29. Summer thunderstorms. When I was younger, I just remember always playing outside in the rain and feeling like life was too great to ever end. I never wanted to grow up.
30. Tornadoes because again, when I was younger and there would be tornado warnings, my sister and I used to run in the basement with a pile of pillows and blankets and we would turn on one of our favorite Disney movies.
31. Disney Land because I went there when I was really little even though I barely remember it. (never been to Disney World though)
32. Lutheran North. My school and it’s where I met all my friends.
33. Caseville. Hilarious memories.
34. Mike and the Mexican.
35. Requiem for a Dream. It will scare anyone into never doing drugs. The film was more artistic than anything though.
36. Starry Night
37. Chicago Institute of Art. First art museum I ever visited and I fell in love with the place.
38. Flickr.com (Check out my pictures!)
    
39. Sicily & Italy. I’ve never been to either but its where my family is from and I promise myself, I am going someday.
40. Krystal Mukhtar. She was my best friend for over 6 years.
41. Tuesdays with Morrie. Inspirational book.
42. Jack’s Mannequin
43. Death Cab for Cutie
44. My old bunny I used to have, Nibbles. He was a great rabbit and I didn’t treat him well at all. I hope he found a good home.
45. Nintendo 64! Mario Kart and 007 Golden Eye are aweeesome! And Mario Party 2 J
46. Any kind of tea because I drink tea every single day.
47. Every type of music because it has the power to affect my moods and emotions.
48. Fall because it’s my favorite season and my birthday is in the fall.
49. Harry Potter because it changed my life, honestly. Read How Harry Potter Changed My Life.
50. I’m going to have to go with happiness because I honestly think the main goal in life is to achieve happiness. Without it, there would be no point to life.

Well, that’s it. I’ll probably look back at this and wish I would have added something else.

and dont forget to check out my pictures at Flickr.com!!!

Build Me Up Buttercup, Just to Let Me Down

Michigan weather is a tease. Every year we experience one week in February of cool spring air and warm sun that never fails to put me in a perfect mood. I feel like nothing can go wrong until I wake up one morning to find a fresh layer of powder white snow glistening on the ground, rather than a bright sun beating down on melting ice. Yep, this happens EVERY YEAR and frankly, I am growing tired of it. Michigan weather only builds my hopes up to watch them crumble when they hit the ground.
Since about February 7th, it has been nothing but sunshine and fresh air. I made my way to Partridge Creek on Saturday and was not at all surprised to see the place packed with people and animals in every store but just days before, The Creek seemed more like a ghost town. And I am sure by tomorrow, the temperature will go way down and the clouds will roll in over our heads, and not a soul will be found at Partridge.
I am counting down the dreary days that make me feel depressed and deprived of my Vitamin D the sun is always so willing to provide. I am counting down until spring comes and I can finally roll down the windows of my Honda as I drive throughout the metropolitan area and embrace the fresh smelling breeze that no longer feels like death crawling down my throat everytime I take a deep breath. I really cannot wait!

...REALLY

How Harry Potter Changed My Life

As a child I hated reading. I would have much rather played a video game, gone on the computer, maybe watched some TV. All sufficient ways to turn my brain to mush or maybe receive a massive tumor, but I would never be caught dead reading…that is, until a woman named Joanne Rowling, also known as J.K. Rowling, came into my life along with her ingenious imagination and an eleven year old boy named Harry Potter.

I remember specifically the first time I grasped one of those addicting books in my hands. I was in 2^nd grade and completely baffled as to why anyone on earth would want to waste their life away reading until my friend Stephanie explained. It was only six words that came out of her mouth. “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” was all she said. She handed me the book and I looked it over. I thought at once, “Wow this looks stupid.” So I threw it back at her and went on playing tag with all the other 2^nd grade girls who still believed in cooties (who would believe in cooties, honestly?).

When I came home from school however I realized my sister, who is a whopping three years older, was reading this strange book too. I came to the conclusion that if my big sister was reading it, then it was obviously cool. So as soon as possible, I convinced my mom to go get this book that was taking over the hearts of children and adults all over the world. I immediately began reading and I couldn’t put it down. Ever since that first book I have been in pure ecstasy every time I read it.

Harry potter is more than just a book to me. I believe it is a powerful, adventurous, and meaningful story that has changed my life. First, because I would not be reading or maybe even writing for that matter if it were not for this book. Secondly, this book has formed my basic perspectives on life, love, family, friends, good, evil, and the world and has completely molded the person I am today (along with my parents help, of course).

This may sound a little over embellished, especially because it’s just some book, but to me it has always been more. There is a moral that can be found in every installment even though it maybe not be clear to some; you just have to read and comprehend to discover it. These books are bashed by many Christian churches because they are about witchcraft and sorcery but they reveal so much more.

People always make fun of me for being obsessed with this series but people just don’t understand that one book or a series of books has the power to change lives.

The News

So...

Since as far back as I can remember my dad has always watched the news after he comes home from work. And on occasion I decide to lend my ear to the television and see what Channel 7 "action news" (WXYZ) has to announce to the people of Detroit and the surrounding area. Carolyn Clifford, Stephen Clark, Robbie Timmons, and of course Diana Lewis have been reporting to our townships and counties for ages.

But the only news they seem to report are the horrible and fiendish things that happen in our world. Sure, its all good to know but seriously, sometimes I listen to tragedy after tragedy and think, "How long can one person go before they completely snap from all these heartbreaking stories?" because honestly, the news is far more depressing than any book, movie, or TV show I can think of.

Day after day I hear about new tragedies and yet it all sounds the same. I have hopes that some exultant and high spirited entrepreneur might someday create their own news station called "The Good News Network" where they will talk about the positive things happening in our world rather than children running away from home, people lying, thief’s stealing, rape victims, and the horrible economy.
My ideal news station would consist of headline stories that deal with the power of our youth or people who are changing the world or maybe a life. They should talk about the unsung heroes that do plentiful amounts of small things that make a big difference for the community and yet, go unnoticed.

Maybe I’m crazy, I don’t know, but it is just something that has always bothered me. You can only watch the news for so long before feeling completely despondent.

LHN

Okay, well, I'm sitting here in newspaper completely bored out of my mind, so I figured I would just post another blog and discuss the teaching abilities that a good amount of the teachers at LHN seem to be lacking. I am completely baffled as to why some of these otherwise fine people chose this as an occupation, seeing as they cannot teach.
Now I am not saying all LHN’s teachers can’t teach. Many of them are the finest teachers I have encountered and I have actually learned in their classes! But about 6 out of my 8 classes during the day, I have to teach myself because the teacher either can’t seem to speak correctly or every single lecture given has absolutely nothing to do with the chapter. And what really annoys me more than anything is when we should be studying for a test (they tell us a day in advance) and the teacher goes completely off topic and decides to share their personal lives with the students. No offense, I would love to know all about your drama filled life Mr./Mrs. I-Can’t-Teach but this is a classroom filled with students that are hear to learn.
In one of my classes about 97% of the class failed a test and the teacher automatically assumed it was because none of us studied. If almost every person in your class if having trouble, how can you blame the student… obviously it is something the teacher is doing wrong.
I hope no one takes this the wrong way because the teachers at LHN are all kind and caring…. Some just need to learn how to teach. I know they say “It was God’s calling that I teach.” So who am I to critique God’s decisions? Well, I am a student who needs to be taught... not teach myslef.

The Lust, the Temptation, and the Bible

It's a typical school day. I wake up, get ready, make myself a mug of tea, you know, the usual. I deny the thought that I might be late for school because I have a specific time I know I will leave. Traffic is running smoothly and the CD that has been in my car for months and months is playing (only because I am far too lazy to find another one). I get to school and the bell has just rung. I have a few minutes to get to class before devotion comes on over the PA. I rush to my locker to retrieve my books only to find the most gruesome display of what looks like two people eating each other's faces...

I, like many others who attend Lutheran North will agree that EXTREME public displays of affection throughout the halls and even in the classrooms are repulsive and slobbery. I am sorry to all those "cute" couples in school but believe me, no one wants to see you up against the lockers and rolling around on the floors. LHN has created the motto "Face to face and leave some space" for all the dances and personally, I think that motto should be acknowledged in the halls as well.

About 10% of the time I’m late for class during the school year. This would not bother me normally but when it is out of my control and teachers refuse to accept my explanation of why I was late and mistake the truth for a lie, my options run low. Just today as a matter of fact my first hour teacher refused to accept my brief description of what I had witnessed taking place in front of my locker. I tell her, “It’s not my fault! I was only late because two people were pretty much trying to suck the soul out of their significant other on my locker! I’m convinced they’re dementors” (reference Harry Potter). But no, my teacher just won’t swallow the truth.

Later during that same day as I made my way toward U.S. History, I noticed two students who were walking so slow and taking up 90% of the hallway with their arm span while holding hands. I hated breaking up the love fest but I just couldn’t bear being late to class again. I swear I forewarned them! I announced I was coming through but do you think they would move? Oh no, these halls belong to only couples nowadays. I was going to be late so what could I do? I ran for it. I broke through their arms feeling more like I had just run a race and broken through the ribbon that awaits a champion, than someone who is late for class. I turned around to yell out a small apology and to my astonishment they both gave me a look of hatred. WHAT THE HECK! Would you want to be late just because some people decided to take a little stroll down the hallway? Save it for the parks, the beach, the sidewalks or streets. This is a hallway, owned by the school…NOT YOU.

Another thing I should mention, Lutheran High North is based on the teachings of Jesus. We have devotion, chapel, and faith class. We all believe in our savior and are told to act like true Christians but from what I can see in the halls, half of the students in our school appear as if they have no recollection of the word “Christian”. I was always told that’s actions speak louder than words and if I were just someone observing the school, I would assume from the action going on in the hallways that these kids are not real Christians.

Please read this and remember PDA isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but when it interferes with other people’s schedules, lockers, hallways, and not to mention, stomachs, it becomes a great annoyance. Respect that everyone goes to this school and has to see you doing whatever you do (I’m still convinced it’s a dementor thing). And not only do people around you notice, but God does too. Keep it PG please and thank you.

Obama What?

In my Expository Writing class I wrote a persuasive essay about Barack Obama, (our delightful new president) and his just wonderful tax plan. Truth be told, I'm completely burned out by politics and want nothing more than turn off the news, throw away all politic related articles, and indulge in any form of a nice fictional read. However, I wrote this a while back and there is no harm in posting it now.

I hope you enjoy.

“Spread the wealth.” That is exactly the thing to do with the money people have worked so hard for. Redistribute that hard earned income to people less fortunate. That is what any caring citizen would do, right? But who has the authority to tell someone what to do with the money they have worked so vigorously for? Well, that is simple; Barack Obama can! Penalizing only certain citizens is not in the least bit fair. Why should one man have to give up his success to another, who may not have worked as hard to begin with? Punishing success only creates class warfare.

People in America tend to be more generous with their money, more so than other countries in the world. This generosity, however, is limited to people that are known and charities that are trusted. The money being taken away from the wealthy will surely have an impact on the poor as charitable contributions will decrease. No one wants to give their money away to people they do not know. Obama says, “It’s not that I want punish your success, I want to make sure that everybody who is behind you, that they’ve got a chance for success too.” It is easy to see Obama’s good intentions, but it truly is punishing the American worker’s success and because of this, the incentive to succeed will be minimized. Children have been taught that stealing is wrong. The government, itself, uses certain punishing tactics on thieves as well. For the government to take more than its fair share would be thievish, would it not?

The administration taking a higher percentage of tax from people who have been successful is not only immoral but it is also unjust. Immorality can be said for many acts of evil and legalized extortion is one of them. Whatever happened to everyone being treated as equals? If the citizens of America really are equal to one another then shouldn’t we all be getting taxed the same percentage? Everyone should pay their fair share of taxes for certain government services, the most important being, protecting its citizens from foreign invaders and terrorists. Other services that are constantly abused are Medicaid and welfare. If the government would more closely monitor such abuses and put an end to it, maybe everyone’s taxes could decrease.

Some might be able to understand this tax debacle more clearly with an analogy. Say a student had all A’s and another student had all D’s. Would the all A student want to give some of their A’s to the D student just to be “neighborly” (as Barack Obama would say) when the A student certainly put forth much more effort than the D student? It is the classic Robin Hood Theory, taking from the prosperous and giving to the poor. People need to look out for themselves and take personal responsibility for their success or lack thereof.

A good portion of America vote without really knowing what they are voting for. They vote based on appearance or the political party their family has always been a part of. If people truly understood politics and the issues, maybe they would take voting seriously and vote for what they believe in, rather than what the media and Hollywood tells them to. Television entertainment, magazines, and even the news use tactics to turn the working class against the rich, when in reality, these two classes need to work together to keep America afloat.

When small businesses are punished merely by being successful, it hurts the workers as well. Now that taxes are being raised, owners of businesses will have to start laying off their employees and raising prices on products to be able to pay the government. Because people will be losing jobs and prices will be raised on products and services, the jobless will no longer be able to afford certain necessities. So who is this tax plan really helping?

America has been told to “spread the wealth” which does not sound like such a horrible suggestion, but in reality it causes more problems rather than solutions. The plan not only punishes success, causing warfare amongst the social classes, but it also hurts workers as well. Barack Obama, the new president, has the authority to tell people what to do with their money, for now. Maybe in four years, people will come to realize that without business, big and small, there can be no jobs for the American worker and without jobs our economy will suffer more in the future. Think about who should be in the White House and vote for the population’s benefit, not the governments.

Decision Made

I have come to the decision that I need a blog. Now, I'm not one for following trends, but I can't help it. Not only am i 'textually active' and another Facebook vulture just like any other average teen in the 21st century, I am now a blog trend follower. I can just feel the disappointment oozing from all those kids out there, too proud to get sucked into the trends of today and I salute those who have not become poisoned by technology.
Since this is my first blog I won't ramble. this is more of a prelude of what's to come. Hopefully My blog will intrigue the minds of many.

I'll be writing soon!

P.S. The Title of my blog is "I am a Rock. I am an Island." because it is my favorite Simon and Garfunkel song