Hey guys! I hate to say this, but this will be my last post as the end of the year has finally come...:( 
Anyways, I have a few lessons to share to with you guys....

1 - Stay Young. 
     I think this is one of the most important things to keep in mind as you grow up. Don't let the stress and daunting thought of school and college push you down.
2 - Live your life 
     Yes, school should be a priority, but it shouldn't control your life. Put effort into your schoolwork, but allow yourself some time to enjoy your life. Don't isolate yourself in a bubble of school and grades and totally miss out on some of the most exciting years of your lives. 
3 - But Do Keep up
     However, you shouldn't give up too much time to socializing. Falling behind now means falling behind forever, and it will be hard to make up and get prepared for college and jobs. 
4 - SLEEP 
     This is the biggest mistake I made during Middle school. Get enough sleep - it will make the biggest difference than anything else. Because trying to listen to a teacher when all you want to do is pass out is the hardest way to learn - and you will be miserable. 
5 - Step up and Be a Leader 
     When the time comes and your class is in need of a leader, be the one to step up and lead them. Getting used to leading now will help in a huge spectrum of jobs and life experiences - as long as you dont overuse your leadership and start to get bossy. 
6 - Take a Break 
     Dont be afraid to sit back and breathe for a moment if you feel overloaded. The best thing you can do is take everything at an even pace - don't stress yourself. 
7 - Appreciate your Friends 
     Your friends are the best support you have throughout middle and high school. Be kind to them - learn to trust them. But also, let go of people who are bringing you down, and dont hang out with people who make you feel uncomfortable. Dont hate them, but dont let them control your choices and actions. 
8 - Appreciate your Parents and your Families 
    Yes, right now most teenagers want to 'be independent' or whatever, but seriously guys, your parents pay loads of money for you to go to school and they devote their entire lives to you. So give back to them - dont ignore them, dont hate them. They deserve your love as much as you deserve them, and they will always be there for you. Dont be afraid to talk to them - trust me - they are the best friends you can have in sticky situations. 


So yeah, good luck with school you guys and dont forget to HAVE FUN! I am going to miss all of you guys a ton! 

Night - Essay Introduction Paragraph 


"Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other”- Walter Elliot. When Elliot make this observation, he was speaking the truth. Whenever people are forced to complete task after task until their breaking point, their resilience is the motive that keeps them going. Perseverance is a trait that is often played with in stories and novels, authors using it to shape their characters. What better than to mold a character that people learn to care for and relate to than to show how they deal with problem after problem? Examples of this are seen in three different books - Night by Elie Wiesel, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, and Oblivion by Sasha Dawn. When forced through each wave of rigorous work and torture during his time in the holocaust in Night, Elie Wiesel never gave up, always pushing on. Similarly in Mockingbird, young Scout witnesses multiple life changing events that aim to push her down. However, Scout stays strong, learning and growing from each hardship. Finally, in Oblivion, Calliope's severe condition of graphomania leaves her struggling through her high school life - but despite the hardships she is forced through, she stays focused and determined to find a solution to her struggles. Throughout each book, the characters Elie, Scout and Calliope are pushed and pushed to grow strong skin and persevere through their troubles. As seen in Elie, Scout, and Calliope’s stories, their sense of perseverance is stronger than ever and can help transform the world for the better.

Hey guys! How are all of you doing today?
Have another quick question for y'all...

What innovation has most transformed the world? Why?

I personally think that the idea of helping others is the biggest innovation. It isn't exactly a product, or even a certain invention or thing, but it is an idea that has been transformed over the ages. And it has made one of the biggest impacts. Charities, organizations, benefit events and parties, financial aid, and everything along those lines have been aiming to help those who cannot help themselves. And I think that makes the biggest impact. How can we build our world up when some people are unwilling to help those with less then them? Fortunately, people put time and effort into helping others, into giving people opportunities and aid. That, to me, has transformed the world the most. 

Hey guys! Haven't talked in a while...
Anyways, have another quick question for you...

Out of all the issues that muckrakers focused on during this time period, (Farming monopolies, oil monopolies, election/political reform, factory worker's rights, FDA regulations, child labor protections, women's rights, African-American Rights, environmental protection, philanthropy, education reform.) which 3 do you feel are the most pressing issues today and why?

I think that nowadays, the biggest issues would be African-American rights, environmental protection, and education reform. Even to this day, there are still issues with unequal rights for people of color, immigrant or citizen. Also, people tend to ignore the rising threat of global warming and other environmental issues like the loss of water and more radiation from the sun slipping through our atmosphere. Education is still an issue as well, judging by the fact that there are still kids in other countries that can't pay for school, or doesn't even have one in their town. I say this because these three issues are growing bigger ever year - especially the issue of uneual rights for immigrants with the growing situation with ISIS and muslim immigrants. So I think that these three are the three that need the most attention and most thought to solve them. 

Hey guys!

What is it you hope to transform in the world? Why? 

   For me personally, the main change I wish to see made in the world is the quality of living and working for those stuggling with poverty. There are still millions of families in our world - our contry alone - that struggle for dinner every night. This needs to change. How is equality valid if we are still not allowing equal pay for women or immigrants in our country, if we still dont allow finacial aid for those who cannot pay for the insurance. How is this equality? 
   I don't personally know exactly how to make this change, but I know that the first step would be to create organizations that reach out to families that struggle and offer them help with no cost. Many of the organizations out there already do this, but they withhold information to try and wiggle their way into earning some cash for themselves. These families cannot pay for help - thats why they need it. So helping them and then expecting them to pay you back? How is that going to change anything?

Hey guys!
I have another quick question for y'all...

Who is the most courageous person you know? Why?

To me, one of the most courageous people I know is my mom. Actually, she is the most courageous person I know. She is always ready to take chances, and face her fears to accomplish her goals. She doesn't let other's opinions get in her way, and she never ever gives up. To me, these are all things that can make someone courageous. Willingness to do what you set out for yourself and never giving up are key to taking chances and having this notion of 'bravery'. Also, when you forget about what others might think of you, it takes the weight and worry of judgment off your shoulders. My mom doesn't have this weight - I don't know if she ever did. She is strong, brave, and will not give up on her hopes to bow to someone or something else. Also, she is always willing to help others and reach out where others might not. This is what makes her, undoubtedly, the most courageous person I know. 

Hey guys?
What two factors do you think aid justice? What about impede it?

For me, I think that the two main factors that aid justice are morality and the idea of redemption or forgiveness. The whole idea of justice is built off of what is right / wrong, and without the idea of redemption or forgiveness, most people wouldn't've be given 'just' trials. Two factors that I think impede justice are inequality and being bias. When people aren't treated equally, their basic rights are ignored just because of their race, economic standing, culture, religion, etc. This creates an unsafe environment for others because they see that their basic rights are thrown out the window. Also, biased judges and rules break down justice because they focus only on one category, whether it be skin tone, religion, or riches.