One thing I learned was how to construct an essay in our letter to Paul. I learned to establish pathos, which were ways to describe something with emotion. I developed a strong first paragraph explaining who I was, which made the UN, who I wrote to, want to keep reading. I was able to write a strong thesis statement, and convinced the UN why there help was needed immediately. This writing assignment was also one of my best, and I got an A- on it. I had good support paragraphs, and overall, felt that I learned a lot and how to write an essay/letter.
The weekly articles on the different countries caused me to struggle at first. Mr. Fielder taught us an important skill called Margin Noting helped me to understand the articles better. It also forced me to look up words in order to have a better understanding of the article. It seemed like the first or second time I would read a new article; I would have no clue what they were talking about. I learned that in order to understand an article, it could take some researching first. For the China weekly article, I wasn’t aware of a lot of the issues and had to take time to research before I would be close to writing my paragraph.
Looking back at the beginning of the year, the “First Day of School” memoir taught me a lot. When I read it now, I can see the progress I’ve made in my writing throughout the semester. I’ve learned that in order to create a well written paper or paragraph, it takes lot of effort, and in order to get the grade you want, you have to put in the time. This assignment taught me that in your writing, there’s always room for improvement. A paper can always be revised, and a second opinion is helpful when it comes to others proofreading it. I learned that it’s helpful to a reader and interesting when you can “paint a picture” in their mind with descriptive words.
Throughout all of our big projects and researching, I learned how to find a credible source. A credible source is a website where the information is trustworthy and reliable. For example, Wikipedia could be an excellent source in some cases. When you’re trying to learn an overall background on an issue, like in the South Africa project, Wikipedia could come in handy. But when you’re looking for research where you might need to quote it, you need a reliable source. A reliable source could be a website sponsored by the South African Government or Travel, like in our most recent project.
The Rwanda project was probably one of my favorite class assignments. There was a lengthy process and work we had to do to prepare for the class discussion. Understanding the whole genocide took a lot of work because most of us were not familiar with any of the issues that were occurring. We learned about the Hutu’s and Tutsi’s, as well as the identity cards. Working in groups made the project not as difficult because we were able to discuss with them. Finally, it led to the debate, which was a good, learning experience.

South Africa

All four of the colonies we learned about this semester have one issue in common; the way natives were treated, viewed and discriminated against was the same throughout all. In the United States, natives were treated poorly and viewed as “savages.” Next, in Australia, natives were mistreated, and the goal of the British was to change the culture of the natives. They began to lose parts of their culture because of the British. One event in South Africa was a big protest by black natives. Many of them were murdered, or sentenced to life in prision. Those native women caught were treated roughly.

A majority of them had to deal with the issue of slavery. All of the colonies besides Rwanda incorporated the use of natives as slaves into their labor. When the British came to South Africa, they did not allow natives to be used as slaves. Natives were also “pushed” off the land they originally settled upon. The colonies all separated the land so that natives and white Europeans weren’t living together in South Africa. They also lost their rights as people. They had to obey by laws like the Apartheid in South Africa. So as you can see, the way of life of a native was not always easy.

the Christmas Season

Preparing for the holiday season which leads up to my favorite day of the year Christmas is the best time of the year and all occur during that winter season. The day right after Thanksgiving is when I got up and into the "holiday spirit." I woke up at 6:30A.M, which compared to most people who were up at 2:00A.M. is late. I went to two different malls, and roughly 10 other stores. Also on this day, known as 'Black Friday', Christmas music began to play on radio stations.

Exactly one week before Christmas, there was no snow on the ground. However, I could care less about the snow because I absolutely hate the winter weather, and prefer warm, sunny days over a cold, snowy winter one. Next, our Christmas tree went up. I love when our house "transforms" in which the tall, glowing Christmas tree goes up and our stairs going upstairs are decorated. Finally, it’s the Christmas countdown. These were the few days when all of the malls were absolutely insane. People are buying those last minute gifts for Christmas. This is the time where finding a parking spot at a mall such as Twelve Oaks the weekend before Christmas can take up to a half hour. Lines inside stores wrapped all the way around the sales racks and Christmas was coming before I knew it, but for some reason, it just didn’t seem right.

Before I knew it, it was Christmas Eve and the next five evenings would be spent at family Christmas parties and dinners. After 5:00P.M. Christmas Eve mass, we hosted the first family party with my cousins, aunt, uncle, and grandparents. That was the first gift exchange of Christmas. The next morning when I woke up, it was Christmas Day. My mom made a delicious breakfast, and next I opened my stocking and all my presents. A few gifts were surprises which I didn’t know about, but most of them, I had picked out.

Later that day, I went to my aunt and uncle’s house on my dad’s side for dinner and presents and had a good time with family. The next day, that afternoon was shopping time with my aunt. This was the day to spend all those gift cards I had received. The mall was packed with people making returns so we only shopped for a couple hours. After we left the mall, we were trying to get our nails done, but every nail salon seemed to be closed. Once we drove around for about an hour and tried about five different ones, we finally found a good one.

That evening, I was going to my mom’s cousins house with about 40 other relatives who I barely know. I see them all about once a year. Luckily, my cousins on my mom’s side were there who I frequently see so I had someone to talk to. The following day I knew it would be my last “family get-together” which was a dinner for 20 at Bucca di Beppo which is an amazing Italian Restraunt. The Christmas weekend was just about over and I was exhausted. My grandparents left that Monday after we went to P.F. Changs for dinner together. The Christmas parties and dinners were over and now it was time to relax.

Rwandan Genocide

I felt the debate was successful and I actually enjoyed it. The way the debate was organized helped the debate to run slowly because only one person talked at a time. When groups had to “yield” the floor to others, it helped the debate not to get out of hand. Most of the groups had an opportunity to talk, except some more than others. Everybody did a good job bringing all of the groups into the conversation. All of the groups seemed to be well prepared with their questions for the other groups, as well as their introductions. I felt each group did a good job defending themselves. Out of all the introductions, the most interesting one had to be Romeo Dailare.

Before this project, I had no idea about the Genocide and this big issue in Rwanda. I learned about Rwanda's culture, the Hutus, and the Tutsis. Before I could understand my role, I had to do some research. I had to understand what the Rwandan Genocide was overall. Once I did this, I found out my assigned person, which was Paul Kagame’s role in the genocide. Paul Kagame led the Tutsi group called the Rwandan Patriotic Front, otherwise known as the RPF.

I believe that most of the blaming went to the Interhamwe, a Hutu powered group, and Juvenal Habayrmana. They deserved the blame because they were the ones who went around and killed innocent Tutsi's. A radio station was created by Juvenal, which influenced the people to do the killing and 'brain-washed" them. Whenever someone questioned the Interhamwe, they kept repeating that it was Juevenal's fault. While Juvenal was president of Rwanda from 1973 until 1994, he favored his ethnic group, the Hutus.

Many groups questioned the United States as to why they didn't step in and help. However, if they didn't want to be involved in the genocide, than that is their decision. If anyone was to be accused of not stepping in and helping, it should be Romeo Dailare. At one point, one group blamed the Red Cross, which I did not see a point to it. The Red Cross did nothing to be blamed for the start of the Rwandan Genocide. The role of the Red Cross in our debate was to “question and blame” other groups, which they did. Overall, I think the debate came out positive, and it was a great learning experience.

The American Scholar

Emerson's argument in the "American Scholar" about man still holds true today.

One reason Emerson's argument still holds true today is people become their "type of label." Emerson describes a person as their type of job. He wrote, "The planter who is Man sent out into the field to gather food, is seldom cheered by an idea of the true dignity of his ministry. He sees his bushel and his cart, and nothing beyond, and sinks into the farmer, instead of the man on the farm." This means that man is becoming his job or label of the farmer, and the same is happening in today's society.

Another reason is that one type of "typical man," in which Emerson talks about, is capable of more than one thing. Like I described before, man is capable of more than one label. Everyone must perform together for a functioning society. Emerson's argument still holds true today because people rely on others, especially in the work industry. If everyone performs their type of job, they can accomplish many tasks. However, people are capable of more, and this is what Emerson describes.

Halloween

When you hear the word Halloween, what do you think of? Candy corn, pumpkins, costumes, and ultimately, trick-or-treating...

About a week ago, my mom picked out two large, orange pumpkins from the grocery store. We are a little behind this year because tomorrow is Halloween and we haven't even emptied out all of the seeds and gross stuff inside the pumpkins! Then, it will be time to carve the pumpkins. In my family, no one is very artistic so we rely on the pumpkin carving books and the designs labeled "easy." Chances are, my mom will end up carving them just hours before trick-or-treaters start to arrive.

Every year, I love going to Haunted Houses. I remember when I was younger; my mom would always take me to the one at Wilson Barn. I didn't get the opportunity to go this year and I really wish I would have. Another thing I love about Halloween is the candy. Weeks before Halloween, as you walk through the store, there are aisles filled with Halloween candy. My mom tends to buy candy early, and then my family finds it. Days before Halloween, she usually realizes she might not have enough and better buy more. Candy corn is just about one of my favorites, and the "Fall Mix" they have where theres all different types of it. Besides, candy corn, I absolutely love Resees Peanut Butter Cups. I've never missed a year trick-or-treating. Now, what will I be doing this year?

Saturday night, I'm going over to Sam's house with some other friends from school and people from our Homecoming group. Halloween is tomorrow and I haven't even decided what I'm going to dress up as. I'm running out of time, so I better act quickly! When I think back to each year, I can almost remember what I dressed up as every time. There are so many pictures from my first couple Halloween's. Once the night is over, and all of the houses shut their doors and turned off their lights, it's time to go back home.

The day after Halloween, that's when everybody starts focusing on one of my favorite Holidays. Christmas! You can pretty much turn the radio onto any station, and you will start to hear Christmas music. The next few days they begin to clear out all the Halloween decorations out of stores, and prepare for the next holiday, Christmas.

Traveling

Traveling is just about one of my favorite things to do. Whether it’s traveling to another state to visit a relative, or traveling across the world to a new continent, it’s an exciting thing to me and something I love doing. Packing for a trip is the hardest to me because you never know what you might need and what you will not. I tend to over pack and come pretty close to the suit case weight limit at the airport. I prefer flying rather than driving, but I’ve done both so many times. Someday, I hope to visit all of the continents, and would love to go to Australia next.

When I was about five years old, I went to London, England. Looking back at pictures now, I see all the exciting places I went to. We visited Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and Wimbledon, just to name a few. I remember the guards outside of Buckingham Palace, dressed in red and acting so serious. One memory I have was the plane ride there. Yes, out of the whole trip one of the things I remember to this day was the plane. We had ice cream, pizza, and all other kinds of food. Looking back on airlines today, you’re lucky if you even receive complementary pretzels. I don’t have many memories of going to London because I was so young, but I would love to go back.

The summer after 6^th grade, I went to China and Tokyo. Weeks before, I couldn’t wait. I had heard so much about China because my dad travels there for two weeks at a time multiple times a year, but finally, I was going to be able to come with him. Seventeen hours on a plane is a long time to occupy yourself for. Eventually, you get bored of listening to an i-pod or watching movies and you’re desperate to sleep. However, when you’re sitting up in an airplane seat and there’s noise all around you, falling asleep is impossible.

When we finally arrived in Tokyo, it was time to switch airlines and board the one to Hong Kong. Another four hours passed, and we arrived. I absolutely enjoyed being in China. There’s so much to see there and it’s like one big city. Seeing a girl with blonde hair, blue eyes, and fair skin isn’t too common there, so I did get a few stares once in a while. I saw the Victoria’s Peak, a Buddhist Temple, went shopping, and did so much more while there. On our way home, we stopped in Tokyo and went to Disney World there. I’ll never forget this two week vacation.

Besides traveling to other countries, I’ve been many places inside the U.S. I can’t think of all of them, but I’ve been to Florida, Ohio, New York, Indiana, Kentucky, North & South Carolina, Georgia, and Chicago, just to name a few. I think I’ve been to Florida about eight times, and went for the first time when I was about two years old. This was also my first plane ride, and I’ve heard many stories because occupying a two year old on a plane for two hours isn’t easy. I would love to go on a cruise because I’ve never had the opportunity. Traveling and visiting a new place or culture is an important and enjoyable thing to me, and I can’t wait to see other parts of the world.