What kind of Friend are YOU???

In my last blog I discussed music, but eventually that led a little bit into not following the crownd and a tiny bit about friendship. Well, I am going to expand a little bit more on those two subjects. What does a friend mean to you? To me, a friend is someone that knows you really well because YOU told them about you and they didn't hear it from someone else in a gossip line or just guess becasue they THOUGHT they knew you so well. My freinds are the people I trust. I tell my friends about me because I trust them. A friend should never tell another something about yourself or another that is hurtful or something that shouldn't be shared. I once had a friend that shared a story with another girl that I had trusted would be safe with her. However, she told another girl and I was hurt. This may sound childish and girlish, but I still felt betrayed in a way. Not because this other girl found out a big secret about me, but becasue I couldn't trust this friend anymore. I don't tell her anything anymore. On the other hand I have a friend whom I tell everything to. She is a trustworthy friend and that is not only important, but I can have a lot a fun with her because I trust her. Freindships need to be chersihed not taken lightly. The only way to do that is to respect eachother fand that is what makes best freinds.

MUSIC

Rap, opera, hiphop, classical, etc, etc, etc. it is easy to tell the personality of a person by the music they listen to. Smart brainiac people tend to listen to a lot of classical and opera because they say it "enhances" the thinking system. Walking the halls at school can be a great way to determine a persons character. The "Goths" might be listening to rap, heavy metal, or something else that nobody can understand. It is possible to read into this to the point that "Goths" are not understood. People judge them to early like they might judge rap, heavy, metal as terrible music. Another example might be the kind of music the "Cheerleader" type might listen to. Now, think Cheerleader. What's that, Britney Spears? Hilary Duff? Yes, it's true. When people think cheerleader they think popstar, American Idol, girly singer. BUT, how does that determine their personality? Well if it's thought about then a conclusion might be, that Cheerleaders are popular, (in most cases), These popstars are pretty darn popular, and cute, and well-liked, and pretty, and stylish, and I think you gor the point. Cheerleaders are desperate for attention. In order to recieve this attenetion they will follow the crowd and their crowd is the movie stars, and popstars, and fashion designers from New York. they will only do and dress and listen to what they are told. Even if they might nor like it the best. For exmaple, a cheerleader may listen to Kelly Clarkson because her friends do, but maybe what she really likes is country music or broadway. Therefore, the music that a person listens to can greatly determine the kind of person he/she is. Maybe one that follows the crowd and cares too much about image, like our cheerleader friend.

Designer Clothes: what am I willing to do?

A very good friend of mine wears some of the cutest jackets I've ever seen. I decided to ask her where she got her very cute jackets. I expected a reply along the lines of, "Areopostale, American Eagle," etc. Her answer was somewhat differnent. She told me, "Susie's Deals". Now I am guessing that none of us have ever heard of this store. She continued on and told me that it is a store where the large department stores and designer stores send all their unsold designer clothing. Apparently everything is five bucks and she gets all her designer clothes there. I would like to give my friend a pat on the back and say, "Good for YOU!" In this twenty-first century, especially in highschool, everything is based on money. That may sound a little off topic, but let me tell you why. Looks are everything. If we don't look a certain way than will not fit in. Our appearance is so important that many of us are spending THOUSANDS of dollars a month on clothes, shoes, and accessories. The reason I give brownie points to my friend is because she has found another way. Why should anyone spend that much money on something they will eventually grow out of or throw away? One serious problem is that the media has such an influence on us, that people are strating to believe it is okay to spend that much money. All of the movie stars spend too much money on their clothing and they are never seen in the same thing twice. Many people have this idea of, "Oh, I got my paycheck, time to go shopping." Has anybody ever heard of a Savings account?? It seems to me that we spend money as fast as we earn it. money is valuable and can be used for greater this like college. Even people who don't have cold cash go and spend money they borrow form the bank. Please! Save your money. It's not worth that thirty-five dollar shirt at Aeropostale.

Homework

Most highschool students complain about homework. Why shouldn't they? Nobody likes to take home math problems and english essays home and do it for the next day. They already go to school, they don't need things to do at home. Isn't that there relaxation time? I used to agree with this philosophy that these students have, but now, it is my understanding that homework is a very good idea. Not only does it keep their minds invigorated, but it is preparing them for the world after highschool. A world where popularity doesn't exist and it doesn't matter if this guy was student body president, or this girl was captain of the cheer team. I know what your thinking, "This girl is just saying this and she wants to impress her English teacher." Yes, and No. Homeworks teaches lessons on responsibility, responsibilty, and responsibilty. As you see, responsibilty is very important. Students cannot always depend on their parents or teachers or friends. Because, they wil not always be there. Homework is only preparing them for the work field. In the "real world" life is hard. I know that sounds harsh, but it's true. Having a job is hard and requires a lot of effort. It takes earning and RESPONSIBILITY! There's that key word again. Teachers are smart to give out homework each night, even if it's just a little bit, then they need to make sure thay check for the homework. The students that truly care will always have it there, they are the ones ready for the "real worl". If they take responsibility now, they will take responsibilty later. Responsibilty doesn't just come to a person, it is hard and also takes effort. Homework helps me stay on top of things and try my very hardest. I am preparing know for the life after highschool. Life takes responsibilty (life takes visa, ha ha, just kidding) Anyway, through homework, students can learn about working hard and receiving a reward whether it's a paycheck or an "A" in English.

I recently saw the movie, "The Work and The Glory III". Now, having read the books I thought they did a lousy job of covering the story. I know that they can't make the script every tiny detail in the book, but they could hit some important ones. Having seen the first one and loving it, then not seeing the second one, maybe I'm not the best judge; but to me it felt like they rushed to the end becasue they were bored and got tired of it. Not only that, but many characters were missing. and these characters are important in the book. How can a screenwriter change the story to where people are missing. One the up hand I thought the actors did an excellent job. Especially Caroline. She was one of the strongest to me, because i know her from the books and I felt like she knew her character. I also noticed that soem of the charcters were not played by the same actors/actresses. this made it hard for me because I saw them in the first one and it seemed like a different character in the third. Does that make sense? For example, Lydia McBride Steed was played by a beautiful actress in the first one. now in the third one, she was played by a different person and they changed her look. The whole time I didn't consider her Lydia. She just seemed like a another girl. If they wanted to make it better, they should have not rushed through it and tried to keep the characters the same. Over all, I didn't like it as well as the first.

Les Miz

I recently performed in a musical at Mt. View called Les Miserables. This story is amazingly crafted. There are many small storylines that all tie into the larger plot. Numerous characters enhance the story and grow in their own personal experiences. One thing about Les miz is that there is a moral to the story. The trials and personal experiences that the audinece connects to are everyday things we can learn from. For example, Eponine has to face the fact that Marius does not love her the way she loves him. What girl hasn't felt that way about a certain guy? Eponine has to learn to face the facts and deal with the truth. Even though all of us may not have to deal with love truths; we still are faced with opposition and we need to look it in the eye and not dream up fairytales, because they won't take us anywhere in life. Another example is when Enjorlas, the leader of the revolutionaries, gathers the citezens of paris and build a barricade in the streets. Enjorlas believes in what he is fighting for. What are we fighting for? Many of us have standards and beliefs. If the revolutionaries are willing to give their lives for what they belive in, then what are we willing to sacrfice? We need the courage to take a stand and not fall easily into peer pressure. Although going with the crowd might be the easiest way, it is not always the right way. One particular song in Les Miz is called, "One Day More". This is a song about freedom, love, and second chances. Enjorlas and the revolutionaries are fighting for freedom and rights. Eponine is yearning for the love that Marius and Cosette share. And Valjean and Javert are given second chances. Valjean has another chance to escape and Javert has another chance to find them. The characters may not be sure about tomorrow, but they know that tomorrow brings another dawn and another chance. That is how it is in our lives. There are always second chances for love and freedom and standing up for what we believe in. "Tomorrow we'll discover what our God in Heaven has in store. One more dawn, one more day, One Day More."

When did you start decorating?

Christmas time, Christmas cheer! Christmas comes but once a year! (Okay, so the rhyming was a little cheesy.) Lights are shining and credit cards are maxing out. It's the holiday season. Dec.1 first was yesterday and today, Dec. 2, christmas lights are going up at my house. Of course, we're not the first. I saw lights up the day after Halloween. Now, to me, that is just a little extreme. It's like they skipped a Holiday. (you know the one with the turkey and the thanks, yeah that one) Now, if I were to put up my tree and lights the day after Halloween, I would get sick of it and by Dec. I would be wishing for Valentines. The twinkling lights and the wrapping paper are supposed to be squsihed into one month. That it what makes it fun! I enjoy the holiday cheer cramped into four weeks. (maybe "cramped was the wrong word to use, more like, I want the fun to be all together. I like the spirit of December, and it shouldn't be the spirit of oct.-Jan.) If it's spread out over several months, then wouldn't you get tired of it? I know that I would! On 0ct 31, a major holiday in America, I was going to a Halloween party to watch a SCARY movie. In the car I turned on the radio and suddenky I heard the popular Christmas jingle, "It's Begininning to look a lot like Christmas". Now, unless I'm going insane or blind, or the station is being broadcasted from Greenland, I didn't think it looked a lot like Christmas. Why so early? Why not playing that music around turkey day?? I know we are all soooooooooo excited for the Christmas season, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. Okay? Good, now, go trim a tree.

I Can!

The can food drive at MVHS is a tradition that has been since I can remember. Of course I haven't been around as long as Mountain View has been, but that's besides the point. Back to the food drive, what does it take to get one student bring a can? A date with the Student Body Pres.? or the captain of the cheer squad? Yes, it fatefully true, in order to encourage students to bring one petty can, members of the student council had to be auctioned off. Dates with these people cost up to seven hundred cans. Now, in my book, that's a little pricey. Why can't students bring a single can becasue it's the right thing to do. They should be thinking "Hey, this can feed someone hungry!" instead of, "Hey, these cans will get me a date with the captain of the football team!" Uh, No. It's just not humane. Oh, well, we're a hopeless people. It's about time we stand up for the right thing. (Not saying that a date with a good looking guy is wrong ar anything, but you know what I mean.) Giving cans should be a privelage not a bargain. We are able to sacrifice a can of beans because we have so much. Being blessed is a blessing not fate. Next time there's a canned food drive just think to yurself, "I CAN!"

Dating: It's a Dangerous World

Date: A social gathering where a guy and a girl are together and one of them pays for both. Okay, so it's not the most intelligent Webster Dictionary definition, but it works, right? WRONG! A date is a awkward setting when a guy and a girl have to look at each other and try to make conversation. Why is dating such a scary thing? Sure you have to actually talk to someone face to face and not write them dumb messages on cell phones, but, it's good for us Homo sapiens to branch out a little and leave our bubble. The dating world is full of ups and downs and highs and lows and lefts and rights and I think you get the point. Let's review a date shall we? The guy picks the girl up at eight. He is on time and off they go into the universe of "Oh my gosh I wonder if he/she likes me.", "Do I look okay?", "He/She probably thinks I'm a nerd." "HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" The guy is probably the most scared. I mean he is the one who diid the asking. Is she going with him out of politeness or does she like him? Why did I ask her? She probably hates me. (Guys, if you're reading this you're probably smiling and nodding your head in agreement, well actually, now your probably laughing because you were nodding your head in agreement.) Here's a clue: Don't freak out! Although dating sounds vicious it's actually quite fun! Plus, girls are more than likely thinking the same thing you are except not about herself. Girls may be scared also, but not as much as the men. (Hey, girls don't have to pay, why be scared?) Anywho, the usual girl is probably the most concerned on how she looks. Isn't that right ladies? She may want to know if her date really likes her or if she was on the bottom of the list. The only reason that the dating world is dangerous is because we make it dangerous inside our heads. Constantly worrying and stressing. Just relax. Enjoy the ride it goes by too fast. Don't be scared and remember your entire future is not resting on this single dumb little date! Just have Fun.

Dressing Up?

The time of year for cosutmes is just around the corner. You know it! Halloween is only three days away! Have you got a costume yet? No, well you could be the usual, witch, ghost, or princess. What's the point of dressing up on Halloween? Who came up with this idea? Was someone accidently in their Grandmother's attic and trying on some clothes on Oct. 31st? Who know's? I don't . Halloween is another one of those holidays that no one seems to know the origin, but this holiday is special. This is the ONLY day in the entire 365 day year that little children and even teenagers can dress up in dorky outfits, ring the doorbells of complete strangers, and get candy. Don't get me wrong this is one tradition I love! Getting free candy and dressing up like a princess with out getting laughed at is a blast! But why do we do it? Has it been a tradition for so long that we just do it to do it; Or do we remember a time when people believed in witches and ghosts and feared for their very lives this dark and dreary Halloween night. halloween is supposed to be the scariest day of the year. Why couldn't somebody designate it the happiest day of the year. A day we could all dress like flowers and butterflies and visit a "Happy House" or the "Sweet Meadow Maze." Instead we scare ourselves so badly even the football players have nightmares. of course this is what makes Halloween fun. Even if we don't know where the holiday came from.

Give Thanks

This year 2006, Thanksgiving day will be celebrated on November 23. A holiday which is of great importance in my family. Gathering around numerous tables, my extended family and I feast on large platters of turkey, potaoes, and many other delicious dishes. Let's go back...way back! The pilgrims land at Plymouth Rock. They are THANKFUL to be there. They find places to build their homes and plant gardens. After a few days the pilgrims run into the Indians. The Indians and the pilgrims become friends. (Oh, isn't that sweet) To show their thanks for the land and the good company they decide to have a feast. Giving thanks to everything they have. Back to the present. Our feast is similar minus Plymouth Rock. Gathering friends and family and eating. Wait a minute... something is missing in our modern Thanksgiving. Oh yeah... the Thanks part! It is quite common that families today are forgetting why we call Thanksgiving, "Thanksgiving", especially in my family. Our we too busy, or too preoccupied with how much we eat? One major reason in my family is all the food and all the contests. It has been a tradition universally acknowledged that my cousins and I weigh ourselves before sitting down at the Thanksgiving table. After eating what seems to be a year supply of food all the cousins (mostly the boys for some odd reason) head back to the scale and weigh in once more. Many of cousins gain weight I didn't think was possible in one meal. of course, most of it is gone after a traditional walk outside. Being thankful on a holiday with "thanks" in the title is very important. But, so is spending time with cousins and having fun.

Our great American country is full of patriotism and pride. Amercians are FREE! What could be better? We celebrate The fourth of July our nations Independence Day and Memorial Day, to remeber the armed forces that have fought and are fighting for our wonderful freedom. We celebrate our Presidents and Great heroes of the past like Martin Luther King Jr. Wait a minute, what about days in our history that should always be remembered? Have we already forgotten them? Days that will live in infamy. What about Sept. 11, 2001 or Dec. 7, 1941? Can anyone recall what happened on these days? These days are days that should never be forgotten. We need to remember what happened on Dec 7. The day that Pearl Harbor was attacked and hundreds of soldiers and civillians were killed. What about Sept. 11, the day our trade centers were destroyed from terrorists. This is a day when thousands of men and women were killed. Why can't America take a moment to remember these days. Why isn't it typed in the calender boxes like Christmas, Labor day, and even George Washington's birthday. Don't get me wrong, these are all great holidays. But, shouldn' t we remember some other days in our history. Days that every American should know. Let's remember why and how we have our freedom, not just that we have it.

TRADITION

It has been tradition in the past years at Mt. View to have three girls choice dances and three boys choice dances. This year the tradition has been changed. Now there are TWO boys choice and FOUR girls choice. What changed? Sweethearts. Sweathearts has been changed from boys to girls choice. Not only do the girls have to do most of the asking, but most of the paying. Dances these days can be expensive. There's the day date, the dinner, the pictures, the tickets to the dance and little odds and ends that go in between. The only good reason for them to change this dance is to ensure that all girls have a date. Maybe they don't want the girls left out, who knows? The girls need to work for their dates. Just like the guys have to work up the courage to ask a girl out on a date. It levels off. It has been tradition FOREVER that the guys court the girls and the guys propose to the girls. This long-standing tradition should not change! It is the boys duty to take the girl out and to do the asking and the paying. The school has no right to change this great and ancient tradition. What kind of a punk would?

Going to the movies these days can be a lot of fun, but it can a burden at the same time. Many of today's movies are terrible in content. Who would even want to go see a dirty movie? The thought of being in a movie theater and looking at a big screen with inappropriate content makes me uncomfortable. Hollywood is making so many of these movies it is hard to go the movies at all and see a "comfortable" movie. Even the animated childrens movie's contain this suggestive and crude language. Do the producers of these movies realize that sometimes it's not funny and entertaining at all? The children's movies are affecting the children. Kids are learning phrases and words and applying in thier lives. If movies were to change and the writers cleaned up the scripts there would be a difference in how children acted and treated others. Many kids today act meanly towards eachother because that is how it is presented in movies. The words they lash out eachother are familiar because we've heard them before, in the movies. Going to the movies should be a pleasure and parents should not have to cover Junior's eyes or worry about the things they are going to hear. Let's make the movies good again.

Fast Food

Why is fast food so popular? In the society we live in today people crave and sometimes live off the fried, greasy, and disgusting fast food. Fast food is very unhealthy, comes in large amounts, and doesn't even taste that good. Why then, do we live off of it? Why do we eat it constantly? The main reason that people eat fast food a lot is because it is Fast. The quicker it comes, the better. In the rushed world we live in fast food suits our needs. Our food can be ready and five minutes and we can eat it in our cars and while we are walking down the street. in the past several years there has been a increase in the average american's wieght. More and more American's are growing in size and most of that has to do with the French Fries and burgers we eat everyday. If people wouldn't eat fast food so much at least we would average as a healthier nation. The McDonald's, Wendy's, and Burger King's food doesn't even taste that good. If you are going to eat something that is fatening at least make it worth your while. Even if you have to wait an extra 30 minutes.

What is popularity? Why does it exist? And where does that put you and me on the "social ladder"? When someone says that another someone is popular, what does that mean? Ways many people identify "popularity" is by how many freinds they have, their list of extra-curricular activities, what they wear, what car they drive, how they do their hair, and who they hang out with. Seriously. Why does that determine your popularity? Why doesn't the number of essays youv'e written or your current GPA in school determine your popularity? Does anyone even know what the word popularity means? I didn't think so.
To me, popularity is like a T.V. dinner. There's a compartment for the corn and the potatoes, and the steak that tastes like rubber, and the cheesecake. Just like this disgusting dinner we're eating there's a compartment for the jocks, and the drama club, and the student council, and the chess club. In all reality, these compartment don't exist. They're invisble. Why? Becasue populartiy is a myth. There's no such thing. I say, get rid of the T.V. dinner and go out to Olive Garden. Order a large plate of food that mixes your chicken with your noodles and broccoli.

Blondes Have More Fun

My question to everyone is why are blondes stereotyped? Yes, It is true. In the cruel world we live in today the light, golden haired girls are considered dumb. Meaning we are stupid! And why, may I ask you is it only the blondes? Just because we got the blonde hair gene doesn't mean there aren't plenty of ditzy brunettes in the world. I think can think of lots, just not any off the top of my head. Let's review the evidence. Cheerleaders. A majority of the cheerleaders are cute little blondes. So what's the first thing that comes into your head when I say cheerleader? Blonde? There have lot's of movies where the cheerleaders are blonde. Such as, "Bring It On", "A Cinderella Story" See what I mean?
My favorite movie of all time is Legally Blonde. This is movie is about a blonde who is stereotyped. She is accepted into Harvard Law school so she cleary is not stupid. She overlooks the fact the people put her into the "ditz" category and becomes one of the best students there. It is not only because of her blonde hair that she is stereotyped. I am quite sure that Julia Roberts, who is a brunette, has her nails done, wears heels, has the perfect bag with each outfit, and curls her hair too. One other major question is why is it only the girl blondes? Trust me, I'm blonde, there are plenty of guys with the same blonde colored hair. Why aren't they put into a stupid category too? In fact, guy blondes are considered "the hunks". Whatever. The next time you see a blonde don't jump into the swimming pool of conclusions. Remember, blondes have a lot more power than you think. Just think of your favorite disney princess. Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel, Tinker Bell, and Galinda the Good. "Blondes Have More Fun Brunettes Can Read" Doesn't mean a thing, and gathering around the dinner table to share brunette jokes can lots of fun too.

Whoever said orange was the new pink was seriously disturbed!