Thumper

Tiger

Green Lady

Ink Tree

Socialism

Cooper, Michael. “‘Spreading the Wealth’ as Both Accusation and Prescription.” New York Times. 19 October 2008.

In this article, Michael Cooper covers the tight race between John McCain and Barack Obama for the Presidency. Cooper reveals McCain believes Obama is "a quasi socialist who wants 'to redistribute wealth' and whose tax cuts are a 'government giveaway.'" McCain also tells the crowd at a rally, “I’m going to spend a lot of money to bring relief to you.” Cooper believes McCain is sending "mixed messages."

In class, we learned socialism means the government owns means of production. We also learned how farmers boycotted the taxes being placed on them by the government and how Andrew Mellon helped the rich rather than the poor. If these same people were alive today, they would be glad Obama is trying issue tax cuts to people who make less than $250,000 a year and give them the same health care benefits the rich are receiving.

In Obama's presidency so far, he has been quite socialist in helping out banks and car manufacturers, and trying to get universal health care for American citizens, but he also has been raising taxes to pay for it. For several years, our previous presidents have been trying to do the best they can with the information they have at the time. They wouldn't have ran for president if they didn't care about the country. Some of their decisions have made things worse and some have changed our country for the better. Whether Obama is successful or not in his decision making, only time will tell.

Slavery and Beyond

Swarns, Rachel L. and Jodi Kantor. “In First Lady’s Roots, a Complex Path From Slavery.” New York Times 7 October 2009

In this article, Swarns and Kantor reveal details about the ancestry line of Michelle Obama, starting with her great-great-great-grandmother Melvinia Shields, a slave in Southern Caroline. She had relationship with an unknown white man which was "consummated some two years before the Civil War" and "represents the origins of a family line that would extend from rural Georgia, to Birmingham, Ala., to Chicago and, finally, to the White House."

In class, we learned about the difficult process during the American Revolution, Civil War, and beyond in which black people fought against slavery and discrimination due to the color of their skin. They were raped, murdered, tortured, and oppressed in the fight for freedom to vote, holding office, owning land, and being paid for their work. It was remarkable that enough change passed through this once divided country to elect Michelle Obama's husband as President of the United States.

If they hadn't fought as hard as they did, who knows what situation Michelle Obama would be in today and whether she would have the freedom to be the first lady of the United States. It definitely shows how far America has come and the people, who fought for freedom, did not fight in vain. I can't help but think Shields and her offspring would be proud of their legacy and their role in history.

Newport Beach

Movie Survey

What sorts of movies do you enjoy the most?

Answer: Adventure, Comedy, Horror, and Musical.


How often do you see movies in the theatre?

Answer: Rarely, I saw three films in the theatre last year.


If you enjoyed the movie in the theatre, how likely are you to buy it on DVD later?

Answer: It depends on the movie.


Which of the aspects do you feel is most important to a good movie?


Answer: good special effects, great acting, and a good story.


Do you feel re-makes of old films are a good idea?


Answer: No. Hollywood needs to come up with original ideas.


Who is your favorite director/directors?


Answer: Steven Spielberg, Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese, Alfred Hitchcock, Tim Burton

How do you feel about movie sequels?

Answer: the best one was The Godfather Part II.

Do you think it's a good idea to colorize black and white films?

Answer: No


Do you watch foreign language films in the original dialect?


Answers: I have seen La Vita Bella, Amelie, and Lulu & Jimi. I tend to hit mute if the film has subtitles so I can read them.

How important is the soundtrack to the movie?

Answer: it can sometimes make a scene.

Favorite soundtrack?


Answer: Dirty Dancing, The Lion King, Back to the Future, and Center Stage.


Which sort of soundtrack do you prefer?

Answer: something with a beat.

Do you think the Academy Awards nominations make good selections?

Answer: Yes

How do you feel about the quality of movies compared to movies of old?

Answer: The old films are classy. They don't have garbage in them like nowadays.

Favorite movie?

Answer: Jaws and The Godfather trilogy.


Favorite Actors?

Answer: Cary Grant, Al Pacino, Vince Vaughn, Audrey Hepburn, Sandra Bullock, Judy Garland

Favorite movie quote

Answer: "Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer."


Favorite decade of movies?

Answer: The 80's


Most watched movie?

Answer: The Wizard of Oz

The Great Depression, Longer Biography, and Lots of Reading

For American Civilizations, I read about Jewish immigration, The Great Depression, and Andrew Carnegie.

For Biographical writing, I finished reading Man's Search for Meaning and turned in my longer biography piece.

For Design 2D, I worked on my final project.

For Spanish, I learn the subjuntive and command form of verbs.

I also registered for fall semester and started reading Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll.

Influential Books for Young Adults

American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Cut by Patricia McCormack
Feed by MT Anderson
The First Part Last by Angela Johnson
Go Ask Alice
A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
Just Like Ice Cream by Lissa Halls Johnson
Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
Killing Mr. Griffin by Lois Duncan
Memoirs of A Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin
The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
Whale Talk by Chris Crutcher
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

Labor, Immigration, and Class Cancellations.

For American Civilizations, I read about Martin Luther King Jr, watched a video on "Freedom Summer," read about the textile factory city of Lowell, and Indentured Servants.

For Biographical Writing, I had a quiz on the last 15 chapters of Kamikaze. I started reading Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl.

For Design 2D, I had to create a good monster and start working on my final project. My class was cancelled on Wednesday.

For Espanol, I had a test on Chapter 11 and started learning the vocabulary for chapter 12. My class was cancelled for this morning.

I also registered for summer semester.

Good Monster

United States and Cuba

Stolberg, Sheryl Gay and Alexei Barrionuevo. “Obama Says U.S. Will Pursue Thaw with Cuba.” New York Times 18 April 2009

In this article, Stolberg and Barrionuevo report on President Obama's meetings with The Summit of the Americas. President Obama spoke about the United States " seeking a new beginning with Cuba" after almost five "decades of mistrust" and a trade embargo against the nation. This would open up Cuba to be able to trade with America and allow "Cuban-Americans to travel freely to the island and send money to relatives there." Obama also told the crowd, the past no longer matters and it is all about the future. The attendees which included Raul Castro and Hugo Chavez, seemed to be thrilled by the idea.

In class we learned about how Fidel Castro tried to take over the land and businesses in Cuba which were owned by the United States. Fidel Castro made it clear he didn't want his protectorate to be controlled by the U.S., and wanted isolationism for Cuba. The trade embargo against Cuba has probably hurt the country for years financially, because they haven't been able to ship their goods to a nearby country such as ours. It is surprising that his brother, Raul, would want Cuba to make peace with the U.S. Perhaps Raul Castro has learned from his brother's mistakes and wants to make money trading Cuban cigars and from the tourism/ cruising industry. Since this article came out in 2009, it would be interesting to read if there has been any further developments on this issue.

Bad Monster

Anaheim

Mom and I flew to Orange County, California on Wednesday. We stayed at the Super 8 Motel on Disneyland Drive. After we landed, we ate lunch at Mrs. Knott's restaurant at Knott's Berry Farm. They have really good fried chicken and mashed potatoes. We ate dinner at the Cheesecake Factory at the Anaheim Garden Walk.

On Thursday, we were woken by a man singing Opera music in a room next to ours and we heard several people yelling at him at 7:30 in the morning. After breakfast, we went to Disneyland.

 
Mom just basically wanted to go through the shops. We only rode on Pirates, Jungle Cruise, and Haunted Mansion as well as saw Captain EO twice. We ate at the French Market for lunch and for Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante for dinner with Ryan inside the park. We watched the fireworks.

On Friday, we went to Downtown Disney in the morning. We also went to the Block at Orange mall. We went to Laguna Beach, where we ate dinner at BJ's Brewery and walked around the shops.

On Saturday, we went to the O.C. swap meet to get some fresh fruit. We also went to Dana Point.

We ate at the Crab Cooker at Newport Beach for dinner. Then we walked on the pier. We saw dolphins jumping in and out of the water as well as fishermen catching coolers full of fish We also went to the South Coast Plaza Mall and then back to our hotel.

Warm to Cool

Clock Tower

Architecture

Balancing Act

Best and Worst