Final Project *tear*

I feel that my project went okay. I had more information about the topics and defiantly more video clips and clips that i could have shown for longer periods of time but i was listening to the reaction of the class and thought that i maybe should move on. However i thought that my message was conveyed and the topic that i was trying to show the class was explained. Laughter was an easy topic to come up with because i love making people laugh and i love laughing but trying to explain it was harder than i thought. I started out thinking i could make different funny videos but my mom said no one would laugh if i tried that hard. And then i thought of making a laughter timeline which kind of branched into the history of comedy and laughter. I think that my project deserved an 80/100 because i should have stuck with my gut and not chicken out by skipping over videos and such. I feel like i did put a lot of effort into this project it was a hard topic to complete but i hope that i got my message across :)

Angels and Demons... the theatrical version.

Well.. so many complaints so little time. Firstly yes there were no legs, none there were however a very nice skirt with leggings and i believe knee high boots. Some key things about the movie i did not enjoy were

1. the very evident lack of legs on Miss. Vittoria Vetra

2. the personal disconnect with her lab partner not being her father, in the novel there was that personal connection when Vittoria is talking to the Camerlengo about the loss of their fathers and it seemed to add more character depth.

3. The summon for Robert Langdon was no more than an image printed from Google. Any yahoo can get an Illuminati symbol off a website, it was the branding that brought him to the Vatican in the first place, not some man in a suit with a fax saying "look dude this is legit".

4. Speedo. 'Nuff said.

5. The lack of super cool flying jet... they honestly got to Rome in a helicopter that would be a long flight.

6. The Hassan. This was a love hate thing, I enjoyed that he was not your average un-hearted hassan but I was expecting a little more than a dude who was just yanked out of a comic book store.

7. There was no physical connection between the Hassan and Vittoria. This made the ending of the novel more intense not only did geezer Langdon have to save the Vatican he now must also save the much younger and unrealistical love match from her uncertain doom.

8. The non death of the fourth cardinal.

9. THE ILLUMINATI DIAMOND THAT APPARENTLY DOESN'T EXIST. What the effbomb was with the keys. that's just lame. Epic Fail.

Some things i did enjoy about the movie included:

1. The explanation of anti mater though it would be impossible to create that much it was interesting to see and how CERN looks and works.

2. The location was excellent it really depicted how i thought of it in my mind.

3. The deaths of the 3 cardinals were done exceptionally well and very believable right down to the branding.

4. It was very well edited there were no lulls or moments of "boringness" which kept the moving going at a high pace and it was hard to take your eyes off the screen.

The Pope 2.0

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah
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hahahahah. Not only did i die laughing when i heard this but i also found it pretty funny. I am a huge fan of being able to FB message the pope if I'm having some issues spiritually. Just one click away eh? This is truly the best idea the Vatican has come up with however it stands just behind the one of bringing Robert Langdon in for their special ops misson.

5 biggest issues facing mankind!

1 - Technology - although we have advanced so emmencly throughout these last few years i feel that technology is a large issue in todays world. As much as it helps us it also hinders us in a large way. With every action there is an equal reaction and i feel that the more we push the boundries of technology the bigger the problem will become.
2 - Disease - like we say with the swine flu i can see that disease is an everlasting issue with our world today. It seems as though as we progress we also bring with us destruction and these diseases are a large issue that seems to be restricting our society.
3 - Environment - the actual environment itself isnt an issue that faces mankind however what mankind is doing to the environment is! We are clearly able to see how our poor efforts to reduce global warming are slowly coming back to haunt us. I feel that this is a large issue because there will soon be need for resources that we are quickly using up.
4 - War - it needs to stop and there are no other questions about it.
5 - Poverty - why does a country have to live with no food or water or even a home while those in Western society live it up and don't care about the scraps they throw away or the new pool they install. We need to learn how to care for those that are not ourselves.

Something I would change about the education system...

One thing i would change about the education system would be the the amount of life courses that we offer. I believe that students should be able to take more courses like careers to be able to explore deeper into what their future goals might entail. I think that if students were able to experience what opportunities there are in certain careers then choosing a specific field wouldn't be so terrifying. Also it would help students be less stressed out about leaving for high school feeling unprepared and nervous about their selection. This also gives students the opportunity to see how the career they have chosen will be like. So that they do not spend thousands of dollars on a program they might drop out of because it wasn't what they were expecting. I feel that with these types of courses students will feel more confident about their decisions and be able to choose a successful career path.

Big High School in a Small Town..

Being a one high school town is defiantly considered a pressure cooker. Like the issues addressed in American Teen having everyone go to the same school makes high school so much more intense. Since Ingersoll only has two options for high school the majority go to IDCI and since we live in a small town and everyone knows everyone and even if you don't know a person you've heard of them and or its not hard to find out who they are. This causes for major high school disaster. Like any school there are rumours that float around on a daily basis however in a small town school not only do those rumours spread like wildfire but there is an 87% chance that everyone knows exactly who you are. That's what makes going to a small town high school so hard because if something is said about you, you walk down the halls knowing that almost everyone knows and everyone is thinking about you and what happened. Which sound conceded but its true, if they know something when they see you a most likely negative thought appears in their mind. However in a larger school there is less of a chance of everyone knowing because there are simply too many people and even if one school does find out there are other school in that city that won't know. Where as if thee is a rumour in Ingersoll its almost like the whole town knows. And sometimes to a person the whole town can feel like the whole world and there is no escaping it.

American Teen

For me the most appealing teenager that I saw in this movie was Hannah Bailey. After her boyfriend broke up with her I felt the most sympathy for her. She was so brutally honest about everyone and she didn't care how anyone felt about her. She is content with who she is and doesn't want to change anything. Unlike the lead female student Megan Krizmanich who didn't care about how she treated anyone, it was all about her and everyone was expected to know that. I personally liked Hannah for her uniqueness and being true to herself, she was out of the group the easiest character to relate to and the most lovable.

Angels and Demons.

Angels and Demons, a fine piece of literature. Everything you want and more, historic facts, a grotesque love affair and an overall cheesy ending. Its just the book we've been searching for. My overall thoughts on the novel were that it was interesting it kept me entertained once I had overcome the first few chapters. I like the plot line and how the historic facts were Incorporated so that it didn't feel like i was reading a history textbook. I also had the privilege of reading the graphic novel which made it a lot more interesting to read, it allowed me to see how the sculptures looked and defiantly painted the setting better in my mind. I enjoyed the context of the novel, the style i had a bit of trouble with, Dan Brown being the lovable guy that he is just simply cannot control himself in the ways of cheesing up his plot lines. My most unimpressed moment of the book was like many other the last line in the novel. Not only did this ruin my thoughts for the next 6 months but it also left me with thousands of unanswered questions like how close to dying do you really have to be to even consider sleeping with Robert Langdon.

Growing Up Online.

Technology in school, I feel that today our world is ran by technology and there isn't much we can do to stop it. You can place 100 "do not use your cell phone signs" in a school and kids will still whip them out in class and send 200 texts at a speed no adult can comprehend. Its the way our society is turning and although we are trying to slow it down really there is no way we can. In respects the old methods of teaching are a dying breed, we are slowly slipping away from what used to hold such content and substance. However i feel that with the times changing the way they are the old methods of teaching no longer can be applied. Teenage students are so used to having everything happened fast, they can talk to their friends fast, they can order food fast, they can read books fast. They seem to able to learn fast but the fast you learn the more you miss. I can see that there is no use in trying to change how society is working but rather the education system (as much as it doesn't want to) will have to adapt. Teachers are going to have to re-do their lessons and bring them up to speed with how students are learning. Or else the attention and focus of all lessons will be lost because we as a generation simply cannot stay focused for that long. I feel that the students of today are fast moving and they will not slow down, they don't have the time to read hamlet or Frankenstein or any classics because there is something else that needs to be done. Part time jobs that need to be attended too and math homework that takes twice as long as it used to in the past. There is no time for reading in today's teenage life as depressing as that sounds. We simply can not sit still that long.

Once upon a School.....

Amazing Idea! I love it i really, really do I love it, for San Fransisco. For Ingersoll... not so much. Its an interesting concept for a large town. In a small town like ingersoll there is so much pressure to fit in and going to a homework help centre isn't the ideal place. I feel as thought in a larger town this idea would flourish and really become a unique and helpful environment but because of the students of today that live in small towns like Ingersoll there is too much "bad rep" surrounding a place like 826 Valencia. Much like the discussion we had in class there is a lot of baggage that comes with going into a different social hangout such as the Fusion centre. I've only been to Fusion once and that was when it first opened and we were able to take free tours. It was such a cool place and there were tons of activities and resources, but now I wouldn't dare to go into there because of the reputation it has. Fusion is notorious for "sketchy" people and as much as we try to hide it we care about how other people portray us especially our peers. So as an elementary student going into a place designed to not just help kids with homework but to also give them a place to expand on their learning is terrifying because students are afraid of what other students will think. They do not want to be labeled dumb or incapable and they don't want people to know if they do need help, and in a small town like Ingersoll there is a good chance that other students will find out. Thus my point being that in a large city this idea would work outstandingly however in our quaint town it most defiantly will not.

You have to Believe it To see It!

be⋅lieve 
 /bɪˈliv/ [bi-leev] , -lieved, -liev⋅ing.
–verb (used without object)
1.
to have confidence in the truth, the existence, or the reliability of something, although without absolute proof that one is right in doing so: Only if one believes in something can one act purposefully.

"The confidence in the truth -without proof" Did you confidently believe that Christmas morning Santa Clause would bring you presents? Did you confidently believe that an actually fair took your tooth in the night and left money? "Santa" did bring your presents and the "Tooth Fairy" did leave money did they not? Make believe yes but does that mean that when you have children are you not going to carry on the Santa Clause tradition? Just because there is no science behind a fat man in a sleigh that delivers presents all over the world in one night doesn't mean you won't wake up early on Christmas when you were 6 to open that new red bike. Its the idea the magic behind it all. Now religion that is a touchy subject, we haven't personally seen God but there is still church on Sundays - people still go and practice their faith why? because they believe. They believe the stories that are told in the bible and they believe in the acts of God. And they aren't wrong in anyway, why shouldn't they believe? Why is believing in God different then believing in Santa? Sure you grow out of Santa after the 12th kid in your grade 8 class tells your that he isn't real and you get the nerve to ask your parents but that doesn't mean in your heart he isn't real. God is real if you believe, why look for more than your own faith. Why challenge your thoughts? Sure if you want more you want proof you strive for that fact of knowledge, yes he lived? or no he didn't? Personally I believe in god, that opinion won't change even after the 100th article i read on how he isn't real. To me he is real, even though i haven't seen him. But i haven't seen a Easter Bunny either.

Tweet on this!

9:44 - created twitter account

9:45 - creeped on what everyone in the whole world was doing

9:46 - failed to see the importance.

Really now we need one more thing to boast about our lives? that's all twitter is, "omg did you know that Kari ate an orange peal at 5:41am?!" "omg no way!" really? If i actually had twitter I'd be there every minute putting some crazy thing to make everyone jealous.

3:47 1/2 am - Miranda bought a new pink striped elephant named Skippy and is going to feed it carrots.

see now isn't that cool? i feel pretty cool!

Now onto the topic. Twitter and Dying two lovely conversation starters if i do say so myself, its something you may what to bring up at the next party, just saying! First thing i think about when i tweet is man, I'm lonely today i think I'm going to tweet about it! I think tweeting is so self indulged to be even close to lonely. Its all about who's doing the best thing at 8:65! If you are lonely and tweet about it then that's your own business go ahead put it on twitter that's what its their for but i guarantee most "tweeters" do not tweet because they are lonely or afraid of death?! they just want to be heard and even if no one ever looks at their profile it still feels good that a piece of you is "out there".

note to self - never tweet.

Dang them teenie-boppers... they don't know a gosh darn thing!

Lazy? really? Idle? your sure? Slothful? come on now! Do nothing? i don't think so! Sluggish? ouch! No wonder we have low self esteems! Teenagers are taking an educational beating! So we read this article in class on a prof who is under the impression that teenagers are lazy, good for nothing, can't walk a uphill backwards in a snowstorm with no shoes human beings. I kinda take offence to this... kinda. Its the age of Nowikipediaphobia and the fear of the all knowing websites being yanked from under their fragile feet. Its a time where information is a quick click away and books can be read online to you for the low low price of $20! But we do we "lack in the ability to learn independently" we rely on technology because really it works for us in high school. High school that beautiful place of ease and fun, where the days are short and the assignments have "stretchable" due dates. Teachers sometimes think colouring posters is a good way to show English books and math has songs and dances to help you "learn" an overall daycare is what it is. High school is where they put teenagers until they are old enough for university, Teachers should be getting payed $5 an hour for every kid they teach. Because really that's what they are doing, we go through high school just so we can get to university and be taught all new things in all new ways in an all new building in an all new town. Its really a traumatic experience but hey who doesn't need a life scaring moment every now and then right? I think the only solution for the universities and colleges to be happy with high school is collaborate their teaching methods teach the formats that they will be using don't waste time and try to dumb it down for us because they aren't dumbing it down for us there. Taking shortcuts or changing the way it should be done is so confusing and really doesn't help us in the long run!

For Those About To Rock - Get your lab coats

In class we watched a video on the Large Hadron Collider, and boy was it neat. Nothing more exciting than antimatter and blowin stuff up and Switzerland! Good stuff, good stuff! Actually it was pretty cool but the coolest was the dream-boat of a presenter Mr. Brian Cox, I'd listen to anything that came out of his mouth. Just kidding, but really that's a brilliant idea for CERN wasn't it? Putting a young "hip", down to earth, former rock star to explain this somewhat, kinda sorta interesting topic but man its way cooler when a guy with shaggy hair explains it! You think sciency stuff its all sweater vests, taped glasses, and flood pants but no not this guy he's the anti-nerd! I give "mad props" to the guy who thought it would be a great idea for him to present this because he knows how to level with the "young" crowd. Science has defiantly turned over a new leaf.

"Science is My Job"

We read an article on the topic of whether Science and Religion can co-exist. The two sides show that their are people who follow in faith of God and their personal religions and those who do not and take the path of Science. It is difficult to find both in one person. Personally I think that its hard to say, most people want to believe that God is in our hearts not to be seen but to be followed but there is the Science side that says that they need proof they want to see they want to feel and they want to know the facts. I am a religious person I am an avid church go'er and the whole shebang but i have questions about it no doubts there, its so difficult to believe in some things stuff just seems way out there like there isn't anyway that could possibly happen! But you just believe it, in your heart anyways you want to believe it. Its hard to explain - i wish i could explain it - but it seems that if you search for the answers long and hard enough you have a pretty good chance of finding them, but there are those who don't want those kind of answers they want the things they've been taught their whole life, stuff that their parents and their grandparents believed because that's just the way it is. Science and Religion are two different spectrum's, two polar opposites that are brought together in the middle by those who want those die hard answers but still want to believe. They can co-exist.

Earth Hour '09

Earth hour, an idea - a good one at that - that is supposed to bring awareness to the impending doom that is falling over our home planet. Its an whole hour that's 60 minutes, which is 3,600 seconds, a moment in time where we sit in the dark; bond with the family, protect the great earth. A whole hour doesn't sound great? Useful? Brilliant? Anyone who's anyone can go for a whole hour in the dark right? Not a hard task? What is a hard task is what happens after that hour is done, do you turn on your light and then go online to purchase your brand new hybrid vehicle? do you sort through every garbage in your house and recycle each plastic, paper and glass thing you see? Most people probably not but hey they turned their lights off for a whole hour that means they did their share right? That's how it works right? Yea Earth hour is a great idea but i think more should be put behind it, because its so much more than turning off lights for an hour its to show the effort to do something ELSE good for the earth too. Even if its riding your bike to work or school for one day or opening a window instead of putting on the a/c. Its just that little bit more motivation to do something ELSE good.

Ipods in class

Being a huge fan of ipods and music in general, i am personally against the ban of ipod use in the classroom. Now it isn't so evident in our own school but places like St.Mary's have strict rules against this technology. For me i think that it helps me concentrate and work harder on in class assignments because its a way to block out the rest of the noises in class and you can really focus. Which sounds weird because it doesn't sound like an easy task to focus on music and work but really you just hear the music in the back of your mind and that keeps you from being actually distracted with conversations that are happening around the class. I think that ipods should be allowed to be used during times when we have independent seat work and or during quizzes.

The Pope says......

While the Pope was visiting Africa over the last few weeks he made the statement that condoms do not prevent the spread of HIV. Is he serious? Everyone know the truth that condoms do help stop the spread of STD's, and to tell all those people that it doesn't is absolutly rediculous. But then again if the church says it, it must be so.... or so we think. This is just another way of spreading milichious lies about things that are so far away from the truth but to many of those he told this may be their only truth I mean the Popes a pretty well known guy and if he's saying something then who are we to question it? Even though common sense and plain facts are clearly telling us otherwise.

A+ for All!

We read this artical on a teacher that gave all his students A+'s which in a way can be seen in two differnet ways, yes it takes the stress off trying to beat everyone and strain yourself for this top mark, nevertheless running yourself to the ground trying to get there. But it also allows the students who don't really care about the mark and are just there to be there to ride the whole semsester and do nothing and get an amazing mark that next year teachers will think is fantastic and expect them to preform at an A+ level, but this student can't do that because he or she has never learned anything, by choice.

Oak Island

Oak Island,

an artical that we read that was the story about the mystery of the island, that has puzzled many treasure hunters and historians for years. Personally I think that Oak Island was built long ago and underneith the island there is a labyrinth. There isn't much proof to backup this theory other than I like labyrinths and therefore I want there to be one under there.. no but really with everything that they are finding I think they are just hitting the tops of an underground and underwater labyrinth, which in all honestly would be pretty cool :)

Ken Robinson

I agree with the ideas that Ken Robinson suggested in his presentation. Creativity has defiantly diminished in the education system today. My favourite part of the whole speech was when he spoke of the dancer who was thought to have ADHD. This part of his speech really caught my interest because my cousin is going to be in grade 1 next year and right now he is being monitored for ADHD. Now he doesn't like to sit still and that’s a given but he is a kid that is all about sports and having hands on activities and for him colouring just does not suffice. Now his twin brother is the ideal student for a teacher he loves to colour and sit and be quiet but my other cousin is just the complete opposite. I believe that a child that is loud or more hands on or maybe just doesn't want to colour shouldn’t have to be subjected to be put on medication or be treated in a way that is demeaning. My theory is that if you put an effervescent child on medication at a young age then that student then is placed in a mindset that they are telling themselves that they are different and they aren’t good enough and no matter how hard they try it doesn’t matter they are overactive children who don’t want to sit still but someone has come along and says take this sit down and be quite. Now this child is set in a mind frame that allows them to slack off because they feel “what’s the use it’s not like I’m going anywhere anyways " and the longer they play dumb the easier their workload becomes. And I know that’s wrong to judge or assume that but in real sense that’s what happens I mean sure some kids overcome whatever doubts they have on themselves but if someone told me at age 6 I was too overactive and different and I needed medicated I would defiantly feel less committed to my work. It’s all about perception an overactive child could very well just be a kid being a kid and nothing more many children grow out of it, but I don’t think that medicating them is the answer to our problems.

My blogging experience is very limited. This is my first blog ever.

- Miranda.