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How have you grown as a student?  

-Personally, I've learned how to get the things I want, using persuasion techniques. Ever since I've learned these techniques, the amount of things I've wanted and gotten, has increased. Whether it's from my parents or friends.
1. How has this course prepared you?

-It's taught me how to write another strategy and form of English writing.

2. How has this course prepared you for life?

Many other courses such as Algebra 2 leave teens wondering, "When will I ever use this?" Unlike the other courses, APLAC truelly is a course that is fundamental in our lives. It allows us to explain ourselves when writing as well as understand other forms of text.

3. Which essay did you feel was the most difficult to write?  Why?

Rhetorical was definitely the hardest essay for me to write. Mainly because I didn't study the terms.

4.  Which essay did you find the easiest?  What made it easy?

Argumentation was the easiest essay for me personally. The information was already there and it only took a few minutes to group up information that either was supporting or refuting my claim.

5.  What novel/book did you enjoy the most?  Why?

I personally despised the nature of having to be forced to read a book. I'd often read another book, along side the task of reading the school book. So I can truelly say I enjoyed it, it was more of reading it and getting it done.

6.  What novel/book did you enjoy the least?

Like I said before, the whole notion of being forced to read about was not something I personally enjoyed.  But the Great Gatsby seemed like the book I enjoyed the least, not because of its content but because everyone around me seemed to always but in and ruin certain parts of the book. For example, Gatsby's death.
7.  Anything you would like for me to know?

Keep being awesome Mr. Thomas. You're definitely a teacher that all teachers should model off. You understand teens and our "busy" lives. You understand that we are lazy developing humans, yet you manage to find a medium that allows us to be efficient as well. You connect with us on a completely different level. I'm looking forward to a great year of MUN with you amd the rest of the group.

5 things I carry

In english class I was assigned to write a blog on the things I "carry". Just as the men in Tim O'Brien's platoon, they each carry five things that shape who they are.

A Physical Item- This was a "no brainer" especially living in a generation like mine, my cell phone is my physical item. Without it I feel disconnected from the outside world. Admittedly, I can say that I am a true tech fan, but I try not to focus to much on my phone, the real world will always prevail over a world in a phone. Despite this idea, my phone is something I cant leave the house without. What if I get jumped? What if I get lost? What if? What if? Silly ideas like this come into my mind whenever I leave the house without my phone. It brings peace of mind knowing that the huge block I call my phone, is with me at all times.

Dream/Goals- At the age of 12 my family decided to move out to Rockville, Maryland. Being an only child, I found the days rather long and boring sitting at home with no cousins or family to have fun with. Around the time of my birthday my dad bought me a video camera, and the path to my goals in live was paved. Ever since then I have tinkered with multiple cameras and continue to do so now. My dream and goal is to direct, edit, and film shorts on my own that have a huge impact on the way we look at things. I often put myself on the opposite side of the problem, and see how I can help and show the side that is never shown. 

Relationship- An inspiration in my life who's definitely impacted my way of thinking on a completely different level, is my percussion teacher. I've been his student for about 4 years now, and recently he decided to move to another high school to teach. I would spend hours talking to him about who knows what. His teachings were far more superior than any other, he didn't just teach me a subject, he thought me moral values. He scared the word "integrity" into my skin. He's shaped me into a completely different person.

Personality- This definitely has to be the hardest of the five. How can one truly say who they think they are? In a way, knowing your personality is based on how others look at you. I think of myself as caring, mellow, and comical. In a perspective of caring I constantly try and put others needs before my own, constantly asking "are you okay?" and throwing a smile or wave here and there. In a aspect of mellow, I try to just relax. Sit down, listen to music, and look at the things happening around me. Constantly thinking of why things are the way they are. Last but not least is my comical side. I try to crack jokes here and there with others just to see the smile on there faces.

Memory- A memory that shapes who I am is being bullied in middle school. Constantly being called names and being pushed and hit, created a tough layer around me. Normally something that would "hurt" me, just bounces off. This memory, in a sense, made me into a tougher person than I was before hand.

The best of 2

I'll start off by saying that both my mother and my father were born in Mexico. I, on the other hand was born in America. So I'm Mexican by blood, American by location. I was raised with a mix of both heritages, so I'm well placed in both spectrums. Since I was raised in America, I'm naturally exposed to American culture, so at times it's hard to understand my Mexican heritage, the food, the language, and the culture.

The life that both my mother and father lived culturally is far from mine. They know the language, they know the food, and they definitely know the culture. But, is it beneficial to show it to their only child, when he lives in America? Of course, it's what continues to allow the roots of our culture tree to grow. But a degree there's a sense of heritage that was lost through the transaction of information. So how do I continue the culture of my parents, yet establish my own identity, what is my "third" option?

I constantly listen to the people around me who speak Spanish, I listen carefully so I can pick up words that I was not taught. Like a baby, I practice the words with an odd accent, but I try. I try to keep a median between both cultures. I'm bilingual, I speak both Spanish and English. I practice Spanish, because if you don't use it, you lose it. Aside from the language, there's the food. I'll never put a Mexican dish down even if it's the weirdest looking plate i've ever seen. Because I can see my parents enjoying the dish, so why can't I? If I don't like it, then it's fine, at least I created a "third" option for myself.

I'm continuing to try to pursue the heritage of my parents as well as mine. I'm creating a "third" option for my self in-order to gain the best of both cultures. I practice Spanish and try cultural food as much as possible. I'm setting up a system that allows me to continue the culture of my parents, yet establish my own individual identity.

Supernatural Culture

Our country's obsession with the "occult", is no shocker. From the very beginning of our formation, we have always believed in witches and any other super natural idea. Our country claims to be "a melting pot" for people from all over the world, which causes a cornucopia for multi-cultural super natural believes. We cling to it, for it is out of the norm. It's the curiosity that keeps our country glued to these "out of this world" stories. It keeps us asking, why?

The "occult" can sprout throughout our country, with the use of technology. Technology has given this supernatural culture a way to spread and grow. From dedicated websites, to pictures, and books, our supernatural culture is far from dying. It's becoming more of a trend, through the use of technology.

Televisions shows have definitely been the talk for some time now, with shows such as, "Supernatural" , "Vampire Diaries" and " Teen Wolf" depicting the supernatural phenomenon. It intertwines our natural life with a mysterious dark world. Although I'm not a huge fan of television, it seems impossible to escape pictures and status updates of these shows. I always seem to be updated on them, when I least care.

Our country's obsession with the "occult" will continue to grow, as it has since our very beginning. The use of technology will push a supernatural culture into our homes. With shows striking young teens and adults to carry these stories past a life span. We will cling to these stories for they are unlike any other, and they keep us asking why? The "occult" is a part of our culture, it's mysterious and out of the norm.

Now before you go to bed, make sure there's no "supernatural" beings in your closet, or under your bed.

~Alex

A Anti-Hero That's Truly Out of This World

I've been given the task to compare a modern day anti- hero, and compare his/her characteristics to those of Ichabod Crane from "Legend of Sleepy Hollow." It is ironic that I've had such a difficult time finding an anti-hero from a show or movie, seeing that in the near future I would like to major in film. It's slightly depressing knowing that I don't know any of the characters from "the best shows of all time".

So why not choose an anti-hero that's part of the saga that created my dream of producing movies. Now despite my cheesy and corny title, this anti-hero truly is out of this world. This anti-hero can be no other, then Han Solo from the Star Wars saga.

 Han Solo is an outlaw smuggler with a wicked ride, who's only ideal in life is money. He's the perfect match for Ichabod Crane, a greed driven man, who along the way finds a female fit to his liking; Princess Leila. Now just on the side note, if you're a student reading my blog, your dad most likely had a crush on Princess Leila. I'm not sure why? I guess it's an old people thing? 

Anyways all jokes aside, it seems fit to say that Han Solo shares the same characteristics as Ichabod Crane. The first two characteristic in common are, greed and selfishness . Both Ichabod and Han Solo have money on their mind, they often put money and themselves first before others. Ichabod never really loved Katrina but in reality just wanted her father's inheritance. The same goes with Han Solo, he didn't care much for Luke or Leila, he just wanted their money. Although near the end of the movie,  Han did change his ways, but throughout the movie he was a selfish and greedy outlaw.

The last and final characteristic of the two are their inconsideration for their lovers. Ichabod didn't care what Katrina had to say or how she felt, he was faking his emotions to take her hand and take her father's money. The same goes with Han Solo, in the beginning of the movie, he directly tells Leila that he's not into her, but into the money. He's inconsiderate of Leila's feelings and only cares for her money.

It is clear that both Ichabod and Han Solo share same characteristics. They're selfish, greedy, and inconsiderate.

~Alex V.