Invisible Children

When I was in 8th grade, one of my teachers told me about an organization called Invisible Children. The organization was started by 3 men who went on a trip to Northern Uganda. In Uganda they made a documentary called Invisible Children in which they discussed their experiences, and showed the lives of the people in Uganda. I only watched a few parts of the film, and at the time I did not completely understand the situation in Uganda. I questioned how how the problems in Uganda began, and I wanted to know why there was nothing being done by the people who lived there, and the government.

Later, I became more informed about world wide issues. I found out more about the issues in Uganda. People there are suffering under a government controlled by rebels. There is a lack of food, education, and health care. Uganda is not the only place suffering, there are other countries in Africa, such as Sudan, that are in a similar situations.

I believe that everyone should have access to food, education, and health care. I think that not many people are aware of what is happening in the world. I except that more will get done if people began to donate money, or help people by volunteering their time like doctors, and educators have done. (I know not everyone will be able to donate, or even help in someway). Also, maybe places like schools, and big businesses could hold fundraisers to raise money to help these people. I believe that some countries need aid of well developed nations in order to solve issues in their own country.

Hopefully Uganda, and many other countries will be able to work out the problems in their country, and create a government that will help the people.

* For more information about Invisible Children you can do to www.invisiblechildren.com

No Electricity

On Christmas day there was no electricity in our home during the morning, and for some time in the afternoon! In the morning when I tried to turn my bedroom light, it did not turn. I believed that it had blown a fuse so I asked my mom for a new light bulb. She told me that the light bulb was fine and that the electricity was out. Thankfully my family, and I had a nice warm breakfast because we have a stove that uses a gas instead of electricity. But, when the electricity went out in the afternoon, my family, and I were watching a really good Indian movie. We knew that the electricity would be out for a couple of hours so we had to find different things to do. I tried going on my laptop but it was not charged. So, I took out a deck of cards and went to my parents and my sister, and asked them if they wanted to play. We all played for a while, it was fun - we talked, laughed, and joked. It was pretty nice, I enjoyed being with my family. Despite, the lack of electricity, I enjoyed my Christmas day.

Saying the right thing

Sometimes when one of my friends tells me about a problem I cannot relate to, I don't know what to say to make them feel better, or help them understand. It's just that sometimes I don't know the right thing to say, or what they want to hear. Usually I just say that "it will be okay", or "don't worry" even when sometimes I know that's not true. I believe that each person faces different difficulties, and that each difficulty has its own way to resolve. I want my friends to know that sometimes I may say, or may have said something that did not help them. Sorry.

Optical Illusions

Optical Illusions are incredible pieces of art. They get me confused, and then thinking. In one image you can see multiple images. I found this image, and next to it was the following question "How many faces do you see in this image?" I see seven, how about you?

Classical Music

I was never really interested in classical music. Due to stereotypes, I believed it was boring and slow. I never thought it would actually help me on a test. I have heard about studies that show that classical music helps people concentrate and relax. During my Spanish final, my teacher put on some classical music. I didn't notice it at the time, but the music made me relax. Next time I'm studying I'm going to try to listen to classical music, and then see how I do on a test.

Christmas in the Park

On Saturday December 20th, Lorita, Kim, Isaac, and I volunteered at Christmas in the Park. Kim and I worked in the souvenir booth from 6-10. Lorita and Isaac worked from 2-10 - 8 hours! They looked so tired when I got there but they were still hyper like always. :) At 6 Kim and I replaced Lorita and Isaac at the souvenir booth, and they went to work at the food booth. Working in the booth was so easy, and fun. When we had a customer we helped them, but most of the time, we just talked, and joked. We met a lot of interesting people. The scariest one was this lady looking for the bathroom. She asked us where the bathroom was but both Kim and I were clueless, so we told her to ask the booth next to us, and she said "No, I'm asking you." I was so shocked. That was the only bad experience, otherwise it was pretty fun. After 10 Lorita, Kim, and I hung out for a while (Isaac went home). Then Lorita's aunt, and mom picked us up, and we went home.

Chai and Coffee

Indian tea, also known as chai, is the best medicine ever! It helps with my sore throat, and helps me relax. The Chai contains herbs that help clean up some symptoms. It has the best taste ever, and an exceptional smell! And Chai also has caffeine which helps me stay awake. When I need to stay up late I drink Chai! It's the BEST!

Coffee is also good but I drink it just for the taste, and caffeine. Unfortunately, coffee doesn't contain any herbs that really help against sicknesses. In order for me to drink coffee it has to have sugar, and milk in it. I cannot drink black coffee. I feel it has no taste. But I can drink the Starbucks frappccinos. Mmm! Those are really good!

High School Sports

On Thursday my history teacher, Mr. Miclette told us that the East Side Union High School District was thinking about shutting down all their sports programs. I was so shocked! Like Mr. Miclette said, this action will cause a ripple effect, meaning it may lead to other districts to think about closing their sports programs. So in later years, Gunderson may not have sports! I will so mad, and disappointed if this happens - even if it's after I graduate. I think sports help kids get away from problems in their neighborhood, or family. Sports also help students keep up a good grade point average, and teaches great skills like sportsmanship, teamwork, responsibility, discipline, care, and many more. I agree with the people who say that with no sports students are more likely to drop out of schools, and get into problems. I understand that this is to try to get away from the great deficit, but I think, and hope there are other ways to solve this crisis! I think it's a horrible idea to shut down all sports programs.

Sick

All I wanted this week was for my illness to go away. I've been sick for over a week now. I should have just stayed home, but I couldn't miss a day this week because finals are next week, and my teachers were going to tell us what to study. My fever wouldn't go down from 100˚F, and my headaches were long lasting. Currently my temperature is 98.3˚F, and I don't have a headache. But one thing is still bothering me, my cough. I HATE having a sore throat - I hate this a tingling feeling that won't go away. I wish I had something to scratch the inside of my throat. Not only is my cough hurting my throat, but also some of my muscles. I feel like the women in the picture.

World Peace

Many people do not think that world peace is possible. I don't know if it's possible, but wouldn't it be nice? No country would go to war with another. Countries would some how work out differences. I wish it was possible, but there are some people who will not allow this.

 In many places in the world there is so much pain because of fear. There is always a place in every country where people are suffering. I think countries should help each other to solve problems like starvation and suffering. However, before we can solve those problems globally, we should try to solve problems domestically. For example, I believe our own country must take care of victims of disasters locally before going out to "fix" other countries. 

Twilight

People have recommended the book Twilight to me soo many times. I borrowed the book from Alyssa for a couple of weeks, but I never had time to read it. I've told my friend Sopha to bring it on Monday, because this time I am actually gonna read it - most likely over break now. I am excepting this book to be really good, hopefully its as good as people are saying it is. I have promised some of my friends that I won't watch the movie until I read the books. So if I wanna watch the movie I have no choice but to read the book. 

(I've heard that if you read the book, then you don't enjoy the movie much, but if you watch the movie first, then you really enjoy the movie a lot.) I am actually looking forward to reading the book. Hopefully it exceeds my exceptions. 

Volunteering

I have been volunteering at the Edenvale Branch Library for almost a whole year. All I do is shelf movies, and sometimes children's books. It's quite boring. And I'm not the only one complaining, even the people that work there get bored. I see them constantly, looking at the time, and they are always saying things like "Only 30 minutes left," or "Man! The clock's so slow!" But the funny thing is when the manager comes in they put a lock on their lips. 

Even though it's boring sometimes it's quite an interesting place. There is a lot of drama. The drama doesn't take place with the coworkers, but the people that come to the library. Once one of the workers was helping out someone, and this one guy complained to the manager that the he wasn't helping him. Of course the manager got pissed. The truth was that the worker was just helping someone else at the time the guy asked him.