Turning to Google for all the Answers

After being bored for awhile, you can find some pretty interesting things to do with your time. One hobby I found to do that is extremely entertaining and gives you a good chuckle is going to Google.  You go to the Google hompage and type in beginning words or phrases such as why, how, what, who? These are just a few of the many that you can try out.  When you type these phrases in, Google helps you out and gives you some suggestions of what to search for and popular searches that others have tried.  And it comes up with a plethora of humorous responses.  Yet, as I read these suggestions, it makes me question society.  Are people really that dumb? Do people not have family or friends to ask these questions to? Why would someone want to know the answer to that? I'll give you a few to ponder...I'll stick to the appropriate ones. For example, if you type in "why does," one of the suggestions is "why does it always rain on me?"  If you type in "why are," the first suggestion is "why are birds dying?" And, one of my favorites, if you put "how do you," google suggests, "how do you get pregnant?"  Hmm...some parents aren't doing their jobs... In addition to those, there is also "what time is it?"  Maybe someone should introduce this person to a clock.  Another question is "What should I do with my life?" This person really does need some serious help if they're asking a computer. There is also "Is kevjumba a heterosexual bear wrestler? I do not even know what that is pertaining to.  Although there are funny ones, some sad ones I came upon were "why does my mom hate me?" or "why does my mom hit me?"  On a lighter note, "what do kids need?" I'm assuming this is a new parent or a new nanny. Personally, seeing what people type in is humorous to me even though it may seem odd to you.  If you enjoy it, try it out and let me know what you found!

Data Sheet Wins!

I would prefer ten data sheets.

"I think I can, I think I can" - Thomas the Tank Engine (from one of Chase’s favorite books)

Today, in calculus, Mr. Maas discussed how he believed he almost felt actual physical pain while he walked into school today; he was feeling very reluctant to start off this week. But, as he talked about this terrible morning, he said, "Even though it seems bad, you know what gets me through it? That the AP test is in three months!” This did not quite brighten my day, but it did make me realize a few things.  In a little over three months, we will be done with the school year, but better yet, us seniors will be done with high school. This has made me so excited and will help me push through these long winter weeks. Not only do we get to look forward to graduating high school, but even before that, two vacations, President's Day weekend and Spring Break. Also, we have Prom to be excited for, which will be so much fun. And not to mention, most of us will turn 18 in the near future, allowing us to vote, buy cigarettes, buy "adult material," get tattoos/ piercings, and best of all, sign school permission slips! Also, summer is really only a little over three months away, which I am super pumped for, because I just got a summer job as a nanny. I am watching a 5 year old, Chase, who is also my best friend because he rocks. Hanging out at the Lifetime pool all summer with my friend Chase...what else could I ask for? And, in the fall, we will begin a new chapter in our lives, with most of us attending all different, interesting, and unique colleges and universities, all over the country. Needless to say, I am eager for the end of high school, the summer, to turn 18, and the new experience of college in the fall. And who knows, maybe I'll get a little rebellious and get a tattoo like Alex Hurtuk (Yeah, he has a tattoo). 

Keeping the Traditions (some of them)

The image above really has no resemblance to this topic other than it's all my Chinese relatives. I chose it cause I thought my mom looked funny. She's the third person from the right with the short white dress on. I think she's about 13 years old.

Today, as my mom and I began to look through cookbooks and plan for Chinese New Year this Thursday, I decided to share about the Chinese New Year with everyone. It's a great holiday. First, if you are looking to re-make that New Year's resolution you failed to start on New Year's, this is the perfect opportunity to start. This, along with many more positives sums up Chinese New Year. First, you eat lots of yummy food. I mean who does not like food? Not me. Plus, my mom makes enough food for 20 people when she is only feeding a handful on Chinese New Year. Another quality of Chinese New Year is that you do not clean or do work on the day. It is said to be bad luck to clean because if you clean you might ward away or throw out your luck for the coming year. And you are supposed to relax and not work so....in English class on Thursday, I will not do work (not actually though, I'm not that rebellious). Next, you get money! Every relative either gives the money to you in a small red folder or mails it. This is the big holiday and I get more lucky money envelopes than birthday presents from relatives. Non-married adults and children get the money so up until you get married, you get a large sum of money on Chinese New Year! Also, saying bad words, let alone fighting with someone on Chinese New Year is a terrible sign. Families and friends have to watch themselves so as not to fight on this day; a fight represents a warful and negative future year- don't start a fight with me on Thursday. Any other day, totally acceptable. Also, most Chinese watch a dragon dance. Although my family will not watch one this year, I just recently saw one at my grandma's birthday party. Yeah, we get dragon dances to celebrate an 80 year old's birthday. We're that awesome. Overall, on Chinese New Year, you are forbidden to do work, you eat lots of delicious food, receive ridiculous amounts of money, and watch some random dragon dance. If you ask me it's a pretty good deal. If you want to experience this, come on over to my house Thursday night!

That Crazy Kid aka Alex Hurtuk

Saturday night, I had the honor of receiving a ride home from Alex Hurtuk for the first time.  It was a crazy time.  This kid is the most rebellious kid as I have ever met.  I had curfew and he was determined to get me home one time.  He flew as he backed out of a driveway- without even looking where he was going.  He turned up the music and blasted it, rolling his windows down so everyone could hear.  He ignored stop signs in neighborhoods (he told me they are optional).  He cut off a semi truck pulling out of a neighborhood.  He texted four different girls while driving (he's a player). As we drove down Solon Road (speed limit of 35), he drove 60 mph. A car was going about 40 mph in front of us and he passed it on a two lane road.  As he turned into my neighborhood, he did not even break, let alone use a turn signal, and almost drifted into a ditch (he said that was part of the excitement of driving).  And, in my neighborhood, with a speed limit of 25 mph, he slowed down a bit, to about 50 mph.  And, he did all of this, with his brights on the entire time.  But the cops did not stop him.  You see, when Alex told you the story of being stopped by the cops for having his brights on, he failed to finish the story.  He actually beat up the cop and threatened to abuse other officers also if they attempted to stop him again. So, the next time you think Alex is not a crazy, out there kind of kid, rethink your opinion.  His studious manner and questions are just a cover up for his real personality.  Ms. Serensky, you're right... he is a rebellious one.

I fear the end of blogging.

When I first learned about the blog project, I felt very skeptical.  I do not really like change.  Actually, I am fairly confident that I fear it.  So the idea of this new aspect of English concerned me.  What was I going to talk about? What if mine was boring? Would I ever make "Bobbie's Blog Banter?"  Was I going to get an F (this is yet to be determined, but I assume I will not receive an F)? However, I came to like, and almost love the blogs.  And now, as we near to the end of blogs, again, I fear the change.  Additionally, I assume this means we will go back to poetry papers. Oh yes, the dreaded poetry papers.  Going from the creative, free, and relaxed blogs to the structured, intense papers, I am sure I will make a foolish error that will cost me on my paper.  So, like many of you, I voted to keep the blogs in our life.  I really enjoy the blogs.  I surprisingly have fun writing, brainstorming, and discussing the blogs.  I am not a naturally creative person, but with blogs, I have realized that I can successfully be creative.  Also, we all know being on "Bobbie's Blog Banter"  is a boost of confidence.  Sometimes embarrassing, but you still feel special that she has chosen your blog, out of all the AP English 12 students.  Also, another confidence booster is when people comment on your blog.  I am not sure about others, but personally, when I see 3, 4, or 5 comments on my blog, I get excited. Not like jump up and down excited, but I admit I smile a little.  Also, referring to Carolyn's last blog, I am categorized as a "creeper."  Each time I go on the computer, I go to facebook, my email, progressbook, and recently, I have added in blogger.  I scroll through and skim through each student's blogs.  I think they are interesting and entertaining, and I enjoy reading them. However, I rarely comment on them, only writing the two mandatory comments, and do not take polls.  But hey, at least I am racking up those page views numbers.   The only bad thing I can think of about blogging is the timing.  I am a very stressed out, proactive, and OCD-like student.  Once I get homework, I have to do it, or at least start it.  I cannot leave things to the last minute, or else I have a panic attack.  I know people pretty much hate me for this characteristic of mine, but I cannot help it.  So, when most students start worrying about blogging at 11:30pm on Thursday and Sunday, I always want to blog on Monday so I do not have to worry about it. However, I fear the ridicule of my classmates.  So last Monday, I attempted to ignore my classmates and blog when I wanted to- Monday.  But of course I was the only student to blog and it was further enhanced by "Bobbie's Blog Banter," sadly probably not because it was an interesting post, but because she had no one else's blog to talk about.  But, I have come up with a solution.  I will write my blog when I want to, save it in a Word document, and then post it later in the week.  Problem solved.  Now I have no problems or negative feelings towards blogging.  I really do hope blogging will be continued throughout the year.

Ms. Serensky v. "the Chinese mother"

Throughout junior year and this year, we have all discussed the tedious work, strictness, and stress put on us by AP English.  We work so hard and stress out because we know Ms. Serensky requires the best work from us, all the time.  However, imagine having Ms. Seresnky and AP English's pressure in every aspect of your life.  Imagine her in every other class, in your extracurricular activities, even at home (it sounds creepy, but go with it).  This idea came to me when I came home from work yesterday and was bombarded by my mom who shoved into my hands the Wall Street Journal article, "Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior."  The article basically describes why Chinese kids are always stereotypically successful kids.  Just the other day, Jimmy Boldt blogged about the multiple Asians he met through facebook that were also going to the very elite school of Dartmouth.  Well, the article is written by Amy Chua, a Chinese Yale professor and mother of two.  Dare I say this article makes Ms. Seresnky look like a weak softy?  You tell me.  The article begins with a list of what her children were never allowed to do: attend a sleepover (my mom has the same rule... nothing good can happen after 12!), have a playdate, be in a school play, watch TV or play computer games, choose their own extracurricular activities, get any grade less than an A, not be the number one student in every subject besides drama and gym, play any instrument other than the piano or violin.  For one, I do not think Ms. Serensky demands and forces all of us to get A's, or forbids us from doing other activities besides English.  Chua also says that Chinese parents are very direct.  They do not "tiptoe around the issue" like other parents.  They use the example that Chinese mothers can say to their daughters, "'Hey fatty- lose some weight,'" while other parents will indirectly tell their child and talk in terms of health, and never even mention the word fat.  I do not know about you, but I have never heard Ms. Serensky say to someone, "You know what? You suck at English! Get it together!" Also, Chua goes into more depth about how she demands her children to get A's.  She claims that "Chinese parents can say to their children, "You're lazy.  All of your classmates are getting ahead of you," while Western parents only ask their children to do their best.  Chua states what would happen if a Chinese child received anything lower than an A, "If a Chinese child gets a B - which would never happen- there would first be a screaming, hair-tearing explosion.  The devastated Chinese mother would then get dozens, maybe hundreds of practice tests and work through them with her child for as long as it takes to get the grade up to an A."  Another major difference is that "Chinese parents believe that their kids owe them everything." Therefore, the Chinese children must spend their lives repaying their parents by obeying them and making them proud.  I do not believe that Ms. Seresnky thinks we owe our entire success to her (maybe I'm wrong, who knows, maybe she actually does).  In addition, Chinese parents know what is best for their children and override all of their children's own desires and preferences.  Chua then goes on to explain how she made her seven year old daughter, Lulu, to play a song on the piano perfectly for her lesson the next day, even though Lulu was determined she could not and did not want to do it.  Chua threatened Lulu with donating her dollhouse to Salvation Army, no lunch,  no dinner, no Christmas or Hanukkah presents, no birthday parties for up to four years.  She sat and worked at the piano with Lulu all night, forbidding her to get water or go to the bathroom.  But, by the end of that night, Lulu was able to play the piece.  In English class, I am fairly confident we can go to the bathroom and drink water when we wish to (maybe because if Ms. Serensky forbade us, she would get into trouble with the administration). Furthermore, Chua says that as a Chinese mother, she does not care about her child's self esteem, like other parents.  Letting a child give up means that as a parent, they too have given up on the child, which is even more detrimental than telling a child that they are lazy and worthless.  In my opinion, this article makes Ms. Serensky seem like a lenient teacher compared to Chua, the over powering mother; I would take Ms. Serensky over Chua any day.  Obviously, not all Chinese students are perfectionists- Example A: myself.  I have recieved B's on tests before and my mother does not tell me I am garbage- at least not very often.  And, this does not mean non-Chinese students cannot be successful and perfect students- Example B: Thomas Donley.  I do not even need to explain this one.  Or... maybe Thomas is secretly raised by a Chinese mother?  Nahh, that is a bit too outrageous.  Well you tell me, do you have a different perspective on Ms. Serensky and AP English now? Who would win in a battle- Ms. Serensky or Amy Chua?

PS- If you want to read the whole article, here is the website. Just do not share it with your parents and give them any ideas. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704111504576059713528698754.html