Important Momemts

     Tell me this now. When did you realize you could be whatever you want to be?

Well I can tell you exactly when. When I was eight years old, I asked my grandfather what he was because I believed he didn't work. He told me the story of how he owns his own business and how he came up from the bottom. I didn't really understand what he was saying because I was young and only wanted to know why he didn't work it was too much for young me to comprehend. I asked him the same thing, but a different question later in my life. Probably around the age of 13. I asked, "grandpa, what kind of job do you have?" And he reached over and told me this long story. It was very meaningful, but about an hour long. So I'll sum it up for you listening. When my grandpa was about 16 he came to America with barely any money, no home, and no job. He had to work hours on end for years as what people thought to be a "basic Mexican" working for very little. While he worked, he met my grandma, my dads mom. Years later, my grandfather now has his own businesses and works most of the time from his house. He went from the bottom to having three businesses and being very successful. Knowing this made me realize I truly can do whatever I want with enough effort.

My Perspective On Shoes

     When you look at shoes on someone's feet, what do you see? Well I see what type of person they are, and how their day goes. I can see a lot more than just some leather and lace. When a boot is beat up and rough looking, I don't judge, if anything, I see them as someone who was working hard. When someone is wearing nice shoes, I look at the design and structure. I love shoes, all shoes... Except crocs. I like shoes for the aesthetics and durability. When I think of my shoes and the ones I have, I think "what's a shoe that looks good and can handle a little bit of dirt?" I like a lot of shoes and collecting them is a personal hobby.

     I have all types of shoes, from boots to slippers to sneakers. I like the simple shoes but also the expensive shoes a little as well. I just don't like shoes that go too over top. Although I do have a pair of yeezy 350 boosts that I never take out of the box. That's because they're a thousand dollar shoes. I didn't buy them to wear, they're just look at shoes I guess you can say.

Aztecs

   
     The book I read this week is called "The Aztecs" by Robert Hull. The book is bout how the ancient Mexican tribes of Aztec and how they lived. There was details about their hunting strategies and what they lived off of. The people of Aztec had technology that was modern for their time. They had thrived in Mexico and some parts of America. They now live on Indian reservations or live normal lives.
     The book portrays an image of their history and all about wars they fought and early technologies to their beliefs and cultures. The Aztecs soon declined and somewhat disappeared from their home and now live in different places. The Aztecs are believed to be of the oldest civilizations and the first to use math equations.

What I Value

     What do you value most? More than yourself?

      I value my friends and my family. I love my friends and trust them with the same I would if they were family. In some cases, my friends are closer to me than my family because my friends can relate more to me and what I find fun. I also value my dog trixy. She was my first dog and she's been my best friend since I was young. I remember the day I got her, she was about a week old and I was eight, turning nine. My birthday was in three months so I asked for a dog. She's never left my side since 2011 and I love her more than anything. I always retell the story of how she got her name. I value my friends, my dog,  my family, and my future. I will do whatever I can to become wealthy and be the best me I can possibly be.

My Dream Car

    When I get my own job and have money for myself, I would want to have a Bugatti Veyron. It's one of the worlds fastest cars and is built to look futuristic and has an aerodynamic body structure along with a strong engine that gives the vehicle the ability to reach 408.84 km/h and can quickly climb from 0-186 mph in 16 seconds. These stats make it one of the most luxurious cars in the world, which can be why it costs around 1.7 million dollars. I want this car because it's covered top to bottom in aesthetics and is an overall amazing car.

If I were an animal

If I were an animal, I think I'd be a lion. Lions are fierce, powerful leaders who are dominant in the animal kingdom. Not only are they intimidating creatures, they also have moments of grace and intelligence. Lions are very social animals who live in communities and rely on each other. They're very reliable animals. However, if things get rough a lion can care for itself and is smart and capable enough to keep itself safe.

"Why?" You may ask, is because I really like to be around people but other times I may prefer to be alone and distant from other people. When I'm alone it gives me a second to step back and just take a breath of fresh air and take a good look at everything that is happening. It's like when I'm alone I can deeply focus, free of interactions and interruptions from others. When I'm alone is when I'm when my  intelligence shines. This is my moment of grace.

Beginning and End

     What was your year like? Was it fun at the end? The beginning? Well I'm going to be talking about my experience in 8th grade. I'm going to explain the mindset of a fresh off the bus 8th grader, and a soon to be high schooler...

Beginning: When school first started, I was scared of the whole idea of being a year away from high school but I was also excited to be the school leaders. The beginning of the school year was very scary and half of the time I was lost between my classes and who my teachers were. The whole idea of fresh classes and new people teaching me is overwhelming, and it is every year because you have to learn to be comfortable with your new teachers so you can be cool with them and just be able to comprehend what kind of person they are.

End: By the end of the year, I knew all of my teachers on a personal level which was cool because I got along with most of them and was comfortable around them now that they weren't strangers to me anymore. I had the flow of an average day so school days were fast and simple to do and there was actually a lot less homework than I expected in the beginning. The hardest part of the end of the year is probably the point system because some teachers are stubborn and might not understand a situation so pin the blame on the first person they see. Other than that, this year was awesome and easier than I  ever could have comprehended. Thanks to all the teachers who helped me when things got hard, the year went by quickly and was fun.

Soundtrack to my life

Stardust- Frank Sinatra

Don't Be Cruel- Elvis Presley

Burning Love- Elvis Presley 

Billie Jean- Michael Jackson

Dear Mama- 2pac Shakur

Suicidal Thoughts- Notorious B.I.G

Growing up as a kid with my grandma was full of music. She would always play music and clean or sit in the sun relaxing. Whatever she did, she would be listening to music. My grandma loved Elvis and Michael, she'd never go a day without listening to their music and hum along to the melodies of the oldies. I grew up listening to artists like Frank Sinatra and the artists above. As time went on, I slowly drifted off and as my music taste developed, it became a mostly rap and hip hop dominated community with music. But there's times where I like to sit back and listen to some of my older favorites. When I listen to them, they take me back before my grandma passed. On summer days when we'd listen to music and do chores together. When life was simple.

Easter

On Easter I woke up and it was sunny and hot. Like spring just came out of nowhere. It was raining and cold the night before but when I woke up the air was fresh and warm with a slight breeze streaming in my window, hitting my body. Brisk, Cool air outside while the sun stays shining all through the day. I woke up and quickly got dressed hyper and excited to play a morning game of basketball in my yard like usual and after about half an hour my family had an Easter egg hunt and I sat waiting for it to be over so I can return to playing basketball and eating food. All of my aunts and uncles and grandmas and grandpas tried making me go hunt eggs but I felt it wasn't really worth a couple pieces of candy and a few dollars when I had already gotten enough money from my family members to buy all the candy I want even though I'm not much of a candy person, everyone always enjoys a sweet now and then. After all the Easter egg hunting was finished we had open small gifts and our candy baskets, trading with others to get rid of things we didn't like.

True Stories of Gangsters

     The book I read this week is called true stories of gangsters by Henry Brook. The book is about all of the most infamous kingpins and cartels around the world. The book retells about the criminal masterminds and of their heists that they had organized during their highest point in their criminal life's. one notorious kingpin I read about in the book was Al Capone.
     Al Capone stood out to me because he did most of his business in Chicago, being said to have owned so much, he had practically ruled the city. When he was incarcerated, he was sent to Alcatraz. A maximum security prison sitting atop an island off the Francisco bay. He was sent there for what could have been forever but was shortened to 5 years. Al Capone spent the last of his days in his LA home, he died on January 25, 1947.

Butterfly

Life is Beautiful

Life is beautiful is similar to the poetry we've read as a class because they both talk about the little moments of happiness that shine through dark times of people's lives. There is hope in their eyes in both Poem and movie. When people lose hope there were some who held on to their hope and kept pushing to survive through the camp. While the people were going through the holocaust they were afraid because they didn't know what they we in for. 

       The tone and characteristics of characters created suspense or humor because each character was unique and funny in their own way. The father knew how to make the most of his time and knew how to laugh so you were able to tell something was serious when he seemed worried. The way the son is and how he acts adds a lot of suspense because he seems very curious and that could've gotten him in trouble which was very suspenseful. Like the time he disappeared in the barracks but was just under the bed. There was funny parts of this movie that is about a serious topic and that's because the characters are funny and the movie portrays an image of how everyone was happy and had a normal lives before the rules started changing.

       Life is shown as beautiful throughout the movie in multiple ways but the most memorable was hope, love, and sacrifice. These are portrayed in many different ways.The father sacrifices a lot to make his son happy and pushes himself to make sure his son survives. He gives his son most of the food he earns and risks his life making sure his son doesn't get found out. The father cared more about his son and wife than himself and he did everything he did to keep them alive until his last second, it was all to ensure the safety of his famiy and that's pure sacrifice and love. He always encouraged the people around him and tried to give people hope that they can beat the game and survive the camp. He plays music for his wife and does everything he can to let her know that he's still there for her through the darkness and over the walls. He fed his son and lied to him to encourage him to stay strong and win what he wants in life. 

Happiness

     Studies have shown that volunteers and people giving to others makes people generally more happy. Studies have shown that people who spend their money on other people will increase happiness in their lives. Volunteering also makes people happy because it makes them get more involved and makes them feel like they belong. The people who tend to make the most of it and explore new things and volunteer for more things are more happy with their life. Imagine a life without learning new things and trying to find new interests. That'll be a terrible life to live where they won't allow themselves to volunteer and have fun in fear of humiliation. Studies even say humiliation can sometimes benefit the receiver by pushing them to accomplish something or even might just make them have a laugh.
    Spending money on or with others can make people more happy and satisfied with themselves and their surroundings. Just think, if someone gives someone else an extra dollar or buy them a gift. It doesn't have to be much but the generosity of that will give that person a smile and make their day which will also make them smile and they'd feel like a good person for making someone's day. Who doesn't want to feel appreciated and feel like a Good Samaritan ? Giving to others makes people more happy and gives them self pride while that act of kindness can positively impact those around you making your economy an overall happy place. Lots of studies that were taken prove that acts of kindness creates a link effect of positivity involving those around you. For example, If someone does something nice for another person like pays for their coffee, they'd probably want to do something for someone else as well. Some people disagree and say that buying for others and giving away what's theirs makes them have less and feel worse. They say this because people with less are perceived as less happy. Although this can be the case, It's false and possibly the opposite. This is because giving others will not only make you feel better about yourself, it'll also make them happy, and would you really have less? You'd actually have more as money isn't always the main priority. Happiness and pride is something money can never buy for yourself, so yes. You'd have more in the end.
     Volunteering can also be a major happiness source in a persons life. Let's explain, If someone volunteers for something, not only would they be trying something new, they'd also be working on fitting in. While trying something new feels overwhelming, which it can be for some. It's a good thing for you and will positively impact your happiness in the long run. Over time you trying new things will develop a comfortableness in pushing your boundaries to do more things. All of that aside, trying new things can make you get used to them and make you feel at home and like you fit in which can boost morale and create a mental feeling that you belong in that place or doing that activity. Who doesn't want to feel like they're important or that they belong somewhere? No one because tests prove that feeling like you belong makes you more confident and you tend to show more signs of happiness. But, like all things, people disagree. Some people say trying new things makes you feel uncomfortable and embarrassed which can make you get a fearful feeling. This may be the case, but it depends on how you think of it. A more positive person would go in willing to try something new and know that they might fail but still be excited to do new things. It kinda cancels out the fear and makes it into an "I got this" feeling called confidence.
     Getting involved in activities and hobbies is a great way to boost happiness. Imagine your bored and have nothing to do and no one to talk to. You'd pretty much be bored and lonely which causes people to be more stressed and pessimistic. But, if you'd get involved in activities like sports or a hobby like painting, you'd be able to meet new people who share interests and make strong friendships with people who have common dreams and interests as you do which is good to have in life because a good friend can make you a very happy person and having fun and doing what you are passionate about will relieve stress levels over time.
     Getting into activities is a very positive thing to do if you're looking for a way to get away sometimes and do things you like to do with people who like the same things. But beware, having too many hobbies can also be a very bad thing for you. You can easily become overwhelmed with things you need to do and places you need to do. Being in too much can also me poisoning to your happiness since you have too much to do instead of something to do. Hobbies and activities is a double edged sword so you have to find that perfect amount to the point where it's not too much or nothing. After you find an activity, you will generally be a happy person since you're doing what you're passionate about. Some people disagree and say doing nothing makes people happy and relaxed. That may be true for some circumstances but in general, people who are more social and active tend to be less likely to suffer depression and more likely to live long, happy, healthy lives

Propaganda

     This piece of propaganda was trying to say that the nazi party  would shape the future of Germany for the better. They did this by saying to join the nazi party and help mold the history for Germany and help return Germany to its golden age. This poster was meant for the German people because the nazis wanted them to think that the Jews and others were bad and wanted them to help the nazis malicious intents of what the audience thought would help their country. This motivated people to join the army and nazi party because of the way the poster is illustrated. The nazis are holding a flag with a swatstika and which was a symbol that meant peace back then which could have mislead them to beleive that nazis wanted the countries dominance and peace around the economy. The strategy of brainwashing people by using symbolic references was an effective strategy because it depicted a rise for Germany in power and peace. This was very effective because Germany was in a state of economic depression because of the world war and people were looking for hope and motivation and this piece of propaganda could have been exactly that. I think that this propaganda poster could have brainwashed a lot of people into following behind the nazi armada because it's illustration could've been convincing to people who were desperate and wanted to help and were willing to take risks to get Germany out of its economic failing state.

     

                               

Regrets

     I regret not taking advantage of moments where I could and take better paths when I knew what was right but choosing the wrong path. I regret choosing not to do what was right but what was easier. The right things aren't always the easiest, in fact it's pretty hard. But it's the better path to take. I think back on the times where I could've done something different and wish that I could have done something else instead of what I did, like this morning when I chose water over coffee or like yesterday when I decided to stay inside instead of  playing basketball with my brother. I've had lots of mistakes but instead of regretting them, this time I decided to learn from them. So I can develop a sense of right from wrong.

A day with a role model

     If I had a day to spend with someone I look up to or wish to be like one day, I'd pick Xxxtentacion. I'd choose him because he's a very humble and innovative  rapper who always seems to see the better in a situation. He's become a better person from who he was at a young age, leaving behind a life of violence. He was abandoned by his parents and left to live with his grandma at a young age. Being raised in Florida he bounced around school to school in between different homes and I like the fact that he was able to make his life a motivation to change and achieve instead of hold him back from a future he seen. I'd probably sit in a studio with X, talking about life, chilling, or listening to him rap, just because we're both chill people who don't really like doing things that don't seem necessary. I'd ask X what was his motivation to make music and what it was like growing up in Florida

Why do people make and sell drugs?

     The book I read this week was why do people make and sell drugs? By Anne Rooney. This book is to inform people about what a drug is and how they are used to treat patients or how they are misused. There are medical drugs and street drugs. They are both being distributed to people, but street drugs are sold illegally and mostly to people who don't necessarily need the drug for it to positively impact the body. In fact, an unmedicated drug will actually damage the body. There are lots of different drugs but the main street drugs are marijuana, LSD, Molly, Crack cocaine, meth, Shrooms, and heroin. Most of these drugs are deadly to consume but some don't have effects as potent as the others. Drugs like these are referred to as party drugs which are usually used at parties or concerts of some type. The stronger drugs are referred to as "Faster" lifestyle drugs which are more commonly found among those who are wealthy and live a wild and fast lifestyle. Estimates from researchers found that drug kingpins make about 300 million a year from selling and transporting illegally. Research labs study and work hard to develop legitimate meds that are intended to help injured people while the streets are trying to find a way to remake the drug and be able to put it on the market for illegal consumption. The book says that some people do this because they might've never known any other life than the drug game, or maybe they may be in a crisis point where they will be willing to do whatever they can to make money for their survival.

Stolen Dreams

   
     The book I read this week was called Stolen Dreams by David L. Parker with Lee Engfer and Robert Conrow. It's a very explicit book with graphic pictures who some might be impacted by them. The book is about child labor around the world and it talks about why different people work at young ages. The book has pictures of working children and has information about who they are and what they work as. This book has taught me about why some people work at young ages. One part of the book is a young boy retelling his story of hard manual labor.

Behind The Commercial

     After analyzing the commercials closely, I chose the cleaning commercial with the 3 men. I chose this commercial because it contradicts the stereotype that only women clean. I liked this because it shows that anyone can clean and that it represents how people have changed some mindsets to realize a women or man can do what they want if that's working a job or cleaning a home as a chore. It was cool how the commercial creators had decided to use men as characters in their commercial instead of women which would have been common. This commercial references how industries used to assume that only women did cleaning work.

The Best Advice

     The best advice I'd ever received was from my grandma. She would always tell me, "Do good in school, do your best to be polite. You want to grow up and be better than any of us ever were." I didn't think much of this until I got older, the way I interpret it, she always told me this because she believed in me and knew I had the opportunity to put myself in a good future and she always wanted the best for me like having a good job and a big house. She would always joke and say "when u grow up and leave town, take me with." She was a smart women who gave good advice but this was easily the best advice. It let me know I had the capability to do anything and she'll always believe in me.

Albert Einstein

     Over the last week I have read the book Albert Einstein, Physicist and Genius by Joyce Goldenstern. It's an amazing book full of details and interesting facts about the genius scientist who changed science as we know it. His great mind is what sparked the expansion of scientific curiosity with just simple ways of thinking which were believed to be genius ideas, but to Albert. He explained it as a more complex but more simple- different look at challenges. I personally envy the man which explains why I chose to read this autobiography. It turned out to be more informational and exciting to read than I had expected.

My favorite parts of the book is the parts where Alberts own words come in and the author evaluates on his quotes and brings them to life in a more defying way. My favorite quote is "Insanty is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." This means that you can't keep trying the same thing the same way because the outcome will always be the same so you have to try to do things different ways.

Where I'm from

     I'm from joy and laughter.

Spending long hours in the breezy heat of summer.

I'm from early wakes in worry of where my mother was.

From patiently sitting; waiting for school to end.

I'm from cold morning and hot evening, where the city is lively.

When the breeze picks up; of which my home got its name.

When the night creeps up on the city and night brings light to the street.

When the lights shine bright, that's the time when you return home.

The city life is where I'm from.

My Break

     My breaks wasn't exactly the best, or anything near. Probably one of the worst ones but like all bad things, there had to be something positive to smile about. About 4 days until the first day of school, I spent a couple days with my grandma on my dads side of the family. She called and said she hadn't been feeling good so I decided to go give her company since I had nothing better to do and I love her. The first day I was with her, we made hot cocoa and food to eat while watching tv. It was pretty good to just relax on the couch wrapped in a blanket sipping hot chocolate. The second day we went shopping and ordered a pizza since she said she felt a little better, it was as pepperoni pizza (which was amazing) we had ordered it from Anthony's. The next morning she dropped me off at home and we said goodbye. I've seen her after that, but not during break so that was one thing I did that was kind/thoughtful