TODAY WAS A TEST

So today in the morning we had an AP test. I was actually very nervous before and during the test. As soon as it started I was kind of surprised that we had something to read because I thought we were just going to be asked a question and write about it. It took a while to read it and after that I was trying to figure out how I was going to write my essay. It took some time to understand what it was it was specifically asking me to write about. At first I had a hard time trying to figure out how I was going to write my first paragraph ( which took me like 15 mins). After I wrote my first paragraph I had like 10 minutes left to write the rest of my essay. Although I wasn't able to write much on my essay I still wish we were given more time especially given the fact that we are going through a pandemic and taking a test at home where not everyone has a quiet and comfortable place to take a test.

BOOKS & NEW TECH

I know that people think that books are boring and technology is more interesting because of all of the things that you can create or do with it. And although i'm not wrong( i think) I feel like people don't like books because as we got older in school simple books for entertainment became textbooks that were pushed onto us. These textbooks usually were always hard to comprehend and just not fun because they were always forced on us. Even though books are not seen as interesting anymore they actually are and that's if you find the right one. I know this because personally I used to love reading books but I was always picky about them. Sometimes if I really liked the book I would always check it out at the library and keep rereading it. However, now I still do like reading but it's become harder to find something that will actually grab my attention and keep me reading it.

Daily life for now...

Its been like three weeks since school has been out. I've been really bored at home. I've come to realize that I envy kids who are home schooled because it's hard for me to even do my work. Yes I still do what I can, but because I have no one pushing me to do my work it results in me not having much of a drive to do it. I'm working on trying to motivate myself. I hope it goes well :)

IS IT ME?

In my opinion I think that at least 30% of our behavior is our own unique personality and the rest is influenced by the culture. The reason I say this is because of how everyone works. Most people follow trends or try to fit in which makes people scared to be who they are so they develop a behavior similar to others. Our own personality is usually covered by the part of us that wants to fit in.

ANTI-INTELLECTUALISM IN AMERICA

Slowing down and thinking does bring conflict. I say this because many times when we aren't distracted by something we tend to start thinking about random stuff and sometimes we could start thinking more intensely. Like thinking about what others think of us or things that we can't control which makes us upset. A lot of the times we tend to overthink situations that in reality aren't a big deal but somehow our brain picks up on something negative that could or didn't happen and we concentrate on that one thing.
I believe that many people don't think that intelligence is a superpower because there are many intelligent people in the world which makes it less special. In my mind the media and our own school does not champion academic accomplishments because they think that it's something that is already a must like we have to be intelligent so why be awarded for it? It would seems that people fear, criticize, and insult smart people in class or the workplace because they themselves are insecure about not knowing as much as "smart people" do.

UNITED WE STAND?

Independence is most important when we are dependent on others for things we can do on our own even if it's hard. Interdependence is important when we need help on things that just simply need more people. 

WHY I WORK?

 I believe that many of us can say that we care about something so much that we are willing to work for it. Something that I really care about are my relationships with my friends. I am willing to work hard to improve my relationships with the people I consider friends. The reason I am willing to work for our relationships is so that that my friends know that they have someone who will always be there for them in a time of need.

AP Essay Prompt

Pretend to contribute to a magazine or newspaper; write an article describing a place you know well that might be of interest to readers. Define the significance, and use descriptive detail to make attitude clear.

There are many places in Santa Maria where a high school teenager can have fun. One of the many places is Santa Maria High school. Some may view this school as boring or “ghetto”, but in fact usually those who say that have not joined a club or sport. This school is not all about studying or doing homework it can actually be quite fun. Santa Maria High School is a place where you can grow as a person, build friendships, and experience being an energetic teenager. As someone who likes to observe what is going on around them I have seen many people in this school transform into a better person after they joined a sport, club, or found something they really like to do in school. I have personally changed too after I joined a club and I constantly have fun at school because I get to help out with certain things in school with my friends.

SCHOOL'S OUT UNTIL APRIL 3rd?

So March 13th was kind of the day everyone got the news around lunch time to 6th period that school was going to be out from the 18 of March till April 3rd. However, over the weekend everyone was informed that March 13th was the "last day" for us. I am very upset because I am a very busy person in and out of school and not doing anything and staying in my house all day for the next 2-3 weeks is going to be very different and perhaps going to have an emotional toll on me.

LEARNING IN THE AGE OF CORONAVIRUS

Right now I think that learning in school while we're in a pandemic is very frustrating because all I can think about is about the possibility of contracting this virus and yet I still have to come to school focused only on learning and memorizing math formulas, vocab, history, and etc.

PREVIEW OF GATSBY ESSAY

Prompt:   The notion of the American dream figures prominently in this story.  How do readers define the American dream?  Moreover, is pursuing the American dream necessarily a good thing?

I believe that readers define the American dream as to have equal opportunities for everyone and to have the biggest goals that can be achieved. Pursuing the American dream can be a good and bad thing. The reason it can be good is because you would be going after your dream that could be eventually be achieved. However, it can be bad because there can be a point where you can get too caught up in the American dream to the point where it can ruin relationships with other people.

GATSBY CHAPTER 9 NOTES AND THOUGHTS

Notes

• Gatsby is found in his pool dead
• Nick invited a lot of people to Gatsby's funeral but no one showed up 
• Only the mailman cared enough to show up to his funeral
• Tom knew that Wilson was going to do something and he still didn't call the police

I find this sad because it seems that the only reason anyone ever attended Gatsby's parties was because of his social status but as soon as he was gone it was as if they didn't know who he was. 

HAVE TO VERSUS WANT TO VERSUS GET TO

1. I feel like agreeing to complete work for each other is just our of sympathy and in a way feeling like you have to do something  even though its not required.
2. Being told do homework is not a choice it's an obligation from teachers. There's not "buts" its just something that we have to do without questioning it.
3. Exploring what you want to do is being free to choose anything without feeling pressured or obligated

GATSBY CHAPTER 8 NOTES AND THOUGHTS

Notes

• Gatsby didn't want to leave because he wanted to be there for Daisy
• Gatsby felt like nothing without Daisy 
• Gatsby was shot by Mr.Wilson 
• Wilson takes his own life after that

GATSBY PROMPTS FURTHER THINKING

Things I think are worth writing about:

Why does Nick fond over Gatsby?

Why does Gatsby really like Daisy

.....

WHAT GATSBY SAYS TO ME

I feel like the theme of the book revolves around social status, realizing that everything that we hear and see may not be true. For example Nick is always talking about the rumors he hears from other people and they're usually never true. In the book Nick talks about how Gatsby is very wealthy along with Tom and Daisy.

GATSBY NOTES AND THOUGHTS: CHAPTER 7

Notes

• Gatsby met Daisy's daughter
• Daisy kissed Gatsby
• Tom feels like he is losing Daisy and his mistress
• Daisy confessed her love to Gatsby in front of Tom
• Daisy has Tom and Gatsby wrapped around her finger
• Gatsby fired his staff because he doesn't want rumor going around about him anymore

GATSBY NOTES AND THOUGHTS: CHAPTER 6

Notes

• Gatsby's real name is James Gatz
• Gatsby changed his real name to Jay Gatsby
• After Cody's death Gatsby realized how dangerous drinking was
• Gatsby wishes he could erase the last three years so that he could be with Daisy

NOTES AND THOUGHTS ON GATSBY CHAPTER 5

Notes

• Gatsby is very nervous to meet Daisy

• When Gatsby and Daisy meet up they both seem very shy

• Gatsby wants to show Daisy around his house

• Daisy got emotional

HOW YOU KNOW WHAT I KNOW

In this book almost all the characters seem unhappy or in a way make others somewhat unhappy. They all have problems in which Nick gets to discover as he gets to know each character more and more.