It all started at 4 PM.
I blankly stood there.
Motionless.
I felt cornered by them, but there was absolutely nothing that I could do. I wanted everything to just go back to how they were about two hours ago. Two hours ago when I was happy and laughing. Two hours ago when I felt... normal.
Now I feel like an outcast marooned on a deserted island with only three intimidating emotions as company: anger, insecurity, and fear. Under the heat of the sun, I could feel my face beginning to burn with the anger, feel my heart drop with the insecurity, and feel my conscience shrink with fear. It feels so unfair to have to show no emotion to these people before me, but I manage what I can.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know about the note," I say, feeling more alone than ever.
"It doesn't matter anymore. Going forward, you may only consult with us," one of them responds.
"Ok." I reply. I can't even begin to describe how I feel at this exact moment, but I fight against my heart to show no emotions.
"You know your injury is not our fault," the second says, looking at my mangled arm. "If you knew what to do, you should have told us what you needed."
"It's fine," I say, fully knowing the extent of my problem is completely because of them.
"All we are trying to say is that we are acting for the well-being of everyone," says the third.
"I know"
"Alright. Also, your actions can influence other people. You should act more respectfully to be a better role model," the first said.
"Fine. May I be excused now?" I ask, still pushing away the feelings of anguish.
"Yes. I suppose that will be all for now..." they say.
And as I walk away, I allow my feelings to take over me and I can feel the heat of their glares.
To be continued...
Friday, September 30, 2011
[CE] Mining for Life
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8hxTbX8DJwM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Being a former environmental science student, the preceding video strikes me as a very large problem. In class last year, we did an activity that demonstrated the harmful effects of mining land. The activity involved us "mining" for chocolate chips in cookies with toothpicks. After mining, we had to "reclaim" land and hypothetically try to reculture the area that we had affected. In the real world, however, reclaiming land is not as easy as it seems.
Mining in Malaysia is becoming a very large environmental problem because it affects the whole layout of the land. By illegally mining, the miners are polluting local rivers and streams, causing a massive case of soil erosion, as well as damaging tree roots of the natural forests. Granted, many of these people have been mining for gold in the state of Johor for decades, but they do not realize the harm they are causing to the environment. The Malaysian forest officials have warned against mining, however, it does not seem as though they are actually enforcing any laws against mining for gold in forest areas.
The increased price of gold along with the falling economy of today causes many people to mine more frequently, and their actions are understandable seeing as they simply want to support their families. However, in the environmental persepective, what these people are doing to the land causes much more devastation than they could even imagine. I really hope that the Malaysian government will be able to find a way to stop illegal mining in Johor.
Being a former environmental science student, the preceding video strikes me as a very large problem. In class last year, we did an activity that demonstrated the harmful effects of mining land. The activity involved us "mining" for chocolate chips in cookies with toothpicks. After mining, we had to "reclaim" land and hypothetically try to reculture the area that we had affected. In the real world, however, reclaiming land is not as easy as it seems.
Mining in Malaysia is becoming a very large environmental problem because it affects the whole layout of the land. By illegally mining, the miners are polluting local rivers and streams, causing a massive case of soil erosion, as well as damaging tree roots of the natural forests. Granted, many of these people have been mining for gold in the state of Johor for decades, but they do not realize the harm they are causing to the environment. The Malaysian forest officials have warned against mining, however, it does not seem as though they are actually enforcing any laws against mining for gold in forest areas.
The increased price of gold along with the falling economy of today causes many people to mine more frequently, and their actions are understandable seeing as they simply want to support their families. However, in the environmental persepective, what these people are doing to the land causes much more devastation than they could even imagine. I really hope that the Malaysian government will be able to find a way to stop illegal mining in Johor.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
[BWC] Out of the Dark
She awoke with a sharp pain in what seemed to be a cool, dark tunnel. She couldn't see a thing except for a dim, but visible light far in the distance. So she called out to the light and tried to limp towards it, but fell in what felt like mud. Her chest was throbbing as she pushed herself up off the ground and continued to walk towards the light in the dark.
"Hello? Is anyone there?" she called out.
To which the response was the echo of her voice in the tunnel. She decided to continue on even though she now doubted that she could find her way through the darkness. As she stumbled through the darkness, she felt a skeptical happiness along with a fear of what was ahead. After what seemed to be hours, she began to hear eerie noises followed by the rush of wind. With a new-found rush of adrenaline and fear, she began to run towards the light which still seemed as far as it was before.
"Hello? Can anyone help me?" she yelled.
But to no avail. Again her only response was the sound of her voice echoing in the darkness. Her eyes scanned the darkness for the faint light, which had grown even more dim. She felt for the wall and fell against it. As she sat on the cool ground, she thought "how am I supposed to get out of here?"
Suddenly, she began to hear voices in the distance.
"Who's there?" she asked.
"I'll always be right here for you. I promised you forever and I meant it. Please come back to me..." the voice said.
She tore through the darkness faster than ever before, and the dim light began to grow brighter and brighter. Her chest ached with the need for more air and her body begged her to stopped, but still she still pushed on. The light began to glow an intimidatingly bright white. She squeezed her eyes shut as a loud, blaring noise pounded her ear drums.
When she opened her eyes again, she saw the silhouette of a man in the bright white light. She looked at it with a blank expression trying to make out the silhouette's face as her ears kept ringing. Before her eyes could focus on the face of the man, he leaned over her and kissed her forehead.
"You're finally awake. I'm so sorry for everything I put you through."
"Where am I?" she asked.
"Heaven." he replied.
"What happened?" she asked. But right when she asked, all the memories came flooding back to her; they had been in a tragic car accident, and neither had survived.
"So you remember now." he said as he saw the look of realization on her face. "I'm sorry."
"It's okay. As long as I get to spend forever with you here." she said.
"Hello? Is anyone there?" she called out.
To which the response was the echo of her voice in the tunnel. She decided to continue on even though she now doubted that she could find her way through the darkness. As she stumbled through the darkness, she felt a skeptical happiness along with a fear of what was ahead. After what seemed to be hours, she began to hear eerie noises followed by the rush of wind. With a new-found rush of adrenaline and fear, she began to run towards the light which still seemed as far as it was before.
"Hello? Can anyone help me?" she yelled.
But to no avail. Again her only response was the sound of her voice echoing in the darkness. Her eyes scanned the darkness for the faint light, which had grown even more dim. She felt for the wall and fell against it. As she sat on the cool ground, she thought "how am I supposed to get out of here?"
Suddenly, she began to hear voices in the distance.
"Who's there?" she asked.
"I'll always be right here for you. I promised you forever and I meant it. Please come back to me..." the voice said.
She tore through the darkness faster than ever before, and the dim light began to grow brighter and brighter. Her chest ached with the need for more air and her body begged her to stopped, but still she still pushed on. The light began to glow an intimidatingly bright white. She squeezed her eyes shut as a loud, blaring noise pounded her ear drums.
When she opened her eyes again, she saw the silhouette of a man in the bright white light. She looked at it with a blank expression trying to make out the silhouette's face as her ears kept ringing. Before her eyes could focus on the face of the man, he leaned over her and kissed her forehead.
"You're finally awake. I'm so sorry for everything I put you through."
"Where am I?" she asked.
"Heaven." he replied.
"What happened?" she asked. But right when she asked, all the memories came flooding back to her; they had been in a tragic car accident, and neither had survived.
"So you remember now." he said as he saw the look of realization on her face. "I'm sorry."
"It's okay. As long as I get to spend forever with you here." she said.
Friday, September 23, 2011
[CE] Bottle School
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qJn4Gy_LvNQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
This video is about a school in the Philippines made almost entirely of recycled plastic two liter bottles. It is a very logical and environmentally friendly approach to using plastic bottles. In AP Environmental Science last year, I learned that there is really no practical use for plastic bottles aside from the use that it is intended for. What they are doing in the Philippines is a very impressive way to use these otherwise useless bottles.
I know that after taking AP Environmental Science, I have been more environmentally conscious. Personally, I feel that the United States should do something with our municipal solid waste other than carelessly tossing it in the trash can. As a world super power, I feel that we should be setting an example of how to reuse items.
This video is about a school in the Philippines made almost entirely of recycled plastic two liter bottles. It is a very logical and environmentally friendly approach to using plastic bottles. In AP Environmental Science last year, I learned that there is really no practical use for plastic bottles aside from the use that it is intended for. What they are doing in the Philippines is a very impressive way to use these otherwise useless bottles.
I know that after taking AP Environmental Science, I have been more environmentally conscious. Personally, I feel that the United States should do something with our municipal solid waste other than carelessly tossing it in the trash can. As a world super power, I feel that we should be setting an example of how to reuse items.
[FREE] High School...
When I look back on the past few years of high school, I realize that I have grown up so much. I have learned many life long lessons that I will take with me after I graduate. I feel like high school is all about learning about people more than anything else. I mean, yeah, you learn academics, but what you REALLY learn in high school is all about different types people. I remember when we first got to high school as freshmen, there were so many different categories of people. And, as the years went on, we began to sort into those categories. There's goths, jocks, nerds, asians, the populars, the rich kids, and many more.
All of these different categories experience their own fair share of drama. But it's what you take from the drama that you experience that helps you grow as a person. Although all the drama sucks when you go through it, it makes you ALOT stronger in the end. Trust me, I know. The drama is hard to deal with, but it's all a part of growing up which in turn, is a large part of high school.
For me, even though my memories of high school are bittersweet, I will always know that each and every one of those bitter memories has made me a much stronger person. As for the sweet memories, well, I will look back on them and smile. My point is, is that it's always better to see the glass half full rather than half empty, which is why I choose to see my bad experiences in a different light.
All of these different categories experience their own fair share of drama. But it's what you take from the drama that you experience that helps you grow as a person. Although all the drama sucks when you go through it, it makes you ALOT stronger in the end. Trust me, I know. The drama is hard to deal with, but it's all a part of growing up which in turn, is a large part of high school.
For me, even though my memories of high school are bittersweet, I will always know that each and every one of those bitter memories has made me a much stronger person. As for the sweet memories, well, I will look back on them and smile. My point is, is that it's always better to see the glass half full rather than half empty, which is why I choose to see my bad experiences in a different light.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
[RE] French Ban
In response to Mr. Sutherland's post about the french oppression over the Muslim people, I feel that the ban on Muslim public prayer takes away their unalienable human rights. It also takes away from the culture of the people. Democracy and government nowadays is based on the principles of Life, Liberty, and Property from John Locke. Now, this ban only affects the Muslim people's liberty, but it is still taking away from their human rights. These people have a right to follow their culture, and it is supposed to be the government's duty to protect their rights. The French have given the Muslim people a place to pray at, but some of the people feel as though it is a slap in the face because they are not allowed to do as their religion intends for them to do. They do not like the fact that the practices of their religion are being altered.
On the other hand, I can see why the French government has placed a ban on public prayer. The french are simply trying to preserve their own traditional culture. However, since there are so many Muslims that have relocated from the middle east to the western European regions, it seems as though the Muslim people account for much of the population. I feel that the french government should not be held completely at fault because they just want to avoid a "take over" by the Muslim people.
Like Mr. Sutherland said, "But what happens when you have a large and growing number of Muslims, both immigrants and native-born, in your country? At what point does Islam stop being a "foreign take-over" and simply become French?" Well, this question is unanswerable at the moment because no one can tell how far the French government is going to go to preserve their traditional cultures. What if they oppress the Muslim people to the point where they rebel against the government? or What if the French government allows itself to become Islamic?
On the other hand, I can see why the French government has placed a ban on public prayer. The french are simply trying to preserve their own traditional culture. However, since there are so many Muslims that have relocated from the middle east to the western European regions, it seems as though the Muslim people account for much of the population. I feel that the french government should not be held completely at fault because they just want to avoid a "take over" by the Muslim people.
Like Mr. Sutherland said, "But what happens when you have a large and growing number of Muslims, both immigrants and native-born, in your country? At what point does Islam stop being a "foreign take-over" and simply become French?" Well, this question is unanswerable at the moment because no one can tell how far the French government is going to go to preserve their traditional cultures. What if they oppress the Muslim people to the point where they rebel against the government? or What if the French government allows itself to become Islamic?
Friday, September 16, 2011
[CE] No More Jade?
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7uZi5tFnRzs?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
This video is very interesting, and holds some personal value to my culture. Jade is a precious gem stone to the Chinese Culture. As a child, my grandparents would always give me jade necklaces because they believe it brings good luck and protection. I honestly do not believe in the same superstitions as my grandparents, but I do understand the value that they believe the gem stone has.
Jade is considered a sacred, but common gem stone. The fact that it has become prohibited to mine jade is saddening because many people make a living off of mining for this gem stone. The price of jade jewelry has shot up by alot within the past thirty years. Almost ten thousand times the cost that it was thirty years ago! I really feel that this is a loss for these people because they now must find a new way of living. Now, jade is inspected as if it is diamond because of the new laws that prevent it from being mined.
However, in the environmental aspect of the matter, jade should not be mined anymore because mining destroys the lay of the land. Also, the land that is torn apart through mining can never be repaired. Also, because the supply of jade in West China is running out, it would be best to stop mining for jade so that over time more can form.
This video is very interesting, and holds some personal value to my culture. Jade is a precious gem stone to the Chinese Culture. As a child, my grandparents would always give me jade necklaces because they believe it brings good luck and protection. I honestly do not believe in the same superstitions as my grandparents, but I do understand the value that they believe the gem stone has.
Jade is considered a sacred, but common gem stone. The fact that it has become prohibited to mine jade is saddening because many people make a living off of mining for this gem stone. The price of jade jewelry has shot up by alot within the past thirty years. Almost ten thousand times the cost that it was thirty years ago! I really feel that this is a loss for these people because they now must find a new way of living. Now, jade is inspected as if it is diamond because of the new laws that prevent it from being mined.
However, in the environmental aspect of the matter, jade should not be mined anymore because mining destroys the lay of the land. Also, the land that is torn apart through mining can never be repaired. Also, because the supply of jade in West China is running out, it would be best to stop mining for jade so that over time more can form.
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