30 Goals Challenge: Goal 3

For goal #3, I have to start an adventure. My adventure will be occurring this summer, and it terrifies me yet excites me at the same time. My uncle, aunt, brother, and cousins have all worked at a volunteer special needs camp, Camp Fatima, for numerous years. No one gets paid, and each adult is given a special needs child, adult, or senior citizen, to be the counselor for an entire week. Though it may sound terrible and easy to some, it is extremely difficult but quite rewarding. Now that I am 18 years old, I am able to be a counselor. Because I want to major in special ed at Wheelock, I will be working as a counselor this summer. I am frightened, knowing that a person's life is in my hands for an entire week, but I know this will be great preparation and a good indicator of what kind of special education teacher I will be. Luckily I will have my uncle and brother this summer with me, but I will not know anyone else, and it scares me. That will be my adventure for the summer, and hopefully many more summers to come.

30 Goals Challenge: Goal 1

Well, for goal #1, I have to write a diary. I'll be honest, I keep a journal at home to write down some of my thoughts. To be even more honest, it's the best therapy for myself. Whenever my friends are upset or sad, I tell them every time to write it down. Firstly, it helps you look back later on about what you were so mad about. Secondly, when you write, you're telling yourself things that you know already, but by literally showing it on a piece of paper. It really helps me think.

Obama finds Osama

Last night was just like any other Sunday night - procrastinating doing my homework, listening to music, and catching up on life on Facebook. As I was talking to my brother, I turned back to the computer screen to find three statuses: "Bin Laden is dead", "good job USA", and "God bless America". I jumped on ABC News to find out that Bin Laden has been killed by US troops. My brother and I were shocked for two reasons: 1) the man America has been trying to kill for nearly a decade, the world's most wanted man, is finally dead, and 2) we discovered one of the most historic, thrilling, and shocking events of our lifetime through Facebook. I have never been more thankful for having a computer as I was last night. Because I was procrastinating doing my work, I was able to find out about Bin Laden's death, learn more information on ABC News, and watch Obama's message on the TV. Then, I immediately thought about the next presidential election and how this will affect his campaign. Perhaps Republicans who don't like him will reconsider, now knowing that America's #1 target is no longer alive.

College vs. Facebook

Though I do believe Facebook can be extremely distracting, I also feel that the people who use it can't take advantage of these social network websites. I've learned throughout my four years of high school as well as the four years of having Facebook, that I need to know the difference between work and laziness, and I think I've managed to distinguish the two.
Whenever I have an important paper to write, I sign off Facebook, sometimes I even hide my computer. One time, in fact, I deleted my account for the time being. After I felt I did a successful job, that's when I went back to my Facebooking. Those who can't determine what's important - completing homework or updating a new status - that's their own fault for not being successful in college.

EyePad

I've noticed from these iPads that they're mainly used for games and tools, which makes it difficult to type papers, for instance, which a laptop can offer. Don't get me wrong, I love iPads. I'm completely a Mac girl, but for these instances, I find it difficult to say that I would totally change my way of learning to iPads, because it's very different. However, my uncle, who you can call the "Mac Expert", got a portable keyboard to plug into the iPad, treating it like a laptop. I think that's a convenient method.

iPad Apps

The iPad app "Simply Find It" is not only educational, but fun too. To be honest, I only installed it because it was free, but I grew to really like it. It's a game of multiple levels that gives you 2 pictures, and asks you to find the differences between the two. Though it seems easy, the levels advance more quickly. It works the visual senses and the mind, because you're being timed to finish the level, otherwise you start back at square one. I truly enjoyed playing this game, because I love being raced against time.

Contradiction Conversation

For the past two days in my English, we've been having class debates. Not just any debates, though. The first day, one half of the classroom had to defend its side that the government should not have any control of the media, such as books, television, and video games. The other side was given the argument that government should have control. The next day, the pro-control group had to become anti-control, and vice versa. It was interesting seeing my classmates contradict themselves from the day before, however, it did teach me a lesson. I actually discovered that the people that were on the opposite side of their actual beliefs defended themselves better than if they were on the side they actually supported. For instance, for my pro-control side, I came up with better arguments than if I were on the anti-control side, because I wasn't biased. I used sensible ideas, because I'm not so attached to having control over media. This, quite honestly, was my favorite lesson I've learned this year, because it was so much fun, yet it was extremely educational.