High school. What a paradox of standards. The education department tries to instill a love of learning, yet most students don't even want to be there. They're forced to attend school against their will, sit in a classroom for 7 hours, and come home to 4 grueling hours of homework. By middle school, kids have already lost their interest.
Then, there's the whole motto of "Diversity, Honor, Success" which doesn't seem to work real well. The classes are largely segregated based on cognitive abilities. Cafeteria tables separate boys from girls (admittedly because of the kids). People cheat on tests, steal others' school supplies, and vandalize the bathrooms. Not to mention the drop out rate. Where’s the "diversity, honor, and success"? The reality of high school mixed with the not completely far-fetched ideals of the school system creates an everyday paradox of hypocrisy.
As for me, I live my life counting. Counting the minutes until the next bell. My life is divided into three sections. First, there's the morning part. I enter my day to a warm shower, music filling my ears, and a giant breakfast for eight. Then by 8:35, the second part of my day begins. I measure the seven hours by classes. I think..."One class down, three more to go. Second block is over, only half a day left!!!" That is my school life. The ticking of the clock and ringing of the bell signaling the end of another "lovely" class. Outside, during the third part of my day, I measure time by the things I have to accomplish. When I have finished them all, my day is done.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Two-Faced Icons
Parents. You would think that a two-syllable word would be easy enough to understand. However, the seven letters hold in them a vast whirlpool of emotions. For starters, we all hate parents at some point or another. But why??? Is it the constant nagging about what you're doing, whom you're hanging with, what time you'll be home, or whether all your homework is completed? Or is it that parents have some crazy, disillusioned idea that no matter how old you are they will always be right about everything? Or is it that parents don't give you any freedom and responsibility until they realize your full potential of running their errands for them?
Whichever one of these you hate most, you can't help but love them. Parents support you when you struggle. They love you when you fail. And, they do whatever necessary to get you back on your feet. Despite the frequent arguing and angry words spoken, you almost have to look up to their persistence and patience in leading you toward the path of integrity. Parents are an idol among idols. Modest and often forgotten, they shape us into the people we become. Whether they physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually guide us, parents always (no matter good or bad) have an effect on our lives.
Whichever one of these you hate most, you can't help but love them. Parents support you when you struggle. They love you when you fail. And, they do whatever necessary to get you back on your feet. Despite the frequent arguing and angry words spoken, you almost have to look up to their persistence and patience in leading you toward the path of integrity. Parents are an idol among idols. Modest and often forgotten, they shape us into the people we become. Whether they physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually guide us, parents always (no matter good or bad) have an effect on our lives.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Past, Present, and Future
"Every cloud has a silver lining."
-Unknown
"Hey old friend, together
Side by side and year by year
The road was filled with twists and turns
Oh but that's the road that got us here.
Let's move past the bad times
But before those memories fade
Let's forgive but not forget
And learn from all the mistakes we made"
-Hairspray Cast
"Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past."
-George Orwell, 1984
What's one thing every living person has in common, no matter how old and no matter how young? Their past molded them into who they are now, and they await the future to see who they will later become. Everyone changes either physically, emotionally, or spiritually. In my opinion, the three quotes listed above connects to everyone in the world in some way or another.
For me, an optimistic lifestyle is the way to go. No matter what has happened or what will eventually happen, I always try to accept the fact that something good(despite its size) will come my way.
Do you ever just find yourself remembering anything and everything that's happened to you? One of my best friends and I often talk about our past together. Whether our minds take us to the most blissful or the most troublesome memories we possess, it's important for us to keep them. I truly believe that people are not different because of how they look, but rather how they have grown up. Every decision made turns us into someone unique. Only one person will ever follow the exact same path.
The last quote, which appears in the novel 1984 by George Orwell, doesn't so much represent me as it just expresses an idea which I find intriguing. Obviously, those who lived in the past have shaped the future into what it has become. As far as present-day people controlling the past is concerned, I'm not sure how that works. In the novel 1984, however, a political party really does control the past. They either destroy all evidence of the past, or they alter any kind of written documentation of a past event. While that seems a bit extreme to me, who knows what kinds of alterations today's society could make to past records. Whatever the end result, you can be sure that our future was somehow shaped by the past.
-Unknown
"Hey old friend, together
Side by side and year by year
The road was filled with twists and turns
Oh but that's the road that got us here.
Let's move past the bad times
But before those memories fade
Let's forgive but not forget
And learn from all the mistakes we made"
-Hairspray Cast
"Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past."
-George Orwell, 1984
What's one thing every living person has in common, no matter how old and no matter how young? Their past molded them into who they are now, and they await the future to see who they will later become. Everyone changes either physically, emotionally, or spiritually. In my opinion, the three quotes listed above connects to everyone in the world in some way or another.
For me, an optimistic lifestyle is the way to go. No matter what has happened or what will eventually happen, I always try to accept the fact that something good(despite its size) will come my way.
Do you ever just find yourself remembering anything and everything that's happened to you? One of my best friends and I often talk about our past together. Whether our minds take us to the most blissful or the most troublesome memories we possess, it's important for us to keep them. I truly believe that people are not different because of how they look, but rather how they have grown up. Every decision made turns us into someone unique. Only one person will ever follow the exact same path.
The last quote, which appears in the novel 1984 by George Orwell, doesn't so much represent me as it just expresses an idea which I find intriguing. Obviously, those who lived in the past have shaped the future into what it has become. As far as present-day people controlling the past is concerned, I'm not sure how that works. In the novel 1984, however, a political party really does control the past. They either destroy all evidence of the past, or they alter any kind of written documentation of a past event. While that seems a bit extreme to me, who knows what kinds of alterations today's society could make to past records. Whatever the end result, you can be sure that our future was somehow shaped by the past.
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