The other day, I was reading an article in the Honolulu Advertiser (which I am unable to find and link to right now) about traffic fatalities. It said that we have had the most traffic fatalities this year. To me, this seems easy to believe but at the same time, really weird.
At the beginning of 2007, HPD wanted to cut down on the number of speeders. They chose specific spots to catch speeders. For example, on Kal. Highway, one night my dad & I counted 11 cops from the freeway to Hawaii Kai. People began driving slower, even if it was still 5 mph or so above the speed limit, people were slowing down and becoming safer drivers. HPD also continued their "click-it or ticket" campaign, encouraging residents to buckle-up or get cited for not doing so. Another thing was HPD began enforcing the crosswalk law which made it illegal to drive through a crosswalk unless pedestrians were safely off that half of the street.
Because of all these newly enforced policies, I can't imagine how there are still so many traffic fatalities. People just need to drive safer and not only because they might get a ticket, but because our roads are becoming really dangerous.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
licensed drivers
Here's an article from the Star-Bulletin.
I am very bothered by the provisional license policy. Maybe it's because I fall into the group of teenagers whose sixteenth birthdays fell after January 2006, and therefore, have a provisional license, but I really don't like this law. I admit to violating the stupid laws that are associated with the provisional license. Honestly, I know very few people who carry ONE passenger with them all the time or drive only between 5am-11pm.
I was also told that you have to pay an additional $12 when you change from a provisional license to a regular license. To me, it seems like the DMV is stealing our money. Honestly, it's way more convenient to have a "real" license, and you've already waited six months for it, shouldn't they just give it to you? A "real" license means that you've driven without infractions for the six months that you had your provisional, shouldn't it be somewhat of a reward?
There is a very big double standard for teenagers and adults. I guess it could be necessary when you look at all the traffic accidents involving teenagers, but I would have to say that there are MANY adult drivers who take just as many risks and drive just as poor as, if not worse than, teenagers. The city and state have been pushing people to carpool because it eases the flow of traffic and conserves gas. However, it is illegal for many teenagers to carpool becasue of this policy.
What bothers me the most is that this law is virtually unenforceable. As the article says, ONLY 66 teenagers have been caught since the law has been put into effect. This is because teenagers cannot be pulled over for simply looking suspicious; if they are cited for provisional license violations, it is because of another infraction. I hate to sound bitter just because I am affected by this law, but I find it rather pointless.
I am very bothered by the provisional license policy. Maybe it's because I fall into the group of teenagers whose sixteenth birthdays fell after January 2006, and therefore, have a provisional license, but I really don't like this law. I admit to violating the stupid laws that are associated with the provisional license. Honestly, I know very few people who carry ONE passenger with them all the time or drive only between 5am-11pm.
I was also told that you have to pay an additional $12 when you change from a provisional license to a regular license. To me, it seems like the DMV is stealing our money. Honestly, it's way more convenient to have a "real" license, and you've already waited six months for it, shouldn't they just give it to you? A "real" license means that you've driven without infractions for the six months that you had your provisional, shouldn't it be somewhat of a reward?
There is a very big double standard for teenagers and adults. I guess it could be necessary when you look at all the traffic accidents involving teenagers, but I would have to say that there are MANY adult drivers who take just as many risks and drive just as poor as, if not worse than, teenagers. The city and state have been pushing people to carpool because it eases the flow of traffic and conserves gas. However, it is illegal for many teenagers to carpool becasue of this policy.
What bothers me the most is that this law is virtually unenforceable. As the article says, ONLY 66 teenagers have been caught since the law has been put into effect. This is because teenagers cannot be pulled over for simply looking suspicious; if they are cited for provisional license violations, it is because of another infraction. I hate to sound bitter just because I am affected by this law, but I find it rather pointless.
Monday, March 26, 2007
athletics
This is somewhat of a continuation on my previous post about March Madness.
I was watching a TV special while I was on the mainland that investigated "made-up" prep schools on the mainland, mostly in Florida. Apparently, it's really easy to start a school in Florida as long as you have money. They mentioned something like all you had to do was fill out an application on the internet and have $500,000 or so.
Once these schools became "official," they were put into a certain league for athletics. Then, these schools began recruiting basketball players. They got a lot of attention for their success in the athletics field. These "fake" prep schools were very successful in the national and/or regional level. The players were then recruited my Division I college teams and were already being followed by NBA scouts.
These schools claimed to have rigorous academic programs, but didn't. A majority of the students received A's for doing very little work. The NCAA has a policy where if you have a certain GPA, you need a certain SAT score to be eligible to play, the higher your GPA, the lower your SAT score that you need. These basketball players then needed something like an 800 (math and reading combined) to be eligible for Division I basketball.
After these schools would win a championship, they would then shut down, never heard from again. When I saw this program, I was in disbelief. How can the state of Florida actually allow schools like this to exist. It's almost as if the Florida government could care less about moral incorrectness of these schools and are solely promoting basketball. You could argue that these schools are getting these athletes recognized in a field that they wouldn't've been recognized in if they had attended a public school. However, I feel that if the athlete wanted to pursue basketball in college or on the professional level, they are going to have to work hard to play in those opportunities, why shouldn't they have to work hard on the high school level. I'm just amazed at how our lives revolve around sports in general. Every state wants the recognition of "the most NCAA Div. I Basketball players" or "the most NBA players", etc. In a way, these teenagers are being used to promote the state of Florida.
I was watching a TV special while I was on the mainland that investigated "made-up" prep schools on the mainland, mostly in Florida. Apparently, it's really easy to start a school in Florida as long as you have money. They mentioned something like all you had to do was fill out an application on the internet and have $500,000 or so.
Once these schools became "official," they were put into a certain league for athletics. Then, these schools began recruiting basketball players. They got a lot of attention for their success in the athletics field. These "fake" prep schools were very successful in the national and/or regional level. The players were then recruited my Division I college teams and were already being followed by NBA scouts.
These schools claimed to have rigorous academic programs, but didn't. A majority of the students received A's for doing very little work. The NCAA has a policy where if you have a certain GPA, you need a certain SAT score to be eligible to play, the higher your GPA, the lower your SAT score that you need. These basketball players then needed something like an 800 (math and reading combined) to be eligible for Division I basketball.
After these schools would win a championship, they would then shut down, never heard from again. When I saw this program, I was in disbelief. How can the state of Florida actually allow schools like this to exist. It's almost as if the Florida government could care less about moral incorrectness of these schools and are solely promoting basketball. You could argue that these schools are getting these athletes recognized in a field that they wouldn't've been recognized in if they had attended a public school. However, I feel that if the athlete wanted to pursue basketball in college or on the professional level, they are going to have to work hard to play in those opportunities, why shouldn't they have to work hard on the high school level. I'm just amazed at how our lives revolve around sports in general. Every state wants the recognition of "the most NCAA Div. I Basketball players" or "the most NBA players", etc. In a way, these teenagers are being used to promote the state of Florida.
March Madness
"March Madness" has consumed our society.
I know many people who never follow any college sports, who filled out a bracket and became robots, glued to the television and internet following their Final Four picks. Even facebook, a network dedicated to look for classmates and stay connected, has devoted a section of its website to March Madness. It ranks each individual within their network (high school, college, region, company, etc.) and amongst their friends.
It seems like every television station dedicates some time to update the nation on which teams won, what games were major upsets (virtually none this season), etc. The same appears true for every major internet website, like MSN, AOL, etc.
I always knew that America had a strange obsession with sports and athletics, but never before did it seem so apparent. Has America's obsession with sports grown, or have I just been more oblivious to it? Perhaps, it deals with the technology, and the fact that the information about each game and each team is more readily available.
I know many people who never follow any college sports, who filled out a bracket and became robots, glued to the television and internet following their Final Four picks. Even facebook, a network dedicated to look for classmates and stay connected, has devoted a section of its website to March Madness. It ranks each individual within their network (high school, college, region, company, etc.) and amongst their friends.
It seems like every television station dedicates some time to update the nation on which teams won, what games were major upsets (virtually none this season), etc. The same appears true for every major internet website, like MSN, AOL, etc.
I always knew that America had a strange obsession with sports and athletics, but never before did it seem so apparent. Has America's obsession with sports grown, or have I just been more oblivious to it? Perhaps, it deals with the technology, and the fact that the information about each game and each team is more readily available.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
apprehension
Like every other high school student, I'm very anxious for spring break and for this week to finally be finished. I'm excited to just relax and not worry about studying or homework. I'm feel so relieved that there's only one more week.
I'm kind of disappointed that I'm going to be gone for a portion of the break. Everyday I watch the seniors become more sentimental about graduating and leaving everyone and everything behind. It's weird, last year, I was close to many of the members of the class of 2006, but I don't remember all of this sentiment. No one seemed apprehensive to leave or felt the need to repair all of their friendships and dramas that they had experienced during high school. All of this apprehension and sentiment seems to be rubbing off on me. Maybe it's because I feel a lot closer to being a senior than I did last year.
I'm staring to feel like the fact that I'm leaving for break means that I'm missing out on whatever is happening at home. Now that I think about it, I don't want to leave Hawaii until I graduate. I mean, I pretty much have two more summers, one more winter, and two more spring breaks before I leave. People say that it doesn't matter because everyone comes home for summer and Christmas, so everything's pretty much the same. I know this isn't true. I know people who aren't going to be home for summer. It's just sad to have to admit how much I hate change and to think about how everyone just has to deal with change, no matter how much they hate it.
I'm kind of disappointed that I'm going to be gone for a portion of the break. Everyday I watch the seniors become more sentimental about graduating and leaving everyone and everything behind. It's weird, last year, I was close to many of the members of the class of 2006, but I don't remember all of this sentiment. No one seemed apprehensive to leave or felt the need to repair all of their friendships and dramas that they had experienced during high school. All of this apprehension and sentiment seems to be rubbing off on me. Maybe it's because I feel a lot closer to being a senior than I did last year.
I'm staring to feel like the fact that I'm leaving for break means that I'm missing out on whatever is happening at home. Now that I think about it, I don't want to leave Hawaii until I graduate. I mean, I pretty much have two more summers, one more winter, and two more spring breaks before I leave. People say that it doesn't matter because everyone comes home for summer and Christmas, so everything's pretty much the same. I know this isn't true. I know people who aren't going to be home for summer. It's just sad to have to admit how much I hate change and to think about how everyone just has to deal with change, no matter how much they hate it.
urban legends && mysteries
The other day, I was going through last year's Oahuan. I never noticed that the theme of "the code" actually played a role in our school, it didn't just have to do with the growing popularity of The Da Vinci Code. Apparently, the purpose of the theme was to help students uncover one of the biggest mysteries: the dome in Pauahi.
I must have been too busy flipping through the pictures and reading senior sections last year to notice that the Oahuan staff actually provided clues to how to get to the dome. There's a hidden trap door and a spiral staircase. Inside the dome, there's nothing. There used to be a telescope inside, but it was later moved. I wonder how many students have managed to get up there. My friend has made it her mission before she graduates to somehow make it up there, or at least figure out how to get there. I wonder why no one has bothered to pass on the information on how to get there.
Another mystery deals with the secret tunnels that were built during World War Two. Do they even exist? It doesn't help that our school is known for gossiping; everyone has their own stories about them. Everyone claims that they have heard different things. I've heard that there's a tunnel which goes from the academy area to Rocky Hill, or that there's a tunnel which goes from Alexander to Cooke, which would be really useful when it rains. Someone else told me that they're all closed up now, but I've also heard that the tunnels are used for storage. It's difficult to know who to believe. I wonder if people just started these "urban legends" for the fun of it, and there are no secret, underground tunnels.
I must have been too busy flipping through the pictures and reading senior sections last year to notice that the Oahuan staff actually provided clues to how to get to the dome. There's a hidden trap door and a spiral staircase. Inside the dome, there's nothing. There used to be a telescope inside, but it was later moved. I wonder how many students have managed to get up there. My friend has made it her mission before she graduates to somehow make it up there, or at least figure out how to get there. I wonder why no one has bothered to pass on the information on how to get there.
Another mystery deals with the secret tunnels that were built during World War Two. Do they even exist? It doesn't help that our school is known for gossiping; everyone has their own stories about them. Everyone claims that they have heard different things. I've heard that there's a tunnel which goes from the academy area to Rocky Hill, or that there's a tunnel which goes from Alexander to Cooke, which would be really useful when it rains. Someone else told me that they're all closed up now, but I've also heard that the tunnels are used for storage. It's difficult to know who to believe. I wonder if people just started these "urban legends" for the fun of it, and there are no secret, underground tunnels.
Friday, March 9, 2007
the coffee empire
One of the things I love about not starting at 7:30, is being able to stop at Starbucks or Coffee Bean before starting school. It's a rare occasion that I get to have caffeine made by a trained barista as opposed to myself.
My dad, who is a tad frugal, always complains about this extravagance. There's this theory that he likes to tell just about everyone who goes to Starbucks and other coffee joints regularly called "the latte factor." I'm not sure who else had heard of this, but basically it says that if you eliminate your morning Starbucks, you could be a millionaire. I'm not sure how true this statement really is. I mean, if you get a coffee every morning it could run you about $5 or so. $5x365 is a pretty big number if I did my math correctly: $1,825. To make this theory plausible, I think it's saying that you have to eliminate all extravagances and unnecessary purchases, not just your morning coffee. This theory reminds me of Peter Singer, the man who wrote "The Singer Solution to World Poverty" or something like that, except that you are using the money to benefit yourself rather than help a cause.
I'm always amazed at just how much money the big coffee companies make. Whenever I go into Starbucks there's always other people in there. I went to Seattle in September with other students at my school. Seattle is known for its coffee. Starbucks originated in Seattle, but there are supposedly many good, small coffee chains. I wouldn't know because instead of trying the coffee from the local coffee shops, we immediately rushed to Starbucks mostly because it was the original Starbucks, and we were all interested in getting the special gift card that was only sold at that Starbucks. It's really sad that we live in this mindset where we automatically associate good coffee with Starbucks and are so closed-minded that we are unable to branch out and experience the unknown.
My dad, who is a tad frugal, always complains about this extravagance. There's this theory that he likes to tell just about everyone who goes to Starbucks and other coffee joints regularly called "the latte factor." I'm not sure who else had heard of this, but basically it says that if you eliminate your morning Starbucks, you could be a millionaire. I'm not sure how true this statement really is. I mean, if you get a coffee every morning it could run you about $5 or so. $5x365 is a pretty big number if I did my math correctly: $1,825. To make this theory plausible, I think it's saying that you have to eliminate all extravagances and unnecessary purchases, not just your morning coffee. This theory reminds me of Peter Singer, the man who wrote "The Singer Solution to World Poverty" or something like that, except that you are using the money to benefit yourself rather than help a cause.
I'm always amazed at just how much money the big coffee companies make. Whenever I go into Starbucks there's always other people in there. I went to Seattle in September with other students at my school. Seattle is known for its coffee. Starbucks originated in Seattle, but there are supposedly many good, small coffee chains. I wouldn't know because instead of trying the coffee from the local coffee shops, we immediately rushed to Starbucks mostly because it was the original Starbucks, and we were all interested in getting the special gift card that was only sold at that Starbucks. It's really sad that we live in this mindset where we automatically associate good coffee with Starbucks and are so closed-minded that we are unable to branch out and experience the unknown.
Monday, March 5, 2007
technology
I'm really amazed at the technology our school is using, especially for this class. I mean, we're connected to with other students around the world through these blogs. We also have our "wikispace." I feel like I'm no longer in a traditional English class, but then again, has this ever been "traditional"? I mean, we get graded on quantity rather than quality for our journal, something that's pretty much unheard of in a junior-senior English course. We still haven't used all of this technology enough to really discover if it works. But in all honesty, is writing all of this out on a computer really that much better than the traditional, never-failing, less distracting pencil and composition book?
Even the iPods we use in class are such an advancement. We used them in Spanish to record dialogues and then replay them to the class. I said that that is why kids from our school are considered spoiled, stuck-up, rich kids. Seriously. What kind of school purchases so many iPods and doesn't even use them for their original purpose, to hold music? Or, would it have really been that difficult to actually stand up in front of the class to present our dialogue?
Mr. Watson was telling us how he's skyping with teachers globally and then how he's going to turn it into a podcast. Two years ago, we would have no idea what he was talking about. If you tell this to anyone over forty, they'll also be lost. I never imagined that as a student, I would be part of this transition to an interactive classroom. I mean, with this technology, soon we won't even have to go to class. We could all just stay at home and watch podcasts of each lesson or skype with our teachers and other students while in our pajamas. I guess technology moves way faster than you would expect. I mean, in twenty years, iPods will be antiques, no one will remember when they were the latest and greatest thing.
Even the iPods we use in class are such an advancement. We used them in Spanish to record dialogues and then replay them to the class. I said that that is why kids from our school are considered spoiled, stuck-up, rich kids. Seriously. What kind of school purchases so many iPods and doesn't even use them for their original purpose, to hold music? Or, would it have really been that difficult to actually stand up in front of the class to present our dialogue?
Mr. Watson was telling us how he's skyping with teachers globally and then how he's going to turn it into a podcast. Two years ago, we would have no idea what he was talking about. If you tell this to anyone over forty, they'll also be lost. I never imagined that as a student, I would be part of this transition to an interactive classroom. I mean, with this technology, soon we won't even have to go to class. We could all just stay at home and watch podcasts of each lesson or skype with our teachers and other students while in our pajamas. I guess technology moves way faster than you would expect. I mean, in twenty years, iPods will be antiques, no one will remember when they were the latest and greatest thing.
Lent
I gave up rice for lent, not just white rice, but all rice. Everyone thinks I'm crazy. I think it's because I'm Asian so I am automatically stereotyped. Everyone associates me with eating rice everyday. It's very true. I mean, I'm full Japanese. I do eat rice at least once a day, sometimes twice, and on occasion, three times. I decided to give up rice for lent because I wanted to challenge myself. I wasn't sure if I could do it, I'm still not sure if I can. I mean, it has only been a week and a half but so far, I think I'm doing well.
I'm still really surprised at how so few people actually know about lent and what it means. Growing up, I never considered myself a devout Christian, but I went to church and Sunday school quite frequently, not every week, but frequent enough. Religion seems to matter less and less as we grow up; I don't even go to church anymore, and I'm guilty of taking the occasional nap in chapel. I was really shocked that no one knew the significance of sacrifice and why it's supposed to be something meaningful. I guess it shows how ignorant I am. Last year, spring camp was on Easter Sunday. I was really surprised at how few people knew about the symbolism in eggs and new-born farm animals. Once again, proving my ignorance.
This year, I wanted to do something challenging. Plus, I didn't want to give up something unnecessary and seemingly immature like most of the people my age do. For example, so many girls especially, give up MySpace or AIM. I guess they are giving up something important to them, and they're doing something that is difficult to do, but somehow, I couldn't bring myself to do that It's actually really sad how I don't want to associate myself with these people. I mean, aren't they "normal" teenager? Don't I want to be a "normal" teenager?
I'm still really surprised at how so few people actually know about lent and what it means. Growing up, I never considered myself a devout Christian, but I went to church and Sunday school quite frequently, not every week, but frequent enough. Religion seems to matter less and less as we grow up; I don't even go to church anymore, and I'm guilty of taking the occasional nap in chapel. I was really shocked that no one knew the significance of sacrifice and why it's supposed to be something meaningful. I guess it shows how ignorant I am. Last year, spring camp was on Easter Sunday. I was really surprised at how few people knew about the symbolism in eggs and new-born farm animals. Once again, proving my ignorance.
This year, I wanted to do something challenging. Plus, I didn't want to give up something unnecessary and seemingly immature like most of the people my age do. For example, so many girls especially, give up MySpace or AIM. I guess they are giving up something important to them, and they're doing something that is difficult to do, but somehow, I couldn't bring myself to do that It's actually really sad how I don't want to associate myself with these people. I mean, aren't they "normal" teenager? Don't I want to be a "normal" teenager?
Sunday, March 4, 2007
the "social injustice"
I was browsing for through my notebook for more, "essay-game" type of topics to write about. I wrote about this article written published in the UH newspaper regarding carnival. This article pretty much bashes our school and upholds all the stuck-up, spoiled, rich kids, rumors. It says that carnival makes the "poor poorer and the rich richer."
It definitely exposes the author's ignorance. I know I am probably biased, but this article was very upsetting. The author obviously has done little or no research. He has no idea where the money from carnival actually goes. He claims that it is not used to help anyone, but only to make the rich even richer, a false statement.
I hate being associated with this group because of all the stereotypes and generalizations. I mean, I definitely do NOT drive my own BMW and wear designer clothing. In one of the psycho-social classes I remember discussing if anyone had ever lied about going to our school; I definitely have, mostly because I don't like being called a stuck-up, spoiled ho. From what I can remember, most of the kids in the discussion had also lied. I'm not saying that I don't like going to the school that I do attend, because I am definitely glad that I have had the opportunity to have the education that I do, but I wish people weren't so ignorant and were a little more open-minded.
It definitely exposes the author's ignorance. I know I am probably biased, but this article was very upsetting. The author obviously has done little or no research. He has no idea where the money from carnival actually goes. He claims that it is not used to help anyone, but only to make the rich even richer, a false statement.
I hate being associated with this group because of all the stereotypes and generalizations. I mean, I definitely do NOT drive my own BMW and wear designer clothing. In one of the psycho-social classes I remember discussing if anyone had ever lied about going to our school; I definitely have, mostly because I don't like being called a stuck-up, spoiled ho. From what I can remember, most of the kids in the discussion had also lied. I'm not saying that I don't like going to the school that I do attend, because I am definitely glad that I have had the opportunity to have the education that I do, but I wish people weren't so ignorant and were a little more open-minded.
"Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose." - The Wonder Years
Your memory is a visual or mental scrapbook. No one wants to save memories that they hate: memories of loss, heartbreak, rejection, fear, death, etc. You only want to remember the good and positive, overwriting all of the negative images.
For example, my brother, sister, and I constantly fought growing up. I can vaguely remember what would actually happen. I do remember when my brother was really into WWF and professional wrestling and would practice on my sister and I. I think I can remember that now because it's one of those, "remember that time..." stories that are always hilarious and can be told over and over again. I think I'll always remember the more positive images of the two of them. Some of them aren't necessarily more positive, but they're definitely more meaningful. Like, when my sister and I go shopping together and the talks we have there. Or, what my brother wrote to me in his senior section, how I felt when he left for college in the fall, how he responds to my text messages, etc.
It's actually really strange how you can remember only certain things. For example, in tramatic events like car accidents and such, like in the essay we're reading in class. I don't quite remember the exact wording, but Stephen King compares his memory of this day to a film strip with missing scenes. I really would like to analyze this one day or at least get my questions about memory answered. Why does your brain only preserve bits and pieces of certain incidents? Does it have to do with the dramtic-ness of incident? Or is it a mind-over-matter instance, where you don't want to remember it, so you just don't?
For example, my brother, sister, and I constantly fought growing up. I can vaguely remember what would actually happen. I do remember when my brother was really into WWF and professional wrestling and would practice on my sister and I. I think I can remember that now because it's one of those, "remember that time..." stories that are always hilarious and can be told over and over again. I think I'll always remember the more positive images of the two of them. Some of them aren't necessarily more positive, but they're definitely more meaningful. Like, when my sister and I go shopping together and the talks we have there. Or, what my brother wrote to me in his senior section, how I felt when he left for college in the fall, how he responds to my text messages, etc.
It's actually really strange how you can remember only certain things. For example, in tramatic events like car accidents and such, like in the essay we're reading in class. I don't quite remember the exact wording, but Stephen King compares his memory of this day to a film strip with missing scenes. I really would like to analyze this one day or at least get my questions about memory answered. Why does your brain only preserve bits and pieces of certain incidents? Does it have to do with the dramtic-ness of incident? Or is it a mind-over-matter instance, where you don't want to remember it, so you just don't?
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