In class, Mr. Watson brought up that all writing is a continuation. No matter how many pieces you write, it's almost like one giant novel. In terms of this course, I would agree with that hypothesis. Each piece of writing (not only the five essays, but also the notebook entries and blog posts) reveals tiny chapters in my life.
I enjoyed the "talent" essay. It was a really good introductory piece and helped me to learn about my classmates. I also thought that it was the most interesting to elbow with. The defining moment essay was more difficult. It was hard for me to write about this moment because a lot of the "defining" characteristics of this moment were feelings and somewhat indescribable.
By far, the most difficult essay was definitely the Public Interest. I think it's because the previous two essays, as well as a majority of my journal entries focused more on myself rather than on the world around me. I really enjoyed the nature essay, but found it difficult to really find someplace in nature that I really connected with. But after I found a place, everything kind of flowed from there. I really enjoyed the interview essay. I learned a lot about my subject and was really able to have fun with it.
Overall, I really enjoyed the freedom that we were allowed in all of the essays. I enjoyed the fact that there were no "thesis" papers and there was no "right way" to write any of the essays.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Thursday, May 17, 2007
State Tournaments
The past few weeks have been filled with finals for sporting events. And Punahou has been in almost all of the state tournaments. My mom claimed that this is just reinforcing the reason that everyone who didn't/doesn't go to Punahou, hates the school.
There was golf. Our school is already well-known for being the institute to educate a certain millionaire-golfer who turned pro just a few years ago. There was also tennis, which we swept. We won triple crowns in both boys and girls (singles, doubles, and overall). There's also girl's basketball and last night we won, so we'll be in the semi-finals tonight. There's also track & field states which begins tomorrow, and I imagine that we'll do quite well there too. And to top all of this off, the most well-known: baseball: 4peat.
To me, it's really amazing that our school is able to excel so much in academics as well as athletics.
There was golf. Our school is already well-known for being the institute to educate a certain millionaire-golfer who turned pro just a few years ago. There was also tennis, which we swept. We won triple crowns in both boys and girls (singles, doubles, and overall). There's also girl's basketball and last night we won, so we'll be in the semi-finals tonight. There's also track & field states which begins tomorrow, and I imagine that we'll do quite well there too. And to top all of this off, the most well-known: baseball: 4peat.
To me, it's really amazing that our school is able to excel so much in academics as well as athletics.
the College Board
My friends and I were discussing how the organizations that students use to get into college make so much money.
First, there is the College Board. This organization is responsible for the SAT's (both reasoning and the subject tests), AP's, and various other tests. To take the SAT, it's about $40, however, if you register late, you are charged yet another fee, and then there's a fee to send your scores to four colleges of your choosing. For the subject tests, it's $8 or so for each additional subject test. So, I took the three subject tests this month. This came to a total of over $50 which seems pretty expensive for four hours of sitting and filling in bubbles in a cold room. Plus, I registered for the June SAT Reasoning test, which is another $40 down the drain.
There's also the ACT, an alternative to the SAT. I registered for the April ACT. However, about an hour after I completed my registration and charged my credit card, I realized that I would be at Spring Camp that day, and therefore, unable to take the test. So, I was charged another $20 to change my testing date, which meant that I was charged $60 before I even took the test.
It's kind of ridiculous how much this has cost my parents, and to think that in a few years, I should just add $40,000 to that amount for college tuition.
First, there is the College Board. This organization is responsible for the SAT's (both reasoning and the subject tests), AP's, and various other tests. To take the SAT, it's about $40, however, if you register late, you are charged yet another fee, and then there's a fee to send your scores to four colleges of your choosing. For the subject tests, it's $8 or so for each additional subject test. So, I took the three subject tests this month. This came to a total of over $50 which seems pretty expensive for four hours of sitting and filling in bubbles in a cold room. Plus, I registered for the June SAT Reasoning test, which is another $40 down the drain.
There's also the ACT, an alternative to the SAT. I registered for the April ACT. However, about an hour after I completed my registration and charged my credit card, I realized that I would be at Spring Camp that day, and therefore, unable to take the test. So, I was charged another $20 to change my testing date, which meant that I was charged $60 before I even took the test.
It's kind of ridiculous how much this has cost my parents, and to think that in a few years, I should just add $40,000 to that amount for college tuition.
Chapel
Yesterday we had one of our last chapels. I must admit that I do skip the occasional chapel because I don't really like to hear the same lecture and fall asleep, but yesterday's chapel was quite enjoyable.
Mr. Dyke spoke to us (the junior class). He is a really intelligent man and is really good at public speaking. He's going on sabbatical next year and I was really disappointed because I was really interested in taking Bible as Lit, a class that he teaches. Anyways, what he told us really made me think about my future as a student here. I mean, next year, we are going to be seniors, it's unbelievable, we're going to be the oldest. I've always been able to look up the classes above ours, I can't imagine three classes looking up to our class. His speech also made me think about our generation and the power that we posess to better or worsen the world and community.
Overall, I'm really glad that I went to chapel this cycle and had the opportunity to hear Mr. Dyke.
Mr. Dyke spoke to us (the junior class). He is a really intelligent man and is really good at public speaking. He's going on sabbatical next year and I was really disappointed because I was really interested in taking Bible as Lit, a class that he teaches. Anyways, what he told us really made me think about my future as a student here. I mean, next year, we are going to be seniors, it's unbelievable, we're going to be the oldest. I've always been able to look up the classes above ours, I can't imagine three classes looking up to our class. His speech also made me think about our generation and the power that we posess to better or worsen the world and community.
Overall, I'm really glad that I went to chapel this cycle and had the opportunity to hear Mr. Dyke.
Sunday, May 6, 2007
DDR
I read this article in the Honolulu Advertiser about introducing "DDR" (Dance Dance Revolution) to public schools as a P.E. supplement. If you don't know what DDR is, it's a popular video game where you "dance" or step on arrows corresponding to the directions on the screen. Personally, I'm not sure what to think about this idea. DDR is definitely fun; I enjoy playing (when only my friends are watching) and watching the intense guys play it at Waialae Bowl, and it can be pretty draining, but how is it going to be used as a supplement for other exercises?
Can you access how much exercise a student is getting based on the rating that they receive? I mean, you can miss the arrows or just have really bad rhythm, but be putting out just as much effort as someone who is more talented at the video game, so you'll get a lower ranking, does this mean you're considered less fit?
Another issue I have with this proposal is the fact that it's a video game. For me, one of the best things about growing up was going to P.E. and getting to escape the classroom walls and run around outside, play dodgeball, etc. I think that this next generation of technologically advanced children will miss out on those opportunities.
Can you access how much exercise a student is getting based on the rating that they receive? I mean, you can miss the arrows or just have really bad rhythm, but be putting out just as much effort as someone who is more talented at the video game, so you'll get a lower ranking, does this mean you're considered less fit?
Another issue I have with this proposal is the fact that it's a video game. For me, one of the best things about growing up was going to P.E. and getting to escape the classroom walls and run around outside, play dodgeball, etc. I think that this next generation of technologically advanced children will miss out on those opportunities.
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