Getahun’s English Blog

Some common stereotypes I believed about high school students included that I thought the athletes would all be arrogant and not care about school, that the popular kids would be mean and exclusive, and that everyone would be divided into rigid cliques like in the movies. I also assumed that upperclassmen would look down on freshmen and that high school would be filled with constant drama. Although, when I actually lived through high school, I realized these stereotypes were very exaggerated and untrue for the most part. While some students did fit those molds a little, most people were way more complex and open than I expected. Overall, I learned that those stereotypes weren’t very accurate, and high school students are a lot more diverse than I originally thought. Absent this day.

A few years ago, when I was volunteering at a local homeless shelter, I realized my perception of homelessness was shaped by stereotypes, in that I had assumed most people there were struggling due to poor life choices or addiction to substances. Although, after hearing stories from individuals who had lost jobs due to illness, fled domestic violence, or faced other hardships, I saw how complex and varied their experiences were. This realization challenged my assumptions and made me more empathetic and less judgmental. I began educating myself on the root and systemic causes of homelessness and made a conscious effort to see people as humans with universal experiences and motives rather than as simply labels. Summary: Today we were introduced to a group project regarding negative stereotypes on a selected culture. My group's selected culture was East Asia. In the project, we must create a 10 slide PowerPoint in which find a film, tv show, or other piece of media that portrays negat...

I remember when a new student moved to the middle school I went to, and because she wore a hijab, I, myself as well as others assumed she was quiet and possibly even oppressed. This single story we created in our heads, shaped by media stereotypes, completely overlooked her outgoing, funny, and independent personality. I saw firsthand how people missed out on knowing her real self because they attached to one narrow perspective. Limiting ourselves to a single story is dangerous because it creates misunderstanding and flattens people's nuances and complexities into one-dimensional characters. To truly see people and cultures more fully, we should stay curious, ask questions, and disregard preconceived notions. Everyone is more than the first impression we might have of them. Summary: Today, we worked on a CommonLit assignment about the danger of a single story. The author describes how stereotypes and assumptions about others can create a harmful single story of various things. She ...

Mastering precise vocabulary can impact your daily communication and academic success through making it easier to express your ideas and feelings correctly and clearly. It makes communication easier because there is less of a chance for others to misinterpret what you are saying and reduces the chance of miscommunication and confusion. A stronger and more precise vocabulary can also increase your confidence because you know you have a strong grasp on the concept or idea you are trying to express, which can help you talk to others or speak up publicly. It can also strengthen academic success because it displays a strong understanding of material and lessons and can put more weight into your arguments which can in turn improve your grades.    Absent this day.

When I become an adult I think I would prefer to live in the city rather than in the suburbs. This is because of the greater convenience of things around, greater cultural diversity, and the greater amount of opportunities that are present compared to the suburbs. When living in the city, most amenities and necessities are nearby and easy to access in contrast to the suburbs where things you need may be miles away. These include grocery stories, public transit, restaurants, and even a job. Also, a city is almost always more culturally diverse than the suburbs. This opens city dwellers up to experience the varying cultures that live together in a city, whether it be through food at restaurants, or music heard in the streets, or languages spoken. Finally, since most companies and organizations tend to settle in urban areas, it provides better opportunities in finding jobs and making important connections. Plus, the environmental benefits are greater from a smaller carbon footprint due to...

I will personally strive to avoid student loan debt in a variety of ways. To start, I will asses my financial situation to see how much I can pay for without having to use loans. This would be done by looking at the cost of attendance compared with how much money I have saved. Next, I'd make sure to focus on my education and making sure to not fail any courses to avoid repeating so that I have to pay more. Additionally, I will search for scholarships to try to get as much of my education cost covered as possible.   Summary: Today we worked on a CommonLit assignment about avoiding student loan debt and differences between for profit and non profit schools. Additionally it gave some steps on how to be better prepared for college and how to choose the one that is right for you. Reflection: I learned that 4 questions to ask yourself when deciding what college to attend are: How selective is the college? Do most students borrow? Do students finish? How much will I earn? 

A vocabulary word from today that resonates with me personally is "nirvana." This word is significant to me because of its meaning of "a condition of great peace or happiness," as well as its association with the rock band and Buddhism. Nirvana is something that everyone strives for in life or in the afterlife, so it could hold significance for a great deal of people. Some personal memories and experiences that link me to this word include going to the beach, birthday parties, and sports games. These experiences were moments of happiness and peace in my life, so I could describe these times as moments of achieving nirvana. The word also holds a strong significance to me because it is the name of one of my favorite rock bands from the 90s and of all time. Furthermore, the band chose its name because of its spiritual and religious meaning in Buddhism of being the ultimate goal and freedom from suffering and the cycle of rebirth. Overall, the word "nirvana" r...

In my freshmen year of high school I tried out for the basketball team, but I did not make it. At this time I hadn't yet reached my growth spurt and I was still learning the game. I was frustrated at the time, but I managed to use it as motivation for the following year. I made the team my sophomore year, and made sure to lock in on getting better at the game and getting stronger. Plus, I had grown over 4 inches during this time period. The initial failure my freshmen year was pivotal, in my growth and success later on. Summary: Today we worked on our discussion questions in class. Reflection: We worked on the discussion questions and I learned that you only truly fail when you give up, and that roadblocks are a part of the journey to success.

I have had experiences in the past where emotions like stress, fear, or emotions made reality feel distorted or unreal. While going trick or treating with my two of my neighbors and my older brother, we were still somewhat young, the oldest of us being in 7th grade, we got lost. We had gone down the road from our home and took a couple turns down various streets, looking for the most inviting houses that we thought would hand out the most candy. After a while, we realized that we didn't know where we were and that we were lost. We tried to find our back but to no avail. At this point, I begun to become stressed and started to panic. Reality started to settle in, and almost seemed to warp. It was dark out, and lightly raining, plus it was freezing cold. All of these factors began to feel overwhelming and my perception of reality became distorted as everything felt more terrifying. Every car that passed by seemed like it could be someone that could try to harm us, the sounds in the d...

A martinet is someone who is strict and abides by rigid rules. I've encountered a few martinets in my life in school and in church. Back in my freshmen year of high school my math teacher, would strictly abide by rules and would never let any rule breaking fly by her radar. She would mark anyone tardy even if they were a minute late, and I had her for first period. She would also give not allow talking in the class 90% of the time. Another time of when I encountered a martinet was my priest at church, whom when teaching during Saturday school, did not tolerate many mistakes, and strived for perfection, as well as not allow tardiness. Understanding the word "martinet" helps improve communication and writing skills as it is a new word that I have learned and can use in my vocabulary when speaking a more advanced level of English, or to add depth and greater meaning when I'm writing or describing something or someone. Summary: Today we looked over 15 vocabulary words and...

I prefer Daylight Savings Time over Standard Time. The main reason for this being the extra hours of sunlight that comes with Daylight Savings Time, which makes the days feel more fulfilling because of the extra light that allows us to stay out longer. These hours are crucial in my memories and creating memories, as well as having events or hanging out in the evenings. Additionally, I love the waking up and getting ready to darker mornings. There is something about the atmosphere and feeling which is more fun and mysterious. I am also not a morning person, so I appreciate the sun not shining in my face early in the morning. I believe that the only drawback of Daylight Savings Time, is the hour of sleep lost, switching to it. Summary: Today, is a virtual learning day, so we were assigned an early NewsELA assignment about Daylight savings through canvas. Reflection: I learned the Benjamin Franklin originally proposed the idea of switching the clock, so that there are extra hour(s) of sun...

When I'm in a mood that I do not like, I try to handle and alleviate my mood in a variety of ways. I may stop what I'm doing at the moment to go outside and go for a walk, or play basketball outdoors. This usually helps calm me down and feel more relaxed and less anxious. The movement and physical activity also boosts my physical and mental state, making me feel reenergized and ready. Another way I may go about changing my mood includes listening to music, most primarily, relaxing or uplifting music. Finally, drawing and other forms of creating art also transforms negative feeling like being angry, stressed, or sad, into better feelings like being relaxed, being at peace, or even creative. Summary: Today, we worked on creating a digital mood board regarding "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. We utilized ai image generator to create pictures to reflect the narrator's varying mental states throughout the novel. We also utilized three pages on Canva ...

A time I felt like I was about to lose my mind was when I was working on an essay for my final exam in a literature class in my sophomore year. The essay was about a book relating to Asian culture and the essay had to do with a character analysis. I had worked on it for weeks. The first couple of days I was brainstorming and drafting my essay. Afterwards, I had rereviewed my essay and wrote a more finalized draft to correct mistakes from the first draft. For my final stage, I had others peer review my essay and checked it myself for grammatical errors and other minor issues. Although, the day I was ready to submit my essay the whole thing was gone. I had worked on it through a Google doc, and when I was ready to turn it in I saw a blank document. I had begun to get extremely worried and angry. I didn't understand how it happened or why it happened. I tried to fix it by clicking undo, but to no avail. I had scrolled through all of my docs to see if I had clicked on the wrong one. I ...

My favorite word right now is "bomboclat." It's my favorite word right now for numerous reasons, and I use it almost everyday in many different situations. First off, I think it is a fun and satisfying word to say, even if it didn't have a meaning. Secondly, it's funny because it can be used to express a ridiculous situation or person, in a harmless way. If someone slips and falls, one could exclaim "Bomboclat!" as in they are clumsy. Hearing Jamaicans say it is even better, as the word has it roots in Jamaica, and they truly emphasize the word. Lastly, it is a strong word that can express a lot of emotion. Summary: Today we looked over our vocabulary words for lesson 11. We wrote sentences using the 15 vocab words, with 1 vocab word in each sentence. Reflection: I learned that the word "lachrymose" means tearful or weepy. When I originally saw the word I thought it pertained to some form of chemical compound or something of that nature.

It is very important for me to retain my cultural foods as I move forward in life. This is because it is an essential aspect of who I am because my culture is a part of me and my heritage. I grew up eating these foods and will forever be familiar with the aroma and feeling of preparing and eating them. I plan to carry on my culture and its foods into adulthood and pass it on eventually when I have kids. Some foods from my culture I don't think I can live without include injera which is a stretchy bread with holes that you eat with various stews and vegetables. Another crucial dish is called kitfo which is essentially ground beef seasoned with spices and vegetables and often eaten with injera. Even if these foods were not to my liking, I would still be bringing them with me as I move forward in life, because I don't want to be the reason a part of culture fizzles out of my family. Absent this day.

If my privacy was invaded online or on my phone I would feel uncomfortable, unsafe, and upset. This is because are phones are so integrated into our lives, essentially being a necessity, and bring it with us wherever we go. Knowing this, if our phone privacy was invaded or our online activity, it would feel like a strong violation because it holds and can reveal intimate and private details of our life that shouldn't be available to others. Those of which include text messages, address, age, relationships, etc. I do believe privacy is a basic civil liberty, and that everyone should have the right to not be interfered with by others regarding certain things. If we didn't have the right to privacy, we would always be conscious of our activity online and on our phones, even in doing regular things, there would always be a sense of skepticism of being watched and general paranoia. Absent this day

This winter break it felt imperative that I was to see my friends and family. While on the way to see them, I had gotten tired of driving so I importuned my friends to drive me around. We ate some food as well but my friend was impecunious, so I had to pay for his chicken alfredo pasta. It wasn't the most ignoble for him to be like that because he is 18 years old and grown. Later on, we continued driving and saw an accident on the road, acting as an impediment, making it take longer to get home after a long day.  Summary: Today we worked on our comic strip in class. Reflection: We worked on the comic strip today and the entirety of the school day felt normal, nothing extraordinary. I learned that impecunious means to have little to no money.

 My idea of a perfect day spent with someone I care about would probably start off by eating breakfast together, and talking to each other about how we're feeling or our plans for the day. Next, we would try to find something fun to do together, which would include something like going to a park, sports event, or concert. Afterwards, we would take the edge off and relax and sort of do our own thing or what we feel like at the moment. By sunset and later is when we'd have a dinner somewhere nice, and exchange gifts to show appreciation. Finally, we'd round off the day by reflecting over past memories and having heartfelt conversations. Summary: Today we spent time in class working on brainstorming and drafting our essay about "The Color Purple" by Alice Walker. My selected essay topic was "Discuss the ways in which characters in 'The Color Purple' respond to and resist oppression and abuse. Explain how personal agency, community support, , and self-dis...

A time when I faced a challenge, an obstacle, or a moment where I had to push myself beyond what I thought was possible was when ​I was working on  a challenging project with a tight deadline, I broke the assignment into smaller steps, focused on one thing at a time, and reached out for additional support when I needed it.   This approach allowed me meet the deadline and also taught me the importance of resilience under pressure. Summary: Today we read a poem called "Still I Rise" by Maya Angelou in class. A poem about self empowerment for black women in the face of oppression. Afterwards, we worked on making a creative one-pager regarding the poem. We incorporated quotations, visuals, vocab words, a personal connection, literary devices, two questions and answers, and two themes into the one-pager. Reflection: I learned that "Still I Rise" by Maya Angelou is a poem about resilience and self-confidence. The poem celebrates black women and their overcoming of discrim...

 A time I had to rely on my mother in a time of need was when I had fractured my leg playing basketball with a group of mostly strangers. When I was 9, I had went to a local gym to play basketball one Saturday afternoon, and at first I was upset because I was getting any playing time. Although, before I left, I had played in one game. During one play, I had jumped up to get a lay-up, and on the way down I landed awkwardly and fractured my leg. Others around me were shocked and didn't know exactly what to do, while I was afraid. When my mom had finally arrived, I felt better from just her being there. From that moment on, everything had been taken care of by her, as I was taken to get treated, and provided extra care. This was a time in my life when my mother was there when I was in need. Summary: Today, we read a poem in class called "The Mothering Blackness" by Maya Angelou, and worked on some annotations and defined the words "mothering" and "blackness....

Some life skills I have learned in high school that will help me live independently after high school are time management, managing money, self care, and communication skills. After high school these skills will help me by keeping a healthy and balanced life. I think that all of these skills will be essentially after high school. Time management is important for all aspects of life and throughout our days, from the moment we get out of bed until we go back to sleep. Managing money is a new skill I picked up on during high school that I will need throughout my life, since it becomes more and more important to be responsible with money, as time goes on, eventually end up having to pay off expenses and allocate funds. Self care is another important life skill I've picked up on more during high school, as part of my success is my health and happiness (health is wealth). Last but not least, communication skills, are vital to getting the help I need and for helping others.  Summary: Toda...

Prompt: My favorite part of watching the Super Bowl is usually the half-time show. This is the case with most people as viewership during the show skyrockets. My favorite part of big events like this are the performances because it's a grand spectacle or art and showmanship that everyone can enjoy. Additionally, it gets viewers excited again and amped to watch the second half of the game. My favorite part after the halftime show would be the actual game, then the commercials after that. Summary: Today, we chose a prompt to write an essay about regarding "The Color Purple" by Alice Walker. Afterwards, we worked on step 1 of the essay making process by brainstorming. We looked at an example of how to brainstorm our essay, with the teacher detailing the process regarding a prompt about changes in gender roles. Reflection: I learned that it's easier and usually more efficient to write the body paragraphs of you essay first, and the introduction afterwards because the hook...

The most challenging part of writing an essay for me is organizing my ideas to create a strong argument or narrative. When tasked with a prompt, I can brainstorm ideas relatively quickly and gain a rough idea for the direction I will take my essay in, but making a detailed outline and structure with my brainstormed ideas is the most difficult part, and usually takes the most time. I plan on overcoming this challenge by working my argument backwards. What I mean by this is instead of using various ideas and arguments to create one strong supported claim, I will do it in reverse by finding a strong, defensible thesis, and building around it with evidence and support. This way, I can be sure of the direction of my essay, without having to go back and change things or even change my claim, making the process more efficient. Absent this day.

 If I had to write a poem about my life right now, it would be about managing the everyday tasks of life and the little things that make a big impact. To me, it feels like everything in life is a balancing act, and you can't put too much weight on one side every, or the other side will come tumbling down. I feel like I could metaphorically represent this in a poem. Also, in my poem I would include details about appreciating the smaller things I often overlook and take for granted, such as friends, family, nature, education, etc. Summary: Today we took notes in class about how to write a good thesis statement for an essay. We also utilized the umbrella method to construct a thesis statement. Reflection: I learned that a thesis statement must be defensible in an argument, and cannot just be a factual statement. 

 A time when I had to speak in front of an audience was at my 6th grade award ceremony. I had the opening and welcoming words to everyone there. I felt like I had a lot to be worried of; stumbling over my own words, a shaky voice, incorrect posture, etc. I rehearsed repeatedly to make sure everything went right when it was time to present. I handled my fears by trying to keep cool through drinking water and controlled breathing, remembering to not read too fast, and to stand straight. When I finally presented everything went smoothly and I got a round of applause, although my voice was a little shaky. Some advice for those struggling with stage fright is to remember that no one cares about you as much as you do, and that at some point in time everyone eventually presents in front of an audience. Summary: Today we took notes on the differences and similarities between formal and informal language and writing. We also noted the key aspects of each and looked at examples, some of whic...

 The biggest difference in the year 2050 from now will not be the appearance of everything, but the way of life for everyone. Despite not looking much different, everything will look a somewhat upgraded. Additionally, engineers and planners will have created better planned cities and hubs with more efficient use of space and transportation. The way of life globally will have become much more easy and efficient. AI and robots can pull off almost any task a human can, such as cleaning, sending emails, driving, coding, manufacturing, etc. Consequently, they have become ingrained in human lives, even in third-world countries. Society will continue to become more interconnected, but certain cultures and languages will die out as a result of this. As an effort from nations worldwide, strides in environmental protection will be present such as, the air will be cleaner, and renewable energy sources will become more dominant. The next two and a half decades from now, will see unprecedented ...

 To: Future Me In the case you eventually look back and actually read this letter, I hope everything took a turn for the best. A lot can happen from 17 to 27 years of age, so I hope that I will have accomplished important steps in my life. I hope I am alive and well and able to take of my parents as they get older, as well as my siblings. A piece of advice I think I should stick by throughout life is that no matter how hard you fell, you must always get up. It sounds somewhat cliche, but it's very important to remember because not everything will go smoothly, and I, as well as others will face obstacles, that challenge the course of our lives. It's never over until you believe its over. Best Regards,  From self in 1/29/25 Summary: Today we read letters 66-70 of "The Color Purple" by Alice Walker, and answered 5 questions regarding the information in the letters. Reflection: I learned that Corinne's actions and reactions reveal that Corrine is possessive and somewh...

 Prompt Response: When I work on a project, the first thing I do is try to understand the goal / end result of the project, and then review the rubric to see what is required and will give you a good grade. Secondly, I start to brainstorm different ideas. Afterwards, I figure out how to assemble the project, including what steps I will take as well as what materials to get. Lastly, I will put in the physical work and put everything together. Also, to be sure I will double check everything before submission. A project I created that I am most proud of is a 3d model brain project I created for AP Psychology. I followed the steps I listed above, and was able to create a realistic looking brain model with labels and description, and I got an A on the project. Summary: Today, we worked on a bubble graph, where we chose a character from "The Color Purple" and identified different things they sacrificed, surrendered, or forfeited on, and then write details to show details of what th...

 A time when I took a hiatus from something important was when I had skipped church for a couple weeks in a row around freshmen year. I did this because I honestly did not feel like going and it had felt like a chore up to that point, and felt like it was wasting my Sundays. I'd usually go with my dad and we would wake up early, usually around 5:30-6 in the morning. I already didn't like waking up early, so doing the same on the weekends, if not earlier, was upsetting. Also, we'd be there until 2-3pm, so around a total of 8 hours. After a while of refusing to go, I started to notice that I felt a void in me, as if a part of me was missing. I understood quickly that it was because I had been missing church, but I didn't want to believe it. It was such an integral part of who I am, and I'd been going all my life, so missing it would definitely impact me. Additionally, I also missed people I'd see there. Eventually, I got back to going to church and if I had felt t...

 Something I heard that I wish I could unhear was the final score in the 2017 NFL Super Bowl. The words, "The New England Patriots are your 2017 Super Bowl Champions" still haunt me. This day was one of the biggest letdowns for anyone in Atlanta, and for me as well. Part of the reason why it is such a painful memory is the fact that the Falcons had held a giant lead of 28-3 midway through the third quarter. Everyone watching was sure that the Falcons had secured the win, but somehow it didn't happen. I, myself and others were already thinking about going to the celebration parade. In short I wish I could unhear and unsee this, as a matter of fact, I wish it was removed from my memory altogether. Summary: Today we did a semester check of everything we haven't and have turned in. Reflection: I learned that a group of crows is called a murder.

 A moment when I felt I had the power to make a difference in someone else's life was when I was helping tutor elementary and middle school kids. I was in the 10th grade, and I was helping kids with their math and reading homework twice a week at the Georgia State University campus in Clarkston. It was also a good time for me to study with other peers. During the tutoring, I felt like I had the power to make a difference in their life, by just adding a little extra practice. I was doing this through trying to make certain things click that weren't clicking. A small difference can go a long way, and it was also a learning process for me as well. I better got to understand how to learn things myself, and to help others learn things.

 Prompt Response: A place where I feel the most at peace is at church. This is because I've been going there all my life, and so I'm familiar with it. Also, it's a space of community, faith, and growth which are all important aspects to promoting inner peace. Another reason why I feel most at peace here is the fact that it's indoors and outdoors, we pray indoors but much of the gathering happens outside in a greenspace, making it the best of both worlds. Last but not least, it is a place where you can remove yourself from the stresses and pressures of your life, and get closer to God.

 A time when someone's words had a lasting impact on me was the moment a friend of mine casually said, “You’re stronger than you think,” during a particularly tough time in my life. At the time, I didn’t believe it, but those words stuck with me. Over time, whenever I faced challenges or felt like giving up, I’d remember that simple, encouraging phrase. It served as a reminder of my own resilience, and it helped me push through obstacles I thought were unconquerable. Sometimes, the smallest words can leave the biggest mark, shaping how we see ourselves and our own abilities.

 I can't recall a specific time I didn't feel like myself, but certain things can definitely make me lose sight of who I am and my worth. Most commonly, when I compare myself to others or my situations to others, which is almost always detrimental. People like to compare themselves to others to see how much better or how much worse they are doing than others, but almost never take into account the varying backgrounds and circumstances we have that can lead to certain situations. This was my case comparing things like economic status, grades, social life, etc. Like the old saying goes, "Comparison is the thief of joy." Focusing too much on how I was doing compared to others made me feel like I wasn't good enough and was somewhat demotivating. This ended up making me feel not true to myself as I was becoming less focused on myself and trying to change myself to "catch up." Although, with time, I realized that comparing myself too much is nonsensical as eve...

A time I had to rely on someone else was when I had fractured my leg playing basketball. This was the first time I had had an injury of this level, and I didn't know how to react. All I know is that I was in pain and needed help. My friends around me were trying to do what they could. They kept me still and called my mom to let her know what happened, and she was immediately alerted and drove my way. While I was being treated at the hospital, I begun to reflect. I reflected on this memory as a time I had to rely on my mom to take me to the hospital, get me medical treatment, and to pay for that treatment, none of which would have been possible without her. It felt worrying but also comforting to know I will always have someone to rely on.

  An object that holds sentimental value for me is my cross necklace for numerous reasons. For starters, it represents my faith and cultural value in following Christ. It's not a regular necklace but an Ethiopian shaped cross called Meskel. My mom got it from Ethiopia in 2019, and she got it from her mother, aka my grandmother, and brought it back home to me. It's important to me because it's also a gift from my grandmother, whom which I haven't seen in over a decade. It's handmade out of silver and bronze, and is tied around a skinny two-strand black rope. 

  A moment when I had to step out of my comfort zone was playing in my first pick up basketball game. I was around 12 years old, and I had gone to a local park with a basketball court with my brother. This was the second time we came here, as the first time we were disappointed to find out it was closed. I didn't want to miss the opportunity to play now, but I was scared to play with strangers. My brother joined fine, but I was hesitant. After contemplating for some time, I decided to just go in and not think too much about it. To my surprise, everyone was cool and not what I expected initially, this experience taught me to get out of my comfort zone more often and helped me gain confidence.

If I were the President of the United States, I would fight inflation, reduce the school week to 4 days, raise minimum wage, make healthcare more accessible, and create more jobs. I'd do these things because inflation is one of the biggest problems facing us today, as things are more expensive than ever because of the loss of value of the dollar, but most Americans aren't making more money to compensate for it. I'd reduce the school week to 4 days because it is much more refreshing and helps students and teachers to balance school life and personal life, as well as work life for some students. Raising the minimum wage would improve the quality of life for those struggling, also healthcare can get very expensive nowadays and it's getting more and more difficult for everyday Americans to pay their medical expenses. Lastly, creating more jobs would help with the economy.

 A dream I had that felt real was a dream where I was traversing sand dunes in the middle east with my mom and some relatives. In the dream, I was lost in a sand storm and when the dust settled I saw my mom, and we just walked across the dunes trying to get somewhere. Along the way, we found some other family members like my sister and cousins. Eventually, we reached a high bridge after hiking up a hill, and as we were crossing the bridge, disaster struck. Another sand storm hit, and in the chaos, the bridge snapped and I was trying to hold on to others to make sure they didn't fall, but the wind was too strong, and as I was falling towards the ground, I happened to wake up. I think part of what made this dream feel so real to me is that I've had it more than once.

 This past holiday break I stayed in for most of the first week. The first two days I went to the ice-skating rink in Atlantic Station with family and friends. On Christmas, I also stayed in and opened gifts with my family. On New Years day until the end of the second week, I stayed at my cousins house, where we celebrated the new year as well as go to the movies and play basketball at a local park. 5 personal goals I want to achieve in 2025 are to wake up early every day of the week, be on time to all of my classes, try more to be a positive impact on others, go to the gym more consistently, and get better at driving. I chose these goals because they will have a positive impact on others and my own life academically, physically, and will help will improve skills I will need for the rest of my life.

Some common stereotypes I believed about high school students included that I thought the athletes would all be arrogant and not care about school, that the popular kids would be mean and exclusive, and that everyone would be divided into rigid cliques like in the movies. I also assumed that upperclassmen would look down on freshmen and that high school would be filled with constant drama. Although, when I actually lived through high school, I realized these stereotypes were very exaggerated and untrue for the most part. While some students did fit those molds a little, most people were way more complex and open than I expected. Overall, I learned that those stereotypes weren’t very accurate, and high school students are a lot more diverse than I originally thought. Absent this day.

I remember when a new student moved to the middle school I went to, and because she wore a hijab, I, myself as well as others assumed she was quiet and possibly even oppressed. This single story we created in our heads, shaped by media stereotypes, completely overlooked her outgoing, funny, and independent personality. I saw firsthand how people missed out on knowing her real self because they attached to one narrow perspective. Limiting ourselves to a single story is dangerous because it creates misunderstanding and flattens people's nuances and complexities into one-dimensional characters. To truly see people and cultures more fully, we should stay curious, ask questions, and disregard preconceived notions. Everyone is more than the first impression we might have of them. Summary: Today, we worked on a CommonLit assignment about the danger of a single story. The author describes how stereotypes and assumptions about others can create a harmful single story of various things. She ...

A few years ago, when I was volunteering at a local homeless shelter, I realized my perception of homelessness was shaped by stereotypes, in that I had assumed most people there were struggling due to poor life choices or addiction to substances. Although, after hearing stories from individuals who had lost jobs due to illness, fled domestic violence, or faced other hardships, I saw how complex and varied their experiences were. This realization challenged my assumptions and made me more empathetic and less judgmental. I began educating myself on the root and systemic causes of homelessness and made a conscious effort to see people as humans with universal experiences and motives rather than as simply labels. Summary: Today we were introduced to a group project regarding negative stereotypes on a selected culture. My group's selected culture was East Asia. In the project, we must create a 10 slide PowerPoint in which find a film, tv show, or other piece of media that portrays negat...

A time when I faced a challenge, an obstacle, or a moment where I had to push myself beyond what I thought was possible was when ​I was working on  a challenging project with a tight deadline, I broke the assignment into smaller steps, focused on one thing at a time, and reached out for additional support when I needed it. This approach allowed me meet the deadline and also taught me the importance of resilience under pressure. Summary: Today we read a poem called "Still I Rise" by Maya Angelou in class. A poem about self empowerment for black women in the face of oppression. Afterwards, we worked on making a creative one-pager regarding the poem. We incorporated quotations, visuals, vocab words, a personal connection, literary devices, two questions and answers, and two themes into the one-pager. Reflection: I learned that "Still I Rise" by Maya Angelou is a poem about resilience and self-confidence. The poem celebrates black women and their overcoming of discrimi...

I have had experiences in the past where emotions like stress, fear, or emotions made reality feel distorted or unreal. While going trick or treating with my two of my neighbors and my older brother, we were still somewhat young, the oldest of us being in 7th grade, we got lost. We had gone down the road from our home and took a couple turns down various streets, looking for the most inviting houses that we thought would hand out the most candy. After a while, we realized that we didn't know where we were and that we were lost. We tried to find our back but to no avail. At this point, I begun to become stressed and started to panic. Reality started to settle in, and almost seemed to warp. It was dark out, and lightly raining, plus it was freezing cold. All of these factors began to feel overwhelming and my perception of reality became distorted as everything felt more terrifying. Every car that passed by seemed like it could be someone that could try to harm us, the sounds in the d...

A time I felt like I was about to lose my mind was when I was working on an essay for my final exam in a literature class in my sophomore year. The essay was about a book relating to Asian culture and the essay had to do with a character analysis. I had worked on it for weeks. The first couple of days I was brainstorming and drafting my essay. Afterwards, I had rereviewed my essay and wrote a more finalized draft to correct mistakes from the first draft. For my final stage, I had others peer review my essay and checked it myself for grammatical errors and other minor issues. Although, the day I was ready to submit my essay the whole thing was gone. I had worked on it through a Google doc, and when I was ready to turn it in I saw a blank document. I had begun to get extremely worried and angry. I didn't understand how it happened or why it happened. I tried to fix it by clicking undo, but to no avail. I had scrolled through all of my docs to see if I had clicked on the wrong one. I ...

Mastering precise vocabulary can impact your daily communication and academic success through making it easier to express your ideas and feelings correctly and clearly. It makes communication easier because there is less of a chance for others to misinterpret what you are saying and reduces the chance of miscommunication and confusion. A stronger and more precise vocabulary can also increase your confidence because you know you have a strong grasp on the concept or idea you are trying to express, which can help you talk to others or speak up publicly. It can also strengthen academic success because it displays a strong understanding of material and lessons and can put more weight into your arguments which can in turn improve your grades.    Absent this day.

This winter break it felt imperative that I was to see my friends and family. While on the way to see them, I had gotten tired of driving so I importuned my friends to drive me around. We ate some food as well but my friend was impecunious, so I had to pay for his chicken alfredo pasta. It wasn't the most ignoble for him to be like that because he is 18 years old and grown. Later on, we continued driving and saw an accident on the road, acting as an impediment, making it take longer to get home after a long day.  Summary: Today we worked on our comic strip in class. Reflection: We worked on the comic strip today and the entirety of the school day felt normal, nothing extraordinary. I learned that impecunious means to have little to no money.

In my freshmen year of high school I tried out for the basketball team, but I did not make it. At this time I hadn't yet reached my growth spurt and I was still learning the game. I was frustrated at the time, but I managed to use it as motivation for the following year. I made the team my sophomore year, and made sure to lock in on getting better at the game and getting stronger. Plus, I had grown over 4 inches during this time period. The initial failure my freshmen year was pivotal, in my growth and success later on. Summary: Today we worked on our discussion questions in class. Reflection: We worked on the discussion questions and I learned that you only truly fail when you give up, and that roadblocks are a part of the journey to success.

I will personally strive to avoid student loan debt in a variety of ways. To start, I will asses my financial situation to see how much I can pay for without having to use loans. This would be done by looking at the cost of attendance compared with how much money I have saved. Next, I'd make sure to focus on my education and making sure to not fail any courses to avoid repeating so that I have to pay more. Additionally, I will search for scholarships to try to get as much of my education cost covered as possible.   Summary: Today we worked on a CommonLit assignment about avoiding student loan debt and differences between for profit and non profit schools. Additionally it gave some steps on how to be better prepared for college and how to choose the one that is right for you. Reflection: I learned that 4 questions to ask yourself when deciding what college to attend are: How selective is the college? Do most students borrow? Do students finish? How much will I earn? 

When I become an adult I think I would prefer to live in the city rather than in the suburbs. This is because of the greater convenience of things around, greater cultural diversity, and the greater amount of opportunities that are present compared to the suburbs. When living in the city, most amenities and necessities are nearby and easy to access in contrast to the suburbs where things you need may be miles away. These include grocery stories, public transit, restaurants, and even a job. Also, a city is almost always more culturally diverse than the suburbs. This opens city dwellers up to experience the varying cultures that live together in a city, whether it be through food at restaurants, or music heard in the streets, or languages spoken. Finally, since most companies and organizations tend to settle in urban areas, it provides better opportunities in finding jobs and making important connections. Plus, the environmental benefits are greater from a smaller carbon footprint due to...

A martinet is someone who is strict and abides by rigid rules. I've encountered a few martinets in my life in school and in church. Back in my freshmen year of high school my math teacher, would strictly abide by rules and would never let any rule breaking fly by her radar. She would mark anyone tardy even if they were a minute late, and I had her for first period. She would also give not allow talking in the class 90% of the time. Another time of when I encountered a martinet was my priest at church, whom when teaching during Saturday school, did not tolerate many mistakes, and strived for perfection, as well as not allow tardiness. Understanding the word "martinet" helps improve communication and writing skills as it is a new word that I have learned and can use in my vocabulary when speaking a more advanced level of English, or to add depth and greater meaning when I'm writing or describing something or someone. Summary: Today we looked over 15 vocabulary words and...

A vocabulary word from today that resonates with me personally is "nirvana." This word is significant to me because of its meaning of "a condition of great peace or happiness," as well as its association with the rock band and Buddhism. Nirvana is something that everyone strives for in life or in the afterlife, so it could hold significance for a great deal of people. Some personal memories and experiences that link me to this word include going to the beach, birthday parties, and sports games. These experiences were moments of happiness and peace in my life, so I could describe these times as moments of achieving nirvana. The word also holds a strong significance to me because it is the name of one of my favorite rock bands from the 90s and of all time. Furthermore, the band chose its name because of its spiritual and religious meaning in Buddhism of being the ultimate goal and freedom from suffering and the cycle of rebirth. Overall, the word "nirvana" r...

When I'm in a mood that I do not like, I try to handle and alleviate my mood in a variety of ways. I may stop what I'm doing at the moment to go outside and go for a walk, or play basketball outdoors. This usually helps calm me down and feel more relaxed and less anxious. The movement and physical activity also boosts my physical and mental state, making me feel reenergized and ready. Another way I may go about changing my mood includes listening to music, most primarily, relaxing or uplifting music. Finally, drawing and other forms of creating art also transforms negative feeling like being angry, stressed, or sad, into better feelings like being relaxed, being at peace, or even creative. Summary: Today, we worked on creating a digital mood board regarding "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. We utilized ai image generator to create pictures to reflect the narrator's varying mental states throughout the novel. We also utilized three pages on Canva ...

My favorite word right now is "bomboclat." It's my favorite word right now for numerous reasons, and I use it almost everyday in many different situations. First off, I think it is a fun and satisfying word to say, even if it didn't have a meaning. Secondly, it's funny because it can be used to express a ridiculous situation or person, in a harmless way. If someone slips and falls, one could exclaim "Bomboclat!" as in they are clumsy. Hearing Jamaicans say it is even better, as the word has it roots in Jamaica, and they truly emphasize the word. Lastly, it is a strong word that can express a lot of emotion. Summary: Today we looked over our vocabulary words for lesson 11. We wrote sentences using the 15 vocab words, with 1 vocab word in each sentence. Reflection: I learned that the word "lachrymose" means tearful or weepy. When I originally saw the word I thought it pertained to some form of chemical compound or something of that nature.

My idea of a perfect day spent with someone I care about would probably start off by eating breakfast together, and talking to each other about how we're feeling or our plans for the day. Next, we would try to find something fun to do together, which would include something like going to a park, sports event, or concert. Afterwards, we would take the edge off and relax and sort of do our own thing or what we feel like at the moment. By sunset and later is when we'd have a dinner somewhere nice, and exchange gifts to show appreciation. Finally, we'd round off the day by reflecting over past memories and having heartfelt conversations. Summary: Today we spent time in class working on brainstorming and drafting our essay about "The Color Purple" by Alice Walker. My selected essay topic was "Discuss the ways in which characters in 'The Color Purple' respond to and resist oppression and abuse. Explain how personal agency, community support, , and self-disc...

I prefer Daylight Savings Time over Standard Time. The main reason for this being the extra hours of sunlight that comes with Daylight Savings Time, which makes the days feel more fulfilling because of the extra light that allows us to stay out longer. These hours are crucial in my memories and creating memories, as well as having events or hanging out in the evenings. Additionally, I love the waking up and getting ready to darker mornings. There is something about the atmosphere and feeling which is more fun and mysterious. I am also not a morning person, so I appreciate the sun not shining in my face early in the morning. I believe that the only drawback of Daylight Savings Time, is the hour of sleep lost, switching to it. Summary: Today, is a virtual learning day, so we were assigned an early NewsELA assignment about Daylight savings through canvas. Reflection: I learned the Benjamin Franklin originally proposed the idea of switching the clock, so that there are extra hour(s) of sun...

If my privacy was invaded online or on my phone I would feel uncomfortable, unsafe, and upset. This is because are phones are so integrated into our lives, essentially being a necessity, and bring it with us wherever we go. Knowing this, if our phone privacy was invaded or our online activity, it would feel like a strong violation because it holds and can reveal intimate and private details of our life that shouldn't be available to others. Those of which include text messages, address, age, relationships, etc. I do believe privacy is a basic civil liberty, and that everyone should have the right to not be interfered with by others regarding certain things. If we didn't have the right to privacy, we would always be conscious of our activity online and on our phones, even in doing regular things, there would always be a sense of skepticism of being watched and general paranoia. Absent this day

 A time I had to rely on my mother in a time of need was when I had fractured my leg playing basketball with a group of mostly strangers. When I was 9, I had went to a local gym to play basketball one Saturday afternoon, and at first I was upset because I was getting any playing time. Although, before I left, I had played in one game. During one play, I had jumped up to get a lay-up, and on the way down I landed awkwardly and fractured my leg. Others around me were shocked and didn't know exactly what to do, while I was afraid. When my mom had finally arrived, I felt better from just her being there. From that moment on, everything had been taken care of by her, as I was taken to get treated, and provided extra care. This was a time in my life when my mother was there when I was in need. Summary: Today, we read a poem in class called "The Mothering Blackness" by Maya Angelou, and worked on some annotations and defined the words "mothering" and "blackness....

Some life skills I have learned in high school that will help me live independently after high school are time management, managing money, self care, and communication skills. After high school these skills will help me by keeping a healthy and balanced life. I think that all of these skills will be essentially after high school. Time management is important for all aspects of life and throughout our days, from the moment we get out of bed until we go back to sleep. Managing money is a new skill I picked up on during high school that I will need throughout my life, since it becomes more and more important to be responsible with money, as time goes on, eventually end up having to pay off expenses and allocate funds. Self care is another important life skill I've picked up on more during high school, as part of my success is my health and happiness (health is wealth). Last but not least, communication skills, are vital to getting the help I need and for helping others.  Summary: Toda...

It is very important for me to retain my cultural foods as I move forward in life. This is because it is an essential aspect of who I am because my culture is a part of me and my heritage. I grew up eating these foods and will forever be familiar with the aroma and feeling of preparing and eating them. I plan to carry on my culture and its foods into adulthood and pass it on eventually when I have kids. Some foods from my culture I don't think I can live without include injera which is a stretchy bread with holes that you eat with various stews and vegetables. Another crucial dish is called kitfo which is essentially ground beef seasoned with spices and vegetables and often eaten with injera. Even if these foods were not to my liking, I would still be bringing them with me as I move forward in life, because I don't want to be the reason a part of culture fizzles out of my family. Absent this day.