Blog #52: Mid-Term Assignment

1.It's amazing what people do these days and not even notice their little conscience man poking at their brain. It's a fact, smoking will harm or even kill you, get over it. It's time for us to grow up and accept the facts. A little cigarette is fine, right? Just to calm the nerves. It won't hurt me at all. Wrong. One cigarette instantly increases your risk of cancer and death. This is not okay and unacceptable.

                       What I find worse than people smoking, is when the smokers light up near other people. We do not need your stench, your habits, your choices, or your cigarette around us. Secondhand smoke is scientifically proven to be more harmful than first hand. I cannot even begin to elaborate the people who put not only themselves, but children, elderly, and everyone in danger. The General warns them that there is an extreme possibility that they will die, yet not even take a second glance at it.

Scientific studies have shown that 99% of children that live in an apartment have more tobacco chemicals in their blood than those who live in houses. The children who were tested didn't even live in an establishment with smokers. The amount of people who smoke in apartments have increased these children's risk of cancer and dying. As if first and secondhand smoking was bad, there is now thirdhand smoking. This is when residue of tobacco on clothes, hair, or skin gets transfered to another person, it's nearly the same as first and second hand smoke. There aren't any words to describe how clueless people are.








3.New York Times Best Seller: The Zombie Survival Guide

  

     The book, The Zombie Survival Guide, written by Max Brooks, was published in 2003. The Survival Guide is just what it is, a survival guide. Not just an ordinary burglary, fire, or safety survival guide. This guide will help you for the coming Zombie invasion. We all knew it was coming, and now it's time to prepare.

     The guide consists of 6 chapters of preparation strategies. In the chapters are previous attacks throughout history. These chapters will help you through the apocalypse. In the guide, there is the origin of the Zombie and how they have come to be and how they spread to others. There is a list of weapons that can be used to kill a Zombie for longer protection. There are recorded attacks and several ways to not let history repeat itself.

     This book will be my recommendation to anyone who needs to survive this coming attack. I will be on top of my game during this battle, will you? To be aware is to be prepared. Bring it on.


4.http://katiekoo.glogster.com/glog/

5.http://katiekoo.glogster.com/salvation/

Blog Assignment #50: Steve Carell

http://katiekoo.glogster.com/stevecarell/

Blog Assignment #48: Articles

1.CLASSIFIEDS

Selling, buying, or giving away? This is a perfect place for you and your family to advertise to people you can trust. This is BETTER than Craigslist! Why sell to strangers when you can sell to people you or your child knows?

Selling? Maybe a student has a sibling or parent who's looking. Buying? Vice versa! Your puppy/kitty/hammy/piggy had a couple cutie pies that you can't keep? You know kids always want one. Need help with a project? We can help!

This would be a cool idea because it's original. You only see classifieds in the Sunday Newspaper. Not many kids read that. There's a chance some might not read this one either, but for the ones who do, it'll be great.

It may not be as big a hit as I would imagine, mostly because it's the middle school. But this is something I would love to see in a school newspaper. Why should we exclude the parents though? We can help a lot of people out. Including ourselves if we need too.

2.STUDENT'S BABY PICTURES

Aww! How cute! You haven't changed a bit! Who wouldn't get a kick out of this?

Student's can choose to submit their baby pictures, or a devious friend could do it for them. Kids will be crowding over in our paper to see their classmates as a toddler. I really think this will be a big hit. I mean, why wouldn't it?

It may take a bit of ink, but it's worth it. People will love our newspaper. I believe the rest of this is self explanatory :)

3.WEATHER

I love knowing how cold or hot it's going to be. It will be an interesting tidbit to have on the side of our newspaper. It can also tell us the overall temperature we should look out for and for any rises or drops.

If this was once a week it would be perfect. But, once a month can do fine as well. Instead of doing the weather of what have already passed, we can do it on the following month. Say, temperatures for December.

We can also include if it will snow or not or if there is a chance. When it will rain, when it'll be a perfect day to go and play, or a bad day to go fishing/sports/anything else.

I would love to see this in our newspaper and think everyone else will as well. Let's make our newspaper really a newspaper!

Blog #47: The Times Picayune-NO

Man dies months after shot during robbery
Alvin Black died about 4 p.m. at Interim LSU Public Hospital from a gunshot wound in his neck that never completley healed. Alvin, age 63 died on Wednesday. He was a victim of a robbery that occurred in May. Not much information was else given.

NOPD identifies suspect in Monday's shooting in the Desire neighborhood

A warrant has been issued for Walker on two counts of attempted first degree murder in connection to the shooting that took place in the 3200 Block of Oliver White Street shortly before 6 p.m. The 22-year-old and 24-year-old male victims were taken to a local hospital and are both listed in critical but stable condition.

Man killed overnight in Metairie shooting

Anthony Alexis, 34, was shot and killed in front of his apartment in Metairie early Thursday morning. Deputies found Alexis lying on the ground in front of the apartment complex suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Alexis was pronounced dead on the scene.

Male shot dead in Jefferson Parish

He was shot multiple times shortly after 9 p.m. His body was found lying in the street. His identity is being withheld until relatives can be notified. His age was not available. No other information was given in the article.

Covington woman sentenced to 10 years in husband's slaying

Seconds after a St. Tammany Parish judge sentenced Kendra Talley to 10 years in prison for participating in the shooting death of her husband two weeks before Christmas 2004, the victim's brother walked over to Talley's mother and asked, "So, what do you think?" "Fair," Karie Thiac replied Wednesday. "It is better than life."

Blog Assignment #46: Chicago Sun Times

Murders of two officers were 'cold-blooded killings'

A man accused of the “cold-blooded” killings of a Chicago Police officer and a former Chicago Housing Authority cop allegedly fired one shot into each of their heads and then finished them off when he saw one moving. Michael Flisk and Stephen Peters were killed Friday afternoon in an alley. 

Teen's boyfriend charged after triple murder

A man believed to be the boyfriend of the 17 year odl woman found fatally stabbed along with her mother and younger sister inside an apartment. Denzel Pittman, 18, was charged with three counts of murder. Pittman is expected in court. All three died of multiple injuries and their deaths were ruled homicides.

Dad could be key in search for missing Michigan boys

 The key to finding three young Michigan brothers who have been missing for nearly a week ultimately may lie with what their father tells police. For the fifth day in a row, an army of volunteers are expected to trudge across fields, woodlands and dirt back roads in search of 9 year old Andrew, 7 year old Alexander and 5 year old Tanner Skelton, who have not been seen since Thanksgiving. So far, police say, the father, 39 year old John Skelton, hasn't told authorities much that they can use.

Businessman to turn over slain Marine's belongings

A Northwest Indiana businessman said he plans to return the personal items of a fallen soldier to her family. Mark Perko said he wants to return the items today to the family of the late Marine Sgt. Jeannette Winter -- the first U.S. servicewoman killed in Afghanistan.

"I just want them to go to the right place," Perko said. "I will take a loss on the items."

Perko, who says he has been pressured over the belongings, had planned to cash in on the items. Perko purchased the former property of Winters from a delinquent storage unit at least four years ago. As part of an attempt to resolve the matter, Perko attempted to call her brother Matthew Winters Jr. but he was visiting the woman's grave at Calumet Park Cemetery in Merrillville.

Lawyers push for new trial for Tony Rezko

Two years after his conviction, Tony Rezko’s lawyers are asking for a new trial. And if two years was too long to wait to ask, blame the government and the U.S. Supreme Court, they say. Rezko’s lawyers argued in a Tuesday filing that the businessman who was once part of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s inner circle, started talks with the feds right after his June, 2008 conviction. At the time, Rezko volunteered to be taken into custody.

Blog Assignment #45: LA Times

Wisconsin teen shoots himself after holding class hostage

A teenager at Marinette High Scholl held nearly two dozen students and a teacher hostage in a for about five hours before shooting himself when police finally arrived at the scene. No one else was harmed. Officers outside the classroom said they heard three gunshots shortly after 8 p.m. and broke through the door. The gunman, a 15-year-old boy, then shot himself. Five of the 23 students taken hostage had been released about 20 minutes before police entered the classroom because they told the gunman they had to use the bathroom. The other 18 students and the teacher, who was informing the police about the teen, were unharmed. 

Afghan policeman kills 6 American troops

An Afghan border policeman on Monday turned his weapon on Western troops, fatally shooting six of them. NATO did not disclose the nationalities of the slain soldiers, but a Pentagon official said they were American. The Western military said it was investigating the attack, which took place during a training exercise in Nangarhar province in eastern Afghanistan. The regional commander of the Afghan border police said all the trainers were U.S. troops. 

Oregon terrorism suspect pleads not guilty

Terrorism suspect Mohamed Osman Mohamud pleaded not guilty Monday to a federal charge of trying to explode a car bomb at a crowded holiday celebration last week in Portland and his lawyers suggested that he was entrapped by the FBI. The 19-year-old Somali American at the center of the latest allegation of homegrown terrorism said, "Yes, your honor," in a soft tone when U.S. Magistrate Judge John V. Acosta asked if he understood his rights.

At least 113 killed in series of Baghdad attacks

Militants unleashed a wave of deadly attacks in Baghdad on Tuesday, killing at least 113 people in Shiite neighborhoods in an apparent bid to provoke a new sectarian war in the country. Seventeen car bombs and other blasts shook the city at sunset in one of the bloodiest days this year. The coordinated attacks, which bore the earmark of the Sunni Arab militant group Al Qaeda  in Iraq, came just 48 hours after 58 people were killed after armed men seized a Baghdad church.

Iran agrees to new nuclear talks

For the first time in more than a year, Iran has agreed to talks with world powers over its nuclear program. European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton told reporters in Brussels on Friday that she had received an affirmative response from Iranian nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili to a standing invitation to talks and that he was ready to restart negotiations sometime after Nov. 10 "in a place and on a date convenient to both sides," according to news agencies.

Blog #44: The BBC

Iranian nuclear scientist killed in motorbike attack

Majid Shahriari, an Iranian nuclear scientist was killed. The scientists were targeted by men on motorbikes who attached bombs to the windows of their cars as they drove to work, officials said. Dr Shahriari was a member of the nuclear engineering department of Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran. His wife is said to have been injured in the attack. The nuclear scientist injured in the second attack was named as Fereydoon Abbasi. His wife was also wounded.

Aztecas gang boss Gallegos 'admits Mexico murders'

Arturo Gallegos Castrellon was captured. He confessed to ordering most of the killings in Juarez since August 2009. Aztecas gang members work as hitmen for the Juarez drug cartel. Gallegos was captured during a weekend raid along with two other alleged gang leaders, Carlos Rodriguez Ramirez and Gisela Ornelas Nunez. Gallegos admitted to ordering an attack last January which left 15 dead, most of them teenagers, believing rival gang members would be there, police said.

'Afghan policeman' kills six Nato troops

The man opened fire during a training mission in Pachir Wagam district, Nangarhar province, said Nato. He was also killed in the incident. Local officials said they believed the incident was not premeditated, but had arisen out of "a misunderstanding". Nato has not revealed the nationalities of the dead soldiers, but local sources said they were American. "An individual in an Afghan border police uniform turned his weapon against International Security Assistance Forces during a training mission today, killing six service members in eastern Afghanistan," Monday's statement said. "The individual who fired on the Isaf forces was also killed in the incident. A joint Afghan and Isaf team is investigating this incident."

Suspected serial killer seized in Sicily

Giuseppe Raeli, who has no previous criminal record, has been charged with five murders and four attempted murders in Cassibile between 1998 and 2009. He was arrested when a helicopter and a special police unit raided his house early on Monday, reports say. The man behind the murders was dubbed the Monster of Cassibile for firing at his victims with a 12-bore shotgun. Among those shot was a married couple who died and their daughter who was wounded. Prosecutors say they have linked Mr Raeli, a married man known locally as Pippo the Wolf, to more than a dozen cases. "The serial killer would kill for just 200 euros" chief prosecutor Ugo Rossi told Italian media. "He wanted justice for himself over those who didn't pay him for small jobs he'd done for them."

Empire Strikes Back director Irvin Kershner dies

Irvin Kershner, director of Star Wars film The Empire Strikes Back, has died in Los Angeles aged 87, his agent has confirmed. 

Kershner - who also directed James Bond film Never Say Never Again - died at home after a long illness, according to his goddaughter Adriana Santini. 

Born in Philadelphia in 1923, Kershner trained as a musician before making documentaries and then features. 

His other credits include Robocop 2 and Eyes of Laura Mars with Faye Dunaway. 

Known as "Kersh", the director was behind the camera when Sir Sean Connery reprised his 007 role in 1983's Never Say Never Again. 

The University of Southern California film school graduate had previously worked with Connery on his 1966 romantic drama A Fine Madness.

Continue reading the main story

Blog Assignment #43: Myself

http://katiekoo.glogster.com/aboutme/

Blog Assignment #42: Veteran's Day

http://katiekoo.glogster.com/VeteransDay/

Blog Assignment #40: Newspaper Ideas

1.What's happening and how you can help
2.Sports sections
3.Classifieds, what students and their families are selling, what they need help with, any pets that need homes
4.Student Schedules
5.Weather
6.Anonymous help advice
7.What's for lunch
8.Where to get cheapest school supplies
9.Comics
10.Kids sections
11.Crossword puzzles, Sudoku, Word find
12.Tips on how to get to class faster, get better grades
13.Fun facts about school
14.What's coming up
15.Submit your own drawing/joke/suggestion/ideas
16.Ask the Newspaper Team
17.Yummy Wacky Food Ideas
18.Upcoming books
19.Upcoming movies
20.Student of the month
21.Teacher of the month
22.Who quoted this?
23.Latest news on products
24.When and where sales are
25.Students Opinion
26.State's new laws
27.Poems
28.History
29.Persuasive articles
30.Why we should bring back our mascot
31.Funny stories
32.Funny opinions
33.Q&A
34.Polls
35.Editorials
36.Advertising
37.What students want to hear
38.Success tips for upcoming freshmen
39.Stories from graduating seniors
40.Teachers behind the scenes
41.Birthdays
42.Witty Article Titles
43.Our sports teams
44.Why we should have football/soccer/etc.
45.Book reviews
46.Teacher interviews
47.Teacher tips/opinions
48.Movie reviews
49.Students baby pictures
50.Upcoming school events



1.CLASSIFIEDS
Selling, buying, or giving away? This is a perfect place for you and your family to advertise to people you can trust. This is BETTER than Craigslist! Why sell to strangers when you can sell to people you or your child knows?

Selling? Maybe a student has a sibling or parent who's looking. Buying? Vice versa! Your puppy/kitty/hammy/piggy had a couple cutie pies that you can't keep? You know kids always want one. Need help with a project? We can help!

This would be a cool idea because it's original. You only see classifieds in the Sunday Newspaper. Not many kids read that. There's a chance some might not read this one either, but for the ones who do, it'll be great.

It may not be as big a hit as I would imagine, mostly because it's the middle school. But this is something I would love to see in a school newspaper. Why should we exclude the parents though? We can help a lot of people out. Including ourselves if we need too.


2.STUDENT'S BABY PICTURES
Aww! How cute! You haven't changed a bit! Who wouldn't get a kick out of this?

Student's can choose to submit their baby pictures, or a devious friend could do it for them. Kids will be crowding over in our paper to see their classmates as a toddler. I really think this will be a big hit. I mean, why wouldn't it?

It may take a bit of ink, but it's worth it. People will love our newspaper. I believe the rest of this is self explanatory :)


3.WEATHER
I love knowing how cold or hot it's going to be. It will be an interesting tidbit to have on the side of our newspaper. It can also tell us the overall temperature we should look out for and for any rises or drops.

If this was once a week it would be perfect. But, once a month can do fine as well. Instead of doing the weather of what have already passed, we can do it on the following month. Say, temperatures for December.

We can also include if it will snow or not or if there is a chance. When it will rain, when it'll be a perfect day to go and play, or a bad day to go fishing/sports/anything else.

I would love to see this in our newspaper and think everyone else will as well. Let's make our newspaper really a newspaper!

Blog Assignment #39: 5 Favorite Hobbies

1.Being anywhere but my house
I don't really have a favorite hobby. I'll pretty much do anything just to get out of the house. Just yesterday my sister asked if I wanted to go somewhere. I went and didn't know where I was going until I got there. I didn't care, I was too overjoyed at the fact I was out of the house.

2.Reading
I usually don't read at home, because I save it for school, but when I do, I go all out. I love reading. I buy books so I can personally read them any time I want, and I'm saving them to build my own library. Reading is my escape. When no one will take me anywhere, I go into a book to escape from reality. I put myself in that book, either the main character or just someone witnessing it, and it's so weird when I return to the real world.

3.Video Games
Video games are a passion of mine. I love them. They're almost like books. They help me escape reality and go into a better world that I can help. I like the games that lets you free roam in a story or adventure. Not like Gears of War or Halo that all you do is shoot a gun. I like games like Legend of Zelda and Fable. I LOVE the Fable series. Fable 1 was good, Fable 2 was great, and Fable 3 is awesome. All of them give you choices to be good or evil, do quests and improve your land of Albion. On Fable 3 I have logged 150 hours of game play. It came out the 26th of October and I played it all the way through without a hard drive. So, at least 200 hours.

4.Cheerleading
Cheerleading is fun. It gives me something to do and I like saying I'm a cheerleader. Since my sister was a cheerleader, I love getting tips and help with things I need to improve on, or cute little things I can do. Also, it's a great workout and I could always use a good workout.

5.Internet
Yeah yeah, I know, it's sad. But what can I say? I'm a big nerd. I'm bored, I go on the internet. Who doesn't?  Facebook, games, funny websites. Everything is right there. No one will take me anywhere? Post on Facebook. No book to read? Read about new stuff. Played enough games for one day? Play more online. No practice? Look at updated websites.

Blog Assignment #38: 5 Favorite Books

I cannot list books in order of favoritism. Can't do it. Won't do it. Can't make me. I can list books that first come to my mind, but no book ranks Numero Uno for this muchacha. Here are 5 books I love in no particular order whatsoever.

Maximum Ride Series
Science Fiction, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Kids with wings. What more could a girl like me ask for? I love this series because I enjoy weird superpowers like that. The way James Patterson makes the characters is just the right amount of wit and personality to make you fall in love with each and every one of them. Fang's dark side, Max's motherly love, Angel and Gazzy's cuteness, Iggy's strong will, and Nudge's humor.

Ranger's Apprentice Series
I am not done with the series yet, since there are much more books to go. But I don't want them to end because each time it does, a part of me dies along with it. This series is possibly the best I have ever read. I love Medieval times and fighting, strategy, and adventures that go along with it. This series has it all.

My Louisiana Sky
Oh my Gosh, I love this book. I read it in 5th grade and still remember it in great detail today. Mainly because it's based in Louisiana, this book has me in love. The suspense, the sadness, the struggles. All of it reels me in without restraint. I had no trouble reading this book because not one part was boring.

The Outsiders
Ohhhhhhh. Don't even get me started on this book. S.E. Hinton is amazing. She is the greatest writer and has had me read all of her books. Other than superpowers, hurricanes, or Medieval times, Teenage Delinquents are my favorites. It's not like I like it when people do bad things, it's just the drama that goes along with it. And all of her books have this.

Percy Jackson and the Olympian Series
This is probably on everyone's favorite books list, and I don't blame them. It's a pretty neat series and has pretty much everything I like in it. Superpowers, teenage delinquents, not necessarily medieval, but Greek history works for me as well. I always liked Greek mythology. I even learned the Greek Alphabet for just myself. If you asked me, I could recite them now, Alpha to Omega. It's a cute little series and is great for any age.

Blog Assignment #37: 5 Favorite Movies

1.Monty Python and the Holy Grail
This is the most hilarious, stupidest movie I have ever seen. I love it. British humor always cracks me up and this one did the job the best. It's witty comments have me saying them all the time. It's definitely a movie to watch when you need a ROFL moment. I give it 5 Ni's.

2.Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship 
Lord of the Rings is with no doubt, the BEST movie I have ever seen. It's perfect. If I could re-direct the movie, I would change nothing whatsoever. I own all of them and I will never ever get rid of them. This trilogy is the best I have and ever will see. Ever.

3.Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
The Two Towers is another one of my favorites, mainly because it's a sequel to the Fellowship. Once again, one of the best movies ever. The plot, the characters, everything is exactly right and I love it. The scenery that isn't a very well constructed green screen, is amazing and I applaud the directors.

4.Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Of course I have to put this one! I'm just a little fan girl who is much in love with these movies. If you could tell me a better movie than any of these, I would stand appalled because such a thing does not exist. I l-o-v-e all of them and will always and forever and ever and ever and ever and ever always. Kind of redundant, but you get my point.

5.Beaches
I. Love. Bette Midler. I just love her, her talent, her singing, her acting, her. This movie is so sweet and sad. On my iTunes I have Under The Boardwalk played over 145 times in one day. I know the song by heart and think of C.C. Bloom each time I hear it. Her voice is bliss. It truly is a great movie.

Blog Assignment #36: 5 Favorite Bands

Okay. This is going to be very hard for me since I am a music addict. But, here it goes. These are my favorite BANDS, not singers. Recognize.

1.Mayday Parade
Mayday Parade will forever always and never stop being my favorite band of all time and will never ever cease to be my favorite band ever. Their music is amazing at it feels like angels are singing in my ears. I cannot express my love in so little words. The first song I heard from them that made me so addicted to them was Miserable At Best and of course, it starts with "Katie don't cry." I of course, own all of their albums and 2 T-Shirts

The following are in no particular order. Recognize.

2.All Time Low

All Time Low is an amazing band. I love their songs and their singing is amazing. I first heard the song Dear Maria, Count Me In, which led to Remembering Sunday, which led to The Beach. I have all of their albums. When I listen to All Time Low it gives me an All Time High. I really love this band. I don't know what I would do without them on my iTunes. (Above)

3.A Day To Remember
Now, A Day To Remember is a screamo band. I love screamo bands. So, in case you wanted to listen to them, you have been warned. A Day To Remember is my all time favorite screamo band and will never change. I try not to look at the band members because it changes my opinion of them. But, not these guys! They are great. (Above)

4.Romance on a Rocketship
This guy is amazing. His voice, although auto-tuned, is still great nonetheless. His songs are fun as well as his covers. He doesn't have many songs or albums but his few songs make up for it because they're great. I love One-man-bands a teeny bit more than the regular band. His songs are soft and perfect for any time of the day. (Above)

5.Nickasaur
If I were to describe Nickasaur in one word, it would have to be CUTE! His looks and his songs are just adorable. What makes him more loveable is that he's not trying to become famous at all. He just wants to have fun and share his joy with everyone else. I love that about him. I know, I'm just a little fangirl :)

6.Jon Lofton
Of course I HAVE to love this band. Mainly because it's my brother Jonathan's, but also because his music rocks my socks! His guitar and voice together are the perfect combination. He makes the most sweetest songs and I can't even explain how much I love them. (Above)

7.A Rocket To The Moon
Wait, we were supposed to do 5? My bad. Well, that's a little impossible for me because I have so many bands I love and cannot just limit them to 5. Anyway, A Rocket To The Moon has the coolest songs ever. I love listening to their sweet melodic music and awesomeness of singing. Truly a great band I will love forever and ever.

8.Daphne Loves Derby
This boys voice is AMAZING. It's like beautiful coming out of my speakers. His songs are so mellow and soft and his voice is so smooth. Of course this has to make my top favorite list. Pollen and Salt is my favorite song by him of course. I will always fall for a sweet singer like him :)



Okay, since I can't write a paragraph of each my bands I have on my iTunes since they all are my favorite bands. I'll just list SOME them here :)
Good Charlotte
Metro Station
Broadway
PlayRadioPlay!
NeverShoutNever!
The Ready Set
The Postal Service
Attack Attack!
August Burns Red
Hawthorne Heights
Simple Plan
Passion Pit
All American Rejects
Boys Like Girls
Blue October
Making April
Coldplay
Breathe Carolina
Breaking Benjamin
Call The Cops!
Anberlin
Anarbor
Kill Paradise
Valencia
We The Kings
Family Force 5
Linkin Park
Every Avenue
Phoenix
The Maine
Crossfade
Cute Is What We Aim For
30 Seconds To Mars
White Tie Affair
Relient K
Switchfoot
Goodnight Sunrise
Snow Patrol
Cash Cash
Valencia
Swimming With Dolphins
Second Hand Serenade
Sea Wolf
Sing It Loud
Enter Shikari
Saosin
that's about as far as I'll go because I'm running out of class time :) And those are just Bands, wait until I get to Singers! John Mayer shall be featured first as always.

Blog Assignment #35:My Weekend

This previous weekend I went to my sister Lacey and brother-in-law Daniel's Wedding Reception. I helped out 5 hours before it started. Everything was black and gold because the theme was Saints. It was held at the Community Center and was very pretty. My brother Jonathan was the DJ, Ben was the photographer, and Daniel's 6 year old step brother was dancing his feet off.

I had lots of fun. I danced to the Macarena, Cha Cha Slide, and much more. And I never dance. The wedding cake was white with Fleur-De-Lis around them and actually tasted great. We, myself included, made the Groom's cake. Since Daniel is going into the airforce, we made him a Red Velvet Airforce cake. The Airforce symbol was in the middle and stars were surrounding it. It also tasted awesome.

In the end I had to stay there until 12, which is way past my desired sleep time. We had a great time and I'm glad Lacey and Daniel are happy together. Today, Monday, November 1, 2010, Daniel had to go to the start of Bootcamp for the Airforce. And so begins a long 5 months.

Other than that, nothing else really happened. I didn't do anything for Halloween. I kind of just lazed around in my freedom. I knew 3 people excluding my family, who were all at the Reception. But it was fun, since I met and danced with new people.

Blog Assignment #33: Foreign News

BP dispersants, causing sickness
http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2010/10/20101027132136220370.html
Who:British Petroleum
What:Chemical poisoning
When:Currently
Where:Mississippi
Why:BP Oil Spill
How:Toxins

Bin Laden in warning to France
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2010/10/2010102710253569309.html
Who:Osama Bin Laden
What:Kidnapping French
When:Last monthh
Where:France
Why:Ransom
How:Kidnapping

China's rise worries neighbors
http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2010/10/20101026153543247305.html
Who:China
What:Rise of Chinese military
When:Now
Where:China
Why:To increase army
How:Recruiting more men

Athens News
UN criticises Greek asylum system
Who:Greece
What:Asylum crisis
When:Now
Where:Greece
Why:It's not acceptable
How:Not good

Council of State to decide on smoking ban
http://www.athensnews.gr/portal/9/32567
Who:Smokers
What:Ban smoking
When:Now
Where:Greece
Why:To stop smoking
How:By banning

Suspects charged with providing forged documents to illegal migrants
http://www.athensnews.gr/portal/1/32595
Who:Migrants
What:Forged documents
When:Now
Where:Here
Why:To get inside the border
How:Forged documents

Recipes by Dimitris
http://www.athensnews.gr/issue/13412/32161
Who:Dimitris
What:Recipes
When:October 18
Where:Greece
Why:Experiment
How:Experimenting

IceNews
Supermarket floor fumes hospitalise 43
http://www.icenews.is/index.php/2010/10/27/supermarket-floor-fumes-hospitalise-43/

Blog Assignment #32: What's In The News

BBC NEWS

Tariq Aziz, Iraqi ex-minister, sentenced to death

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-11625501

Who:Tariq Aziz

What:Sentenced to death

When:Undecided

Where:Iraq

Why:He was convicted in connection with the persecution of religious parties.

How:Killing them

UK's 'biggest stag' Exmoor Emperor shot dead

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-11624253

Who:Unknown

What:Killed an endangered animal

When:October 25th

Where:Rackenford

Why:Antlers

How:A rifle

Indonesia tsunami deaths increase after Sumatra quake
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11626242

Who:Indonesians

What:Died

When:After Somatra quake

Where:Indonesia

Why:Tsunami and Earthquake

How:Tsunami made by earthquake

French students march as pension protesters end strike

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11624615

Who:Students

What:Protesting

When:Now

Where:France

Why:To boost the movement against pension reform amid signs

How:By strike

ABC NEWS GO

Four Loko Company Defends Caffeinated Booze After Washington Students Sickened at Party

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/loko-company-defends-caffeinated-booze-washington-students-sickened/story?id=11969962

Who:Dozens of Central Washington University students

What:Illness from alcohol

When:Currently

Where:Central Washington University

Why:Partying

How:Drugs

Paul the Octopus of World Cup Fame Has Died

http://abcnews.go.com/International/paul-octopus-predicted-world-cup-winner-died/story?id=11971509

Who:Paul the Octopus

What:Died

When:October 19

Where:Aquarium in Germany

Why:Natural causes

How:Natural causes

Cows Work Overnight to Create Milk That May Help Insomniacs Sleep

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/cows-work-nights-insomniacs/story?id=11963530

Who:Cows

What:Milked at night

When:2-4 a.m

Where:In the field

Why:To help insomnia

How:By being milked.

Blog Assignment #31: My Choice Feature

I just stood there, tilting my head this way and that, trying with all my will power to make out what I was looking at. It was excessively large, like, seen by Google Earth large. It expanded from one wall to the other. I rubbed my chin and sighed, speechless. It was beautiful, no, I was beautiful. The mirror wasn't wide enough for me to see myself all the way, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

I was only 15 at the time, when it happened, I remember because who could forget something like this? I was tall for my age, say, 5' 11". I always had a hoodie in one hand and a fist in the other. But I was very easy to make friends with. Who wouldn't want to be friends with someone as awesome as me? Unlike the other clichéd fairy tales, I loved myself and am not afraid to admit it. Something that I loved even more than myself, was flying. 

I would daydream in class, at home, before sleep, watching TV. I would love to be away from here. I would love to be free and live life. I had to pull myself away from a window or else I'd be there for hours. Being imprisoned on the ground was enough thought to shatter my spirit. How cruel it is to restrict someone from their one true passion. I thought about becoming a Pilot, but that seemed lame and boring. I wanted to be the one in the air, feeling everything. 

Since science and technology was and is advancing like maniacs, a very "on the down low" project was being established. I decided to take part since I had nothing better to do with my life. I signed piles documents stating, "I knowledge that there will be life threatening risks taking part in this scientific experiment and by court of law.." blah blah blah. I wanted to do this, and I was not turning back. 

After weeks or months of recovering, it worked. They were finally here and beautiful. They were black, exact color of my hair, no lighter no darker, with my exact style of self put white streaks. I flexed, flapped, and moved them around, getting adjusted to the new weight and feel of this new part of my body. But if they would work is the main priority. I decided to check that out for myself. I was still a little shaky from the procedure and drugs I was put on, but I would still try. I went to the third floor, just in case. I'm not that stupid to go to the roof. I stretched them out, moved them in a steady pace, up, down, up, down. And then I jumped.

I felt the wind blowing through my hair, my adrenaline pulsing through my every vein, my excitement conquering every fear. I was unstoppable. I was flying. My instincts took over the things I learned from the scientists on how to fly and how to land. Who wants to be normal when you can be all you've ever wanted to be? Sorry, Maximum Ride, but I love being different. And that, is how my story begins. 

Blog Assignment #30: Favorite Websites

1.Facebook
I like Facebook for lots of reasons. I like to see all my friends, see funny statuses, update my own funny statuses. I like looking at peoples pictures who I haven't seen in a while. Last minute "OMG whats for homework!?" or "OMG history test tomorrow?!" and the such. Poking is a little creepy, but it's fun and cute to see who pokes you.

2.Youtube
Youtube is my bff. I love watching communitychannel, nigahiga, iJustine, and all these funny people. Don't forget the free music and music videos, interviews, and parts of movies. Youtube is probably one of my most favorite things. Cute cat stalking, rants, comedians. Who doesn't like Youtube?

3.Failbook
I like Facebook. But I like Failbook even more. Facebook fails are ALWAYS hilarious. Either it's drunk status updates, flame wars, pictures, and just plain statuses, it always makes me giggle. I check it at least 4 times a day, hoping for it to be updated. Although it may not always be clean, it's still worth it for the funny ones.

3.Lamebook
Lamebook is like Failbook, but another version. So, if Failbook hasn't updated yet, I click on over to Lamebook. It's pretty much the same, just different posts. Always funny, never unfunny. I love it. I check it at least 4 times when Failbook fails me.

4.Not Always Right
Not Always Right is a website about the customer not always being right. Hence the name. It's stories told by real people about their experiences with stupid customers. As an example.

Customer: “Hi, I’m looking for a pet for my daughter. I think she’d like one of those furry things. You know, a pikachu?”

Me: *pause* “A pikachu?”

Customer: “Yeah, you know. It looks like a hamster and a rabbit put together.”

Me: “Do you mean a chinchilla?”

Customer: “Yeah! That’s it!”

This doesn't give it justice at all! They are always so funny and a great way to lighten up when you're in a downer.

5.My Life Is Average (MLIA)

My Life Is Average are stories about people's everyday lives. Although it may seem boring, it's most definitely not. Most of the stuff these people go through in their days usually aren't average, but it's all the more funny. It will always bring a smile to your face. Much more often than lame My Life Is Good(MLIG), or depressing FML.

6.Senor Gif

Senor Gif is a cute website powered by Cheezburger, who powers Failbook. It's funny little clips(gifs) of the most random things. The clips are usually of movies, or cats, or just plain stupid stuff. It's cute and everyone should at least check it out. It's always fun to see what's next. 

7.So Much Pun

So much Pun is also powered by Cheezburger. It's a whole website of images of, well puns. For example.

Vitamin Sea! Get it? Hahahahaha. Who doesn't like stuff like that?8.I Can Has Cheezburger?  

This website is adorable. And if you are reading this Mrs.Alexander, I know you will LOVE this website. They're what is called, "LOLcats". Cute little kitties with hilarious captions underneath, it is sure to delight. I love it.

9.FailBlog

Failblog is powered by Cheezburger. It is all about regular FAIL's. Whether it's cars in pools, products, people falling on their faces, or billboard signs, it's all fail. In a good way. Alike so. 

10.People Of Wal-Mart.

Although this may be a mean website, it's definitely hilarious. We see them each time we go. They're hiding in the aisles. They're taking our buggies. Dun dun duuun, PEOPLE OF WALMART. These "creatures" as POWM like to call them, are very bold to go out into public looking like...that.. And the witty comments underneath just make it all the more funnier.