United 93

September 11,2001 was a day that not a single American present at that time could forget. This is the day where everyone realized that even a sleeping giant can be tampered with. As we all know September 11,2001 four planes were hijacked. Two had crashed into the Twin Towers and one had crashed into the Pentagon. However, the fourth plane did not reach its destination.

The fourth plane, United Airlines Flight 93, was hijacked as well. However, the destination has been unknown. We do know that where ever the hijackers had planned to crash they didn't. That is because aboard the plane passengers had decided to write their own faith. They took action against the hijackers and did not let their doom be written by those who felt they could eliminate people however they wished to.

United 93 tells the story of those people and their flight. How passengers aboard the plane had written their own faith by fighting back the hijackers. They came up with the courage to fight back. These hijackers had thought that it would be easy to tamper with Americans, but these Americans showed them that they are not weak. That they were not easily going accept defeat.

I chose to watch this movie because a lot of movies have been based on the attacks of 9/11 however they mostly described the problems and issues people faced after the attacks. I wanted to see a movie that would show me how the people in the attacks felt. We all might have been affected but we still had a chance to live. What about those that didn't. I felt the need to at least see something from the perspective of those who witnessed it all. I was hesitant at first to watch the movie but I finally built up the courage. I must say that this movie and other movies based on 9/11 have changed my perspective all together.

What I felt was a problem for those being blamed for the incident is now a problem for all humanity in the United States of America.

Our Need for Technology

Recently, actually just yesterday, all of a sudden my computer was infected with a virus known as Vista Defender. It acts as a anti-virus system when in reality it gives your computer viruses and infects your computer. I was not able to use MSN or the Internet. In fact I did not know how to get rid of it. I then used my brother's computer to figure out a way to remove it and with success my computer has finally been fixed today. However, this entire process made me realize something.

I realized that I wasted all of yesterday and half of today trying to fix it. But why? Why was it so important to me? And I remember myself saying all through out, I love my computer. I can't live without it. That's when I realized that I became attached to a mechanical machine!

Now I don't know if that is good or bad but I realized that technology has become such a huge part of our lives that now we NEED it. I know for one that I wasn't only upset that I could lose my computer and I wouldn't be able to access Facebook or watch any shows but that most of my school work revolved around the computer. Technology has become such a big asset of our lives that we don't know if we could possibly pass one day without it. I know for one that I could hardly sleep or sit peacefully knowing my computer was on the verge of dying. It was as if my computer was now part of my heart.

What are your takes?

Below is a link to an article pertaining an opinion on our need for technology:
http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Importance-of-Technology-in-Our-Daily-Lives&id=2218150

Change In America...

Although we are all at least 16 or 17 years old we have hardly seen any change in America. However, we may not have noticed, but change has been occurring. We have been in the proccess of a recession and we have seen many things happen that may not have happened during our parent's lifetime. The biggest change I've seen just today is of the passing of a bill. Wow! In my lifetime I get to see a bill be passed. I'm pretty sure you all realized I'm talking about the new Health Care Bill.

Yes! It has been passed. The steps former presidents have taken hace once again been reinforced. After much debate and arguements the bill has been passed. This new health care bill will provide health insurance for many Americans who are yet uncovered.

Now, nobody knows if this bill will actually benefit Americans or maybe the arguements are wrong and the bill is worth it. I don't know what is going to happen but I have to say that this is a huge milestone in change in America. We have been studying U.S. History and have been reading about many bills passed, some invovling health care as well, but who knew that one day now when we look back and read in a textbook about this bill we could proudly say that we were there.

Back to what I was saying about, change. We may not notice it but there is change happening. Due to the recession much has to happen for us to get back to normal and the passage of this bill is the first step. Let's just hope that this change and changes to come all benefit us.

Junior Year: Is There A Way Out?

We all know that going to High School can be a stressful experience. We all have been told that High School we'll eat our brains out and prepare us for the next step known as College. Starting from Freshman year slowly building into Sophmore year the stress builds up. However, it doesn't hit you until Junior year. Junior year, the year you realize what life is really like.

Not to be proud of myself or anything, but although I have heard a lot about the stress in High School I have managed to maintain high grades in my freshman and sophmore year. However, until now I never realized getting good grades isn't so easy. You have to work hard and sometimes working hard isn't even enough.

Currently, like many of my other fellow students, I take three hard classes on going. A A.P. U.S. History course, Physics, and Algebra 2/Trignometry. U.S. History, from the start felt really hard and Physics slowly showed the hard elements. But today, today I realized what a huge mess I'm in when I had no idea what was going on in math class. Today I realized that three classes are going to ask me for huge commitments, and well I don't know how to manage that.

That is where I think all of us juniors are in a problem. Many former juniors have stated how this year is the most toughest and now I know why. Commitment and time. Each class needs our time and commitment and frankly none of us know which one is more important. What's funny is that some of these courses won't help us in our career paths but are just required for us reaching that goal.

In my opinion, the worst of this year is yet to come, but is there anyway out so that junior year is actually fun?

Snuggle Bunny

I really haven't shown any interest to American music but just recently I saw a commercial for ringtones and in it I heard a tune that really caught my attention. And as usual when a tune feels catchy I go on youtube and search it up. So I went into youtube typed in Snuggle Bunny Song and clicked on the first hit I got. As usual I was listening until a word came up and made me think: Wait what?!

I quickly reversed the song and focused on the lyrics and was shocked to find the cute little bunny saying "vagina." I was utterly shocked. I decided to check the comments and was surprised to find that the song actually contained the word "vagina." My research bug emerged and I went on Google to search the lyrics and the lyrics did not contain the word "vagina." Yet again I was shocked.

So I went back to Youtube and searched the song again. This time I clicked a different link and the song did not contain the word "vagina" but rather the actual lyrics. That's when I began thinking. The song itself was so cute so what was the need to alter it and put in "vagina." Just because the song is about love does it mean you need to add the element of sex into it? Does love mean involve sex all together? Why would you destroy a song just to add sex elements into it?

The first link is the link to the actual song and the second link is the link to the other version. Think for yourself was the word "vagina" really nessecary.

Become A Fan Fever

Facebook is a social networking site used by majority of teenagers and many adults. Facebook allows us to connect to our friends and in some cases make new friends. With status updates, wall posts, and uploading pictures our friends and family can get a real good image of our true personality. However, there has been a new buzz on Facebook which also reveals a person's true characters and allows them to connect to people who share their comment interest. This new buzz is known as the Become A Fan fever.

Facebook sas added this new application which is known as Fan Pages. Fan Pages can be created on any topic a person wishes, whether it is a movie, quote, etc. As on person becomes a fan people on their friend's list see and if the fan page clicks to them they become a fan. I myself am guilty of this habit as many fan pages have been made which completely describe my personality.

Recently there has been a new addition to these Fan Pages. Now a person can create a fan page and hide a picture until someone becomes a fan of their page. This could be either done to add the element of surprise or just to increase the number of fans on said page. Although this seems fun, there are some setbacks.

The setbacks I see is that for one we have no idea what is being shown to us. For all we know it could be a completely inappropriate picture. However, the element of surprise will urge us to click become a fan just so we could see what the fuss is about not knowing that it could be something completely outside our interest. For some people it maybe fun but for others it could be just plain annoying.

Here is a link for Facebook users of such a Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/I-LOLd-at-how-awkward-this-relationship-status-update-become/334145718800?v=app_6009294086&ref=ts

Another problem I see is that recent fan pages include pictures of people's personal messages or wall posts. Although the last names are blurred out it is completely wrong to have them. Along with that Facebook has been known to have privacy and allow people control over their page but with this new thing do we really have control? Are people to be ashamed that their personal message could be on the next fan page?

Facebook is a next working site that many of us use, and many of us have been addicted to. I am guilty of being a Facebook addict. But it is really something to think about.. Is this Become A Fan fever safe or not?

A Dilemma: Should There Be Censorship In Art?

What is art? In educational terms art is an activity in which paintings, sculptures, and other pictures are created. However, for some art isn't just an activity but a passion. A passion in which people can express a certain thought or feeling. In my opinion only those who take art as a passion know the true meaning of art, otherwise for some it is just painting a few lines just to get an assignment done. Art is really about expressing your thought in whatever form you feel is right. The fun part about art is watching someone observe your work and actually think hard about what message you were trying to get across.

What can the message be? A message in art can be any thought the artist wishes to express. Any point they wish to tell the world about. How can this message be brought about? The message in art work can be brought about however the artist wishes to express because that is what art is about. However, there is a bit of problem when it comes to how an artist should express art. I don't know about others but sometimes when I see certain paintings I feel that the audience this is being shown to must be appropriate.

Now this doesn't apply to all type of art work. I am specifically speaking of paintings in which the human body is revealed. Now I understand that a certain message is being brought across but lately art has been attracted by the youth and it is necessary to think that is the youth appropriate for these paintings. Majority of the youth may take the art seriously because of their maturity level but as I see it the new generation seems to lack in maturity, in some cases, and it is a thought of whether they will appreciate it or not.

Another thought is, whether it is alright for an artist to use the human body in art while revealing it? Artists may be free to express their ideas but if nudity is censored in certain cases should it be censored in art?

An example of such art is Frida Kahlo's "The Broken Column" in which a women's breast are openly painted.

So I wonder, should art be censored as certain areas are in entertainment or media? Or is art free enough to express anything we wish?