As Told By Alizen(:

El Fin

Alizen — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 06:35:27 +0000

When I first heard about this class, I thought to myself, I’m going to love it! I get to combine my favorite subject with a hobby of mine: blogging. As the year progressed I soon found myself enjoying the assignments while improving my writing style simultaneously. Prior to entering this class, I was a semi-avid reader. If given the time, I would read a lot more books. However, because APs were so rudely introduced into my life, I found myself detaching myself from the very reason I read books: to escape from reality. I am sorry to say that I have not changed in any manner from the reader I was then and the reader I am now. Time is money, and quite frankly I do not have the time to enjoy such a luxury.
HOWEVER, I have always been enthused through writing, and while blogging may seem like an informal way to do so, it taught me how to lengthen my posts while including facts to back it up. Having credit links helped me learn how to properly cite credit for the materials I used to write my blogs. I believe I am a stronger writer than I was back in 10th grade, thanks to the assignments we received. One of my favorite lessons was our Dumbest Generation Project. It was a great way to interact with the entire school while using data that was effective (and interesting!). My favorite book was Native Son because I felt a sense of connection to him, and Wright’s use of extended metaphor impressed me.
I perceive myself as a stronger writer, and an even stronger student. As a person, I view myself as someone filled with passion, a passion to succeed. I have learned to take life at face value, and how to cope with difficult decisions. Taking this class provided the calm between the storm that separated me from AP Chemistry and insanity.
The blogging idea is a great one that I believe should be continued. This not only allows the students to participate in the comfort of their homes, but also engages those outside of our class to construct us. My advice for next year’s students is to GET WORK DONE EARLY. A large amount of my year was spent staying up late on Tuesday nights finishing up my weekly readers, something that should have been done over the week. Also, subscribe to the feed as it will be your best friend and your lifesaver. Be wary of the things you post, I’ve gotten some crazy search referrals thanks to the blogs I’ve written. And last but not least, HAVE FUN! This class was structured freely. Use it to your advantage.

From Geek to Chic!

Alizen — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 06:59:56 +0000

Here’s a rather typical story about a popular girl with a popular boyfriend both running for homecoming king and queen against popular girl’s archenemy and her little minions. Now take this idea, throw in a bunch of sexual references and mystery and you’ve got a good copy of Stephanie Hale’s, “Revenge of the Homecoming Queen.”
“Lucas really started some shit. Even the teachers are down there talking about it,” she says, glancing toward the teacher huddle forming outside the school office.
“Those losers probably love it. You know most of them were total geeks in high school,” I say, spinning to the final number in my locker combination. (15)
Aspen Brooks was the most popular girl in high school. In fact, winning the title of homecoming queen should have been as obvious as a fake Dooney and Burke purse slung around that slutty Angel Ives’ arm. But what happens when she loses to her archenemy AND to one of the nerdiest boys in school: Rand Bachrach? Not only that, her star quarterback boyfriend (and not to mention hottest and most popular senior) decides to dump her in an attempt to further humiliate her. For Aspen, life as we know it is officially over.
But what happens when Rand finds it as a perfect opportunity to get to know Aspen on a personal level?
“Rand has been completely infatuated with you since you convinced him in first grade he was lactose intolerant so you could have his chocolate milk. He studies every move you make. He adores you! How can you not have known this?” (41)
And even worse, what happens when Aspen suddenly feels tiny tugs on her heartstrings?
Can she really be falling for a geek? Is she finally going out of her mind? And what about the disappearances of certain tramps *cough* ANGEL IVES *cough* or the threatening messages or the slashing tires? Is it merely just an act to throw Aspen off her high horse, or is it something more heinous, more devious, more terrifying than that?

The smell of wine and cheap perfume

Alizen — Wed, 26 May 2010 06:57:56 +0000

On May 22nd, my mother and I had the opportunity of a lifetime to see one of the most spectacular concerts God could have possibly bestowed upon us, and by spectacular I mean Glee, the hit television show that airs every Tuesday at 9:00PM on Fox. Now for those of you who are either sorely misinformed or just plain ignorant, Glee is a story about a collection of teenagers from a variety of social groupings who come together to serve a common purpose: to sing. This rather odd bunch of students range from pregnant cheerleaders to histrionic divas to wheelchair-clad nerds and even football players. In other words, a bustling room of losers just waiting to spontaneously combust. Now I don’t know what exactly it was that attracted me to watch such a show like this, believe me when I say I had assumptions of a mix between High School Musical meets Gossip Girl, but my opinion drastically changed the moment Rachel Berry, front lead of the Glee Club, sang a duet with Finn, a now-unpopular football player and potential boyfriend, with Journey’s one hit wonder “Don’t Stop Believing.” (see video) Since then, I religiously flipped the switch on my television Tuesday nights (it actually used to air on Wednesdays) to get my weekly Glee fix.

Now you may be wondering, what’s the big deal about Glee anyway? It’s just a bunch of kids singing covers of some tribute-worthy artists. But, and I hope you take this in the most sincerest fashion, YOU’RE WRONG. ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY WRONG. To say that Glee is nothing more than just an excuse to bring about old singers whose music died out is a complete insult to me and my fellow Gleeks. (Yes, I said Gleek.) Contrary to what many non-viewers believe, Glee brings about common issues such as peer pressure and respect for students of sexual orientation through relatable scenarios that are usually accompanied by a song that enforces said issue.

Take this week’s episode, title “Theatricality”, for example. The theme for this week was to express yourself, to find the true meaning of your individuality while incorporating ideas from our one and only Lady Gaga. This not only inspired the kids to create outfits that best expressed their attitudes, it brought about the idea that sometimes “just blending in” isn’t enough to make it through the day. I believe that what this show has to offer is more than just a couple of show tunes. Glee is not just a means to sucker us into watching their tv show, or milking our money at the Glee Tour 2010 on $65 dollar sweaters and $200 letterman jackets. It’s a show about everyday occurrences in the dog-eat-dog world that is high school with not-so-average teenagers struggling to find their place in the world.

The Five People You Meet In Heaven

Alizen — Fri, 21 May 2010 06:32:15 +0000

In life, there is a purpose for everything, and every person is held accountable for the outcome. The day Eddie, an eighty-five year old park maintenance worker, died, Ruby Pier changed forever. The Thunder Drop, a new attraction to the pier, featured a drop that was well over 500 feet. On one rather coincidental day, Eddie’s birthday, a cable snapped and a young girl located under the ride forced Eddie to push her away in order to save her. However heroic, Eddie was not quick enough to escape his own death.

The First Person

Upon waking up, he realizes he is in the one place he never had the chance to escape: Ruby Pier. He is greeted by a rather odd gentleman by a name more commonly known as “The Blue Man”, one of Ruby’s greatest attractions in the freak show. How he came to a bluish hue resulted from a silver nitrate potion that he believed would cure him of his ailments. Eddie pondered the reason why he was the first person in his life, and The Blue Man told him that when Eddie was younger, he was playing baseball with his friends on the street. Joseph (the blue man) was driving down the road when Eddie happened to step out into the street. Terrified of killing this young stranger, Joseph swerved and hit a vegetable cart, causing a heart attack that ultimately killed him. The Blue Man taught Eddie that there is no random act in life, that everything is connected.

The Second Person

As the lights fade, Eddie enters a battlefield in what appears to be the Philippines. There he encounters his old Captain. “Tetanus, hepatitis shots, and they never did a damn thing…” He taught Eddie the lesson of sacrifice, in which his love for his soldiers allowed them to escape safely. After being captured by the Filipinos, he and his soldiers were trapped into hard labor. Once they finally had a chance to escape, Eddie decided to take the duty of burning the nipa huts, but as he burns the last hut, he sees a shadow rush through the house. Curious, he inquires for the person inside and he remains persistent, even though the others yell at him to get into the car. Eddie is then shot by what he believes is a plane and is carried away. He later finds out that the Captain shot him in order to save his life, and that by sacrificing his leg he saved him from burning in the fire.

The Third Person

The Seaside Diner, situated atop a snowy mountain is Eddie’s next destination, where he meets the creator and inspiration for the Ruby Pier: Ruby herself. There she shows him a scene in which an old friend of his father almost sexually abuses his mother, only to be interrupted by his father, who is outraged. He chases him out to the pier and instead of killing his best friend, he decides to forgive him. Ruby teaches Eddie the third lesson of forgiveness and the act of letting go. “No one is born hateful.”

The Fourth Person

Eddie is thrown into a garden, where he witnesses the continual scenes of ethnically diverse weddings. He is greeted by Marguerite, the love of his life. Because this is the first time they have spoken since their death, they catch up on current events and as Eddie’s eyes glaze with a soft batch of tears, Marguerite explains that just because someone dies doesn’t necessarily mean that their love will. She teaches him the lesson that love is perpetual.

The Fifth Person

The last and final person in Eddie’s journey is a young Filipino girl by the name of Tala. She was the girl Eddie called out to during the war, and after having countless nightmares of that event, she assures him that all is well. She teaches him that in time, all wounds will heal, scars will fade, and actions will be forgiven. She tells him that although Eddie could not save her, he saved everyone at the Pier. The final lesson teaches Eddie belonging, that his life was meant to be in Ruby Pier.

I created the sound of madness

Alizen — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 01:14:53 +0000

You clutch your purse closer to your body as you walk down the street, wary of the three African-American boys standing about a three-step staircase. You make sure you don’t look the Mexican boys on the street corner in the eye, for fear of getting shot (or even worse, raped). You can’t help but marvel at the fact that the man behind the 7-11 counter is, indeed, an Indian. You heave a sigh of relief when an Asian sits next to you, knowing that they can provide you with all the answers. Yes, we’ve all at some point felt this way, and if you haven’t, then perhaps you need to reevaluate your morality. We cannot deny that though we are taught to avoid such heinous stereotypes, we continue to do so anyway.

In school we are taught that every man (and woman) is equal, and yet we can’t help but generalize our peers, overlooking the fact that we are no better than White people who discriminate against Black slaves. That we are no better than Adolf Hitler, who sought to “purge” Jews from existence. But what makes us better than others? What gives us the power to claim superiority over specific ethnic groups?

We all suffer from personal misfortunes, financial mishaps and general troubles. What one can say about a certain country, another can so easily compare. But to state that a country is dominant over others by the monetary system displayed is, well, the very essence of a shallow mind.

Shallowness aside, we must now ask ourselves a question that seems ridiculously simple. Would our disdain towards specific races be due to the volatile behavior exhibited? For most, the answer will be yes, however there are those who beg to differ. And that makes me wonder what makes others say no. Clearly it should be evident that, if so and so were to act more humanly, we would be more sympathetic to their kind. But what could possibly lead us to think in such a manner when they cannot even help themselves? While I strongly believe that violence and gang affiliation is detrimental to this cause for equality, I believe that even so, they are not taught differently. And it makes sense. How could someone so different, so unique, so cultural, be discriminated for their heritage? Why should they conform to the ideologies of normalcy when their “superiors” cannot even view them in any other manner than absolute garbage? Hurting innocent people or even total strangers is not a crime to them, but a mere justification of the ultimate wrongs society continuously places before them.
So what am I driving at? What moral can be taught from this post? In reality, there is nothing that should not already be evident in this topic. Racism is, and will continue to be, an ongoing conflict between the combination of races and until it has been observed and duly noted by both parties, the cycle will repeat continuously. And I find that rather unfortunate, for when I heard MLK’s speech, I truly believed discrimination would be abolished. What has he achieved by allowing our generation to be more ignorant and close-minded? Tthe answer is nothing, because nothing has been achieved. I cannot tell you how to act towards other people, nor can I possibly convince you to turn the other cheek. All that I ask is the acknowledgment and better understanding towards all that surrounds you. You’ll be surprised by how irrelevant stereotypes can truly be.
Photo 1
Photo 2
Photo 3

Eye of the storm

Alizen — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 07:46:29 +0000

As soon as the school bell rings you rush out the door and step onto the school bus, plugging your headphones into your ears to drown out the voices of ten-year-old children talking about trivial topics like Hannah Montana and Pokemon Heartgold. A few minutes later you drift to sleep, where dreams of SAT score reports and what you’re having for dinner tonight fills your mind. Eventually the bus lands at your stop and you shuffle down the steps as you mindlessly unlock the door to your home and plop yourself in front of the computer, in the hopes of finishing your homework. You log onto your Facebook account and your instant messaging program for “studying purposes” and before you know it, a good three hours have gone by and you’re now scrambling to finish your essay. As each minute ticks by, the stress builds up and you rush to turn in a report that could not possibly be worth more than a C at best. The clock strikes midnight and you realize you haven’t even started your other assignments, and as you diligently struggle between finishing your work and staying awake, your parents ask you what time it is (“Three o’ clock, are you kidding me?!”) before giving you a lecture about having better time management and less distractions. You ignore their voice and come to an agreement with the brain that’s telling you it needs to get some rest and you crash onto your bed, exhausted, only to wake up three hours later to repeat the cycle…

If you can personally relate to this scenario, then I highly suggest purchasing Deborah Reber’s Chill, a self-help book that promises stress-reduction techniques. “You’re wasting time if you’re keeping an IM open while you study, and replying back immediately to whoever pings you first. However, if you casually check back every five minutes, you are using your time efficiently.” (43) Let’s face it, we’re far from perfect, and who could possibly stray away from logging onto Facebook every once in a while? Hey, if it’s the only thing keeping you sane, so be it, but Reber has something to say about that! Browsing the web, listening to music or keeping the television on are great factors in increasing stress levels. This is because, with many distractions, our minds tend to wander off instead of applying 100% of it towards the task that must be done. This in turn creates anxiety due to the time that has been lost and the fear that there is not enough time to complete the assignment. This is where a timetable comes in! While I admit having a timetable seems nerdy, it may just be the answer you’re looking for. By sticking to a schedule produced by the person that knows you best, you are attuned to the things that interfere with your life and the things that tend to distract you.
But what if you’re in a relationship? Possibly the greatest stress-inducer is, as I may have mentioned one too many times in my previous posts, the influence of relationships (or the opposite sex, for that matter). Such complications arise from ideals like this that escalade into even more superficial ideas that transform negatively (i.e. peer pressure, virginity issues, drinking habits, the desire to be popular, etc). “If you’re trying to figure out how to handle an opportunity or situation, put the question out to the universe. Close your eyes and ask yourself, is this the right choice for me?… Am I considering this choice out of a sense of guilt or because I am pressured to do so?” (75) By allowing this to pervade our minds, we detract from our long-term goals (like getting a good grade in your Chemistry class) and being pressured into doing something you do not particularly enjoy or want to do creates a situation in which you must choose between what is right and what is easy, both of which can be avoidable.
In reality, the book centers around one important subject: staying stress-free, and while most of the solutions presented inside seem obvious, Reber offers quality advice that I believe every teenage girl should take. Not only is this book written in a note-styled fashion, it entices the reader with little caricatures on the sides, lists, and quizzes. During a time in which we are faced with a multitude of stress-inducing factors, I find it imperative to receive as much help as possible. This book can do all that in a foolproof manner, guaranteed!

Image credit

Summer lovin’ had me a blast~

Alizen — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 06:56:51 +0000

It was the summer of ’09 and after horribly breaking up with my boyfriend of eight months, I was in desperate need of a distraction. As most teenagers are wont to do, Coley dragged me to the Santa Monica Pier in the hopes of cheering up my battered soul.
“Love doesn’t last forever,” she assured me, “and especially for two naive sixteen year olds.”
“Ian is seventeen,” I corrected.
She rolls her eyes before slapping a sopping wet clump of sea sand onto my $34.99 destroyed jean Hollister shorts, a pair that I had ironically received from my now-ex a month into the relationship. “You know what I mean.”
And I did know what she meant, because my usually rosy-cheeked, golden tan complexion had mutated into a hideous pasty white. Gone were the days of brown pleather jackets over a summery halter top matched with dark navy blue skinnies and my favorite Geringer heels. The almighty Leila Carter has stepped down from her throne. After all, what sort of A-list queen can hold her head up when her physically perfect Ken-like, soccer playing boyfriend isn’t matched like Paris Hilton’s purse dog? I hate to say it, but my life was beginning to feel like one of those cheesy Lifetime movies no one but dateless geeks dedicate their Friday nights to. But, in honor of my 10-year strong relationship with the one and only girl I could so easily call my best friend, I decided to put it all aside for a bare minimum of four hours. Besides, sun, sand, bikinis and tanning oil; what’s a blonde Californian to lose?
After precariously smoothing the SPF 15 Banana Boat tanning oil, I plug myself into my musical nirvana of David Guetta and his techno beats. Somewhere in the middle of “When Love Takes Over” and “Sexy Chick” a heavy thump collides against my left leg and I quickly jolt my eyes open to see what maniacal five-year-old threw their Tickle Me Elmo on my side of the beach. Instead of making some devilish eye contact with a half naked snot-nosed brat, my view is distorted by the silhouette of a masculine figure. As he inches forward to claim the sandy Spalding volleyball lying three inches away from me I sit up and gracefully lower my shades. To my disbelief, not only did my eyes fall upon a boy with approximately a 5’9″ build sporting the godliest six pack abs that could clearly put David Beckham to shame, but his two crystal blue eyes were so tantalizing that even the most offensive of crimes could have been easily assuaged with just one glance.
“Sorry,” he says, ruffling his wet hair with his right hand as I get a perfect view of his toned biceps. “Scott’s kind of an idiot when it comes to beach volleyball.”
I pull my shades up, brushing my dirty blonde hair out of my face and smirk. “Wouldn’t have expected a boy to be bad at a sport.”
He smiles as he leans down and picks the ball up with one hand. “Look I uh, wanna make it up to you, for interrupting your…”
“It’s fine,” I say as I nod my head assuringly. “Happens all the-”
“She’d love to play a game against you,” Coley interjects as she ties the bikini strap on her back and gets up slowly, stretching out her arms before looking at me. “Right?”
Beach babe grins and tosses the ball over to me. “If you’re so concerned about us BOYS playing horribly, maybe you should teach us how to be better?”
He winks before turning 180 and sauntering off to his bumbling monkey of a friend and Coley gives her signature “Am I good or what?” look. I roll my eyes mockingly as I shove the ball into her lap so I can stand up properly. “Last I checked you werent my mother, and I’m perfectly capable of making my own decisions, thankyouverymuch!”
She tosses the ball back to me before lifting herself off the Little Mermaid towel sprawled across the bed of sand. “Fine, but when you get with him, you know who to thank. Besides, how could you say no to that wonderful backside?”

The inspiration~
This story is only one part of a continuous weekly reader whose title is yet to be named. For more of this, be sure to check in next week~ Special thanks go out to Crystal, who gave me the idea of being creative(:

Which 2 WRs to grade

Alizen — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 04:52:05 +0000

Don’t forget to look before you fall
The truth is, love sucks

Gaga: fashion sense or disaster?

Alizen — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 05:43:34 +0000

One of America’s most highly-acclaimed singers, if Lady Gaga isn’t known for her music, then she’s definitely claimed her fame from her rather ostentatious fashion sense. Dressed from head to toe in the late Alexander McQueen’s designs, Gaga promises a life in which her fans will rarely, if ever, see her in “normal clothes”. However, such a demand holds complications. During a flight to a show, Gaga began to feel agitated and was soon forced to disrobe herself from the uncomfortable outfit, due to a diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis, a symptom that causes blood clots in the legs, arms or pelvis, depending on the situation.
But what exactly drives this woman into wearing such peculiar attire? The answer, believe it or not, is not just a mere “fashion statement” most celebrities undergo but an attempt to internationally stimulate awareness for many tragic events. Of course, with her discretion, she manages to add a little bit of her taste as well. Ms. Germanotta is a fan of Italian fashion, and as stated in an interview with Oprah, “wakes up every morning trying to create her dream outfits with her designers”. And while some of her outfits
seem to upset the public, it is her style that attracts the attention of many onlookers. Possibly one of her most memorable outfits is the Kermit Outfit, a dress designed by Jean-Charles de Castelbajac. While many celebrities would rather die than be seen in such an atrocity, Gaga states that there is reason for the dress. She is a strong advocate for PETA’s “Fur is Dead” campaign, and by donning an animal dress she symbolized her disdain for fur and dead animals. Another one of her infamous outfits was worn at the 2009 Video Music Awards. (For those of you who have seen her Paparazzi Music Video, you’ll notice the similarities.) This outfit symbolizes Gaga’s sympathy for Princess Diana’s death. The lace represents intricacy and royalty, the red color symbolizes the blood shed from her, and as to why it’s used in “Paparazzi”, I can assume that’s self-explanatory. From cigarette shades to police tape, Lady Gaga is sure to make a lasting impression in the hearts of the world, but what makes her most unique is her lack of interest towards the social bias they have towards her appearance.

Click for the inspiration<3

Sticks and stones won’t hurt my bones!

Alizen — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 06:42:07 +0000

If honesty is the best policy, then who’s to say when someone has overstepped their boundaries? It’s understood that words can be your strongest weapon, but what happens when that weapon is used for methods that imply more than best intentions? There’s a point in which the truth transforms into personal opinion, and when that happens what was originally stated no longer retains its sentimental value.

“No offense, but…”

One of the most ridiculous opening statements I hear on a more than daily basis is “no offense.” I’m almost positive everyone understands the meaning of those two words, and yet I see it tossed around the schoolyard in light of its acidic tone. Quite frankly, to state that your remark should not cause offense to your interlocutor is a pointless redundancy. If we’re all assumed to follow the Golden Rule (that is, to Do Unto Others As You Would Have Them Do Unto You) religiously, no pun intended, then every word, every syllable, should be spoken with pure honesty. Granted, it’s a lot to ask, but when has “No offense” ever been used to hold back a rude comment? If anything, it gives us an excuse to criticize someone directly.

“I told you so.”

If there’s anything worse than addressing the root of a problem, it’s admitting you’re wrong, and I suppose it’s human nature to deny it. After all, we’re so set on believing the only person who’s right is ourselves. But what exactly is this phrase trying to say? Clearly it’s anything but “I told you so.” Translation: I’m right, and you’re stupid for assuming I wasn’t. A friendship is built between two people who understand the mutuality of hospitality, kindness and sympathy. As a friend, our duty is to offer not just words that console their poor souls, but strength to overcome the issue. By retorting in a magniloquent manner, we’re only demoralizing them further. Counterproductive, right?

Going beyond…

Of course, there are those who completely disregard your emotional behalf: the ones who speak with a sharp tongue and a blunt attitude. And while I understand their position on the problem, I can’t help but question their interest in the situation at all. It’s evident that these people have low tolerance for such behavior, but lo and behold, not everyone was built with such impenetrable skin. Therefore, is what they say actually wise? Two plausible answers: yes and no, and I heavily lean towards the negative quite frankly because those that have the patience to listen SHOULD have the patience to give their input after deductive reasoning.
And perhaps it’s the simple fact that we simply hold too much faith in others that we continuously set ourselves up for disappointment. Honesty is no longer a matter of hearing the truth, but hearing words that will lull us into a sense of safety. And while I’m old enough to make decisions on my own, opinions of how I view the situation, I still find it important to hold kindness as a virtue. It’s simple, really. “If you don’t have nothing nice to say, don’t say nothing at all.”

Crrredit!