Snow day

I really hope that we will have a snow day on friday. We do not have snow days often, the last one I remeber was last school year:/. We go to school for such a long time that we deserve an extra day of no school:). On snow days even teachers get a day off, and they are paid for that day since it is not their fault. Lets hope that we have a snow day tommorow because I really do not want to come on Friday. Because I have three tests tommorow!!!!

snow dayyyyyyyyy

Man, I can't even remember the last snow day we had. I'm really hoping that maybe we will have one tomorrow. Even though it is doubtful. I think it is really dangerous that we have school on some of the days we have in the past. I mean the roads are a wreck it took me an hour to get home from woodfield today...and that is a lot of kids to have out on the roads in the morning. Not to mention teachers have to commute too.

Yes the roads are horrible and it is snowing like a mad man outside, but if there is one thing i have learned over the years at fremd high school it is to not get my hopes up for a snow day. Honestly, when was the last time our school or district has had one? There has been an absolute blizzard one day and school was still in session, where 2 of my friends spun out on the way to school because the roads were so bad. I know it is supposed to snow a lot more tonight and the winds are supposed to increase with the temperature dropping but the district doesnt care. Dont get me wrong im praying for a snow day just as much as everyone else out there, but i dont expect one to come anytime soon.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Okay so I was shocked that our cheer practice at 5:30 wasn't cancelled... the roads got so bad so quick!! My mom keeps talking about school vs. no school tomorrow, and like Sam said, I'd hate to jinx it. But honestly.... my mom has already snowblown the driveway multiple times tonight and I can't even tell. The roads are so dangerous... I kept getting pulled on ice and I could barely drive over twenty mph. It has been snowing since before school got out... how are the roads not plowed yet? Or they just can't keep up with the amount of snow coming down.... If the snow keeps up at the rate it's going, I don't know how the plows will keep up! We'll see! Either way, school or no school, snowy or clean roads, tomorrow's Friday!! And this week has felt soo long! Who's excited for the weekend?? :)

Snow Day

Yeah to go along with what VJ was saying, it is really crappy outside. I saw at least 5 spin outs when I was out and about and the car feels like its on a ice rink instead of a road. It is really nasty out and it is only suppose to get worse. I hate to jynx it but I'm feeling a little crazy in saying there might be a snow day because, quite frankly, are district feels like snow days are only saved for record breaking blizzards and hail the size of softballs. Our school schedule has I think 5? snow days on reserve in case of bad weather during the school year. So why does are schools never seem to close even if it is terrible driving and freezing tempatures? I mean the days are there for a reason so why don't they just use them? It gets me annoyed because then we wind up going to school on the days that were reserved for snow days. I've also witnessed days in the last couple of years where other districts like D214 and Barrington's district take a snow day and D211 is still open for buisness. I just don't get it. Hopefully tommarrow they will give us a break and finally use one of the snow days that they have in reserve. I got to say a three day weekend does sound pretty sweet. Cross your fingers.

Kissing/Snow

I agree with everybody that it is absolutly asinine that kids would get expelled from school for kissing. I see it every day in the hallways and it seems completly normal around here. Anyway to change things up a little bit. Has anyone been outside lately? I just got home from work and the roads are complete crap. There is probably about a good 5 inches of snow on the ground already, its insane. Its crazy how some people dont know how to drive in this stuff. On my short 4 mile drive home from the bike shop i saw a couple SUVs spin out. i mean, i have a mustang and that isnt the best car to have in these conditions and i had little probems. So if you have to go out somewhere, I would change that because it doesnt seem that it is going to get much better. hopefully tommorow we will have a snow day.

Getting expelled for kissing is not something you would expect to hear now days since there a lot of things that are worse than that going on. When I heard that, you would think of that happening maybe back in our parents day or earlier than that. Kissing's not really that big of a deal now, and I know it sometimes leads to other things but sometimes it's just kissing. I wonder what these people would think if they walked through our halls. Teachers at our school accept it and don't really think about it anymore. It's so common, and even though it's not what you want to see in the halls, because it is disgusting sometimes, it's kind of normal. I think that now, in our days, it's not what it used to be. Teens are a lot more experienced and advanced. Although schools may want to try to stop other things from happening, it's impossible. Kids are going to do what they want. Personally, I think it's ridiculous even though I don't WANT to see people all over each other and making out in the halls.

Kissing thing

Obviously is it crazy to get expelled for kissing, but you gotta admit it aint pretty. Sometimes people really gotta keep their lives a little more private. When i see someoe getting a mouthfull of someone else in the halls it is not something i enjoy. I think teachers should tell them to cut it out, but expulstion is obviously way over the edge. i also hate it when people are in my car making out in the back while im trying to drive, that is a real pain in the ass. Get a room.

Kissing

So like how a lot of you have said. The two students that got expelled, or suspended which ever one, for kissing is crazy. If you would look around our school I'd say about... well a lot of students would not be in class. I don't think I have ever gone one passing period without seeing a couple kissing. I don't see too many make outs but it's happened. I will see teachers break some couples up but never have they been sent down to the office. Why are schools making rules so ridiculous? I'm not a fan of PDA but I'll let it go, schools should be able to too. I think that administrators are forgeting what it is like to be in high school. If they looked back to their high school days and remembered what happened in their halls then maybe they will be able to losen up a bit.

That in insane to get expelled for kissing someone in the hallway! If you took a walk down our hallways during one of hte passing periods in at least every hall there is someone who is making out or doing stuff. And sometimes its kinda gross if its two wierdos, no offense but it kinda is. And whoever said that at the college that boy was played ddr with a girl and he got in trouble? that is also insane that they cant even be like close to each other, i mean i have heard of the same sex dorms and you cant have someone of the opposite sex in your dorm.. but that was just for like the night or something. That is insane that you can't even hang out with them in the dorm. Some of these rules are just ridiculous that schools are having.

wow i didnt know people get expelled from kissing in school
thats so ridiculous. who cares if people are kissing ? as long as they do any inappropriate stuff,..
it's just kiss. no big deal. cant believe they got kicked out of district and no public schools are accepting them. i see so many people in fremd kissing in the hallway. and usually people dont really mind. but i dont understand why school makes stupid rules.

So....

It seems like that kissing things is a bit out of hand. I think that the adminstration acted a little over board. I think asimple hey what are you two kids doing or a hey get a room would get them to stop and get the idea they shouldn't do that in front of teachers, or they should get awarning first. This is terrible because this young fellow may not get to the school that he wants to go to.

I FORGOT TO ADD...

We dont know the situation in the town...there could be circumstances we dont even know about. We can't judge the story based on a biased report. Kissing can lead to other things....and maybe that town had a problem in the past with teen pregnancies. It could be that they were trying to teach them a lesson and set an example for the rest of the kids there that kissing and sexual acts wont be tolerated. Maybe the kids who were expelled were older and the younger kids looked up to them. If these impressionable freshman see kids making out on a bus, they could be imagining what they do when they get off that bus. If the younger kids think that's ok, they're going to go out and do the same thing. I dont know, there are so many 'maybes' and 'what ifs', but there was a definite reason they were expelled. All I know is that we can't judge it b/c we dont know all the facts.

pda's

I totally agree with what everyone has been saying, that's total b.s. I dont think it's fair that someone can get expelled for kissing when we at FREMD have had so much worse go on in our hallways! I feel bad for the boy and hope he gets into the military academy, but if he knew the rules, he should have followed them. If kissing can get someone expelled there, they obviously live in a very conservative area. Knowing this and knowing the rules, how hard could it have been to wait a few more stops to kiss his girlfriend? Everyone who has posted hasn't thought about the different areas people live in. We are very accepting here of so many things, including like what Jim said- all of the weirdos making out in the hallways, but they must live in a very different place. PDA's obviously aren't acceptable there and they should have known better. I really don't have much sympathy for him. Here, we know right from wrong. Whether kids choose to follow rules is their choice. Although what's right and what's wrong might be completely different in different areas, we are smart enough to use our judgement wisely. This boy didn't, and now he's paying the consequences.

Kissing

Thats crazy you kiss your girlfriend and you get kicked out of school. Everyone is right schools have many crazy rules. The one I understand is the hat rule because there are many people that wear it different which can show gang relation and get hurt. They need to take a break on everyone all school boards have been real strict. But they worry about kissing why not about problems around the school or serious problems in school.

Kissing on the bus

Its pretty jacked up that those kids got kicked out of school for kissing. It is really weird to me how intense school rules are becoming. Even at our school the rules seem to become more strict every year. Now you can get a ticket and have to go to court if you skip class and with the tardys...we used to have to get like 5 in one class to get detention and now it is 5 in all classes??? what is that? Plus like 10 years ago schools were wayy more lenient. I suppose I can sort of see the point of rules like that but I still feel like all the restrictions are getting out of control. Making these rules isn't going to stop kids from rebelling anyways.

i think what happened to these kids is absolutely ridiculous. I mean kissing is an everyday part of life that happens in the real world, it's not like it is hurting anyone else. Now watching those weird people make out in the halls i would expell them probablly because that is just weird. I'm not of fan of those kids so i just kind of make fun of them whenever i see it occuring, but back tot he topic. Administration has locked these kids into confinement, where they are no longer allowed to express themselves in anyway. I thought our school was bad with Halloween and all the other nonsense that they have caused but this is by far the worst. All i can say is best of luck to those kids.

KISSING?!

That's Horrible, Unheard-of, Ubsured, and just plain silly. (And a little funny) Seriously folks, how does one justify the expulstion of two students for kissing? It's not like they took a swing at a teacher or anything... Heck, if I remember correctly, they did less than that to the guys who keep setting of the fire alarm last year.(Good Times...) Why would anyone get bent out of shape over something like a kiss... Maybe it IS against the rules, Maybe not everyone wants to see that kind of think on their way to Health Science. So what? Sure it's not allowed but come on. Expulstion? Sorry if the admin responsible for this is reading, but geez... What were you thinking? Bust kids for brawling in the lunchroom, Smoking in the locker room, Or setting of the fire alarm... Not for kissing >.<

School rules

That's crappy... I understand that PDA can be disturbing, but seriously-- expulsion?? That is totally crazy. I have a friend that goes to a really conservative Christian college. Apparently they have rules against guys and girls doing things like kissing, dancing, holding hands, whatever. So he got in trouble and had to serve extra work hours for playing DDR with a girl. They aren't even close enough to touch each other, and he got in trouble. These rules are so... useless. Do they think that telling students not to do these things in public is going to cut down on it altogether? Because, it is probably just going to encourage kids to go crazy as soon as they are away from teachers and everyone.

Total Randomness....2 students EXPELLED for KISSING!!

OK so i was looking at CNN.com to catch up on the news and i came across a video that explains that two students were expelled for kissing on the bus!

The link for the video:
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2008/01/30/sc.expelled.for.kissing.wccb

I cant believe this. I mean come on ONLY kissing. Its not like they were screwing or something. This is an example of how schools go way over board with the rules. So this got my interest and i look it up on Google.

The link for the article:
http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200880130009

I just cant believe it. I'm mean sure there is a rule for sexual misconduct. But gosh just for kissing. Schools are so ridicules. When i went to LCHS(Lakes Community High School) when i was a freshman they tried to have a rule saying girls couldn't where flip flops. FLIP FLOPS! They said it would distract the boys....BULLSHIT! These schools are coming up with some ridiculous ass rules. Whats next....girls cant were lip gloss and guys cant have long hair. This crap is so crazy. Its not us that have a problem its the damn school system. I mean don't they have anything better to do then come up with this crazy ass rules. They probably just sit and think of ways to make our lives crap. Well with crazy ass rules like this i DON'T listen. These schools. Crazy!

State of union

This was the first time in my life I watched this boring speech. Bush brought up some good points but I didnt agree with some points as Liz said. But also Bush is saying things what he wanted to do when his is about to leave office. I really dont know who to vote for its my first time and I want to make a good choice. I try to keep up with the news with the new canaidates. But I really think Obama or Cliton is going to win. But those are the to tough choices I am having which one am I going to vote for.

State of the Union

The speech yesterday delivered by the president was long and boring. Unfortunatley, I was able to listen to the whole thing and was concerned if those changes would actually come true. This would probably lie in tha hands of the candidates for presidency. I hope that all those candidates are looking at the growth of America and its people and not thier own personal interests. I hope that I will keep on blogging until the end of this quarter and you guys too.

The State of the Union Address

This was the first State of the Union Address that I have actually watched all the way through. It actually was not as bad as I thought is was going to be. I was almost at the point of enjoyable. I didn't agree with everything that George Bush said but he did bring up good points, and I do think that he was being honest in wanting to do these things even if all those things are not all passable. This year I am trying to pay more attention to politics since this is the first year that I will be able to vote. Listening to the issues is always a good step to take. What will be even more interesting is the Democrats and republicans will use what Bush said and will make their own points and opinions off of this speech. I am interested to see if what Bush said will actually happen. I don't think that it was all BS like some people think. It was a good speech and it seems like Bush has a plan for 2008. I don't know if it is a good one, but it is a plan. This was his last State of the Union Address which I am happy about. I am ready for a new president.

Response to Krysit/ motorcycles

Sorry if i spelled your name wrong. But what i wanted to say is i totally agree with you statement that everyone should learn how to drive other types of vehicles. I ride motorcycles AND i drive a stick shift car, so i feel strongly about this. If someone is out with a person who drives a manual car, and that driver becomes unable to drive for whatever reason, the other person has to take over and drive. My own safety can depend on my passenger, and if they cant drive my car it would be dangerous. I have taught many of my friends to drive my car, I'm happy to do it. I'm willing to teach anyone who wants to lean because it is an important skill to have.

Also i wanted to mention that motorcycles are not just 2 wheeled death traps. Bikes get a lot of bad publicity because many of the accidents are fatal. I understand that they are dangerous but so are cars. Cars kill more people than bikes do. Many times motorcyclists are killed by ignorant drivers who cut them off. Car drivers often treat motorcycles with no respect. Motorcycles are not that much more dangerous than cars. Bikes are also fuel efficient, enviorntmentally friendly, fn to ride, and easy to park. So i just wanted to say that

State of the Union

I did not like this speech, it was so boring. He was talking about what he did during his two terms but half of it was not a success. He also prmised to veto new taxes but I dont think he will do it. The president's speech was that boring that one of the members just went to sleep. I do not think that lots of people like to watch it. I hope that I will not have to watch it again because it is boring.

President Bush....State of Union Speech....

so last night i totally forgot to watch pres bush do his speech. I have this really good link to where you can get it....

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/01/20080128-13.html

for those who like me forgot to do it or for some other reason....there you go.

Tony Valliere

Anthony J Valliere is my best friends older brother. He was driving from one highway onto another when he lost control of his bike, hit a cement barricade and flew off the bike. He died on the scene. He is one the most enigmatic, amazing, truly genuine person I have ever met. He means so much to his family, not a day went by when Mrs. Valliere wasn't talking about him and how proud she is of him. The wake is going to be on Friday and a memorial service will be on Saturday. (As of now..it could change). Kind words and prayers would be kindly received by the family. The Valliere's are some of the strongest people I know and I truly love them. Please respect them in their time of mourning. If there are any questions please direct them away from Monique and Christine (both of whom attend Fremd) I am willing to answer questions concerning his memorial. Tony, we miss you and love you, for now and forever.

State of the Union

I basically thought I was in a dream. Everything he was saying was all the B.S that he failed to do while he was *in office*. Now that he's about to leave office, he wants to do so without egg on his face. Talking about bio-diesel, Fed Taxes...I don't know, frankly it was all a bunch of crap that he was spewing out. The only good thing he talked about was how Nancy Pelosi was the first Madam Speaker of the house. And he mentioned that about 8 times trying to wave people into thinking he's smart.

State of Union

So how was the "State of Union" for your guys? I think it wasn't necessary "fun to watch",but I still heard some interesting topics.
He spoke little bit about the "Clean energy" but I was little concerned about that topic. Because United State didn't participate in "Kyoto Protocol". I'm not saying that US is indifferent in ecology but I felt some contradiction.
And I was also surprised that he didn't talked about nuclear problem in North Korea.
So is there anything you felt in "State of Union"?

The ACT $ GPA

On the subject of the ACT, I believe that for most people's cases, it shouldn't matter what the numbers of their scores are. One single test should not determine whether or not an individual gets accepted into the school of their choice. What matters most should be the GPA avgerage. Overall, keeping up your GPA is usually everyones top concern. Because there is no real way to study for questions asked on the ACT, one only has to prepare for it. On the other hand, your GPA means a lot more because you have to put more effort in getting good grades and you have to earn it unlike those that guess as some people do on the ACT.

With what Julieanne said, sorry if your name is spelled wrong, but I think that colleges shouldn't look at ACT scores as hard as they do. Sometimes it works out for a student but then sometimes it doesn't, like me. I got tutored so many times and I still did horrible but then there are those kids who don't get tutored because they can't, so they don't have the test taking stratedies or your just a bad test taker. I am def. a bad test taker and it stopped me from getting into some of hte colleges i wanted to get into just because of my ACT score. I think they should focus more on the GPA because that shows your improvements throughout high school and if you are a pretty steady student with your grades or if you drop grade wise. I think that if you do well in school and you improve you should get into some of the schools you want and that schools should just focus more on GPA and like essays and stuff, instead of ACT.

in response to Dan's post...
My sister was friends with the boy who just passed away in a motorcycle accident. His name is Tony and he went to Fremd and then to college out on the east coast where he was also part of either the marines/army/navy..i forget. His sister's still at Fremd. I called her and was talking to her about it. His funeral service is out on the coast, but they are having a memorial service here this weekend so her group of friends from high school is driving home in a couple days. Close friends, kids from classes that they didn't see on weekends... it's branched out and affected a lot of their class. It's so scary putting this into perspective, thinking about us in four years and what I would feel like if something happened to any of our friends.....knock on wood, or whatever superstition works. It's so unthinkable. I just hope his family is helping each other and being there for each other during this time, and that they know they have the support of the community and their friends.

I have talked to a lot of colleges about the way they evaluate prospective students. ACT scores are considered, but they shouldn't be the deciding factor. GPA is a good indicator of what kind of student you will be in the future, as ACT is a good indicator of how you will test. I totally understand that some people are better at taking tests than others... but you will have to take tests in college and the school wants to know about how well you're going to do. I agree with Aubree that you get what you put in. If you have tried, you should get what you deserve.

So I noticed a couple of posts that mentioned spell checking... I have Firefox, it can spell check me automatically when I'm typing in a text box. :)

Motorcycle Accident & Guinness Book Of World Records

Ok... from the stories that I have heard, over all I have heard motorcycles are very dangerous. Maybe why the girl said that she has no sympathy for the guy was because everyone know that they are dangerous, but at the same time, I think that was rude to say. I have heard some horror stories about motorcycle accidents and it freaks me out just a little bit. But other wise I would love to learn how to ride a motorcycle and I think it would be pretty sweet. Last year I was talking to the guys water polo coach and he was telling me that a girl should learn how to drive any type of vehicle, stick sift and motorcycles for example, because what if one day you are in college and you go to a party and your boyfriend or guy friend is buzzed and he can't drive. Well if he drove a motorcycle or a stick sift to the party with you, you would know how to drive it home and no one would get hurt! I thought that was pretty funny. But I would love to learn how to drive either one of those, just for the experience.


On TV last night there was a show for the Guinness Book Of World Records and it showed some of the top ones. Some of them were creepy like a guys skin could stretch 6 inches, and some of them where insane like a guy went to the north pole and swam in a suit 180 yards under a sheet of ice. Why would someone risk their life just to make a record that someone else might break after a while? Would you ever risk your life to break a crazy record? Just wondering.....

Immigration/ Motorcycle accident

I noticed that everyone had basically the same opinion on immigration: it is ok if they do it legally and i agree. America is made of immigrants, but they shouldnt sneak in illegally, thats wrong.
Also i wanted to talk about something i heard about at school. Last weekend a former Fremd student got into a fatal motorcycle accident and my friend heard a girl say something disturbing. The girl heard about the accident and said "I have no sympathy for someone who got killed due to their own stupidity." THIS IS INSANE! I WANTED TO PUNCH HER IN THE FACE!!!! There are many reasons this made me mad and here is why
1. How did she know it was his fault? He might have hit some wet pavement or had a technical flaw on the bike and that caused him to crash.
2. Has she ever ridden a motorcycle? because i have and any little flaw can throw you off balance.
AND
3. Even if it was his mistake he didn't deserve to die, and it is horrible that he did.
I was so mad when i heard this because i am a motorcyclist and i know what it is like. The other reason i was super upset is because i had an uncle who i never got to meet because he died at age 18 because of a motorcycle accident. He wasnt wearing a helmet and he was not riding safely at all, but no matter what it was devistating to my dad's family and he didnt deserve to die.

SO to this girl i say, "you are an ignorant female dog"

Immigration

I don't have a problem with immigrants coming to our country, as long as they come legally. I think that it is great that people come to our country to make a better life for themselves, but when they come illegally then it brings the country down. When illegal immigrants come it brings up the prices on things like car insurance because they don't have it so its like paying for there insurance along with theirs. If you get into an accident with one and its their fault then your insurance goes up because they don't have any. I think that it is alright to deport illegal immigrants back to their country because they just snuck into our country. If they come over legally then i have no problem with that.

Immigration

Everybody wants to go to America now adays since it is after all, the land of opportunity. Immigration is now going to its peak. People are now coming in and thier are still some who are waiting in line. I suggest that they start to lessen the number of immigration this year before America becomes overpopulated. The solution might be near after the election of the next president so well see.

Immigration....

You know i have nothing against people coming to our counrty. Why can't they do legally? Im mean im all for equality and letting people have a chance at a better life, but the right way. Just sneeking in is not only hurting illegal immigrants but hurting potentail legal immigrants. Illegal immigrants have border control shooting at them and when they come in illegaly they could be starting a new law saying no more immigrants. And that hurts the chances of immigrants that want to do it legally. I LOVE the fact that our counrty is so diverse. and i dont want no one thinking i hate immigrants because i dont. Think about this....none of us would be here because our ancestors immigrated to america. And they didnt need papers back then. So without our ancestors none of us would be here. And i understand it might look like im contradicting my self, but im not. All im saying is ya sure come to our country, but do it legally..thats all i have to say.

(sorry if mispelling....it wont let me check)

LAST SEMESTER/GPA-ACT

First, Maggie's post almost made me cry thinking about all the people that we've grown up with and spent our whole lives with that we won't be seeing next year. As much as I dont enjoy seeing some people at this school, it's nice to see familiar faces and next year we wont have that. I definitely agree with Maggie that we need to live in the moment as much as we can and just have fun the rest of our senior year.

Anyways...About GPA/ACT. I think it's important for colleges to know this information so they can predict what kind of student and how hardworking you'll be at their school. How else would they guage that? I think the GPA is a good relection of what type of student you are. I suck at taking tests, but that's because I'm not good at applying concepts on a piece of paper. However, if I spent more of my free time studying, I could better prepare myself. By now, we all know how to take tests and whats on them, so anticipate and actually spend time learning what you know you arent good at doing. And with the ACT, my sister took hers 3 times and I took mine twice to get the score I wanted. If you dont get the score you want, take it again, or take some ACT classes that Fremd offers for free to prepare youself. It's that simple, so we can all stop whining about this subject. We all know that what it comes down to in the end is that you get back the effort you put in. PEOPLE WHO DONT KNOW THIS BY NOW, AFTER 13 YEARS OF SCHOOL, WILL LEARN A HARD LESSON IN COLLEGE!

immigration.

So I think that its compleatly unfair that the ACT counts for so much while getting into college. I mean I have a decent GPA, but Im just a really bad test taker. I cant concentrait for such long periods of time on the same thing. I think its unfair that they judge you so much by some silly test. Im thinking about going into fashion in college, and I cant think of much of anything that actually related to fashion on my ACT. I mean granit you do use some math, Ill admit that but other than that I think its kind of pointless. I guess thats just the way the cookie crumbles.

Moving on, I have somthing new that I would like to hear from you guys about. Last night I was watching the news and it was talking about an illeagle imigrant in humble park that has taken refugee in a church to advoide getting deported. I think that its compleatly unfair that police cannot enter a church to arrest someone for this. I mean I understand that its suppost to be a safe haven, but being the fact that shes on the news means that shes obiously not just hiding, shes sort of like rubbing it in their faces that they cant get her. I guess its just a matter of time before she accendently steps out and theyll be waiting for her. I dont think its wrong to support your family by any means, (thats all she claims shes doing) but I do think its wrong to sneak your way into our country.

oh and this computer wont let me click on the word to spell check it.. so sorry guys.

GPA and ACT

I am torn about what i think colleges should do with the ACT scores becuase half of me thinks it is important becuase if all students are all taking the same test it shows what we know and what we dont know. On the other hand some students are really smart but really struggle with the long tests. I think for the majority though that if a student is smart and has a good GPA that that student would do fairly well on the ACT. It is a good way to see how students do on the long tests becuase i know to become an accountant you have to an accounting exam before you start working and it is similar to the ACT becuase it is reallllyyyy long. So it is good practice and good base for all of the tests a person would need to take for their jobs.

GPA

Yes I agree with Sam colleges worry about are ACT scores to much. They should look at many peoples gpa rather then looking at there act scores. The act test was so boring and long and I really couldnt focus that long. If someone is doing good in school that means there capable for what they are doing in school. I hate long test they just make me go crazy and I really cant stay in one seat for so long I need to be active. Also there is no way you can study for the Act test there are many questions on the test that I never heard of and are some college level questions. There is no point in the act I rather be judged by my gpa.

NEW TOPIC: ACT OR GPA?

I was thinking about college and all that and about a friend who has a great GPA but didn't get into his college of choice because his ACT score was only a 22. I think that colleges take into consideration a student's ACT score way too much. I think that the test is a poor indicator of a person's true capabilities and that college's should focus on a student's GPA when deciding admissions. I mean there are people out there who simply are not good at taking standardized tests. A person could be a straight A student and still wind up getting a below average score on the ACT and now colleges are considering not allowing him to attend their university because of a stupid test. The ACT is a measurement of how a person performed on one occasion. While the GPA shows how a person has constantly pushed themselves for the last four years to maintain a high GPA. This shows a person is reliable and has good study habits and could very much prosper at the college level. An ACT score can show a person what? That you can figure out crazy science questions and are a good guesser when you don't know the answer? Its about time that colleges do away with their whole ACT score and focus in on what matters. 

The Last One

I totally agree with you guys that the first semester has flown by in what felt like 15 days. Yet, at the same time I feel that it was probably the most fun I have ever had in a semester. I mean it sounds cliche but time really does fly when your having fun. And that is exactly what senior year is. Not only is this the easiest year for me acedemically, it is also the most relaxing and exciting year of high school. I don't know about you guys but I am so eager to leave and start my life basically. High school was a great time, but I am ready to move on. This whole year I feel like I am not even at school. Every senior has the same feeling of relief and almost everyone has used the excuse, "It's senior year!" at least once this year. It is so fun because every school event is bigger and more important when your a senior because, quite frankly, it is our last year here and everytihng is for the last time. Also, I feel like the first semester flew by so quickly because everyone was so busy and preoccupied with college applications and college visits that , before we knew it, it was finals. I think this semester everyone is going to be living in the moment instead of being preoccupied with their future. We need to soak in these last months with are friends because after that final bell rings on the last day, everyone of our lives will change. This last semester of our high school lives has the potential to be the greatest of all. Usually I am only happy about second semester because it has warmer weather and because summer is closer. But now, I am excited for all the special senior things that we are going to get to expierence at the end of the year. They say that the best is saved for last, and that is exactly what I feel is going to happen at the end of high school.

2nd Semester!

i agree with Salman. I cant believe its already 2nd semester. Its so crazy. It feels like just a week ago i was a little freshman. These past four years have gone by so fast. We are soon to be off in the world in college. Its a scary thing. But i still CANT WAIT TO GET OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL, OUT OF THE SUBURBS AND GET BACK TO THE CITY!!!! Its been experience from the first time i stepped in this school. Its a lot DIFFERENT compared to Chicago, compared to Mather High School. Even though i still prefer to graduate in Chicago with all my friends that Ive grown up with, I'm not 100% upset with the fact I'm graduating here. This school ain't so bad. I mean I'm not a HUGE fan of this school but i ain't a hater neither. I have some good memories at this school. And i know I'm gonna cry when its all done and over with, but its time for something new, a different pace. This year will soon end and all we'll have are memories of the dances, football games, friends, and the crazy things we've done throughout the years. And if you ask me, remembering these things are a memory in its self.

Fed...

Can I just say that I'm confused with this whole Fed. Intrest and Mortage thing? I really have no idea what's going on and what it means. This is what I have so far. So the fed's are making the banks cut back on their interest, so it's at like 3.4% and they're charging like 5.2% so they can make some money I guess. Then the other thing I know is that mortages are going down. So now is the perfect time to buy before the market bottoms out. So is that basically all I need to know? How did all this happen besides that people were getting mortages without fixed interest rates, thinking that interest wouldn't go up or down. Then when it did go up, people were basically screwed and had to file bankrupcy and then take out more loans and stuff. Argh it's so confusing, help me!

2nd Semester

Wow were already done with first semester guys it flew by I am glad I passed all my classes. Now its 2nd semester my goal is to not fall behind and not miss to many days so I dont have to take the finals. How are your new classes. My classes are kind of boring because I am in all like junior classes the only senior class I have is Spoors class. But it is pretty cool to be the only senior in junior classes they look up to us seniors. But I cant wait to get out of high school.

Blog question

Hey do blogs during finals count? Because i dont know if he is keeping tracke right now.

I have 6 finals.
And... like 3 of them are going to make or break my grade. Which has been a little bit disturbing for me.
Those of you who only have like 3 finals that don't even matter..... I wish I was you right now.
Now I'm going to go finish my review sheet for this class...

I am happy that I only have to take three finals this semester. I remember the last three years, my schedules were full and I was having finals for most of the periods. By having only three finals, it means that I only have to study for three finals. That takes alot of stress away and makes me feel more confident in doing well on them this time. I don't think I study as much as I should but for me, I feel like studying doesn't help out very much. By the time I shove all the information we have learned since the first day of school till now, I will forget it all by the time I am actually taking the final. I forget things like that easily. I have never taken a final where it has effected my grade in either such a bad way or good way. That would be horrible to pass both quarters and then take the final and fail and then fail the semester. But on the other hand.. it would be awesome for it to effect you in the better way and bring your grade up. Usually my grades just stay the same. Well we'll see how finals go this year and we'll see what happens.

Finals..

I really study the whole day before finals trying to study for all my classes. I know it hards to cramp the whole class stuff in one day but I just go over notes and power points. I am doing decent in all my classes C and above so I just hope I do good on my finals so it would bring it up some what. I do pay attention and do my homework so I remember most of the things but I am going to refresh my memory and hpefully do good. But I am not stressing like many people freaking out about there finals.

Finals

I definitely agree with Dan here i dont really feel that finals count for that much. Usually in all of my classes i have the same grades for both semesters so it would be really hard for me for that grade to drop. Unless i fail the final which is pretty hard, my grades would probably be the same. I mean i do study for finals but probably not as much as i am supposed to. I feel like some people spend ALL day studying for finals the day before their tests but i just dont see how that is really benefical. I cant crame 18 weeks of things into my head in one day. I mean if i paid attention to everything that the teacher said throughout the year i really just need to look through my notes and refresh my memory on a couple of things and i believe that i will be fine. What are everyone else's thoughts??

Finals

So im gonna be honest here, my entire high school career i havent really studied for finals. I usually had good quarter grades so it didn't really matter. I think finals are dumb because i barely remember anything. This year i took a full load so i have 6 finals and im so jealous of my friends who have like 2 or 3 finals. Im not sure why i care so little about my final grades but i truly dont. Finals dont really cound for that much so i dont know why people freak out over them. If you payed attention in class, and you did decent on the quizzes and tests you will probably do well on the finals. everyone should just relax.

Twins

I don't think I could stay with that person if I found out it was my lost sibling. If they are in love and that works for them, that's great. But it is true that if they have children together, that probably will cause some issues for the child. First of all, it could have deformities or disabilities. Then, it would be difficult to explain that mommy and daddy are sister and brother. I don't really think that is a good environment for a kid to deal with.

The story about the twins is really crazy. I wonder at what point in time of their relationship did they find out that they were TWINS. It's not even like they are a long distance family member but they are brother and sister.. the same age too. I would think that if they found out they were related in the beginning of the relationship, that they would try to cut things out before falling in love. But maybe they were already in love when they found this news out and usually when people are in love, they don't let anything get in the way of that. If you think about it.. wouldn't they catch on pretty fast that they have so many things in common that two normal people wouldn't have. Just like in the movie the Parent Trap, the two girls go to a summer camp and they put the facts together and realize that they are twins. I think that would just be soooo crazy. When I was always little I wanted a twin so badly. What happens if this couple wants to have kids? Is it possible? I think that there would be many problems with that maybe but I don't know.

Twins

I've heard of this sort of thing happening before. It's always amazing to me that people unknowingly separated manage to find their way back to each other. But obviously sad at the same time because it must be a challenge to cope with the situation.
I also agree with Michelle, that if they truly love each other there is noting wrong with marring. But it does feel pretty odd when you heard of it.

that animal abuse thing is so sad. I don't understand how people could do that to animals. That pregnant dog just gets abused. Who in their right mind would do that. I don't get how people can just take a dog, especially a pregnant dog and hang it. My cousins took in a dog one time wehn they saw it tied up to a stop sign on a corner of the street. I thought that was so nice and it is the sweetest dog in the world, I love that dog. I still can't believe that people would go out of their way and kill a dog that didn't even harm them in any way.

Twins

That is sad new for the twins. I agree with Michelle that if they loved each other why would it matter. But kind of scary how people can be attracted to someone that looks like them and then find out there some how related. That would freak me out if my love of my life was like my long lost sister. I dont know how they didnt try to get in contact after they were older because they got separated at a young age. I dont know what I would do if this happened to me I would go crazy.

Twins

Wow I cant even imagine how horrible that news brought those two people haha but oh well! But my perspective on it is that if two people love eachother i dont see why it would change how they feel. I mean usually people are attracted to people who look like them so i bet they never even thought about being related. Come on lets really think about it, if you find a person that somewhat looks like you, you are not going to even think about if that person could be your long lost sibling. Yes it would be a little weird at first to find about that the love of your life is your sister/brother but it doesnt really change anything. The only thing that twins would have to think about would be if they had children becuase a lot of difficulties with insest children happens very often.

I think that twins story is kind of weird. Some people choose incest, but that's kind of creepy that it happened and they didn't even know it. What's even weirder is how they were separated, and coincidentally end up meeting and having an attraction to each other. I wonder if they ever tried contacting each other or looking for the other twin. I know if that was me, I would try to contact them.

Vote

I really dont know who to vote for I turn 18 in feb. and this is going to be the first time I can vote. But it is a hard decsion to make even though i am really happy I can vote. As of right now my choice is more towards Obama. I really like the thing about all are papers and rubics online because it is easier to get to. I sometimes forget notes from other classes online but then I can just go online and find them. I also hate caring a big folder of so many papers in school it just to much work for us seniors. Who do you guys think is going to win the election?

I'm really excited i get to start voting soon. I turn 18 in may and before i never really thought about who i wnated to be president. I usually just followed what my parents did. I still dont really know if they are democrat or republican I never really cared. Now Im excited to learn about what each does, I hope i shouldn't alreayd have to know that.. but I will eventually and then vote for who I want.
Then Elizabeth that twins thing that is really gross. I didn't think twins would ever consider getting married. That is so gross and disturbing.

Twins Get Married

So this is really random but when I got home on Friday my mom was online and found this story from England. Twins got separated at birth and never even knew the other existed. As it ended up they did meet but it was not a family reunion. Instead they ended up ugggggggg falling in love and getting married. I found this story really disturbing. Also what do you think is going on in those twins minds, other than oh my god and gross,? I don't understand how could they even take in that far. Even though they are boy and girl twins they still look some what like each other, and they must have noticed they had almost too much in common. I have no idea what I would do if this ever happened to me! Thought it was interesting :)

http://cnnstudentnews.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/01/11/twins.married/index.html

ok so this online issue. actually is reality for me right now. My computer is broken and is no longer getting online access. i feel completely lost. i had to do this project for psychology and i didn't have the internet available to do it unless i stayed after school. but then i had work after school and by the time i got out of work the library was closed. i tried going to a friends house but at 10 o'clock at night their parents weren't too happy about it. so that sucked. i can't go online either to talk to friends so it's harder to communicate with people. i really hope this doesn't last that much longer because it sucks. and right now i'm in one of my classes on a laptop trying to blog so i can get credit for the week. cuz otherwise i will not have accessiblility to the internet.

Arggggh!!

You know who i hate, animal abusers. I know hate is a strong word, but i truly do hate animal abusers with a passion. I mean why do people have to hit animals. They are so defenseless. I was just reading a story of a pregnant dog that was hanging from a cord on a fence near an abandoned school, They beat this dog with pieces of rocks and concrete. These items were found nearby covered in blood.

Heres the link:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,322085,00.html

Its so sad. I hate people that take thier anger out on animals. The can defend themselves. Im gonna be an animal activist.

How To Find The Book Essay For 2nd Quarter....

this is for those of you who cant find the link for the book photo essay:

1st. go to his page
2nd. click on "My Class Page"
3rd. click on "About Social Science Survey" (its right under "About Me")
4th. click on "Current Projects/Handouts"
5th. look under "General Class Handouts"
6th. click on "Book Photo Essay Quarter 2"

Ha ha Sabrina CROCODILE TEARS??? ur funny. Anyways, about the book thing... (long time ago) Last quarter I read a book called My Bloody Life by Reymundo Sanchez and it's the true story about this guy in the Latin Kings in Chicago. It's really graphic but I like it because I think it keeps the book interesting, and then theres a sequal too. Oh and by the way I HATE the book A Million Little Pieces. He has NO punctuation! And it's like the same thing page after page and the writing is so tiny and my eyes hurt! Anyways. Voting. I'm going to be 18 in June and I'm really excited that I get to vote because it means that our generation can actually have an impact on the future in a really big way. I have no clue who I'm going to vote for yet but I'm excited to learn if I'll be voting for a democrat or republican, because I share views from both sides.

ABOUT THE ONLINE THING...I HATE IT BECAUSE I CAN NEVER FIND ANYTHING!! LIKE WHERE'S OUR BOOK REVIEW LINK? IS IT IN THE EXTRAS OR ON HIS SITE? CAN ANYONE HELP ME BEFORE THE THING IS ACTUALLY DUE AND I RUN OUT OF TIME?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Wouldn't You Rather Save a Tree?

I know it seems trivial to some people, the fact that we kill so many trees each year producing worksheets and tests that never get used or are not recycled. I HATE the fact that we take notes in so many ofour classes and I NEVER USE THEM. It's pretty ridiculous if you ask me. I'd rather just have a whole web page and just go there and access it if I need to. But I guess, for people who don't have a computer at home, it would be so much harder for them. Whatever, as long as we re-use paper I guess I don't have that big of an issue with work sheets, I just never use them.

voting- When is the cut off date? I thought as long as you're 18 before the election you can vote. I turn 18 July 23rd, and I was told I would be able to vote, I just had to actually get up and register, not through someone at school. I'm excited to vote, cos although people may think that teens don't make a difference, we do. That's the reason Obama was doing so well, until friggen Clinton came in with her crocodile tears and won New Hampshire. I really hope y'all vote this upcoming election if you are able to. Voting is the biggest freedom we have.

Well.. it kinda bums me out that I won't be able to vote this election. I miss the cut-off by a few months but that doesn't mean I don't pay attention to what's going on with politics right now. Everytime I walk into my house or into my parent's car.. they are either listening or watching something about the canidates. To me it seems like Obama has high chances. I don't think Hilary is going to get far. And the other people I don't hear much about so I'm not sure. I really do think it would be awesome if America had a women or African American president.. aslong as they knew what they were doing in office. I think this election is going to be interesting and I can't wait to see the outcome.

Personally, I would rather just get many handouts then go and access things online. My printer at home isn't very cooperative and decides to break when I really need it. I like getting handouts because I'm a visual learner and if I see it in front of me and teach myself off of it, it will be much easier for me to understand then having to go online and do all that junk. Another good thing about getting handouts is that you can keep them forever long that you need to. Also, if I needed to write like an extra sidenote or something.. I'd just write it right on there.

After graduation and before college I'm not exactly sure what I have planned. I would like to go on a vacation somewhere with some friends. Maybe I'll go to Florida since my family just bought a condo down there last year. I wanna go to Mexico though because I know that would be alot of fun and I've never been there before. But besides that, I'm going to be in the city alot and hopefully be moving there soon. I'm not even sure where I will end up going to college. I think I decided to go to a community college just for a little to bring my grades and stuff up. All I know is that I just can't wait untill graduation no matter what I do this summer!

Online....

To be honest I don't mind having worksheets. Even though my folder is SOOO thick right now from all the packets and stuff we get, I like work that I can do on paper and actually try to understand it. I like to have both... a hand out and things to be online. On handouts I can right information that I know where I could find it like the due date or something and not having to search for the one random piece of paper that could have 5 different things on there. I also like it on line so in case I loose the handout with a click of a button its printed again. For people with out computer that would be kinda hard so having a handout is kinda critical. Also handout could be nice in case your computer decides to have like a billion viruses and you aren't able to have a computer for a long time like mine did.... All and all I prefer either way.

I think that sometimes having stuff be online is better than handouts. It helps keep things a lot more organized and sometimes it's easier to access. The only bad thing is if the internet is down or you just don't have access to a computer. Also, another thing that is kind of hard is if you have siblings and have to fight with them to get on the computer. It makes things easier though, and then you don't have a million papers to go through or if you lose it you know where you can find it again.

My parents have nothing to do with how I vote. My mom actually didn't vote for a long time... so this year I got her to register and she's going to vote :) I don't even know for who, but whatever. And my dad is a republican........ can't say I agree with him on that. I think Obama being black would be a good thing for our country, maybe some people will see what a good job he does and get over their racism. Or not, but hey being optimistic it could help.
I like the online thing most of the time. Basically for the reasons Elizabeth listed. But I know how much it sucks when my internet is down or something. And it sucks when teachers say we can just get on at school because it is not that easy. With a friend driving, I can't really make them come earlier so I can use a school computer or stay late because of activities and everything. But in college, everything will be more accessible. Most schools these days have totally wireless campuses and students can get internet on a laptop anywhere. Or students can use computer labs that are open way longer than ones at school or the library.

Online For School

Dan I understand where you are coming from but what needs to be understood is that we are being taught this way to get ready for college. In college we won't have handouts. Most of the materials will be online. A lot of people are moving to putting things online for easier access. I kind of like this better because you know that you won't be able to lose it. I will usually print myself a copy but I know that it is always online if needed. We need to be prepared for college and teachers, like Mr. Spoor, are the only way we can be ready for what college professors will expect.

I think it's really cool that we are now at that point in our life that we get to vote. It's kind of like we have a say in what we believe. We can vote how we feel. Yes, our parents will probably have a lot to do with how we vote, but we can make our own choice too.

Election

I agree with Charles in how it would be amazing for an African American or woman to be an American president. I do not agree though that it would be a good choice for our country to elect a woman president at this time especially Hilary Cliton (as you can see i do not like her...AT ALL). In times of crisis what would Hilary Clinton do, cry? I dont think that would be the best choice for our country becuase we need a strong leader and not someone who just loves our country, but someone who can control our country and make the right decisions to make America great. I do think that in this day that an African American president would be good for our country. I think Obama is a strong person and would make good decisions for our country even though i am a republican i could deal with him being our president. Although i agree with having an African American president i know that if he is elected it would cause tons of conflict within our country just becuase of his race. This might effect our whole econonmy which would be a horrible thing.

(Charles.....Hilary and Obama are both democrats...)

Election time

Being 18 I can now legally vote in the Illinois vote later this month and in the presidental election in November. This year the republican party has a chance to make history. They have Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton running for president. That means for the first time in American history, we could have either a black or woman president. That will be cool. For those of us who vote this up coming November, we will be part of history. I will have to see who comes out of both sides, but right now I like Barack. He's from Illinois and right now I'm hearing a lot about him. I'm not hearing a lot about the democratic canidates at all, so I don't know where I stand as of now. I will see who wins which party, then watch the news and see their takes on how they will better our nations. From that, I will make my choice. I encourage everyone to listen to what the canidates have to say, then vote. See who's possibly saying a lot of bs and who is seems like they will go through with their promises.

Election!!!!!!!!

My computers back!!!!
But anyways.... obviously the election is this and to be honest I don't like the idea that all of this campaigning is happening is happening all ready. I know that this election is such a BIG DEAL but seriously don't you think that the campaigning is starting a little too soon? I haven't been following the election really only what I hear in school so thats probably why I'm not too into it right now and the fact that I can't vote anyways is what is effecting it. I also have never really been a person to follow politics but I never actually gave it a try. But anyways this election is a real big deal right now because we could have our first lady president or African American president as well. I think its pretty cool that where we get to live in a generation where we get to see a lady president or African American president (maybe) and then we can tell our kids and our grandkids! =)

Election

Now that I'm 18 I finally get to vote. I'm looking forward to getting that ballot. I have always felt very strongly about Barack Obama. I like how he has a new view for America. I also like that he is playing clean politics. He chooses not to find dirt on the others but to talk about the problems and what he would do to fix them. He is fresh new and really understands the people. I am all for a women being president but Hillary Clinton, too me, is not that women. She doesn't seem to really understand what is going on in our country. She cares more about putting others down. My favorite was that she tried to get dirt on Obama by telling everyone that Obama said that he was going to be president in kindergarten. It's funny that she actually thought that people would think that was a bad thing. It is really cute :) I really hope that Obama continues to do well in this election. This is the first time I am following it closely. A lot is yet to come.

Online system

So i noticed that in this class a lot of the stuff we need access to is online. I am not a fan of this system. I like the traditional hand out theory, where a teacher gives you the directions for things on a handout. I like having access to the sheets whenever i want them like in another class which might not have computer access. I dont want to wait until i have a computer to see what the directions for something are.
While im on the criticism topic i'd also like to say i wish sometimes Mr. Spoor wiuld explain things better. Im not trying to be a jerk or anything but it seems like sometimes we are blindly lead into a project and we have very little understanding of how to complete it. I have felt this was multiple times like for the business project and the book review. Even after reading the directions i am not clear on what i have to do.
What do you guys think?

Book

I read "Animal Farm" by George Orwell this quarter. First to mention, if you like happy or funny book don't read it, because it was saddest and ironic book I ever read. It doesn't mean this book is bad, actually it is great book I don't denial that. But tone of story, emotions of characters and what happens in story were so serious and dark.I chose this book just because title seem friendly and funny, but it was totally overturned... So if you like serious book try it next quarter.

Book

I read Freakonomics this quarter. It was a very interesting book. It showed a lot of different sides and meanings for everything. It compared different things and showed the similarities between them, such as sumo wrestlers and teachers. It posed a lot of interesting ideas and really made you think. I enjoyed reading it and would reccomend it.

Book

I really enjoyed reading Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich. She tells in the book that there are still many people making ends meet. She did not rely on somebody's opinion on that subject, she actually did the work by herself. In the book she tells how she had to save money in order to pay her rent. Barbara even had to have more than one job in order to support herself. This is a great book that shows that not everybody is having easy life. I think that people should read it.

I'm just going to respond to some other posts...

Books- My book was really good. I read The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. It is pretty short, but I guess there are 4 sequels so it is a decent size if you're going to read all of them. I thought it was really funny and definitely a book that won't put you to sleep.

Election- I've been paying pretty good attention to this, since it will be my first time voting and everything. I watched some parts of the debates and the speeches made by Obama and Huckabee after the Iowa caucuses. So far, I really like Obama. [His speech if you're interested: http://youtube.com/watch?v=XB-sNaaaJRU ] I agree with him on a lot of the issues, and he seems to have a really good plan for this country in the future.

After graduation- I don't really know what I'm going to do after graduation. I think I'm going to a couple summer camps, and maybe go on a vacation somewhere else too. I think it will just be a lot of hanging out with friends and stuff. I'll definitely have some prep. to do for college like packing-- because I'm going in the fall-- and I think my family is moving so that should all be an interesting time.

Hmmmm........

I know that this is nothing but randomness,but i really don't have anything important to blog about so bare with me people.

I was thinking the other day(which is never good cuz i think way to much about whatever I'm thinking about at that time<-- does that make sense) what was gonna do after high school but before college. Well a couple days after graduation, my best friend and i are going to California for like 2-3 weeks. Then after that idk. I was thinking since I'm gonna start off at a community college that i would take like a half year off. Maybe go spring 2009. IDK. I guess ill just have to wait and see how i feel after i get back from Cali or whatever.

So do you guys have any plans before we have to go off to college?

President electon 08

so i have no idea what to say so I'm gonna talk about this. So who's voting? Who you gonna vote for?

I'm not sure if I'm gonna vote. Besides i haven't been paying any attention to what the candidates. I don't know what they have to offer.

Books

Dan I'm glad you brought up our books! Anyone who doesn't loath reading and could handle a skinny, small book that's an easy but great read should read Of Beetles and Angels by Mawi Asgedom. It's about a true story about a boy (the author) who grows up in refugee camps in Africa and Sudan and amongst war and violence, and who eventually escapes to the USA with his family (and actually lived right around here) and ended up getting a full ride to Harvard. Now he is a highly sought-after speaker for teen groups, buisnesses, etc. It's a story about hope, strength, and having faith in bad situations and in all kind of people. If anyone wants to borrow it for third or fourth quarter, or for fun :) let me know!
Anyone else have any great book suggestions for third quarter??

How are your books?

So i was going to read that book Guns Germs And Steel for my book review this quarter. I bought the book and began to read it but i noticed some thing peculiar. Every time i picked up the book and started to read i fell asleep. That book is like a tranquilizer. Every time i tried to read it i would fall asleep within a few pages. I dont think i will ever be able to read a 500 page book on world history. So i gave up on my book and returned to barns and noble and bought a new book. This one is called Born Standing up. I havent gotten approval from spoor yet but im sure he will be cool with it. Its a biography of Steve Martin the comedian most famously from SNL in the 70's and 80's. Im almost done with the book and i am really enjoying it. World history is not my thing but you give me a book about stand up comedy and im content. But i was wondering how are every body elses books going and what are you reading?

Schools back...

Wow school is here my break was pretty fun I got to meet family and friends and sleep in all day. I miss break already but we have to go back to school, but the semster is going to end soon which is gonna be sweet because then we will be half way done thru the school year. New years eve wasnt to fun because there was no fireworks and the weather was bad. But I still went out and met with some friends. But over all it was fun just wish it would be a month like most colleges but see you guys 6th pd.

Blogging over Break

So this is possibly the first productive thing I have done in two weeks, not even kidding. It is the Friday before we go back to school and I decided to finally crack open the old assignment notebook and see what I have to do. (is it bad to say I kind of miss school, not because of the work but because of the people in my classes??) I hope everyone had great holidays, whatever holiday you celebrated, and a fun New Years Eve. I have to admit... I was thinking senior year New Years would be crazy and fun and huge ...but it really wasn't. It was nice seeing my friends and we all go to get dressed up, but I thought it would be... I don't know.,.. Bigger, more Exciting.
Can you guys believe we graduate this year??? That was the one thing I kept saying at midnight.. haha. First semester has honestly flown by, in my opinion, and I cannot believe we only have one more semester and then we are done with FHS.
Hmm so New Years resolutions.... I honestly don't like these because everyone always says they are going to work out or loose ten pounds, and who knows how many people actually follow through... but over break, even before 1/1/08, I have been trying to get into a regular workout routine so that next year in college I will already be used to working out on a regular basis. So I guess I could say my resolution is to just keep up my running/crunching/etc. and to probably eat healthier... these holidays have been tough with all the cookies and pies and good food!
Oh, another resolution... to actually fill out some scholarship applications because I keep procrastinating and that's not good! See you guys sixth hour Monday!!

Book Review

Hey everybody,

I don't think the link I tried to do on my website is working. So, I can email it to you if you want it.

Thanks everybody! Happy New Year!

Mr. Spoor

jspoor@d211.org

Back to school in 08

I wish we have 1 more week before school but i guess it was a fun break.Although it was quite a long winter break it feels not enough. Maybe itsjust me. I will miss sleeping alot and doin nothing since school is coming up. I had been working on the research paper and fortunately finished it on break. My new year's eve was not that fun since theres no fireworks or anything.Last year was fun and I'm expecting that 08 will be better. See you guys back in Mr. Spoor's class.

Santa/New Years Resolution

I hope everyone's winter break is going well. It is already 2008!!! I can't believe it. With the whole Santa thing I totally believed when I was little. I found out the truth when I was in first grade. I kinda found it out when Santa seemed to whistle a lot like my dad. I think believing in Santa made Christmas a lot more fun. It was kinda sad the first year after finding out the truth. I like to have fun with some of the little kids I know because at least they still run to bed and leave out cookies and all that stuff. My parents must have eaten a lot of cookies over the years.

For my New Year Resolution I am going to try to eat healthier and work out more. Also this year, my resolution is to actually keep my resolution. Hopefully this year mine will work :)