Never Forget; A Girl's Death Causes Students to Seek Safer Streets

I wrote a narrative for The Montgomery Count Student called Never Forget; A Girl's Death Causes Students to Seek Safer Streets. 

The Infinite Wallflower

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is one of the best books I have ever read! Everyone can relate to Charlie as he struggles through high school. I can especially relate to how lost he feels at times. He strives to be a good friend, but he is either too much of a people-pleaser or too honest.

He is called a wallflower. He is always there, and he notices everything. Through a series of letters to a mysterious "friend," Charlie tells of his adventures during his freshmen year in high school. Charlie's problems are real and relatable-- losing a friend and a family member, trying to fit in, trying to stand out, finding a balance, finding his place.

Though this book is set in 1991-1992, it is infinite in every sense of the word. (This will make more sense once you read the book.)

This is not only a book of self- discovery, but an in-depth criticism of our society. I would go more in-depth, but I don't want to spoil it for anyone. I HIGHLY recommend it!

If you enjoyed The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, give this a read!

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RO$$ $$$$$$$$: Poem: The Color Blue

This poem is really funny. Ross has some great posts. Check out his blog!

RO$$ $$$$$$$$: Poem: The Color Blue: The Color Blue A Masterpiece By Ross Blue, Blue, O wonderful blue The color of the sky The color of the ocean The color... of ...

Do You, Papa?

Errands, he says.
Practice, he says.
Busy, he says.

Too busy for your little girl, papa?
Too busy to see her?
When you haven't seen her in a month?

I can't, he says.
Why not? she says.
Because, he says.

Too busy to care?
Too busy for your first-born?
Too busy for your illegitimate child?

Do you love me papa?

Why do you ask such silly questions, girl?

Because I'd like to know papa.
I'd like to know because you've never told me.

A hug once a year, papa.
That's all the love you've shown.
They try to tell me that it's your way
But I've seen the way that you look at them.

The way you look at your second and third.
Your real son and daughter.
The look of affection
I've never received from you
and I long for it every day.

The Blissful Leaves Whisper

I based my title for the Capture the Fall project off a poem called "Fall, leaves, fall" by Emily Brontë. In my video, I had a few shots of a fire in my backyard. Fire embodies fall for me because I always build fires on camping trips and make s'mores. I also included shots from road trips this year. One of my favorite things to do is look out of the window and pick out my favorite trees during autumn. I also think that autumn can be a dreary time. It is when the weather turns cold and flowers die. That is why my music is slow. I think it embodies my overall autumn mood. The burning leaf at the end symbolizes the death of nature, and the brighter last shot through the rear-view mirror symbolizes new beginnings.

I shot the footage with my iPhone and my Nikon Coolpix S3000. I edited the clips on WeVideo, which I still do not like as much as Final Cut Pro. I used some effects on the videos, and I played with the color in some of the shots from my road trip.

The Game of Life

"Object:
Collect money and LIFE Tiles,
and have the highest dollar amount
at the end of the game."

Is that what we strive for?
Collect.
Is that what we live for?
Money.
Is that what we yearn for?
Highest.
Is that what we die for?
End of the game.

School's Out...Still SO Stressed Out!

Graphic by Jessica Li, SAC Press Secretary

I co-wrote a feature article about first quarter stress for Student Advisory Council. Check it out!

Out with the Old... In with the New

It's the end of the presidential campaigns, and I know I will be anxiously watching the TV later tonight with our election predictions in hand. What you might not know is that it is the beginning of the SMOB campaigns! I am running for Student Member of the Board for the 2013-2014 school year! I just released my Facebook page on Sunday. I'm really excited to run, and I hope to bring a new perspective to the Board of Education. Check out my Facebook page for details about my platform and some questions that I answered from MCPS students.