My Top Subjects.

"Wake up...up!" Sound waves of my mother's irritating, high pitch voice lingers through the empty house. Every morning when 8:01 am comes around, I would get this earsplitting noise that never fails to interrupt my peaceful dreams. Sleep is essential. In my opinion, I believe it is a gift that god has given me for being able to sleep even if an earthquake is occurring  My friends and family often reminds me of the unique talents I have. However, they do not seem to appreciate them much. "If you are as good with your academic classes as sleeping, you will become the next Albert Einstein," my mother would say. Usually, we do not agree on anything, but this time, I do. If I was a teacher, I would reward myself an A+ for such an amazing enduring ability. As the days continue, living with a typical nagging mother, I am able to temporarily turn off the temporal lobe of my brain that controls the auditory system. I only tune in on things that I am interested and filter out other unimportant impulses that  are sent to my head. Being forced to crawl out of a warm bed that I have insulated with my body heat is cruelty - destroying something that I have constructed with hours of hard work. Slowly uttering, I would whine and complain about the never-ending list of tasks I have to accomplish with only twenty-four hours in a day. The overwhelming list often brings out the childish whining side of me. Often, my friends would peevishly imitate my whiny voice and mock me everyday like an addict who cannot survive a day without satisfying their cravings. The distinctiveness of their imitation draws my attention even being in compact hallways filled with wild high school students who are flailing their arms above their heads, dancing to the newest hit "Gangnam Style." Although others may not see these as talents, but I believe if any schools offered sleeping, absent hearing, and whining classes, I would definitely win the top students award.

Public Display of Disaffection

1. What are three main points in this article? Support each point with a properly integrated quote.

Three main points in the article "Public Display of Disaffection" by Anne Kingston are that the use of cell phones are more harmful than beneficial due to the distraction and rudeness they cause. Also, with the use of cell phones, people become less interactive with others as they can easily send their message via text. One's "ability to perform [...] tasks [is] greatly reduced" (Kingston 13) while using a cell phone. For instance, students who listen attentively during lectures are likely to achieve higher grade point averages than those who are constantly clicking the keyboards of their phone. As they are checking the most recent news on Facebook  their attention is pulled away and are unable to focus and retain information being taught in class. In addition, some user may think it is appropriate to use cell phones while completing other tasks. However, it is distracting and may cause inconvenience to others or even harm. For example, in Ontario, a "woman [is] so preoccupied with her cell she didn't even notice the sirens" (Kingston 10) sending out from a police car as it approached who may be rushing to rescue a citizen in harm.  Furthermore, cell phones are a two-way distraction, not only the one who is operating it gets distracted, but also the one who is receiving the message will be distracted from their initial task. Another point addressed by the author is that the using a cell phone while having a face-to-face conversation with another person is disrespectful and tends to make others feel unimportant. This can be seen from a survey of 57 people, taken in 2009 at the City University of New York; "68 percent of those who surveyed thought it was disrespectful to conduct a real-time conversation while texting someone else" (Kingston 7). Although the user is present during a face-to-face conversation, but as they have their head down, feverishly tapping away on their phone, the other member tends to feel neglected and insignificant due to the lack of attention provided. This action is not only rude, simultaneously, cell phone users are "losing [their] one-on-one people skills and ability to engage in uninterrupted, focused conversations” (Kingston 6). With the increasing usage of cell phones, people become less interactive with others as they are "talking" to a screen. Communicating with others through text message requires less effort and pressure to remain focused than interacting with someone face-to-face. Also, sending messages allows people to avoid any awkward situations they may encounter in person. However, this reduces one's ability to mingle with others as they become unfamiliar with human interactions. Ultimately, cell phones are a distraction to people's everyday lives, imposes impoliteness, and provokes anti-social behaviours.  

2. Agree or disagree with each of her points. Please back up your ideas with specific examples.
I agree with each points discussed above from the article "Public Display of Disaffection" by Anne Kingston. Cell phones are a distraction. One heartbreaking example is that car accidents occur more frequently caused by distracted drivers. The number of deaths and injuries continues to rise over the years as people become more addicted and heavily rely on them. Also, as a student myself, during class sessions, it is common to see peers ignoring the teacher's lesson and secretly checking their phones. The constant buzzing of one's phone notifying that a message has been received is extremely distracting for the cell phone user and those who are around them. The distraction makes it difficult for myself and others to focus and retain information during lectures. In addition, I believe it is incredibly impolite to be using a cell phone while interacting with others. Ignoring the person in front of you because you are filtering through irrelevant Facebook statuses is unacceptable. For example, cell phones should be stored away during dinner or while talking to others. It is a basic manner which everyone has been taught and should comply. Furthermore, cell phone usage invites anti-social behaviours due to the lack of human interactions. As the younger generations can easily contact their friends via text messaging, they are gradually losing the ability and confidence to publicly speak. Cell phones may allow us to avoid human socializing at the time, but they do not help in the future when we are forced to interact with others.

3. When are times when you believe that cell phones are acceptable? How about  Unacceptable? Should schools, movie theatres and other public places consider bans or cell phone jammers like Europe?
In my opinion, I think that cell phones should be acceptable for emergency and educational purposes, and on one's free time. It is extremely convenient to have cell phones in case of any emergencies that requires contacting others. In some cases, a cell phone can change the outcome of a situation due to the vast range of functions a modern phone can provide. Also, sometimes, cell phones are needed for educational purposes such as registering for a blogger site and accessing to internet as we rely on this source for many purposes. Moreover, people should have the rights to use their own personal belongings during their free time if they are not ignoring others or being rude. Finally, I do not think bans or jammers are necessary. If someone owns a cell phone, they should have self-control as to when is appropriate to use their phone and when is not.

Gloster.

http://www.glogster.com/jonnalynn/pinboard-glog-by-jonnalynn/g-6l3r5uviq9hirts7qji43a0?s=imgglog

Journal #1: The Art Of Racing In The Rain

"That which we manifest is before us; we are the creators of our own destiny. Be it through intention or ignorance, our successes and our failures have been bought on by none other than ourselves” (Stein 43).

Life is full of obstacles. They are what ultimately tests our commitment to life. In car racing, rain is considered an obstacle. Many race car “drivers are afraid of the rain, […]. Rain amplifies [their] mistakes, and water on the track can make your car handle unpredictably” (Stein 41). As a race car driver like Denny, they must drive and direct their race car, similarly, we are responsible for driving and navigating our lives. Life does not arrive the way we expect it to. We all have obstacles and fears that we tend to subconsciously avoid. However, in order to overcome our fear, we must face and adapt to them. A significant challenge I have encountered in my life is the inability to communicate. Eight years ago when I immigrated to Canada, everything changed. In a foreign country, I was unable to take charge of my life as language has became one of my greatest barrier. There are many barriers in communication. Language is a barrier if the receiver does not understand the words or gestures of the sender. I could almost understand how Enzo, the dog felt when he stated, “I cannot speak” (Stein 101) when time after time, I struggle to pronounce certain words, and repeatedly make grammatical errors. These incorrect pronunciations amplified my imperfections and discouraged me to speak. It frustrated me! But communication is essential and I reminded myself, the language will gradually become more accessible in my brain as I practice more. This will happen on a schedule that I cannot control. Just make sure I spend enough time practicing and it will come! Persistence and effort will make this possible. To this day, I still have not completely grasp the complicity concept of the English language, however, I have improved tremendously since then.

This quote not only helps Denny to be a better race car driver, but also applies to his life. When Denny is driving in wet or dry weather, he will embrace his mistakes rather than fearing them.  “Getting angry at another driver […] is pointless […] because any problems that may occur is ultimately caused by [him]” (Stein 91). This also applies to Denny’s life because learns not to blame anyone for his mistakes. Furthermore, it is only a mistake if we do not learn from it, otherwise, it is a memorable lesson.

Love At First Sight~

Once upon a time, on a beautiful morning with the rays of sunshine beaming down on the Eiffel Tower as it glistened across the endless horizon. Prince Charming was having the time of his life when he pranced around the interlocking streets, discovering intriguing objects and people. He stopped to smell the roses when all of the sudden, what he thought to be the love of his life graced his presence. The moment he laid eyes on her, he realized she was the apple of his eye and he was walking on cloud nine. She was fit as a fiddle, pretty as a picture, and sweet as sugar. He was in love at first sight. Prince Charming was nervous and his stomach is tied up in knots, but he gathered his courage and confessed to her because he knows it is now or never.

Paranormal Power ~~

Why are there only four pockets on a pair of archetypal jeans? Would it not be more beneficial to own a pair of dashing pants with bottomless pockets? Being part of the needy gender - a girl - we are usually more concerned about our appearances than boys, so therefore, we like present ourselves in our best conditions. In order to bring all the unearthly makeup everywhere we travel to retain our flawless image, a boundless sack is indispensable. Well, the paranormal power of "pocket space" provides that implausible volume. This ability allows one to hold and remove objects so that only the user can retrieve them. It prevents anything from being misplaced, lost, or stolen. However, there are numerous other fascinating super human powers such as being able to manipulate time, mind control, and teleportation, but those powers are just not needed as frequently as the pocket space. For instance, this is an extremely advantageous ability to have when one is traveling. It is the most secure place to store any important documents such as passports and birth certificates. Also, having an accumulating affluence amount of necessities in one's pocket without it looking bulgy is advantageous. This is much more convenient than luring around heavy and space-consuming luggages. In addition, the pocket space could also be used as an alternative place to hide valuables or when one is trying to transport goods from one place to another. For example, smuggling snacks into a movie theater--where food is not permitted--by hiding it into one's pocket space would be easy and effortless. Furthermore, this power can potentially save lives of people. How? If anyone is ever put into a lethal situation like the Peeta and Katniss, characters from the novel "The Hunger Games", they could obscurely cache their pockets with essential survival gears such as food, water, shelter, and unlimited amount of matches. Above all, this power enhances people's daily lives in endless ways, from convience to saving other's lives. Having all the space in the universe just stored in one's pocket is clearly the most superior power.

Plea Letter.

Wendy Tan
122 Ash Ave
Penticton, B.C.
123 456

February 2, 2012

Captain Draude

Commander
HMS Princess Margaret


O Captain, My Captain:

O my chivalrous Captain, after you read my heart-wrenching plea, I hope it will persuade you to make a wise judgement and possibly save me from this gruesome situation. Every person comes to this world with a mission to be fulfilled. I believe my task is to be successful and a child that my family could be proud of. Being only a young, naive 17 year old Asian girl, there is much more out there for me to learn and experience in life. If I'm fortunate enough to be one of the chosen verdicts to survive, I truly believe that my intelligent mind will lead me to a bright future that will benefit not only myself, but many others. Looking at the past years of my education, I have achieved an outstanding performance in all academic and elective courses, exceeding a 95% average. My excellent grades could potentially contribute to you, My Captain's graduation of your teaching practicum and future career. Also, my loving family will thank and pray for you like lost souls to God in case of any haunting "shadows" that might be chasing for you. In addition, my achievements have brought an immeasurable amount of pleasant memories among my family and I, which we all cherish very much. Furthermore, they heavily rely on me as their personal translator to the English-speaking society. If I suddenly disappear from their world, it would indubitably be an inconvenience in their considerations. As caring, warm-hearted as your Highness, I believe you wouldn't bare to see my family live in such troublesome and heart aching environment. Especially for my 81 year old fragile grandfather who had overcame several strokes and heart failure incidents. If I die, I do not guarantee if he will be able to endure this miserable news. Finally, I appreciate My Captain, your valuable time for reading my plea, I hope you can save my life from this horrendous situation. Keep in mind, if you save my life, you essentially save another (p.s. my grandfather ~~ save one = save two! ), and you're not only doing me a favour, but also for yourself in order to pass your practicum. So please My Captain, let your comprehensive brain make the most meticulous decision, one that you won't regret.

Sincerely,

Wendy Tan