Stressing Out

It is near the end of the semester and stress levels are starting to rise. Projects are being given, as well as papers, while at the same time we are trying to study for our final exams .There is really no instruction on how to avoid stress. However, there are some things people can do to avoid the stress that comes along with the pressure of final exams.

First of all, remember you are prepared. If you have been paying attention and taking notes you already know what is on the exam. Take a breath and relax. It is easier to study when you are relaxed and your mind is clear. It is important to take time to study and make sure you fully know the information. If you need quite to study, then go to the library. If you study better in groups, form a study group with your classmates, just be sure to actually study. If you start to get anxious it is best to take a break. Study for some time then do something else for a while before studying some more. If you take time to study and stay calm you will do well on your exam. It is important to be well rested and fueled before you take your exams to get the best results.

R.I.P. Ozzie <3

Stanley Park is such a beautiful place to live across from. Many citizens take pleasure in walking through the park; It is so peaceful and calming to. I was extremely disappointed when I heard that a group of four boys killed an innocent duck that lived in the park.  The boys were seen stomping on the duck, who was named Ozzie, in the covered bridge between the two ponds. Although there were four boys, only one was involved in the actual assault. The boy who was suspected, who is only fifteen, of the murder was arrested and is to answer to the Holyoke Juvenile Court. The boy was charged with “cruelty to animals and killing a domesticated animal”. Ozzie had been living in the park for three years and is considered domesticated because he depends on the people in the park to feed him. For more information please look at the following link.
http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2011/11/stanley_park_director_praises.html 

It is sad to think that anyone would kill an animal, especially in a park. There is nothing right about killing an animal. It is awful to think such a horrible thing could happen in a beautiful place such as Stanley Park. Animals should be able live in the park without the threat of being murdered. It makes me angry to think a person could just beat an animal to death. It also makes me wonder what kind of society we are living in when a fifteen year old boy kills a duck in a park. Is the world really becoming that violent?

Taylor Swift

Over the summer I went to see Taylor Swift in concert at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA. I had brought my best friend for her birthday to see the Speak Now tour. It was the best gift I could have given her. The concert was amazing. Swifts opening acts were James Wesley, Randy Montana, and Need To Breathe. The first two are great country acts that started the country vibe of the concert. The third, Need To Breathe, are an amazing alternative band that pleased the crowd with their single, Something Beautiful. Their energy pumped the crowd with anticipation for Taylor. The beautiful country singer began her concert with an inspiring video about “speak now”. She then opened with her hit Speak Now as she popped onto the stage with a cloud of smoke surrounding her. The crowd was large and energetic. Swift even commented on how packed the stadium was. She was genuinely grateful to hear all her fans sing along. She took time in between her songs to take in the crowd and even expressed her thankfulness for her fans. Not only does Swift seem like a genuine person in the public eye, she is genuine in person as shown by her gratitude for her fans. The night I had gone was a Saturday, she had another concert the next night. I happened to be there the night it rained. The 22yr old did not stop the concert because of the rain, instead she embraced it. She told the crowd we would literally be dancing in the pouring rain, quoting a line from one of her hits. She turned the rain into something magical rather than the down pour it was. She ended the concert by dedicating her song long live to the fans that night at Foxboro.  Taylor Swift is an inspiring, energetic, genuine person. If you are a fan it is highly recommended that you see her live! It will be an experience you will never forget.

School should be a safe environment

            Last week I wrote a paper based off of a news article about cyber-bullying and the suicide of Jamey Rodemyer. It was awful to learn about a young boy who took his life after being constantly bullied because of his sexual orientation. It is horrible that people to this day still can not be accepting.

       While I was looking for a topic to write about for this blog post, I decided to check the news for any recent bullying cases. What I came across was shocking for me. I read the article,”Boy Assaults Gay Student as Cellphone Captures Attack” by Susan Donaldson James. A teenage boy was attacked in his classroom by another student. The other kids just sat back and watched while the bullying was happening as shown by, “Other students watched as the attacker waited for his victim to arrive in the classroom. He then shoved his prey to the ground, and repeatedly punched him in the face. ” The bully awaited the arrival for
the victim so he could beat him just because he was gay. This article was a shock to me not only because a student waited for another student at school to beat him but, the fact that other students just stood by and watched as well. The bully has been charged and suspended from school for three days. Personally, I feel he should be in more trouble with the school than he is.This topic is very serious and is getting out of control. There are too many cases of bullying when there should not be any. Many of these cases end in suicide which makes it even worse. In this case the victim was being bullied for being gay. It is not right to be bullied in general but its even more wrong to be bullied over your sexuality. It does not change what kind of person your are, it does not make you a bad or good person if you are gay. It would be amazing if everyone was accepting to other people’s personal choices but, that is not the case. Even if you do not accept it you should respect it. If  you can’t respect it then mind your won business. Bullying is wrong and it must be stopped.

“Boy Assaults Gay Student as Cellphone Captures Attack” by Susan Donaldson James
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/ohio-bully-beating-gay-student-caught-cell-phone/story?id=14834057

A day in my life

      Head Lifeguard.
Every summer I work at the town pool in my town. I have been a lifeguard since I was 15 years old. I would aid swim lessons and work in the concession stand. This past summer I received a raise; I moved up from lifeguard to a head lifeguard. My new position came with new responsibilities.
My first responsibility was to open the pool. All the employees working for the day would arrive at 12:30pm to set up for work. All the head guards (there are three of us) received keys to the pool. Being a head guard I would unlock the concession stand to let everyone check in and put their lunch in the fridge. Then, I would open the gate to the pool and open the bathrooms. The lifeguard on duty and I would set up all the safety equipment around the pool. In addition to setting up I would have to do a “chem test”; which is a test to check the chlorine and ph levels of the pool. In the mean time the person inside the concession stand would do inventory for the day.When everyone was all set up, I would allow the patrons to come in.
It is my responsibility to make sure my lifeguards are on top of their game and alert. When everyone is in their spot to lifeguard I allow the patrons to swim. To keep the guards alert we switch positions. If we have two life guards we switch every hour on the 45. If there are three or more we switch every 15 minutes. Being in the sun can be exhausting, every hour on the 45 we have adult swim. Each guard takes turns to go inside and eat some lunch while at least one guard is watching over the pool so the adults can swim. This routine takes place from 1pm-5pm. At 3pm and 5pm I take more chem tests to make sure the pool is maintained.
At 4:45pm the pool starts to close for the day. Adults still have their 15 minutes  to swim while we start to clean. The concession stand does the ending inventory while the lifeguards pick up trash and the safety equipment. It is my responsibility to check the bathroom and make sure they are clean. I am responsible for cleaning any puke or any other messes. Once everyone leaves, the bathrooms are cleaned, and the equipment  is picked up, it is time to close. I scan the bottom of the pool and pool area. After everything is cleared I lock the gates and let the employees go home.
Being a head guard is just like being a lifeguard but with more responsibility. Like a supervisor or a manager I deal with problems or questions the patrons have. I make sure my guards are doing their job and are alert. I take my responsibilities as a head guard seriously. It is important for me to do my job well.

I Am Me

Who am I?
I am me!
There’s no one else for me to be,
my unique individuality,
great personality

Blonde hair, hazel eyes
don’t let me fool you, realize
I’m smart and strong deep inside,
Petite and short outside.
My favorite times are pool-side,
or on the beach watching the incoming tide.
I’m always up for a roller coaster ride

I’m not gunna lie,
I can be quiet and shy
when it came to guys, I couldn’t even say hi!

I love my friends and family,
they’re the most important part of me,
without them I don’t know where I’d be.
If I mess up or disagree,
they will still love me it’s a guarantee.

In school I work hard to get A’s,
pretty good with words in my essays.
When it’s early I tend to daze;
during lectures it’s all a haze
I have lunch with great friends most days.
Love art and everything it portrays.

I’ve never hit the gym,
my sport is swim,
it works every limb.
I never got to race Tim,
I bet I could beat him

I must confess,
I always second guess.
Not very confident especially in a dress,
I freeze in front of guests.
Most feelings I depress,
I can feel the stress.
Doctors say I need to worry less,
nevertheless,
I am making progress.

Who am I?
I am who I want to be.
I am me.