Blog Post #18

Random Facts about sleeping:
The record for the longest period without sleep is 18 days, 21 hours, 40 minutes
A new baby typically results in 400-750 hours lost sleep for parents in the first year.
Scientists have not been able to explain a 1998 study showing a bright light shone on the backs of human knees can reset the brain's sleep-wake clock.
One third of your entire life is spent on sleep
It's impossible to tell if someone is really awake without close medical supervision. People can take cat naps with their eyes open without even being aware of it.

Blog Post #17

I was reading another random fact list and here a are a few of my favorites. All porcupines float in water. The hundred billionth crayon made by Crayola was Perriwinkle Blue. Crickets hear through their knees. During it's lifetime an oyster changes its sex from male to female and back several times. Cat urine glows under a black light. Months that begin on a Sunday will always have a "Friday the 13th." Donald Duck comics were banned in Finland because he doesn't wear pants.

Blog Post #16

Today i was reading a friends blog just to check it out and she had wrote about a list of random facts she came across. This seemed fun to me so i decided to do it too. My favorite random facts that i read today were left handed people live slightly less longer than right handed people. People spend about 2 weeks of their lives at traffic lights. An ostrich’s eye is bigger than its brain. More people celebrate their birthdays in August than in any other month. When you sneeze, all your bodily functions stop, even your heart, that is why you close your eyes. If Bill Gates drops a thousand dollars, he won’t even bother to pick it up because the 4 seconds he picks it up, he would’ve already earned it back. Bill Gates is 40 this year. If we assume that he will live for another 35 years, he has to spend US$6.78 Million per day to finish all his money before he dies. Cockroaches can live for 9 days after their head has been cut off. On average, 100 people choke to death on ballpoint pens every year. Elephants are the only animals that can't jump. Women blink nearly twice as much as men. A snail can sleep for three years. The electric chair was invented by a dentist. All polar bears are left handed.

Blog Post #15

There has been an increased rate of bedbugs in homes throughout the twin cities. They think that it has happened because of increased popularity in thrift stores and second-hand clothing shops. It is hard to tell if there are bedbugs in your home becasue they are very small and very flat. They can fit through and opening as small as a credit card. Plus most insects have become resistant to bug repelants. To get rid of them you have to either replace your mattress and bedding, or call a proffesional company to remove the bug. Both are quite expensive.

Blog Post #14

Medtronic inc. created a deep brain stimulation device for Parkinson's disease. My dad works for Medtronic and they implanted the device and they realized it has an extra benefit. They first caught on to it when the patients also saw improvement in the obsessive compulsive disorder. It reduced repetitive thoughts and behaviors just as it reduced the tremors in Parkinson's. Four out of sixteen patients their symptoms nearly disappeared but others had serious side affects. 

Blog #13

A fourteen year old girl lived for 118 days with no heart. Last spring she had an enlarged heart that was to weak to pump blood sufficiently. It also had a possibility of rupturing. The surgeons removed it and replaced it in a heart transplant. The new heart didn't work properly so they removed it two days later and replaced it with artificial pumping devices. The girl said she felt like a "fake person" with no heart beating in side of her.  

Blog #12

When kids lie, it is a natural part of childhood development and isn't necessarily completely bad. Early lieing can be linked with good social skills in the future. When toddlers lie it is mostly a lie to gain something for themselves. When the 2 year old pulls the cats tail and says their imaginary friend did it, the smart thing to say is "The cat has feelings too". Since their too young to understand that lieing is bad, getting angry with them isn't the right thing to do since the child won't know what they've done wrong. When preschoolers lie it's usually about freewheeling relationship with reality. This is when they believe in monsters under the bed, imaginary friends etc. These things do things that the child can't. They believe it so it's not really a lie because it is just playful thinking. When school children lie it's usually because they want you to stop nagging. This is the age of a white lie. A white lie isn't completely bad since it can show signs of social awareness and sensitivity. There is also the lie of when they lie about something because they are afraid to disapoint their parents or of what the punishment will be. When tweens lie about homework it could be that their under stress and don't want to talk about it. When they aren't telling you everthing that they would have 4 years ago it doesn't mean their hiding things. It's just part of growing up.
I think this is an interesting article because children aren't meaning to be bad when they lie and don't usually think about it when they do lie. All of these reasons explain a lot about why kids lie and i think that parents would be a lot more understanding of their children when they lie.

Blog Post #11

A group of disabled veterans of the Iraq war, who are paralyzed or limited to a wheelchair, got to take part in a program where they can swim in the largest aquarium in the world at the Georgia Aquarium. "It's like you're in space," Winkler said. "It's like you're an able body again. It makes you feel so free." The experience isn't cheap. A half hour dive costs $290. The veterans got to swim free. "The water is the great equalizer. Once you get in, you're floating, you're weightless, and everybody becomes equal," Oglesby said.
Winkler was outfitted in a wet suit and snorkeling gear. He rolled his wheelchair down a long ramp to a dock floating in the 6.3 million-gallon tank of salt water. "It is so amazing, he said. "It's like you don't have a disability, because you're just floating around with everybody else. ... The fish are just swimming by. It's a total other world."
I think this is a great program that is really good for the veterans because they've lost an ability thats really important, and most of the time they have to watch the rest of the world do things they can't but when they're in the tank they can do everything everyone else can and they don't have to worry about having a disability.

(quotes from: http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/conditions/11/10/hm.veterans.swimming.rehab.sharks/index.html )

Blog Post #10

I recently read an article that explained how its hard to focus when you are tired, angry or stressed or external factors like television, computers, telephone. When you're tired your brain is deprived of oxygen and that can cause you to be less focused. Eating food also helps because it increases dopamine which makes you interested in whatever your doing because you want more of the pleasure it brings you. To eliminate stress you can run around or stand up at least because this tells your brain its time to wake up and be alert. Exercisers are known to be less stressed and less angry than those who don't exercise. All of these things can help you concentrate more on what your doing and can help regain focus.

Blog Post #9

The center for disease control estimates that 20% of high school kids have smoked cigarettes in the past year. Studies show that it is harder for teens to quit smoking than for adults. Peer pressure is a main cause of this. If everyones doing it, then it makes it harder to stop or else you'd be the different one. Another cause of this is because it is harder to seek out help from doctors or clinics without a parents knowledge. Some schools now have a smoking-cessatation program to help kids quit. It seems to be working beacuse reports show that 37% of kids have quit smoking and 60% reduced the amount of cigarettes they smoke.

Blog Post #8

I read a poem about friends. It said how friends go through everything together. Their there for each other when their sad, they have fun together, and they have each others back. It's mostly about how important friends are. It really makes me think about how much i love my friends and how big of a part they are of life. I'm really lucky to have the friends that i have. Their all really good friends and people and we have a lot of fun together. I hope that we all stay friends throughout high school because i already know how much i would miss them.

Blog Post #7

Two men who describe themselves as white supremacists, were charged with plotting to kill Obama. They had plans to kill 100 african americans. Including 14 who would be beheaded. Federal prosecutors take this information very seriously but had no evidence that the men had the ability to do what they wanted to do. The men told investagators that they would be wearing white tuxedos with a top hat, and drive at Obama with a car while shooting at him out the window. They claim they are willing to die in their mission.

Blog Post #6

A new study, the first of its kind, shows that the less the stress, the better the grades. Students who drink, smoke, stay up late, and have high stress or high emotional problems tend to have lower grades with an average GPA of 2.72. Those who said they had no significant stress have an average GPA of 3.3.  Stress is a large factor to grades. For example a senior from Duluth had to go home and take care of family members with serious health problems. Which affected his stress greatly, and you could see it in his grades. Being able to handle stress is as great of a problem. This finding is very important because it can persuade schools and colleges to do what they can to help students manage their stress, for the best of their education.

Hero Project-Sister's

A SISTER'S LOVE

a poem by Lela May Stgermaine from USA

When I was a little girl I thought about you and what we was going to do

Forever playing our little games

Or growing up to be the same

Same as you I wanted to be

You’re the best sister I hope you can see

My love for you will always be

Being here for you like you are to me

Talking on the phone for hours about absolutely nothing that’s what we do

Because God knew I needed a sister like you

All of the time I think about you

How I miss your laughter, jokes and smiles

You’re a sister that’s so wonderful and true

With you I can make it through all life’s trials

So I wanted and needed this time to let you know

If my life on earth is done

No matter what the toll

You’re the sister that matters most of all

Just know whenever you’re sad or blue

No matter what time or day I am here for you

I truly do love you

When I was a little girl I thought about you and what we was going to do

Now were grown and I still can’t imagine me without you

God knew

Sisters for Life, Best Friends Forever

Author: Linda De Los Reyes
You stick with each other wherever we go.

You have been playmates for as long as you know.

I hope this continues the rest of your lives.

It’s not often one is born with a best friend for life.

Sister Sister If you are my sister and I know you are

It matters not whether you are near or afar.

Your color may be different and your sex not the same

It should not matter there is a difference in our name.

If you believe in God who created me

Then that is what make you my sister you see.

The intellectual interpretation or human understanding

A relationship with our creator is what I am demanding.

Listen not to those who must have the facts

They are like performers who must have their acts.

What you and I must have for each other

Is love shared between a sister and a brother.

The physical body will decay but you shall live Believe;

for the others have the mind of a sieve.

Start a relationship with the creator who is supreme

God is the reality of love and it is not a dream.

You who carry the continuity of man

Love one another and your God will not demand.

These three peom's symbolize that to have a sister, they do not have to be related to you by blood. They can be your best friend.

 

Why I love my sister.

A sister is someone who loves you from the heart, 

No matter how much you argue you cannot be drawn apart. 
She is a joy that cannot be taken away, 
Once she enters your life, she is there to stay. 

A friend who helps you through difficult times, 
Her comforting words are worth much more than dimes. 
A partner who fills your life with laughs and smile, 
These memories last for miles and miles. 

When she is by your side, the world is filled with life, 
When she is not around, your days are full of strife. 
A sister is a blessing, who fills your heart with love, 
She flies with you in life with the beauty of a dove. 

A companion to whom you can express your feelings, 
She doesn’t let you get bored at family dealings. 
Whether you are having your ups or downs, 
She always helps you with a smile and never frowns. 

With a sister you cannot have a grudge, 
She is as sweet as chocolate and as smooth as fudge. 
Having a sister is not just a trend, 
It is knowing you can always turn to her, your best friend.

This poem symbolizes how great it is to have a sister. It explains what its like always having someone there for you no matter what, and its like having a best friend you can't get rid of.

"Husbands come and go; children come and eventually they go. Friends grow up and move away. But the one thing that's never lost is your sister." 
Gail Sheeny 

"Having a sister is like having a best friend you can't get rid of. You know whatever you do, they'll still be there." 
Amy Li 

Blog Post #5

I read an article about a strange disease called "Alice in Wonderland Syndrome". It is when you see animals, people, objects, parts of humans much smaller than they are in reality. For example, imagine looking at your dog and seeing it the size of a mouse. Or the other way around, seeing a mouse the size of a dog. People with this disease, hallucinate and they know it. Time will be slowed, then speed up. When you look at yourself you seem to be getting smaller. But then minutes later you seem to be growing larger and larger. Some people think that Lewis Carroll, the author of Alice and Wonderland, had this disease because Alice goes through some of the symptoms. She gets smaller and then bigger after drinking potions out of a bottle, or hallucinates to see a cat smiling at her.

Blog Post #4

I recently read an article about a man, Andi Bell, who has an amazing memory. He was given 20 minutes to memorize the order in which 520 cards were placed. He didn't make one mistake, he knew where every single card was. He's technique is unusual but simple. He turns each card into something different in his mind. "When I memorize a deck of cards, I turn each card into a picture and this is a colourful animal or object that I've learned to associate with that particular card," Andi explains. For example The jack of clubs might become a bear, the nine of diamonds might become a saw and the two of spades might become a pineapple. This way he can remember the location of the cards by the picture he imagines them.

Blog Post #3

Pediatricians have sent out a warning saying that children should not keep hedgehogs, hamsters, baby chicks, lizards, and turtles as pets because of risks for disease. Exotic animals like this can carry deadly, dangerous germs, and sometimes are more likely to cause scratches than a dog or cat would. And since young children tend to put their hands in their mouth, they are at a higher risk of infection from these animals. That mean's children under 5 years of age, should not have "untraditional" pets, and avoid touching them in things like petting zoos.

Blog Post #2

The US has now set a speed limit for ships 65 feet and longer, that travel within 23 miles  of the major mid-Atlantic ports. Their reasoning for this is to save the endangered species of the Whale. The new speed limit is 11.5miles per hour. They've done this because there are only 300-400 whale species left in the wild. From 1997-2001, ship strikes killed about two to three whales per year. Hopefully this will slow the rate of deaths for this endangered species.

Blog Post #1

I recently read in the star tribune about a 990 pound man, Jose Luis Garza, who went on national television pleading for diet tips. He says "I understand that this is matter of life and death and that I have to follow the instructions that are given to me." The worlds heaviest man, Manuel Uribe, who weighs 1,230 pounds gave him tips to help him shed some weight and since then Garza has lost 550 pounds. Uribe says  Garza is still worried about his weight, considering he still cannot get out of bed. His sister had to move in recently to help him around the house and care for him. "I spoke with him and I really want to give him a hand and give him the benefit of my own experiences,". I liked this because two people with the same problem are helping each other out to get better.

What i've read recently

The most recent thing i was was called "Paint Brush Poem". Its about how people feel like they can't be themselves around other people because they feel like they need to be who they think the people want them to be. It talks about bringing a paint brush so they can paint themselves to who they think they have to be. I like this poem because everything it says is true. Many people are afraid of being themselves because they want people to like them. And maybe when they are themselves people say hurtful things. I also like it because when you read it you can tell who your real friends are. Your real friends are the ones who love you no matter what. And you don't need to pretend who you are around them. 

My favorite book of all time

My favorite book of all time would probably be Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult. I really enjoyed it because it was suspenseful, sad, happy, and a book I would recommend for teenagers and up to read. It kept me wanting more and I couldn't put it down. 

It is a story of a bullied high school boy who comes to school one day and kills about 12 people and injures many more. It tells the stories of the people he killed, the people who lost friends and family, and his story of the court case he goes through. I would highly recommend reading this book. 

Compare/Contrast

Hall of Fame

Kelly attended EHS graduating in 2011. She received a medical degree at Gustavus College in Minnesota. In 2020 she Alpine Ski Raced in the winter olympics held in Zermatt, Switzerland. Placing second. She then separated the first siamese twins conjoined by the fingers, ears, and their webbed feet in 2045. In 2065 she opened the Luterbach charity Golf Course to donate to cancer research. 

Friendly

A word that best describes me would be friendly. I love meeting new people and making new friends. Although, I am also shy when meeting new people because I want to make a good impression, because I think good first impressions are important. After meeting the person I get over being shy and become very outgoing and energetic. I enjoy meeting new people because I always look forward to having another good friend. I also enjoy the current friendships I have now and I look forward to what the future brings with them.