Monday, December 7, 2015
Sunday, March 1, 2015
The Bermuda Triangle
Ever since I was little, I was scared of flying. Airplanes, airports – pretty much anything that had to do with being hundreds of feet up in the air for long periods of time.
When I was in Kindergarten, it took a lot of convincing for me to agree to board a plane, but when I did, it really wasn't that bad. Then I took the plane multiple times in Third Grade, when I went to Vietnam, and I realized that I kind of liked being on airplanes. For some strange reason, that feeling in your stomach that everyone seemed to hate – I actually liked it. As years passed by, I traveled to many places such as the East Coast, China and next summer, I'm going to Hawaii. However, there is one place that I will never fly to.
Florida.
I'm probably being silly, and I'm probably missing out on a lot, but with all the stories I've heard about Florida (the Bermuda Triangle especially), I really don't want to risk anything.
The big question is: what is the Bermuda Triangle?
According to UnMuseum.org, the Bermuda Triangle is a stretch of the Atlantic Ocean that is bordered by a line from Florida to the islands of Bermuda, to Puerto Rico and then back to Florida. Under mysterious circumstances, ships and planes that have traveled through the Bermuda Triangle and have simply vanished into thin air. For example, the USS Cyclops, which showed no problem with communication, sailed through the Bermuda Triangle and was never heard from again.
Even though most of my cousins have traveled to Florida and have come back safely, I don't want to take any chances. I am willing to fly anywhere in the world, just not through the Bermuda Triangle.
When I was in Kindergarten, it took a lot of convincing for me to agree to board a plane, but when I did, it really wasn't that bad. Then I took the plane multiple times in Third Grade, when I went to Vietnam, and I realized that I kind of liked being on airplanes. For some strange reason, that feeling in your stomach that everyone seemed to hate – I actually liked it. As years passed by, I traveled to many places such as the East Coast, China and next summer, I'm going to Hawaii. However, there is one place that I will never fly to.
 |
| via thetalkingpot.wordpress.com |
I'm probably being silly, and I'm probably missing out on a lot, but with all the stories I've heard about Florida (the Bermuda Triangle especially), I really don't want to risk anything.
The big question is: what is the Bermuda Triangle?
According to UnMuseum.org, the Bermuda Triangle is a stretch of the Atlantic Ocean that is bordered by a line from Florida to the islands of Bermuda, to Puerto Rico and then back to Florida. Under mysterious circumstances, ships and planes that have traveled through the Bermuda Triangle and have simply vanished into thin air. For example, the USS Cyclops, which showed no problem with communication, sailed through the Bermuda Triangle and was never heard from again.
Even though most of my cousins have traveled to Florida and have come back safely, I don't want to take any chances. I am willing to fly anywhere in the world, just not through the Bermuda Triangle.
Monday, February 16, 2015
Procrastination
What is procrastination? People define as different things. Sometimes people say it's the art of doing nothing. Others say that it's staring off into space and forgetting about what they are meant to be doing.
Essentially, procrastination is the action of delaying and postponing something. This comes in many forms, such as sleeping instead of cleaning your room and watching movies instead of doing something production.
However, the most common form of procrastination (especially in students) is doing anything besides homework. Some students are really lucky to be punctual and do their assignments early. Sadly, I'm not one these people, but I have been working hard to procrastinate less.
The first thing I do is put away any distractions. This includes my phone, my computer, and anything else that will easily distract me. If I have to use the computer to type, I will usually disconnect from the internet so that I will so be tempted to surf the web.
The second thing I do is set goals and reward myself afterwards. For example, if I need to read ten pages for AP Euro, then I will usually give myself a reward of two fruit gummies for every two pages I read.
The last thing I do is take a five minute break for every thirty minutes of work I do. This ensures that I do not feel overworked and exhausted.
Hopefully you can use these tips to help you with that never-ending struggle of procrastination or you have your own set of tips that help you. Good luck!
Essentially, procrastination is the action of delaying and postponing something. This comes in many forms, such as sleeping instead of cleaning your room and watching movies instead of doing something production.
However, the most common form of procrastination (especially in students) is doing anything besides homework. Some students are really lucky to be punctual and do their assignments early. Sadly, I'm not one these people, but I have been working hard to procrastinate less.
The first thing I do is put away any distractions. This includes my phone, my computer, and anything else that will easily distract me. If I have to use the computer to type, I will usually disconnect from the internet so that I will so be tempted to surf the web.
The second thing I do is set goals and reward myself afterwards. For example, if I need to read ten pages for AP Euro, then I will usually give myself a reward of two fruit gummies for every two pages I read.
The last thing I do is take a five minute break for every thirty minutes of work I do. This ensures that I do not feel overworked and exhausted.
Hopefully you can use these tips to help you with that never-ending struggle of procrastination or you have your own set of tips that help you. Good luck!
 |
| via chibird.com |
Saturday, January 31, 2015
Whooping Cough/Pertussis
Pertussis is a highly contagious disease that attacks the respiratory system and is also what most people know as whooping cough. This disease causes uncontrollable coughing fits and can often times make it hard for one to breathe. Also considered to be highly contagious, Pertussis is caused by a virus called Bordetella Pertussis, which is a miniscule coccobacillus, or rod-shaped bacteria. These bacteria attach to the cilia that line the upper part of the respiratory system and release toxins that causes inflammation, thus leading to severe coughing.
Pertussis starts out with cold like symptoms: runny nose, mild cough, sneezing, and sometimes a small, mild fever. Howbeit, after one to two weeks, coughing can worsen and can last for continuous weeks. Pertussis is also known as whooping cough because rapid coughing will cause the air in one’s lungs to exhaust and force them to inhale with a “whooping” sound. As the disease progresses, the usual pertussis symptoms will become apparent in one’s body, such as vomiting, exhaustion, and severe coughing.
To prevent you or someone you know from catching this disease, the best thing to do is to get vaccinated. In America, the recommended shot for children and infants is called DTaP; a combination vaccine that protects against not only pertussis, but also diphtheria and tetanus. Adults can receive a vaccine called Tdap, instead. Another thing to do to protect from catching this disease would be to keep infants, children and other people at high risk away from infected humans. Pertussis is a highly contagious disease, and can be spread from person to person by sneezing, coughing, and close contact with one another.
If one already has been infected with pertussis, antibiotics can be given to help alleviate the symptoms and cure the disease. Early treatment is important, because it can help prevent the disease from spreading and evolving further. Regular cough medicine will probably not help in this case because it’s meant only for temporary relief, and it is not recommended that someone gives an infected person this medicine. Drinking plenty of fluids is also important because it prevents dehydration.
Pertussis starts out with cold like symptoms: runny nose, mild cough, sneezing, and sometimes a small, mild fever. Howbeit, after one to two weeks, coughing can worsen and can last for continuous weeks. Pertussis is also known as whooping cough because rapid coughing will cause the air in one’s lungs to exhaust and force them to inhale with a “whooping” sound. As the disease progresses, the usual pertussis symptoms will become apparent in one’s body, such as vomiting, exhaustion, and severe coughing.
To prevent you or someone you know from catching this disease, the best thing to do is to get vaccinated. In America, the recommended shot for children and infants is called DTaP; a combination vaccine that protects against not only pertussis, but also diphtheria and tetanus. Adults can receive a vaccine called Tdap, instead. Another thing to do to protect from catching this disease would be to keep infants, children and other people at high risk away from infected humans. Pertussis is a highly contagious disease, and can be spread from person to person by sneezing, coughing, and close contact with one another.
If one already has been infected with pertussis, antibiotics can be given to help alleviate the symptoms and cure the disease. Early treatment is important, because it can help prevent the disease from spreading and evolving further. Regular cough medicine will probably not help in this case because it’s meant only for temporary relief, and it is not recommended that someone gives an infected person this medicine. Drinking plenty of fluids is also important because it prevents dehydration.
 |
| via nytimes |
Thursday, January 15, 2015
The Flu and Being Sick
Being sick could possibly be one of the worst feelings in the world. Your nose is either stuffy or runny and nothing seems to help it. Your legs feel like Jell-o and it's hard to move. Your throat hurts and every swallow is like some kind of punishment.That pile of homework on the table? Yeah, that's left undone because your head hurts too much to think. I don't really understand why people are so happy when they are sick. Yeah, okay, so you're going to miss school. However, it's that physical and mental suffering that makes being sick not worth it.
In my opinion, the most important way to prevent the flu is to wash your hands. Always wash your hands after you use the bathroom, before you eat, after you eat. You don't know what kind of dirt and germs are on your hand, and imagine rubbing it into your eyes or putting it in your mouth! If there's no bathroom accessible, hand sanitizer also works, too!
That takes me to another precaution. Try avoiding rubbing your eyes, touching your mouth or nose, basically touching your face in general. This is a common and very easy way to transmit viruses into your body.
Covering your sneezes and coughs are also important because it helps prevent other people from getting sick. Use a tissue to blow your nose, and please, do not wipe your nose on your sleeves. Also, throw away your tissue in the trash can when your done.
One thing my mom swears by whenever someone in our family gets sick is to gargle with salt water. According to the New York Times, gargling with salt water can ease scratchy throats and chest congestion. A saline solution can draw the excess fluid from inflamed tissues in the throat, ultimately making them hurt less. Drinking a lot of water is also very important, because it keeps you hydrated.
Hopefully, following these tips can help prevent you from getting sick, and if you're already sick, I hope you feel better soon!
In my opinion, the most important way to prevent the flu is to wash your hands. Always wash your hands after you use the bathroom, before you eat, after you eat. You don't know what kind of dirt and germs are on your hand, and imagine rubbing it into your eyes or putting it in your mouth! If there's no bathroom accessible, hand sanitizer also works, too!
That takes me to another precaution. Try avoiding rubbing your eyes, touching your mouth or nose, basically touching your face in general. This is a common and very easy way to transmit viruses into your body.
Covering your sneezes and coughs are also important because it helps prevent other people from getting sick. Use a tissue to blow your nose, and please, do not wipe your nose on your sleeves. Also, throw away your tissue in the trash can when your done.
One thing my mom swears by whenever someone in our family gets sick is to gargle with salt water. According to the New York Times, gargling with salt water can ease scratchy throats and chest congestion. A saline solution can draw the excess fluid from inflamed tissues in the throat, ultimately making them hurt less. Drinking a lot of water is also very important, because it keeps you hydrated.
Hopefully, following these tips can help prevent you from getting sick, and if you're already sick, I hope you feel better soon!
 |
| via wordpress.com |
Friday, January 9, 2015
Social Media on Society
Social media such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and more are all helpful ways for people to stay connected outside of school, or from long distances. It's a great and easy way to see what people are up to, or to ask about the English homework. While social media has its ups, it also has its downs that ultimately impact society.
1.) Social media can create what some people call a "false sense of connection". According to Steven Strogatz of Cornell University, social media sites makes it confusing and hard for people to to distinguish online connections from real life connections. This leads to
2.) Social media has also made it much easier for cyber-bullying to occur. With the tap of a button, people are able to send hurtful messages or post cruel things for the rest of the world to see. It's the easy way to send hate to a person without actually saying it in their face.
3.) Social media can decrease productivity. Sometimes, people are more interested in what their friends are doing than their own personal work. As a result, people are usually on their phones, refreshing Instagram or checking messages on Facebook instead of working or doing homework.
4.) Most social media, especially Facebook, make your live less private. They ask you a bunch of questions, like your age, where you were born, what high school do you went to and your phone number. Social media sites also allow you to add your location, so people know exactly where you are.
Social media isn't exactly bad, but people should definitely be cautious with what they post and how much time they spend on the different websites. Often times, it's better to put off social media and instead, spend quality time with friends and family.
1.) Social media can create what some people call a "false sense of connection". According to Steven Strogatz of Cornell University, social media sites makes it confusing and hard for people to to distinguish online connections from real life connections. This leads to
2.) Social media has also made it much easier for cyber-bullying to occur. With the tap of a button, people are able to send hurtful messages or post cruel things for the rest of the world to see. It's the easy way to send hate to a person without actually saying it in their face.
3.) Social media can decrease productivity. Sometimes, people are more interested in what their friends are doing than their own personal work. As a result, people are usually on their phones, refreshing Instagram or checking messages on Facebook instead of working or doing homework.
4.) Most social media, especially Facebook, make your live less private. They ask you a bunch of questions, like your age, where you were born, what high school do you went to and your phone number. Social media sites also allow you to add your location, so people know exactly where you are.
Social media isn't exactly bad, but people should definitely be cautious with what they post and how much time they spend on the different websites. Often times, it's better to put off social media and instead, spend quality time with friends and family.
 |
| via smallbusiness.chron.com |
Monday, December 15, 2014
Like, Um, and English Speech
So, like, this is all about, you know, English, and um, speech, and like, talking…
Cringy, isn't it? Well, that's how most people talk these days, ranging from adults to even young kids. We don't write like that, so then why do we talk like that?
Words including "like", "um", "you know" are considered as "filler words", or a sound that signals a pause (rather than a conclusion) to the other people involved (according to dictionary.com). Essentially, when you need a moment to pause or think, you use a filler word (or words) to replace an actual pause.
 |
| via flavorwire.com |
One of the earliest accounts of using filler words is from a 1928 New Yorker cartoon, which uses the word "like". A more modern account of using the word "like" would be the manner of speech from Shaggy, a main character on Scooby-Doo (i.e. - "This tunnel sure makes loud echos, like, tell me that's you…").
It's not only in English speech - there are also filler words for different languages. In Tagalog, the most common ones are "ah", "eh", "ay", and "am". In French, "euh" is the most common filler word, but others include "quoi", "bah", "tu vois", and "eh bien".
For the longest time, popular culture depicted only unintelligent people and surfer boys to use filler words, however, times have changed and now, almost everyone uses it. Children can learn this speech from television shows, books, music, and movies. Also, important figures have been also famous for using filler words. For example, Ronald Reagan was known for beginning his answers to questions with "Well…".
It's saddening to know that people do not always speak in proper English. Slang words were a problem a couple of years ago, and with the addition of filler words - what's next for English speech?
For the longest time, popular culture depicted only unintelligent people and surfer boys to use filler words, however, times have changed and now, almost everyone uses it. Children can learn this speech from television shows, books, music, and movies. Also, important figures have been also famous for using filler words. For example, Ronald Reagan was known for beginning his answers to questions with "Well…".
It's saddening to know that people do not always speak in proper English. Slang words were a problem a couple of years ago, and with the addition of filler words - what's next for English speech?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)