How Things Work...

     While researching for my American Studies class, finding information on Abraham Lincoln's Depression, I came across a blog on blogspot.com. This, reminded me that I have a blog; one, that I never happened to log out of, so I didn't have to remember my log-in information. Typical.

     I don't know why I'm writing this, maybe just to reminisce. That's one of the vocabulary words I learned in English. High School, I could never have imagined what it would be like. I guess, pretty much what I expected, but not as scary. Oh, and more loud. The hallways are jammed, the people don't really care what you say, they will still have the same judgement, and there's a few teachers that just, "get under your skin". There's no longer just the nerds and the jocks; there's the druggies, art crew, church groupies, populars, band geeks, cheerleaders, wannabes, and then, there's the "not yet cut off of the St.Mary's umbilical cord" group, that's me. I mean, it's not like I haven't made other friends that aren't from St.Mary's, it's just that some people, still refer to my friends and I, as the SMSers.

     I guess it might just be, because we are the one's who aren't embaressed of being from SMS. We love it there, we miss it, and if we had the chance, for me anyway, I would go back. I sometimes wish that I had been more respectful, responsible, and taken less advantage of it. Then, at the same time, I wouldn't have had the same experiences; I definitely wouldn't have learned as much. and grown to love the people I have, because they were there for me when I wasn't there for myself.

     I don't know if any of this, makes sense to anyone. Which, it doesn't matter, since nobody will probably ever read this. The main thing is, I went through stuff that almost every teenager has most likely gone through. Sometime's you'll feel insecure, alone, even though you're surrounded by people, and most of all, unimportant. Now, I can truthfully tell you, it only gets worse; but, at the same time, eventually, it gets better. Once you find yourself, you'll realize there's a purpose for everyone, and everything put on this earth. I haven't even found myself yet, but I'm definitely ready to.

Leaving St.Mary's..

I moved here going into fourth grade, and have been going to St.Mary's ever since. I admit, there have been many times that I have thought, if I hadn't moved here this terrible thing would have never happened. St. Mary's made me grow into a different person. I also think about all those great times that I have had; most of those times take place in St.Mary's. I have made great friends that I hope I will keep close forever. This school is small, that has its advantages and disadvantages. A fantastic thing about that is that you know everyone, you know their families and their worries, their hopes and dreams. I hope when we all go on to high school, that we still remember what good times we had together, and that will keep us close. The teachers here have done so much for me; they have taught me great skills academically and also, in my faith. Mrs. Stewart taught me how to solve problems on my own and figure things out, she also taught me respect. Mrs. Slotsve taught me that I should study more.(: She taught me that hard work does pay off. She taught me that even when you feel like falling down, there are people there to pick you up and love you. Mrs. Nylund helped my English and writing skills improve dramatically; she made me feel that she cared about the work I did, and that made me want to impress her and work harder on papers and projects. Mrs. Berg taught me so many great things that I should pay attention to when online and also while working on projects involving technology. She most of all taught me responsibility. Mr. Smith has been an important part of my time at St. Mary's; he is a big reason that I have grown closer to God over the past couple of years. He has showed me that there are other views than your own, and made me realize that I should pay attention to other's opinions and choices. Then, there is Mrs. Elsner, who got me through what seemed like the toughest of times. She has given me the best of advice and made me realize the most important things in life; to appreciate the great things you have.  I want to say thank you to all of these great teachers that have played an important role in my life. It saddens me to think that I will not be walking down these same halls next year; that I will not be dancing in the same locker room. This school gave me the opportunity to not only learn about Christ, but know what it means to be loved by God and hope that someday you can love Him just as much. Mrs. Elsner and I were talking about what it will be like to go to Heaven once. She brought up an interesting point that will never leave my mind, the fact that one day you will be standing in front of God, both of you knowing that you have done wrong, and He still loves you. I imagine feeling awful, just aching inside, and wondering what I was thinking, why I did what I have done. Out of all the failures and faults you have done, He still loves you. This is one of the greatest things I have learned. I hope I am missed from St. Mary's, because I know for a fact, that I will miss you.

My Image Story-Lego House

                       



                        
               By: chrisinplymouth                                               By: pig fish



   
                   
                    By:Builder Malbourne                                                                          By:tortgugick





                    By:big-yellow-house

Borrowing.

                                                                              By: SHIFF

I learned from the video we watched in 21st Century that if you decide to purchase items, you really have to watch how much you are spending. Sometimes people get caught up in things and keep making purchases that gets them into debt. This debt keeps piling on top of one another and they eventually  can't find a way to get out. I will apply this to my future, because I know I want to go to college someday and get a good job so I can buy a house or a nice car. I will need to borrow money to go to college and make sure I know I can pay it back in the future. I can practice this by remembering to pay my parents back when I borrow a small amount of money for clothes or the movies.

Brown.

Brown is my favorite color, but I also like purple. Brown is a color of nature and can be used in exciting situations; such as: you get a good expo marker in math so you say, "BROWN." It's basically a universal term. I encourage you to give brown a chance.

                                                                           By:  laxallstars

                                                                   

ELC.

Words can not describe the experience of ELC. All the hard work and service that you put towards this one week really pays off. I think the best part was realizing how our grade reacted around each other, we had to spend a lot of more time together, but surprisingly it was amazing! We all got really tight and had many bonding moments. That week was the first time we didn't have conflicts with each other. Apart from spending so much time together, during that time we participated in many activities. My favorite activity was Rock Climbing!! It made me feel like I had to work for my goal; I went blindfolded and with the help of Emma Smith reached the top! Another class that I really enjoyed was the Superior Hike; when we reached our destination, the view was beautiful. I also did the Polar Plunge; this wasn't exactly in our schedule, but most of the grade ended up doing it. We all jump in the freezing water with our clothes on and afterwards warmed up by the fire. This idea came from the mind of Alex Emanuelson; what a genius. Another thing I had fun doing was the Stream Study class! I learned a lot in this class but the best part of it was the fact that Jennifer Schroepfer caught a crayfish!!!! The food there wasn't the best , you are basically always hungry so you will eat it even it you don't like it. We also had a class called First Games, this was really fun; you had to really work together! We got basically the whole grade over a twelve foot wall which was challenging, but really fun!!! We had most of the strongest guys get over first to help the rest of us from the top. ELC was an amazing experience and if I could go back and do it again, I would in a heartbeat. I hope all the future grades have as fantastic of a time as we did!! The pictuer above is of all us girls that did the Polar Plunge.

What is Work?

When I think of what I want to be when I am older, I don't really think of "Dream Jobs"; I think of practical jobs. I know work isn't always going to be the most fun thing necessarily, but I still want to have a job on a subject that I am passionate about. If I could think of my ultimate "Dream Job", it would be to be an Olympian Swimmer. I obviously know that's not going to happen, which is why when I get asked what I want to be when I am older, I think of jobs that would pay pretty good and also I would enjoy doing. You don't always get paid when you work; some people volunteer places just to be a good person. When I get a job in high school I will probably end up working at a restaurant or waterpark, someplace that pays around minimum wage. I won't need money for a lot of things in high school, my parents will still be providing the basics for me, but when I graduate from high school and also college, I will need to buy a house, pay phone bills, I will also probably need a car. These things that need to be paid for are reasons why I would need a job that pays higher. I want to be a nutritionist when I get out of college, because if I find the right place to work, it can get high pay and nutrition is something I am interested in.

    

   image by:  The Wolf

                                            

Sharing Creative Works

I learned some things from this video that I did not know from before. Did you know that if you want your work to be shared so others can use it, you need a Creative Commons license? Creative Commons offers six different licenses. Also, this requires attribution so others can use your work if they give you credit.  You automatically have complete ownership over your own original work and unless you say so, nobody can copy it; this is called bare use. Keeping your work safe on the internet is very important; if someone got a hold of it, they could use it for their own personal reasons.

image by Will Lion

Saving Money

I don't really have a specific way that I like to spend money, but if I have a few bucks I usually like to put it in my money bottle; every little bit counts. I don't try to spend more than about 15 bucks a month. Although, there are times when I end up spending more than I should. I could try to pass over a movie next time to save money, or not buy a drink when going into the gas station.

image by  401K

"Devour the Hunger Games"

     I read the "Devour the Hunger Games" blog, and it was truely inspiring. Christina Mead brought up some interesting points in the book and movie that I would have never thought of: Life, Courage, and Sacrifice. The Hunger Games can be thought of from so many different perspectives, and Christina's was extremely interesting.

     She talked about how in the movie and book, the districts value life so preciously; if only we would hold others' lives into our hearts like they do. When I look at the world today, I just have to feel so blessed for all the things God has put into my life. At the same time, there are people dying every day from hunger and poverty, soldiers sacrificing for us, and helpless babies dying for no good reason. After reading what Christina Mead wrote, it made me think of all of these things. If we had the same respect for life, the world would be that much greater.
      
     Another point she brought up was how much courage it took for Peeta and Katniss to go out there and fight for, not only their lives, but their families. Alot of the families in the districts depended on a certain family member to get food. We have so many courageous people living in our country to be grateful for. Just think, when you feel like things are getting rough, there are people out there who have it much worse. So, you must have the courage and strength to get through your own difficulties, if only to be able to help others with their toubles.
              
     Last but not least, Courage. Katniss volunteered herself to enter the Hunger Games, when her sister had been picked. It made me think about how I can sacrifice, even the little things, in my life to make someone else's day better. I should put others before me more often, because you never know when just being positive, or smiling at someone, could make their day.

NEW Health Care Reform-Individual Mandate

       There was a health care reform passed two years ago, and now there are a majority of people saying that it goes against the Constitution, because it would be making people buy things they don't want.  The part of the law that's being debated right now states that mostly everyone must have health care by 2014 or they will have to pay a fine; this is called the Individual Mandate.Some people that don't have health care might need medical attention in places like emergency rooms, and end up never paying for it. The Supreme Court is considering whether to have to just take the Individual Mandate part of the law down, or have to remove the whole law, even the parts which most of Americans seem to agree with.

Child Labor Requirements and Minimum Wage

                                                           albertsamerica.wordpress.com
       This post is about different requirements in the U.S. for teens, or people under 20. If you are under 20 you can get paid from $4.90 an hour or more. If you a worker under the age of 16 you can not work before 7  a.m. or after 9 p.m., you also can not work  more than 40 hours per week or more than 8 hours every 24 hours. Everyone must be paid at least minimum wage no matter what job or how many hours you work, part time or full time.

Escalated Heartache

You and me, it seems just right. But only on the surface. Can you see what I'm hiding. Yea I know you see right through me. You don't say anything, in fear of losing all you have. Come on baby just face reality. I'm holding us both down. This could be a song of losing me. I hope that makes you realize how selfish I am. Helps you realize all the sugar your sick of hearing me dish. So there doesn't need to be a big scene at least there wouldn't have been if before you had seen. We are not all as great as you thought. You always thought there was a reason behind everything, when really the one thing you looked past was what you should've, what I wish you would've known all along; if only to save this escalated heartache. I knew, you know how sure of yourself you have always been. But, to tell you the truth. I was never sure when I was with you. I still care deeply for you, just not in the same way. I love you. It kills me to see you hurting like this, and all because of me. I hope you know, I'm saving you from more pain. You will move on. I know this because I know you don't love me like you thought. Not truly anyway. If you had, you would never have had any desire to be with someone else. This is how I knew and know that I did not, and do not love you in that way. We should have been aware that this would happen. You say if this isn't love then you don't know what is. Well, I guess you don't know. It's okay to not know sometimes.

Odalis Tavares

Hey! So, I see you are my mentor and I would like to ask you a few questions. I would also like to add that your name is extremely interesting!

1. What are some of your hobbies?
2. Do you prefer indoors or outdoors?
3. How long have you been active with blogging?
4. What is your favorite T.V. show?
5. What country or state are you from?

Interesting Blogs.

While searching through the other blogs that people have put together, I found some that I really enjoyed. I recommend http://blaise-p.blogspot.com/,http://nhlnewsalert.blogspot.com/, and also http://seanshs8.global2.vic.edu.au/. I chose these blogs as some of my favorite because they all had interesting graphics. Some have videos and they talk about different things that they enjoy.

All About Me.

     

        Yo'. My name is Matalin and I am an eighth grader. I go to a Catholic school that has grades preschool through eighth. They provide me with a safe and healthy learning environment, and I really enjoy going here. At my school we take a class called 21st Century Skills; this class allows me to learn a lot about modern technology, things going on around the world, and so much more.

      

        I really enjoy doing things such as swimming, reading, watching movies, and hanging with my family. I used to have a fish names Guppie, but he died yesterday because I didn't put him in purified water. I loved him so much even though he was only around for a few hours. My friend Jen and I are going to have a funeral for him and bury him in my yard.<3