Where...in the world...should I go?

Well well well well well...well well. Looks like it's time for OUR LAST BLOG. Thank god. Now, the only question I need to answer is this: Out of all the regions and places we've studied throughout this marvelous year, where do I want to go?
I would personally like to go to Africa. Then perhaps the Pacific Islands. African culture is just so much more diverse, and of course, they need as much help as they can get over there, so I would be ecstatic to do my part. In the future I hope to join the Peace Corps and be deployed to different countries helping those in need, mostly in Africa! And the Pacific Islands are just so beautiful, especially the remote, almost untouched ones. With all the blue water and white beaches and sun...I guess you could call them, almost MAGICAL. So yes. That's all.

Reflection
You know what else is magical? The end of the school year. Because at this point I'm just done, and I think everyone agrees with me. I feel that learning has become a pointless effort, and I'm just ready to take my finals and get. the hell. out of here. Freshman year has been great fun, I assure you. But frankly, I'm tired of having the title of "freshman" or "fish". It'll all be different next year, when we're....get ready....sophomores. But before I start to even consider that, I will just say- these blogs have definitely been entertaining, but having to keep up with their due dates has been somewhat of a hassle. It'd be cool if doing a blog counted for extra credit, as opposed to an actual grade, you know? Well, I'm out. So long, geography blog, you've been my constant companion these past months, and we've had some good times.....No, I'm entirely kidding, these have been awful. BYE!

Overpopulation...is a problem.

In recent years overpopulation has become a more prominent issue worldwide. Especially in third-world countries, where there are generally not as many resources available to the entire population. So what we need to do is find a way to educate people about the consequences of overpopulation and find some effective solutions to the issue. I think we could solve this problem in several ways, such as how they did in China- limiting the number of children a couple could have to one- but though this is effective, it's limiting their free rights as people. (not that they have many...it's communist China...) No, I feel that to solve this problem government officials should not interfere, but that it should be taken into the hands of charities and non-profit organizations. They can start up education programs regarding consequences and potential dangers of overpopulation. And yes, perhaps in some densely populated areas, such as central Asia, something similar to the one child incentive is needed. But what honestly should happen is this: people from other (not overpopulated) countries should step in and take all of the orphans and abandoned children. There are soooo many young couples who want a baby but can't have one...so I don't see why they don't go to places that have population issues. They get what they want-a baby- and they give that country one less child on the streets to worry about.

Reflection- Well. This past week has beeen....interesting. Glad its over. So done with school!

TIME CAPSULES

So. I have to choose one thing from the 21st century to put into a time capsule, eh? There are so many things that come to mind that I can't even think of one...too many choices. Now, I could say something totally cliche like a bunch of letters or...I don't know, myself. Which would be infinitely creepier, not so much cliche...huh. Anyways. In my time capsule I would put something that is generally more awesome- an ipod. Full of songs that have been popular throughout this century. And no, not the poppy god-awful rap stuff you hear in clubs. GOOD music that actually sends a message/gives a clue as to what our generation is all about. Plus how awesome would it be to get to listen to a 2010 ipod in 2100? It'll still work, but by then will be ancient and most likely replaced with something much more tech-y.
Reflection: these last few weeks have been....tough. The end of our UIL play, Ruby's story, the debate showcase, LOTS of projects and homework= stressed out Lauren. But it's not a problem, for just around the corner, approximately a month and a half away is...is... the end of school! yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh! For now I tough it out. because that's what I do. *sobs* just kidding.

Heeey Africa...what about a little puma?

Out of all of the wonderful countries we've studied this past year, (and it's gone by so fast!) My favorite was probably the Africa Unit. I think that African culture and people are so interesting, and very different from America, obviously. It has interesting landscapes, wild animals, ancient traditions, and though its a struggling and impoverished nation, they manage to maintain those rich traditions. I also enjoyed learning about all of the cultural differences across the nation and the hardships they face. I believe that if we know more about third-world countries like those in Africa, the more we can help them in the long run. Someday I hope to visit Africa so I can see it all for myself, though it may be hard to witness, honestly.
Reflection: Well. This past week has been...quite eventful. And scary. And altogether AMAZING. On wednesday we took our UIL play to Westlake for competition, and despite the major car wreck we got into on the way there, we did manage to get there and advance to districts!!! Aaahh! So now we go on to perform again this thursday, with our play Ruby's Story. I can't wait. In fact, I'm more excited than...a fat man lost in a donut store. To be blunt. woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

What I'm interested in...

I'm passionate about lots of things, material and non-material, but one thing that always gets me talking, and one thing that I always have an opinion on is human rights. I am a strong believer in religious tolerance, equal rights, and peaceful coexistance. I sometimes feel like I might be the only one my age who actually thinks about these things on a regular basis (outside of school) but that doesn't necessarily stop me from stubbornly defending my beliefs to others. In my family, we're mostly a bunch of white, christian, republicans...except for me. Ahaha, but I think they've learned to deal with my liberal hippie-esque views on society. Now here's where the ranting begins. I feel that in our world today, people say that they are tolerant of another group of people, but really judge them and feel superior to them. And yes, I will confess that I have done this before. But I've learned that where you're from or what group you're a part of hardly defines you at all. And scientifically, we're all members of the human species. We all go through the same trials and good times and emotions. For example, a white jewish man might have a black muslim co-worker, and both would say that they "respect each other," but that doesn't mean that they would ever see each other on the same level. They're held back by religious barriers which can easily be broken. All that they need is tolerance. Dictionary.com defines tolerance as: a fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward those whose opinions, practices, race, religion, nationality, etc., differ from one's own; freedom from bigotry. So basically, they need to see each other as people who work at the same place, and have the potential of connecting on the same level. Everyone has the potential to love another person, and you might discover that you truly care about someone that you thought was completely different from you. But you tolerate each others differences; you look past those to see that we're all the same. We all have rights, feelings, and an inherent ability to see only flaws in people. All we have to do...is forget them.

Techologically....

Psshhh. Do I use technology? DO I? Um, let's think. What must Lauren be using to post this lovely blog? OH, yes, technology! In my life, I know that I rely heavily on technology daily...although I don't like to admit it. I use computers, cell phones, tv's, laptops, ipods, video games all the time. And when I try to imagine my life without some of those things, I immediately assume that it would be very difficult. But in truth, this is just because as Americans, we have become so reliant on our technological advances that we start making new things because the old thing was "too hard to use" or "not as advanced." But who says we need any of it at all? It seems so contradictory that we consider ourselves a strong nation, but take away our computers and microchip technology, and we'd be struck dumb. I admit to have fallen victim to this sweep of technological advances, but I will try not to give up completely. NO, I will turn up the volume on my ipod and send all of my facebook friends a text to let them know all about our "advancing" country! Yeah!

Genocide in Darfur

You know that feeling you have when you're home? You feel safe and happy and like you have everything you really need. But what if all of that was taken away from you? If you were left without a family, a house, and with a government that wants you dead. That is exactly how the people of Darfur, Sudan, are feeling right now. Every day in Darfur thousands are being killed by their very own government, in an act called genocide. And not just soldiers killing soldiers- it's soldiers and assassins killing innocent citizens. Men, women, and children, regardless of age or sex. And the worst part of all this, in my opinion, is that the European countries and the U.S. are not doing anything to stop it.


After the Holocaust, the world promised that genocide would occur "never again." But clearly, that was a lie. Maybe the US is just denying it. Maybe they're unsure of the situation. But I don't think that's the case at all. I think that we're just trying really hard to forget that they're dying while we live in bliss. We tell ourselves that it's not in our nation's "best interest." But what about Darfur's best interest? Just because something is logical or for our best interest does not justify it as being right. And isn't that what America is about? Making choices for the good of all that are RIGHT. Not always for our own benefit!



I believe that the U.S. could do something. I know it's nearly impossible to actually go in and just save Darfur, but if we as citizens could at least speak up, then that would be something. Philippe Gaillard once said, "If you don't speak out clearly, then you are participating in the genocide." This is definitely true. Even if you know you're incapable of doing something, if you at least say something, maybe your words can reach somebody else who actually CAN do something.