Are Cell Phones all that good? By Rachel Raffino

         Since April 3rd, 1973, the day the first cell phone was made, the world was changed forever. The cell phone brought many positive changes with it, like being able to contact people across the world in a matter of seconds. Or searching anything on the web, instead of in searching in books. It made it easier to contact people, yet it is still somehow pulling us apart.

Along with the cell phone’s benefits, came a negative side. It can promote cyber bullying, procrastination, sleep loss, and other harmful health risks. Ehtrust.org explains how some cell phone manuals suggest holding your mobile device x amount of inches away to prevent taking in too much radiation. They state that “When you use a device closer than the manufacturer’s distance instructions, you risk exposing yourself to radiation levels that our federal government understands can cause sterility, brain damage and tissue damage.” But not only are phones negatively affecting us, they are hurting the world around us. Cleanup.org.au tells cellphone users that “poisonous substances may leach from decomposing waste in landfills, seep into groundwater and contaminate the soil. Metals build up in the soil, can then enter the food chain and in sufficient concentrations may cause health problems.” When we get rid of our old phones they are harming the land around us, as well as the animals that live in it.

I work at a sushi restaurant as a hostess. And what angers me the most is not the picky customers, or the obnoxiously loud group in the back, it’s when people don’t talk. What I mean by this is that sometimes two people will come in and ask for a table, presumably on a date. And when I glance over at them, they are sitting silently mindlessly on their phones. Texting, checking social media, or just holding their phone in silence. They eat their sushi without saying more than five words to each other, get up and leave. I think to myself that they should have just come alone. Phones have created a wall between us, and we no longer enjoy the natural life as people used to.

Teendriversource.org calculated that “In 2013, there were 3,154 people killed and an estimated additional 424,000 injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers,” and “Crash risk is four times higher when a driver uses a cell phone, whether or not it’s hands-free.” A fact that is seriously concerning. Mikayla Bivona explains how “she thinks it’s ridiculous how people text and drive,” and it scares her. Claire Riley says “we need to limit phone usage, it’s okay because we have grown up with technology in our generation, but we can’t let it control us.” Julia Young says that “you should still have face to face contact, we should use technology to help us because that’s what it was developed for, it shouldn't over power us.” So the next time you go out consider leaving your phone at home.

Cynthia Loh

Does Fate Actually Exist?

By Cynthia Loh

Among the greatest works of literature to the small time authors, fate is a popular topic to incorporate into one's writing. For example, Shakespeare's Macbeth, Oedipus the King by Sophocles, The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy, The Monkey's Paw by W.W. Jacobs, and so much more. Not to mention, many people to this day believe in destiny and that god has a plan for everyone. However, although fate is so frequently discussed and known worldwide, that does not necessarily mean its true. While religion preaches that fate does exist and it is determined by god, science disputes the existence of a god and rejects the notion that fate or destiny is real.

Many people will quote the Bible to prove that destiny and fate is real. Jeremiah 29:11 states that God knows the plans for our lives. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." It is not only Christianity that believes in destiny and that everything happens for a reason. Islam believes in the divine destiny which means that God already knows all occurances regardless of time. Buddhism hints toward fate with their belief in karma. Karma, basically, is a cause and effect sort of destiny. If one does a good deed, something good will happen later on. If someone does a bad deed, then something bad will happen to them. Although this isn't a pre-determined future like the others, it still incorporates the use of an outside force influencing the occurrences in people's lives.

On the other hand, science argues the opposite of religion and supports free will over fate argument. The whole concept of god being the creator and lord of the human race is highly improbable and illogical. There is no real evidence of a god truly existing in the world. To support this claim, evidence can be found in the religions themselves. The inconsistency between religions worldwide on their view of god lead people to believe that god is just what we perceive and want it to be. Also, the weakness of religious arguments and explanations of the natural world is another piece of evidence to not believe in god, By not believing in god or religion, scientists can not believe in the existence of fate either or that a god created human beings and that he is the reason everything is the way it is.

However, this question can not be proved to be either true or false. Although, there is no real evidence fate does exist, there is no way to disprove that fate doesn't exist. So really the answer to whether fate exists or not is your own opinion.

Brain Hacked- Syera Plitt

Syera Plitt
   
  Recently, I got my phone taken away, and I've realized how addicted I am to it.  It's actually scientifically proven that social media apps are programmed to make us addicted to our phones, because the more we open our apps, the more money the big companies make.  There is a 60 Minutes with Anderson Cooper talking in depth about our addictions to our phones, and I suggest everyone watch it.  We all are probably past the point of suppressing our addiction to the phones, (unless you live without social media, or rather without a phone altogether) but at least by watching it, we know what we are dealing with.
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/brain-hacking-tech-insiders-60-minutes/

So heres a little poem on social media, and how I use to see it...

Brain Hacked

I love you.
You light up everyday and it excites me
You give me a prize, the prize of recognition,
The prize of praise
You boost my ego
You give me likes and you send me hearts and you tell me when my followers multiply
You make my dreams a reality, by letting the world see me as I want to be seen
Theres always something new to see, new to do
You never turn off, your always there, constant...

I need you.
You wake me up
You remind me that I have to check you
Send me more prizes
A friend texted you, check me
You have a new follower, open me
More, more, more
Take me away from the stress of real world
Fill me with hope and aspiration and desperation
Feed my mind with the love and praise I so desperately need
Because without you, do I still have it?
You never turn off, your always there, constant...

I hate you.
You give me no confidence
No prizes today? No Likes? No notifications? No praise?
Why do I need you?
You give me anxiety when you're not around
You're upstairs on my bed, and I know it, but I run to get you,
Why?
I'm stressed when your not in my hands
I'm pressed to see whats on your screen
I feel pressured to post, to comment
You make me desperate
You blind me to the real world, and make me mad when I can't have whats on you're screen
You get me in trouble
You beckon to me with you dings and bells, even when I'm not supposed to touch you
You never turn off, your always there, constant...

What are you?
You're a screen
A case, a hard electronic shell
With touchscreen keyboards and apps
With
You're glued to my hands, your surface is locked to my eyes, your data reprograms my every thought and action
You're my controller
You're my distraction
You're my excuse
You're my escape
You're my alter ego
You're my addiction

You never turn off, your always there, constant...

And I can't live without you.

A Day of My Spring Break By George Mysh

      This year my family and I went out to the large and majestic mountains of Breckenridge, Colorado. It was a two hour drive into the deep mountains from the great city of Denver. When we finally reached the beautiful village of Breckenridge, I knew that skiing was upon us. My brother and I woke up at eight o'clock sharp to get in those early morning laps. I threw on a light sweatshirt with a regular shirt underneath since it was cool spring weather. We finally got onto the lift and up we went 'till we reached the peak of the mountain. The view was absolutely breathtaking. I slowly began making my way down through the soft snow that was ready to melt as the day went by. I took a fast run while the morning wind was hitting me in the face. It was truly amazing to have such a view while speeding down one of the greatest mountains in the world. My brother and I skied all day until the clock reached four which sadly meant the mountain closes. We headed back to the hotel where we threw our damp clothes off and hopped In the steaming hot tubs in which are parents would join us. After a nice soak in the hot tubs we would get ready to head into the village. There we would eat all types of food and browse through the stores as kind people would greet us. Afterwards, we would go back to the hotel where we would fall into our nice beds and drift off to bed.

Who is Hecate? by Abraham LaBelle

In Shakespeare's Macbeth, a strange character named Hecate appears in a few scenes with the three witches. She appears to be the leader of the witches, as she was angry at them for including her in their meeting with Macbeth. Is it possible that Hecate is responsible for what happens to Macbeth?

Who even is Hecate?

In Greek mythology, Hecate is the goddess of witchcraft, necromancy, and sorcery. She is also known to be associated with crossroads, plants, poisons, and dogs. The witchcraft part made Hecate a well-known character in ancient witch hunts. This explains why Hecate was included in the play, Macbeth, as Shakespeare knew the goddess Hecate would be famous with the audience as a person of witchcraft.

Near the end of the play, Hecate basically states that Macbeth's downfall will be his overconfident belief that the prophecies will protect him. The witches later create the illusions which give Macbeth his remaining three prophecies, and ultimately lead to his death. From this, it seems as if Hecate is it overseer of the play, and decides the events and the outcome. But, Hecate is only given a small part in the play, and like sorcery, Hecate remains mysterious.

Shakespeare and Superstition- by Abraham LaBelle

We have examined William Shakespeare's many examples of the supernatural world. For example, the witches and ghosts that appear in the play, Macbeth. We have also learned that the reason for this was most likely to please King James I, who believed in the supernatural and witch hunts.

But, did you know that Shakespeare's play, Macbeth, is involved in one of the biggest theatrical superstitions?

Actors inside a theatre avoid mentioning anything about the play Macbeth, even its name. The reason for this is because the play is said to be cursed. Why is it cursed? According to legend, the actor who played Lady Macbeth died during the first performance, and Shakespeare himself had to continue the role.
Apart from just saying the name "Macbeth" inside a theatre production, it is also forbidden to say lines from the play. To get around this, actors usually use the euphemism "The Scottish Play" in place of the banned word. But, if an actor does speak about the play, he or she must leave the theatre, spin around three times, spit, then curse, and then knock on the door before going back inside.

Another example of popular theatre superstition is the phrase, "break a leg". It is believed that the reason behind this expression is because saying "good luck" to an actor will bring them bad luck.
So, other actors would instead wish their fellow performers "bad luck" in order to reverse the system and give them good luck in return. Throughout time, somehow, the expression came to be "break a leg", which when you think about it, actually is another way of saying "bad luck" as breaking a leg during the performance would not be a good thing.

There are also a couple lesser known superstitions. One saying is that an empty theatre must always have a light on. Whistling on stage is also said to bring bad luck. In addition, there are a multitude of ghosts stories and conspiracies in almost every old theatre.

Springtime by Julia Loewen

Springtime

by Julia Loewen

Out of nowhere a green stem peaks

The rosy red color flushes from our cheeks

Bird start to chirp and the bees start to sting

A scent fills the air, it smells like Spring

Out with the gray skies, hello to the blue

Sandals and flips flops, no more snowshoes

Green leafs accompany the bare branches of trees

Students realize they are soon-to-be carefree

There's no time like this time

It's easy to say

I wish the Springtime would last forever and a day

Volunteering for One Step Closer Animal Rescue- By Natalie Earl

If you are obsessed with dogs and cats I would love to introduce you to an organization called O.S.C.A.R., this stands for One Step Closer Animal Rescue. I started volunteering at Oscar in September, I started to help originally by painting the fences and kennels at their building. Then I started to go to pet adoptions where I would be given a dog and the employees would tell me the dog’s name and I would try to get them adopted. I recently started to help at their building by cleaning the kennels, feeding the dogs and giving them water, and walking most the dogs. The organization started with a woman, Cassie who is the founder and owner of Oscar, she told me that she saves dogs from pounds that would be put down if they are there too long. She also will accept dogs from their owners that can no longer have them in their possession. Cassie said they do have a process to go through before accepting dogs into their care because there are some cases where the dog might be aggressive and a risk for the organization.
The program is so loving to the dogs, they get check ups at a vet that is kind enough to give them free check ups to see if everything is healthy with each but if there is something wrong they must pay to get medicine or shots needed. Oscar is an amazing organization especially because of the adopting process, there is a home visit to see if it is a safe environment and if there are other dogs in the home they would need to meet the dog they want to adopt to see if they get along. There is also a part of Oscar in which people can sign up to foster dogs but this is much like the adopting process except where you pay for the dog. The dogs are cared for and I am excited to be apart of seeing how the organization grows, there is always room to bring in more volunteers so sign up and help get dogs adopted or even fostered. The program also accepts donations, there is a list of supplies they need on their website if you are at least interested in donating to their cause.
http://www.oscaranimalrescue.org/
Go to the link if you are interested in volunteering, donating, or adopting at Oscar!

"When life flashes before your eyes, how much of what you see will be you on your phone?" By Kate Fontes

Someday in the future,
When you lay awake in your bed,
Your head will spin in circles,
And you'll wonder what you could've done instead.

You've missed your children grow up,
Time has passed you by.
Your cell phone has consumed you,
The thought makes you want to cry.

What could you have done?
What else did you miss?
You feel as if time is up,                                          
Was a cell phone worth this?

It isn't to late,
To commit to changing your life.
Put the phone away,
Living to the fullest will suffice.

Consider what truly matters,
Before time passes you by.
Don't realize you've missed out on life
When you don't have long before you die.

I was inspired to write this poem while at work the other day. Several times, I saw couples and families staring at their cell phones, rather than enjoying each other's presence. I am so grateful for the technology that we have today, which gives us the ability to talk to people who live far away, and search the web for instant answers. However, I get so concerned when I think about the amount of time many people (including myself) spend on our phones. My hope is that this constant need to be on our phones changes, before we realize that we've missed out on life.

Shakespeare vs Hip Hop by Julia Flake

Shakespeare or Hip Hop?

Recently in class, we did an activity where we heard a specific line and we had to decipher whether it was from a hip hop song or from Shakespeare. Although this may seem easy, it certainly was not. When people hear Shakespeare, they think of really Old English that they can't easily understand. However, it is not all that hard to understand. In reality, it sounds similar to what we hear on the radio today! Let's put you to the test...

These examples are taken from a talk by Akala at TedTalk and you will be surprised. 

1. “To destroy the beauty from which one came”
2. “Maybe it’s hatred I spew, maybe it’s food for the spirit”
3. “Men would rather use their broken records than their bear hands”
4. “I was not born under a rhyming planet”
5. “The most benevolent king communicates through your dreams”
6. “Socrates, philosophy and hypotheses can’t define me”

Answers:

1. Hip hop: Jay-Zee
2. Hip hop: Eminem
3. Shakespeare: Othello
4. Shakespeare: Much Ado About Nothing
5. Hip hop: Wu-Tang Clan
6. Hip hop:  Wu-Tang Clan

Crazy right?! I find it very interesting how we cannot even interpret our modern language today. This goes to show how much we pay attention to the world around us. Shakespeare isn't that crazy with his writing. He could actually be considered the first gangster!

1. 

"The City of Oranges" by Sarah Dioneda

So recently, a bit has happened. All my data on my phone got deleted, and I met up with a friend I haven’t spoken to in years. We were talking about what we had done over the last spring break, and she told me about her great volunteer work, and I told her about how I emerged myself in Spain’s culture. My favorite city was Seville or Sevilla. It is a great and lively city with an interesting personality. She asked for pictures because she wanted to see if she’d like to go there, but I didn’t have any as all of them got deleted. For a moment, I was sad because it would not take long for me to forget all the details that a picture could capture.

Thankfully, I wrote some extensive notes about the city, from the smell to the sights. So as a nod to national poetry month and the upcoming spring break, I wrote a poem about what I did last year during that vacation so I wouldn’t forget it in the future. 
So, this is for the friend who asked me for the pictures. I sincerely hope you go and visit sometime. 
I call it, "The City of Oranges."

~

So I have heard you wanted to travel to Sevilla.

As a girl who had walked amongst mouths with foreign tongues,

bodies fueled on different food, I say, 

this city has made an impression on me.

Nine, to be specific,

and if you’d like, I wish to tell you. 

1.

The city is full of people attached

hip to hip in between 

the narrow city buildings.

Late at night, parades are overflowing into the sidewalks, and 

if someone tries to take your phone out of your back pocket, I give you permission to step on their toe afterwards.

I had. 

2.

Be weary of falling, too. I have never hated or appreciated a road before.

They are beautiful and classic

with stones and cobble protruding out of the ground.

At times, it felt as if I was walking on the back of a toad,

afraid I was going to trip over because

the streets are not made of cement, but of

rock, or brick. If not

dirt or tile,

but, still, be weary because

you can easily slip and fall on both of them, too.

I would know.

3.

Here, in America,

kids know that religion is no longer cool, but

there, in Sevilla—

that is what keeps the city beating.

Jesus is on floats and paraded around on the streets.

Little girls hang their feet off balconies, just to get a better view.

Old women willingly push you to the ground to take a better look at a statue,

representing this man they believed saved them all. 

I did not appreciate religion until 

I could actually see it.

4.

When eating your meals, eat them outside.

There will be pollen and fallen leaves on your plate, but

the waiters are gracious enough to wipe them. It should not matter anyway.

Order something you cannot pronounce

because, then,

you’d have to pronounce it.

Speak Spanish when ordering, and 

if one, single waiter smiles at the way you say

Puedo tener la paella de mariscos, por favor

do not be offended. There is a great lesson in your mistakes, especially 

in language.

Do not worry, though, most of them are kind.

While waiting for paella,

watch the people at the other table smoke;

watch the smoke evaporate into the clear air,

relax

as much as those people are.

Sip some of the sangria that smells like fruit punch.

People look away.

If not, say you though it was fruit punch.

(Read: Don’t actually do this. Obey the law.)

5.

There are beautiful people on every corner.

You can find yourself

1. a mate.
2. your self esteem being lowered.

It is up to you really 

(I think it is because they dress well).

6.

There is a certain aroma that settles around the city.

It is not one of baked goods,

ice cream bars, but instead

like bad breath, hanging between two people,

but it is not bad bread, it is

horse poop.

If you smell something but find no horse in sight,

I advise you,

with a heavy heart,

to look down because you are probably stepping in it.

7.

Personal space and claustrophobia is 

uncommon (See number 1).

Streets are narrow, and sometimes,

filled with people. 

Everyone is closed in by buildings—

all tall with its own personality.

It is loud and can be quite chaotic, but 

I found it to be the best way to appreciate the taste of air.

8.

Admire everything.

Walk slowly, as if you were in the South,

but get out of people’s way.

The streets are splattered with orange from 
wax from candle sticks, orange peelings, leaves,

street lamps

hovering over the cobble stone streets at night.

My father did not like a single toned palette for a city

but I cannot help to admire 

having the perfect color of a sunrise at my feet.

The buildings are bright with warms colors

from deep browns to reds to yellows, and

it was as if twilight and dawn painted the city.

You must love it.

I did.

9.

If you find yourself walking in the same steps I have,

do not follow anything I have just said.

Walk somewhere else.

The best way to experience the city of oranges is to 

experience it yourself.

But 

if it just so happens, for some reason,

you find my missing hair tie,

a string from my sweater

or my whisper, echoing where you are walking,

would you please do me a favor

and take a picture?

Recently, I had lost all of mine.

~

What is Oak Island? - Joseph Dempsey

So I haven't really read an independent reading book because I have been reading Lord of the Flies, but now that we have started the play Macbeth, and it isn't that long, I hope to start reading the book The Secret Treasure of Oak Island. So I assume a lot of you probably don't know what Oak Island is I figured I would explain it for my blog post.

Geographically, Oak Island is a 140 acre island just off the cost of Nova Scotia. However this simple island has brought death and irreversible financial ruin to many. This is because in 1795 a teenager named Daniel McGinnis was on a boat late at night and saw strange lights coming from the island. He quickly gathered up two of his friends (John Smith and Anthony Vaughan) and headed over to the island. There they found a huge oak tree with a pulley hanging from it. Beneath the pulley they found a circular depression. They began to dig and every 10 feet they found a platform of round oak logs (remember this because it will be important). The kids got to about 25 feet before they gave up. This spot became known as the Money Pit.

The next attempt to find the treasure believed to be there was by the Onslow Company. They continued the digging of Daniel McGinnis down to 90 feet where they found something of great importance. Resting on the log platform at 90 feet they supposedly found a stone with strange symbols on it. These symbols would later translate to "Forty feet below, two million pounds are buried". However, this stone has since gone missing and there is no proof it actually existed. Furthermore, on removal of the stone, a "flood tunnel" ended up flooding the shaft, ending the operation.

What Is A "Flood Tunnel"?
So I thought I would quickly interject here as to what a "flood tunnel" is. They are tunnels believed to exist throughout the island that are there to protect the buried treasure by funneling seawater to wherever the tunnel is breached. To date, people have an understanding of where the seawater pours into the tunnels but we have yet to actually stop it.

The next very significant expedition took place in 1897 by William Chappell. And here it is important to interject that 2 people have died in accidents in the quest for the treasure and the legend that "Seven men must die before the treasure can be found" is starting to come about. Furthermore, several curious things have been excavated at this point such as a piece of parchment. However, something much more intriguing was about to be discovered. In a drilling expedition they discovered a box like structure underground that was made of a mix of concrete and wood. This is VERY significant because that was the deepest anyone had excavated and they found THAT. 

The next significant excavation is VERY significant, but not in a good way. This expedition led by Robert Dunfield hoped to get to the bottom of the mystery once and for all. Dunfield launched an all out attack on the money pit, in hopes to get to the "Chappell Vault" (The structure William Chappell discovered). However, eventually he hit one of the flood tunnels and overnight the excavation was ruined. He then ordered that the pit be filled in. Since then, the location of the Money Pit is STILL unknown because in this all out attack, Dunfield destroyed everything.

Finally, there is the most recent and most successful attempt to find the treasure. It is currently being led by Rick and Marty Lagina. They have reignite the passion for Oak Island and it mystery with their tv show "The Curse of Oak Island". They have recently potentially rediscovered the location of the original Money Pit as well as discovered some new places of interest. On top of that, they have discovered for strange carvings, strange pieces of wood deep underground, and coins. Furthermore, they have also narrowed down some of the theories behind who put the treasure there. So far the leading theories are the Knight's Templar took sacred treasures and hid them during the Crusades, it is pirate treasure, or it is the lost treasure of the Inca's that the conquistadors took when they conquered South America. Only time will tell when they treasure will be found.

Society by Briana Cotten

There will be times when the sun won't shine as bright

The grass won't be as green

And it will look as if the rain will never stop

But look up to see the rainbow

There will be times when the stress will pile up high

Higher than you've ever experienced

But you will get through it

There will be times when you aren't happy with yourself

Your overall attitude

How you treat others

Not doing enough for the world we live in

But make that change to fix it.

There will be times when society has become too much

Too much social media

Too much pressure

But know that you can take a break

The world isn't based off of numbers although it may seem that way

How many followers you have 

Your highest streak

How much you weigh

The number of friends you have 

What your ranking number is in school

How many likes you get

No 

Wrong

You are what you make of yourself 

Take chances 

Grow a root so strong that nothing can bring you down

Ignore the haters

Be true to yourself

Because you know that you set your own expectations

You are the holder of your destiny 

So you can either sit back and try and "fit in" 

Or 

You can take a stance 

End the societal factors that have become the "normal" 

So normal that without these things like Instagram are you even known? 

Who cares

After high school comes college 

That's the real world

Currently we are all in a bubble

Now sometimes that bubble may seem like it is going to pop

Yet just know that it will be okay

We all were put on this Earth for a purpose

So do not ruin it by trying to be someone you aren't

Stand up for what you believe in

Be brave 

When you get older you want to be able to remember 

Remember the good times 

Remember how you were the best you possible 

Nobody wants to live a life that they aren't happy with

Because that is the most important thing

Love yourself for who you are 

Embrace your crazy and everything in between

How you view yourself 

Matters so much more than how others view you

In the future they won't even matter

Once everyone goes their separate ways

You do not want to be left with nothing 

So make something of yourself 

While you still can

And just remember

You 

Are 

Amazing 

And capable of anything you set your mind to.