Formatting an essay video

              I had found this video and thought it to be very informative. The teacher gives an example of how to organize an essay to make it look more professional. As a person who has a hard time formatting an essay, this has helped a lot. By using shapes to describe the proper way to organize an essay, I was able to easily remember the format. For the introduction, an upside-down triangle was used. The tip of the triangle was the thesis statement while the base was the broad part of the introduction. The body was presented as a square with a brief description of different kinds of essays.  The video was short easy to follow which makes it a good thing for many students since they might not want to spend a lot of time trying to learn how to format an essay. The fact that basic shapes were used to show how to organize an essay, leaves an impact which later makes it easy to remember. Some students may still have troubles with formatting essays so this video would be very useful for them.

Writing the Personal Essay

I found this video interesting as it does not choke you with a bunch of dull rules or facts. Instead I found the pictures useful as they expressed some of the most important aspect of narrative (personal) writing while still keeping your attention. Partnered with the funky music, this video had the best balance between being informative and exciting out of the 15 clips that I watched.

   

 

 

         

        Here is a video I found on the subject of how to write a narrative essay. I found this video very useful, as it clearly explains step by step how to organize and write a narrative essay. In other words, the video gets its message across using easy to understand language, and it does this in under two and a half minutes. (Therefore it is simple to keep focus, listen to, and comprehend the message).

        This video appealed to me, first of all, because it has a completely awesome background track - "Linus and Lucy"! As well, the cartoon penguin and person peaked my interest right off the bat, as it surely is not something you see everyday. The narrator's voice tone was also varied (not monotone), so, consequently I was not sent into a daze thirty seconds in. I believe this video would appeal to my peers as it is "short and sweet", and once again it is easy to understand. Not to mention it explains some of the terms used in the video at the end, so they (my peers) should not be left confused over any technical word choice. Finally, who would not like an informative video with an upbeat soundtrack... and a penguin?

Where are your posts ?

Kyle... you seem to be missing posts.

can positive things be brought through violence?

Can positive changes be brought about through violence? From my point of view, it depends on what the situation and conflict are. Is it a major conflict or a calm situation? Politically speaking, most of the times positive change be brought through violence only. For example, in politics, everyone wants power, and when that person gets it, he has it of himself. And this is where the violence licks in. A historical event that might relate to this would be the Rebellions of 1837, when Britain had all the power in Quebec but later people fought for justice and democracy.

  But not all positive changes are brought through violence? When violence gets to rough, negotiation comes in handy. Negotiation is another way people can bring positive changes, and equality. Often when people are angry, they will start fighting, but discussing the issue, and finding the solution is the best way to handle this situation. In the past, during 1830's many people thought equality or positive changes could be done from negotiation, but when they started to realize this is not working, they moved to violence. So if one way doesn't work, try the other

Act #1 Julias Cesar

Act #1 changers 

#4 posotive change can be brought about through violence

We are told that "violence is not the answer" but is that always true? In some case's it is. In the year of 2010, the fight for democracy in Egypt began. It was a violent rebellion many people were injured and even worse many were killed. In conclusion the Egyptian dictator was overthrown and Egypt became a democratic Country. This violence is not right but it seemed it was the only way to get what they wanted. Egypt is a more safe a happy place now, but if these violent rebellions had not of happened would Egypt have democracy today?

It is very hard for other's to say that "a positive change can be brought about through violence" but in some case's it is completely true. The hard truth is that sometimes violence is the only way to get others to "LISTEN"...

Amanada Todd response

Amanda Todd response

In class last week we had watched a video from early September about a 15 year old girl named Amanada Todd. In the video she explained how she had been bullied and how she had been made fun of by students over her time in high school. On oct / 13 / 2012 around one month after Amanda posted the video, she killed herself. The video was very upsetting knowing that she had killed herself when I watched it. Bullying is to big of an issue in schools and over the internet to ignore. I feel that there should be more informational bullying sessions that the school could provide for students to help everyone understand how much it can hurt one another; and in Amanda Todd's case have such a big impact on her to take her own life.

Julius Caesar - Act 2 Statment Response

Power always corrupts the one who holds it.

                Adolf Hitler.  Saddam Hussein.  Joseph Stalin.  What do these three men have in common?  Corruption.  Cruel, harsh, stone cold corruption; enabled and brought forth by.... power.  But these men are not the only ones who have used their power to the disadvantage of others; not by far.  It is common knowledge that through the ages countless leaders have fallen to the dishonorable practice of exploiting their power.  These men, who were supposed to have had our best interests at heart, did quite the opposite of help us.  Instead they abused their endowment terribly.  Could they not help themselves?  Did they have these hideous goals in mind before coming into a position of power?  Why must they have used their power so irresponsibly?  With these questions in mind, is power honestly a good thing for our leaders to have?

               To find out whether or not people such as Hitler could have helped themselves, we must analyze how a want or need for power arises.  Usually a need or want comes from wanting to change something, or a person may feel compelled to overcome a problem.  In other words, they feel they must create their own happiness.  Or, someone with a weak self-image may be convinced that they must use power to bolster themselves.  These thoughts may come from an over-passionate point of view, overbearing contempt, or possibly a lack in mental capacity; the person seeking this power might not be "all there".  The corruption tumbles, or rather, slams, into play when a person in power begins to let virtues and self-desires rise above the actual necessities of reality.  But where do these thoughts come from?  Wanting to create a certain, powerful image, that is what.  As well as out of greed; it might be for money, global recognition, or merely for the want of control.  So can people avoid corruption while in power?  Sure, some definitely can.  But others....maybe not. 

                 Now you are wondering, did these people have their corrupt intentions in the limelight from the moment they stepped into the power shoes?  For some, probably.  But the more likely answer is no, and  there is a reason for this.  You see, there are two different types of power: Socialized and Personalized.  Socialized power is used to benefit others, while Personalized power is used for personal gain.  Corruption occurs when the P.P. dominates.  When a leader comes into power, their intendment is, in all likelihood, more socialized than personalized.  But as time wears on, these same leaders can eventually beguile themselves into thinking they are working for the "greater good", when they are actually committing acts of wrong.  Or, their earlier goals of actual helpfulness start to grow a little fuzzy, therefore allowing room for more self perceived motives.  Out of which arises the belief that the rules do not apply to them, as they are the leader:  "It is okay for me because I have my people's best interests at heart".  As well, some leaders begin to do things just because they know they can get away with it - and the followers think what they are doing is okay because they are "the leader".  So, as you can now see, most leaders do not have their corrupt intentions from the get-go, but due to the sweetness of power, they eventually, over time, subconsciously submit themselves to such thoughts.

              So do we, as people - the ones who suffer at the hands of corrupt governments - really think our leaders should hold power?  After looking at how power breeds corruption, the initial answer would be no.  But let us pause and think for a moment.  The disadvantages of leaders having power are that, the more power they have, the more they convert to focusing on personal desires.  The power could also be used for unacceptable reasons - which would lead to yet more corruption.  But do not forget the advantages, mind you.  Having power could make a leader more confident, assertive, and certain of decisions.  So if action is needed, whatever it is gets done.  Someone might say that these advantages could also be negative factors, which they could, so let us try another angle.  If there was no power, there would be no authority.  If there was no authority, there would be a substantial increase in crime, meaning an increase in theft, destroying of property, and assault.  There would be disorder, and no one would have to obey the law, as there would be no one to enforce it.  Our country would then become dangerous, and filled with chaos and controversy.  Bad conditions for workers, gambling out of control, flourishing black markets, drugs, smuggling, foreign animal trading, you name it; we would have it.  We would BE it.  So now I ask you, do we want our leaders to hold power?
               
              "Unlimited power is apt to corrupt the minds of those who possess it" - William Pitt.  We cannot deny that this statement holds within it truth.  Power corrupts.  It is a fact of life.  There have been, and will be, leaders who abuse their power.  And honestly, what can we do about it?  Some leaders definitely had the potential to be great; they could have helped themselves....but still some could not.  Many did not have intentions of being corrupt when they started, but then again, some might have.  Why must have these people used their power so irresponsibly?  That we will probably never know.  Should our leaders hold power?  Yes.  But balance is the key.  Leaders should not hold absolute power and the people under him or her should always have some say.  This is because if our voices are not heard, who knows where we will end up?  We know power causes corruption.  We know we cannot do much about it.  But that does not mean we should not try.

Julius Ceaser Act 2

Power always corrupts the one who holds it

 

 

“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.”  –Abraham Lincoln

Throughout the centuries there have been countless philosophers who have criticized man’s capability to handle power responsibly. Who has not heard the quote by Lord Acton, "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts abolutely." It is unfortunate that some of the most memorable figures throughout history have abused their power so greatly that people would make such blanket statements as “Power always corrupts the one who holds it”. I feel it my duty to shed a more positive light on mankind and prove this statement wrong.

Many people believe that money and power go hand in hand. This statement holds some truth. Those who have a large sum of money are capable of buying support and any resources they need to put them into a place of power. However not all those who have power and money use it only for their own personal gain. If we look at the example of Bill Gates we can see an individual who has used his assets to help millions of people.

Sorry computer glitch here is the full essay

Julius Caesar responce #2

Act 2 #2

     No matter where you are or how old you are, you are constantly making decisions. Sometimes when you are awake or even asleep. In fact, you are making a decision right now. You may not notice it, but mentally your brain makes constant decisions , based on external and internal issues or in other words concerns. Usually, you make decisions after the event happened, to solve it. But there comes a time in your life, when you make preemptive decisions beforehand in order to prevent something from occurring. These decisive actions can can have a harmful impact on the society and a positive impact on yourself or it could be the other way around.

    When you present an action, do you make it equal  for everyone. There are many people , not to be discriminative, that are tyrants, or have a corrupted mind. Their saying, actions, and thoughts are negative. Usually these people are politicians, who are hungry for powers. The actions they take , impact the society negatively and benefit themselves. Occasionally they might take decisions beforehand. For example, in Pakistan, when a politician has other parties against him,and the chances are he will not get elected. He will take an action beforehand, and usually it has to do with murder, force and even bribery for people to vote for him only.

    But not all decisions-makers have depraved minds. Some fight for equality, justice, and or even protection for people. These people could be important leaders, but not necessarily. And the decisions they take have to be quaint, and beneficial for everyone. For example, a principle's role is to be a role model, and make smart decisions. If a student brings in a toy gun mistaken for a real one, to school, the principle might make a new rule to prevent students from bringing in any kind of weapons. This decision benefits everyone, and shows a protective environment.

    Finally, yes, I believe it is necessary to make decisive and preemptive actions against someone because of what you fear he or she might do later. These actions can have negative or positive effects on everyone. But it is always good to not be greedy, selfish, so you should think quaintly before you make any decisions or actions.  

Julius Caesar: Act 2 #2

2) It is sometimes necessary to take decisive, preemptive action against someone because of what you fear he or she might do later.

     We all have doubts and second thoughts about some of the people we meet or already know. Sometimes, we feel like we can’t trust them, and that is alright. It is natural to feel that way about people. There are even times when your sixth sense tells you that something is not right with the person and usually, if not always, your sixth sense is right. But is it alright to take serious measures against a person just because you are afraid of what they might do later?

     It is good to be cautious and take extra measures to ensure one’s safety and the safety of others. However, being too cautious can be a bad thing too. It is possible to miss out on some fun experiences as well as come off as boring to other people which would result in not having as many friends. People like individuals who sometimes take risks.

     If an individual is afraid of what another person might do to him or her, it’s okay to take some cautious measures. However, completely preventing the person from doing anything which hints on the action of which the individual is afraid of is a bit much. People should be allowed freedom. An example would be when a police officer is telling a suspected criminal to drop their weapon. The police officer doesn't shoot the suspect as soon as he sees him. He first tells the suspect to drop his weapon before doing anything. The police officer doesn't hurt the suspect because he is afraid the suspect will do something to him.  No, he allows the suspect the freedom to show the police that he is admitting defeat and that he will not impose any more threat my dropping his weapon and raising his hand in the air. The police are being cautious but not to the point of completely rendering the suspect motionless.

     It is wise to take action when a person is afraid of the behavior of another in the future; rather be safe than sorry. However, that does not give anyone the green light to hurt the person so that they wouldn't do anything. Sometimes it could turn out that the person was posing no threat at all, so taking such drastic measures is unnecessary. It is better to take some cautious measures that do not hurt the person whom is suspected, that way neither side will get hurt.

Julius Ceaser Act 1

#4 Positive change can be brought about through violence

Violence: MURDER, ABUSE, RAPE, EMOTIONAL, HARMFUL, TRAUMATIC, DELIBERATE.  These are just some of the synonymous terms that come to mind when hearing this dreadful word.

The first lesson we are taught since we were first able to interact with others was that, “violence is never the answer,” and yet we are still faced with situations in the world today, where people are being targeted and harmed for the personal gain of others. Yet through all these instances of crime and negative events, there are people using violence for good. A positive change can be brought about through violence if a diplomatic solution has been attempted and failed. We have seen this happen many times throughout history: where using violence has helped save lives and given people independence and freedom. We will look at some of these events throughout the next few paragraphs.

 The first way in which using violence can produce a positive outcome is: using it to defend yourself against a dangerous attack. (Following mathematical rules, “two negatives make a positive”) If you are being threatened, and no diplomatic resolution can be found, then sometimes violence is the only defence you have against harming yourself.  Depending on which side you support in a war, violence fighting violence is usually viewed as a positive decision. During WWII, Adolph Hitler wanted to take over the world and massacre the entire Jewish population. World leaders attempted to reason with the Nazi party leader however these negotiations failed and without an opposition entering the war and contributing to the violence, the world as we know it today would not have existed.  Countless more lives would have been lost under Hitler’s perfectionist ideals and dictatorship if violence had not been used to stop Nazi troops from taking over Europe. A less extreme example of this same concept is bullying. If a child is being harassed and bullied there is only so many instances that they will attempt to reason with a bully and politely ask them to stop before they must stand up for themselves and shoe the bully that they will not put up with the abuse any longer. If this takes a few punches to reinforce this lesson, then so be it. Although violence may not be the ideal way to solve a problem, if someone is being attacked and a peaceful resolution is not an option, a positive change can be achieved from violence fighting violence.

The second instance in which violence can solve problems is when people are suffering from oppression. This scenario has happened most often in history where citizens are fighting a country ruled through a dictatorship or irresponsible government. In the case of American Revolution, the British government heavily taxed their American colonists on items such as tea, stamps, molasses, and sugar. The Government believed that they could treat some of their citizens in this way because the Americans were too far away from England to be able to stand up for their rights. As well all the extra money made by the taxes were used to build and upgrade the infrastructure in Great Britain. These intolerable acts along with a few other key points lead the American Colonists to rebel for their independence from an irresponsible government who would not read their letters of grievances or treat them with respect. Unfortunately these types of problems are still faced by people today.  A more recent example was the Egyptian revolution that happened two years ago when mobs of people showed up in downtown Cairo and rioted trying to force their dictator of over 40 years to step down for the coming re-election. The destruction and carnage was horrible with the military fighting against its crudely armed civilians, however a victory for the Egyptian people was secured and the dictator removed from power. There were many positive outcomes from this violence. The Egyptian’s finally are able to have a more responsible government, who will look out for their needs and help solve the poverty crisis that is prominent in Egypt. Another positive outcome is that other countries such as Libya and Syria took the initiative that the Egyptians had set and started their own revolution to help rid themselves of their dictators like Muammar Gaddafi. When a person has taken away your right to free speech then the only other way to react is through use of physical force. As we have seen throughout history this has created some positive life changing scenarios.

In conclusion, violence is a major cause of heartbreak and pain and usually creates more problems than it can solve. However in extreme cases of oppression or abuse, violence can be used to achieve a positive outcome. As we have seen in the past dictators have been stopped or taken down from their seats of power through the use of violent force, yet the positive benefits for the society escaping that oppressive rule are numerous. It is up to the individual person to determine whether or not violence is the best way to solve their problem and to try and find a more peaceful solution first.

Julius Caesar: Act 1 #3

3) You can't have power without making dangerous enemies.

     What is power? It is the capability to do something. Many people dream of having great power that comes with positions such as president, policeman or judge.  With it, they can change the country, province or city. Power leaves a big impact on society. Depending on who has what power, the changes could be good, bad or both.  Is it possible for a person of power to make dangerous enemies? Yes. Is it always the case? No.

     The British Empire had tried to force the British American colonies to pay taxes in 1700s. This made the people of the British colonies unhappy. They rebelled by throwing out crates of tea off of British ships while dressed as the First Nation people. This act came to be known as the Boston Tea Party. The British parliament abused its power by enforcing rules onto the colonies without their consent with the goal of only benefiting themselves.

     If a person misuses his or her power to benefit themselves and hurt others, they will no doubt have people who dislike them. By hurting others, the person might have people trying to exact revenge on them. In this case, the person in power has made dangerous enemies. However, if a person of power uses it to benefit both himself/herself and others, they will have a lesser chance of making enemies, much less dangerous ones.  Sure, some people might get jealous of their power, but by using it wisely to benefit others, the chance of making friends is greater than the chance of making enemies.

     In the end, a person can have power without making dangerous enemies. It will depend on the people and their personal view of the way the power is being used, and even if the person in power ends up making enemies, they won’t necessarily be dangerous. Depending on the way the power is used, it could make more friends than enemies if used with consideration.

Julius Caesar - Act 1 - Statement Response

5.  There are positive and negative consequences for being too loyal.

 

            Loyalty; taught as a virtue, and thought to be admired by many.  But should it be so desired?  There are, to be sure, positive consequences that arise from loyalty.  "If by my life or death I can protect you, I will."  As well, though not so deeply analyzed, there are negative effects; the effects of being too loyal.  Yet they are there, ever existing.  Which brings forth the question, what is true loyalty?  Therefore let us explore the positive and negative consequences of being too loyal, so that readers may determine the answer to this question themselves.
            The positive consequences of being too loyal vary depending on whom is being loyal to whom; a person to a person, person to a company, person to a leader/ruler, or a person to a belief etc.  If the loyalty is to another person, you would certainly eventually gain that person's trust, and from this trust would blossom a better relationship.  The person would, in turn, also be more likely to give their loyalty back to you, thus becoming someone you can trust and depend on.  Having a person we ourselves can rely on provides a certain comfort and feeling of well-being that cannot be provided by anything else, hence it is positive.  If the loyalty was to a company, though, the positive effects would be different.  For example, the loyalty could make you a more likely candidate for a desired job, or you could receive special job benefits such as getting discounts or better deals.  Or, more information about the company could be opened or provided to you, and inasmuch giving you more opportunities to create prime benefits.  So yes, there are positive consequences that come out of loyalty, but these can change depending on whomever one is being loyal to.
             But let us not forget there are also negative consequences involved with being too loyal.  If you allow it, loyalty can prevent you from seeing things the way they truly are; it can make you blind to actual truths.  From this, people can get seriously hurt, whether it is whomever you are bestowing your loyalty upon or merely innocent people caught in the crossfire.  For example, you are a teenager, and you hear through the grapevine that you best friend is bullying a younger student.  But, your friend always appears never less then genuine in your presence, and in your loyalty to your friend you dismiss the idea completely, and do not pursue the subject.  Yet your friend is, in fact, actually bullying this student, and because you choose not to look the truth in the eye the younger student continues to suffer.  And, in the future, when your friend finally gets caught in the act, he or she is going to be negatively affected too.  See how being too loyal can cloud your judgment?  Loyalty can also have negative consequences if it is to a leader, ruler(such as a king), or captain.  This is because in order to remain loyal to, say, a king(as if in the Middle Ages or Renaissance time period), you may have to carry out actions that you do not feel are morally just.  Such as collecting extremely high taxes from people who can barely afford to feed themselves, due to your king's negligence and over indulgence.  Another similar negative aspect to loyalty, would be if your someone to whom you are being loyal asks you to do something for them, and you do it, only to later discover that something was a crime.  You then are the one who has to suffer the guilt and pay the price for the crime - not the person who asked you to do it.  Finally, and probably one of the most prominent negative consequences of loyalty, is the fact that, no matter how much we deny it, it is in human nature easier to be evil rather than good.  So you may be devotedly loyal to a person, only for them to turn around and "slap" you in the face.  That is why we must always be careful in choosing who we grant our loyalty to.
             In summary, being a bit too loyal can have both positive and negative consequences.  The problem is, these consequences can change depending on what one person's opinion or view of loyalty is.  Where true loyalty is concerned, there can be a gray area.  For example(yes, another one), your friend tells you she or he has been having a rough time at home, and is thinking of running away.  She/he makes you promise not to tell anyone.  This is where your loyalty to your friend becomes complicated.  Do you not tell anyone, as your friend requested, or would it be considered more loyal to break your promise and tell someone, so that the friend does not end up getting hurt?  So is loyalty directed specifically at someone(loyalty to what they ask of you), or more so at the well-being of a person?  These questions continue to surface the deeper we search into depths of loyalty.  For each and every person, the answers are going to be different - even if only very slightly.
            Loyalty, as you should now know, is a very complex issue.  Sure, it has positive consequences, such as earning someone's trust.  But it can also have negative consequences, such as preventing you from seeing reality.  Furthermore, the meaning of it can change from person to person.  Loyalty; taught as a virtue and thought to be admired by many.  But how do you see it?

 

 

"If by my life or death I can protect you, I will." - JRR Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

 

"If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, the animals are better off than a lot of humans" - James Herriot

Reviewing your space jump responses again...

I'm noticing that the details seem to vary greatly post to post regarding some of the facts:  eg. speed, height, time, etc.  Part of the confusion seems to be watching the video which showed the facts in non-metric terms (miles for example).  This is a note to remind everyone to double check the data, even when responding, link to the source if you can (helps with validity - eg.  did you get the information from a reputable source like CNN or your sister's blog?). 

You may wish to go to your posts, revert to draft, check your facts and clarify and then repost.  Or you may leave them as this was your first test post.

Kyle...still wondering where yours is?

So proud of you girls!

I'm so proud that you are already embracing your group blogging experience in the first week and commenting on each other's posts before we've even begun discussing comments in class. Great job ladies! Now we need to bring Kyle into the fold :)

"JUMPING OFF THE STRATOSPHERE"



 

This past Sunday on October 14, 2012 Felix Baumgartner took a step, or rather a gigantic leap, into the history books, after subjecting himself to a 4:00 free fall off a capsule in Earth’s stratosphere. Wearing a specially designed suit, he plummeted towards the our planet from the mind blowing height of 35, 045 meters, reaching a top speed of around 1,340 km/h and breaking through the sound barrier. After another grueling 5:00 minutes Felix reached the ground safely with the help of NASA certified parachute. This amazing feat not only gave Felix a few world record titles to display on his mantle, but also helped show us what great extremes the human body can endure.

While watching this video ("Sapce Jump") I tried to imagine what it must have been like to be in Felix Baumgartner shoes as he was preparing to jump. To look out of the capsule door and watch as the Earth spreads out below you, knowing that this is a view that only a handful of people have been able to behold firsthand throughout all of history. At that moment I would have felt empowered, as if I could do anything in the world that I put my mind to. I am curious to know if he was able to see the stars and inky blackness of space surrounding him or, if at that point, anticipation and a healthy dose of fear were taking over his mind and senses. When listening to mission control telling Felix to move out onto the edge of the seat I had the sudden urge to start laughing. To have been able to see his face at that moment as he, oh so slowly, inched out into space would have been priceless. In my mind I can a liken the event to one particular “Mr. Bean” episode were Bean goes to the swimming pool and attempts to jump off the high diving board. For anyone who has not viewed this show I strongly recommend you look it up, this resemblance has kept me laughing silently to myself for the past two days.

Having a fairly adventurous spirit myself, I by no means ever want to attempt Felix’s jump, however in the future I would love to be able to experience the thrills of less dangerous activities such as bungee jumping and sky diving. Feeling the wind rushing around you would be incredible, the ground rushing up to meet you as gravity rockets you down, the only sounds the beating your own heart and the screaming of the wind in your ears. The adrenaline born from speed is one of the best feelings I could ever imagine. I love running across a grassy field with the wind whipping around me or racing through the trees on my skis down the mountain. In these moments all my troubles melt away and I feel as light and as free as a bird.  This summer I had the opportunity to try cliff jumping. It was one of the most exhilarating moments I have ever had. Running off the cliff. Launching myself three stories into the air before plummeting like a rock into the water. I still get goose bumps thinking about it. It would be amazing to experience something like the “Sky Jump”, just maybe not quite an event that extreme or dangerous. I commend Felix Baumgartner for his courage and perseverance in his adventure, and thank him for showing us how to push our limits to achieve what we all thought was impossible.

Amanda Todd Video Reflection

     The video made by Amanda Todd really struck me. I could relate to her. I myself have had depression and thoughts of suicide, though I was too scared to kill myself. Unlike Amanda, I couldn't bring myself to start cutting. It was scary. But I did cry a lot alone in my room at night. I also sat alone at lunch for two years. I had no real friends to talk to and share my experiences and feelings with. I couldn't tell my parents either. They laughed at me when I told them that I thought I was depressed. I think they thought that it was just a phase that would pass. It did after two years, but not without leaving its mark.

    

     I know several people who suffer from depression. One of them is a girl I follow on Tumblr. She gets bullied by anonymous people who send her messages filled with hate. She does nothing to stop them. Another person with depression is my friend. She cuts herself and this scares me. I’m afraid that she would commit suicide like Amanda. I’m sad that I’m too far away to be there for her. However, I am most terrified of losing her. She is a dear friend to me.  Fortunately, she has now gone seven days without cutting.

  

   It scares me when I see posts on the internet talking about suicide, cutting and depression. To me, it seems like they have given up hope, which I find frightening. Depression is serious no matter how small. It can be so bad that people find the courage to kill themselves because living is too difficult and painful for them. The same friend who was cutting had suggested that I go to blogs of the people who suffer from depression and tell them that they are strong, they can pull through this, it will get better, and that they are beautiful and valuable to others. Maybe sending encouraging messages will help them, maybe not, but it is worth a try. Maybe if Amanda had gotten such messages instead of the hateful ones, she wouldn't have committed suicide.

Space Dive

Space Dive

                On October 14, 2012, Felix Baumgartner jumped out of a stratospheric balloon 39, 045 meters above Earth.  After 9:09 minutes, his feet hit the ground, safe and sound, after a breathtaking freefall of 4:22 minutes.  Plummeting up to an estimated speed of 1,342.8 km/h,  Felix became the first person to break the sound barrier while in freefall.

             I find Mr. Baumgartner's space dive quite inspiring.  Not inspiring in the sense that I am compelled to jump from the stratosphere, though; definitely not.  But it is emboldening in the area of determination.  Obviously, this space dive was something Mr. Baumgartner had to train and prepare for, both mentally and physically.  In order to insure his survival, (As this jump was truly a matter of life or death) he would have had to have such persistence, and patience.  There was undoubtedly no room for error in his feat.  Therefore, his inner strength alone I feel is something to be admired.

              As we were watching the particular YouTube clip on the dive, I could not help imagining what it would have been like to be in Mr. Baumgartner's position.  I am sure at the time of, stress levels in the balloon as well as on the ground were running high.  With good reason, in my opinion.  I wonder if he (Mr. Baumgartner) had any doubts just before stepping off into the seemingly almost nothingness?  For sure I would have - how could you, as a human being, not help contemplating that these moments might be the last you will ever live?  Anyways, past those depressing, though imposing, thoughts, I would have bet that nothing would be comparable to the actual freefall.  Feeling the wind pummeling your body in all different directions, flipping, twisting; in the very least you could say it would be a "unforgettable" experience.  One that I am sure many of us, including myself, would rather leave to the experts!

THE SUPER SONIC SPACE JUMP

What do you call a jump 120,000 feet from space…..? “Suicide jump”. A few days ago an Austrian daredevil made a remarkable history by pouring himself 23 miles from Earth’s stratosphere. I don’t know about the others but when I saw this video, my heart was stuck in my throat. Who would dare to do that….It’s like a suicide mission. With that you spend a ludicrous amount of money. Looks like Felix Baumgartner doesn’t have to worry about buying the next drink.

As I was viewing this video, there were lots of question racing in my mind. Like, “Is he going to make it?” In the beginning, you could see him jarring the capsule with fear. But after a few minutes, he finally gains his confidence, and starts counting down to his jump. After the frightening jump, his speed had tremendously increased to about 700 m/hr. So he was also the first person to break the sound barriers outside of an aircraft. This was a period of time when everybody; his family, friends, commanders were tensed up. Gradually, he came to a halt, and for a second he looked like an eagle soaring through the sky. In the end, I was shocked, because I had a mixed kind of feeling of laughter and crying. But I have to admit, those were some nail-biting moments    

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