Thankful (for a Classmate)

I like some of my classmates. SOME of them. Majority of them irks my soul. I just feel like some of my classmates' presence isn't needed sometimes. But you know whose presence I like? You know whose presence I enjoy the most? Reyna Lee's. She's also a classmate I'm thankful for.

I've known Reyna prior to coming to Whitney; we went to the same volleyball club. Although we didn't actually talk to each other like that (because we weren't on the same team), we did know who each other was. We started to talk more when we went to Whitney. We were in the same English class freshman year. Not only this year are we in the same English class again, but we're also in the same world studies class. Reyna is EXTREMELY intelligent. She helps me out academically when needed...which unfortunately is kinda often. Nevertheless I'm really thankful for Reyna. She knows what she does. I'm thankful she deals with me, too. A typical African-American would've declined the requests I send to Reyna plenty of times. But not Reyna. Reyna is the first true kind African-American I've met in the 16 years I've been living on this Earth. So yup. I'm very grateful for Reyna. Je suis très très heureux pour elle. Thanks girlllll for all your help! My grade wouldn't be look on too good without chu. :)

                    

I Celebrate Myself!

Today we live in a world that's just...crazy. Sometimes in a good way, sometimes in a bad way. This crazy world includes a crazy society. Our society today has people that are just critical, heartless - just plain 'ol malicious. Nevertheless, Nia Hill is able to remain the same; she's even been able to mature and grow positively. I celebrate her. I celebrate myself.

I celebrate myself! For being confident. For being intelligent. For being responsible. For being a trendsetter. For knowing how to make people laugh and smile. For going to a prestigious high school. For knowing how to stand up for myself. For being a Chicagoan. For being a devoted Christian. For knowing how to sing. For knowing how to somewhat dance. For being apart of NEXT. For living my life like it's golden. I celebrate myself just for being me.

I stand against the wind...

Poe

Currently in class, we've been reading a lot of short stories/poems written by the American short-story writer, poet, critic, and editor - Edgar Allan Poe. Edgar Allan Poe was born on January 19, 1809 in Boston, Massachusetts (a very familiar place). He was the son of actors, although he never knew his parents. His father left the family and his mother died when he was three years-old. Poe was separated from his siblings as well, going to live with John (a successful tobacco merchant) and Frances (John's wife) Allan in Richmond, Virginia. Poe attended college at the University of Virginia in 1826. However, the Allans didn't give enough money to cover all of the funds, which led Edgar Allan Poe gambling to cover the difference, which also eventually led him to being in debt. Poe was known for tales of mystery and the macabre (disturbing and horrifying because of the involvement of death and injury); he was also know for inventing the detective fiction genre and emerging the science fiction genre.

Edgar Allan Poe (in my opinion) is a great author, not only for introducing new genres and producing great poems and short stories, but also for actually grabbing my attention while reading his works. Usually I get extremely distracted while reading, despite the genre. Poe's works tended to be long and not in modern language. Nevertheless, Poe's mysterious, exciting, and eerie narrations caused me to be engaged, which is why it was great to spend a few weeks reading his poems and short stories. RIP Mr. Poe.

What Is An American?

What is an American? The literal meaning, of course, is someone who's an American citizen/someone living in America. However, to most people, there are specifics. Imagine someone coming up to you and saying, "Hey. I'm from France; I'm French. What are you?" What if you were asked that question? Some people would say, "Oh, I'm from America; I'm American!". Nevertheless, other people would say, "I'm ______-American". The blank would be filled with where they're from: African, Italian, Cuban, etc. However, I believe that a true American is someone who is devoted to America, and proud to say that America is their home. A true American is someone who isn't ashamed to say that America is their home, despite the crime rate or the or the racism. A true American is someone who's used to eating fast food and doesn't really care what other countries say about their health. A true American is someone who believes and somewhat lives by the Constitution. A true American is someone who's familiar with many and various celebrities, such as maybe Michael Jackson, Beyonce, or Whitney Houston. A true American are people who enjoy sports, like basketball, baseball, football, or softball. A true American is hardworking and educated. A true American isn't ashamed of their country.

Modern Puritan

After reading The Crucible and continuing to read The Scarlet Letter, I'd have to say that Puritans are the most strict group of "Christians" I've ever heard of. Thank God the Puritans don't exist in society today. Or do they? Is there a such thing called a Modern Puritan? Unfortunately yes.

Modern Puritans still exist in today's world, though they're not as severe as they were back then. In the 16th and 17th century, Puritans had combined law and religion, making life really bland and hard to live by. Though they handle things the wrong way (according to modern people), all they wanted to do was make their little village(s) a better place, despite how they got rid of sinners. The modern Puritans today would be have to be us human beings. 

Human beings are criticizers, even if we don't know it. For example. People who do drugs. How would human beings react? "Oh my goodness. He knows drugs are bad for him. Why is he doing drugs? He can get sick and probably die from drugs. People who do drugs are slow - they don't know the consequence of doing drugs, obviously. He'll learn his lesson". Yes, WE are the modern day Puritans! We have standards. We have "opinions". We have the list of good things we should do and the list of bad things we shouldn't do. We automatically judge people. We (sometimes) don't think of the reason(s) why someone would do something so bad. Ok, we aren't as strict as the Puritans back then. We don't kill people who do bad. But we do bring them down socially, mentally, and verbally. Us human beings are unfortunately the modern day Puritans.

John Proctor: Hero or Stooge

In The Crucible, John Proctor is one of the main characters, and the actions that he's made makes the audience think - should John Proctor be remembered as hero or a stooge? Quite honestly, I'd consider him both.

"Stooge - (n) - a person who serves merely to support or assist others, particularly in doing unpleasant work". This would have to be the most accurate definition for John Proctor. Before his confession to performing witchcraft, John was just a normal man - he was married, he had kids, he owned land, plus he was known as a respectable young man. Then his wife, Elizabeth, was accused of performing witchcraft. Before you know it, John was a witch, who was unfortunately hung for performing witchcraft. John obviously only did that to save his wife's life, and he did do some unpleasant work. Work that led to him being killed.

"Hero - (n) - a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal". This definition would also have to be the most accurate for John Proctor. Although he could be considered a stooge, he could also be considered a hero. Him sacrificing his life saved many other lives, including his wife's.  He also ended chaos in the village, ending the paradox. 

Arrivals...There Goes the Neighborhood

I've always grown up on the westside. I was born on the westside, I currently live on the westside, but I'm not gonna die on the westside. Though I've been living on the westside for all my life, I'm still not completely used to living there. 

I've been attending school in Little Italy for practically all my life - Andrew Jackson for 9 years and now I'm going to Whitney Young. I'm used to being around a variety of races, used to people speaking proper around me, used to people dressing appropriate around me, the sidewalks being completely empty because everyone was at school or work. I have many friends whose parents has a good income; when I go over their house, it feels like I'm still in Little Italy - their neighborhood is almost perfect. However, it's the complete opposite when I get home. Thinking that there still isn't gonna be anyone out because they're either on their way home or still at work, I find everyone outside. Males with their pants sagging and sometimes no shirt on, regardless of how their body looks. Females sitting on porches talking on their phone and eating. People looking in my car trying to see if I want to buy something or if they know me; it doesn't even matter if you know them or not - that happens to everyone who drives by. Loud music blasting from homes and cars. I see all African-Americans, no Caucasians, Asians, Hispanics. The only GOOD thing I'd say about the part I live in is that there isn't a lot of violence. No rapes, shootings, or robberies like there is on the south side. It's just a lot of lazy people standing around all day, obviously selling drugs.

The westside is starting to change though. I'm not sure if it's because it's a lot easier to get downtown, cheaper to live on the westside than downtown, near their jobs, near a college they attend. The westside is starting to become more diverse. On my way home, I'm starting to see Caucasians walk around and Hispanics standing at bus stops. I see more stores opening up and less corner stores closing. I see the sidewalks being fixed and buildings being repainted. More police patrols. Obviously the government sees more people moving to the westside, so now they decide to pay attention to what needs fixing and cares about how our neighborhood looks, plus cares about if we're safe or not. The new arrivals...are Caucasians.

Me

Me. Moi. My name is Nia Hill, a young African-American lady who adores living for God, playing sports, singing, hanging out with friends, shopping, and many other things. My elementary/middle school was Andrew Jackson Language Academy, and then I graduated and got accepted into Whitney M. Young Magnet High School. I’m a very athletic person. When I was younger, I used to participate in many sports, such as basketball, gymnastics, tumbling, floor hockey, soccer, volleyball, and softball. I’m still currently playing softball; I play for a travel team and for my school, making junior varsity my freshman year. If someone were to ask one of my friends or associates to pick one word to describe me, it’d most definitely be fun. Basic word, but it describes me well. I tweak (act crazy in a fun way) a lot around my friends and sometimes even strangers. I don’t care what people say about me, plus I’m the type of person that doesn’t get mad extremely easily or hold grudges. Obviously a Christian and I attend All Nations Worship Assembly. I enjoy eating a lot, as well. When I grow up, I plan to go to a good college who has a great softball program and provides great education. I’d like to become an accountant one day and become a wealthy, independent, and intelligent lady at a young age, providing for my family as well. That’s all.