End of the Year

This year wasn't so good for me. High school wasn't like I thought it would be. I thought we would have more independance but it seems as though I'm back in elementary. I am constantly surrounded by hipocritical idiots who think their intelligence comes from knowledge of gangs. Now I have to take a biology class over the summer because I was stuck in environmental science when I could have been in biology in the first place. Explain to me why you changed your mind and taught us crap I just learned last year! I could have been taking Bio and Japanese! What good is spanish grammar and knowing where the ` goes if you only have to speak it to have a bilingual business! "If you don't take Summer Bridge, you will not attend this school." This is what I was told when I first got admitted and yet countless students got in without having to go through that week in hell. I think to myself almost everyday, "Why did my mom have to sign me up for Animal Venice!" We're caged in this portion of an elementary's playground with a tarp around the whole school like we're little monkeys that cannot see into the outside world. If any of the staff (teachers, administrators, etc.) are reading this, I do not blame you. Maybe I blame myself for entering this cruel world. What's worse is that my parents do not appreciate what I do and I may never get what I want in life. Thanks for establishing this school. Too bad I can't imply sarcasm over this computer.

Interview Questions

1) Can you tell me about your past experiences? (a short biography of your life)
Born in Military family
Educated in British private schools
Commissioned in Pakistan Army as an infantry officer
Selected for army aviation as pilot
Received medal from President of Pakistan
Moved to America
Worked for United Airlines and Eastern Airlines
Opened flight school at Santa Monica Airport
He is now trying to re-establish a flight school and open a car dealership here in Los Angeles

2) What or whom in your past do you think shaped who you are today? (as in your actions or mindset)
The Pakistan Army

3) Who do you hope you are influencing? (in everyday life)
"I want to fulfill the lives of young aviators."

4) What do you think makes someone a leader?
Character
Clear-mindedness
Poise
Philosophy
Faith
Sincerity with people
Social Skills

5) Who were your role models or influences as a young adult?
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
Teachers
Army flight instructor

Interview Questions

1) Can you tell me about your past experiences? (a short biography of your life)

2) What or whom in your past do you think shaped who you are today? (as in your actions or mindset)

3) Who do you hope you are influencing? (in everyday life)

4) What do you think makes someone a leader?

5) Who were your role models or influences as a young adult?

"WHO'S THE LEADER?"

Who in your life would you consider a leader? Why do you consider that person a leader?
My father. Because he is a very respected man in his community and has all the basic skills of leadership.

What strengths does your leader have? How has that person demonstrated those strengths?
He is a good speaker. He demostrates this skill when he lectures other people or participates in a heated arguement.

What weakness does your leader have? How did that person overcome that weakness?
He is a bit of a hipocrit. Sometimes he contradicts himself but others don't notice because of how fast he switches from one topic to another.

What have you learned about leadership from this person? How has this person influenced you?
This person has taught me about people skills and how to talk in public or in front of a large croud. He has also taught me about the history of certain things. (He is very knowledgable)

Monday's "Walkout"

1. Why are people protesting and demonstrating around the country? What issues about immigration are being debated?
People are protesting against HR4437. This bill will make being undocumented a federal offense, will make giving aid to an immigrant a crime, and will allow a wall of some sort to be built along the border (this reminds me of Israel or the Berlin wall)

2. What do you think the students who walked out were trying to achieve on Monday? What do you think was their point of walking out?
The students who walked out on Monday were trying to be heard. They wanted to protest, but they failed. The only thing they acheived doing was giving themselves Saturday school.

3. Do you think the walkout was effective? Why or why not?
Ofcoarse not! Because it was not organized and while on their way to City Hall, they were met by the other students who were on their way back!

4. What were some of the consequences of walking out?
They got Saturday school, detention, a call home, etc.

5. How was the protest in the radio story different from the protest on Monday?
The protest on Monday waas a pathetic excuse to get out of class. That's the difference! Why would we walk out on our education if that is the reason why immigrants come to this country. For a better future!

6. What could have been done differently to protest the proposed law on immigration?
Organize a protest. Not a walkout.

For more info about the debate, go to:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5303676

Myspace Girl

What do you think about the article?
I think that this happens when ignorant children give out all of their information and expect to be perfectly safe.

What have people done on friends sites such as myspace that put themselves in danger?
Given out their phone number or address.

If you use a blog or myspace, what can you do to protect yourself?
Not give out personal information.

What do you think about Greendot’s efforts to block sites such as myspace?
It's pointless. They're just going to keep getting in through other sites.

Luis Rodriguez

1) I liked meeting Luis Rodriguez because it was nice to meet the person who wrote the book we read and he answered a lot of our questions about his life and life in general

2) I think it was a good thing that he started that cultural center because now people of all races have a place to meet and express themselves.

3) Luis Rodriguez's life taught me a lot about choices. He explains in his book that life is full of choices and making the right ones affect the outcome of your life. Luis made too many wrong choices anf that was what led to his jail time and gang life.

4) In my opinion, Luis is a leader. His participation in ToHMAS and the cultural center are both examples of how good a leader he is. He knows what former gang members have been through and he can lead them out of the pit they've put themselves in.