Growing up in technology: My Reaction

            Just like practically everyone else in the world, my life evolves technology everyday. I didn’t get to pick this time even though I really wish I could’ve chosen the time I grew up in. I wish that I grew up in the 70’s because that was the time my parents grew up. They always had the best stories about their childhood. There was a lot less to worry about in the 70s, parents seemed more lenient with pretty much everything. My parents got away with so much just because everyone believed in each other’s morals and standards. Life seemed easy going and less congested by technology and its never ending involvement in our lives today.

            One of the things that bothers me the most about having a constant connection to technology is my addiction to it. I know that might sound crazy but I’m for sure addicted to technology. I honestly couldn’t live without my phone and Ipod because they feel like they’re a part of me. Without my phone I wouldn’t be able to keep constant contact with everyone, and that would really bother me. Unlike me, my parents never had to worry about that. If someone wanted to talk to you they could call you up or ride their bike to your house and knock on your front door. Today anyone anywhere can get a hold of you at anytime. It almost feels like I have a stalker sometimes because I just can’t get away from the buzz of technology. Even though I say this about technology I can’t let it go because I’ve grown up with it and I’m accustomed to having it at all times. This is one thing that I really wish I could change.

            Though technology makes a lot of things easier it also hinders the success of many. It’s mainly a huge distraction when I have work to do. There’s countless times when I can recall having a paper due, but I was on Facebook instead of typing my paper. Without these distractions I’m sure I would’ve saved myself a lot stress from procrastination. Also there’s been many times where my mom has asked me to do something for her, but instead of doing them for her I was too busy texting people. In a lot of ways technology actually hurts me more than it helps me. Technology has also complicated a lot of relationships I’ve had with my friends and boys. It’s hard to express your true feelings through texting or instant messaging because you don’t have your emotions to back you up. Many times I have run into problems with other’s not understanding what I was trying to tell them through text and things have gone wrong because of it. Even though this is a problem I mainly think that my social skills have suffered from hiding behind technology when I communicate people. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still very social, but I do believe I’m shy because of my lack of social experiences due to technology. Although technology can become a distraction in my life I still do think it brings many positive effects to the table.

            Without technology a lot of things wouldn’t be possible in my life. When I have my phone with me its gives me a sense of safeness because I know I can always get a hold of someone if I need help. Last year I learned the importance of cell phones when I got into a car accident with my friend. It was at the end of August about two summers ago. We were going to band practice after stopping at Chipotle for dinner. We were about to get onto an exit in Robinson when someone crashed into the back passenger side corner of my friend’s car. The side air bag went off on my side and all I can remember is the sound of the air bag. It sounded like a gun had gone off. Unfortunately when it went off it hit my arm and caused some scratches. Nothing too terrible though. After the wreck, I was seriously hysterical and had no idea what to do. The first thing we did was call our mom’s. My mom was able to calm me down and assure me that everything was alright. Without my phone that day I don’t know what might’ve happened and I’m glad I had that resource.

            In the end I’m not able to change the fact that I grew up in an age of technology, but ultimately I can control the way I use it. My senior project has taught me a lot about technology and how it helps us and hurts us. Hopefully in the future the world will be able to make more progress using technology and it’s many applications.

New twist in education: 'Flipped classroom' makes homework an in-school effort, puts lectures online

New twist in education: 'Flipped classroom' makes homework an in-school effort, puts lectures online

Thursday, January 05, 2012

The ‘flipped classroom’ concept sounds like a great change in the school system. Being a high school student I’m used to the normal setting of lectures and homework that night. If I had the resource of a video that I could watch multiple times, and a class spend completing the homework I can imagine the information would just click. There has been so many times where I have gone home and totally forgot my lessons, but with the flipped classroom format that would be eliminated. Innovations in teaching can change the way students learn forever. Just because the traditional classroom setting has worked for so long doesn’t mean it’s the most effective way. This revamp that some teachers have embraced comes at a time where technology is becoming even more of a staple of our everyday lives, so therefore why not embrace a teaching strategy that revolves around technology.

Wiz Khalifa's accuser may have a tough time

Wiz Khalifa's accuser may have a tough time

Friday, January 06, 2012

Is Maxamillion a rapper from Sharon PA responsible for Wiz Kalifa’s hit song “Black and Yellow”? Is he the reason that the city Pittsburgh has adopted Wiz’s track as their theme song? I’m thinking not very likely at all. But who knows, maybe Kalifa and his producers were one of Maxamillion’s 88 viewers to see his “Pink and Yellow” video on his Myspace page. Whatever helps him sleep at night.

Love is in the air...hold my breath till my face turn purple

Recently I starting going on dates with this guy. Since like maybe a month ago. It was going pretty good. He was fun to be around, talkative, and he always took me to really nice places. Also he has his own house, so I was always going over to house and hanging out. My mom really liked him too, so that’s a plus also. But over break something just happened and we literally just stopped talking and hanging out. It seriously kinda sucked a lot. I thought I was doing so good, but I guess I did something wrong. So finally New Years Eve he texted me saying and at that point I was pissed at him. I said something horrible; just really horrible but I only said it cause he said something really stupid. He actually told me he wasn’t even going to try with me anymore. That seriously set me off. That’s the worst thing he could’ve said. That’s basically saying you aren’t worth my time. I was actually a little bit hurt because I like a guy to try and make me feel just great. When someone pays a lot of attention to you it just makes you feel happy and wanted. So basically this guy is not even worth it. I’m just a little upset because I like worked to get where we were. We got along so good with each other, but obviously I wasn’t good enough for him. I just need a guy that will treat me right and be a gentleman. Even though it kinda sucks I don’t need this guy because he was a complete ass and a better guy will come. I know it! Haha hopefully

Change happens fast

This year I went through a great change. My whole life was flipped upside down. The change started in April when I met Abby Skidmore. We both worked at The Oakdale Diner. It was the first day the diner was open and we began to talk. She was 17 just like me and she went to South Fayette. We started to talk about prom and she told me her prom was on May 27^th. I replied by saying wow that’s my birthday, and she screamed out me too. Right then and there I knew we were going to be really good friends. By the beginning of my senior year Abby and I were best friends. But I still had “best friends” that went to school with me. I began to grow apart from them as the year progressed and by October I had all together detached myself from them. Abby was just so different and free and I had so much fun with her. My friends hated her though because she was stealing me away from them. They practically told me to choose between them and Abby. I was furious and I chose Abby because I couldn’t believe that they would do this to me.

Now sitting here today I haven’t talked to my old friends in a while and Abby and I are till best friends. I spend almost every day with her, and I love very moment of it. I learned who my real friends were. I also learned that I can get through anything. I had a huge decision to make about my life and I feel like a made the right decision. I changed so much in such a little amount of time. I’ve met so many new people and done so many new and exciting things. If it wasn’t for Abby I’d still be living my old boring life

Just stuck with my thoughts int he library...

Lately I’ve been thinking a whole lot about the possibility of earth not being the only planet with life on it. I recently heard about scientists finding a 10^th planet that had water on it. That means that maybe just maybe it could hold organisms. If you think about it we are getting closer and closer to finding a planet that is just like ours. If this tenth planet has water on it, then the 20^th planet might be just like earth. There could quite possibly be other things in the universe just like us. I imagine that they would look like crazy aliens or weird humans. I spend all day thinking about this theory. It’s such a complex concept.

Another concept that I think a lot about is where are we from? What is a human and how was it first created. This whole earth is so complex. Each and every living thing on this earth has its own structure and make up. It’s crazy to think that just one “man” created it all. How could just one person created billions of different things in just a few days. The idea of God is a little far fetched for me to handle. I know that its “bad” not to believe in God, but I just see things a different way and it’s too hard for me to just believe. At least I’m thinking about this and not just believing in God so I don’t go to hell. I feel like that the biggest cop out. Just believing in God because someone told you he is real is like a fairy tale. Your parents told you the tooth fairy is real too. Scientists have the perfect theory of evolution. It make perfectly good sense, but a lot of people are too proud to believe it. I feel like God is just like Santa. Practically every culture has their own “god” and their own Santa. How come Santa is so unbelievable when really it’s a lot more believable than god. Santa flies around in a sleigh and delivers presents to all the boys and girls, but God created everything. Light and dark, the fish in the sea, the trees and flowers, and us. I feel like God is used like a security blanket for people who can’t handle thinking about humans evolving and being created in the circle of life. I’m sorry if I have offended anyone, but I just want you to take a chance and think about it.

The Begining

My best friend Abby Skidmore and I were driving along a secluded road somewhere in McDonald with all the windows down and the sun roof was open. The music was playing just loud enough to hear Nate Paulson rapping our favorite song. It was about 2 am and it was the first time I had ever snuck out. The sky was full of silver beaming stars and there was a nice breeze. We were looking for a good road to drive on. Finally we found an unpaved road and we took it. We were being tossed around in our seats from the pumps and holes in the road. We could tell that we were getting closer to a farm because of the smell. I can remember how we were laughing so hard because the smell was horrible. It smelt like straight up dirty cow and old hay. Finally we parked, turned the music up and looked out the sun roof. As wiz rapped about hoes and weed we stared out at God’s gift. We began to talk about how somewhere in the universe there is another planet just like ours. It was the deepest conversation I had ever had with someone. Now looking back I didn’t even appreciate that conversation that much, but now after much “practice” I see the world just as she does. Little did I know that, late night drive would change me forever. The breeze in fact would be what changed me for the better.