AP Test Week Tips

May 6, 2013 — Leave a comment

I’m sure you’re probably sick of my tips, but here are a few for my high school friends as they start AP test week!

Don’t wear sweats to your test. Wear something comfy and easy to sit in, but I wouldn’t wear sweats. It makes you a little sloppy and you do better if you dress better!
Eat breakfast! I know you’re nervous but eat some toast and juice or milk or SOMETHING before you go in!
Bring plenty of pencils with good erasers!
Leave your phone and other belongings in your car. That way you don’t even have to deal with it.
Don’t study the day of. It won’t help, it’ll mess you up.
Recheck your work but be careful when you erase answers! Most of the time your first instinct is right!
Bring water. Sometimes they offer it to you and sometimes it’s juice or milk. You’ll want water.
Go to the bathroom before and go again during your break!! EVEN IF YOU DON’T THINK YOU HAVE TO!
Bring a jacket. If it’s cold, you won’t be able to focus.
Say a prayer. Cliche, but it helps!
Don’t stress about how many you need to get right or what essay score you need to pass. Use that time studying instead!
Read the whole question and all the answers.
Relax! You’ve studied hard and you’ll do great:)

Happy Monday everyone and happy AP test week!

News May 6, 2013

May 6, 2013 — Leave a comment

KSL Headline: Limo that went up in flames had extra passenger

A limo with a bride-to-be and her bridesmaids caught on fire on a San Francisco bridge, killing five of the passengers. The limo was licensed to carry eight passengers, but for some reason was carrying nine that day. Officials are unsure whether or not this has anything to do with the fire.

Click here to read the full story.

KSL Headline: Prosecutors weighing charges in soccer referee’s death

The Utah referee who was left in a coma after being punched during a game, passed away on Saturday night. Prosecutors are now trying to determine what charges the 17-year-old assaulter will face.

Click here for the full story.

Apology

May 5, 2013 — Leave a comment

Sometimes you don’t realize someone’s been offended. Sometimes you don’t realize that people didn’t like what you said or how you said it. Sometimes, you got over a fight and you never knew that someone else didn’t.

I got quite the wake-up call last night. So for anyone that I’ve offended or upset in any way, I am really, truly, sorry. I’d like to think there aren’t many people out there thinking ill of me. And if you do, please know that I’m sorry and I would love to fix it. I’m human, but I’m going to keep trying to be a better one.

That’s enough groveling from me today! Happy Sunday everyone.

May the 4th….you know the rest

May 4, 2013 — Leave a comment

Hello. May the 4th be with you…..ah never gets old does it!

Anyone who knows me knows that I love Star Wars. Maybe too much….if that’s possible that is. I’ve watched the movies ever since I was little, have too many of the lines memorized, we had the Millennium Falcon and mini action figures to play with, we even had light sabers and a robot that shot disks at you (like the training kids use). Basically Star Wars is a big deal. So if you’ve never seen Star Wars, go watch them. All of them. NOW.

In honor of this special day, here are a few of my favorite Star Wars quotes. Sad that Cade and Gabe aren’t here to read these…but oh well!

Fear is the path to the Dark Side. Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering.

YODA, Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace

Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those around you who transform into the Force.

YODA, Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid.

HAN SOLO, Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope

It’s against my programming to impersonate a deity.

C-3PO, Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi

Truly wonderful the mind of a child is.

YODA, Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones

Always in motion is the future.

YODA, Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

A Jedi gains power through understanding and a Sith gains understanding through power.

PALPATINE, Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

There’s no mystical energy field that controls my destiny.

HAN SOLO, Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope

R2-D2, you know better than to trust a strange computer.

C-3PO, Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

Only a Sith Lord deals in absolutes.

Obi-Wan Kenobi, Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

The fear of loss is a path to the Dark Side.

YODA, Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

Your eyes can deceive you; don’t trust them.

OBI-WAN KENOBI, Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope

Size matters not. Look at me. Judge me by my size, do you?

YODA, Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

What if the democracy we thought we were serving no longer exists, and the Republic has become the very evil we’ve been fighting to destroy?

PADME AMIDALA, Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

Who’s the more foolish: the fool, or the fool who follows him?

OBI-WAN KENOBI, Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope

I think my eyes are getting better. Instead of a big dark blur, I see a big light blur.

HAN SOLO, Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi

There’s always a bigger fish.

QUI-GON JINN, Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace

Happy May the 4th to you all!

News May 4, 2013

May 4, 2013 — Leave a comment

New York Times Headline: Israel Bombs Syria as the U.S. Weighs Its Own Options

Israeli aircraft dropped a bomb in Syria on Thursday, and now the U.S. is pondering what to do. Ideas have been floating around including a U.S. airstrike. This bomb dropping has been described as “game changing” for all the countries involved.

Click here to read the full story.

New York Times Headline: As Senators Head for Exit, Few Step Up to Run for Seats

As more Senators come to the end of their terms and announce they will not be running for reelection, the expectation is that several young politicians will start battling for their spots. Oddly enough, few have raised their hands to put themselves in the race. This shows that the thought of being in or even running for the Senate is more unappealing than ever.

Click here to read the full story.

As per request

May 2, 2013 — Leave a comment

I’ve had a few requests for more tips about graduation/last month of high school/Senior Cotillion/yearbook day, etc. SO. Here’s a few things I would recommend/not recommend for all you soon to be high school grads!

Go to Cotillion. Pay the money and go. It was fun and it was so neat to be with JUST the senior class. Dress is semi-formal so I would wear a nice short dress, not something you would wear to church but not something you would wear to prom.

See?

Sign up for everything at your all night party. Do it all, stay all night, talk to everyone, you’ll probably never see some of these people again! So enjoy it:)
STUDY FOR YOUR AP TESTS. I know Senioritis is hitting. Hard. I promise if you study, the last few weeks of high school (after tests) will be a breeeeze. Study hard now, enjoy the reward in a few weeks.
Wear something nice under your cap and gown. Do your hair, wear something cute! You’ll unzip to take a few pictures;)
WEAR NICE SHOES TO GRADUATION. It is the ONLY way to distinguish you from every other Judge Judy outfit. Wear shoes that say something about you!

Notice the shoes?

Ask that girl/guy on a date sooner rather than later. If there’s someone you’ve been DYING to go out with all of high school, ask them out while you still can! I know you’re all thinking, “I’ll do it over the summer…” Bad thought. You won’t do it over the summer when you don’t see them/have an excuse to talk to them. Do it now!
Enjoy the last few weeks of high school. You never get to come back to this. I know you’re all excited about college, and yes college is a BLAST. But enjoy where you are, while you can.
Take pictures! You’ll want them later, promise!
Decide one thing you and your friends really want to do together this last month. Whether it’s shooting the tube or hiking somewhere, pick one thing and DO IT. You think you’ll do it over the summer, but you might not. So pick something awesome to do together and do it now!
Graduate from seminary. Do the makeup if you need to, do whatever it takes so you can be there for your seminary graduation!
Relax, and enjoy. This is the last month of high school. Enjoy it!!!

That’s all I have for you today! Happy Thursday everyone!

News May 2, 2013

May 2, 2013 — Leave a comment

New York Times Headline: Some Retailers Rethink Role in Bangladesh

After a factory disaster that left hundreds dead, Western companies are scrambling to improve working conditions in Bangladesh. Some large American companies have decided to leave the country, including the Walt Disney Company, who has ordered an end of production of branded merchandise in Bangladesh and has released a new policy on overseas production.

Click here to read the full story.

New York Times Headline: North Korea Imposes Term of 15 Years on American

North Korea announced that its Supreme Court has sentenced an American citizen to 15 years of hard labor on charges of trying to overthrow the government. 44 year old Kenneth Bae was arrested after leading a tour of businessmen out of China to North Korea in November.

Click here to read the full story.

Ideas for Mother’s Day

May 1, 2013 — Leave a comment

No really important news today! I scanned every newspaper source and the there were things about banking and cannibalistic sharks and such. Nothing very important, in my opinion. Maybe I’m just lazy haha.

Anywho on to something new! Mother’s Day is just around the corner (MOM STOP READING. THIS MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH YOU!! LOVE YOU:)) and here are a few ideas of what to get your cute mom on her special day!

If you’ve been listening, you may have gleaned something she really wants. For example, maybe she’s mentioned a few times she wishes she had a specific plant for her yard or that she’s heard this certain place is fun to visit. If she’s said ANYTHING like that, listen to her. Get her what she actually wants!
Gift card. Sounds dumb, I know. But does she have a favorite restaurant? A treat she loves but doesn’t usually buy for herself? If she’s like my mom, a Barnes and Noble gift card is always appreciated!
Plants/flowers. I sent my mom flowers last Mother’s Day with the words to a Primary song about mothers on the card. She loved it! You can make it meaningful if you just put in a little effort.
Music. Sheet music if she plays an instrument, a CD or iTunes purchase if she loves listening to music, any of those would be a good idea. I bought my mom a song called “She Put The Music In Me” when I left for college. I played it for her while I was in the room. It was a really great moment.
Clothes. I’m the kind of person who always loves getting clothes/jewelry/accessories. If you’re mom is like that, take her shopping with you to get exactly what she wants, or if you know her really well go for it! Just don’t guess the size wrong…;)
An outing! My family LOVES going on outings and spending time together. We give that to our parents as gifts a lot. They love getting to go somewhere with us, and they don’t have to pay! Some of our favorites are Thanksgiving Point, the zoo, the aquarium, Temple square, This Is The Place Heritage Park, or even dinner or a movie!
Videos/Pictures. We make videos or take pictures for my parents every once in a while. They really like having a more permanent memento of us, how we feel about them, and what we’re thinking.
Candy or food. I love food. If your mom does too, this could work out.
Poem/song/craft. I’m pretty decent at poetry, but it doesn’t matter how good you are. If you write something heartfelt your mom will love it. Same goes for a song or a craft. Homemade always is a big hit.
Whatever you do, make it special and individual to your mom. Include a note telling her how much you appreciate and love her. Mom’s are people that get taken for granted too often. This is one day of many that you can give back. Do some housework, don’t make her cook, help with all the little things she does every day to make her life easier.

Good luck on your shopping and happy Wednesday everyone!

Home sweet home

April 30, 2013 — Leave a comment

I’m home! One year of college down. I know lots of my friends will be home for the summer within the next few weeks. So here’s my list of things to do instead of sitting around, being bored.

Read. What’s that, you don’t like reading? You’re doing it wrong. Find a book that looks interesting. I promise you’ll get into it if you just find the right book.

Play with your siblings. I have missed my sisters a lot, and Scattergories and Jungle Speed have already been played in excess.
Find new music. I didn’t have time at school to find NEW music. Now, I do:)
Keep up with the news. Whether it be on this blog or from a news source. You need to know what’s up in the world. You’re an adult now.
See some old friends. Yes, it’s weird. We all have these new lives. But we can still go to lunch or have a bonfire or something.
Find a show. I’m on Boy Meets World right now! I watch ONE episode a day. Not too much, but not nothing.

Write. Journal, blog, whatever. Remember this time. It’s crucial.
Visit your teachers. I plan on making a few trips to dear ol’ Davis in the near future and thanking all the people who made my freshman year that much easier.
Get a job. Don’t sit around the house. Make some money!
Help your mom. She could use help with the laundry and dishes, and I’m sure you’re capable of doing it.
Organize your documents/photos. After a year of college you probably have a million documents and photos sitting around. Organize them.
Write a missionary! I have a few favorites that I can recommend;)
Make dinner. Give your parents the night off and whip out all those cooking skills you gained from college.
Enjoy yourself. You have 3 months of you time. Go walking, hiking, whatever makes YOU happy.

These are just a few little ideas that hopefully will make your summer a little better. Happy Tuesday everyone!

April 30, 2013

April 30, 2013 — Leave a comment

New York Times Headline: Colleges Adapt Online Courses to Ease Burden

Colleges are working online to make sure students are more prepared for college, as well as make sure they graduate on time. With state budgets being cut, more students are unable to get higher education. These massive online classes are being tested to help fix the higher education problems.

Click here to read the full story.

New York Times Headline: Flow of Tainted Water Is Latest Crisis at Japan Nuclear Plant

Workers in the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear district in Japan are struggling to contain radioactive wastewater. Water is pouring into the plants reactor building at an alarmingly fast rate, which contaminates the water. Workers are doing all they can to contain it.

Click here for the full story.