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STudents and the Test Taking Process	August 9, 2007, 3:10AM
by: singerangel710
Getting good grades has nothing to do with studying. Some students have the hardest time sitting down and studying the things they've learned the day before. Others have it easy and don't need to study yet can pass almost all of their tests and exams with flying colors. Some actually work hard for the grades they get and actually study to earn the grades they deserve. And still, some who just don't care about school and their grades; they're just there because they have to be. Sometimes sitting down at a desk and looking over notes and homework, trying to study, is the hardest task for people. I am in this category of students. I get all of the things I have on the subject out and spread the papers all over my desk so I can look at them better. I look at one thing and then another becoming more and more distracted by the minute; not to mention how boring studying can get. In the end I put everything away within 10 to 15 minutes because I can't sit there and concetrate on one thing at a time like that to be able to consume and review all the information and keep it in my mind. Can you guess how my grades come out when it comes to tests? Imagine this: you're sitting at home and you have one choice to make that could affect the rest of your night, and maybe your test grade the next day. You can either study for that big test you have or you can go play that awesome new video game you bought the day before that's still waiting, unopened, on your desk. What do you do? You have fun and play your game and are still able to do well on tests. Why? You pay attention in class and can retain information learned in that day's lesson and in lessons days before hand. The only studying you do is homework and that's all that is needed. Test day comes and you can still get that A or B you were shooting for. Don't you wish you could actually do that? I also have a friend who is very smart. She studies for tests, takes notes, does her homework, does everything she can to prepare and study so she can get good grades. She sits down and takes at least an hour out of her evening to do her homework and study, even after working four hours that afternoon. Someone like me can't even imagine how that would work. She gets to test day and sees all the fresh information that she has been studying rigorously for and starts to write down her answers. In the end, she gets the test back and her hard work pays off. She is rewarded with an expected good grade that she has fully earned and deserves. Some students in school are also the type to say school is pointless, I don't want to be here, I don't need to study. These students don't even pay attention in class; they sleep or doodle in a notebook as the teacher lectures and discusses the lesson. I don't know about you, but I can see how this turns out. Test day arrives and they stare blankly down at the sheets of paper. Random answers are placed in the spaces and the test is turned in. The test is returned and the student has received an F or D. Well-deserved for the work this type of student didn't put into studying. They stare up at the chalkboards, dazed, not even caring how they did or how it will affect their grade. The only thing these students care about is passing the class so they don't have to take it again. Although some people work hard to study and do well in different classes, others have a difficult time getting good grades. Those students who don't have to study to get good grades are lucky and don't have to work very hard. They receive rewards for not doing any work. Whereas students, such as my friend, work very hard for what grade they receive so they have actually earned and worked for the grade they deserve. This grade leaves her all warm and toasty inside, proud of herself, knowing she did well for a reason. Other students just can't seem to sit down for 15 minutes and study even if their life depends on it. Even though all that is riding on whether the student studies or not is a test grade but that's almost as important as your life, right? Since how you do on exams and test can affect how you live your life later on, I would say so. How do you prepare for tests and exams?
topic: Essays
[reply] [29 comments]

Religion and Spirits can coincide.	August 4, 2007, 3:46AM
by: MorningStar23
I have come up with a theory not only supported by the bible, but my own life experiences as well. As you all may know, I have seen spirits (popularly known as 'ghosts'). I have been called crazy more than once, but I can't argue with it when I'm not on any drugs and a man is staring at me through my front door with his body up against it, and blood streaming from his eyes. Especially when I'm the only one who can see him. It's not only him, but others that I have seen and no one else has. My theroy is this. When you die, you do not go to heaven. You go to another realm, the spirit realm that sometimes special living people can see into. On judgement day, Christ will rise all the dead, and bring them back from the spirit realm, and judge them all at once. How can this be? What in the bible supports it? Revelation. That is right. The book of Revelation. It says (I'm too lazy to get my bibles right now to tell you specifically where) that the Lord will come again, and when he does, he will raise all dead, and judge them. And I'm not crazy. I just see them sometimes. It's not like the kid from sixth sense said though. They all know that they're dead. They stare at me as though I am an intruder in thier realm. Sometimes it scares me. I remember my first time in Iowa seeing one. I was in my room trying to go to sleep and I saw a man, completely white, and slightly not right. Almost as if I could make out what was behind him through him. I screamed for Momma of course, and she told me no one was out there. I told her the next day that he was see through, and she flipped out. It was actually quite amusing.
topic: Various
[reply] [1 comment]

Mormonism and The State of Utah	July 29, 2007, 10:42PM
by: asherock3
Mormonism and The state of Utah by : A.E.R. Mormonism, what does that word bring to your mind? I have been told, it brings into mind, Snotty uptight over religious people. Mormonism is...Not for everyone. It is complicated in some ways and other ways its just about praising lord and everything he has given us. Or atleast, that is how i was taught. Now the few basic rules of being a Mormon, are as followed...(I will only do 3) 1. Clothing above the knee is considered, Immoral. Also Clothing showing one's shoulders is also considered immoral. 2. Foul language and taking the lord's name in vain is looked down upon. 3.Consuming alcohol is against the church. Those are really, the main rules that I am aware of. It has been several years now since i have attended church. But, The Mormon church is a sub-culture of The Church of Latter Day Saints. Mormons who reside in Utah are known as "Utah Mormons" meaning they are desendants of those who followed Brigham Young to what is now known as Utah. It is true, those of the LDS church, settled in Utah to find a place to practice their religion in peace. And in doing so, founded what is seemingly a quiet place to live. The church, is a very..Giving church, if you pay your tithing, you are more often than not, helped with bills or at least, that is the case within my family. I have found, in my own experiences, That yes, mormons are viewed as stuck up individuals, but which is often, a very wrong impression. It is more of, wanting to help but now knowing how to go about it.. Now the state of Utah, was, as i have already said, founded on the basis of being a place where one could practice their religions in peace without being driven from their homes as was common back in the 1800's. It has grown into, considered, the best skiing state in the United States and is known for the Sundance film festival every winter. The crime level, is low in some towns and is high in others, So therefor, it is not a perfect state. It has problems, both politically and otherwise. This state, is full of beautiful mountain scenery and calming slow lifestyles. Though the state is also known for, under-paying others. Such as is the case for my very own grandmother. She makes $9.50 an hour as a paralegal where as if she worked in another state she could easily make $14 or more an hour. But some people, pick slow family lifestyles over making a lot of money. I personally, view Utah as an artist's dream come true. Now I have probably bored you all to tears. I end my article here.
topic: Essays
[reply] [1 comment]

The Passion of the Christ: After the Dust has Settled	July 29, 2007, 1:01AM
by: RonPrice
The dust of reviews has settled on this film and so: the time has come, perhaps, for a more dispassionate, a more considered, a more reflective, little review. Perhaps review is not quite the right word; perhaps what I have written here is just a comment, but it is no less provocative than the most provocative youve read thusfar and I hope you will find here some refreshing and intelligent insight into the way the film was made and perceived. This film is not intended to be a masterful historical documentary as, say, Ken Burns' work on the Civil War or one of many others done in the first century of the existence of the cinema. Gibson's work is far from possessing what some might call an intellectual poverty in its pretensions at historical documentary. Shawn Rosenheim says all TV documentaries possess an intellectual poverty. If Rosenheim is right the visual media are simply incapable of producing historical documentary.1 And if Rosenheim is wrong, as I tend to think he is, historical documentary of an event 2000 years ago is not impossible. It is, rather, a recreation. We simply do not know enough about the event Gibson is recreating to claim that what we are seeing is a documentary. We all know that Gibson did not take his camera crew to downtown Jerusalem or into the little hamlet of Nazereth in some kind of time-warp to produce an anti-Jewish, anti Roman clip for the evening news. Even if he had and he then produced for us all an evening two hour special, spectacle, called "the crucifixion," there would still be questions about visual manipulation and the program's service in the name of directing popular thought toward a new religious movement. New religious movements have always had trouble getting popular exposure unless they can be associated with conflict and violence, eccentricity and the bizarre, indeed, anything visually stimulating and distracting. No one would claim that Gibson's is a neutral recording of objective events. It is a construct operating from a certain point of view. It is a rhetorical argument achieved through the selection and combination of elements that both reflect and project a world, a world view, a cosmology if you like. It is achieved by certain cinematic conventions that try to erase any signs of cinematic artificiality. An ideology is promoted by linking the effect of reality to social values and institutions in such a way that these values seem natural and self-evident. In the case of Mel Gibson's work, a work that I found quite stimulating in its own way, the ideology is simply and strongly: fundamentalist Christianity. History has a thousand faces, a thousand forms, and Mel Gibson has given us some very stimulating ones, perhaps a little too visually acute, in his film, The Passion of the Christ. They will serve for some of the millions who watched it to bring them closer to One whom Baha'u'llah, the Baha'i Faith's founder, said "when Christ was crucified the world wept with a great weaping." Bill Graham wept; many stayed home; millions viewed the film as it went into the top ten money spinners in cinema history two weeks ago. Some were appauled; some stimulated. To each his own.
topic: Movie Reviews
[reply] [2 comments]

My entry into the military.	July 27, 2007, 2:47AM
by: Juiceboxes
As some people know, I have made a decision to go into the US Military, the Naval Branch to be exact. I've been getting a lot of comments asking me why I have made this decision, or just telling me that I'm too pretty for the military. While I most deeply flattered and thank everyone for their curiosity and kindness, I have decided to actually explain my reasons for choosing this way of life. I have faith in myself to actually be able to make a difference, for the better. I have faith that my work will make a difference. Maybe a small, unnoticed difference; maybe a gigantic, world changing difference. Everything that I will do and learn, will be for the better of my country. I believe in my country. I believe that if I am willing to help, and other are willing to help, our country can slowly be returned to the greatness it once was. Or, at least it can rise from the turmoil that its in now. My country; and for my fellow Americans, our country needs help. I can help it, we can help it. I'm standing up for what I care about and what I believe. Sure, America isn't perfect. It never has been, and it never will be. But I remember times better than these, and I know that better times than these can come again. Call me an optimist, but these are my reasons for choosing the lifestyle I have. Look around a few years into my service and see if I'm right, aye? ♥
topic: Essays
[reply] [22 comments]

Medication Generation	July 21, 2007, 8:34PM
by: Saturnalia
We're going to skip right over all the other needless drugs we're all told we absolutely need to be healthy, happy individuals and go straight to the most recent one I've heard about. This one involves the female reproductive system, so it's guaranteed to be buckets of fun! [/sarcasm] ============ Everyone's heard of PMS, but I'll bet not many of you have heard of PMDD; or, if you have, you've heard the word (and absolutely no explanation of) "PMDD" on a commercial for Yaz, the birth control pill that claims to be able to treat this mysterious feminine ailment. I've seen these commercials a few times and still didn't know what the fuck PMDD was, so I decided to look it up. It stands for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder and its number one symptom is irritability, but it can also cause anxiety, anger and depression. Hmm... so far this sounds exactly like PMS. In fact, the only thing that makes it different from PMS is "severity." But how exactly does stronger symptoms constitute classification as a disorder? As it turns out, technically, it's not a disorder. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has yet to actually state that it is, in fact, a verified disorder. So then, why are there already commercials advertising that their products can "treat your PMDD"? Perhaps the pharmaceutical companies are trying to medicalize the female condition in order to sell more drugs? No, they would never do that! The only symptoms that separate PMS and PMDD are "severity" and "the ability to cope with one's environment,"which are not medical attributes but reactions of the human to its social environment. Furthermore, in a world that already demonizes PMS and uses it as "the reason" why girls act "bitchy" or assertive, especially around that time of the month, advertising a drug that can treat it will do nothing more than create a generation of medicated women, popping pills that they don't necessarily need to take, all so they can maybe finally be taken seriously instead of getting the generic responses of "stop PMSing," or "you must be on the rag."
topic: Current Events
[reply] [42 comments]

Childhood, Come Back	July 10, 2007, 9:21PM
by: Frozen_Within_Flame
At one point in our lives we look back at our childhoods. How simple it was, how carefree and safe the world seemed. I miss the time where my friends and I use to think of having a good as going hay bale jumping.(Yes I know, we are hicks.) Now our idea of fun is walking around town at night being destructive and loud. I didn’t know what sex, a condom or cocaine was when I was 9. Now I know all to well what they are. Sometimes I wish I could go back to before I knew all the hell in the world. Before I felt the hatred and pain that I do now. In so very short years, we are all exposed to the things the world offers each of us. Some good, some bad. That’s life right? We probably all want to grow up to fast. Are we really ready to start our own lives? Move out, pay the bills, support ourselves. Its such a drastic change from the time when we’re 10 to the just when we get to 13. It gets bigger as we get older. Think about how much you experience from just your years of 14 to 18. I know I haven’t even gotten there yet but I can see the changes coming and I’m not so sure I’m ready. What does this future hold? Is our world even going to exist 10 years from now? Who knows. Maybe it will be taken over by war and we will have killed all humans on earth. Possibly we will all realize what we are doing to our planet and wise up, stop the war and hatred. Oh wait that will never happen….. Do we all feel the same shock at first learning of the evil in the world today. Some have seen it their whole lives. Children should not be exposed to this to before they are ready to handle the impact of it. A six year old should not be wanting sex or smoking cigarettes. They are to young and to pure to be shown these things at that age. Children should be valued for their innocence before they shown all of these things. A small child takes it for granted without even knowing it. Not realizing all of the death and horror going on as they play with their toys. If you have a child yourself, do you ever look at them and wonder what they might grow up into? Would you disown them is they turned out a junkie or a whore? I believe the makings of the child start at childhood. How you treat and raise them could make them or brake them. Yes, learning about sex and drugs is an unavoidable part of growing up, but its learning them to early is what screws them over. I’m also not saying that once a junkie, always a junkie or because the child’s parents where junkies they will be one. Every person chooses their own path but the parents teachings are the building blocks of this path they walk down. Children who come from family’s where they see drugs, violence, and sex every day from the time they are born, will most likely turn into what their parents are. They can’t help it, they think its ok, and its really the only thing they know. Then you have the case where the child grows up nothing like their parents. They are actually successful. Seeing what it did to their parents made them hate it and tell themselves they will never turn into that. For the people who are like this, they are very strong. It has to hurt though, to watch your own parents slowly committing suicide on drugs, or selling themselves to strangers. From one fucked up generation may rise a great one, and then from one great generation, may rise a fucked up one.
topic: Life
[reply] [1 comment]

Fuck you christianity!	July 7, 2007, 2:24PM
by: Hooks_in_You
I will begin by stating that I do not believe in God. I'm not saying there is no God, but simply that I do not believe in one, most certainly not the one of the bible. I personally believe that such belief in the God of the bible is nothing short of insanity. This article is the extension of that belief, thank you for your time. I apologise in advance for any grammatical or spelling errors. God knows everything. He knows what has happened, what is happening and what will happen. It is the principle supposition of the bible further substantiated by allusions of perfection. Comparisons of logic between flawlessness and perfection prohibit perfect pre-fall man (able to stand, free to fall) in favour of flawlessness. Perfection exists as an absolute with only God being perfect, whereas flawlessness exists as a variable displayed and characterised by the differentiation between ranks of angels, most notably the most glorious angel (pre-war morning star Lucifer as opposed to morning star Son). By extension, pre-fall man is created flawless (in his image alluding to Mind, Body, Soul trinity in harmony – FATHER/MIND, SON/BODY, HOLY SPIRIT/SOUL as opposed to allusions to perfection). Flawlessness varies by differences of knowledge and power, perfect has all knowledge and all power. Perfect man would have been incapable of fall due to foresight and an inherent understanding of evil. God knew long before he ever created Lucifer that he would become vain and fall from grace. Knowing before creation that his most beautiful, brilliant angel would develop a flaw, corrupt 1/3 of Heaven, completely corrupt mankind, and bring death, sin, and evil into existence, God proceeded to not only create him regardless, but in addition, to appoint him (archangel Lucifer) to the highest position of power (morning star, second only to the Father), a position certain to aggravate (if not cause) the vanity within Lucifer. Without foresight, depending solely upon omnipotence, his creation, and the continued inaction of the Father displays a lack of judgement. With it, his actions can only be called malevolent. Flawless man (species not gender) has no concept of good or evil. As such the word of God and the word of Satan (adversary: serpent, dragon, etc.) are indistinguishable in terms of merit or value. Having no experience or concept of deception, rebellion, sin, or even the most basic understanding of death renders the threat of God (death) immaterial, the gravity of the situation imperceptible, and the promise and seduction of temptation impossible for man to deny. Simply put, in his unfallen state mans attention and subservience were subjective to whoever presented the more appealing, reasonable, and sound argument, succumbing to whoever was more charming. As opposed to the fall of the angels (whose behaviour was one of outright aggression) where God simply chose inaction, mans transgression was one of simple (mostly symbolic) defiance. This case is much more alarming because God’s behaviour is called into question instead of simply his judgement and character. With the angels, God chose not to intervene when Lucifer developed vanity, or to even warn him about it and its dangers. With man however he chose to give warning and it is this very idea of his divine intervention that brings two disturbing notes to light with ominous implications. 1. That his warning was hideously insufficient to prevent the fall of man. 2. That he did know what was sufficient to prevent the fall of man. He knew the result of his chosen divine intervention. He knew it would not work, and he knew what would work, and still he chose to play things out so that inevitable pain, suffering and eternal damnation for billions would be the end result. The resulting juxtaposition between mans body and soul prohibited further relationship between man and God as he knew it would. The Holy Spirit is needed as the mediator between body and soul while the Son (sacrifice) is needed as the mediator between God and man. The horrifying implication is of course that God did it on purpose. That he deliberately set things out to make himself necessary in a post-creation universe, or worse still, to justify his own schizophrenic existence. The only other possibilities are: that he was impotent to prevent both falls; or that his own choices were mistakes: both of which (one by power, one by knowledge) don’t just conflict with the idea of a perfect God but completely destroys it. If you cannot see the conclusion or point of this article then you are indeed a fool.
topic: Philosophy
[reply] [3 comments]

People who say "oh my life sucks"	July 7, 2007, 1:54PM
by: Diabolic_Pixie
People now days have no respect for life. They close their eyes to what is in front of them. They see what they want to see. Just take a minute to think about this one instance: If you see a homeless person getting beat and spit on what do you do? A.) Walk by without even looking at him/her. B.) Stop and defend the poor person and maybe give him/her money C.) Take him/her to a hospitol and leave. Most people I've met would choose A. People have no love for life anymore. All they desire is money, sex, and more money. What has this world become? Why don't people at least pretend to care? That's better than not caring at all. People need to look at the big picture. What if tomorrow, all your money disapeared? What would you do? You would probably expect some one to come and save you. Well let me tell you what, that won't happen. No one cares for anyone else anymore. It's all a me me me world. Just stop and think. What if you were that homeless person. Hm? What then? Please people. Just take a minute and look at what you have. A family that loves you. A warm house to call home. You think you have it bad. Look at all the people in Africa and tell me that they don't have it worse! Come on! Seriously people. You don't have it half as bad as they do! In Africa children are starving to death, dying from diseases! Look at them and tell me you have it worse. So, what if you get into fights with your parents. Get over it. Move on. Don't bitch just because your parents won't let you go to a party. There are no parties for kids in Africa. Only death and starvation. Put yourself in their shoes. How do you feel now? Is life good or horrible? So why don't you just sit down and think about what you have and treasure it, because it's a LOT more than what some people have. Go tell your parents you love them and thank them for loving you. The last thing I have to say about this is, cherish life. You never know when it will end.
topic: Life
[reply] [1 comment]

Silly Haters, You're Really Pretty Stupid	July 6, 2007, 7:08AM
by: Frozen_Within_Flame
Is it just me or are there a lot of people today who are very closed minded? They hate, won’t talk to or, hang out with someone because of a small difference between them. Like if they dress so called “emo”. The “goth” kids, hate the “emos” because of how they dress, and the music they listen to. Doesn’t matter how much they have in common with that person but since they dress different and listen to different music, they hate their guts. The “gangsters” and “wiggers” wont hang with the “goths” and so on. Why should dress or music taste be a factor in liking someone as a person? You’re one stuck up bitch if you think that’s what matters. I’m not saying this is how everyone is but a lot of people are like this, at least in my high school. There is major cliché segregation which is pointless and does nothing but cause violence in schools. Then there is racism. If you cut them do they bleed? If you look at their body are they not the same as other humans? Why should skin color matter? We are all human, there is no race that is better then another. Yet we had the nerve to believe this and have slavery. White people think they are better then black people. They see a black person and call them a worthless nigger. Then of course there is going to be black on white crime and the other way around. My town has its black neighborhood, where if a white person is walking alone at night in, you better believe they are going to get their ass beat down, because of racist haters. A black person can be just as racist to a white person. Of course its not just white on black. There is the haters for the Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, and so on. Then you get the assholes who think, because you don’t like them, they call you racist. Example: There was a girl in my class who I didn’t like because she never shut up, was very disrespectful to the teacher and called me a Satanic freak. When I called her a stuck-up bitch, she called me racist. Some black people use that as a defense to people how don’t like them. Whatever form of racism is just plain fucking stupid. Ok, moving on. Hating on gay or bisexual people! What a fun topic. Beating up the gay guy in class will make you feel better about your sexuality? What the fuck is your problem? Straight people are majority of today’s society but still, just because someone doesn’t fit into today’s idea of society, you should beat the shit out of them? A lot of men I know have absolutely no problem with lesbians because they think its hot. As soon as a gay guy comes close to them, they start screaming faggot. Lesbians seem to be a little more accepted then gay guys. Its sick to see people talking trash about others just because they are different. You must be pretty damn perfect if you can talk shit on someone else for being different. Fuck haters, you’re all stupid people who need a good slap in the face.
topic: Rants
[reply] [3 comments]

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