God Bless the USA

One pretty day in September 2001 I was sitting in my fourth grade classroom. I had a substitute teacher who had yet to show. I wondered vaguely what had happened to her and was imagining all sorts of things when all the sudden she came in, and she was crying. I looked at her, completely baffled. This particular substitute was never very nice. She had yelled a lot and made us miss our real teacher even more. I didn't quite know what to think of her tears but thought it was about time someone got back at her.

She told us that something very bad had happened. We listened as she said that planes had crashed into the Twin Towers in New York City, and the Pentagon, which is very close to where I live. In fact, when I was little, my dad worked at the Pentagon. One other plane aimed for the Capitol had gone down in Virginia, because the passengers realized what was going on and bravely stopped it. I later learned that some of the terrorists involved in this sick act lived in Canterbury, which is literally less than a mile from my home. I have friends that live there.

All throughout the day my classmates were being pulled from class and taken home by their parents. I remember waiting for my own mom to come get me, but it didn't take long for me to realize that that wasn't going to happen anytime soon. Looking back, I am very glad that she didn't. That taught me at a very young age to face conflict on my own, and to not be afraid even when terrible things were happening. My mother was placing her trust in my school and in me, to keep me safe.

I remember going home and seeing my two older sisters, Kelly and Heather, who had no idea what was going on. I bragged that I did and our teachers had told us. But I didn't really know what was going on. I didn't know that the country that allowed little girls like me to go to school, to have sisters and brothers, to wear what I wanted, to pray and eat and do what I wanted, was under attack.

Slowly after that, names like Al-Qaeda and Osama bin Ladin and Saddam Hussein were integrated into daily conversation. I knew that these were bad guys and we must catch them. I knew that they were the people who had planned the attacks on 9/11. Over the years I have learned much more about them and their campaign against this wonderful nation and all that it stands for. But I'm not going to talk about that. I'm going to talk about one of the greatest loves of my life, and that is the United States of America.

I love America. I think it is the best country in the world and I am so lucky to live here. My favorite holidays are the 4th of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. In case you didn't notice, two of these holidays are in celebration of our country.

I love the patriots we stood up against King George III and decided that enough was enough! And that they wanted a land that would respect every member and rights and voting and freedom to choose.

I hate it when I say how much I love America and someone has to say, "you know Thomas Jefferson had slaves, right? What do you think of him now?" This makes me mad. And no, not at Thomas Jefferson.

Of course I knew that. I know a lot about America. Knowing that our Founding Fathers were not perfect does not take away from that love. And I hate that people think it might. And it doesn't because I love America.

I love all that America stands for. Sometimes I get really frustrated with the attitude I see much too often as a girl growing up in Maryland. There is an attitude of entitlement, that you should get everything for nothing. What these people do not realize is that freedom is never free. How cliche, right? But it is true. America does not stand for a free-for-all, it stands for hard work and dedication even when there are a million Goliaths and you are one tiny Daniel with only a couple, second-rate stones.

I love every man and woman who has ever served honorably in the armed forces. I think they really define "land of the free and home of the brave." I always always get tears in my eyes when I see soldiers, especially in the airport. I try to go up to them and say thank you, but sometimes I just can't because I know I will turn into a big, blubbery mess. Even as I write this and am just thinking about it I'm getting teary.

There is a group on facebook that is called, "Soldiers are not heroes." I got so mad when I saw that. I joined another (much larger) group that is called, "Petition to remove "Soldiers are not heroes" group from facebook." Because soldiers ARE heroes, and I will tell you why.

Soldiers are willing to risk their lives to save our freedoms. They leave their families, friends, and country behind in order to secure safety and peace of mind for not only us Americans, but those in other countries as well. How I admire these men and women!

I love love lovee the phrase "You may disagree with what I'm doing, but I will fight to the death for your right to say so." I think those who don't support our soldiers are as bogus as rotten cheese and are not fit to live in such a wonderful country. I think that they should all be exiled for six months to live in Afghanistan and then maybe they'll see how good they have it.

I love that as an 18-year old girl I am allowed the right to vote. I cannot wait to have a political voice. Voting is one of the best things about this country.

I love that I have an Asian best friend, as well as German, Italian, Indian, Pakistani and Guatemalan friends. I love that in my veins flows French, British, Dutch, and Native American blood but that I am, whole-heartedly, a red-blooded all-American girl.

I love the 4th of July. I love seeing the fireworks that celebrate this wonderful country. I love apple pie and the America cake my mom makes (white strawberry jello poke cake topped with whipped cream and strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries that make an American flag). And speaking of the flag...

I love our flag! I was so sad about having band 1st period this past year, because that meant that I would almost always miss the Pledge of Allegiance because we would never hear the announcements go on over our playing. I think that people shouldn't be allowed the say the pledge unless they mean it. And what I mean by that is that you should realize that when you break the law selling crack or helping illegal aliens into this country you are not honoring the flag, and you don't deserve its protection.

I love this song that Kelly sang in a show when she was probably four or five. It goes,
There's a feeling comes a-slealing
and it sets my brain a-reeling
When I'm listening to the music of a military band
.....
Red, white, and blue! I am for you!
Honest you're a grand old flag.

You're a grand old flag
you're a high-flying flag
And forever in peace may you wave!
You're an emblem of
the land I love!
The home home of the free and the brave!
Every heart beats true for the red, white and blue
where there's never a boast or brag!
But shall all acquaintance be forgot
Keep your eye on that grand old flag!

I love America songs. I was raised to love this country. I sang America's praises on road trips and on holidays. I had shirts with flags on them and read books about it. There's a song that I will write the lyrics to right now,

I love America, yes I do!
I love America love it true.
I love America it's for me
the home of the brave and the land of the free!

There are so many America songs I adore. Today in church we sang the Star Spangled Banner and of course I cried. I get very emotional when I think of this great nation.

Every time I see the clock strike 9:11 I remember that day in 4th grade. I think I will always remember no matter where I am or what I'm doing. My heart aches for those whose lives were torn apart by that day. One time my family went to New York City and we were able to see Ground Zero. It was a devastatingly sad sight, and sobering. Every September 11th my family lights candles and places them on our porch and I go off by myself and listen to a CD we have that is a newsreel of that day.

This post is not at all the cheerful affair I wish it could be, but I think it is important that we never, ever forget. I was alive for 9/11, but I was not around in 1776 or 1812 or the Civil War or WWI or WWII or the Cold War or Vietnam or the Cuban Missile Crisis. However I know that these conflicts and wars happened and ended in such a way that allows me to write this post on my blog.

I love all those who risked their lives in signing the Declaration of Independence. I love Paul Revere (one of my very favorite historical figures) and George Washington and Abe Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin. I love love lovee John Hancock and his all or nothing attitude and his ginormous signature. When I was little, I said that I would sign my name so small, just in case we didn't win, because then they would never know who I was. Now I know that my John Hancock would be just like its name's sake. I love America, I love our founding fathers and our soldiers, and I love our America songs.

God bless the USA!

Bragging

I don't brag a lot. You know how in elementary school they would always say, "no matter what you do, there will always be someone better than you?" Shocked? Don't worry- they also said all those cliche, "you can do anything!" phrases. Yes. Well these two ideas have battled it out in my brain, and I have come to a healthy compromise in my head. And it is this....

I am the best. No one is better than me andddd I can accomplish anything I set my mind to because I am so wonderful.

Just kiddinggg ;) Here is my real compromise;

I may never be the best, but I like it that way.

I came to the first part of this conclusion last year when, for the first time in my life, I was a 2nd flute. Before this, I had never been anything less than 2nd chair, except for a very short time in 6th grade when I played in band for the first time ever. And sophomore year, where I was 4th chair. But whatever. From 3rd quarter in 6th grade-9th grade I was the best. I minded being moved to 4th chair my sophomore year, mostly because the girl who was supposedly my biggest competition was placed ahead of me. By two chairs. And she's kind-of a brat. But I digress. However, I was extremely shocked when I got 6th chair my junior year of high school.

At first I was very upset. I felt like everyone looked at me differently, even though in hindsight a) it was quite an accomplishment for someone who was 4th chair in concert band to move up to 6th chair in Symphonic Band and b)I bet no one really cared. But then I found out that I was the 2nd flute section leader.

Even though this basically meant nothing as to bossing around and sectionals, I did get to play the 2nd flute part during one-on-a-part duets. But then Mr. Dubbs took one of those. Ugh that still pisses me off. Ugh ugh ugh. Soooooo dumb. kwejftki rhgihxae ok I digress I digress I digress. Whew.

Anyway so the first time that I realized I actually needed help with my part was when there was a run that I had absolutely no idea how to play. At all. I looked around at my section and decided to ask Johnny, the nice boy who was 7th chair. He showed me the fingerings and we went on our way.

And that was when it happened. For the rest of the year I relied on Johnny. I don't think I performed a single one-on-a-part duet without him. In fact, I know I didn't. We were a team. A two-in-one. Mr. Dubbs realized this and it got to a point where he didnt even ask. Every solo 2nd flute part was now double played. When I got that duet part taken away from me, Johnny did too. And we had to clean up the stage because we talked entirely too much.

As the year went on I realized how good he was at playing. I realized that he was probably better than me. But I didn't mind. In fact, I loved it. I loved that even if I couldn't play something he would hold up the section until I could. Sometimes he held the section up for a long time. Poor Johnny.

So this is what I'm saying; I like not being relied upon. I like surprising people when I actually do work up to my full potential. I'm not insulted by the shocked look on their faces when I do something utterly fantastic. I am very aware of my "minimum is enough" attitude and its effect on others.

This is a small part of why I don't brag about things. The bigger part is because is because I find those people who boast about every single stupid thing to be very annoying. It is also because what if I'm bragging about my amazing badminton skills and, oh my, the badminton champion of the world just happens to be in the same room as me? And then they challenge me to a game and I am beaten to a pulp in front of everyone because they want to make sure I never feel like I'm good again and also because they are the world champion and I am just a girl from Maryland? Like how embarrassing.

So anyway, that is why I think bragging is dumb. I feel like it's just setting yourself up for a fall. It's like jinxing yourself. Why would you do that? But. I think that writing is an exception to this rule.

With writing, there is no 1-10 scale to grade your amazing-ness. Well, there is in an English classroom, but not in real life. There are so many different styles in which you can write. Each is different and different people like each. Unless it is absolutely the worst thing ever thought of, there will always be someone who likes what you write. So that's perhaps why I've always been drawn to pen and paper. In writing, I can never go wrong.

I love to write and read, and so maybe that's why I am at least a little bit decent at them both. My entire life I have been getting in trouble for staying up too late reading, or running up the library bill because I've checked out too many books for me to handle. I won the writing contest to speak at graduation, and I can read a book really fast?? Haha that sounds so lame. But I can! And who knows when that skill will come in handy.

If you ever come to my house and need to use a bathroom but they are all occupied, chances are you will pee your pants before someone comes out. And no, we do not have digestive problems. It is because we are all bookworms and we keep novels and magazines in the bathrooms, so we get so absorbed in our reading that we forget that there is a world out there full of others with bladders. Why we put that temptation in there is beyond me.

One time, in an effort to lure my family members into more suitable reading areas, I took all the books and newspapers out of the bathrooms and placed them next to comfy chairs and on bookshelves. We were finally about to be normal. Not an hour later, I tried getting into a bathroom, but whoever was in there had holed up for a long time. Finally, forever later, Julie came sheepishly out, trying to hide a book underneath her shirt. Within a week the bathroom had several issues of LDS News, The Friend, five Nancy Drews, Angels and Demons, and so many more. We should just move a bookshelf in already.

So, in conclusion....write! Because you probably are good :) Also, I have no idea where the following list came from, but whatever it's going in here.

I love

the song "I got the magic" by B.O.B.

blueberries

my new phone

my birds, Chloe and Elle

Gina Han

Heather

Julia

Michelle

Arthur

The Book of Mormon

driving

the policeman who didn't pull me over for speeding extremely much today

the new background of my blog

purple

playing my flute

WHAP Survival Guide Part Five

Fun Facts

These are facts that will forever float around my brain. Enjoy!

~ Defenestration of Prague

This was when some Protestants got mad at some Catholics and threw them out a window and they landed in a pile of poop.

~ Japan always imitates. Always. But then they make it better than ever. And for a long time they only let Dutch people trade with them because they didn’t think they were Christian (but they really were).

~ The “Putting-Out” System

This is how families made money back in the day. They got the supplies from a big company and made stools or whatever and then “put them out” and get paid for their work but the company actually would sell it. This is one of Mr. Edlowitz’s favorite things to teach J

~ There was this one leader around WWI, WWII-ish time that had a hearing aid and when he got tired of hearing people try to argue with him he would just take out his hearing aid until they shut up. Hahahaa :)

And that’s the end. I know that if you work hard you will do very well in this class. Always do your homework- it will save your grade. Always stay awake, always smile, always make an effort. Don’t worry, this is a fun class once you get past all the work.

Good luck!

WHAP Survival Guide Part Four

Study Groups

Setting one up, Making it work

I did not participate in a study group this year, but if I had, this is what I would’ve done….

~ Choose smart people, not necessarily your bffs.

We all love our friends, which is why it is sometimes best to not have them in your study group. If you are anything like me at all you will NOT study, you will simply chat and perhaps watch a movie or go on a walk or have a photo shoot at a park or something crazy like that. Just save yourself a grade and go with people who are not compatible with your personality. Actually, that might not be a good idea ‘cause then you’d be fighting all the time. Ok scratch that. Go with who is smart and serious.

~ Meet every couple weeks or so

This way you won’t get tired of each other but you will still be productive.

~ Make t-shirts!

This will boost the morale and make you look cool and super-nerdy. Mr. Edlowitz will be truly touched by it, trustttt me.

~ Use your group’s strengths!

Say Billy’s brain is like a sponge and it absorbs everything he reads and he understands the textbook perfectly and Sally is really good with maps and you are a definition master. Help each other out!

Strategies

Preparing for the AP test

First of all, take a deep breath. This AP test is neither the end nor the beginning of the world. Here are some tips to help get you through it, though…

~ IT IS OKAY TO SKIP SOME MULTIPLE CHOICE

The AP test is scored that if you get a question wrong you get a ¼ point off, whereas if you just skip it, you don’t earn anything but you get nothing taken away. So in the long run, it is better to skip when you know absolutely nothing. However, there a golden number of questions you can skip before it stops benefiting you. I forget what it is, but Mr. Edlowitz will tell you! Try not to skip more than that.

~ DBQs are fun!

Read the historical context they provide you and look for obscure and obvious connections alike between the documents.

~ Other Free-Responses

Know your stuff. If you don’t, fake it.

~ Get a ton of sleep the night before. Don’t try last-minute studying- it won’t work.

~ Bring in…

Peppermint gum (Stride, sweet peppermint)

Mints

Blueberries

Bananas

You will be a genius :)

WHAP Survival Guide Part Three

Drills 101

Follow this and you will never fail.

Drill #

Date

1. Why do I have to write down the question?

Because Mr. Edlowitz says so.

2. When will this help me?

When you take the drill test after your AP tests. In May sometime

And that’s that. Simple, but don’t do it and you will be very upset with yourself.

And seniors! If you are taking this class don’t think you will get out of this. You won’t...trust me.

WHAP Survivial Guide Part Two

How to tame

Your Research Paper

This is seriously a ball to write. Not really. But you can make it a heck of a lot easier for yourself if you follow these simple instructions...

- You have a ton of time to do this sucker, so spread the workload out. Have a goal for each week, and if you meet that goal you get a prize! If not, no punishment necessary. The all-nighter pulled the night before it is due will hurt your feelings enough.

- Get good sources. Actually read the books you’re citing. This will be good in the long-run when your paper is totally knowledgeable-sounding.

- If you do happen to leave it off till the last minute, make sure you have a ton of blueberries, bananas, and hot chocolate close by ‘cause it’s gonna be a long night.

How to read

The textbook at least

~ This book is pretty fabulous. There is a ton a ton of info in here, so get ready to have your brain bombarded with facts that you will forget two seconds later and some bits of precious historical facts that you would love to forget but cannot.

~ To read the textbook, use its website. If you’re having trouble understanding what you’re reading (sometimes it just is too much. I understand), then read the chapter summary on the internet and then brave the actual textbook.

~ This ties in with homework. If you don’t know what in the world the textbook is saying to you or what you should say as an answer to the question, back-track or back-forward (if that makes sense). Back-track is when you go backwards to the last question you answered and figure out where the next answer is based on location. Same for back-forward, except the other way around. Make sense? Now you know what reading the textbook feels like. Mmm….history! Just kidding, it’s not that bad. Sometimes.

~ Read it. I know there are like, four pictures for every billion words but you can do this! If you don’t, it’ll be a lot harder to understand your homework and the class.

~ If all else fails, try your chapter outline. And remember, some people can’t read. You have this whole textbook to read read read all the day long, you lucky duck!

WHAP Survival Guide Part One

What you should expect

The course and the Instructor

- One word that could be used to describe Mr. Edlowitz is energetic. Even when he is sick. Another word is hilarious. These two combine into a story about how one time, Mr. Edlowitz was sick but he had to come into school anyway so he pretended to be a substitute teacher and spent the whole class acting clueless.

- Expect a lot of references to The Amazing Race, 30 Rock, and American Idol. If you aren’t a fan, become one. Especially 30 Rock and The Amazing Race.

- Mr. Edlowitz is very nice, so be nice, too.

- The course is definitely an AP course. You will get a ton of work, and you should do it all.

- You will get quizzes after almost every chapter of the outline. Some will be counted, some won’t. You never know.

- You will never get a perfect score on a homework unless it is when he is feeling especially nice and gives you 25/25 because you happened to turn it in. This happens sometimes, but when he actually grades them, you will always always always get less than that 25. Just give up.

- Study definitions! On the tests, you have to define things. Apartheid took place in South Africa and it was when the Europeans were like, we’re so much better than the Africans so we’ll make a set of rules that says so. There go, already got one.

Helpful Hints

How to be successful in World History AP

~ Memorize the Chinese Dynasty Song (Chang Yo Chen Han….something like that)

~ Fill in the outlines.

Seriously like the easiest rule in the book. Mr. Edlowitz is kind of hard to follow at the beginning but don’t worry, you’ll catch on quick J

~ Drills

Here’s the deal…you’re gonna have a drill quiz at the end of the school year. You want to pass it, right? So you can do one of the following;

#1, Be a good little AP student and write down the drills.

#2, Be a slacker AP student and fail the test because your drills are spread out over seven binders and notebooks and, oops! You forgot three of them the day of the test.

#3, Get the drills from your friends the day before. Not the best thing to do because you will be stressed out of your mind.

~ Listen

Mr. Edlowitz likes to say stuff like, “That sounds like a good test question I would study that if I were you.” and those who were listening will know at least one question on the test coming up. Just listen, k?

~ Don’t Sleep

It’s kinda difficult to sleep in this class, because Mr. Edlowitz is just so energetic! But if you haveee to sleep, try not to make it obvious and only once or twice EVER.