My Randomness...

On what level or basis can we measure the unmeasurable? Is that even something worth worrying about? If we could measure everything, the world would either be plain, or in ruins. Because if everything could be measured, everybody would have the same amount of everything, making the world very plain. On the other hand, if everything could be measured, everyone would fight about why someone else has more of something...on and on. That's why there is so much unknown about the world. We have to guess and take chances, that way, we can learn and progress forward. To believe that the world should be plain is unthinkable: no cultural difference, no celebrations, and no differentiations. On the other hand, that could be the key to world peace... But is that trade-off worth it? Is it worth leaving behind your culture? Your history? And even though many people would want to leave it, all they'd do is trade it for a "better" one. And that's where fighting begins: the thought of something being better than something else.

My Fuel for Thought

As you can imagine, our school is aimed at giving back to the public. Part of that giving back is educating us in what we can do to either help or prevent bad things from happening. Well, in one of my classes, we started going over the use of fuel. We were then assigned to research about oil spills. Everyone has heard of the tragedy of the Exxon Valdez, but what has been done to prevent incidents like the Valdez's case from ever happening again? It turns out that there have been MANY more oil spills that have occurred after the Exxon Valdez crash of the coast of Alaska.

To enlighten you on the Valdez's crash, it occurred off the coast of Alaska near Port William Sound. What really caused the crash you may ask? Well, I'll counter that question with another question, What are sailors notorious for? Drinking. And drinking the captain was. In fact, he was so busy getting drunk, when he put the auto-pilot on, he didn't realize that there was a slight error in the navigation that he had given. Of course, there was someone watching right? WRONG! The watchman joined the captain for a couple (or probably a lot) of beers. The Exxon Valdez was going at a speed fast enough to put the entire ship on top of the reef. As a result, almost all of the crude oil that the ship was carrying bled into the ocean, causing massive environmental and ecological damage.

However, a very recent crash has occurred of the Guilmaras Islands (near the Philippines). Although not as much oil spill out of the tanker Solar 1 as the Exxon Valdez, the oil has spread as much as 20 nautical miles, causing 200 of miles of beach sand to become blackened by the industrial oil. Plus, it is also a threat to the economy of the Islands, as well as the Island's environment. If the mangrove trees die, there will be nothing to stop mud from reaching the ocean when the rainy season comes. Then, the coral reefs will die, killing many of the fish. The fisherman depend on the healthy reef for food and money. Everything is being done the communities on Guilmaras Islands and the parent company of the tanker Petron. The company is "doing everything humanly possible to help."

To see other oil spills and their effects, click here.

So now you might be asking "Why do oil spills still occur? Didn't we learn anything from the Exxon Valdez?" Yes we did. Now, all tankers are reinforced with a stronger and more durable hull...not to mention that there's now two instead of one. There are also harsher punishments for violations of safety rules. All is being done to prevent another disaster like the Valdez from happening again, the question is "What are you doing?"

My Laboratory Comparisons

I received this information in a lab experiment that we performed. These comparisons are interesting, and however irrelevant it may be to anything, it just makes you think about how big or small everything seems to be. Just keep reading and you'll see what I'm talking about.

One part per million is one second in 12 days of your life.
One part per billion is one second in 32 years of your life.

One part per million is one pinch of salt in 20 pounds of potato chips.
One part per billion is one pinch of salt in 10 tons (20,000 lbs) of potato chips.

One part per million is one inch of 16 miles.
One part per billion is one inch in 16,000 miles.
One part per TRILLION is one step on a journey to the sun!

Imagine the comparisons in retrospect to the universe or other things... They can be real eye openers.

My Affairs on the Internal

Would you want to spend your entire life helping people? Slowly turning the world into a better place one life at a time. In turn, your life would become a living hell because you wouldn't be able to turn to anyone; they turn to you. Would a life of self-sacrifice for the better good be a worth-while life?

The reason why I bring up this question is because of a person I know. Everyone goes to this person for help, and in return they receive none. I don't know if it's blown out of proportion or not, but hearing this person explain how they feel - it just seems...intolerable.

I just hate to see people sad or angry, and I always try to get them in a better mood. In a broader spectrum, let's just say I like to help people. The problem is, I admit that I am not the best person to turn to, but should the occasion arise, I take it with full stride. However, to have people turn to you on instinct has always been an "attribute" that I've wanted to aquire. But after trying to help person-who-always-helps-but-gets-none-in-return, I'm starting to rethink that idea. I admit that there is no better feeling than knowing that you have brightened someone's day. But the sweet aint sweet without the sour.

My POV on High School

I find it funny when the median on a test is at or below 50%. That means that the people who gave you the test were testing you more on what you don't know than what you know. And hey, isn't that High School? We are constantly mountains of new information, making it almost impossible for us to develop a single skill in something. BUT WAIT!!! That's what college is for... Yes, yes. And High School is just the introduction.

So what do we do with the mountains of information? We either use it, or lose it. Many people can't even remember things that they've learned in seventh grade (Home Economics anyone?). But in reality, much of that information we obtain from our teachers won't be used ever again after college. Unless you teach math, when are you ever going to use the quadratic formula? It seems like a waste of time and effort; to learn something, then get tested on it, then let it rot away in the back of your head until you die. However, this is the land of opportunity. There is no reason that no one shouldn't succeed in America.

"What if I failed high school English?"
"You're screwed!"

So much seems to ride on our high school transcript that many people lose sight of what can really be done in America. Look at our ancestors and all of the past immigrants who came here with virtually nothing; they worked countless hours and devoted every waking moment of their lives to ensure that we - the future generation(s) - would have a better life. Most of that came through hard labor. Of course no one wants to do it, but that's what makes the end of the week that much sweeter.

Anything can be done in this country, high school graduate or not. Hell, I know someone who got a 2.0 in high school and didn't even go to college. His parent's aren't the proudest, but when I talked to him he seemed eager to go to work every week. Granted he's not earning a triple digit salary by painting houses, but he thinks that he can go somewhere with what he's doing. And with that attitude, I believe he can.

My Kind of Jogging

Everyone remembers the earthquake that struck us last November. In fact, I'm sure many people remember what they couldn't do - no electricity, and in some cases, no running water. However, that 'sparked' opportunities for many people to actually do things that they haven't done in a while. I actually got to skip out on doing chores and homework. In turn, I actually got active; I went outside for a little jog through the neighborhood.
For those of you who have seen the movie Forrest Gump, you may recall that he went jogging for about 2 - 3 years. And there are three things that jogging does for you:

1) Get the blood pumping and strengthens your heart
2) Gets your mind to keep telling you "Almost there...don't stop now."
and finally,
3) Gives you time to think.

I don't know about you, but whenever I jog, my mind seems to empty out the school related material and all that other junk. After all, running is simple - put one foot in front of the other and don't stop. It's not like other sports where you have to think about where to place your fingers or concentrate on doing something in a specific manner. In turn, this can "free your mind" from various stresses.

You can only do one thing with a free mind, and that's think. Whenever I go running/jogging/etc, I start to think. And it's not something complicated like the meaning of the universe, it's just simple things that pop into my head. For example, that I day I began to think about how much we are reliant on electricity.

If you dont believe me, just go jogging for yourself. Just follow the road and keep putting one foot in fron of the other. Soon enough, you'll start thinking about something. (You might begin thinking that what I said was false, and that you aren't thinking about anything, but in fact you are thinking about something.) Running or jogging also gives you time to reflect on things. Why did I do so bad on that test? or What would've happened if I ask so-and-so out?

You'd be surprised at what simple things do to you.

My POV on Reality TV

Has anyone really looked at what's on the television recently? Saturday morning cartoons seem to have lost their power over kinds these days, but there's something that just grabs people's attention - Reality TV shows. Now, don't get me wrong; some of the reality shows on TV are indeed interesting and captivating. However, many of the shows that fall in this genre are (in my opinion) generally stereotyped in a category that shouts "stupid."
Take for example ABC's 'Extreme Makeover.' For those of you unfamiliar with this show, a plastic surgeon (along with a hair stylist, fashion expert, and personal trainer) changes men's and women's lives by giving them {ultimately} a new body. Whilesome critics thought that turning plastic surgery into a TV show was the most unethical thing a broadcasting company could do, many people tuned into watch anyway. Viewers watched as an individual's life changed from (generally) poor to good, all from a makeover. Many people were unconfident with their bodies, or complained that they couldn't interact with people because of their [natural] looks. Some people suffered prejudice, and others just plain old bad luck. The result of each patient involves a message being sent out to the viewers (which I will let you decide for yourself). But believe me, the results are actually amazing; take a look for yourself.
You may be thinking to yourself, wow...that sounds familiar. That's because 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' is the more successful and more recognized show from the same producers and company.

Another reality show that I stereotyped was VH1's 'The (White) Rapper Show.' Aside from being ridiculously addicting, this show actaully holds some value for every viewer. While everyone tunes in to see if white people can really rap, the show does more than prove that anyone can rap if they try hard enough. However, this show does more than entertain, it actually educates. Don't believe me? Well, the show is designed to educate viewers about the culture of hip-hop - how it was formed, how it has changed, how it has been turned into the empire it is now, and how it influences people.
Without a doubt, there are some really ridiculous shows out there. (I'm not pointing any fingers but, Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader is a strong competitor.) But what may seem like something stupid might actually turn out to be something worth watching.

My POV on Stupid people

Not a few nights ago did someone drive a car into a tree, killing a young woman in the process. What amazes me is that I constantly drive along that road (which is a couple of blocks from my house) and everyone (yes including myself) seems to speed. While I maybe going 35 in a 25 mph zone, this guy was zooming. I'm guessing he was going around 70 or 80 because it is very hard to lose traction on a road like that. What amazes me more is that the driver at fault NEVER DIES. It always ends up being a passenger (in this case), or a pedestrian. And yet at the same time, this doesn't seem to surprise me, just anger me. Who knows?... Maybe someone kept them on Earth to deal punishment?

People say good things happen to good people. People say bad things happen to people who are careless. Then reality comes in and says "Bad things happen to good people." Synonomous with reality would be unfairness.

My Recollection

Five years ago, I remember my dad driving me to a local Salvation Army store. He drove our Jeep into the back lot, put it in Park, and got out. He opened the trunk and began talking with another man in the back lot.
"What are you donating?" he asked.
"Clothes," replied my dad. "Mainly children's though."
"Alright, bring the bags here."
As he unloaded the big, black trash bags stuffed with clothes from the Jeep, I remember noticing an old tricycle leaned up against the painted brick wall. The handles were worn out, the metal frame covered in brown rust, and the tires deflated. The man noticed my inquisitive stare.
"Someone threw that back here last night. Such a shame. It can be repaired, but some people just throw things away without a second thought."
"But it's rusty...and the tires have holes in them." I thought he was just joking around.
"I can buy rust remover, a pair of new tires and handlebars for less than you think." he retorted. "Look here son, this bike can still be used. The fellow who threw the bike over the fence thought that it was trash. But as they say, 'One mans trash, another mans treasure.'"
I think I began to understand him.
"This bike can bring a smile to some child's face. You should consider yourself fortunate. Never forget that there is always someone worse off than you, and it's your job to try and help them."
After my dad filled out the last of the papers, he got in the Jeep and began to leave. As he pulled out onto the main street, I glanced inside of the sotre and saw a small child with their mother. The child was pointing at a small pair of shoes resting on a table. It never really occured to me until that point that not all people have jobs or homes or even clothes.

happeh chinee new yeer

Gong Xi Fa Cai
Yes, you can say "Kung Hee Fat Choy", but it's basically the same thing...

And now onto what this blog is for...

Well, we're about half way through our four day weekend, trying to recover from a very tumultuous week. Since school is the source of all this trouble, anything NOT having to deal with it seems to be an escape route. Ironically, a test at 7:30, a project due at 12:30, and practice after school doesn't help my point. However, as much as possible, I (and many other people I'm sure) try my best to drift off into my own little space where there is no tragedy to be found. Listening to music, playing some drums, heck...even shooting something (not someone) might do some good. But the scar never trully heals... It is that little note etched into the back of our minds that can't be erased or pened away. Only to be lost, and found time to time again.

Funny first thought

I just realized that many people could do this in school...legally speaking. Rather than MySpace, people could just waste their time (productively) posting...or blogging...whatever. Sounds fun though...