February 2011 staff blog entries

February 1, 2011

28 February 2011

Jason Lee

As I write this staff blog, I am also listening to the Lasers album, eating a medium cooked steak, scrolling down Facebook, chatting with friends on AIM, and doing AP Biology notes. I have heard many adults call us the “multi-tasking generation.” I couldn’t agree more. I look back into the past and have something to do, I always seem to be doing more than one task at a time. In many ways, multi-tasking is such a useful skill to have, but I am always coming across people, mostly adults, who look down on me for doing so.

I do not necessarily see multi-tasking as a completely positive thing to do, but who doesn’t like completing multiple homework assignments at the same time? Or listening to music while conversing with friends online? Some of the things I hear are that an important task should be given 100% attention, multi-tasking is not efficient and you lose focus on your main task. Sure, it is easy to lose focus when you’re on Facebook and writing an essay, but does it lessen the quality of the finished essay substantially if you had not been online?

Maybe it is because us teenagers want to do so much in a short amount of time. Also, I would much rather sacrifice time to spend with a friend than to study for a test or do homework, but it is beneficial to me when I do both at the same time. I do not seem to lose much time (or sleep), so why not?

But, I might be overevaluating everything and just rambling on. Simply, sticking to just one thing is boring. Doing homework without music, texting, or computer, is the most boring thing to do at home. And again, I love when I complete multiple assignments in one sitting (notes and blog).

24 February 2011

Osika Tripathi

So, today was the Multi-cultural assembly and there was a lot of screaming and colorful dancing and clothing. But one thing that put me off was the circle of American flag at the end of the assembly. No, I do not hate America nor do I have anything against this nation but I was under the impression that this week was MULTI-CULTURAL week; I had thought that this week we were supposed to celebrate our different cultures, traditions, and ethnicity, that we were suppose to acknowledge our differences and come together to share our different beliefs. But this idea was quickly dashed when the the legions of American flags showed up. Have you heard about the U.S. being the melting pot? Well, it’s the idea that describes the assimilation of immigrants into U.S.A. It says that the heterogeneous society made up by the different cultures becomes more homogeneous as the differences “melt” together to form one common culture. I, for one, do not want that to happen. I am proud of my culture and fiercely proud of my background. I want to keep my culture and be able to accept people for their culture. And I can say I have been doing a good job so far. But the multi-cultural assembly brought out a fear in me? Is the “melting pot” slowly being churned so we lose who we are in the crowd of other people who are just as lost?

17 February 2011

Abhay Mahajan

Second semester can mean a variety of things for the students here at Washington High. For some students, it signals that summer break is approaching soon, and for others, it may mean that they have to put forth their best effort to maintain their grades. However, for most seniors, second semester represents the short time period leading up to graduation, and soon going off into the real world. During their last few months at school, most seniors contract “Senioritis”, a condition in which they do not feel motivated to do any work or attend school; kinds just want to relax and get out of school as fast as possible. I ‘ve suffered from senioritis since the first semester, and it has hindered my desire to complete any work whatsoever.  Being accepted into college has made it even worse for me, because nowadays, I just try to keep my grades high enough to not get rescinded. I have seen some of my friends from past years with very good grades succumb to senioritis, and get rescinded from colleges such as UCI and UCLA. With my high school career coming to an end, I hope to enjoy the remaining time I have left. The experiences I have had here will serve me later, when I make my way through college.

15 February 2011

Janel Quoc

Today I’m coming off the excitement of Valentine’s and a show I went to in San Francisco on Sunday night.  But sitting here, I’m feeling melancholy and wondering why so many other kids can’t seem to have fun sober.  I feel like a minority being straightedge, but I know of a few other kids at Washington and a ton more everywhere else.  Why is it so unappealing to this generation to not drink?  To not smoke?  To not pop pills or shoot up?

Maybe it’s just the all the crazy stuff I saw happen to my childhood bestfriend.  The funny part is, the first thing she said to me when she got back from some sort of rehab, was that she hoped what she went through would affect others and drive them away from getting high and wasted.  I laughed at her.  It never matters how many people ruin their lives with addiction, or how many people die from alcohol-related accidents.  It’s human nature to want to prove others wrong; no matter how many tragic examples surface, everyone wants to go against what has been proven true.  My friend didn’t stop, and she got addicted to everything.  She started at age 9.  And until now, she kept singing the words “I’m not that bad.  I can stop whenever I want.  I’m trying this just this once.  I’m not addicted”, but she still doesn’t know what it means.  What makes you think you’re any different?

11 February 2011

Kristina Becker

Looking out my window I can see the sun shining through the fluffy white clouds, but looking inside my house I see my brother playing video games in his room and my parents eyes glued to the TV as they root for the Packers. It’s 70 degrees outside and they are just sitting there! I get the Superbowl is a big thing…and yes, video games are fun. But why sit there wasting your day away when you could be outside? Rushing over to my closet I grabbed some old tennis shoes, threw on my most comfortable clothes, took my keys and ran out the door, hopped in my truck and drove to my friend’s house. Today we were going hiking! Probably the best choice I made that weekend (this weekend too, actually).

My friend and I drove to Little Yosemite, which is right out Niles Canyon. It is amazing! There’s no trash, no outlets, no TV, Call of Duty, or anything like that! Its a break away from today’s young, lazy culture. That day I walked through the grass and climbed on top of rocks. I used to do these kinds of things all the time. What has today’s society come to when our first idea to do on a Saturday morning is eat and watch TV. We sit and live our lives in a house full of amazing technology when we would be outside where the most beautiful things are not man made…

9 February 2011

Billal Nawabi

I was in one of my classes but I can’t remember which one when one of my teachers came up with a brilliant idea. The topic of state debt came up and my teacher said that if we charged one extra dollar at every home game our state hosts, we would cure ourselves of the billions of dollars our state is in debt of. I know it sounds a bit crazy, but it made sense to me. Just charging one extra dollar at every home game for admission would bring in tons of money. I don’t think people would even realize that their admission was one dollar more expensive.

Think about it, there are tons of sports teams in the state. The Padres, the Angels, Dodgers,  A’s, Giant’s, Raiders, Chargers, 49ers, Warriors, Clippers, Lakers, Kings, Sharks, and the Mighty Ducks. The state of California has more than ten teams and if they each charged at least one more dollar at every home game they host then the state of California would be out of debt and in no time they would be swimming in money, literally. So I leave you with this question, would it work?

7 February 2011

Sarah Pham

Some people view Sadies as “just another dance” but the way I view it is an opportunity for girls to show off their creative side. It has become a tradition for boys to ask girls to dances i.e Junior Prom, Winter Ball, and Senior ball. This is the one dance where girls get the chance to make boys anticipate an ask. Since girls rarely receive this opportunity why not take advantage of it? A simple poster is no longer the cute thing to do. Everything should have a little twist and spark to it. I am no longer impressed by or overwhelmed by the initial “shock” of seeing baked goods on a person’s desk or a giant banner stretching across the lockers. Where is the creativity in asking a person if everyone has been there and done that.

A better way to tell someone you truly appreciate them is by making an ask personal. Whether it is bringing someone their favorite flavor of ice cream or taking the time to create a video; the thought is what makes an ask special. The concept of getting creative should be more thought provoking that way Sadies is not just another dance. It should be a way for girls to show who’s best and most creative.

3 February 2011

Ninon Becquart

Recently, Walmart came out with their new ‘geoGirl’ cosmetics line; a new line of all natural products. Sounds pretty good, right? But get this- the line is aimed at 8 to 12 year old girls. While it’s cute when little girls imitate their moms by trying on make-up, I find creating make-up especially for kids ridiculous. Why does an eight year old need make-up? Little girls are already beautiful- after all, their skin is clear and soft, their cheeks flushed and perfectly pink. Everything about them is fresh and adorable! What’s even worse is that the cosmetic line puts a strong emphasis on the fact that their products are anti-aging. Anti-aging?! It’s not like these kids have any wrinkles to worry about. Young girls should be taught that they look beautiful without make-up, and that they do not have to look old in order to feel mature. Children applying mineral blush with the name “QTPi” or liquid to powder shadow called “iCU” (Cutiepie and I see you) on their flawless skin only makes me cringe. Sure, it prevents aging. It probably prevents everything else that comes along with aging, too- learning to love yourself for who you are, and paying attention to more meaningful things in life other than lip shimmer.

1 February 2011

Cheryl Lee

A few of my friends volunteer at Washington Hospital, and a few others volunteer at other common places, and then some are on ASB, which provides many volunteering opportunities.  But every time I see them talking about their volunteering experiences, I want to ask, “Why are you doing this?  Why aren’t you reflecting the things you’ve learned while volunteering in your schoolwork and morals?”  Perhaps I’m just thick-headed.  Maybe they really do care, and maybe they really do reflect the things they’ve learned, and maybe I’m just too quick to judge.

I’ve been volunteering at the same library since the eighth grade by tutoring elementary school students and reading storybooks to preschoolers, and I feel that these experiences have helped me become who I am and determine my interests.  Volunteering has taught me to be patient, to be responsible, to have people feel happy that you’re around.  I’ve been able to develop my own insights as to how to keep children engaged and focused, how to convince children that reading is something that they should love to do, rather than something people tell them they have to do.  More recently, I’ve been promoted to a higher position on the teen volunteer team, so to speak, where I have to manage volunteers, children, and parents.  I’ve been able to learn how to quickly and efficiently bring in substitutes and manage my time well if my resources run out.  By calling parents for unexcused absences, I’ve become more confident with talking to people I don’t know, which, ever since I was little, was one of my hardest obstacles to overcome.  Most importantly, I’ve been able to sort out what really matters to me.  I know now that I don’t want to be a doctor, or a lawyer, or a research scientist.  I’ve kept with volunteering at the library because I’ve kept in mind what I want to study in the future.

In short, I think that volunteering should be one of the most beneficial experiences a high school student receive because it completely depends on the student’s dedication and heart.  We’re not thinking of the money that comes with it because there is none.  We shouldn’t be only thinking about the fact that we need hours to graduate or that they look good on applications, because volunteering should be so much more than that.  Volunteering is something you should do because you want to help, because you want to learn, and especially because you care.

Tags: february, staff blog

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