Get up.

This spiritual emphasis week was more than just words. Most of the time it doesn't really affect me very much. I take what they say and try to apply it, but I really don't go anywhere with it. This week affected me. Brent was not only straight-forward, but funny. He was different from most of our leaders. I don't know what it was, but it impacted me. Today's subject was about getting up. Are people ready to get up and drop everything to follow Christ wholeheartedly? That's what he focused on. Brent preaches in a interesting way. It's worldly, but Christian at the same time, and I think that's why it appeals to teenagers more. There's not someone up there telling you do this and don't do this or this is bad and that is good. He's not super peppy about God either to where it makes you wonder if the person is being serious or not. Brent's really been in those low places and can really tell about them. That makes it more real and impacting to me. Most teenagers are in an in-between stage. They are stuck between what they want to do and what they need to do. Since Brent's been there, it says more. I am more affected when someone talks about their past and their current life, rather than someone up there reading scripture pausing every now and then for effect expecting teenagers to appreciate what they're saying. Examples and how that scripture applies to when it was written and now coupled with worldly experiences affect me more. All of the past spiritual emphasis weeks, I've felt like it was scheduled for me to grow with God. That's what they're scheduled for I guess, but that doesn't seem like something you can schedule. Last year, when they told us to go pray by ourselves and take this time to be with God, I didn't know what to do. It's like, oh okay it's time to talk to God now. I didn't feel that this week. I felt that I was really learning and taking in things that will help me in my relationship with Jesus. I didn't feel forced to feel anything that wasn't there.

"Pride sullies the noblest character."

In the Shakespearean tragedy play, Julius Caesar, there are many lessons to be learned from having too much pride. Pride is a very dangerous character trait to have. Pride is the reason that Julius Caesar never got to rule. It cost him his very life. He first ignored the soothsayer that told him to beware the Ides of March. Caesar also ignored Artemidorus, who was trying to warn him of the people plotting to kill him. Pride prevented Caesar from paying attention to these warnings and the result of this was death. In real life, pride can cause you to lose friends, get a certain reputation, and many other negative things. 
(The quote used for the title belongs to Claudianus)

Biology Post 9

This biology class is different for me. I've never had to put forth so much effort to do well on tests and quizzes. I still don't do as well as I would like on those, but the bonuses we are given help a lot. For this class I have to study way before the night before the test and really learn the vocabulary. My advice to new freshmen would be to study as much as possible, not just the night before. Know the vocabulary inside and out because you will have to apply it for essay questions. And lastly come in for the reviews as often as possible because they help you out a lot with what's going to be on the test.

Biology Post 8

The first wiki I looked at was about the Puerto Rican Boa. The boa has been going extinct since 1970 because of a popular oil it makes. The oil was mostly used for medical purposes. It is illegal to hunt the snake now, and most people don't, because more advanced medical tools have been invented and the oil is not needed as much. The next one was about Colombian White Tailed Deer. This deer has become very endangered mainly in Florida, due to many of them being hunted by its natural predators and humans. The third wiki I read was about the Mexican Bobcat. The Mexican Bobcat is becoming extinct due to land development and hunting. They are big on the market for their fur and are a threat to farmers. The fourth animal I learned about was the Barbary Serval. Its threats are similar to the Mexican Bobcat's. People hunt them for their skin, farmers are killing them, and some are captured for pet trading. The fifth wiki I read was about Newell's Townsend's Shearwater. This bird is going extinct mainly because of predators.

Biology Post 7

I was very surprised at the population compared to food differences in the different continents. I was most surprised with Asia and North America. Asia had about 9 people representing their population, but had way less food than North America, which had 2 people. I now know how blessed North America is. We need to start sharing the food more within our own country and then to other continents that are less fortunate. We have enough to feed a lot of people and make a huge difference. 

Biology Post 6

Ways to Curb Human Population Growth

• Attempt to have fewer children
• Plan for your family
• Have children when mentally ready

Effects of Over-population

• starvation
• disease
• pollution

A World Made of Hunters and Huntees

I read a short story called, "The Most Dangerous Game", and we were asked a question at the end. "Do you agree that the world is made of hunters and huntees like Rainsford?" I agree, I think the world is somewhat made of hunters and huntees. There is almost always someone that is one step ahead of you. It may be a job, school, or even a sport. It is the individual's decision to decide what they want to be. Though I agree with Rainsford, I don't think the world is as strictly divided as he claims it is. I believe that Rainsford thinks this way because his whole world is hunting. If he were introduced to something else, he might think differently.