Recipe For Me

Sugar Cookies

1 cup of butter

3/4 cup sugar

1 egg

2 tbsp milk

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

3 cup flour

1 tsp baking powder

Preheat oven to 350˚. Stir flour and baking powder together. Cream together butter and sugar. Stir in egg, milk, and vanilla. Blend in dry ingredients. Chill for about 1 hour. Roll out on flour surface and cut in desired shapes. Place on ungreased baking sheets. Sprinkle with colored sugars or cake decorations. Bake for 5 to 8 minutes or until golden brown.

The sound of the mixer, sprinkles spilled over the  counter, and flour covers our aprons. It’s just another day spent at my grandma’s house baking our favorite treat-sugar cookies. From christmas trees to heart shaped, we baked cookies for every occasion and no occasion at all. As I think back to my childhood, I have vivd images of the beige walls, tiled counters, and bunny knick-knacks of the 60’s styled kitchen that I have so many fond memories of. Remembering the simple days when my sisters and I had no worries and little responsibilities, I realize how much I treasure those days. This recipe will always remind me of the all the days I spent at my grandma’s and the memories created there. As my sisters and I grow up and go our separate ways, we will always have those long afternoons in the kitchen to remind us of our loving, wonderful grandmother and our sisterhood that could never be destroyed.

Research Project (Alireza Behbahani)

"So Simon, how do you think the novel, The Shipping News, has literary merit?"

As our group (Sasan, Simon, Cameron and I) continued planning our video by taking deep analytical notes. The idea of writing a traditional essay always crossed my mind, but I wanted a change. Since change was the theme throughout both the books in the project, I thought it was ironic that change has been the the main theme within my life since I am transforming from a child to an adult . The project started out as an idea to better enhance the knowledge we received from the book. Not everyone had the same outlook on the novel, so different perspectives allowed us to better dissect the novel. The group assignment was a better alternative than a simple written essay or sugar coated graphical online presentation.

Amidst the Chaos and Confusion

We were asked in class to select and respond to a question that would develop our understanding of what it means for a novel to have "literary merit." I chose question five which asked for a quote from a novel that I find beautiful or poignant. In Alice's Adventures in Wonderland I vividly remember Alice's encounter with the caterpillar. This part of the story stayed with me because of the caterpillar's question for Alice: "Who are you?"

As a little girl I would watch the Disney version of Alice in Wonderland over and over again, but I never captured the deeper meaning of the caterpillar's question. Ten years later, as a senior in high school, I finally understand that before Alice could leave Wonderland she had to find who she really was. Amidst all of the chaos and confusion surrounding her, this was a pretty difficult task, but it was these things that encouraged her growth.

Senior year is filled with chaos, confusion, and wonder as we fill out college applications, study to keep up our grades in school, and for some of us, trying to balance a job as well. Ultimately, it is during all of this craziness that we discover who we are as a person and who we want to become.  Writing essay after essay about ourselves and how we relate to the literature we read, I have definitely learn new things about myself.

In my opinion, a novel that has literary merit makes the reader question themselves, their beliefs and understandings. It is after this process that personal development and growth is found. A novel that has literary merit adds substance and positively changes the life of its reader.

-Lauren B.

Philosophy

As we are beginning to talk about different philosophies in class, I have come to realize how values, ethics, and reason can be so different among people. Also, I found that various philosophers have different views on government, social status, as well as the meaning of life.

After taking the philosophy quizzes and everyone discussing their results, I don't think most of us knew what they meant. But do we really know exactly what our values and philosophical beliefs are at this age? We are at the age when we are truly beginning to understand who we are, and going away to college in 6 months may also give a new perspective on life that will change our views. Gaining more independence and freedom will also help figure out what is important and what isn't, such as school, work, or a social life.

Learning different forms of philosophy could be beneficial, because it is opening new ideas that could help determine what we think, whether we agree or disagree with various philosophical ideas.

Senioritis

As teenagers move into second semester, the looming question arises, "Do I really have to do that? My dream college admitted me and I don't care about school anymore.."

Sitting through second semester, I have witnessed the work load for English class increase exponentially. Mandatory comments on blogs, a packet with standards, less free time everyday, and a general expectation from the teacher to still give 110% towards the subject of English. I do not believe that studying more poems, reading more books, and finding subliminal meaning within text is going to help me in the future. Instead of reading books assigned to our grade level, I would rather be reading current world articles and learning abilities to help me in the future. Maybe we could incorporate writing resumes, reading contracts, understanding our place in the world within the standards rather than living in the past with literature. I have no motiviation to read about a woman named Tess or even touch a packet with the title "Black Chicago". The only salvation my soul has in that class in the need for a higher grade, but since its second semester, the big question arises, "Who cares?"

"A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life." ~ Charles Darwin

Alireza Behbahani.

Let The Countdown Begin...

In two months, the next four years of my life will be determined. Will I stay in California or go to the East Coast? Will I go to an Ivy League, small liberal arts school, the infamous USC, or my safety, Georgetown? Every time I think about it, I become frantic, but I am so excited to start a new chapter of my life. Presently, I am simply sick of the continuous interviews. I feel like I have talked more about myself in the past couple months than I have in my entire life. However, I am grateful to have met such interesting and supportive people along the way. And the interviews that I have done have felt more like conversations than anything else. After my first interview, I found that it is best to not rehearse a conversation but to act natural, and to not only ask questions about the school but to inquire about the interviewers' personal lives and how the school in question has affected them to the present. And most of all, to remember that though interviews are optional, if one chooses to have an interview, it will affect your decision. So while you shouldn't dwell on it too much, do act professional, confident and prepared!
                                     
                                                                         Heather H.

Senior Year

All throughout high school, I have waited for my senior year. No more worrying about grades, no more giant projects, and no homework to deal with. On top of all the work that I do not have, I get to leave school at 12:20 every day which is very nice. I don't know how in our last year of high school, people are still stressing about getting worked turned in, college apps, and a number of things I have heard people complaining about. I guess I have just been really lucky to get the schedule and easy workload I have right now. Getting out at 12 every day allows me to work more hours and make more money than anyone of my friends that work. I realize that senior year doesn't mean the end of work forever, but it is still nice to finally get a break and be able relax more often instead of wondering whether I was going to do my homework every day. Senior year has definitely been one of the best years of my life and it is going to be great to look back on when I head back to school and start working.