Finals are next week. None of them really matter for me but I have a definite B. It's ironic because my teacher said no one test should determine your grade so the final is only 10% but a test before that did determine my grade. I hate it. It's really dumb that I'm getting a b just because I messed up once.

I had my second day of work today. I really need to be able to sweep and mop faster. I get out really late because of that and it would be really nice if I could do it all faster. Also my bike tire fell off which sucked so it took me way longer to get home.

This was a stressful week. I started working at Rosangelas this week on Thursday. I also had to prepare for my sisters graduation from Princeton. Thinking about the weekend and missing school stressed me out because I didn't know if I could make everything up. I still don't. I also didn't get tot do this blog because I was on a farm all weekend with no wifi. I hope I can still maintain my grades because of this weekend.

We came in 2nd for city. That sucked. I hate losing. I do t tho k I've ever come in first for something. I've gone undefeated so many times but never won a championship. I really want to win one.

We are in the playoffs fro volleyball. The junior varsity team is undefeated and we have a really good chance at winning city. We have beat our top competitors and just need to keep it up now. We are in the semifinals now and either face lane or Westinghouse. We probably are going to face Lane. We just need to keep our stuff together and pull through.

I had the AP test for US history this week. It was actually pretty easy. The only thing I messed up on I but was the DBQ. I hate dbqs. The leq and the short answers went pretty well though. Now Apush is going to be super relaxed. Very little stress which is going to be really nice.

I need to remember to do these things. This week was a bit weird since my apush teacher was in Alaska. For some reason I'm not to stressed about AP testing yet and I've only studied a little bit. I just want to get this test over with.

Week 30

Spring break was this past week. It was really nice to relax for once but now school has started again. I also volleyball tournament which we lost but we should have won or at least come close. I think that's really dumb. We were just to used to winning so we thought we'd an no matter what and we lost because of it.

Arthur Albarran

4/13/16

Period 4

Stuart Wallace Regret

As the bus tumbled down the hill Stuart could only think of one thing; how could he have ditched his aunt's funeral? It took over every corner of his mind as if his entire being centered around that one thought. Never had he regretted a decision so much in his  entire life. Even as he tumbled towards impending doom Stuart did not think of himself, he thought of his poor aunt and how she would have felt if she knew he didn’t appear at her funeral. As the regret assaulted Stuart’s conscience he began to replay the entirety of yesterday in his head…

Stuart had woken up the same as he had any day, his alarm blaring in his ear to ensure that he got up in time for school. Today was one of his grumpier mornings as he had stayed up late last doing the tons of homework he had recieved. Stuart was getting tired of school and of doing work in general. He had been overloaded with homework the night before and all he wanted to do was sit back and relax, but he had to go to school and then finish his work afterwards. Stuart was irritated even further when he went all the way down stairs only to find the shower already taken by his brother, Wally.

“Would you hurry up” Stuart shouted as he pounded on the door, “Why are you even up so early anyway? You’re on break for college.” Wally opened up the door a few minutes later and asked concernedly:

“What’s wrong with you? Something up?”

“No. Just leave me alone I'm going to be late hurry up.”

“Ok.Ok. Just chill out no reason to be so uptight.”

School went by excruciatingly slow for Stuart. Usually he payed attention in class and participated, but today he could only focus on the clock and the work he had to do at home.  All he wanted to do was go home and get this nightmare week over with and then possibly take a nap or read a good book. He couldn’t wait for the next day. He could turn in all his work and then go on the field trip he had been looking forward to all week. Finally the final bell rang. Stuart was released from the cruel prison of school and allowed to go home and relieve his stress by actually doing something productive. As he burst through his front door ready to get right to work his mother shouted

“Oh good you’re home. We need to get to Aunt Maggie’s funeral.”

Stuart let out a groan as all his hopes and expectations for a nap were shattered. All of his stress had caused him to forget about his Aunt Maggie’s funeral! As he came to this realization all Stuart could think about was how to avoid going to that funeral. There was no way he could handle a bunch of depressed people and he barely knew all in one room while he still had heaps of work to do. Stuart snuck out of the house without responding hoping his mother would only think it was her imagination. As he considered his options he decided to fake being sick. He knew that his mother would never buy a fake cold unless he actually threw up. Usually Stuart would never stoop to such desperate measures, but he was desperate. He stuck his finger down his throat forcing himself to throw up. He then entered his house and put on an act.

“Mom. I’m sick. I just threw up.”

“Oh no honey! How sick are you? Can you make it to the funeral?

“I’m not sure I feel really crappy.”

“Well just lay down and see if you feel better soon.”

As soon as his mother turned away Stuart did it again. Sparing no shame he vomited all over the floor. He had to sell it or he would be doomed.

“Oh Stuart! Couldn’t you have just held off for a bit. I guess you can’t go. Can you take care of yourself?”

“Ya Mom. I’ll be fine you go without me. I’m really sorry.”

“Ok. I’ll see you later then. Get better soon.”

Stuart held off a bit before he got up to do his work. He had to be sure his mother and brother were gone or else everything would be ruined. As soon as he was sure Stuart sprang up from the couch and got to work on his homework elated that he was able to pull that off and get to work.

This week was bitter sweet. I had half days pretty much all week except for Thursday and I had Friday off. That was the sweet part if you couldn't tell. The bitter part was volleyball. I played for varsity at a tournament this weekend, but it did not go to well. We lost every game even though we should have won some of them. I hope i can do better the next chance we get so that we win.

Week 27

I forgot to do my blog last week. That's screwed up my grade in this class. I hope I can get partial credit for it this week so that my grade isn't so low. I also have a Bin trig which is terrible. I feel like it's affecting my other grades because I'm so worried about my grade in that one class.

Week 26

I had my first full week of volleyball practice this week. That was fun. I actually enjoy practice unlike some people who think it takes up too much time. The only thing I don't like about practice is the warm up. Also I don't like having to sub out. I know that has to happen but I wish it didn't. I still need to program but I'm not exactly sure what classes I'm going to take. I need to see my 4 year plan again.

Week 25

This week was really short for me. I didn't get back to school until Thursday because of the band trip to New York. That was really fun except it was also really tiring and I had no time to do any homework. I can't wait to go again senior year, but going somewhere else would be cool too.

Dialogue 2

“Hey, Molly. How did that SAT go?” Stuart asked curiously.

“Really well actually. I finished the whole thing and I think I aced it.” Molly said proudly.

“That’s great! Then you have a great chance to go into any college you want.”

“I know I’m really excited. A good SAT means everything.” Molly said enthusiastically.

“Well, not necessarily everything. Grades and out of school activities matter too.” Stuart replied.

“What are you talking about? If I’m smart enough I can get into any college I want.”

“Not necessarily. Colleges like to see a well rounded person who works hard. Not just someone who is naturally gifted.”

“Shoot. I blew off all my classes since I thought it didn't matter.”

“Well you work harder these next few years then so that you have a better chance with a good college.”

“Man I really regret not working hard now. I’m going to have to work twice as hard to get into a good college.”

“That does stink, but you gotta do what you gotta do.”

“I guess I’ll start by doing this dialogue paper for English.”

“That sounds like a good idea. It will also help to participate in extracurricular activities to boost your applications.

“Wow. I really did screw up not taking anything seriously. I just hope I can fix this mess I put myself in in the next few years.”

“I think you can just work hard and don’t give up.”

Week 23

This week was pretty boring until this weekend. My family and I went to see my dad's friend's family. It was super fun their family is super cool. It made me miss my siblings who are all in college. It's really boring at home without my brothers and sisters.

Transcendentalism Final Project

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1vKOrxdUgpDzNi203QydXCgJ9mmbTALLtC3e5eFGjuOk

Week 22

     This week was really easy. Without volleyball practice I have so much more time after school. I still procrastinate though, just like I am now with my photo essay. It's not due until Friday, but I still feel like I should start. I tried the extra credit challenge and I lasted about 6-7 hours. I had to stop though because I had to do homework that is due tomorrow, not Friday.

Dialogue

Sibling Rivalry

“Hey, Stuart,” Mikey said. “Did you do what I asked?”

“What do you mean?” Stuart asked confused

“Oh don’t play stupid with me, you know I asked you to vacuum for the party.”

“No, I’m pretty sure you never asked me to. You never told me anything and didn’t Mom tell you to do that anyway, not me?”

“Stop trying to shift your responsibilities onto me. Just because I’m your older brother doesn’t mean I have to do everything around here.” Mikey said,.

Stuart replied outraged, “What are you talking about? I never shift any responsibilities onto you, if anything you shift them onto me just like you’re trying to do now. I’m tired of you acting like my boss.”

“Well I basically am your boss, Mom and Dad put me in charge so you have to listen to me. Now go vacuum.

“No. I won’t do it. I’m done taking orders from you. I’ll do what Mom and Dad asked me to do and nothing more.”

“Mom will hear about this and boy will you be in trouble. I hope being lazy is worth it.”

“Ya we’ll see about that once she hears what I have to say she’ll know who the real culprit is.

Mikey replied with spittle flying, FINE. I’ll just vacuum myself you little brat.”

Stuart replied victoriously, “Wow. You act like a five year old when you lose.”

“Hmph”. replied Mikey. “I’ll get you back.”

Week 21

     This week was fairly bormal except this weekend was amazing. I went to St. Louis with my volleyball team and it was super fun. We didn't do as well as we should have, but we still had an awesome time. I can't wait for volleyball next year. These next few weeks of no volleyball are not going to be fun.

Week 20

Finals are over. I stressed out about them way too much. I had nothing to worry about when I took them since my grades were so high and I still did really well on them all even though I didn't need to. I actually kind of enjoy finals. The schedule is super nice since we get out so much earlier.

The Crucible Tweets

The Crucible

Tweets

Characters:

John Proctor: @johnnyboi

Abigail Williams: @abi

Reverend Parris: @revvv

Elizabeth Proctor: @Eliza

John Hale: @JH

Rebecca Nurse: @Nurse

Francis Nurse: @Nurse2

Governor Danforth: @TheJudge

Giles Corey: @Giles

Tituba: @LoudTuba

Mary Warren: @underappreciated

Putnams: @Putmen

Towns Marshall @brothersinlaw

Act I

1. @Revvv: oh no betty is so sick it looks unnatural did this have to do with your dancing???@abi
2. @abi: nah we were just dancing nothing to do with us hope she gets better#feelinlit
3. @Revvv: you have better not! this is my job on the line
4. @Putmen: Ruth is also sick  this must be witchcraft, killed my other children too
5. @underapreciated: @abi we must tell them we were just dancing and we had nothing to do with it
6. @JH: looks as if betty is in the Devil’s grasp, @LoudTuba did you do this i can cleanse you just tell me who else was with the devil
7. @LoudTuba: YASSS I did it but i saw George Jacobs Goodie Howe Goodie Sibberd and others with him

Act II

8. @johnnyboi having dinner with the bae when @underappreciated come in and starts talking about the witch trials #spooky
9. @johnnyboi people are so cray cray and the accusations are a sham #liars
10. @underappreciated your name was mentioned @eliza in the court but I defend your butt @abi just wants to get at your man
11. @Jh so you guys Christians, right? @johnnyboi @eliza so you would mind me asking if you know your commandments?
12. @Jh everyone already confessed cuz of they don't they'll get hanged #lol #Yolo
13. @brothersinlaw We be taking your wife now, cuz she’s a witch
14. @johnyboi: @underappreciated you better tell them that it was your fault or i’ll whip you

Act III

15. @Giles: @TheJudge our wives are innocent and i have evidence!!! there is no witchcraft!!!
16. @TheJudge: do you dare impose upon this court i am an influential judge
17. @johnnyboi: @TheJudge we would just like to show you the truth @underappreciated tell the judge about Abigail’s lies
18. @Revvv: These people are lying they wish only to disrupt the court!! they are not holy!!!
19. @underappreciated: ahhh my spirit it is controlled by @johnnyboi help me!!! help me!!!!
20. @TheJudge: Arrest them all!!! they are all in league with the devil

Act IV

21. @JH: so...can we like free the prisoners because they are obviously are never going to confess @TheJudge #blessup #letsbereal
22. @Eliza: @johnnyboi I’m warning you, over 100 people have confessed to witchcraft, make your move!! Either confess or do not
23. @johnnyboi: @TheJudge I am confessing to #witchcraft
24. @johnnyboi: I am going to renounce my confession @TheJudge and now I am omw to the gallows….
25. @JHi: Well I guess everyone is moved on. @revvv said “gotta blast” and leaves Salem after being put out of office, @abi I guess is now a prostitute #downgrade and @Eliza remarried after @johnnyboi was executed

Week 19

Well it's almost finals week. I'm not stressed yet although I know I will be. I studied a bit for all my classes and I'm pretty confident although I know on testing day I will still be nervous no matter what. APUSH is my biggest worry since I have the lowest grade of all my classes in that class. I just need to do really well on it. I'm glad it's all multiple choice.

I commented on Kacper's blog.

Week 18

This week went by fairly quickly. I was really glad to be able to actually relax this weekend. I didn't have any volleyball and it was even cancelled on Thursday so I had time to myself. I can't wait for school volleyball to start it will be way less time consuming but I'll spend more time playing.

Week 17

This week went by fairly fast until the weekend. I had a three day weekend but I was so busy it felt like a one day weekend. I had a three day volleyball tournament at the McCormick place and I probably spent about 24 hours there over the course of 3 days. I can't wait for next weekend when I can actually relax and not play volleyball nonstop.

Week 16

I already miss break. This was my first week back in school after two weeks of no school. It wasn't that bad except I had four quizzes on Friday which was stressful. I have good grades right now though so I just need to keep them up until finals. I hope I can get straight As.


I left a comment on Kacper Malinowski's blog.

The Red Scare

                                                                                                                                                  1/6/16
                                                                The Red Scare
    During the 1940s and 1950s the United States of America was actively engaged in a political and economic war with the communist Soviet Union known as the Cold War. Americans became fearful of Soviet spies trying to gain an advantage in the war for the Soviet Union by infiltrating the American populace. The Soviet Union was communist, so it was assumed that all communists sympathized with the Soviet Union and were potential spies and wanted to make America  a communist nation. Communist power over seas increased with the rise of a communist China and scientific breakthroughs in the Soviet Union. This rise in power resulted in fear that the U.S  would become a communist country. These fears resulted in what was to be known as the Red Scare.
During the Red Scare a severe distrust of immigrants from communist countries developed in the U.S. Immigrants were the primary targets of communist accusations. The Red Scare was further propelled by people such as Joseph McCarthy who fanned the flames by over-exaggerating the possibility of a communist takeover. Joseph McCarthy used the Red Scare to gain political power and influence by accusing anyone who opposed his ideas of being communist.  Ordinary people and persons of political power began to be accused of being communist by other Americans. The accused were often alienated from their normal lives when they were fired from their jobs and/or hounded by law enforcement. More often than not, the accused were often innocent and even those who were communist deserved no punishment for their beliefs.
The Red Scare finally came to an end during the late 1950s when Americans finally realized that a communist takeover was highly unlikely. Although the Red Scare did come to an end it still left a mark. Many innocent people’s lives had been disrupted after being accused of being affiliated with communism. American politics was also changed in that it would always use the Red Scare as an example as to why Americans cannot let fear cloud their judgement.

   

Week 15

It's 2016. I really enjoyed these past two weeks. I had time to relax and not stresss out about school. I also had very little homework which was really nice. I wish had more winter breaks. Now I just need to keep my grades up for finals.