Wednesday, October 7, 2009

My favorite work of Art ~ October 7,2009

My work of art that I think influenced the world the most is The Bodies Exhibit. This work of art contributed the most to America and all across the world too because it has helped develop research on the human body. People from across the world decided to take a stand for human body research and signed their bodies over to researchers when they died. In doing this, the researchers could then dissect the body on their time and develop theories and help solve medical mysteries. Some of these bodies even have diseases like lung cancer or arthritis. With these bodies, we, as the normal population can see the effects of smoking and what the cancer really looks like in our bodies. Also in the exhibit you can see each stage of pregnancy. This is my favorite part of the entire exhibit! For those who believe that the fetus is not a human until it takes its first breath, this part of the exhibit can be a real eye opener. At each week during the pregnancy, the display has a new visual of real fetuses. Also they arrange the bodies in such a way that you can see how the muscles look and the way they work in certain of stages of movement. They can even cut the muscles in half or take a chunk out of it so you can really see the effects of each movement on each part of the muscle. If any other piece of art, this is the most effective work of art because people can actually take something away from seeing this. Medical researchers can discover new ways to heal the body and you can discover more about your body than any other piece of still art.

That's all for now!

~Ali

Blue Words ~ October 5,2009

Oxford Union- the world’s most prestigious debating society
Mr. Stewart- Political Satirist
Mayor Rudy Giuliani- Governor for New York, ran in 2008 for president
Mick Jagger- Famous song writer and musician, sang in Rolling Stones
Deadpan -is a form of humor where the comic tells a joke without a change in emotion or facial expression
Copper bottomed- Reliable, genuine, trust-worthy
Cronkite- Walter Leland Cronkite, Jr. he was most known as the Anchorman for CBS Evening news for 19 years.
Gore Vidal - author, playt writer and polical activist. Outraged many because of his use of unambiguous homosexuals in novels
Jon Stewart-The Daily show Host
Steven Colbert- a Professional Political Satirist. Has a show named The Colbert Report.
Emile Zola-major figure in the political liberalization of France and in the falsely accused
Al Franken- American Politician, ran for senate in 2008 and won. He was also was a well known writer for Saturday Night Live
Swift- Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication: supplies secure messaging services and interface software to wholesale financial entities.
Glibly- Performed with a natural, offhand ease: Characterized by fluency of speech or writing that often suggests insincerity, superficiality, or a lack of concern.
Connoisseur- A person with expert training or knowledge. Especially in the fine arts department.
Swiftian Maxim- relating to Jonathan Swift ,like Swift's writings in tone or outlook; often, specif., sardonic, caustic, pessimistic, etc.
Bernie Goldberg- Emmy Award winner. Writer, correspondent, journalist and commentator. Currently works for Fox news and HBO
Heritage Foundation- A conservative think tank promoting public policy research and analysis based on free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom.
Moveon.org- a way for busy but concerned citizens to find their political voice in a system dominated by big money and big media.

That's all for now!
~Ali

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Telling About the US Today ~September 30, 2009

I believe in God. People in America, when looking for a reason to believe in God just want to see how that relationship will help them benefit personally. Since all they see is Christians having the same kind of life, or sometimes worse life, then they decide that they do not want that relationship with someone who will help them in the future. I think this has a lot to do with today’s society in the United States. In every potential relationship people start, they always determine if the relationship they build with this person would be worth it in the long run or not. For instance, a girl meets a guy in a bar and they start to talk and really get along. They decide to go out to dinner the next night. When it comes time to pay the check, the guy tells the girl that he is currently unemployed and therefore he can not pay for both his and her meal. After an amazing evening of getting along and genuinely enjoying each other’s company, the woman decides she no longer wants to see him. Why would Americans base, what could possibly be the greatest relationship they have had, on how much money a person can put into the relationship? Americans are constantly looking out for the big number one, themselves. If they think that having a relationship with someone would possibly contribute to their life in some way, they are more than open in pursuing the relationship. However if you cannot produce a benefit in their not so distant future, why would they waste their time on you?

That's all for now!

~Ali

Whatever~ September 28, 2009

I read an article about a month ago that suggested that a mixture of honey and cinnamon powder can cure the flu, arthritis, the common cold, heart problems, and stomach ulcers. Each ailment has its own remedy but they all have been proven to improve the symptoms of all these sicknesses. I was interested in this myth because I have stomach and colon ulcers, so in digesting these interesting home remedy, I could be cured. After going on Snopes.com (a very reputable source of information), it told me that they have not performed enough research to create a concrete answer. After finding this out I decided to do my own research.
I have been doing my own experiment for the past month. Mixing a tablespoon of cinnamon powder and a tablespoon of honey in my mint tea every night before I go to bed, I have continued to search for anything that points to any disappointment in this method. However, after extensive (one month) research, I have come to a conclusion that it did not work for my colon ulcers. At first it seemed to have a slight effect, in that I didn’t have quite as much pain that I had been having previously. As a week turned into a month later, I have just now had my first flair up , thus proving that this claim to cure is just another empty ended myth. When it comes time for the flu and the cold though, I will be the first one to shove more cinnamon powder and honey down my throat if that means holding the flu or a cold at bay.

That's all for now!
~Ali

Monday, September 28, 2009

News Sources ~September 25,2009

CNN is a great news station. From breaking news to updates in world events, CNN has always seemed to either be first or have some piece of the puzzle that no other station has or has reported on yet. Not only does it report on news, but also it reports on the latest ups and downs of the stock market. Also it has CNN student news in the morning for all students between sixth and twelfth grade. This broadcast has important breaking stories that the students need to be aware of, fun stories to keep them interested, and fun facts that make the kids think. Both in my high school and middle school, all of my government and history teachers recommended we watch this program in order to stay on top of worldly events.
I think that CNN would be considered better than other news sources, than let’s say AJC or Weekly World News, because not only does it constantly update its viewers on important issues, but it also appeals to many generations of people. Through its vivid news reports across the ocean to the continuous news about what is happening in the life of our president and country, these sort of reports appeal to the older generation who care about more than themselves at this stage in life. Then it also connects to the younger generation when it reports on entertainment and some form of conflicting politics. Finally CNN tends to reports both sides of most major stories.

That's all for now!

~Ali

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Torrential down pour ~September 23,2009

While sitting at work on Monday evening, I did not hear the rain that had started after I had already entered work. Since there are no windows in the main room I work in, I had no idea of the down pour it had turned into. My boss entered shortly after I got into work and asked if I could run an errend for him and go over to the Humanity building just a few blocks away. I work in the School of Music building next to the Rialto Theater and the building is on Park place Ave. So I though.... no big deal its right down the street... Upon getting on the elevator to leave, my boss asked if I wanted an umbrella. I asked if it was raining yet and he answered that I can have his big umbrella. I declined and went and got my small umbrella.
When I stepped out of the door and on to the street to start walking there, it felt like a water fall was hitting my umbrella! So I swiftly made my way across the streets. The puddles looked like they were only a couple inches, however when I started to make my way across them, I soon found out that they were up to my knees.After I got back my boss took one look at me and flat out laughed. He told me I looked like I had drowned. I had water dripping from everwhere except my head. I quickly changed into some cheerleading shorts I luckily had from rock climbing earlier and went right back to work.
"Trying to swim back to my apartment was gonna be fun"
Thats all for now
~Ali

Articles ~ September 21

This first article I chose is about a new plan to "Go Green".
Thesis: New way to offset emissions.
How : They gave the money it would take to get to a meeting to a power project in Andhra Pradesh, India. These plans use agricultural leftovers, like rice husks and sunflower stalks, to generate electricity for the local grid.
Evidence: using this money would cut down on the use of carbon dioxide emissions instead of driving or flying to the meeting.
Also because India's economy runs off of fossil fuels, coal, it would be beneficial that they start the use of agriculture left overs.
Interest: This article interested me because I cannot wait until we find the answer to stop polluting our earth.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/23/science/earth/23offsets.html?hpw


The second article I chose was based off of crazy people and the deeds they do.

Thesis: Allan Jefferey Levine started the fires at either end of the apartment complex. How:He put trash in the stairs of either side of the apartmen complex, then lit the trash piles on fire in order to burn the whole complex down. Evidence:All neighbors gave testimonies
Atlanta Police interviews

Interest: This article interested mem not only because it shows people how crazy people are now a days but because my family fosters children and this is the story of why they are staying with us!

http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/buckhead-condo-resident-arrested-129213.html

Thats all for now
~Ali