8 phrases to live by

1) Prepare for tomorrow by doing your best today: This shows the dangers of procrastination, and how working ahead can give you more opportunities later on.
2) I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to keep going: This shows how important it is to be able to adapt.
3) If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door: You have to make your own solutions, and take matters into your own hands
4) The best way out is through: It is better to confront something directly than to avoid it and procrastinate
5) Memories of our lives, of our works and deeds will continue in others: What we do today will be carried on by the generations after
6) The measure of who we are is what we do with what we have: Use the means at your disposal, and don't always desire something you don't have.
7) Live your beliefs and you can turn the world around: Do all you can to make your beliefs known, and try to change the world for the better
8) I believe in living today, not in yesterday or tomorrow: Make the most out of where you are, not where you want to be.

Night Final Essay Intro Paragraph

Indeed, this life is a test. It is a test of many things - of our convictions and priorities, our faith and our faithfulness, our patience and our resilience, and in the end, our ultimate desires (Sherie L. Dew). Resilience is what drives us in our everyday life, allowing us to overcome the challenges that life throws at us. Many examples of resilience can be seen in literature, as the various characters overcome the trials set before them, Particularly in Fallen Angles by Walter Dean Myers, Glory Field by Walter Dean Meyers, and Night by Elie Wiesel. As seen in Perry’s, Muhammed’s, and Elie’s stories, resilience can help change the world for the better.

5 stages of writing an essay
1) Procrastination
2) Realization
3) Intimidation
4) Improvisation
5) Liquidation

Innovation

I think that the ability to harness electricity, and make it a part of everyday life is one of man kind's greatest achievements. It has allowed us to reach an age of innovation, where nothing is truly impossible. Anything from a reliable light source to the stove on which we make our food is powered by electricity. It also decreases the amount of manpower necessary to complete different tasks, such as the production of goods, or construction of buildings.  This makes it possible for more people to seek an intellectual way of life, allowing for innovation on a much grander scale. To conclude, without electricity, not much of what we today see as the norm would be possible, and mankind would not be nearly as advanced as it is now.

Progressive Era

I think that equal rights for everyone, both women and African Americans, is one of the most pressing issues facing our society today. To be able to have a stable community, no one can feel that they are being discriminated against. This will eventually lead to some form of revolt, after which those groups would only alienate themselves further. If we ensure that everyone has equal opportunities, both economically and socially, we will have a much more well-functioning society. There is no good reason that certain groups, whether those groups are based on gender, religion, race, etc. should not have the same opportunities as everyone else. Naturally, there are certain cases in which one group is naturally more disposed to a certain occupation, but in general, it should be equal for all.

What I hope to transform in the world

I think that I would like to address the issue of terrorism that is so prominent in today's world. It would definitely be for the best to try and remove extremist terrorist acts from the face of the earth. Be this through war or through politics, I do not know, but, either way, I would like to participate in this battle, be it metaphorical or physical. Extremist terrorists act only serve to alienate the different religions that have clashed throughout the centuries. It is necessary for people to learn to coexist, be they Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Hindu, or any of the other many religions. One small group of people that insists on violently opposing other religions causes all the people that follow their religion to become potential dangers in the eyes of the religion that they had attacked.

Bravest Person

The bravest person that I know has to be Anna Alldredge. The way that she manages to control a group of poorly behaved hooligans like me is truly astounding. I think that being able to keep a cool head while under pressure from multiple classes is a very impressive feat. She just seems like such a heroic person, with immense control over the awesome power of language. With an adjective thrown to the left, and an idiom cast mightily to the right, she smites her enemies down with the blinding ability of the rare English teacher. She manages to merge the different components, such as adjectives, nouns, interjections, verbs, idioms, and metaphors into a great source of pure energy. Aye, Anna Alldredge is the bravest person I have every known. 

R.A.F.T.

Dear President Davis,

As you know, our differences have caused a violent conflict, which is slowly creating an end for this great nation. It is in the interest of both our parties that we find a way to end this conflict, for the good of the nation and its people. Although differences may divide us, I believe that it is a very real possibility that we may find a way to split our differences. If you think that this eventuality is possible, as well as agreeable, would you agree to meet in Congress to discuss what will happen to our nation under god, with both parties agreeing to a temporary truce? If this seems agreeable to you, please respond as quickly as possible, so that we may stop this bloodshed.

With the utmost respect,

Abraham Lincoln, President

Justice

I think that human nature both aids and impedes justice. Humans have a natural desire for fairness, but personal gain can often come in the way of justice being carried out. Take a trial for example. A third party witness, who had nothing to do with the conflict that is being examined, is likely to give an honest opinion, for the sake of fairness. However, if one of the people who is directly involved gives a testament, it is likely to be tainted by what the person wants to achieve. Something else that affects justice is capitalism. People have a tendency to twist stories, to fit their own desires. This links back to the previous statement because it is an element of human nature to search for a solution that is beneficial to yourself. Something that could be beneficial to justice is the personal morals of most people. Typically, honesty is a typical trait in most people. This aids justice because it is a vital component of giving someone a fair chance, to either be convicted or deemed free of all charges. 

Museum Trip

I think that being a witness means acknowledging and recognizing that a particular event happened, even if you weren't necessarily at the scene of whatever happened. If you heard what happened from someone else, then you are a witness. I don't think that I was particularly transformed by the experience we all had in LA, although it was a very meaningful experience. It was definitely a learning experience, and I was impacted by what we saw, but I don't think I was transformed by it.

Outside Reading Q2

The protagonist Lee Waite in "Sixty Acres" by Raymond Carver is faced with making two important decisions. He has to decide whether he will brave the danger, and go confront the hunters who are invading his property, or just let them go and avoid the danger. After he decides to face the hunters, he needs to choose whether he will simply chase them off, or report them to the local authorities.

Waite proves to be a kind hearted, peace loving person, but with a streak of courage in him. He goes out to face the hunters, even though he knows that he is placing his personal safety at risk, to protect his property. Once he meets the hunters, and sees that they are no more than boys, his kindheartedness comes to light, as he simply asks them to leave his property, and doesn't report them to the police. One of the bigger decisions I've made, that could possibly compromise my own safety, was in the fourth grade in Denmark. A bunch of bigger kids were bullying my friends, wiping snow in our faces and such. The easiest thing to do would be to just accept the uncomfortable experience, and then move on. However, I got angry and decided to tackle one of the bigger boys and give him a faceful of snow to. I definitely made the right decision, and gained respect both among my peers, but also with the older kids.

Time Capsule

1) For family and childhood, I would put a hammer in the time capsule, because for as long as I can remember I have been working or playing with tools.
2) For heritage, I would leave a knife, to symbolize the Vikings
3) For accomplishments and achievements, I would put some woodwork that I have made
4) I don't have anything particular to leave behind for a legacy, other than the nordic symbol for persistence