4G vs. 3G Phones

I recently invested in a new phone. The Samsung Aviator is the first ever 4G phone from US Cellular. 4G is basically just a fancy way of saying “faster internet”. The difference is clear when using this network. The basic 3G phone processes about 1.5mbps, while the 4G phone processes about 12mbps. Around 10 times faster. I was recommended this phone by one of the US cellular workers because, of course, as a teenager I use the internet on my phone a lot. I can download pictures; load YouTube videos, Facebook, or almost anything with the click of a button. No buffering and no waiting for my screen to load. It loads almost instantly. 

The main criticism I have to this phone is the battery, but what smart phone doesn’t have an insufficient battery life? I guess it depends on how often you use apps, the internet, or stream videos or other data. I noticed the shortage of battery the first few days after purchasing my phone, because naturally I was constantly trying to test the 4G and browse the internet. There are a few ways to save your battery life with a 4G phone, or really any smart phone. You can turn down the brightness, obviously, or make sure the apps you aren’t using are turned off. With the 4G phone you also have the option to switch off your 4G setting, which will just move the phone back to the normal 3G speed. This helps for times when you’re not using the internet and want to preserve your battery. You get used to the speedy-fast internet quickly, and trying to go back to a 3G phone is… not possible.  

Despite the criticisms and short battery life, I wouldn’t trade back my 4G phone for any other type of phone. I love that I can find anything I want on the internet almost instantly, which is something I couldn’t do with my old 3G, or any phone.

Word Count: 328

Midnight Movie Premieres

                Midnight movie premieres could perhaps be the highlight of someone’s life. These premieres don’t happen often, and only occur with a movie or series that truly deserves it. How these movies are chosen? I may never know. The anticipation, that may start even months in advance, is the best part and unlike any feeling in the world. That crazy rush you get when you find out tickets are for sale and there are only a limited number allowed.  
                I dont't personally get too worked up over movie premieres for any movie even if I'm reading the series. I get excited for the movie to come out, but not to the point where I would campout all day or stay up all night just to be the first to see a movie, along with another million people around the world. I can contain myself enough to wait a couple days for the rush of people to die down so I can see the movie peacefully, without being crammed in like sardines.
                I don't mean to be bashing on midnight movie premieres, because if I did get the chance to go to one, I would. I have only been to one midnight premiere and I enjoyed it. I ended up getting free tickets to the final Harry Potter movie of the series. It was sort of a lucky kind of thing, I was visiting my dad and step sister and a family friend told us that he had 2 tickets, and couldn't make it to the movie. Score one for us! Of course we didn't go all out with tailgating all day but we did have to get to the movie over an hour in advance just to get a seat.
                It was unlike anything I had ever seen! The line was longer than any I had ever seen. Imagine the lines at adventureland on the first day of summer for the best ride. And multiply that by 10. At least a thousand people were in line when we arrived, with even more to come after we had waited. But it doesn't stop there. COSTUMES. About 95% of the people in line were dressed as some sort of Harry Potter character, and I mean decked out.
               The atmosphere was crazy throughout the whole movie. Everyone cheered for the opening credits and for the end of the movie. Overall, my first midnight premiere was a success, and I would do it again given the chance at free tickets!

Word Count: 415

Rap Music

            Everyone has their own preference of music; I am one that doesn’t exactly have a favorite genre. I like everything from Rap to Country to R&B to Pop. All music lyrics have some type of meaning or story behind them, but one type of music in particular that I feel doesn’t get much recognition is Rap music. Most see Rap music as being only about sex, drugs, alcohol, and partying. Although a lot of it refers to these things, many fail to look deeper into the lyrics and take a look at the poetry in each song. I find it so interesting to look up lyrics to different rap songs and look at all of the different similes, analogies, metaphors, etc. that no one seems to notice what’s behind the lyrics.

                Although a few are vulgar, here are some funny memorable quotes:

·         “I love you like a fat kid loves cake.” -50 Cent

·         "Safe sex is great sex, better wear a latex, cause you don't want that late text, that I think I'm late text." –Lil’ Wayne

·         “We carry choppers on a neck and call it cut throat” –Lil’ Wayne

·         “Cause my swag is serious, something heavy like a first day period.” –Janet Jackson

·          “Only thing on right now, like a night light.” –Drake

·         “But if we can hump dead animals and antelopes then there’s no reason that a man and another man can’t elope.” -Eminem

Some quotes are even inspirational, or quotes to live by:

·         “I don’t care about what brand you are, I’m concerned what type of man you are, what your principles and standards are.” –Mos Def

·         “If you are what you say you are, a superstar, then have no fear.” –Lupe Fiasco

·         “I know I can be what I want to be, if I work had then I’ll be where I want to be.” –Nas

·         You better lose yourself in the music, the moment

You own it, you better never let it go
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime” –Eminem

·         “Don’t wait till you die to go to heaven.” –Rza

ITEDs vs Iowa Assessments

               It’s that dreaded time again for our annual standardized testing, but this year it’s not ITEDS we have to worry about, it’s the new Iowa Assessments. We have been taking these standardized tests since I believe the 2^nd grade, where we began with ITBS testing. We eventually progressed to ITEDs once we made it to high school. Which were a little harder, but the same general idea. ITEDs are basically a test of what you have learned in school over your years, and to make sure you are within the vicinity of where you should be academically at any given year.

                This year we were informed somewhat recently that we would be taking a new series of standardized tests, the Iowa Assessments. Our teachers warned us that these tests would be much more difficult than the previous ITEDs and a little different. They also told us that these new tests will be looked at much more by colleges.

                We started our testing yesterday with reading comprehension and writing expression. Compared to the previous ITEDs, I found these tests much, MUCH easier. The stories were much easier to understand, and even shorter, and also the questions were a lot more straightforward. The writing expression test was a combination of the old spelling, grammar, etc. tests. This test, also, was much easier, and it was a big help to have two terms of AP Lang under my belt.

                Today, we took a math and science test. The math test was close to equivalent to the old ITEDs, but I found the science much more difficult than usual with the new concepts. Overall in my opinion I would prefer the Iowa Assessments over the old ITEDs.

Word Count: 283

Larry Bird biography: Book Review

                   Larry Bird, Drive: The Story of My Life is an inspiring biography written by Larry Bird himself, with help from Bob Ryan. This book is about one of the best players to ever play the game of basketball, arguable the greatest. I read my first free-read biography last term about Steve Jobs. I loved the book so i decided to read another biography.

                   I picked Larry Bird because I already knew of him, but not necessarily about him, and because it was in Ms. A's book selection. I started the book and read in a couple pages to ensure that the book was the right level of difficulty for me, and i couldn't put it down. It was so fascinating to me to learn about the life of a now hall-of-famer from birth and all through his high school years. Being an athlete i enjoyed reading about the things he did everyday to become a better player and person despite his struggles and the people that tried to hold him down.

                  The format of this book was a little different because the book was separated into 4 parts, as well as individual chapters. It threw me off a bit at first while reading because i would look forward to taking break at each chapter, but couldn't. The different formation was a bit of a challenge to me. Overall i enjoyed this book and i would recommend it to any athlete, fans of the NBA, or anyone who enjoys sports to read.

Word Count: 251

Volunteer Work

Volunteer work is kind of an everyday thing, which some people never experience, or get the chance to take part in. I think it is somewhat a rite of passage for every person, and something every person should do at least once in their life, if not more. There are many projects all over the world to help with, and millions of people, also that need your help. Whether it’s working in a soup kitchen, feeding the poor, or helping sand-bag buildings to prepare for a flood, every little bit helps.

Not all volunteer work has to be work, either. Simply donating to the Goodwill, or a shelter, could change someone’s life. I look up to famous and wealthy people who not only work hard to get their money and riches, but also share their wealth with others, and to make the world a better place. For example, Cameron Diaz, trying to promote eco-tourism. Wyclef Jean (Musician) is helping along with George Clooney to help with the problems facing Haiti. Even pop sensation Justin Bieber cut off his coveted and most well-known hair to auction for money which went to children facing hunger all over the world. Anyone can do it, and even the littlest things can do wonders.

I feel as though volunteer work is a bit of a humbling experience. I took part in volunteer work for my church when I helped package non-perishable items to send out to families in need. While working I took a second and thought about the people who I was packaging the food for, and how grateful I am for what I have, and that sometimes I don’t appreciate the gourmet meals, or going out to dinner once a week, that many people may never get to do. It’s hard to think that some whole families will live a month eating only a box of non-perishable goods that were donated. I only worked for 2 hours but I like to think that I helped many families in the process, and it made me feel good about myself.

Word Count: 345