11.25.14

Today in human geo we finished watching the movie "Slumdog Millionaire." I have to say that it was a very good and interesting movie. Every part of it was so meaningful and emotional and I would watch it again any day. I like how it concluded with Jamal and Latika finally ending up together. It goes to show that even though there are hard times, some things are meant to be and they will happen because it's destiny. It was also amazing to see because those certain people in India live so much more differently than we do here. I also loved seeing Jamal win all the money, but in the end the only thing that mattered was Latika. I think he movie will help us in our further studies in the class learning about cultural geography.

11.21.14

Today in class we continued watching the movie. I am really enjoying it even though it's sad and scary to watch sometimes. I'm very confused on what the gameshow part of the movie has to do with anything, but I might be figuring it out a little bit. I'm understanding that there are two brothers and a girl who are orphans and they have to make it in the world on their own. It's amazing to see how independent and clever these children are. They really know how to make a little cash doing almost anything. It's also amazing to see how different their culture is from ours, especially the things they do in the police department to get answers. The people get tortured by dunking their head in water, electrocuting their bodies, and many other cruel ways.

Spotify Extra Credit

 Most of these songs talk about how great the place where they come from is. (pull force) One song called "The Great Escape" talks about getting out of the community and breaking free, or escaping a certain area. (push force)

"California Gurls" by Katy Perry

"Made in America" by Toby Keith

"Thank God I'm a Country Boy" by John Denver

"Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd

"The Great Escape" by Boys Like Girls

11.18.14

Today in human geography we learned some new things for the first part of the class and Mr. Schick put grades in for the second half. First we revived what people called a carbonated beverage in different areas of population in America. After that, we started learning about cultural characteristics which are part of a groups everyday life. they are the ideas and themes which the group will teach to all members. These same characteristics can also link or divide a region. Some examples of these characteristics would be language, religion, and ethnic heritage. Looking at the map today really helped me understand how where you come from can influence many things like what you say, eat or do in everyday life.

11.14.14

 

This is the Brazil national anthem. It is very marching band sounding and it seems that it is to get the people feeling patriot and excited about their country.

 English Translation 

 First Chorus

The placid banks of the Ipiranga (river) heard the resounding cry of a heroic people and brilliant beams from the sun of liberty shone in our homeland's skies at that very moment. If we have fulfilled the promise of equality by our mighty arms, in thy bosom, O freedom, our brave breast shall defy death itself! O beloved, idolized homeland, Hail, hail! Brazil, an intense dream, a vivid ray of love and hope descends to earth if in thy lovely, smiling and clear skies the image of the (Southern) Cross shines resplendently. A giant by thine own nature, thou art a beautiful, strong and intrepid colossus, and thy future mirrors thy greatness. Beloved Land amongst a thousand others art thou, Brazil, O beloved homeland! To the sons of this land thou art a gentle mother, beloved homeland, Brazil!

Second Chorus

Eternally lying in a splendid cradle, by the sound of the sea and the light of the deep sky, thou shinest, O Brazil, garland of America, illuminated by the sun of the New World! Thy smiling, lovely fields have more flowers than the most elegant land abroad, "Our woods have more life", "our life" in thy bosom "more love". O beloved, idolized homeland, Hail, hail! Brazil, let the star-spangled banner thou showest forth be the symbol of eternal love, and let the laurel-green of thy pennant proclaim 'Peace in the future and glory in the past.' But if thou raisest the strong gavel of Justice, thou wilt see that a son of thine flees not from battle, nor does he who loves thee fear death itself. Beloved Land, amongst a thousand others art thou, Brazil, O beloved homeland! To the sons of this land thou art a gentle mother, beloved homeland, Brazil!

11.13.14

Today in human geo we took the test. I honestly have no idea how I did like always. I could've gotten a 60% or a 98% I really don't know. I liked the essay question because it wasn't too hard and I knew some stuff about it so I think I did fine on that part. I should've studied the lives of the leaders more because a lot of the multiple choice was about them. I mostly worked on the connections between each leader, country, and if they were a president, prime minister, or emperor. The good thing was that there were some questions about that, so I got at least one thing right. Overall, I  don't think it was a bad test but I think I could've done a little better. (Even though I don't know my score yet) I''m excited to see how I did on this test.

11.12.14

Today I found out that the test has been delayed to tomorrow, since nobody could open the presentations to study. I'm really happy that it's tomorrow because I can study more and hopefully do better than I would have today. I also had three other tests today so it was great to have a break. We just went over the powerpoint again and asked about any extra questions we had about the test. I know that there are some multiple choice and an essay at the end. I'm still nervous because I think it's really hard to memorize what ash countries' government is like. Hopefully the test will be okay. I'm excited to get it over with tomorrow.

11.11.14

Today in class we finished up the country presentations. I also shared mine by myself since JC isn't in my class anymore. We have a test tomorrow, which I am pretty nervous for because I don't feel like I am as strong in knowing the countries as some other things. Listening to the other people present was helpful because I learned some things that I didn't know before that could be on the test. I have found out that I have researched some different presidents than what the people have for their countries leaders on their slides, so now I have the correct information.

11.05.14

Today I had my first class in the new section. Apparently they are the "smart group," but hopefully that doesn't mean that the class will be harder. We started sharing our presentations. Now that I moved, I don't have my partner anymore so I'll have to present by myself. The only countries that went today were France and the United Kingdom. It was good that Mr. Schick made us take notes on each of the country presentations because it will be very helpful for studying for the test.

11.03.14

Today in class we went over the pop quiz we had earlier. It was helpful to get some answers I wasn't sure about, like who Angela Merkel was. After that, we got today to finish up our slides for the countries thing which we are presenting tomorrow. I was still confused on how to do the slide on overthrowing the president or something, but Mr. Schick helped me understand for Dilma Rousseff's case. It helped because she had some past personal political problems.