Saturday, January 28, 2017
TATDPTI - p 53
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is just what the name says, the true story of a kid named Arnold who lives on an Indian reservation. He has a brain condition he calls water on the brain that left him with all sorts of physical challenges. The Indian reservation he lives on is filled with people, Indians, who have given up any hope for a better life. Arnold's father is a drunk and the family dog, Oscar, gets sick and needs medicine the family can't afford. Eventually the dad shoots Oscar because the dog is so sick.
Arnold obviously faces a lot of challenges on the reservation. He figures out he is being taught from the same school book his mother used when she was a student. He gets so upset he throws the book at his teacher. This book should be depressing but it is hilarious and entertaining. I am really enjoying this book. The author finds a way to write that makes things funny while the reality is still depressing. I didn't think I was going to like this book but I definitely do. I am happy I have to read this book.
A tough week for Basketball
This week was a tough week for Episcopal Knights basketball. The Varsity team played Dunham and Jehovah Jireh, these two important games. The Knights lost both of them. Jehovah Jireh is a really good team and the Knights got within two points of tying them. The season started out really great for Knights, we were winning most of the games but these last two loses were tough ones. The first was tough because we lost to Dunham, our rivals, and we lost by 20 points. The second one was tough because we came so close to beating a really good team.
The Freshman team played in a tournament last weekend and at Phillips Gym on Thursday. We played well and won two of the three games. We lost to Brusly in the third game. That game was a tough loss because it was the tournament championship. On Thursday it was good to play at home in Phillips gym. We won the game and that was good. It wasn't my best game, I missed an easy lay up and it was embarrassing. All in all, it was a tough week for Basketball.
The Freshman team played in a tournament last weekend and at Phillips Gym on Thursday. We played well and won two of the three games. We lost to Brusly in the third game. That game was a tough loss because it was the tournament championship. On Thursday it was good to play at home in Phillips gym. We won the game and that was good. It wasn't my best game, I missed an easy lay up and it was embarrassing. All in all, it was a tough week for Basketball.
Saturday, January 21, 2017
The Khans
Genghis Khan is an important person we learned about in history class. He was the first leader and creator of the Mongol Empire. He started the empire from nomadic tribes with no common history, language, or religion. At its largest it was the biggest contiguous empire the world has known. He obviously left his mark on history. Kublai Khan, Genghis's grandson, was the next great Mongol leader. He led the Mongol empire to conquer China. He also left his mark on history.
In 2003 there was a report from a medical study that showed the Khans may have left even more of a mark on history. The study showed that 8% of the male population in the region that was the Mongol empire all have the same Y-chromosome. And, .5% of the men in the world have the same chromosome. Of course unless they find Genghis Khan's gave sight, they can't prove that the DNA is or isn't his. Historians say however that all of the unique circumstances surrounding Genghis Khan and his male relatives indicated the Y-chromosome is likely from his family line. They are even calling it the Genghis Khan marker. So it seems the Khans made another mark on history we didn't know about until recently.
In 2003 there was a report from a medical study that showed the Khans may have left even more of a mark on history. The study showed that 8% of the male population in the region that was the Mongol empire all have the same Y-chromosome. And, .5% of the men in the world have the same chromosome. Of course unless they find Genghis Khan's gave sight, they can't prove that the DNA is or isn't his. Historians say however that all of the unique circumstances surrounding Genghis Khan and his male relatives indicated the Y-chromosome is likely from his family line. They are even calling it the Genghis Khan marker. So it seems the Khans made another mark on history we didn't know about until recently.
High School
What I learned in my first semester of high school is that school is harder and sports are a huge time commitment. In high school the work load is greater, the projects are harder and take longer, and the tests and quizzes are harder too. I have committed to playing three sports, football, basketball, and baseball. These sports require practice or games every day, even weekends. I love sports and I love being able to play three but it is hard with so much school work.
The other thing I have learned in high school is that there is more time to do my work during the school day. I have Study Hall most days. Also, if I need to work during tutorial there is usually one a day where I can do some work. What I need to work on is using that time wisely. I think it is just hard to do it all but my semester can be better if I use that time wisely.
The other thing I have learned in high school is that there is more time to do my work during the school day. I have Study Hall most days. Also, if I need to work during tutorial there is usually one a day where I can do some work. What I need to work on is using that time wisely. I think it is just hard to do it all but my semester can be better if I use that time wisely.
Monday, January 16, 2017
Research Update
Research has taken a lot of time for me. I sometimes do better off using printed paper than off of the computer so I printed most of my research. Looks like we are going to need more printer paper at my house, oops. It is interesting learning about my topic. What I find difficult is having to do the research through our school library database website.
Another thing that was difficult for me doing the research was that I got sick before I finished the work. By the time I got well it felt like I had to start over because I had trouble remembering what I had done. One of the things that has worked is highlighting interesting information on the pages I printed. Another thing that has worked for me is having a folder of just the research information. I think when we get back to school it will all start to make sense to me again because I am feeling better now.
Another thing that was difficult for me doing the research was that I got sick before I finished the work. By the time I got well it felt like I had to start over because I had trouble remembering what I had done. One of the things that has worked is highlighting interesting information on the pages I printed. Another thing that has worked for me is having a folder of just the research information. I think when we get back to school it will all start to make sense to me again because I am feeling better now.
Knights win at the buzzer......twice
This year I am on the freshman Knights basketball team. One of the requirements of that team is attending and helping with Varsity games. This year the schedule has been tough because of the flooding of the gyms. Even though it takes a lot of time to set up, chart and clean up for the Varsity games it can be a fun thing to do. Watching the Knights win is the most fun.
Over the Christmas break the Varsity team won two games off "buzzer beater". In the first one Knights were playing Parkview at Parkview and the score was tied. Squid, William Harrell, shot a 3 pointer that was in the air as the buzzer went off. Knights win! When Knights played Denham Springs the game was tied and this time Brandon took the shot. He made it but he didn't actually get it off before the buzzer. The refs still counted it and the Knights won. We are off to great start.
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