Reflection on the Project

   In the end, this blog project was pretty fun but not something I would choose to do again. I liked how we were allowed to think of our own topic and not have a topic that we might not like assigned to us. I also think that I learned a lot about incorporating current events and interviews into my entries. This project definitely made me less of a procrastinator. It was helpful but at the same time annoying that we had to post every day. It made me more willing to work ahead and not wait until the last minute to write.

  At first when we got this project assignment I was excited. I thought it would be fun to write about something I wanted to write about! My feelings definitely changed when I had to think of a topic. That was the part of the project that I struggled most with. I felt that after I started the project more ideas for blogs came to me. My topic was relatively easy to think of subtopics, but it sometimes was hard for me. I found it hard to make my topic interesting for other people. If I thought my topic was interesting, I would ask a friend and they would say it was boring. I think I also had a hard time because I’m the kind of person tends to rely on their friends for opinions and ideas. After a while I stopped asking and I learned that if I liked it, it was good enough. 

Influential People #13

   When I was a kid growing up my mom gave me all sorts of advice. Today I can still hear her saying, “Eesha choose your friends carefully. They are the ones who will be there for you when you need them.” My friends at Newtown Friends have influenced my life in more ways then I can ever imagine. Without them I wouldn’t be the person I am today. All twenty-nine of my classmates in someway have impacted my time at Newtown Friends in big and small ways. If I tried to write all the ways my friends have influenced me, it would be a long list.

   Alessandra is one of my newest friends this year. Through the course of this year we have grown a lot closer! One of the characteristics I love most about Alessandra is her willingness to help her friends no matter what. She is somebody you can always count on to have your back. We always find ways to make each other laugh, even when the joke isn’t even that funny. Whenever I’m with her I find myself always laughing. She has a very artistic personality and is insanely creative. She’s inspired me to express myself further than I have, and I will always be thankful for that.

   Another one of my new friends is Jessie. She is one of the funniest people I have ever met. We have so many jokes about donuts and other meaningless things. I can talk to her and always find myself smiling no matter how bad of a mood I am in. 

   Emma has been my best friend since 6^th grade. We have been through a lot together. We have had so many fun experiences at camp and school. She has introduced me to Urban Outfitters and rainbow sprinkle pancakes. Without her making me feel fat everyday by eating healthier than everyone else in the class I never would have started eating healthier. Emma has taught me that it is okay to be different and you don’t need to be perfect all the time.

   YeonJae is one of the nicest people I have ever met in my life. In the three years I have gone to school with her she has never said a mean thing about anybody. She shares her Korean chocolate crackers with me everyday without getting irritated like most people would.

   Ben is one of the people in my life that makes me laugh every day. He is one of the people who can cheer you up anytime. If I can use one word to describe Ben it would be supermegafoxyawesomehot (Ben told me to write this.) 

   Sam is one of the best friends anyone could have. He would stick up for you and wouldn’t ever judge you. He is always there for you when you need him and is really funny. He is insanely funny and always makes you laugh when you are around him. Sam has an unique personality, and is never afraid to be different. 

  

  

Influential Event #12

NFS and our sister school in Costa Rica

  Costa Rica was something I had been looking forward to since 6^th grade and one of the reasons I chose Spanish. The trip to Costa Rica provided me with an unparalleled personal insight into the people and their culture. I learned, on the Costa Rica trip, that sometimes you have to let go of  your customary ways and enjoy the feeling of trying or doing something new.

   I loved traveling to Costa Rica because it forced me challenge my norms and step out of my comfort zone. Before going on the ziplines, looking down from heights would make my heart beat a little faster. Knowing how breathtaking the view and experience would be, and how much I would regret not going, compelled me to join the rest of our group on the zip lines. I ended up having the time of my life, seeing the beauty of the rainforest from above.
  As with my zipline experience, staying with my homestay family was nerve-wracking for me. I was scared to death of staying for three nights at a stranger’s house. My fears were only more pronounced when I noticed the gun hanging on the wall. My fears were uncalled for. My homestay parents welcomed me into their home without hesitation, cooked vegetarian food for me, and talked with me about my day and about my life in the US.

   I wouldn’t change a thing about my trip to Costa Rica, and I hope that the memories and lessons I learned will stay with me throughout my life.

Influential Event #11

Dr. Halima Bashir

   Darfur is located in the western region of Sudan, Africa. The conflict began in February 2003 when the Sudan Liberation Army and Justice and Equality Movement accused the Sudanese government of oppressing non-Arab Sudanese in favor of Sudanese Arabs. The other side of the conflict was composed mainly of the official Sudanese military and police, and the Janjaweed. Through a system of torture, rape and murder, the Janjaweed, has succeeded in killing almost one half million black tribal Africans since February of 2003 and the number continues to climb daily. Over 3 million people have been displaced and 4 million are reported to be starving. An estimated 500 people a day die in the region. Disease takes its toll on a great number of people in the refugee camps, as there are inadequate medical supplies, shelter, food, as well as poor sanitation for the excessive number of people who need it.

   There are many unacknowledged heroes in Darfur who everyday make a difference. One such individual is Dr. Halima Bashir, a young Darfur woman whom the Sudanese authorities have tried to silence by beatings and gang rape. All for saying a few misplaced comments about the Sudanese government. Halima witnessed unimaginable atrocities in Darfur. She treated forty little girls who were raped by the Janjaweed. Soon afterward, two United Nations officials showed up at the clinic for information about the attack. The Janjaweed tortured Halima just for telling the UN officials the truth about the rape.

   It takes a huge amount of courage to tell the truth knowing that the repercussions against you can be killer. It is also admirable that even after the torture and the psychological torture she will suffer her whole life she doesn’t regret telling the UN officials. Halima said, “What happened to me happened to so many other Darfur women. If I didn’t tell, all the other people don’t get the chance — and I have the chance. I am a well-educated woman, so I can speak up and send a message to the world.” It is incredibly selfless of her to give up her freedom and safety to stand up against the oppressive regime to save others. Standing up for ourselves against our friends is scary enough, but I cannot imagine facing the threat of torture. It is hard for us to challenge the social rules and stand up for our classmates. But this woman could face the threat of torture or death for individuals she doesn’t have any connection with. That is true courage. Halima’s bravery contrasts with the world’s fecklessness and failures on Darfur. 

Traveling #10

   Besides the obvious lessons I learned such as not answering a phone at security or not arriving at the airport 20 minutes before boarding time, traveling abroad has taught me a lot and influenced my life in many ways. I learned to appreciate what I have when I traveled to India and Costa Rica, their appreciation for what they have made me realize how much I value material goods. Travelling also helped me understand that a smile really is something everybody knows whether or not they speak your language.

   There are millions of people in this world who don't know where their next meal is coming from or where they will sleep at night or have any hope of a happy future. I realized that many of us rely on material goods to give us our happiness. It made me realize the value of simple gifts in my life. Going to India and watching men and children play cricket with wooden sticks and balls with genuine smiles on their faces made me think of the value of material goods in my life. Another eye-opening experience for me was visiting our sister school in Costa Rica and giving them school supplies. It made me understand that we take so many things for granted. If I lose a pencil, it doesn’t affect me. I know I can go and buy new ones. For the students in Costa Rica, it is not always that simple and they learn to appreciate what they have. Visiting the school, I learned to let go and stop harping about things like homework, long lines, and a lack of things I thought I needed to have in order to be happy. I now know that I should appreciate what I have and not rely on material goods to bring me happiness.

   I found that cultural divides are definitely not unyielding. I was proud to show that I could truly communicate through a smile or a kind gesture. It doesn’t matter what color your skin is, what language you speak. We all laugh, cry, hug, and smile over the same things. I found out in Denmark how influential a smile really can be in making new friends across the globe. I am clueless about soccer, and apparently I wasn’t the only one in Denmark. A smile and a few hesitantly spoken words on the side of the red carpet for the Portuguese soccer team helped me make a new friend. We bonded over our mutual confusion of soccer and her telling me about her life in Denmark. We never ended up seeing each other again but I always remember that a smile was what ended up saving me from two hours of boredom.

   Travel is something that I gained valuable life lessons and new outlooks on life from. I have learned to value simple gifts and the family I have. Travelling taught me to smile more at home and abroad. Smiles have helped me make new friends and occasionally make someone’s day a little brighter. All of my travel experiences have had a profound effect on my views of myself and the world in which I live. 

Photography #9

   A picture is worth a thousand words. Photography can influence the way people think and the way we perceive the events around the world. We have seen the influence of photography throughout history and still in our world today. A photograph can change the course of war in an instant. It makes an event taking place halfway around the world seem real and close to home. A photograph makes us feel like we are there and suffering or celebrating with the people in the photograph. Photography makes me look at the world in a different way. I notice minor details around me, like a butterfly on a flower, or the sun breaking through the clouds. When I’m looking through the lens of my camera, I’m able to see the world from a unique perspective. I love macro photography because the human eye can't focus as close as a macro lens. When I look through a macro lens, I am suddenly transported to a mystic and unknown tiny world.

   Anyone who knows me knows that I have thousands of pictures on my laptop. Photos from when I was a little girl up until today. I never want to forget any of the experiences I have had throughout my life. That’s the great thing about cameras, with one press of a button; they capture your most precious memories and let you treasure them forever. Photographs are visual souvenirs of your life. As graduation comes closer I worry about losing touch with my friends and forgetting the memories I had. Looking through pictures on my laptop, I realized that I will truly forget NFS because of the photographs chronicling my time here. Some are pictures with Photo Booth and others are of us laughing completely unaware of the camera’s presence. One day I will be able to look at those photographs and remember the jokes, laughs and smiles that I shared with my friends.  

Influential Event #8

    Free speech is a right we take for granted everyday. We don’t think about copyright infringement when we post videos or song lyrics on Facebook, YouTube, or Tumblr. We have never had to worry about it, until now. Now the government and millions of Americans are in a bitter debate about Internet piracy. The government has proposed two bills: The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Protect IP Act (PIPA). The purpose of these bills is to make it harder for sites- especially those located outside the United States- to sell or distribute pirated copyrighted material such as movies and music. But these two acts will do just the opposite; they will stifle online innovation, violate the First Amendment, and virtually shut down sights like YouTube.

   The Internet is an influential tool in protesting monumental events around the globe. Social networks like Facebook and Twitter have been at the forefront of uprisings around the world, services that act as message boards for change. In the digital age we are able to reach more people with our message and make a larger impact. The Internet provides the means of catching the attention of the masses in a way none can ignore. Across the web, major sites are expressing their opposition in a way not before seen: directly and publicly, to the point of dismantling themselves entirely. Wikipedia went dark and a black banner covered up the Google logo. Their protests worked, Google moved 4.5 million to sign the petition against the two bills and 1% of all posts on Twitter were about Wikipedia’s blackout. The government should never have the power to control the flow of information. 

Pogue, David. "Copyrights and Internet Piracy (SOPA and PIPA Legislation)." The New York Times. The New York Times Company, 18 Jan. 2012. Web. 18 Jan. 2012. <http://  topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/c/copyrights/index.html?  scp=1-spot>.

Influential Person #7

   One of the most inspiring individuals in my life is my mother. My mother has had a huge impact on my life and it is because of her that I am the person I am today. She is one of my best friends and hero. Most people say we are mentally and physically the same. We both appear to be the same on the outside but on the inside we are two totally different people. She is more quiet and reserved whereas I am more outgoing and talkative.

   My mother always believes in me and supports almost anything that I do. She encourages me to follow my dreams no matter how out of reach they may be. When I was younger and wanted to be a ballerina more than anything else in the world, she signed me up for classes. My mom loves me unconditionally no matter what. I can lie, go to jail, murder someone and she would still love me. Another admirable quality of my mom is that works hard everyday so that I can have more opportunities to succeed in life. My mom taught me the value of a good education. She always encouraged me to do my best, to work hard. She taught me to strive and work hard for what I want and to not wait for others to help me. Thanks to her I have grown up to be independent but willing to ask for help when I need it. I can talk to her about anything and everything, without her ever judging me. She never complains about my friends coming over and appreciates them as much as I do. She is the one who taught me to respect others and their opinions, to be kind, and to be tolerant. My mom is always selfless, helpful, caring, and above all, loving.

Influential Person #6

   Demi Lovato is another celebrity who inspires me because she became public about her struggles throughout her life. Throughout her school years she struggled with her weight and being bullied. The torment she faced caused her to develop an eating disorder. She started cutting herself at the age of 11 as a coping mechanism. Last year, she checked herself into a rehabilitation center to help with her struggles with food and self-harm. After she checked out of rehab, she reached out to other girls suffering from similar diseases. She told them, “It’s very crucial that you get your feelings out, but don’t ever inflict harm on your own body because your body is so sacred.” Overall, she appears to be a genuinely kind person who doesn’t change herself to fit in at Hollywood. 

   I think it is really inspiring that Demi Lovato is able to speak about her own insecurities and try and help other girls. She made me realize that not even celebrities have perfect lives! She is a girl who has fame and fortune but still has things she is insecure about. She also taught me that bullying can affect other people more than you know. It can have serious and harmful lifelong effects. It is likely that because she was bullied because of her weight, she turned to self-harm and became bulimic. I learned that you should never have to take insults from anyone. You have to stick up for yourself or the bullying will continue. It is inspiring to see an actress in Hollywood who doesn’t look like they starve themselves to look skinny. It makes girls feel that they don’t have to be a size 0 to be pretty. It is inspiring to see an actress who doesn't sacrifice herself and her personality just for the sake of being accepted. 

"Demi Lovato Faces Her Critics." Ellen. NBC. Television.

Influential Person #5

   I’m not exactly sure who influenced me to be more accepting of others. I think many events and people changed my views on tolerance. Lonesomeness and solitude is an unavoidable trepidation of every adult and adolescent. We all yearn for acceptance and popularity. Yet we still judge and refuse to accept others for who they are. Accepting others and their differences is the fastest way to accept ourselves for who we are inside. Often times the way we act around other people is the complete opposite of how we are on the inside. We change ourselves to be accepted by our friends and classmates. The world would be a much more interesting place if we expressed our own individuality and didn’t conform just to be accepted. True friends accept you for who you are inside and outside. They don’t care about what clothes you wear, how good your grades are, or how much money you have in the bank.

   One event that changed my perspective on tolerance was meeting my friend Becca. Becca was by no means the most popular one in the school. She blended into the background, shy but outgoing around her friends. Not many people, including me, paid her much attention. She didn’t wear the typical Abercrombie & Fitch clothes or stand out in a crowd. When I was partnered up with her for a project, I was dreading it. Once I got to know her, she was suddenly a totally different person. Suddenly it didn’t matter what clothes she wore or how outgoing she was. I realized that she was probably one of the most compassionate individuals ever. She never said a mean word against anybody or judged a person based on looks. Ultimately, she made me a better person; I learned lessons on tolerance that I will value for my entire life. 


Bibliography:
Photograph. Nacel Open Door. 16 Nov. 2010. Web. 13 Nov. 2011.     <http://nacelayp.com/  2010/11/16/international-day-for-   tolerance/>.

Influential Person #4

      Selena Gomez is a celebrity who inspired me because she was able to build her career while staying true to herself. She doesn't let the concept of fame power her life. She's been gifted with a huge amount of success, and still, she remains the same down-to-earth girl she came into the business as. She's always out to help people, and she uses her voice in a positive way. She lends her voice to UNICEF, as their youngest ambassador. There are so many celebrities who set bad examples for their fans. Selena Gomez gives younger children someone to look up to who isn’t spoiled and bratty, someone who appreciates what she has.

   Another good thing about Selena Gomez is that she embraces the age of her fan base. She understands the concept of role model and goes about being the best role model she can be. She makes mistakes, obviously. We all do. You can tell by the way she carries herself in public that she very much cares about her family, her friends, and her fans. She's doing what she loves and she doesn't care what the people that won't support her have to say about it. She stays true to herself and hasn’t changed because of her fame and fortune. She also has a really good sense of style and makeup! 

   Selena Gomez taught me that you can stay true to beliefs and ideas while also being popular and well liked. True friends will accept you no matter what you wear, how you talk, or how smart you are. She also inspired me in that I learned to never to brag about grades, clothes, or other things. She inspired me to give back and be thankful for the life I have, because it could be a lot worse. She inspires me to be a good role model to my buddies and other little kids. She is proud of herself and wouldn’t change for anyone, which sets a good example for me and other kids my age. She taught me to be proud of my own accomplishments. 


Here is a video of Selena Gomez talking about being a role model: 
http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/the-scene/events/Selena-Gomez-Speaks-on-Being-a-Role-Model--124291669.html

Influential Person #3

   My best friend has influenced my life more than I can ever imagine. I cannot imagine the last three years of my life without her. Without her, my hair would be a poufy mess everyday. She is one of the only people who can straighten my extremely thick hair without getting frustrated. She is the only person besides my mother whose opinion I trust when buying clothes. She is the one who taught me everything I know about makeup. I would never know the purpose of eyeliner (it makes your eyes bigger) or the benefits of foundation if it weren’t for her. She has taken or appeared in every one of my profile pictures on Facebook. She is the only person in the world who I can tutor in math multiple times without getting frustrated. My best friend is the one who I can laugh with about the weirdest things. 

   She is the first one I want to talk to when something happens. She is the only one who when we hang out critiques random people’s outfits and makeup with me. We gossip like crazy and always know what the other one is thinking. She helps me through my toughest times, and is there for my best times. She knows all my expressions and how I sound when I’m hyper, frustrated, depressed, annoyed, or happy. No matter what the activity is, she makes it bearable. I could never imagine a life without my best friend, Marie-Louise. 

Inspiring Person #2

      Ms. Parsons was never actually a teacher of mine but she still was a individual who had a profound effect on my life. Mrs. Parsons was the special needs teacher at my old school. She taught my friend’s sister and other disabled children that were in my buddy class. She was a compassionate human being that taught her students out of love and not just for the paycheck. She was endlessly patient and understood the torment that the parents faced everyday. She is a lady that cared for every student that came her way. Ms. Parsons went out of her way to make the children in her room feel as normal as possible. She never made the children in her class feel different, she treated them the way she would any other child.

   The school district did not give the special needs classrooms that much funding. There was no requirement in Ms. Parson’s contract that said that she had to have toys. She still bought toys and books out of her own money for the children to use. Ms. Parson’s once confessed to my friend’s mother that she did not have to sit at the table and eat lunch with the children. She did anyway, she sacrificed her own break time to feed the children and sit with them.  She spoke to all classrooms about special needs and what we could do to help. She was the one who organized classroom visits, so that her children could come into our classrooms and play with us.

   Ms. Parson’s acceptance of people who were different from her inspired me to accept people who don't talk the same way as me or wear the same clothes as me. I realized that I would feel terrible inside if somebody were to treat me as if I was strange or different. Ms. Parson's students may have had mental disabilities but they were still people and they deserved to be treated like humans. It was really uplifting how when her kids came to our classrooms most of my classmates would jump up and greet them. It was also uplifting how my friends and I were not the only ones kids in my class who would sacrifice their free time with friends and sit with Ms. Parson’s kids at lunch.