Trivia Crack

I have just finished playing a round and, as I begin to write, my iPod emits a sound. It is alerting me that my opponent has taken his turn, thus making me anxious to return to the game. But, I mustn’t. It is calling to me: “Play, play, you know this trivia game is the best. It will only take a minute.” And then I stop writing…
Trivia Crack is the “new thing” these days. It is an app that generates trivia questions in the categories of history, geography, science, sports, art, and entertainment. It is addicting, a waste of time, but at least a person can learn from it. So, it might as well fall under the educational category. I say it wastes my time because, indeed, I find my self stopping numerous times throughout the day to play, even when I am doing homework or other important activities. Oh, wait! Here’s the sound again. May I be excused for a second? …
Where was I? Ah! Trivia Crack also makes students loose their train of thought. It is the kind of education that should be reserved for the summer or weekends, but more and more are playing it during the school week and in school! (I admit to being one of those people.) The strange part of it all is that students are playing the same game with their teachers. Those who refuse will soon join in, or shall be sucked in, by peer pressure. There is no escape!
Ultimately, I reserve this blog as a review of the new app. First, the name should be changed, for using “crack” does not sound appealing. The app is a waste of time, but at least it’s not merely just a game. It is the flow of information, and knowing something new will always trump a simple game, like Clash of Clans. A smart choice made by the designer was that the app runs itself. A player can make questions, rate questions, and even translate them. Overall, I would give it a 8/10. (1pt lost for it crashing sometimes and the other for it wasting my time). And it is my turn again…

Perspective

Our world is simply a vast expanse of  uniqueness, or rather, I should say our worlds are individual expanses of unique experiences. One planet, one solar system, one universe, all contain us. It is common ground, but more specifically it is scientific. However, the definition of the world can reach beyond stable structures and mathematical formulas governing laws of nature. A world is one’s own mind at work. It is the brain creating an image and sound that accompanies it. All humans perceive their surroundings differently and this is how individualism comes to be. Therefore, the idea of “one” is broken. People are all different, and perspective proves just that.
For example, scientific studies and experimentation show that each person analyzes colors differently. Just like there is a difference in how different animals see color, there is a difference in how each person will see a color. This is not to say that green won’t be green to another person, but it might look slightly different. The differentiation becomes more evident in the transition between colors. As one turns into another, different individuals will say that the color has changed at different times (this only works if it changes very slowly). So, the phrase “to walk in someone’s shoes” really gains meaning now, in a physical way.
Yet another difference in perceiving the world is the intake of sound. Not all ears are the same, so not all people will hear the same thing. This can obviously take a detour: many kids protest that they heard something else than their parents telling them to do their chores. But, what I mean by different sound is the pitch, the tone, the volume, or even the speed. People say I have an accent, but I don’t hear my accent. Ears can also be accustomed to sound and will not hear it another way. A different example occurs with recordings. When I listen to myself from a recording I think it sounds totally different. I wonder if this is the way others hear me or do they hear me the way I do.
In this complex system we call the world, billions of perspectives exist. Humans all have their own perceptions, their own images, their own sounds. Each person is an individual and his or her perspective is one in more than a billion. Now that, well that is crazy!

Oh to Where has Our Spirit Gone?

Halloween has passed and another Fall holiday is fast approaching. It is symbolized by a traditional feast including corn, mashed potatoes, and the turkey. Thanksgiving is a special time of year when people should reflect on their lives and be thankful for what they have. After this comes Christmas, my favorite, and it is symbolized by giving, Santa Claus, and joy/happiness. Sadly, today’s society has poorly misinterpreted these “joyous celebrations.”
First, let me begin with the problem occurring during Thanksgiving. It is a great event for reuniting families and all would remain great if it weren't for its brevity and the one day after it: Black Friday. Thanksgiving has been reduced to a few hours at the table when the family is eating dinner. The sales that happen on Black Friday and before are putting some shoppers in a total frenzy. Christmas presents are the first thing that comes to mind and Thanksgiving is soon forgotten.
What is it that people actually celebrate during Thanksgiving? Most would answer with something along the lines of pilgrims celebrating a good harvest with the Indians. Thanksgiving should resemble peace, but everyone forgets how many Indians were killed by the Pilgrims and explorers that came to the Americas. Giving thanks to that seems a little ironic.
To show how much people belittle Thanksgiving, I will use an example from my own neighborhood. Shockingly, it is still a week before Thanksgiving and there are Christmas lights decorating two of the houses already! Christmas songs will start to play in the radios soon and, in my opinion, it’s too early. It ruins the Christmas spirit by being monotonous by the time the 24th and 25th of December come around.
Christmas has lost its value as well. The only thing people focus on is presents. For example, one of my friend’s family does not understand the concept of Christmas quite well. They right down their presents on a piece of paper, put the papers in a box and then draw from it to see what they need to buy. Christmas does not have to be materialized. Sure, it’s nice if you get presents, but the more important things is to share the love of family.

Fascination with Culture

I would like to take the opportunity this week to reveal one of my passions. I love learning about different cultures. This fascination probably stems from me being very cultural myself. Everyday, I experience two worlds: an American school and a Polish home. I speak, write, and read both languages and I believe that being bilingual really opens one’s mind to what the world really consists of and how diverse the human race is. In school, I am currently studying Spanish and German. Personally, I enjoy Spanish more, but that is only because I know it better and have been it learning for a longer time. Language, however, is not the only thing I am learning. I am apprehending the way of life, the traditions, and characteristics of these cultures and I can’t wait to visit the countries, either for the first time or once again.
This brings me to my next point. I am very fond of traveling abroad. So far I have visited Canada, France, Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, and Italy. This coming summer I am planning to visit Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. I firmly believe that everyone learning a language should have an opportunity to visit the country they are learning about. It gives a totally new perspective and helps teach the language better than any school here in America. Up-close experience and day-to-day situations in which one has to communicate are the best tools there are to becoming a fluent speaker.
Now, a little more about me. My family is Polish and we only speak Polish at our house. It’s terrible when some families don't continue their tradition, and their native language is not passed down to their children. Thankfully, my parents didn't let that happen. My mom is a great cook, and thanks to her we can still have a Polish kitchen here, in America. The food is amazing and I would recommend it to anyone. My mom knows Italian as well and how to cook Italian food. It’s a pasta-lovers paradise.
On the other hand, there are some aspects that I don't particularly enjoy. I think that the stereotype of foreign parents being stricter is true, at least at my house. However, this has taught me discipline, a valuable characteristic for life. So, being multicultural does bring a person to a different perspective. It creates opportunities and options. I believe that everyone should, at least, be bilingual. :)

Who Am I?

First, let me begin by saying that I am a night owl. In fact, this blog is something I am doing late at night. Not a single part of me is an early bird and the only motivation or possible way of getting me up early is school and tennis. Sadly, even on Christmas morning I don’t want to get up. Why am I a night owl? Maybe because I watch too many movie series. Deriving from this example, I believe the behaviors and actions we take in lives are what define us. They show our true personality, our habits, and our identity.
In saying this, another behavior of mine, which at times I become miserable from, is my hard work. Work ethic and school is dominating my life as a student at the moment, and sometimes it makes me frustrated. My dedication to academics right now doesn’t really have any other benefits accept a scholarship. Life should be lived to the fullest, except I can’t. School gets in my way.
  But leaving that aside, another definition I like to associate with identity comes from the book “The Things They Carried”. If someone were to look at me during the spring they would see me with a tennis racquet, a jacket, an iPod, and sometimes an art project, or paint of some sort. Tennis is absolutely my favorite thing to do. I love to play recreationally, competitively, with friends, on the weekends and in the summer. The jacket represents me being prepared, while the iPod, in the explanation of my parents, shows my addiction to movie series. My second favorite activity is the arts. I really enjoy painting and drawing, and I find it a nice relaxation from the hectic day. However, an exception exists on Tuesdays, because I have art homework due on Wednesdays, not something I particularly enjoy. While mentioning the arts, I also enjoy playing the piano and have been doing so for the past twelve years.
     Another thing I carry is my backpack. It seems like a regular backpack, but the things inside really show who I am. The computer I am using to type this rests in a separate pocket. It has been my companion for about five years and I don’t know what I would do without it. The fact that it is old, and that the screen glitches when it is moved doesn’t bother me. What matters is that it works, and that I take care of my things, so it will probably last until the end of high school. The folders and binders are all organized, and neat, like me. The lunchbox in the next section of the backpack shows my independence. How? I make my own lunches. Most of the time, they are very healthy because that’s the kind of lifestyle I lead. Lastly, a significant item in my backpack is my one pencil. It is the mechanical pencil I use the whole year, showing that I am not wasteful, but efficient.
So who am I? I am an organized and independent individual with a dedication to academics, tennis, and the arts. Yet I am also a good friend, sometimes funny, but definitely not a volunteer for any public speaking. I am an American citizen, but take pride in being 100% Polish. I speak the language and live the culture. This is me, myself, and my identity. 

Does English Make Sense?

      A friend is walking in the hallway in school and sees another friend. The typical teenager interaction at this point would be the phrase “What’s up?”, resulting in an answer “nothing much”. Another situation, probably the worst one yet, is “How are you?”. I guarantee that ninety-nine percent of the times the answer will be a plain old good. But wait, there’s more…. How about the phrase “How’s your day been?” or a typical mom question: “How was school today?”
The first problem is that some of the questions themselves don’t make any sense. Take, for example, “What’s up?”. Literally, it turns into “What is up?” I would say that the sky or the ceiling are good answers, depending on where a person is located. And the response “good” doesn't make a whole lot of sense either. One can't just say that he/she is good. This would mean that they are the physical embodiment of good (but nobody’s perfect). A more appropriate answer would be “I’m well”, but this phrase is disappearing as well.
As for the rest, they have been transformed into robotic scripts. Society uses them as their bases of social interaction, which is somewhat pathetic. Most people would even be surprised to hear a different answer than good. Definitely, nobody wants to hear a tangent on how someone’s feelings changed during the day. And moms, they don't want to hear what happened every hour of their kid’s day, unless this person is still a cute first grader.
So what is happening? Society’s interactions aren't really evolving or developing in today’s world. Actually, they might as well be degrading. In my opinion, the major fault lies in texting. People are accustomed to short conversation and do not no how to interact in the real world anymore. Below are some more examples for questioning the sense of English. Can you understand them?

-Why is it when you transport stuff on a ship, it's called cargo, but when you transport it on a car, it called a shipment?
-Why isn't "palindrome" spelled the same way backwards as it is forwards?
-Why do we drive on parkways and park on driveways?
-Why are they called apartments when they are all stuck together?
-If the cops arrest a mime, do they tell him he has the right to remain silent?

Moral Heroism (Essay Intro Draft)

Daniel P.            
Teacher              
Class                  
28 October 2014

Moral Heroism

The Second World War was one of the most extreme and terrible wars that occurred in history with estimated death tolls as high as 60 million. Officially beginning on September 1st, 1939 with the invasion of Poland and ending on September 2nd, 1945 with the surrender of Japan, World War II devastated Europe and the Pacific sector for a seemingly never ending six years. Over 60 cities were completely or mostly destroyed with more than 2.5 million tons of bombs dropped. It was a global crisis, but to an extent that most do not know about. In fact, 61 countries were involved and 1.7 billion people participated one way or another, three quarter’s of the world’s population! 

 
     Heroism, a characteristic most commonly associated with soldiers and wars, was not solely based on being on the ‘good side’ during the war. It was not just battle for defense and it was not just the fulfillment of military duty for one’s country. War has absolutely no humane side or no right justification, yet heroism is doing the good, the right thing, or whatever is moral, even though it might go against authority. Thus, even if a person was forced to fight for a cause they didn't believe, the simple action of resistance proved them to be heroes. These people used logic to clearly see what was right. They stood from a judicious and objective point of view and strived for the good. 

 
     Ultimately, heroism is not defined by the end game success, but by the attempt at putting morality and lives of others above danger, which is exactly what Philipp Freiherr von Boeselager did. In his book, Valkyrie, Philipp uses chronological progression and personal experiences/examples to portray his message: morality above danger. He explains what these dangers were and how the risks affected him, but, more importantly, Philipp tells the reader of why it was important to continue the resistance and why morality did, indeed, need to stand above danger. 

Our Techie World

      There’s no better marker for human progress than innovation and advancement in the field of technology. From the first computer the size of an entire room to mini tablets that fit in pockets, mankind has transformed the structure, functioning, and design of technology. In fact, the change is so grand that what is considered modern today has barely any connections at all to what it was ‘back then’. However, the question remains: “What is technology?” Some argue it is purely the electronics. Others believe it is simply the tools people use; it doesn't have to have wiring or on/off switches. Yet, another group would suggest a dictionary based definition: “the branch of knowledge dealing with engineering or applied sciences.” Thus, this definition would be focusing more on the educational aspect of learning, not physical materials.
      All definitions seem true, yet the most prominent one is the ‘stuff’. People, in general, define things with observation or personal experience. A majority would instantly imagine a cell phone, a laptop, or an Apple product when hearing the word ‘technology’. Not surprisingly, no one would think of the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC), the first computer. This only reveals the amazing process and journey the technology field has undergone physically and visually. As I sit here, using a Microsoft Works Word Processor, I too realize that the image and the ease with which one can use modern technology is severely different from the antique computers that had to have programs encoded for every action. If it was presented to a child in these times, would he even consider it a computer? The Apple company has revolutionized our depiction of electronics. Limitations have been broken with touch-screens, air connectivity (e.g. Air Printers), and multi-functioning tools that are part of our everyday lives. Design, simple but stylish, has had a tremendous impact as well.
      Image and design can, however, be used when describing the ‘simple tools’ technology, the products not requiring electrical engineering. Objects like mechanical pencils, shoes, building material, paper, cleaning liquids, and microscopes all have one thing in common. They are, in one way or another, a technology of the modern day. None of these, however, use complicated electrical circuits, or run electricity (considering that the microscope is not battery powered). Invention is founded from desire and necessity. Being invented in 105 A.D. (paper) or in the 1590’s (microscope) does not change anything; they are still considered a technology created by humans, and will remain so for eternity. Therefore, this definition argues that anything man made, can be considered a technology.
      Besides actual products and materials themselves, a more philosophical approach explains that technology is the knowledge. It is the progress, the calculation, the experiments, and the understanding that define technology. The physical objects are simply an embodiment of the mental concepts. Under this definition, the change from mental to physical technology, or the application for practical purposes, can be included as well. People describe technology to be only what they can see and use, yet it is limitless. Anything concerning human involvement becomes affiliated with technology.
      All day, everyday, and everywhere we see it, we use it. Society has become dependent on modern technologies, like cell phones, and takes older technologies, like paper, for granted without giving it a single thought. The cumulative effort in creating technology throughout history has created such an enormous mass of information and data that individuals do not acknowledge the fact that it surrounds them in every situation. I ask myself again: “What is technology?” It is everything mankind has created!

Closet Character

     The closet, primarily thought of as a storage space for clothes, has evolved into something completely different in today’s world. While maintaining its traditional function, it serves many other purposes for different people. These purposes, along with closeting behaviors, can reveal a person from the inside. They show that person’s true qualities, an idea that might seem creepy at first, but, essentially, is the absolute truth. A fashion statement, athletic participation, an individual trait revealer, and the place to hide in or fear are all doors that lead to unique closets. Surprisingly, the closet becomes, in many ways, a part of a person’s description.

     As the primary function states, the closet holds clothes. This is the most common category of closets, probably the only one most people are aware of. The clothes inside the closet are what make this type of closet special. They represent the style, fashion, and overall appearance preferences of the individual. The closet can be filled with top quality brands, representing preference to the luxurious style, or it can be filled with sweatpants, t-shirts, and hoodies, appealing to the comfortable style. However, the previous examples represent, a normal behavior of mixed brands. Some people, lean towards the more extravagant side, tending to buy a single brand because others don't seem to hold any worth. Thus, their closet becomes a representation of their tastes.

  However, closets can assume a different classification. They are able to represent a person’s interests beyond fashion and appearance. The most common feature of these closets is their containment of sports related items. Whether it be basketball shorts, swimming suits, or martial arts uniforms, closets are able to reveal what activities a person might be participating in. Older, worn out tennis shoes or running shoes can even tell the story of the past: what a person used to like.

  Then there are the trait revealers. These closets tend to be on the extreme sides of the spectrum. For example, a closet that has some clothes folded nicely, but other wrinkled won't say much about the owner. However, there are closets that look like a jungle with clothes thrown everywhere, including on the floor, and not a single item that is wrinkle free. Surely these represent someone who is lazy, disorganized, but also someone who just doesn't care. On the other hand, closets with organized hangers and neatly folded clothes must represent people who are neat and organized. Whatever the extreme is, some closets simply function as behavior displays.

  The last category of closets belongs to children. Contrastingly though, they don’t primarily serve as storage for attire. Their most important function is a ‘hide-out’, a place to hide from the big world, a place where childhood games took a side adventure. To other children, however, the closet represented the hiding place of the world’s most feared monster. Many can still relate to the habit of closing their closet door before going to bed.

  A closet is not just merely a closet. It is a place that secretly represents a person for who they are. It tells about their preferences, activities, and memories. What would the world be like if we judged people based on their closets? What closet category would you fall under?

Louis XIV: Absolutely King of Kings

      The Middle Ages was a time period in Europe, where a power shared among kings and assemblies could be observed. Yet, the advent of Absolutism marked the real beginning of complete monarchical rule in many countries across Europe. This meant that kings would have no limits, an idea feared by many because of the potential tyranny laying underneath. During the second half of the seventeenth century, the monarchical absolutist Louis XIV gained control of France. This was possible through his religious, economic, and political efforts, which essentially lead France to become a world power. However, his rule extended further than France, for he revolutionized tradition and etiquette across Europe. The new cultural trends he set would last long after his time.
Many developing European nations faced a similar issue at hand. Religion was the most influential factor in the division of nations. With the Reformation sweeping across Europe, religious war erupted among the traditional Catholics and the newly formed Protestants. French Protestants, called Huguenots, were what prevented France’s complete unification. One of the ways in which Louis XIV became an absolute monarch was by getting rid of the people he could not control. Therefore, Louis, being a Catholic, revoked the Edict of Nantes, which was established earlier to allow the Protestant practice. Not only did he ban Protestantism, but he persecuted those who did not convert or were still suspected to be Protestant. In unfair trial, he became the jury, judge, and prosecutor. Unifying France under one religion was an important step towards absolutism. Another important characteristic of Louis was the way in which he supported his kingship. Holding a firm belief in the divine right of kings meant that Louis would only be responsible to God, and God alone. Whatever he interpreted from God, or just his own ideals, would become the law of the country.
Louis XIV's reign and authority would not have been possible if it weren't for the enormous wealth that he acquired. All of this was the work of one man: Jean-Baptiste Colbert, the controller general. Colbert’s mercantilist position and his ideal of wealth serving the state became very favorable with Louis, allowing Colbert to strengthen the French economy. The new motto became “selling more than buying,” a motto that led France’s industry to expand, producing all necessary products for the French people. Abolishment of domestic tariffs, new regulations, and encouragement of immigration into France helped create the economy that gave the funds for a successful absolutist rule. With this new establishment, France became the center of diplomacy. Louis XIV’s rule was so magnificent that every country began using French in negotiations.
An even more important contribution to Louis XIV becoming the most successful absolutist monarch was his political strategy. Louis XIII’s rule was weak and his mother, Marie de Medici, had a greater role in ruling the country. The famous Cardinal Richelieu also held great political authority. As Louis XIV came to the throne, the chief minister was Cardinal Mazarin. In order to increase his own power, Louis dismissed him and removed the position of advisor. He attained complete personal control. To keep an eye on everything, Louis appointed new, loyal nobles, who depended on him for their titles, lands, and wealth. In fact, nobles were ordered to visit Versailles, the new capital, and serve the king for a certain period of the year. Louis could gather reports on the situation in the kingdom and rule more efficiently. His expansion of the empire, centralization of the army, and training of professional officers, caused him to be the most powerful ruler in Europe during the peak of his reign.
Louis XIV is, perhaps, the best example of an absolutist ruler. He came to the throne, conquered, ruled, and achieved the height of France’s development, while spreading his influence across Europe. The Versailles palace, grand, luxurious, and expensive, was to be the new model for monarchical estates. His courtly etiquette and daily rituals inspired kings in many countries to follow suit. Under Louis XIV, France became the center of the world!

How to be Me?

Warning: This instruction manual is not suitable for all students. 

Let me begin by saying that it is tremendously difficult. What a person needs to build this character/personality is focus, unlimited work ethic, and utmost academic devotion, hence the fact that it will not be for everyone. To become who I am, a student in high school, one needs to put all attention on work, work, and work! There seems to be no end. All else, including sleep, becomes secondary.
  First, I am different than others; “unique” is what I would call it. However, this difference seems to put me at an unhappy balance. In order to become me, the first and most important step is to become a workaholic, in an academic kind of way. Even though it seems like an absurd idea, it is necessary for what comes next. I believe that to be successful, in today’s world, one needs to be in a constant state of learning, studying, and being educated. Today’s society, at least in America, does not make that easy for students because this amounts to having no time for anything else but school. Therefore, being a workaholic from the beginning eases a person into the hardships of daily life at a high school. The student comes prepared, armored with brain, pencil, and paper, to battle the ultimate adversary.
The next step in being me is to be consistent and focused. Implementing the new idea of nonstop-work is to be strictly followed everyday. There are NO excuses! This is called consistency; there are no breaks in the daily, rigorous, and monotonous routine. Sometimes, there is no time to even enjoy a bowl of ice-cream. Staying focused is very beneficial and can possibly grant you extra minutes of sleep.
To be me, it is important to understand what my daily routine consists of. For example, this will be a short recount of today, September 25th. I wake up in the morning at 5:45. This a fixed time; a good student never oversleeps. By 6:45 I am in school, and my day officially begins at 6:50 when I walk into my first period class, history. The mercy rule does not apply, even in those early morning hours. I get out my notes and start studying for the ‘possible’ quiz we might have. The rest of the day seems like a systematic brainwashing, but fear not, I do not lose focus. After I get home, I start doing my homework. Thankfully, I've been going to the gym lately, so there is at least one activity that doesn't require thinking too much. I continue my homework for the rest of the day. Dinner, becomes my only other activity in which I don't have to use my brain too much. Hooray! I go to bed at about 11:00 and the process will start over the next day.
In conclusion, it is exhausting and definitely an uninteresting day. However, only a brighter future awaits from putting so much effort into the present. In continuation about being me, the last major step is perfectionism. This doesn't necessarily mean getting absolutely everything correct. I believe that perfectionism is trying your best; it is the stride towards the perfect that counts. This is partially why reading and note taking become the worst homework assignments. They take an eternity to complete for I want to include every detail I can and have perfect notes.
In brevity, becoming a workaholic begins the journey. To progress on the path, consistency needs to be achieved. There is no slacking allowed, period! The final steps, or rather the “finally I'm done”, of the adventure are perfection. After consistently working everyday, a student needs to make sure he or she has produced extraordinary work. So, to all students: have a wonderful high school experience.

The End

United States so Great?

America, the great! America, the wonderful! America, the …! The United States of America has an extremely short history as a country when compared to the rest of the countries around the world. Is seems then, that it wouldn’t have enough time to develop like certain countries have over the many centuries. Countering this belief, the U.S. began development with an advantage: it was born within modern times. Stating this shows how truly great America is. Within such a short time span in history, democracy has been created, a full military defense established, and an advanced economy set in motion. This is truly remarkable compared to the amount of time it took certain European countries to achieve a similar state. However, commercializing and development haven’t entirely created a better “New World”. As a frequent traveler to Europe, specifically Poland, I can validate that European nations surpass the United States in many ways. Scenery, food, and education all form great contrasting points showing differences in culture, tradition, and actions taken between Poland and the United States.
1997 was the year my parents moved. To their surprise, Beechmont Avenue, a busy street of Cincinnati, was nothing like what they imagined. The commercialized hub, infested with multiples of car dealers, auto-repair shops, and other stores, was an ugly road fenced in by hideous looking electricity poles and cable lines. Greenery was scarce, practically not existent at all, near the road. This was only a suburban area, so the urban center of Cincinnati seemed even more strange and gray. From those times, not a lot has changed. How could a land of so much promise look like this? This very well shows the actual disadvantage of a country being born in the late modern era. Cities and suburbs of Poland differ severely. There are sections within the cities where cars do not drive. Instead, beautiful cobblestone streets are lined with antique buildings and filled with people and life. The suburbs are filled with colorful houses made of stone, brick and wood logs. It is not like the plain sidings of houses in the U.S. There is variety and creativity. The most important feature, however, is the underground electricity. This instantly creates a much improved picture, or scenery. In fact, only rural areas still have above ground electricity.
The old sectors of Polish cities are filled with restaurants, which add a heavenly aroma to the atmosphere. Polish cuisine and culinary tradition are great examples of the enormous contrast between America and Poland. Primarily, Polish food is healthier. A wide range of imported American products is seen in modern Polish supermarkets, but the traditional foods are not only healthier, but undergo a morally superior process of being made. What I mean by morally superior is simply how the food products are created. For example, the well-known American hot-dogs are sometimes made in a process that is utterly revolting. In Poland, generally, the food processes are much cleaner and involve more “real” meat. To exemplify product healthiness it is easiest to take the example of the common bread. In Poland, it is a tradition to consume home-made, or store baked, bread that is very nutritious. It might even contain up to ten different kinds of grains! Compared to the common American white bread, it is about four times heavier as well, suggesting the thickness and good quality of it. America the wonderful… but also wonder bread?! America, on the other hand has gone through an unfortunate period when the food industry started producing cheap and unhealthy food products. Artificial sweeteners and fructose corn syrup are literally added to almost all the foods. It is sad to find such an immense international power, such as the United State, with such a poor dietary habit.
Continuing my discussion on education from previous posts, Poland and the U.S. contrast on this point as well. Differences begin from every-day structure. American schools are focused on giving students as much information as possible, without acknowledging the consequences. There is a single break in the day for the young kids and none at all for the older ones because so much of the day is spent on teaching. Most courses in high school are based on a year, meaning they last for a year and are not repeated again. The education system does not prepare students well for their future jobs because career training starts in college. All these methods differ from what is instituted in the Polish system. Students get more breaks throughout the day not only in elementary school, but also in middle and high school. This allows the students to be “refreshed” for their next classes. More movement also means they will be able to learn better. The course system in Poland does not just teach students a subject and moves on. It is a process. From elementary school through high school, students are introduced to more and more complex topics in the subjects. For example, mathematics is not split into the general Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, etc.; it is a course that is steadily built upon year after year including formulas and theories from all of the different categories combined. Essentially, education is not organized subject by subject, but as a simple to a complex study of the overall. Lastly, career planning begins early in Poland. This allows for students to start choosing paths as early as the beginning of high school. Different paths divide the time spent on subjects differently. For example, if the career choice is in mathematics, then there will be more time spent in this area than in language arts. This is not to say that language arts is entirely wiped off the schedule. It just shows that language arts is taught to a level of necessity for ones future.
Scenery, food, and education are just a few of the matters in which America differs from Poland. All the differences are, however, subject to one influence: time for development. Poland has had the centuries of existence to build the foundations for beautiful living spaces, healthier food production, and a better education system. America has only had 200 years to accomplish this. So, perhaps, the most important contrast between the two is their age.

Reform for Education

  School, nowadays, is not the same as it was back then. In the past, school systems were much easier on the student; they allowed students to have a life and a good time outside of the seven hours a day, five days a week of education they received. In today’s world, it is very difficult for some students to find time for themselves, like reading a book for pleasure or going out to the movies. Some, in fact, find themselves going to school twice a day: in the morning for lessons and in the afternoon for homework and studying. It is like a CEO’s job. The CEO, or student in this case, never stops working!
  This has become an outrageous situation because it is hurting students more than the government or school authorities know, for it is they who are imposing these conditions on the students. The school is simply tiring out the students physically and mentally; it is taking away their lives as well. As difficult as it is to comprehend, it is the truth. Students do not have time for themselves anymore.
  A student enters the building, but there is something wrong. He almost trips on the stairs as his heavy backpack is making it hard for him to balance in those early morning hours. His eye shadows seem to be bigger than his eyes themselves. He does not walk normally, but drags his feet as he makes his daily routes across the building. The stairs are a killer, for there is five floors. In class, he slouches as his eyes close by themselves. This is reality. It is physically what most students look like, at least those who try to earn good grades. The physical exhaustion they endure is taking a toll on their behaviors and appearance.
  Teenagers are in a dangerous situation with their physical health at risk. The large amount of studies after school cut down on the amount of sleep a student will receive. The student mentioned before is getting less hours of sleep than the doctor's recommendation, an occurrence well known throughout high schools across the country. Therefore, the shadows underneath his eyes, get darker and bigger as the days go by. Weekends seem to be a salvation, but soon they become a very short break in the extensive learning period of an entire week. This phenomenon results in mental weakening meaning a decrease in academic performance. The exemplified student cannot gather focus and attention for all his classes.
  This, however, is not the only problem. The nation's school system is putting students in a difficult position. Although colleges and universities require good grades for scholarships, they also want to see résumés filled with clubs, sports, and other extra-curricular activities. These two requirements oppose each other. How can the poor student have time to accomplish all these things after school if he needs to do all his work and study at the same time?! As mentioned in the beginning, the student’s life outside of school is taken away.
  This leads to a severe problem our nation is facing. The condition of students is worsening, as new course methods and material increase in difficulty. For example, AP tests our now harder than in the years past; this is proven by statistical records of less students receiving fours and fives. The important question to ask is does this type of rigorous educational routine have an impact for the future of these students? It does not. In fact, it does not make sense. A student could have nothing in his future career to do with chemistry, and yet in high school, he needs to try laboriously to get a good grade so he can get a scholarship to the college that is training for his type of job. Essentially, it is work that could be avoided if the educational system was reformed.

A Creature of Procrastination

       It was the last month of my freshman year. I had worked hard all year to complete my assignments on time, to put quality effort into them, and to earn good grades. However, the creature project in my biology class was the one that pushed me to my limits. As I said before, it was the end of the year and, naturally (I think this happens to most people), I became slower and, most of all, somewhat lazy in my academic work. I found myself the day before the creature project was due with half the work done! This was not a sixth grade drawing and summary of an invented animal. It was a thorough analysis of the environment, adaptations, and significant developments of an animal that had to be drawn with particular detail as well. Essentially, it was a drawing with an analytical essay, as expected from a high school course.
       The time was slowly ticking away as it got darker and darker. Obviously, I had other homework which I finished beforehand, but this left me little time to finish the one thing that was the most important. Midnight came around and I had finished the illustration of a very good looking desert lizard. I also completed the other sections except the two longest parts: the adaptations and environmental interactions. Suddenly, my mother came into my room and told me that I could not stay up so late and had to go to sleep. Frankly, I was devastated. How on earth could an A+ student bare to get a C on his final project of the year? I formulated a very good plan. Instead of skipping school the next day, my determination gave me the belief that I would somehow finish before that last period biology class.
        It was four in the morning the next day. Like a zombie, I stood up, turned of the alarm and showered. Thankfully, nobody had woken up. The cold shower felt very uncomfortable in that early morning, but I knew that was necessary in order to keep me awake. I turned on the computer and started typing as fast as I could, and finally, an end product was reached by the time my dad and brother were waking up at six. I was very proud of completing those four pages of analysis. Unfortunately, I only had time to revise once. At least I knew it was going to be C grade material.
       The rest of day was one of the hardest I have experienced. It was the first time I had gotten four hours of sleep on a school night and my eyes were literally closing in every class. Paying attention seemed like an impossible task. However, I managed not to make a fool of myself and I did not completely fall asleep. In biology, I turned in the binder as if nothing had happened. Two week later the grades were in. Those two weeks were full on anxiety and I was checking Progress Book, where all the grades were, non-stop. Finally the day came. This was the biggest surprise yet: I had gotten a 98% and my teacher asked me to use my binder as an example for future students. She certainly did not know what an enormous amount of procrastination lay hidden in that binder.
       Hello fellow readers and welcome to my blog. My name is Daniel and currently I am a junior, still in the same school. This secret has stayed with me for a long time now. I do admit to being a procrastinator; however, this is a case that happens not very often. As the story tells, I work hard academically to be an excellent student. My methods might not be ideal to follow but are anybody’s methods ideal? I like to think that everybody is a unique individual and whatever helps a person achieve the best results is the strategy they should follow. Pressure might be some people’s motivation, but ironically I do make a strong suggestion to use time wisely.
       Now that you know a little about me from an academic standpoint, I would like to reveal some more details about myself as a general introduction. My favorite sport is tennis and I absolutely love playing it. Like most teenage boys, I enjoy playing videogames. Traveling is a must for me and my family and I go on amazing vacations each year in Europe. I have been playing the piano for about ten years now. I hope you enjoy my further entries, in which I will reveal what changes I believe should take place in America’s educational system and how this would prevent sleep-deprived student like me on the day I finished that project.