This summer I had aboslutely nothing to do . I decided I wanted to buy a Playstation 3 or a guitar or something cool to waste time with . Unfortunately, I had no money. So I did what any respectable teenager short on cash would do; get a job as a caddy.
I had applied at the Western Golf Course in Redford and was quickly accepted. The first day I showed up I had to do a training for golf. I knew nothing about the sport so I had to attend this seminar with all the new caddies. I paid very little attention, catching just about nothing from the training. Afterwards, I had to go do some caddying, my first time. The first guy I caddied for was about 65 years old. He had graying hair, was about six foot tall, and was smoking a fat cigar. I carried his clubs around and gave him the ones he asked for. I was confused about which ones were which, he would say "Nine iron" andI'd be like "What you callin' me?", other times he'd say something about his boat or whatever and I wouldn't hear, or I just wasn't listening. When we got to the 17th hole, I was getting sick of golf, and just wanted to get my money and take a napp, but I couldn't. The man was terrible at golfing, even though I knew nothing about the sport. He seemed to swing his club at the ball fifteen times before he'd hit it, and he'd sware excessively with every failed attempt to hit the ball. By the time he'd finished I was awake fully, and ready to do a little more work.
The man gave me a twenty dollar tip for my service, which was pretty generous because I didn't do much. After, I got to take another man's clubs, who said his name was Dreier. He was about two feet tall and had a high pitched voice. He handed me his golf clubs, which were sized in proportion to his diminutive body, and in a miniature case that looked like something from a Barbie doll's garage. I set all my rude judgements aside and assisted him with his clubs as he hit the balls across the course. He was a great golfer. He would hit the ball right near where the hole was, and then he'd put it in in about two puts. Watching him play was interesting enough and the game seemed to be over in a hurry. The jolly little man gave me a tip, I thanked him, and both he and I left the course. It was an honor to meet Dreier, he was an amazing golfer.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Friday, February 5, 2010
Blog Post 2/12/10
The F.B.I. should continue interrogating Umar Farouk Abdulmutalleb for information.
The FBI needs Umar’s information to increase homeland security. After bringing his family to interrogations, he is convinced that the law will be less harsh on him if he tells everything he knows of terrorist plots. Getting as much information from the suspect will be beneficial to the U.S. because he is releasing facts such as upcoming terrorist plans, technology, and possibly strategic Al Qaeda plans. Lately, America has been subject to a lot of failed terrorist plots. Getting ahead of their attack plans and strategies is very important to America's security.
The more facts from Umar that we can get, the better. He is a great source because he is desperate and informed. If he can leak as much knowledge about terror, than we will be more prepared for attacks and know where to focus our national security efforts for the future. Although terror attacks are something that is bound to happen, this knowledge can show us the Al Qaedas priorities and plans for attacksa. The United States has lately been a major target for the terrorist plots, and the more knowledge we have the better for our national security.
The FBI needs Umar’s information to increase homeland security. After bringing his family to interrogations, he is convinced that the law will be less harsh on him if he tells everything he knows of terrorist plots. Getting as much information from the suspect will be beneficial to the U.S. because he is releasing facts such as upcoming terrorist plans, technology, and possibly strategic Al Qaeda plans. Lately, America has been subject to a lot of failed terrorist plots. Getting ahead of their attack plans and strategies is very important to America's security.
The more facts from Umar that we can get, the better. He is a great source because he is desperate and informed. If he can leak as much knowledge about terror, than we will be more prepared for attacks and know where to focus our national security efforts for the future. Although terror attacks are something that is bound to happen, this knowledge can show us the Al Qaedas priorities and plans for attacksa. The United States has lately been a major target for the terrorist plots, and the more knowledge we have the better for our national security.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Winter break blogging
The film Power of One is a very interesting movie in comparison to the other movies we’ve watched in Global Ed. So far because it is a story of the main characters life rather than just a struggle in a part of their life. The film began with P.K. as a child and progressed until he was in his early twenties. It was interesting to see how the spread of Nazism came and went somewhat quickly but it’s effects stayed in South Africa, such as the racism displayed by the police force in P.K.’s adulthood. The most disturbing part of the movie occurred when the prison guard made Geel Pete eat the waste from the bucket. Another disturbing moment is when Geel Pete is killed. In general though, the movie was not very depressing at all, and managed to be somewhat upbeat how it showed P.K. overcome the problems he encountered.
P.K. was a remarkable character because he was very honest and respectable as a child and an adult. When he was a child he was scorned because of his British culture at an Afrikaner school. Jaapie Botha constantly assaulted him by spitting on him, urinating on him, and killing his chicken, which was his only friend at the school. When P.K. grew up he didn’t have any hate for Afrikaners, because he fell in love with Maria. He knew that one’s race didn’t determine what kind of person they are. The Power of One was a film not only about South African racism, but also about the concept that race does not say that a person is friendly or and enemy.
Every holiday season families celebrate traditions with friends and family. All people celebrate differently; some observe Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa. Every year my family and I commemorate Christmas and New Year’s Day. Like every year, during the week before Christmas we go to a party for my mom’s side of the family at one of my uncles’ or aunts’ houses. At the party, I usually hang out with my cousin Bradley and play video games, all the adults chat and drink wine, and my other cousin’s usually end up beating me in game of pool by the end of the day. After a dinner of ham or turkey we exchange silly gifts called “White Elephant” where each family brings an used, usually strange household item and swaps it with another family member. On Christmas Eve me my parents, sister and I usually watch A Christmas Story and other assorted Christmas movie until night when we go to eat Chinese food. Afterwards, we go to midnight mass at Saint Aiden’s in Livonia. I usually fall asleep unintentionally a couple times during the service, but I am not the only person in the crowd dozing off. After the mass, we go back home and go to bed as it is about Three A.M. when we returm
Each year we usually invite my Uncle Paul and grandmother over for dinner and gifts on Christmas Day. They stay for dinner and leave around nightfall. The next few days are pretty lame, because of no holidays, but on New Year’s Eve, me and family stay up and watch the ball drop in New York every year. On New Year’s Day, I just sleep in and hang out with friends. The Next day, January Second is my birthday so I have to eat dinner with my family at the restaurant of my choice. Every holiday season my family and I spend a lot of time together, sometimes too much, but we always have a good time.
2009 was a year that I cannot forget. I went from being an immature eighth grader to a more responsible high school student. A year ago today I was probably watching TV shows I’d today call shows for kids, listening to lame music that I’ve outgrown, and wasting my money on things like video games that for the most part aren’t used anymore. 2009 also brought a lot of good things, I began to take school and work more seriously since this summer, which has proven beneficial already. I have become a much more focused person this past year and plan to keep it that way, but I also plan to keep having fun and enjoying my life.
As I sat on the cough falling asleep waiting for the New Year to officially begin, I briefly thought about what 2010 should symbolize for me. I couldn’t come up with one resolution. After considering it for a while, I still couldn’t come up with anything serious. Later, I determined that a good resolution for this year is to continue taking school seriously, and to think before I talk more often, because that usually gets me in trouble. In 2010 my other goals are to clean my room more often, to keep my mind open, to get a job, to learn to drive, learn to save money more effectively, and learn to play harmonica. I think if I follow these rules I have set for myself, that I will gradually become a better person.
P.K. was a remarkable character because he was very honest and respectable as a child and an adult. When he was a child he was scorned because of his British culture at an Afrikaner school. Jaapie Botha constantly assaulted him by spitting on him, urinating on him, and killing his chicken, which was his only friend at the school. When P.K. grew up he didn’t have any hate for Afrikaners, because he fell in love with Maria. He knew that one’s race didn’t determine what kind of person they are. The Power of One was a film not only about South African racism, but also about the concept that race does not say that a person is friendly or and enemy.
Every holiday season families celebrate traditions with friends and family. All people celebrate differently; some observe Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa. Every year my family and I commemorate Christmas and New Year’s Day. Like every year, during the week before Christmas we go to a party for my mom’s side of the family at one of my uncles’ or aunts’ houses. At the party, I usually hang out with my cousin Bradley and play video games, all the adults chat and drink wine, and my other cousin’s usually end up beating me in game of pool by the end of the day. After a dinner of ham or turkey we exchange silly gifts called “White Elephant” where each family brings an used, usually strange household item and swaps it with another family member. On Christmas Eve me my parents, sister and I usually watch A Christmas Story and other assorted Christmas movie until night when we go to eat Chinese food. Afterwards, we go to midnight mass at Saint Aiden’s in Livonia. I usually fall asleep unintentionally a couple times during the service, but I am not the only person in the crowd dozing off. After the mass, we go back home and go to bed as it is about Three A.M. when we returm
Each year we usually invite my Uncle Paul and grandmother over for dinner and gifts on Christmas Day. They stay for dinner and leave around nightfall. The next few days are pretty lame, because of no holidays, but on New Year’s Eve, me and family stay up and watch the ball drop in New York every year. On New Year’s Day, I just sleep in and hang out with friends. The Next day, January Second is my birthday so I have to eat dinner with my family at the restaurant of my choice. Every holiday season my family and I spend a lot of time together, sometimes too much, but we always have a good time.
2009 was a year that I cannot forget. I went from being an immature eighth grader to a more responsible high school student. A year ago today I was probably watching TV shows I’d today call shows for kids, listening to lame music that I’ve outgrown, and wasting my money on things like video games that for the most part aren’t used anymore. 2009 also brought a lot of good things, I began to take school and work more seriously since this summer, which has proven beneficial already. I have become a much more focused person this past year and plan to keep it that way, but I also plan to keep having fun and enjoying my life.
As I sat on the cough falling asleep waiting for the New Year to officially begin, I briefly thought about what 2010 should symbolize for me. I couldn’t come up with one resolution. After considering it for a while, I still couldn’t come up with anything serious. Later, I determined that a good resolution for this year is to continue taking school seriously, and to think before I talk more often, because that usually gets me in trouble. In 2010 my other goals are to clean my room more often, to keep my mind open, to get a job, to learn to drive, learn to save money more effectively, and learn to play harmonica. I think if I follow these rules I have set for myself, that I will gradually become a better person.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
What I am Thankful for
1) Life; People tend to get caught up in the little things that cause them problems. We need to focus on the big picture. Life is about doing what you want in this great world of possibilities and adventures. The only thing stopping you from living is yourself.
2) Family; I hear kids say all the time that they hate their parents. I understand that they can be angry with them, I know that they don’t mean they hate their parents. Your family provides for you – they give you meals, clothes, and love. It’s important to respect your elders because they know a lot about life.
3) A home; Can you imagine life without your home? I can’t. There are people who line up to sleep in the homeless shelters in Detroit. My house is warm, friendly, and comfortable. We tend to look beyond our home as a blessing, like it is something that everyone has, but it isn’t, and everyone should recognize that with thanks.
4) Food; Of course, the main event of Thanksgiving is eating food. We can’t forget to give thanks for the food. We also should give thanks that we get food every other day, because our parents go to work to provide for their family.
5) Health; If you were to go through a hospital, you’d see some people that would make your jaw drop. They could be missing their legs, or have cancer, and they are fighting it out to the end, they are living their life to the fullest. Healthy people like us look at this like it is uncommon to have a terminal disease or have cancer. We should all be happy and grateful that we are in good health.
6) Friends; Everybody has friends, and hopefully they are good people. Many kids fall into the wrong crowd and get caught up in misbehavior like drugs, or gang activity and it will affect them their whole lives. I am glad I have friends that look out for me the same way I look out for them.
7) My iPod; I need to listen to music at least every day. My iPod is the main provider of “the jams”, and I am glad I have this fine machine. From Metallica and Lamb of God to B.B. King and Eric Clapton, my iPod is providing me with happiness one song at a time.
8) My dog ; AJ is not only the cutest corgi in this world, but also the strangest. He is very oddly proportioned. My dog’s specifications are six inch legs, four inch ears, and three a foot long body. We got AJ when I was in third grade, and ever since he has always been the coolest dog to have around.
9) School; We all get sick of school sometimes, because it’s seven hours of hard work and then usually preceded by an hour or two of homework. It is important to get an education because if we want a successful future, chances are, school is the only way to achieve it. In Detroit for an example kids get terrible education in a violent, impoverished environment. In Livonia we get a much better environment that is always safe from violence.
10) Being an American; America is far from perfect, but it is most likely the closest any country will get ever get to it. We aren’t at war within our borders, we aren’t enslaved to anyone, and we don’t have non-stop anarchical riots. I think America is a great country to live in, and if you don’t, you’ve never been to another nation.
2) Family; I hear kids say all the time that they hate their parents. I understand that they can be angry with them, I know that they don’t mean they hate their parents. Your family provides for you – they give you meals, clothes, and love. It’s important to respect your elders because they know a lot about life.
3) A home; Can you imagine life without your home? I can’t. There are people who line up to sleep in the homeless shelters in Detroit. My house is warm, friendly, and comfortable. We tend to look beyond our home as a blessing, like it is something that everyone has, but it isn’t, and everyone should recognize that with thanks.
4) Food; Of course, the main event of Thanksgiving is eating food. We can’t forget to give thanks for the food. We also should give thanks that we get food every other day, because our parents go to work to provide for their family.
5) Health; If you were to go through a hospital, you’d see some people that would make your jaw drop. They could be missing their legs, or have cancer, and they are fighting it out to the end, they are living their life to the fullest. Healthy people like us look at this like it is uncommon to have a terminal disease or have cancer. We should all be happy and grateful that we are in good health.
6) Friends; Everybody has friends, and hopefully they are good people. Many kids fall into the wrong crowd and get caught up in misbehavior like drugs, or gang activity and it will affect them their whole lives. I am glad I have friends that look out for me the same way I look out for them.
7) My iPod; I need to listen to music at least every day. My iPod is the main provider of “the jams”, and I am glad I have this fine machine. From Metallica and Lamb of God to B.B. King and Eric Clapton, my iPod is providing me with happiness one song at a time.
8) My dog ; AJ is not only the cutest corgi in this world, but also the strangest. He is very oddly proportioned. My dog’s specifications are six inch legs, four inch ears, and three a foot long body. We got AJ when I was in third grade, and ever since he has always been the coolest dog to have around.
9) School; We all get sick of school sometimes, because it’s seven hours of hard work and then usually preceded by an hour or two of homework. It is important to get an education because if we want a successful future, chances are, school is the only way to achieve it. In Detroit for an example kids get terrible education in a violent, impoverished environment. In Livonia we get a much better environment that is always safe from violence.
10) Being an American; America is far from perfect, but it is most likely the closest any country will get ever get to it. We aren’t at war within our borders, we aren’t enslaved to anyone, and we don’t have non-stop anarchical riots. I think America is a great country to live in, and if you don’t, you’ve never been to another nation.
Friday, October 23, 2009
High School a Month in Review
Steven Hoekstra
Old Friends new friends – some people I already knew that go to this school are Scott Yaroch, and Brendan Webberly, who both went to my old school. Some new friends I’ve met are Austin Dyer and Alex Chase. Scott and Brendan both went to St. Michael’s with me last year.
SHS activities attended – I’ve been on the football team all year and been to every game. Even though the team lost 8 games and tied 1, it was fun while it lasted. I also went to the freshman dance on Sept. 11th.
Funniest, weirdest, and scariest moments- The funniest things going are watching Big Purge swearing and yelling at me, which was also one of the scariest moments. The weirdest thing that happened was having 2 days off in a row.
Hardest, easiest class and assignments – The hardest class I’ve had is personal fitness because I have to swim every day and I always feel sick after I swim. The easiest class I am in is German because it is fun.
Top five current events – some current events going on in the news right now are there is a global recession, Obama won the Nobel Prize for Peace, scientists discovered an early human that they call “Ardi”, Governor Granholm is cutting millions of dollars from school systems, and a guy stole a limousine and charged people for rides, but then got shot by police with a taser when he tried to escape.
Faces in the news – Granholm has been in the news for taking away school funding. Obama has been in the news for winning the Nobel Peace prize and trying to get the Olympics of 2016 to be in Chicago. Hamid Karzai, who was accused of voting fraud, is the president of Afghanistan. Mahmud Achimedinejad was in trouble for having a secret uranium enrichment facility. Kim Jung Il has been testing nuclear weapons. Michael Jackson is dead.
Interesting new words - Super spunky Spartan Day, ostrich, Kookaburra, Islamabad are all words I’ve learned. The book Walkabout used words I had never heard like kookaburra and billabong. I also learned words that the Aborigine used in the story for water (arkoloola), food (yeemara), and Girl (Lubra).
Popular or memorable songs- music I’ve been listening to includes The Sex Pistols, and The Clash, and Rise Against. Popular music is more like rap that I never listen to. Some songs that keep getting played on the radio are anything by Michael Jackson because he recently died.
Popular or memorable movies – Some popular movies are Paranormal Activities, and Where the Wild Things Are. Since it’s Halloween almost, the Saw movies have been on just about every night.
Rumors or gossip – Big Purge cried after the last freshman game last night. I heard gossip that there is a pizza party for our team on Wednesday.
Fads and trends – plaid, I’m told is popular in fashion right now by my teacher, Mrs. Van Horn. I also see a lot of people wearing those sunglasses with the shutters on them, I can’t tell if that’s a fashion or just to be funny. I’ve seen people walking around outside wearing Snuggies, too.
First and cultural event – I took a Trip to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland this summer. For my next cultural event I might go to the Science Center to see the Mexican mummies.
Homecoming – senior day, super spunky Spartan spirit day, Western day, tie dye day were all events that occurred during Homecoming week. In the hallway on senior day it was fun because some students were dressed up with walker
Advice for a freshman – Do your homework, pay attention, take notes, be cool
What I’m looking forward to – graduating, Christmas, all Fridays.
Other noteworthy achievements or events- This week I am probably buying a new guitar from my friend. After that, we might go to a Cemetery at night time this weekend.
Old Friends new friends – some people I already knew that go to this school are Scott Yaroch, and Brendan Webberly, who both went to my old school. Some new friends I’ve met are Austin Dyer and Alex Chase. Scott and Brendan both went to St. Michael’s with me last year.
SHS activities attended – I’ve been on the football team all year and been to every game. Even though the team lost 8 games and tied 1, it was fun while it lasted. I also went to the freshman dance on Sept. 11th.
Funniest, weirdest, and scariest moments- The funniest things going are watching Big Purge swearing and yelling at me, which was also one of the scariest moments. The weirdest thing that happened was having 2 days off in a row.
Hardest, easiest class and assignments – The hardest class I’ve had is personal fitness because I have to swim every day and I always feel sick after I swim. The easiest class I am in is German because it is fun.
Top five current events – some current events going on in the news right now are there is a global recession, Obama won the Nobel Prize for Peace, scientists discovered an early human that they call “Ardi”, Governor Granholm is cutting millions of dollars from school systems, and a guy stole a limousine and charged people for rides, but then got shot by police with a taser when he tried to escape.
Faces in the news – Granholm has been in the news for taking away school funding. Obama has been in the news for winning the Nobel Peace prize and trying to get the Olympics of 2016 to be in Chicago. Hamid Karzai, who was accused of voting fraud, is the president of Afghanistan. Mahmud Achimedinejad was in trouble for having a secret uranium enrichment facility. Kim Jung Il has been testing nuclear weapons. Michael Jackson is dead.
Interesting new words - Super spunky Spartan Day, ostrich, Kookaburra, Islamabad are all words I’ve learned. The book Walkabout used words I had never heard like kookaburra and billabong. I also learned words that the Aborigine used in the story for water (arkoloola), food (yeemara), and Girl (Lubra).
Popular or memorable songs- music I’ve been listening to includes The Sex Pistols, and The Clash, and Rise Against. Popular music is more like rap that I never listen to. Some songs that keep getting played on the radio are anything by Michael Jackson because he recently died.
Popular or memorable movies – Some popular movies are Paranormal Activities, and Where the Wild Things Are. Since it’s Halloween almost, the Saw movies have been on just about every night.
Rumors or gossip – Big Purge cried after the last freshman game last night. I heard gossip that there is a pizza party for our team on Wednesday.
Fads and trends – plaid, I’m told is popular in fashion right now by my teacher, Mrs. Van Horn. I also see a lot of people wearing those sunglasses with the shutters on them, I can’t tell if that’s a fashion or just to be funny. I’ve seen people walking around outside wearing Snuggies, too.
First and cultural event – I took a Trip to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland this summer. For my next cultural event I might go to the Science Center to see the Mexican mummies.
Homecoming – senior day, super spunky Spartan spirit day, Western day, tie dye day were all events that occurred during Homecoming week. In the hallway on senior day it was fun because some students were dressed up with walker
Advice for a freshman – Do your homework, pay attention, take notes, be cool
What I’m looking forward to – graduating, Christmas, all Fridays.
Other noteworthy achievements or events- This week I am probably buying a new guitar from my friend. After that, we might go to a Cemetery at night time this weekend.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
American culture
American culture is something that many Americans don’t believe exists, for this reason; it is not easy to tell what American Culture is. I think that our culture was created by a combination of people from different countries all over the world. All the individual cultures grow less prominent and people become part of this U.S. culture. For example, common music Americans listen to like rock, was developed out of slave chants which soon became known as the blues. Many African Americans who were enslaved in the 1800’s sang these chants. Blues music evolved into rock through years of American ingenuity through experimentation with different instruments and vocal styles. You may describe American culture as developing in this way. There are quite a few examples that we may not have known are part of our culture really are. Holidays like Valentine’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Halloween are all celebrations that began in the United States. America is home to many of the most important inventions of all time. The computer developed in the U.S. The light bulb was created by Thomas Edison in America. Imagine the modern world without these inventions. American people are always being changed by these innovative ideas. Our culture is possibly the most innovative and varied culture in the world. In my family, culture isn’t very noticeable, to me at least. Other than hearing my grandmother speak Dutch every once in a while, I don’t think that my family is very cultural. My dad’s mother and father were both born in America to parents born in the Netherlands. I never met his father, but I am told he could speak Dutch. I would describe my family’s culture as falling apart for the most part. It seems like in America, people’s culture fades away, neither of my parents have been to where their families are originally from, and neither have I. America seems to be one culture growing out of a million different ones, and when all these cultures come together the individual culture seems to not be present as much as before. People adapt to their new habitats after they leave there home country.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)