Well, as you can see, I've slacked off on my blogging due to summer and the requirement for a grade was no longer there. Whoops :) but college is approaching more quickly than I think I would like it to. Also, the MTV series I'm going to be on, "If You Really Knew Me" premiered Tuesday, and Riverside's episode will air on the 3rd of August. Time has flown! When they came to school to film, I still had my senior prom ahead of me, graduation, college orientation, amongst other important events in my life. All those have gone and passed, and in less than a month I will be attending Marshall University as a full time student. Wowzers.
As for now, my main worry is about the show. I'm nervous about how all will be portrayed and how my family and friends will react to what I have said. The upside is how many people will be positively affected by the show, and how, hopefully, the students at Riverside will gain a new insight on how everything they say, and do, not only affects them but the others around them. Also, that some may lend an ear and hug to someone who just needs to talk. The "Be the Change" club we instated last year should become a successful program that will aid Riverside in becoming a better school. Well, folks that is all for now. I'm not allowed to say much, can't spoil anything ;) Be looking for more! :)
Katie :)
Friday, July 23, 2010
Saturday, May 22, 2010
My Blog I Owe Chez
Which team pages did you visit?
What is your overall constructive review?
What do they still need to work on?
What ideas might you take back to your own team page?
Does the topic of the game meet the educational requirement?
Be sure to hyperlink their team page to the blog.
Be sure to leave comments on classmates' blog posts too.
First, I visited Team JESSAMIAH!'s team page. I love that all of their team page is filled out and updated. It's complete and their game, is obviously amazing. They've worked so hard and completely succeed in what they set out to do. Great job guys!
The second team page I viewed was, Team Ninja Hobos , I love how they have every step uploaded here. Although they may not have been able to use everything they created it's still great to see it. I know they've had some struggles and I respect them for fighting through them. I would like to see some more elaborative asnwers for their questions though, some of them are very short. Overall, I'd give them an "A".
As for our team page, it's completely filled out and all of our steps are uploaded. I'm proud of it.
Overall, I believe our entire class overall has worked our butt's off. Hooray for us!
What is your overall constructive review?
What do they still need to work on?
What ideas might you take back to your own team page?
Does the topic of the game meet the educational requirement?
Be sure to hyperlink their team page to the blog.
Be sure to leave comments on classmates' blog posts too.
First, I visited Team JESSAMIAH!'s team page. I love that all of their team page is filled out and updated. It's complete and their game, is obviously amazing. They've worked so hard and completely succeed in what they set out to do. Great job guys!
The second team page I viewed was, Team Ninja Hobos , I love how they have every step uploaded here. Although they may not have been able to use everything they created it's still great to see it. I know they've had some struggles and I respect them for fighting through them. I would like to see some more elaborative asnwers for their questions though, some of them are very short. Overall, I'd give them an "A".
As for our team page, it's completely filled out and all of our steps are uploaded. I'm proud of it.
Overall, I believe our entire class overall has worked our butt's off. Hooray for us!
Globa-what? (almost finished :)
After you have presented, please create a blog post that reflects on your work that you have accomplished in this class. Blog posts must be multi paragraphed, provide links (not a website written out, but an actually hyperlink), pictures/video, and take a serious look on the work done. This last blog post will be worth 75 points. Therefore, it is not to be taken lightly or to be completed without thought. All of this work must be finished by Tuesday afternoon. You will have the evenings, weekend, and Monday and Tuesday in class to complete what you haven't finished. (75 points
Well, the end has finally come. Not only to my senior year, but my amazing senior English class. When I went to walk into Chez's room my first day of class, and there was a sign to go to A15 (a computer lab) I should have known that something was up. We all took seats at the desks and were immediately ask to take a chair at a computer. We then learned about this program called Globaloria. Globa-what? Yes, Globaloria. In a nutshell, we were about to embark on the first paperless, penless class at Riverside. This is how our journey began.
First, we were asked to create a personal wiki. Wiki!Wiki!(Sorry, I couldn't resist.)This is remotely like a profile page for yourself, embedded in the schools main wiki. This aspect of our class allowed us to upload pictures, tell a little about ourselves, and change backgrounds/font colors using HTML. Psht, I thought this class would be a breeze...if only that had been ALL we had to do.
Next step, a blog. My FAVORITE part of this class was our blogs. I love the way they can be customized and you can let all that you're feeling loose on here. I do plan to keep up with mine after this class is over. Our blog was to be utilized for writing our "papers". Since we clearly aren't the typical English class, you shouldn't expect us to use lame "Microsoft Word" to write a paper. We would just log-in and post it on here. Many of our assignments were to write blogs; I think it's an interesting new and fun way to take the stress out of writing a generic two page report.
So far, so good. I had mastered uploading my avatar, updating my wiki, and blogging. Then came the curve ball: FLASH. I have so much respect for anyone that can decipher a FLASH code, because I'm not going to lie; after four and a half months, I still can't make heads or tails of it. If it didn't work correctly the first time, I had to think about maybe holding up the white flag. This is when I knew who was going to be my parter for my senior project; Amy.
Speaking of senior projects, I must have failed to mention, that once again, our class is beyond average. Ninety percent of our senior class had to stand up with a research paper and tri-board while being pounded questions about the subject they chose to research; not us! Our senior project was to create a video game on FLASH, creating awareness to a social issues. Sounded easy enough; boy, was I wrong.
We then selected partners for this shin dig. I chose my life long bestfriend, Amy. She had the technical skills, and being an art geek, I could draw in FLASH (just about the only thing I could do.) We decided that since the drop out rates in West Virginia and in our area are increasing rapidly, we'd design our game with a fun aspect of how to stay in school, even when obstacles are coming at you. The next big decision, our team name.
Pinky and the Brain, Brain, Brain, Brain...yes, the hit 90's cartoon. THAT! would be our name. Pinky is a fun loving, sometimes a bit of an air head, mouse and Brain is the serious let's get to work mouse. Our team perfectly. Amy figured out keyframes, how to make buttons, and all that technical jazz while I drew our characters and mazes. When things got tough and frustrating, I would unleash my Pinky Powa and provide humor to the situation; at least I was good for something besides being able to draw an adorable mouse in FLASH. We thought our game was going on the straight and narrow path to success, until we hit a bump in the road with coding in FLASH.
The object of our game? You are a mouse who has been trapped in a maze, to make it to the winning screen, you must hide in doorways to dodge oncoming objects that represent situations that could cause you to not graduate. As you moved up a level, one doorway would disappear, causing each level to increase in difficulty as you went from freshman, sophomore, junior, then to senior year to finish the game and "graduate". Everything was going fine and dandy until we ran into trouble trying to make our maze into a movieclip. When converting the maze, it would erase some of our lines, creating gaps in the structure of our maze. We searched google, help from other classmates,everything to try and make this work. Sadly, we found no answer. Our game was incomplete and somewhat of a let down. Looking back at it now, I should be proud of what we did accomplish. FLASH is not easy and learning that much about technology in four and a half months is stellar.
After watching the rest of my class' presentations, I must say we are one special and phenomenal class. We have risen above the rest and taken a challenge most would back down from. We have gained a new set of knowledge that not many may ever learn in their lives. Even though this class was extremely difficult and hard at times, I'm thankful that it kept me going through to the end of my senior year. I can't remember a day where I didn't laugh in this class or that there wasn't something going on that could make my day brighter. Thank you Globaloria, my class, and of course Chez for this opportunity. At least come next Saturday when I'm walking down the steps of the stage with a diploma in my hand, I won't need a FLASH code to tell me how to make it back down to my seat, because if I did, I would have to stand there until Jessica or PJ came to save me. Thank y'all. It's been one heck of a ride.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Chatting
Yesterday, Destyne, Chad, Tiffany, and I held a G-Mail chat conversation about a set of three poems we read. Chatting with more than one person is a different level of difficult. It's so hard to keep up with the conversation as each of us are thinking and taking time to type. It seems as if it would just be much easier for us to be sitting in a group discussing it. Although, if you're apart I feel as if the chat would be extremely useful. This would allow you to conversate via internet to discuss topics. I believe it was a great way to discover a new means of communication and allowed us to understand each other's thoughts and ideas to understand the poems better.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Memorial Speech
Do me a favor; look to your left, now your right, in front, and behind you. The people you just saw are your classmates. They feel the same things you do, they go through similar things you have, and they may understand certain things you don’t. WE are the students at Riverside High school and the residents of this community and state.
I've pretty much grown up the classic West Virginia girl. My daddy's a coal miner, Thanksgiving break was meant for deer hunting, and going barefoot is an all year 'round tradition. One of the most vivid images from my childhood is my dad coming home late at night or early in the morning covered from head to toe in coal dust. I always wondered why I couldn't hug or touch him and why all his clothes went in a separate hamper than ours; as I grew older I then realized there were many more consequences to his job than the few I noticed on a daily basis. The smell of muscle relaxer would roam through my house as he'd come home from a long day of being underground. He'd tell me how hard he had to work, how he sometimes wouldn't see the light of day for weeks at a time, and how becoming a coal miner may have been one of the worst decisions he made at the young age of 19. Being thrown from mine to mine and working his muscles to the bone were harsh on our family; the long shifts lead to not much time at home, and intense labor lead to many injuries. Through all this, my dad continues to work midnight shifts at a union mine in which he drives two and a half hours to work at, at 54 years of age. I thank God every single day that he comes home safe.
You'll learn things in West Virginia that you wouldn't experience in other states. Where else would a door be held open for you if you're more than 5 steps behind? We respect each other and live the small town life. You know you're neighbors; they know you and maybe even your quirks. I love the thought of knowing I could walk down my street and wave at anyone I see; those I know, and those I don't will throw up their hand and a smile. I’m sure we’ve all experienced this more than a few times in our life.
We are also the most compassionate group of people I have ever witnessed. When anyone is in need of prayer, love, or a friend to talk to; we're here for each other. Lately, especially in our area, we have experienced many tragedies; the most recent being the loss of some of the bravest men any of us has ever known. These men were brothers, sons, fathers, friends, husbands, and heroes and surely will never be forgotten. This loss has had an array of affects on us individually, as a school, as well as our community and state. Some of us are confused, hurt, lost for words, and dismayed; but with support and love from one another, we can become the strong group of people we know we are.
Our community has been through and overcome so much. We’ve had many fallen Warriors in the short 10 years our school has been open, and each of us have lost someone in our family that may have meant the world to us. We all know what hurt feels like, we all know how hard it is to deal with hurt, and we all know how to help each other heal the hurt. Helping each other is the simple solution to this unfortunate problem. We all have two arms, those being extremely useful for a hug, a shoulder, excellent for someone to cry on, and a smile, that could brighten someone’s entire day. Combine all these together and you’ve become an amazing support system, don’t be afraid to use this method repeatedly. Doing this could be the difference in someone feeling their worst and making it through the day.
In a nut shell, help those around you as well as help yourself through positive influence and love. Together we can overcome so much more than you could ever imagine. May your faith and friends carry you through.
I've pretty much grown up the classic West Virginia girl. My daddy's a coal miner, Thanksgiving break was meant for deer hunting, and going barefoot is an all year 'round tradition. One of the most vivid images from my childhood is my dad coming home late at night or early in the morning covered from head to toe in coal dust. I always wondered why I couldn't hug or touch him and why all his clothes went in a separate hamper than ours; as I grew older I then realized there were many more consequences to his job than the few I noticed on a daily basis. The smell of muscle relaxer would roam through my house as he'd come home from a long day of being underground. He'd tell me how hard he had to work, how he sometimes wouldn't see the light of day for weeks at a time, and how becoming a coal miner may have been one of the worst decisions he made at the young age of 19. Being thrown from mine to mine and working his muscles to the bone were harsh on our family; the long shifts lead to not much time at home, and intense labor lead to many injuries. Through all this, my dad continues to work midnight shifts at a union mine in which he drives two and a half hours to work at, at 54 years of age. I thank God every single day that he comes home safe.
You'll learn things in West Virginia that you wouldn't experience in other states. Where else would a door be held open for you if you're more than 5 steps behind? We respect each other and live the small town life. You know you're neighbors; they know you and maybe even your quirks. I love the thought of knowing I could walk down my street and wave at anyone I see; those I know, and those I don't will throw up their hand and a smile. I’m sure we’ve all experienced this more than a few times in our life.
We are also the most compassionate group of people I have ever witnessed. When anyone is in need of prayer, love, or a friend to talk to; we're here for each other. Lately, especially in our area, we have experienced many tragedies; the most recent being the loss of some of the bravest men any of us has ever known. These men were brothers, sons, fathers, friends, husbands, and heroes and surely will never be forgotten. This loss has had an array of affects on us individually, as a school, as well as our community and state. Some of us are confused, hurt, lost for words, and dismayed; but with support and love from one another, we can become the strong group of people we know we are.
Our community has been through and overcome so much. We’ve had many fallen Warriors in the short 10 years our school has been open, and each of us have lost someone in our family that may have meant the world to us. We all know what hurt feels like, we all know how hard it is to deal with hurt, and we all know how to help each other heal the hurt. Helping each other is the simple solution to this unfortunate problem. We all have two arms, those being extremely useful for a hug, a shoulder, excellent for someone to cry on, and a smile, that could brighten someone’s entire day. Combine all these together and you’ve become an amazing support system, don’t be afraid to use this method repeatedly. Doing this could be the difference in someone feeling their worst and making it through the day.
In a nut shell, help those around you as well as help yourself through positive influence and love. Together we can overcome so much more than you could ever imagine. May your faith and friends carry you through.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Coal Miner's Daughter
I would like you to take a minute and reflect on what you just read, what has recently happened within our community, and what the state of West Virginia means to you, to other residents, and also what it might mean to outsiders. How has technology helped and hindered us? How are West Virginians perceived?
If only the people who do not live in West Virginia, could just expierence the pride and loyalty us residents have for our state. I could not imagine living anywhere else in the world. There are times when I get so frustrated with the people around me, or feel trapped by the beautiful mountains surrounding my home, but I could not imagine growing up and living anywhere else in this world.
I've pretty much grown up the classic West Virginian girl. My daddy's a coal miner, Thanksgiving break was meant for deer hunting, and going barefoot is an all year 'round tradition. One of the most vivid images from my childhood is my dad coming home late at night or early in the morning covered from head to toe in coal dust. I always wondered why I couldn't hug or touch him and why all his clothes went in a seperate hamper than ours; as I grew older I then realized there were many more consequences to his job than the few I noticed on a daily basis. The smell of muscle relaxer would roam through my house as he'd come home from a long day of being underground. He'd tell me how hard he had to work, how he sometimes wouldn't see the light of day for weeks at a time, and how becoming a coal miner may have been one of the worst decisions he made growing up. Being thrown from mine to mine and working his muscles to the bone were harsh on our family; the long shifts lead to not much time at home, and intense labor lead to many injuries. Through all this, my dad continues to work midnight shifts at a union mine he drives two and a half hours to work at, at 54 years of age. The only days off he takes; hunting season. From the time I got my first gun at 10 years old, I've brought home deer for dinner. Getting up early in the morning is completely worth the thrill of making your dad proud with a kill; especially being a girl. Now, imagine it being the middle of winter and your next door neighbor needs you; are you going to put on your best pair of Jimmy Choo's? No, barefoot it is the best choice. Not that we don't have shoes like some people like to assume, just because we're the most down to earth people you'll meet adn don't feel the pressure that we must dress to impress every second of the day, especially to those who know us best.
You'll learn things in West Virginia that you wouldn't expierence in other states. Where else would a door be held for you if you're more than 5 steps behind? We respect each other and live the small town life. You know you're neighbors, they know you and maybe even your quirks. I love the thought of knowing I could walk down my street and wave at anyone I see; those I know, and those I don't will throw up their hand and a smile. I couldn't imagine it any other way.
Nothing irritates me more than when I hear people from out of state talk down about our loving,caring state. Some like to assume that we all dress in overalls with no teeth, shoes, or a shack to live in. How I would love to give them a great tongue lashing to explain to them why they couldn't be more wrong. We are the most compassionate group of people I have ever witnessed. When anyone is in need of prayer, love, or a friend to talk to; we're here for each other. Lately, especially in our area, we have expierenced many tragedies...
TO BE CONTINUED! :)
If only the people who do not live in West Virginia, could just expierence the pride and loyalty us residents have for our state. I could not imagine living anywhere else in the world. There are times when I get so frustrated with the people around me, or feel trapped by the beautiful mountains surrounding my home, but I could not imagine growing up and living anywhere else in this world.
I've pretty much grown up the classic West Virginian girl. My daddy's a coal miner, Thanksgiving break was meant for deer hunting, and going barefoot is an all year 'round tradition. One of the most vivid images from my childhood is my dad coming home late at night or early in the morning covered from head to toe in coal dust. I always wondered why I couldn't hug or touch him and why all his clothes went in a seperate hamper than ours; as I grew older I then realized there were many more consequences to his job than the few I noticed on a daily basis. The smell of muscle relaxer would roam through my house as he'd come home from a long day of being underground. He'd tell me how hard he had to work, how he sometimes wouldn't see the light of day for weeks at a time, and how becoming a coal miner may have been one of the worst decisions he made growing up. Being thrown from mine to mine and working his muscles to the bone were harsh on our family; the long shifts lead to not much time at home, and intense labor lead to many injuries. Through all this, my dad continues to work midnight shifts at a union mine he drives two and a half hours to work at, at 54 years of age. The only days off he takes; hunting season. From the time I got my first gun at 10 years old, I've brought home deer for dinner. Getting up early in the morning is completely worth the thrill of making your dad proud with a kill; especially being a girl. Now, imagine it being the middle of winter and your next door neighbor needs you; are you going to put on your best pair of Jimmy Choo's? No, barefoot it is the best choice. Not that we don't have shoes like some people like to assume, just because we're the most down to earth people you'll meet adn don't feel the pressure that we must dress to impress every second of the day, especially to those who know us best.
You'll learn things in West Virginia that you wouldn't expierence in other states. Where else would a door be held for you if you're more than 5 steps behind? We respect each other and live the small town life. You know you're neighbors, they know you and maybe even your quirks. I love the thought of knowing I could walk down my street and wave at anyone I see; those I know, and those I don't will throw up their hand and a smile. I couldn't imagine it any other way.
Nothing irritates me more than when I hear people from out of state talk down about our loving,caring state. Some like to assume that we all dress in overalls with no teeth, shoes, or a shack to live in. How I would love to give them a great tongue lashing to explain to them why they couldn't be more wrong. We are the most compassionate group of people I have ever witnessed. When anyone is in need of prayer, love, or a friend to talk to; we're here for each other. Lately, especially in our area, we have expierenced many tragedies...
TO BE CONTINUED! :)
Friday, April 2, 2010
Thee FLASH Master; PJ.
As most of you know, PJ is practically thee flash master. I'm sitting here struggling and somehow, PJ knows exactly how to fix every problem I'm having. Yesterday, he came into our class and showed us how to create keyframes and buttons. My oh my, I still do not comprehend how to do that, but I'm slowly learning. I think with assistance from thee FLASH master, PJ, and his right hand woman, Jessica, I will be just fine. Their knowledge is great and they are willing to help those of us who are struggling. All in all, I believe Amy and I will be doing just fine in the month to come.
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