Project 365: Day # 137 - Wednesday, January 25, 2012

I was working on a huge drawing for AVID and since we were reading the Hunger Games, it gave me a chance to create something that truly represented the book. We were given this project where we create a Facebook page for the character that we were assigned and since I was assigned the stylist, it gave me a chance to be creative and come up with a drawing for the book.

Project 365: Day # 136 - Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Today was the start of the new semester and it's really interesting even though only one class changed which was my first period. I went from Economics & Public Issues (EPI) to now health. The class is some what small and it's a good amount of people from my EPI class last semester with two juniors. I feel more confident about this semester than the first one because I feel more organized as far as all of my classes as well making sure that I create a time table or a manageable schedule for scholarships, special events, etc.

Project 365: Day # 135 - Monday, January 23, 2012

Well, yesterday was a true heartbreaking loss to the New England Patriots, but I was able to get over the loss fairly quickly. I acted as if the loss never happened and got back to my normal self. I'm really glad it's Monday where once again we don't have school because, it gave me enough time to really get everything I needed together and ready for school. I also knew that my second semester starts tomorrow so I knew I had a lot of preparation to do as far as cleaning out and restocking my binder and getting new folders for my papers. I can't believe that we're nearly more than half way through the school year and it feels like as if I started my senior year yesterday. So it's time to really crackdown on everything as far as grades and colleges as well as scholarships. Man I have a lot!

Project 365: Day # 134 - Sunday, January 22, 2012

I seriously have very little to say in this blog entry but the fact that I was madly disappointed and let down to a point where I was just speechless. I couldn't believe what I was seeing when the Raven's field goal kicker Billy Cundif missed a 32-yard field goal attempt. The score was 20 to 23 with the New England Patriots in the lead and it was (if I am correct) about literally 15 seconds left in the fourth quarter and the only thing we could do was to kick the field goal since we were in pretty good range and tie the game so it would go into the most anticipated and stressful quarter in football. Overtime. I was confident either way if the game turned out to go into overtime because we would at least have 50/50 chance of getting the ball. But I was also worried about that situation only because the rules in overtime are completely different compared to a regular season game. But when the ball was kicked and made an askew movement wide left, my heart just sank and thinking to myself that there has o be something that we could do even if there was some way we could run the ball from a kick return in the final 10 seconds, but it was already too late. Just looking at Ray Rice's and the other players' faces after that was truly heartbreaking. But it doesn't make a difference to me because when you think about it, Joe Flacco definitely out played Tom Brady and he knows it. So in my eyes, we already won that game. Therefore rather than people saying "the Patriots beat the Ravens" which is technically true, but as far as how we played, we did beat the Patriots.

Project 365: Day # 133 - Saturday, January 21, 2012

Ok we're about less than 24 hours until we take on the Patriots! And as you can see, this blog definitely assimilates from the previous one. It's really nice to see the spirit flow through the great city of Baltimore with people in a great mood. Everything's purple. It's also cool how most people hosted pep rallies in restaurants and other public places. It's just really nice to see the people so vivid and supportive.

Project 365: Day # 133 - Friday, January 20, 2012

Yes! It's finally Friday. Purple Friday that is. I was ready to get this game over it and actually make it to the super bowl! I was filled with so much zeal and felicity since we haven't been this far since the year 2000. I couldn't believe that we made it to the AFC Championship game. I had a lot of confidence in the Ravens. I had a huge feeling that we were going all the way. Let's just get this win and bring it home. Now after seeing a myriad of people on the streets with jerseys o, there's no way I could wait until Sunday.

Project 365: Day # 130 - Tuesday, January 17, 2012 "Nothing happened"

Well today was considered to be a day where nothing extraordinary happened. It was just really mundane and dry. Everything was just…boring. I rather be back in Boston where my three day weekend didn't have to come to an end so quickly and almost sporadically. I truly didn't feel the intention of actually getting up at 6 am just to go to school and see the same people that seem to just make me lose interest in everything and why I'm there (no offense). And I know it's my senior and they say that you should really make the best of it because you can only live this amazing experience one time. And once it's gone, it's gone. But for some reason I feel as though this year isn't too exciting but at the same time it's not always boring. What I mean by this is that there were days in school where I wish it would just end right then and there, and there are more days where I can say how glad I am that I came here in the first place. So yeah my high school career overall has been a definite roller coaster for me especially my last year thus far. But I have the rest of January, all of February through April to continue to make this experience the best one that I've ever had.

Project 365: Day # 128 - Sunday, January 15, 2012 "Happy Brithday MLK"

I can't believe that it's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday. I think that this day is a huge milestone not just for African Americans, but for everyone of every racial group. He was the what I would like to refer to him as a "Renaissance Man". He has sacrificed so much to assure everyone that peace will fall apon us and that everyone would be able to sit with each other and not have the need to really worry about what makes them different from you simply by the color of your skin. I know for a fact that we as a people have been affected by his determination and dedication to make this country and the world a better place to live in. It's amazing how one man was able to change the way we view other people. But of course Dr. King had help, which made him a better leader. I was told this recently that a person becomes a leader when he/she knows that she needs help. But what makes them a great leader is asking for it. I think that even thought Dr. King made a lot of things happen where most people see him as the main one who made them happen, I still know for a fact that he had a myriad of people pitch in and support him in everything and in every change he made.

Project 365: Day # 127 - Saturday, January 14, 2012 "Trip to Boston Part 2"

We woke up at around 5:30 am the next day and we left the house at around 6:00. I seriously couldn't wait to arrive in Boston. We basically got on I-95 and went over the George Washington Bridge, which was alos known as the most biggest bridge in New York; with two levels and a superfluous bus terminal that took up about six blocks above us while we're driving through a tunnel that lasted until we entered the Bronx. And from there, we took the Cross-Bronx Expressway where it took us out to Yonkers and into White Plains. After that the only stop that we made was at a small but very clean rest stop in Conneticut. And from there we kept on going. About 2 1/2 hours later, we finally reach the very patriotic state of Massachusetts where my cousins from New York/J.C. are meeting us in Newton, MA for a party at their friends' house to watch the Patriots and the Broncos game. Overall it was a nice drive and we got up there with absolutely no traffic.

Project 365: Day # 126 - Friday, January 13, 2012 "Trip to Boston Part 1"

Today was the day that I leave for Boston. I was too excited to go to school only because it was a B day; which I think go by much faster than A days. But I just wanted to get to school and get it over with. Unfortunately It didn't really go that way since I had a huge exam in English second period. But I kne straight from that point that it was going to start going by much quicker since my class was watching a movie in Spanish and in AP World History, we didn't do much except go over some AP practice questions and take a few notes on the Industrial Revolution. But once the bell rang for dismissal, I was more than happy. My Grandfather was waiting at the front to take me home. Once I got home, it seemed like everyone was trying to make a sporadic dash towards the car. I went inside to make sure that everything was pac ked and ready to go with us. On our way up, we were contemplating on whether or not to go straight up to Boston, which is about a six hour drive, or do we stop at my cousins house in New York and leave first thing in the morning. We decided that it made more sense to stop only because everyone was extremely tired. So I guess this is part #1 of this journey.

Project 365: Day # 125 - Thursday, January 12, 2012 "Experimentation"

I finally came up with a brand new graffiti style. I was getting ready for the trip to Boston tomorrow and I see that I drew a small sketch in my sketchbook but never finished. I fifn't think I would end taking about 30 minutes to actuslly finish it only becuase it was a simple drawing where I wasn't planning on going far in depth with it. But this amazing idea came to me where I decided to experiment a brand new style on to the drawing. I had a black sharpie marker and I just wrote the word "sharpie" just as a random word. It looked pretty interesting at first until I began to add a myriad a vivd colors on to it. From blue, red, green, and yellow, I made sure that this small sketch was someting that would blow anyone away. Now I'm not completely sure what the name of this this style is, but once you look at it, it seems like a huge ball of paint just splattered all over the wall. I thought that this was an awesome effect to add to my artwork.

Project 365: Day # 124 - Wednesday, January 11, 2012 "Mural of the Story is..."

Today was just a regular day. The only thing that was really enjoyable today was that after school, I worked on the Math and the AVID mural in Ms. Cryder's room. Both murals are really looking nice especially the Math mural. This was the one that only needed a few details fixed before we thought about hanging it up in the math wing of the school on the first floor. The AVID mural is coming along slowly but it's getting done. But compared to last year, we only could work on one mural at a time which happened to be my science mural that I designed since there wasn't enough people who came to help. Therefore we started the Math mural close to the end of last year and we picked it back up a couple weeks into this year. But we have about three more murals to paint before the end of the school year. Those three subjects would be Music, Business, and History. I saw the design for Music and I couldn't wait to get started on it. And in the near future I hope to paint one of the world's biggest murals some day such as the ones in New York City, with their flamboyant colors and vivid expressions that they provide. Art like this reminds me of the movie "Beat Street". This was the first part that I uploaded from YouTube. This was a true 1980's vibe, when graffiti was taking over the buildings and most importantly the subways.

Project 365: Day # 123 - Tuesday, January 10, 2012 "A Racial Debate"

Today in AVID, we had a major debate on racism in regards to how the media views everyone as a whole based on social status, athletics, and based on how popular people are. I wasn't there for the first half of AVID where they viewed a video from YouTube that discussed the topic from the perspective of an athlete. I asked one of my friends for the link to the video that way I was able to include this in my blog and to give my input on the subject and how I felt about it. But the second half of AVID was really interesting event though I wasn't able to be there for the first half of the discussion. But after what I've heard, I was really moved by the very cogent points that were being made in this discussion by my peers. After a while I was able to figure out based on what they were talking about that I knew what they were talking about. And based on what they came up with, I strongly agree that the media is taking the racial aspect of every situation and making it more than it has to be. Therefore I don;t feel that it's completely necessary and somewhat irrelevant. For example, there is the video on YouTube that talks about Tim Tebow and how him and other white quarterbacks in the NFL are given a myriad of opportunities compared to the minorities who dedicate their time just as much as they do in the pros. But that's simply based on skill not on race which it's how this situation should be viewed instead of he other way around. And with that information, I don't think that us minorities are really getting as much opportunities and or being acknowledged as much as white people are. But it all comes to show us that the aspect of race can't be substituted as it's own stereotype. We're who we are based on what we do and what we're about. This is more crucial than the simple fact that this happened to you because of your racial background. It's also how you make people view you based on your actions and how they affect everyone around you.

Project 365: Day # 122 - Monday, January 9, 2012 "Ladies and Gentlemen I would like to present to you, Fantasia."

I literally took a trip down memory lane when I found one of the songs to the 1950's version of Disney's "Fantasia". I've been searching and searching and searching for this piece by J.S. Bach. I remember being at my cousin's house in New York over Christmas break and on one of the classical radio stations, every year they have a Bach Festival where everything that they play on the radio is by Bach. I was up around 6:30 am on the day after Christmas since I was going to go out for an early morning run until I heard the song I've been looking for for years. It was Bach's very own "Toccata and Fugue in D Minor".  I used this app on my iPhone called "soundhound" where you activate it and you hold the phone up to a radio and it will give the song's information such as the lyrics, as well as YouTube links to it. This is how I was able to get the name of it before it was over. But as of now, I typed the title in on YouTube and the first thing that popped up was the Fantasia version of this piece. When I clicked on it, I literally had a huge flashback because every time I visit my grandmother, I would watch Fantasia every time, over and over again. I was in love with the music. I loved it how it showed a superfluous sense of imagery based on the song that was being played as well as its mood or it's tone. This was #1 on my favorites besides the popular Sorcerer's Apprentice. It was a great moment to truly reminisce on something amazing such as this during my early childhood.

Project 365: Day # 121 - Sunday, January 8, 2012 "A Normal Sunday"

Well it's that time of the week again. Sunday. I really feel like my weekend went by to fast. I really didn't want it to end so quickly. It's like this day came up sporadically where I had nothing left to really do except to get ready for the next day which was boring old Monday. But I didn't have that kind of mentality like I always do only because I was really nervous because I had to play on the announcements tomorrow. But truth be told, I wasn't sweating it too much because I look back at my past and where I've performed in front of a plethora of people and I was sick to my stomach. But then I was able to find a way to get over it and to not let my nerves get the very best of me. In addition, I was also watching the Broncos and the Steelers game. That game was really intense especially the epic overtime win against the Steelers. So with that said my weekend ended on a pretty good note. I just need to just not think about tomorrow and convince myself that I'm going to do well regardless.

Project 365: Day # 120 - Saturday, January 7, 2012 "Back on the field"

I finally had a good chance to really go back to the school to kick the ball around. And with this performance on the announcements coming closer, it was a great opportunity to really take my mind off of it for a while and to release some stress that I've been longing to get rid of. I left the house and decided to walk with my neighbor Kevyn to the school to play soccer. Once we got there, it was beginning to get somewhat dark, but the temperature was perfect. I find it amazing that the temperature was about 20 degrees warmer than it was yesterday. I made about 100 penalty kicks total as well as did some running around the perimeter of the field to stay in fit. But most of the time we just took turns playing goal keeper. I seriously need to get a new soccer ball. I have to get rid of that yellow ball that's all torn up on the outside with it's mundane look as if it was used as a dog's chew toy; masticating it to a point where the ball is no more. Even though, I still enjoyed myself and I was glad I made it up  here. I consider the soccer field as my special milieu.

Project 365: Day # 119 - Friday, January 6, 2012 "It's Now or Never"

Today was interesting but at the same time I was somewhat worried about next week. I was walking to the bathroom and I saw Mrs. Simms in the hallway and she asked me if I was still going to come up to the studio and play on the morning announcements. Now granted I've been as you would say "avoiding" Mrs. Simms every time I saw her in the hallway only because I didn't feel like I was truly ready and confident to tell her that I would perform on Titan tv in addition to the fact that she would feel somewhat "heart broken" if I told her no because she sees that I'm extremely dexterous when it comes to my music. This was when she saw me performing at a concert one time. But I do remember wanting to really play at the pep rally this year and I submitted this cool idea on the titan chronicle. I spoke to Mr. Musitpher and the best that he could do is have me arranged to possibly perform on the announcements. But that was back in November. It's now January and I still haven't told Mrs. Simms if I was really certain about doing this. Therefore when I saw her in the hallway during fourth period today, I had came up with my decision to go and do it on Monday. She also mentioned that I might as well do it then because this was going to be the last show before HSA testing which lasts for about two weeks. After I went back to my class, I felt a little bit better now that I don't have to try so hard to avoid her anymore. But once I began thinking about it even more, I started to get really nervous about it. So hopefully this weekend takes my mind off of it for a while.

Project 365: Day # 118 - Thursday, January 5, 2012

I happen to be on YouTube and I just thought of the song "Black and Yellow" by Wiz Khalifa and I wondered what it sound like on the violin. So I click on the video where someone is playing the song by a request from a 4-year old boy in a mall somewhere. But once I started playing it, I was blown away where I couldn't stop replaying it over and over again for at least 10 times. It's amazing of what people are able to do with this instrument with its versatile qualities that inspire great musicians all around the world. And I can definitely say it's truly inspired me to do so much more.

Project 365: Day # 118 - Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Today we had our Toast for change. I had a few things that I really needed to work on but I went into so much detail that when I was writing this down, it took me the first half of AVID, the second half after lunch, and I still needed time because I was still writing. It was pretty obvious that when it comes down to writing a paper in class, it doesn't matter what the topic is about, I always get this response, "Yo why you ODing?!". I never have a good response other than the fact that I have a lot to write about especially when I have a lot of thoughts going through my mind. My paper ended up being 3 pages long but it was enough to show how crucial this year is to me and I show my commitment to fulfilling my toast for change for the year 2012.

Project 365: Day # 116 - Monday, January 2, 2012 "Time to get ready"

I was looking forward to this day not just because school was the day after, but I spent my New Years day finishing up all of my assignments that I recieved over break that way on this day, Monday, January 2, 2012, I wouldn't have absolutely nothing to do except getting all of my books together and ready for the next day picking out clothes, making sure I had lunch money, etc. I enjoyed my break. I thought that it was one of the best ones so far. Spent a lot of time with a lot of family. I actually looked forward to going back to school.

Project 365: Day # 115 - Sunday, January 1, 2012 "Happy NewYear!!!"

The year 2011 is finally gone! Now it's time for the 2012 to step in! I couldn't believe that it was now the year 2012. Everyone all around the world has been waiting for this day. I consider this to be a special year because of the many events that will very soon be taking place. Now everyone or atleast the majority think that the world is supposed to end on December 21, 2012. I on the other hand don't believe any of this. I'm pretty sure we're going to live way past the year 2012. In fact that's not even on my "radar" because I have better things to worry about rather than a crazy and false thought that the world would be ending. This is the year that I graduate high school which is the most important thing that will happen in my life and I will soon look back on the amazing events and experiences that I had in 2012. Once again it's only the first day but I can't wait for the rest of the 364 days of this significant year have to offer.

Project 365: Day # 114 - Saturday, December 31, 2011 "Happy Almost NewYear !"

Yes! It's almost here! The year of 2011 is finally coming to an end. I can't wait until the clock strikes midnight. I have a plethora of goals that I wish to complete in the year 2012. This has been the most anticipated year that everyone has been waiting for. I'm so anxious for the next day. What I really like about the New Year is that everyone is given a "another chance" or a fresh start. I to be honest, not that my year of 2011 was horrible but I expected it to be better than it was. So therefore I'm very sure that 2012 will have some meaning as to what I'm going to be experiencing. I wasn't doing anything tonight except maybe stopping by a friend's house. For once I was glad I wasn't going to a party this time only becasue it lets me experience the true moment with my family where I have no distractions from the parties and to really share and charish this special moment with them.

Project 365: Day # 113 - Friday, December 30, 2011 "Un-decorating the House"

Today wasn't really a day where I could do a lot but I considered this a good time to start turning the house back to its normal self again. My dad and I spent a good amount of time taking down all of the lights from outside that ran around the fense and up to the front door. I (as some would call it) un-decorated the tree by taking down all of the ornaments off the artificial tree, having already lost its flamboyant color and variety. But it was the time to get things back to normal. I enjoyed my holidays. It was a sure pleasure to hang out with my family during the break. I wonder what will be in store for next year.

Project 365: Day # 112 - Wednesday, December 28, 2011 "Let's Go Bowling!"

Today, my family and my cousins from Virginia decided that we were going to go bowling and to have a small party where we played a good four games. I really enjoyed myself because it was where the kids were against the adults. I was obviously placed on the adults side and we were doing well until the kids caught up to us. But I wasn't surprised when they won three games in a row because they obviously had the bumpers up so that you won't be able to get gutter balls. My team on the other hand had the exactg opposite and we were doing very well for a group of family members who haven't gone bowling in so long. I had a total of six strikes overall which is pretty good for someone who hasn't been bowling since June.

Project 365: Day # 111 - Tuesday, December 27, 2011 "Something Productive"

Besides the fact that my cousins were here to visit me for the holidays, it was a very slow day and I was able to have a placid and peaceful time to myself and only myself. I had an opportunity to really get started on my winter break homework that I received from most of my teachers. The assignments weren't really difficult, it was just a lot of busy work that inundated a section in binder that I created two section for it so that when I go becak to school on January 3, I would appear to be organized and would be able to turn in those assignments that are due. I also had time to apply to my seventh college and to make sure that I was on point on other assignments on edline.

Project 365: Day # 110 - Monday, December 26 "Home Sweet Home"

Today was the last day that I would be in New York Unfortunately because I also had other family members coming in from both Virginia and Vermont. It's really been a while since I've seen them and I couldn't wait to see them at home. We left my younger sister with my cousins in New York while my parents and I went home. My sister and our cousin eventually arrived in Baltimore to see the other family members who came to visit us. I really enjoyed myself to the fullest because I was surrounded by my special coterie of people, who happen to be my family. We then had dinner at my aunt's house which was very nice and delightful. Overall I enjoyed their visits to a point where I didn't want them to leave on Wednesday. But we planned out a nice little bowling party the next day.