Do Hard Things

LilyLariaLaton — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:14:09 +0000

So, fellow Teenagers, I have a question. Teenage Years: Preparation For Life, or Permission to Loaf? Most would say that we think it is permission to loaf. I have a friend who is ashamed to be called a teenager because some people consider "Teenagers" to mean "Sloppy, stupid, Lazy people who are wasting thier lives and will never amount to anything" (Note: That is NOT my opinion of teenagers, you should not feel insulted! but, you must admit, there are some who fall in that category) So, to combat that view and get teens moving, two guys named Alex & Brett Harris wrote a book called 'Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations' And all I could think of is "What's harder than doing NaNo?" Jk, I know there are lots of things, but I did think that it would be cool to have a Thread dedicated to Doing Hard Things. So the idea is to use this thread as like a big club of teenagers who want to Do Hard Things. Bccome friends, dscuss hard things and etc. Pretty much anything you want, as long as you follow the rules:) 1. No Swearing, please don't forget this is an all-ages forum. 2. No out and out fighting, debating is fine but don't let it get out of hand. 3. Follow the Golden Rule! (Just be nice:) And 1 last thing, by posting on here know that you are signing this (but it's not legallly binding unless you want it to be) I'll start us off. I Will Do Hard Things. I will not sit back and allow my life to pass me by. I will not give in to the low expectations people have for me. And I will not let their low opinion of me hold me back. I will Make my life count, I will not take the easy route, I will do Hard Things. Lily Laria Laton. Oops! I kinda lied, there's one more thing (but this is really it I promise) The Book Do Hard Things is a Christian book and is really about Doing Hard Things for God, but I did not want people who don't believe in God to think they are no welcome on this thread, they are very welcome. Doing Hard things is important no matter what, and all I want is to see a bunch of teens (myself included) exceeding expectations whether it's done for God or not. Just so you know. And if you have an opinion about this, please do tell! No matter what your veiw is you are welcome, as long as you follow the rules:) So anyone want to do something hard?

Re: Do Hard Things

EmmaMayfield — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:46:38 +0000

I read that book too! :D *joins*

Re: Do Hard Things

mattskywalker — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:13:43 +0000

I've read that book a few times, it's awesome. I'm always trying to do hard things!

Re: Do Hard Things

LilyLariaLaton — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:55:44 +0000

Yay! 2 people in 9 hours! One thing I forgot to mention that if you want to introduce yourself (like what you want to be called, age.. anything else you want to mention:) That would be great:D So, I'm Lily, I'm 15, I'm homeschooled, I'm a Christian and... that's everything interesting about me:D

Re: Do Hard Things

Labyrinth Rose — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:20:36 +0000

Hi, people of the Internet! You can call me anything, but to ensure I know who you're talking to it'd be easiest just to say Casey. Or Rose or Labyrinth. 15. On the less healthy side of the mental health spectrum. Rather cynical, but I perk up a bit on the NaNo forums on account of NaNoers are nice. I also have a habit of bursting out into song, so my posts might randomly capitalize and turn into song lyrics :3 Hmm, a Hard Thing? I'm going to attempt Screnzy even though I have no idea how I'll ever figure out how to write a play.

Re: Do Hard Things

EmmaMayfield — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:45:56 +0000

My name is Megan, I'm 15, homeschooled, and Christian :D

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gavrielle — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:37:19 +0000

Ello. I'm Gabbi. 16. Jewish if we're going around mentioning religions but I tend towards the more agnostic side of the belief scale (I believe there's something but I don't know what). Crazy liberal, but always trying to see the other side (and also always up for a good debate if anybody wants to debate anything). As for doing hard things: I go to prep school, so that's crazy in-and-of itself... I'm in a teen dance company through my school (we're in a performance week right now, I just got home from a matinée, and I'm too lazy to take off my makeup so I'm still in total stage makeup...) NaNo, even though I allowed myself two months instead of one, because November was a bad rehearsal month An independent project in journalism through social media through my school's paper (which I really should be working on right now, but I did a lot last week so I'm slacking this week) And right now I'm filling out some of the last forms to get me a lab mentor for a two-year research project I'm starting over the summer in either behavioral genetics or behavioral neuroscience which I am SUPER PSYCHED about :D Wow. That's actually a lot more than I realized I did... Honestly the hardest thing for me is maintaining a social life... :P

Re: Do Hard Things

Princeshelby — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 00:26:56 +0000

I've heard of that book; I'm really happy about it, I think that maybe it will show adults that teens really can be kind and work hard. Hard things I'm doing include writing a novel (duh), teaching myself violin and a few other instruments, and learning Greek.

Re: Do Hard Things

Cherri — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 01:24:19 +0000

I haven't heard of the book, but the concept behind it sounds interesting. So, hi. I'm Cherri, 18, just started University in my favourite place ever [which is Wales, if you're interested]. :3 The hard things I'm doing at the moment? Finally doing some proper world building for a world I've already set two novels in and really needs it before I can rewrite them. Trying to pass my driving test [failed for the second time on Friday. But third time's the charm!]. Sending off emails to try and find some work experience over the summer [it's hard because I'm really bad at selling myself, and generally terrified of asking people for anything], and completing the first year of my Degree course. And just to add as a point to your first post, out of my need to comment on things. I think there are a few teenagers who fall into the group that you've described, but no where near as many as people seem to think. Why? Because our teenage years tend to be the ones where a lot of teens put a lot of work into Sixth Form, College, University etc. [or, those of us who go, at any rate.] I think people often overlook that when trying to describe teenagers. :3

Re: Do Hard Things

mattskywalker — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 20:18:40 +0000

Intro? My name's Matt, I'm 16, homeschooled, Catholic, nerd, musician, aaaaaaaand... I've done NaNo three times! *nods*

Re: Do Hard Things

ExclamationPoint! — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:50:39 +0000

Hey, y'all! My name is Laura, and if the "y'all" didn't make it obvious, I'm from Arkansas. Yeah, that's right, the deep south. I'm the only person in my small town that does NaNo. I'm a Christian, (Southern Baptist,) and my hard thing is that right now I'm learning to play piano. Most people start learning when they're like, five, but noooo, apparently age fourteen was the best time for me to start. I'm fourteen years old, by the way. Yeah. And the books I'm learning from are meant for small children, which makes me feel really stupid, which makes it even worse. In other news, I'm really long winded and sometimes I tend to give lectures worth of information to people who don't care at all. Oops. (If you actually want to know anything else about me, I have the little bio thing and whatnot, or you can message me.) I'm glad to see other teens taking initiative, I'm glad this thread exists, and I'm also glad for a number of other, unrelated things. I have a weird feeling that I'll be back.

Re: Do Hard Things

ExclamationPoint! — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 01:06:18 +0000

Why is my picture a rubber duck? I need to fix this. Right now.

Re: Do Hard Things

ExclamationPoint! — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 01:23:32 +0000

Okay. A Very Potter Musical reference. That's much better.

Re: Do Hard Things

gavrielle — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 01:23:56 +0000

I was about to comment that the picture of the rubber duck would be because rubber ducks are made of win, but this picture is made of more win than a rubber duck, so...

Re: Do Hard Things

LilyLariaLaton — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 01:35:01 +0000

Hey, I'm so excited to see all you guys:) So, as for my hard things I'm doing Screnzy, NaNo, Learning Italian, and trying to get in shape for outdoor soccer.

Re: Do Hard Things

gavrielle — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 02:00:30 +0000

GAHHH!!! HARD THINGS = FRUSTRATION! So I mentioned a lab thing earlier, and now I'm doing research into finding a mentor (forms are done, now I just need to find a couple working with things I am interested in) but finding the mentor I want is hard!!! I'm just reading through the publications of professors and researchers at various institutes and stuff and trying to guess what they would be working on now and IT'S FRUSTRATING. I JUST WANT TO GET MY MENTOR AND GET TO RESEARCHING! Rant over. But seriously, if anyone has any ideas on how to sort through this...

Re: Do Hard Things

IrelandChic — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 02:10:52 +0000

Hey, guess what? I went to church with the guys who wrote that book. In fact, I even played basketball with them. Lol, they're family are close friends of ours. :) But I still have yet to read the book.

Re: Do Hard Things

gavrielle — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:57:31 +0000

Since I'm now using this to track my own progress in figuring this thing out, I THINK I FOUND A MENTOR! And my advisor at school is contacting him and his lab is researching exactly the topic I would love to work in and he's taken on high school mentees in the past and it's completely perfect! So crossing my fingers he wants to take on a high school junior to work under him for two years...

Re: Do Hard Things

LilyLariaLaton — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 04:28:04 +0000

That's awesome!! And yes, this is your hard things central. Planning, reviewing, ranting:) It all goes with the teritorry! I will have a rant because I know that is not how you spell that but I am drawing a total blank! If anyone could correct me please do:P

Re: Do Hard Things

LilyLariaLaton — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 04:30:05 +0000

Honestly? That is so cool!

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ExclamationPoint! — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:44:41 +0000

Yes. Goyle is very much made of win. I had a picture of the Hermione puppet from the potter puppet pals, and I was going to use it, but my computer is stupid, so I used this instead.

Re: Do Hard Things

IrelandChic — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 21:47:13 +0000

yeah, they're really neat guys. :)

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Isabel1993 — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:15:28 +0000

Hello, people. My name's Isabel... I'm an all-around nerd and a college student studying physics and English. Since we're all mentioning our religions I'm a sort-of Christian currently tending toward the agnostic side of things. Do hard things? I can do hard things. Currently trying to finish the story I started last November, learning to kickbox, and studying physics and English.

Re: Do Hard Things

LilyLariaLaton — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:01:09 +0000

I want to tell somebody that I have been reading the LotR trilogy for almost the past year and last night at 11:30 I FINISHED THE BOOKS!! And I literally read 90% of the Return of the King in the last 2 days, I was on Va-k and really wanted to get it done so I read like all day. Anyway, that's my celebration for the day, not really a hard thing just time consuming and I wanted to do a shout out cuz I'm so excited:) (and secretly this is partially a Bump for the thread, but sshhhh, don't tell=P)

Re: Do Hard Things

firelight_cinderbrick — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 01:47:51 +0000

Another person learning piano at a late age. Yay! Now I don't feel like a musically incapable person anymore.Yeah, it really is harder when your older. I get confused with the notes a lot. And my books make me feel stupid too.

Re: Do Hard Things

firelight_cinderbrick — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 01:51:44 +0000

Me too, I have been slogging through them in the past few days. It's a slow read but totally worth it. Almost at the Return of the King. I bought this huge compilation of all the books and some of my friends and family are wondering why I have been reading the same books for weeks and I'm still not done yet(I usually read fast).

Re: Do Hard Things

firelight_cinderbrick — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 02:04:12 +0000

Hi call me Marga. 13, and Christian. I love doing hard things(or at least I try to do them). My stubbornness always makes me push through with them. I agree, teens CAN do hard things. So currently, I'm struggling with piano lessons. Finishing my first draft 2.0 of my nano novel(was restarted). And it's nearing the end of the school year( I'm Filipino and the time of the school year is different from that of the U.S. ) and I'm going to graduate soon(so nervous). Trying to get super high grades this year.

Re: Do Hard Things

LilyLariaLaton — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 02:34:36 +0000

I know right? I normally finish whatever book I'm reading in a week! But not these. But you're right, they are so worth it!!

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Defslammer — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 21:48:52 +0000

Hello, I'm Matt. I am 15 and a Freshman in High School. Like most of you, I'm christian. Some hard things I'm doing would be Nanowrimo, and getting along with people in school that seem to show no common decency or consideration for others.

Re: Do Hard Things

IrelandChic — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 23:25:18 +0000

One quote that Greg Harris - Alex and Brett's father - has is "Do ordinary things extraordinarily well". I really like that, and am trying to apply it more to my life.

Re: Do Hard Things

gavrielle — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 02:09:43 +0000

Hi again. I'm gonna have another rant (and also bump the page. what? you didn't hear that from me) So I think I'm driving my advisor crazy. I've been obsessively checking my email for the past week, and it's been over a week, and I visited her today, and she said to calm down because she had had to meet with the Dean and the other director of the program before she could contact the mentors but I'm STILL checking my email compulsively and she laughed at me and said she was glad I was enthusiastic. BUT I JUST WANT TO GET TO RESEARCH! I WANT TO WORK ON THE BRAINS NOWWWWW! My new goal of hard things: patience. Also, college. I really don't want to think about college. Until my mom mentioned college yesterday. And the colleges keep emailing me. And my school has college tour in a month and a half AND I'M NOT READY FOR THIS! I am a sophomore and I don't want to care! I don't want to think about my AP Exams (bio is gonna kill me if anybody wants to debate over PM evolution/creation, it honestly would help me study because I need to "learn to articulate better" and that's an easy one to practice with since it's arguing, I promise I'm nice). And I don't want to think about SAT IIs (I have to take 3 this year and I don't want to). And I don't want to think about course planning for next year and how many APs I need to take. And I don't want to think about the SAT and I think I'm the only person I know who isn't studying yet. And I don't want colleges to keep emailing me and sending me mail. Especially Texas Christian University. They need to stop. GAHHH! Also, HI NEW PEOPLE! I'm the resident ranter, using this as my sort-of-diary/stress reliever in my day-to-day life of doing hard things. Anyone who wishes to join me in ranting should feel free, you know, make me feel less crazy and all... And @IrelandChic, I like that quote. A lot. :D

Re: Do Hard Things

LilyLariaLaton — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 03:25:28 +0000

Hello! Thank you to Gabbi for the *looks to see if anyone is looking and whispers* bumb. Sorry I haven't been on in a while, I'm currently addicted to Figment:P So Yup, Gabbi now has an official title 'Resident Ranter' I'll write that down:) But she can always use some help so feel free to offer your own rants!! Gabbi, having patience is a hard thing we all need to do... I'll have to add that to my list:)

Re: Do Hard Things

1018mockingjay — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 03:32:38 +0000

Bonjour. Je suis Jay~ I'm Jay. And I promise I won't speak in french all the time, only sometimes. I'm fifteen and I'm also a freshman. A couple of hard things I'm doing at the moment is trying to write and edit my book of random story bits and poetry that I'm going to send off to createspace. And I know I haven't won on here, but I did it on the YWP site and won there and the same prizes apply. Another hard thing I'm doing is school more specifically choosing the classes for next year and homework, kind of.

Re: Do Hard Things

gavrielle — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 01:51:06 +0000

So I'm donating blood next wednesday. My mom thinks it'll be cheaper than needle aversion therapy, and I felt selfish not donating due to a pointless phobia (Yep. I'm blaming myself for my paralyzing phobia and considering selfish of myself to have it).So if anybody's donated blood before and can give me some advice, it would be nice. In other ranting news, still waiting for response about mentor situation. Still being frustrated by how much people care about college. Starting to really freak about my AP Exams (I know I have until May, but if anyone would like to freak with me, that would be nice). And I'm on choreographing for the next dance show, so I think I have my song figured out (I have it down to two, and I don't know how to pick!!!)... Rants are good for bumping pages... Ah! Et bonjour Jay! Je m'appelle Gabbi et je suis en class 10. J'ai 16 ans et j'ai célébré mon anniversaire le mois dernier! Nous sommes contents que tu te joignes à le club!

Re: Do Hard Things

LilyLariaLaton — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 02:59:27 +0000

Aww, stop showing off. JK, I can't wait till I can post in Italian:) Welcome Jay! Great to have you join us! (Gabbi, what did you say?=P)

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gavrielle — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 04:59:28 +0000

"Oh! And hi Jay! I'm Gabbi, and I'm a sophomore (just turned 16). We're really happy you joined the party!"

Re: Do Hard Things

LilyLariaLaton — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 17:48:17 +0000

Thank You=P

Re: Do Hard Things

ExclamationPoint! — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 18:18:26 +0000

I'm doing another hard thing today: Last fall, my sister's house burned down. It didn't burn down completely, but it was bad enough that they had to gut the house and rebuild the whole inside. And my sister's been really stressing out about it because insurance companies, we've discovered, are evil. So they've been rebuilding her house and whatnot, and it's almost ready. Today is her birthday. We're trying to help her move into her house in time for the surprise party we're throwing for her. Tonight. And she's really stressed, and she doesn't know why we're all in such a hurry, and everything else. Yay fun. An upside, my brother is coming in from college, which is pretty awesome. And now I need to help my mom do stuff, so I have to go, which is kind of sad because I can't finish my rant. Oh well.

Re: Do Hard Things

royalturtledove — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 18:28:36 +0000

Hi! Here on the forums I generally go by my Purple Elephants nickname Rosie, but you can also call me Sofia. :) I'm thirteen, almost fourteen, and am currently in eighth grade. To be honest, I can't wait until I move on to high school, because I don't exactly love my current school. The hard things I'm doing? Well, for one, I'm (oh so slowly) making my way through the Lord of the Rings trilogy-- it's been far longer than I'd like to admit, but only reading it once every two weeks or so is my excuse. It's quite good, I just don't have the patience to read all of it at once, and I'm constantly finding other books I want to read, and reading those instead. I'm currently taking French, though I'm really quite bad at it. I've done NaNo twice, and have won both times, though this year's NaNo I try to avoid even looking at, it's so bad. I would like to get around to editing both of my NaNo's (the first one for the third time, with more than just simple little edits. That poor guy could probably use a whole rewrite. I'm not sure, though. I'd have to read through it again.) and a short novella I wrote a few years ago (which is also painfully bad, considering I forgot several story lines mid book. :P ) I take Irish dance, and I love it. I've been taking it for about a year now, and I recently got my hard shoes. Something hard having to do with Irish dance I recently accomplished was finishing my Treble Jig and getting it all polished. :) I also am working on getting my knitting skills past the very simple things-- currently I am working on a TARDIS shaped cover for my Nook. For school work related hard things, I want to work harder on math. I don't really struggle with work, but tests? Yikes. It's not good at all, and I really need to work on studying, and remembering to check my work, and to make sure I got all the numbers right, etc. because that's what usually trips me up. I am not a big fan of algebra. So, yeah. Those are my hard things.

Re: Do Hard Things

Odile — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 19:00:49 +0000

Hi :) You can call me Odile, Odi or you can make a new nickname. I love meeting new people! I did my first NaNo last November and I won! It proved me that I can do hard things. :) Right now the hardest thing to me is school which takes a lot of time. I’m also going to do Script Frenzy in April. English is not my native language so I’m sorry about all the mistakes in my writing.

Re: Do Hard Things

royalturtledove — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 19:18:10 +0000

I can't even tell that English isn't your first language, at least not through your forum posts. :)

Re: Do Hard Things

Odile — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 19:26:38 +0000

Thank you! :)

Re: Do Hard Things

gavrielle — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 23:24:06 +0000

As a math-brained girl, here is my advise. Get in the habit of checking your work as you go, just track negative signs and stuff and always copy the problems correctly (for years I wrote the list of stuff I would need to check on the top of my page and would check it off as I went). And as soon as you get out of algebra, it actually gets a lot easier (I hate algebra, loved theoretical geometry, and love calculus) for three reasons. 1. Algebra is kinda useless, but with the other stuff, it's cool and fun and you actually get why you are doing what you are doing. 2. With later stuff, you can look at the answer and tell if it's right. With earlier stuff the only way to know is solve it from the other end or backtrack. 3. Algebra is really boring, but the later stuff gets cool, so you actually care. So stick with math, because we don't have nearly enough girls in the math and mathy-sciences fields, but the more we get, the fewer stereotypes we'll have to face. Also, as much as I enjoy hanging with the guys, 2 years of math classes with only the guys was not the most fun (although crushing them in competitions was).

Re: Do Hard Things

gavrielle — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 23:25:28 +0000

:( I hope you get everything worked out for your sister. Those darn insurance companies.

Re: Do Hard Things

LilyLariaLaton — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 00:04:01 +0000

URGH! I am so with you, I HATE Algebra. So boring and I just don't get the point:P And I'm also with you on the Lord of the Rings. I finished them a week ago (YAY!) after only about 10 months. It was frustrating, it took me so long=P Which one are you on?

Re: Do Hard Things

royalturtledove — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 00:54:23 +0000

Still on Fellowship of the Ring. I adore reading, they're just a bit... thick. Not just the book (though mine, with all three bundled into one neat package is, indeed thick) but with descriptions, etc.

Re: Do Hard Things

gavrielle — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 01:23:31 +0000

You don't get the point because algebra has no point. I'm not even kidding... Sooooo glad I'm done with it...

Re: Do Hard Things

1018mockingjay — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 06:33:37 +0000

I have two math classes. -_- The positive points about it is that I'll get it over with quicker, and one of the math classes is just a review for the other one, kind of.

Re: Do Hard Things

mattskywalker — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 16:37:10 +0000

Gah, I abhor algebra. T_T

Re: Do Hard Things

gavrielle — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 20:01:10 +0000

Am I the only one here who actually really likes math? #foreveralone In other news, we're getting to course planning time at school. Why does this make me want to rant? Because everybody starts super-freaking about college and what classes are you taking and what classes to colleges want and what were your PSAT scores and when are you starting SAT training and that's a lot of classes and that's like no classes and what's your GPA and GAHH! Kinda jealous of you homeschool people right now...

Re: Do Hard Things

Odile — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 21:18:52 +0000

No, I happen to like it too. :D Well, sometimes it's frustrating but most of the time it's okay.

Re: Do Hard Things

ChristieM — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 22:14:50 +0000

I shall join you!! I love doing hard things, in theory at least :P You can call me Rishi. I'm 17, homeschooled, Christian, moved thrice, knit, love horses, have a brown belt in karate, write, and draw! Hard things: Karate tests, which consist of running, ~500 pushups, karate stuff, etc: in a word, torture that I willingly take on every few months. Math, but I don't actually dislike it. And I actually liked algebra, not so much geometry Studying for the SAT. Taking it in March I'm predicting will be hard *gulps* Writing novels in a month Filling out applications *shudders* It's a lot harder than I thought it would be lol And for those who are interested, I found this coolio site where you can track things you want to do-- http://www.dayzeroproject.com/ It's super cool- this is my user: http://www.dayzeroproject.com/user/RishiCremz You should go try it! And I am sure that I shall be back, but right now I have... hard things to go do *glares at SAT book*

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myviolettears — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 02:37:56 +0000

Hello there :) I'm Louise, 15 and I live in Australia. I'm on the atheist side. Last year was... bad. I fell into deep depression and failed all my subjects execpt Maths and Science. This year (which has only just started) I am determind to get straight A's in my report. At the same time working, trying to be accepted to the national school of Math and Science, learning Italain and Japanese, getting fit, trying for my learners permit and saving for a car. Not even mentioning a social life and NaNo. That's a lot more than I thought... My current hobbies include writing, video editing and graphics design. I short, I spend most of my time in front of a computer. I forgot, trying to form a little club at school of NaNoers. It may be a small school but that shouldn't mean I'm the only one.

Re: Do Hard Things

myviolettears — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 02:40:36 +0000

I love Maths! #notforeveralone I knew one homeschooled bloke. But he had to do his (school certificate) at a school so he is not anymore.

Re: Do Hard Things

1018mockingjay — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 05:51:12 +0000

Bonjour new peoples! And Christie that is a cool site. I have to do it sometime.

Re: Do Hard Things

firelight_cinderbrick — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 10:32:31 +0000

Also one of those people who actually likes math and certain parts of algebra. Though I do get frustrated when I don't get a certain problem.

Re: Do Hard Things

ExclamationPoint! — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 15:59:57 +0000

Ah, I'm fourteen. I can't really work out anything. My main job is being sympathetic, because, as I discovered the other day, I'm not really allowed to do much. (Baby of the family, not much respect, etc.) I mainly just had to stay out of the way. But everybody else worked all the moving out, and the party was a success. Thanks for your concern, though. It made me feel better about myself.

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Writer.Gal.123 — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 16:55:04 +0000

Yep, I'm another person who likes math. Math and science are my favorite subjects. My friends think I'm weird.

Re: Do Hard Things

Writer.Gal.123 — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 17:10:42 +0000

So I've never given blood before (I don't weigh enough) but I work my school blood drives so here is my advice: Drink lots of water before you give blood. Eat food. Also, if you have a friend or someone to go with you, bring them. At all the blood drives I've been to, they let people who are nervous have a friend come sit/stand beside them while their blood is being drawn. Or you could also bring headphones and listen to music. By the way, I think it's awesome you are facing your fears. I really, really hate needles. So I definitely know how you feel. I'll freak out with you about AP Exams. I'm majorly stressing about AP Chemistry. The class itself isn't hard, but I know the exam is, and I've never been very calm when it comes to taking tests.... tests freak me out....

Re: Do Hard Things

mattskywalker — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 18:53:47 +0000

I'm fine with regular old math, but algebra... argh.

Re: Do Hard Things

gavrielle — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 23:39:05 +0000

Ello mathy and sciency people, and also other people, but math and science people will someday rule the world ('tis but the truth). And now, for our Gabbi-rant of the Day! Topics: Undermining Adults and Philanthropy Today was Sunday. On Sunday, I go to work at my Temple in the morning (we help teach Hebrew to small children, I have a class of 2nd graders), then have a youth study for an hour (today we focused on the story of Dina and how that relates to the modern abortion debate and human trafficking), and then have either a youth group meeting (teens hang out) or a youth board meeting (for the philanthropy group). (Over the course of a weekend, I spend A LOT of time at the Temple...). Anyway, work was slightly more crazy than normal. One of the problems I think teens face when doing hard things is that we're not taken seriously. This is my second year working with this specific group of kids, along with an actual teacher and one other high schooler. Last year, the teacher was awesome, gave us a lot of freedom to work with the kids, and the kids made huge leaps and bounds in stuff. This year, the teacher is a lot more restrictive. Because I worked with all of these kids except one last year, my friend and I and the kids had an understanding about rules and consequences. They calmed down when we shout SHEKHET B'VAKASHAH, they knew that respect was the rule and how apply that, they knew what it meant to "take time to think", and they knew that if they reached a certain number of thinking times, or if they hit somebody, they would go see the Rabbi. The teacher was stricter, we were more lax and cool with the kids, and they were a pretty well behaved group. But this teacher works differently. I get that. No two teachers are the same. But she is CONTINUOUSLY undermining our work. One of the kids throws some crayons, so he takes time to think, and when he and I are in the back having the follow-up meeting (what did you do wrong? what's the number one rule? was that respectful? what are you going to do next time?), she calls him from the meeting back into the lesson. Yes, the lesson is important, but it was a story-time, and we were having a meeting about not throwing things. She didn't let me go to the office with a kid who punched another kid last week, after multiple threats of office time. She is just really undermining us. Going against what we say to the kids. We know how to work with them. And they've gone from a really respectful class to a not so respectful class. And it's frustrating because I know that this is a group of really smart, really compassionate kids. Sigh. Anyway, rant 2. Philanthropy board. It's based at my temple, and it was the first teen philanthropic board, and is still the only one in Beverly Hills (and I don't actually live in Beverly Hills, I'm just on the board, it's complicated, no 90210 jokes please :P ). Anyway, we had the meeting today where we decide where the money goes, and some people just say stupid things. There are two organizations who are getting the grants this year, and we were discussing how to allocate the money. One focuses on needle exchanges for the homeless, as well as other health initiatives and overdose training for addicts (I know it's controversial, and I'd love to debate the topic with somebody if they have any questions or arguments against, but I think it's a really good cause). The other is a children's hospital and family support. I was an avid defender of both, especially when most of the board was hesitant about the needle exchange. Anyway, today, one of the guys says "I think we should donate all of the money to the needle exchange, because we see homeless people all the time, they're always out there and in our faces, sick kids are not." I love that organization, but I mean, that's a ridiculous argument. So I say so. I flat out say that I like the organization, but it really seems like he's saying that we should support that organization to get the people out of our faces, and that that is kinda selfish. And then I'm the bad guy for saying that. And people are saying that's not what he meant. And they spin it. But seriously, that is what the people are saying. It was just kinda frustrating. I like how we allocated the money, but I feel like a lot of people, especially with philanthropy, have a disconnect. I don't know... Anyway, rants over. Just had to get that out. Still waiting for advisor to get back to me about mentor. We're supposed to meet this week...

Re: Do Hard Things

LilyLariaLaton — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 02:40:31 +0000

Yes, I totally agree>_< When people say he created a world they are not kidding! in the last book I pretty much only read the dialogue and action... it just got to be too much for me:) But one of my favorite books ever is the Hobbit! Not nearly as in depth, so it's a much faster read than LotR but it is just as good! I cannot wait until the movie comes out this December!! (as my mother would point out, I Have to wait but you get what I mean:P)

Re: Do Hard Things

LilyLariaLaton — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 02:46:50 +0000

Oh great... looking forward to it! (insert sarcasm:P) I'm hoping that I can just buckle down and get it done. my problem with it is that I just like stuff that makes sense to me. If someone could explain algebra in a way that it would make sense in my mind then I think I could do it. Right now I (generally) know how to get the right answers but I don't really know how I got them... and it frustrates me.

Re: Do Hard Things

LilyLariaLaton — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 02:48:45 +0000

Exactly!!

Re: Do Hard Things

Andrew_Hennin — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 05:41:51 +0000

Hello, my name's Andrew (sorry if that was blatantly obvious) I'm an agnostic-atheist, love science fiction and MLP, and quite enjoy sciences and maths. Generally when I write, it is not long pieces of literature, but rather poetry (epics and sonnets). I think, for the Hard Thing I shall attempt, I am going to learn a coding language (Java most likely).

Re: Do Hard Things

Horsefeathers 151 — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 17:57:40 +0000

Hello, I'm just going to jump in here real quick! My names Sierra, I'm a junior, and I'm about to turn 16. I'm also homeschooled and a Christian. As for the first topic; I've read their book and it was really inspiring. Personally I tend to stay out of the 'mainstream' or so to speak when dealing with teens my own age because most of them don't understand me, are rude, and tend to be more concerned about their hair and make up then their own character. Right now I don't have any really hard problems, however I do have daily things that tend to be far from easy. My biggest one is my horses. First riding was a hobby (only for a year or so) then I got my own horse. Three years later I own two horses, lease another, take riding lessons, and rodeo and or show on the weekends. Its not a problem because I love it, but it seems most people don't understand that horses are my life. Completely. Actually I have no life outside of the barn and people really pressure me to stop and do other things and they don't seem to understand that I DON'T what to do anything else. (Sorry a bit of a run on sentence there) On the other side of the coin is everyone that I ride with that want me to do more with horses. To me that seems rather impossible, I ride each of my horses at least an hour every day sometimes two, I have to muck stalls, clean tack, feed horses, groom horses, and keep the barn looking nice. There is only enough time in the day to do that and my school. Yet I have a whole list of things others want me to do: Buy a two year old to train, help at the horse rescue, help train friends horses, be a groom at world championship shows, be an exercise rider over the summer, and start taking lessons from an Olympic trainer. I guess its just been stressing me out lately because I'm being pushed from both sides, so I've been trying to figure out how to let people know that I'm happy doing what I'm doing and that I don't want to start anything new. Second slightly hard thing I've been dealing with would be the girls that go to my church. They're so hypocritical and it really bothers me. In Sunday school they act perfect yet when they get out of class they start talking about how many different guys they've had sex with over the weekend. They also talk about me behind my back, which is my biggest pet peeve ever. If you want to say something to or about me say it to my face. Then they turn on me when I mess up and say stuff like "Well you're supposed to be the perfect preachers kid," or "But you're homeschooled you don't know anything so I guess that makes it ok," or "Oh goodness Sierra said 'crap' she must be sick." Yet they don't get the whole point, I'm not perfect, I don't try to hide it either. Yes I'll admit to you that I've cussed a few times because when you've got a 1,200 pound animal standing on your foot rainbows and roses don't really come to mind. I'll admit I've talked bad about others, everyone does because we're not perfect, but I say I'm sorry. I'll even admit that I've secretly gone out with someone behind my parents back and it was the worst mistake ever. Basically my point is that I don't try to act perfect and yet everyone keeps me under a microscope to tag the points that I mess up on. Third problem is that I just don't get along with little kids. I can't do it, they never listen, they're loud and stick, and cry. Which seems to draw a conclusion from adults that I need to be around children more because it will make me a better parent later on in life. I find that humorous actually, because I really don't think I will ever have kids. Anyhow, my mom's set up a bunch of baby sitting jobs for me, and its not a big deal because most of them are single children and I can handle them. However, I've had a few jobs with more than one kid and that grates on my nerves in so many ways. By the time their parents get home I'm about to start pulling out hair. Its not that they're bad either, and usually they're very well behaved, its just that I can handle it. So patience is a big thing I'm working on and it is getting better but I think it will be something I'll struggle with my entire life. Anyhow, sorry that this turned into a vent.

Re: Do Hard Things

beanza3 — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 20:44:58 +0000

Hey, I'm Olivia. I'm trying to get an A in spanish (which, if you know me, is really hard), Learn Portuguese, gain a competance in sign language, get some sort of job, and get my parents motivated to help get me into private school again. :D I've quit in trying to be better socially. I've decided I'm fine. I'm 16, in 10th grade, and I like science. I like math insomemuch to how it relates to science, but math on it's own is just boring. Numbers, yay! I'll arrange them in different orders and poke at them! >.< Once they actually mean something, that's when I get interested. :D So, I'm sort of in the math and science liking club? :D Nice to meet you all!

Re: Do Hard Things

ExclamationPoint! — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 21:37:15 +0000

Sierra, I was about to say, "be happy you don't live in the Bible belt, or the hypocracy would be even worse," and then I happened to mouse over your picture thing and the information thing that popped up said your location was in Texas. So, yeah, I'm pretty sure the hypocracy you deal with is bad enough that I can't say anything. I live in a small town in Arkansas, so I feel your pain. But your rant about how hypocrites are stupid and no one is perfect: I want to take the whole thing and make it required reading for everyone I know. Just thought I should tell you that.

Re: Do Hard Things

gavrielle — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:03:20 +0000

HELLO NEW PEOPLE! I'm Gabbi, the resident ranter (although not ranting today), and I would like to welcome you to our little crew. @Andrew, A BRONY IS HERE??? (I'm not at that level yet myself, but have many a friend who is a brony or pegasister). Anyway, coding? I'm kinda jealous. One of my best friends is learning (she used free stuff on the MIT website I think? like they uploaded all the course info?) and it seems so cool. I am majorly impressed... @Sierra, I feel you on all of that (the 2nd, I haven't ranted in a while and I like babysitting, but I feel you on the annoying people thing). It's definitely not just a Bible Belt thing, people are annoying and hypocrites and behind-back-talkers everywhere, maybe with slightly different issues, but I still see so much of that here (and los angeles is neither a small town or a conservative christian area...). And don't worry about using this page just to vent, that's what I usually use it for... Anyway, today I'm not venting. Today is a personal update about doing a hard thing, partially because I'm proud of myself (slightly vain, really don't care), and partially because I've misplaced my journal so this page will have to do. :D So I donated blood today. I was really scared. I would be using a different word than really but I'm trying to be nice with my language. I used the different word when speaking about it with friends. Some background: I have a severe phobia of needles. And by severe phobia I mean anxiety attacks, random bursts of crying, feeling like I can't breathe, hyperventilating, paralyzed at the though. I'm also seriously considering going into the medical field, specifically neurosurgery. My other top choice is biomedical research in behavioral neuroscience (or possibly psychiatry, but that appeals to me slightly less) ... (and yes, I know that being a female neurosurgeon is very hard and very rare, but I tend not to follow what's easy...). So that's not a great combo. But today, I did it. I really (again, I wish to be using a much stronger word) did it. And of all the crazy hard things I've done this past year (become a lifeguard and a first responder, get all As last semester, write a crazy english essay against the prompt and get an A anyway, apply for a research position (still being patient, I hate being patient), retrain myself after a year off of dance due to injury, make it onto an emergency response team, etc.) this was definitely the hardest. It was hard because it was mental. I can push myself to work because English and Biology and History and first-respondery stuff because I like it. I don't like needles. I really don't, and it wasn't for me. But i signed up and I had my friend walk with me when I nearly turned back and after a night of restless sleep and 3 anxiety attacks (including a minor one while they collected my health information), I did it. I am now a blood donor. I gave enough blood to save three lives. I am saving a life. There is no feeling more powerful than that, and now that it's over, I am just really proud of myself. It might not seem hard, I lay there on a table listening to music and then get free food and LA Galaxy (soccer team) ticket vouchers, but it was hard. I had to cross a mental barrier that was not only annoying, but held me back from some of my dreams. And I crossed it. Does the thought of needles still make me squirm? Yes. But I did it. I really truly did it. Anyway, all of you who can (the teenage restrictions are intense. You have to be 16, and if you're shorter than 5'6 the weight restrictions go up, I'm 5'7 so I got away with it, but had I been three inches shorter, I wouldn't have been able to without gaining weight first), should go donate blood. Because it makes you feel amazing about yourself, and you know you did something possibly hard, but really amazing. And I'm definitely donating again in a couple months. Anyway, happy calm story. No ranting from Gabbi today...

Re: Do Hard Things

Carley124 — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:56:30 +0000

Hi! I was just wondering...can I join? I'm Carley. I'm a senior in high school and I think my biggest Hard Thing is trying to apply for scholarships. I realize that's not very big but still. Trying to pay off $140,000 in debt seems TOO Hard. Gah. Gavrielle, I know I don't know you but: I'm really proud of you for giving blood today. I have a germ phobia and I understand your fear completely. So way to go!!!

Re: Do Hard Things

LilyLariaLaton — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 03:20:50 +0000

Carley, YES!!! Of course you can join, the more the merrier!! And, I can see how that would be hard.. very hard. Partially I would think just waiting to see if you are accepted. Are you trying to apply for scholastic or sport scholarships? Just out of curiosity, I'm kinda an inquisitive person, so you don't have to answer that if you don't want to:)

Re: Do Hard Things

1018mockingjay — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 03:53:33 +0000

Hello new people. ^.^ And this is a club after all, so of course you can join. And congrats gavrielle! I knew you can do it, and you did. I would have been scared to donate blood too, not really because of the needles, but more of the pain. Even though it won't hurt that much. I turn sixteen in October, but I can't donate blood because according to the laws of my state, I have to weigh 110 lbs. And I doubt that I weigh anywhere close to that number.

Re: Do Hard Things

EmmaMayfield — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 03:57:42 +0000

WHAT DAY?!? I'm turning 16 in october as well xD

Re: Do Hard Things

1018mockingjay — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 06:23:27 +0000

The 18th. And that's cool. ^.^

Re: Do Hard Things

LilyLariaLaton — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 13:40:57 +0000

Way to go Gabbi!! I'm so happy for you! I'm turning 16 next february... so almost another year, but I am going to look into it then. You go girl, way to face your fears! Hard thing checked off the list=)

Re: Do Hard Things

LilyLariaLaton — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 13:52:38 +0000

Howdy,! Who else loves that NaNo welcomes you with that? Well I do so, Howdy everybody! I'm so super excited to see so many people on here! I have a question.. 2 actually. Do you guys prefer Lily Laria Laton or Lily Marie Laton? It's my pen name and I'm trying to decide which one I like better but I can't, so if you have an opinion or even if you don't please pick one:) Thank You in advance. Question 2. What is the Hunger Games about? People keep saying it's such a good book and I'm trying to decide if I want to read it, so if someone could give me a quick synopsis that would be amazing. They both might not sound like hard things, but to me they are so I would really appreciate your help:) Thanks Guys! And Gals:P

Re: Do Hard Things

Horsefeathers 151 — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 15:56:23 +0000

Actually I've lived in a small Arkansas town too! My dad was born there and was a pastor of a small community church in Arkansas for three years before we moved to a different church in Texas. And personally I do agree its worse in the actual Bible belt, which is sad because everyone else expects people from there to be 'perfect' Christians, however Arkansas is just as bad as L.A or New York City.

Re: Do Hard Things

Horsefeathers 151 — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 16:01:49 +0000

I like Lily Marie Laton! I'm not sure why I like it over the other one but it seems more elegant. Actually I haven't read the Hunger Games either, so I've been asking the same question. Oh I just wanted to share that I got a new job! I'm really excited and I start today so pray for me if you would. Thanks :)

Re: Do Hard Things

LilyLariaLaton — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 16:33:18 +0000

That's awesome! You're in my prayers!! And thank you for your vote:)

Re: Do Hard Things

Writer.Gal.123 — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 19:24:01 +0000

I love the Hunger Games. :) So. It's set in a futuristic United States, where an all-ruling Capitol selects a boy and a girl from each of the twelve districts to fight each other to the death. In the televised battle, only one winner will survive. The story starts with Katniss, who volunteers to take her younger sister's place in the game. I really love this book. There is a lot of violence, as you might expect, but the book is more about the effects of violence... if that makes sense? The books are very actiony, but I think they are also heartbreaking more than anything else. @Horsefeathers Congrats on the new job! Where are working?

Re: Do Hard Things

Odile — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 20:40:47 +0000

@LilyLariaLaton: I like both of them. Maybe Lily Marie Laton is a little better. I haven't read the Hunger Games either but I know the idea. I think I'm going to read them in some point. @Horsefeathers: Congrats on your new job!! :)

Re: Do Hard Things

beanza3 — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 21:30:19 +0000

Yay, Gabbi! I'd give blood, but I think I have endometriosis, which may mean I'm anemic, which means giving blood is (for me) is frowned upon. So, I'm going to wait untill I have that straightened out... and I'm short any way, so... I don't know if I could be allowed. But, OMG that's awesome! And for ya'll who don't know, the Hunger Games is about an annual "tradition" in futuristic dystopianic Americaishlikeplace, where there are 12 districts and one Capitol to "rule" them all. Each district makes things. Like district 7 is mainly farm land and is responsible for the food for everyone. There used to be 13, but as that was an unlucky number, they made weapons, and had a revolt. They lost, D13 was destroyed, and now there are the annual "Hunger Games" to remind everyone that the Capitol is in control. In the Hunger Games, two tributes are chosen for a lottery, one male one female, from each district to... pretty much be slaughtered. Out of 24 kids, 1 will survive, and everyone watches. It's like survivor, but nationally watched and insted of losing, you die. Katniss' (MC) sister, was chosen for the tribute, but as she's like, 11, and Katniss is kinda crazy, but loves her sister, she volunteers insted of her. Because you can do that. In the richer districts, people train for the Hunger Games and try to volunteer first, but in the poorer districts, it's an anomoly, and a death sentence. Book 1 follows Katniss through the games. It's incredibally violent (obviously) and if you don't like reading things that involve kids killing each other, don't even bother. If you don't mind reading violent work, you should give it a try. It's not the best of the best of the best, but it's pretty good! :D

Re: Do Hard Things

EmmaMayfield — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 21:36:08 +0000

Dang, my birthday's the 24th. You're older. My hard things planned: Work my butt off for the PSAT, ACT, and SAT. Earn my black belt to achieve Instructor status.

Re: Do Hard Things

Carley124 — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 22:22:52 +0000

@LilyLariaLaton, I'm applying for scholastic scholarships. I was born without much form of hand-eye coordination so sports and I don't mix well. You know that volleyball stuck in the ceiling rafters in my school's gym? ...Whoops. Haha. So, yeah. I'm applying for academic scholarships and the essay types. Also, I like Lily Marie Laton. I think the three Ls is a little too much, almost a tongue twister. Just my opinion. :) @EmmaMayfield, HAHA! ...Sorry. I'm done mocking all those who still have to take the standardized testing (for now). I've been there; it's no fun. But it definitely gets better. And next year you get to laugh at everyone who still has to take them because all the pain you feel now becomes a distant memory. What helped me was the knowledge that you can always take them again. No pressure. Good luck. :)

Re: Do Hard Things

Carley124 — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 22:42:18 +0000

Oh! And thank you, everybody, for the warm welcomes! :D

Re: Do Hard Things

gavrielle — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 02:05:29 +0000

@Horsefeathers, What's so wrong with L.A.??? :P I don't think we're that bad here... Also, good luck with your new job! But what exactly is praying for somebody? Like, not to be offensive, but how does that work? Jews don't pray for other people really, more praising and personal stuff, so I'm just kind of curious... @Anybody who commented on blood. Thank you! And as for the pain stuff, it really doesn't hurt. (They have to prick your finger at the beginning and that hurts but the actual blood giving is really cool. Also, if you try to do intense athletics really soon after, you will pass out, or nearly pass out. And I've learned that's not fun, so don't do it! :D And yeah, the weight thing is really annoying. I'm tall and an athlete, so it is both easier for me to be 110 pounds (if I wasn't, there would probably be something wrong) and I only have to reach 110 pounds. The required weight goes up as you get shorter if you're under 18 or 19, so it's kind of stupid... :/ @LiliaLariaLaton, I like Lily Marie Laton. It flows better, it sounds simpler, it's easier to pronounce, etc. Also, it sounds classier, and as L.A. people say "stay classy, not trashy". Not that the other is trashy. Just Lily Marie is more classy. Yeah. And Hunger Games. People have explained it pretty well. It's dystopian meets Lord of the Flies I think, that's the best way I can describe it. The first book is amazing and original. The second seemed slightly repetitive to me. And the third was less original, but was an amazingly done young adult dystopian war book. Which are actually harder to find than you would imagine. Also, go watch some of the movie trailers, even though they don't explain it quite that well. I didn't find the books that gory actually, no more so than Harry Potter. But the movie looks amazing, the director is great, the cast is amazing, and yeah. @EmmaMayfield, I wouldn't worry too much about the PSAT. It doesn't count for much, colleges don't see it, and as a practice SAT, studying for the SAT would get you there. But I'd look into the SAT II because colleges do like those. And my best friend just got her black belt, so I know the work that goes into that. Good luck! You can do it! And now I've replied to pretty much everybody! I feel like an awesome person! Also, I found my journal, I'm not ranting here today... Although Biology is killing me. I DON'T UNDERSTAND BIOTECHNOLOGY! If you're deciding what you want to study, don't pick AP Biology unless you really, really want to study biology or medicine at some point in the future.

Re: Do Hard Things

EmmaMayfield — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 02:58:37 +0000

Well, today I found the two colleges I want to attend. Either UTA or TWU. I'm majoring in Nursing, going for a BSN. Which means...... I will have to get my vaccinations. O.O That won't be fun. On the upside, I will probably be entering college as a Junior. :D My black belt = Instructor status and something for the colleges to look at.

Re: Do Hard Things

beanza3 — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 04:55:57 +0000

Cool! That's good. Are you pleased about entering early or nervous? Which is what? (UTA/TWU) I'm sorry about the vaccinations! >.< I've had the luck to never really be afraid of blood of needles (unless a serial killer is slowly taking the blood out of my body, or if I'm bleeding to death, alone, in the woods... IT COULD HAPPEN!) but... Good Luck. :D I'm hyper and need to go to sleep... Hey guess what, I've got Musical, CAPT and legit school trying to kill me next week... Yay? See ya!

Re: Do Hard Things

DerangedPickle — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 12:42:19 +0000

Oh dude I see all these people turning 16 and feel old. 17 on May thr 30th.

Re: Do Hard Things

Writer.Gal.123 — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 17:13:26 +0000

So, my hard thing involves trying to score at least a 34 on the ACT. Also, I need to figure out what colleges I want to go to now that I know I want to be a pharmacist. Also, I need to learn how to play tennis. I joined the team this year (and I'll be on the varsity team because my school is so small they don't usually make cuts, even if people suck) but I also happen to be new at tennis. Not to mention I'm incredibly unathletic, and I've never played a sport before.... I'm currently trying to get into shape. :-/ @DerangedPickle You feel old? I feel old! I'm 17, haha. @EmmaMayfield That's awesome about going to college early, and also about getting your black belt. I took karate years ago and only made my way up to a yellow belt with a green stripe, lol. (I mostly took it for basic self-defense, but the classes were a little expensive so I dropped it.) Anyway, I know that takes a lot of hard work and dedication.

Re: Do Hard Things

mattskywalker — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 22:53:51 +0000

The Hunger Games are pretty violent, but it's not overly descriptive. But I've only read the first book so far.

Re: Do Hard Things

EmmaMayfield — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 01:25:58 +0000

Well - it's not exactly early, but I'll be entering at Junior Year (60 credits) so its like that. Anyone going to TWU or UTA in 2016?

Re: Do Hard Things

Diabeditor — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 02:46:18 +0000

My hard thing is to run a marathon in July. I want to keep a journal chronicling my training, diet, emotions, etc., and then of course the actual marathon experience. Those notes can be expanded into my November novel. That's the plan anyway. If anyone has ever run a marathon or has running advice, tips, pointers, whatever, please message me!

Re: Do Hard Things

1018mockingjay — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 06:07:30 +0000

Stretch! And take it slow at first before gradually speeding up... I think. I used to be on the track team, but by now I forgot what some of the workouts are. But I hope that helps.

Re: Do Hard Things

NotJoe — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 06:20:13 +0000

Hi hard thing doers. I am not Joe, but I am Ross. I'm a Junior in High School, and I like doing hard things. For example, while just about everyone in my class will be going to class four hours next year, I'm doing seven.

Re: Do Hard Things

NotJoe — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 06:20:40 +0000

What's your current ACT score?

Re: Do Hard Things

firelight_cinderbrick — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 14:22:20 +0000

One of my goals is to lose weight. I feel kind of chubby and I need to do more sports. Problem is, I suck at sports.

Re: Do Hard Things

Writer.Gal.123 — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 18:58:28 +0000

@NotJoe Well, I got a 31 when I took it as a freshman. I'm taking it with all the juniors this Tuesday, and I hope to get a 34 then... The PLAN test projected only a 30 for me I think, but I've been doing a lot of ACT prep and practice tests so I hope that helps. @firelight_cinderbrick Yeah, I feel you. I'm awful at sports, and gym was always an embarassing experience. I'm actually trying to gain weight - my doc told me I should join a sport since muscles make up most of our weight. But either way, exercise is always a good thing, so good luck if you so decide to play a sport! :)

Re: Do Hard Things

Elizabeth-of-Rohan — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 23:43:47 +0000

Hey people, I seem to naturally pick the hard things in life, so this is the right place for me! I'm 16 btw and you can call me Lizzy. My hard thing is to finish up my Latin class, 40 lesson and I'm on 27. (believe me latin is hard :P)

Re: Do Hard Things

NotJoe — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 20:27:18 +0000

Nice job on the 31 as a Freshman. The preparations will definitely help you. I didn't take the test till my Sophomore year and I got a 30. I'm taking it again because with two more points I get a nice scholarship for LSU and LSU's honors college requires the writing portion, which I was too cool to take the first time.

Re: Do Hard Things

Writer.Gal.123 — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 23:27:59 +0000

Thanks! :) Haha yeah I didn't take the writing portion the first time either. Good luck! I'm hoping for some good scholarships too. Colleges are pricey this days :(

Re: Do Hard Things

Horsefeathers 151 — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 04:06:36 +0000

@gavrielle- Oh nothings wrong with LA at all! Please don't take offence :) I was referring to the fact that a lot of people think that since Arkansas is in the Bible belt that things would be 'better'. I know once they did an online survey of people in LA vrs. people in small towns in Arkansas. Arkansas had more teens having sex before marriage, doing drugs, drinking, and stealing. Arkansas also had a higher divorce rate than people from LA, and I find a lot of people think that the outcome would be the other way around. Basically it is just asking God to help someone or be there with a person. Lots of people pray for people when they're going through hard times or when they're sick. However, I prefer to pray for people all the time. I do believe there are a few examples in the Old Testament. I'll try to find them tonight so I can give you a Biblical example because I'm not very good about explaining things like this. :P Guys I helped at a food bank the other day and we boxed 5,000 meals in three hours to pass out to homeless people! I'm like really happy about it because last time I help there my friends and I only packages enough for 2,000 meals. I guess we were able to work faster this time because we knew what we were doing. :)

Re: Do Hard Things

gavrielle — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 04:40:14 +0000

Guess what everybody? It's GABBI RANT TIME! GAHHKJLADFSJKLDFSHJADFS Anyway, today was a day off from school. I didn't have school because it was grading day, which means it was the end of the marking period and teachers needed the day to finish grading. Also, 3rd quarter is over! YAY! Only two more months (actually 2.5, but classes don't count after APs) until summer! Not that summer is going to be relaxing, but you know. I will get to wear shorts and jeans and non-polo-shirts. And regular sweatshirts instead of preppy sweaters. So, you know, that will be nice. Oh uniform, how much I really really really hate thee! But, 4th quarter also means something much more sinister. "What could be sinister about being 75% done with a school year?" you may ask. But I have an answer for you, an answer I have alluded to before. Spring break is in 3 weeks, but until then, we enter the ever so horrible 18 days known as COURSE PLANNING! What is course planning? Course planning is not just the selection of what classes you would like to take in the next year, as it is in so many normal schools. Instead, course planning is meeting upon meeting with department director upon department director. Course planning is test taking for students wishing to change tracks (thankfully, I took all necessary tests last year) and required meeting with the Dean to discuss whether your selection is right for you. Possible, the dean will direct you to college counseling, to see if it is the right selection of classes to get you into the top college you have potential for. Course planning means dance company has to hold auditions, which honestly is time I would much rather spend doing other things, since junior members do not lead auditions, only sit there and look intimidating. And all of this tension in the school means that course planning leads to secrecy, gossip, and unnecessary drama about who is taking what. Since everybody is freaking out about that, everybody is freaking out about college. Since everybody is freaking out about college, everybody is freaking out about test scores and class tracks. And people try to discourage those they view as threats. I'm not kidding, there's a girl with Ivy League admissions rates written in all her notebooks saying "beat the odds". People for some reason view each other as threats. I take course planning as a time to hide out in corners. It's scary. Anyway, course planning commences tomorrow. My first two classes shall go fine as usual (that's a lie. I'm getting back a biology test I'm pretty sure I failed. Biotechnology makes no sense to me!), but then is class meeting. In class meeting, the dean is speaking to us about course selection. And from there, everything shall descend into mayhem. On the bright side, I have no classes tomorrow afternoon! I shall be hated for two reasons. 1. I'm taking 4 APs next year (and the best, most crazy, hardest part, my school doesn't like AP curriculums. The departments literally believe that giving us a college course will prepare us for the exam. It works in theory, but AP graders like very specific, very weird things...). This will cause people to hate me because I am viewed as a threat. 2. I am probably dropping french. This will cause people to hate me because a lot of people want to drop language but the college counseling people won't let them. Apparently, they're letting me due to my research project. So, a sum of my week? I will be hated. There will be drama. I will have lots of pointless meetings. Everybody will be asking me questions. And I'm getting back a test I'm pretty sure I failed. Why do I like doing hard things??? In other news, I think I'm done with Pre-Calculus. Either that, or I have one unit left. And a test but that's easy enough... @EmmaMayfield, That's so exciting about being able to start college ahead! (Is that the term? Ahead. Like ahead of the game? Whatever, I'm making it the new term!). Also, with vaccinations, ask about cold spray. My doctors have that (I think it has some official term, but we always call it cold spray) and it numbs you so you don't feel anything. Then just close your eyes and breathe out. @NotJoe and Lizzy, HI GUYS! I'm Gabbi, the resident ranter, as I have a tendency to lose my journal and this place makes a good second. :D @Horsefeathers, Don't worry! I didn't take offense! I just thought it was funny that L.A. was your comparison town, as there tends to be pretty few people going out doing crazy things. Like, they exist, but there is a lot less tendency to rebel. Maybe that has something to do with it, it's not considered as crazy to go out and smoke and drink and hook up, so while people do it, that's not what people do to rebel. Like, people who want to do that stuff (crazies if you ask me) do, but people who want to rebel find other things. Also, a lot more people wait to get married, which I would imagine would lead to a decrease in divorce. Huh. If you can find them, PM me please. Jews pray for the sick, but not so much for people in hard times... It's just weirder for me to wrap my head around (just as I imagine all our praying in a language many of us barely speak would be to you). And awesome job with your food band stuff! I love doing that stuff, but haven't been able to as much lately. Summer is volunteering time, I guess...

Re: Do Hard Things

Elizabeth-of-Rohan — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 16:56:51 +0000

Hi Gabbi!! Lol, I lose my journal ALL THE TIME. It drives me crazy. :D

Re: Do Hard Things

Horsefeathers 151 — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 19:10:19 +0000

@Garvielle Good I'm happy you didn't take offence because that was not my intentions. I totally get what you're saying though and it makes a lot of sense. As for finding the verses I haven't even began to look for them again. I thought about it last night but I ended up having more homework than normal and didn't get to find them and tonight I have something else going on. Maybe I'll be able to find my notes I took about it when my Sunday school class studied it. Anyhow I'll try to get them to you tomorrow. I totally understand how weird it can feel, sometimes my dad will get out his Hebrew Old Testament and read from it. Its super confusing and I prefer it when he reads the New Testament in the Greek because its easier to understand. Oh I was also wondering if you would mind me sending you a few verses from the New Testament about prayer along with the ones from the Old Testament? I know Jew's only believe in the first five books of the Bible (Or at least that's what my Jewish friend believes but I know there are different types of Jewish beliefs so I didn't know if that would make a difference or not?) anyhow, I figured I would ask before a sent it because I didn't want to offend anyone. :) And thank you! I don't get why some teens don't like to volunteer because it can actually be a lot of fun and it helps people! Anyhow have fun this summer!

Re: Do Hard Things

gavrielle — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 02:40:28 +0000

Ughh. Homework. I wouldn't mind. I have no problem with New Testament verses explaining Christianity any more than I would with using the Qur'an. It's kinda the way to do it... (My only problem is when people use those verses from their book to try to convert me. If I agreed that the book was truth, I would already be part of that religion, wouldn't I?) Do you know both Greek and Hebrew? That's impressive... I know some of the Hebrew, can read and understand written a lot better than speak and understand spoken... but Hebrew and Greek? That's intense... As for the what Jew's believe, it's kinda complicated. The first five books are of equivalent importance to us as the whole bible for you, but then we also have the rest of the "Old Testament" split into two more sections and then we have these other huge collections of commentary and stories that is called the Oral Torah and is pretty much equivalent to the written Torah in importance. I think that's the best I can explain simply... But anyway, I'm not easily offended. There are a few things that push my buttons, but I'd just tell you and forgive and forget. I'm kinda chill about pretty much everything...

Re: Do Hard Things

gavrielle — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 03:04:55 +0000

So. Today, I really really really hate the GOP. And this is nothing personal against any of you Republicans out there (I imagine the majority of you fall into that political category, this is not about you, this is about your representatives who are ruining my life). But I really hate your political party. I want to curse out your political party. A lot. My frustration has nothing to do with Super Tuesday, elections, or anything of that sort. However, the GOP is kinda standing in my way to do hard things. And that's not cool. So I get that people are annoyed at the budget deficit. I get that people don't want to pay taxes. But budget cuts really aren't the way to go. And if we do have to cut the budget, there are places we can focus rather than the places we are focusing. See, here's the problem (note: this paragraph is opinion. My rant as it effects me continues in the next paragraph). One of the important places the government should be focusing is science, specifically science as it relates to medecine and engineering. Engineering because engineering jobs are the jobs of the future, but there are not enough Americans with enough education in these fields to take all these jobs. American companies are being forced to hire overseas because not enough Americans have an engineering degree. And American unemployment is high. But the companies just can't hire American workers! And medecine-related research should be self-explanatory. If not, PM me and I'll give you another rant explaining. Anyway, back to budget cuts. So the GOP is like "Dude! I hate taxes, and the government is spending too much! Let's cut back money!" So they look through all their money, and as part of a large cutback, they cut back on research spending. Researchers generally get their money through grants. These grants are from private institutions and also from the government. But the GOP decided that Congress should cut back research spending. Which means fewer grants. Now, back to how this affects me. I wanted to do research under this guy at one of the big universities here in L.A. We'll call him Dr. M. He literally was doing research in exactly what I was interested in (behavioral neuroscience). His lab looked amazing and is super close to my house and school. And his work had a relevance to a current issue that means something to me (he is looking at how specific neurophenotypes relate to drug addiction). It's super cool. And the majority of his funding came in the form of grants from the NIH. His current funding runs out in June, and due to research cuts, he's not going to get the same amounts of funding he normally would, so he can't promise that he would be able to support me on his team for two years. So I don't get to work in his lab. Doing my ideal topic of study. I want to study that stuff as a career. I was going to get to, and was so excited. Thank you GOP. You are doing a great job of breaking little girls' hearts. Anyway, all hope is not lost. There are three other people we are looking into. My second choice is doing work on stress, decision making, and emotional memory. It's not quite as cool. It looks more at aging than genetics. Or my third choice is behavioral genetics, which looks at the behavior and the genetics but without as much neuroscience in it. Dr. M was the ideal lab. The GOP really f***ed up. (Any of you American and over 18, think of me please when voting this November). In other news, I did not fail the biotechnology test (but I did not get anywhere near my ideal grade). Somehow, I got all my department head meetings done today like a boss, so I submitted my courses already. At least that part of the stress is done with. And in bio, we started this really cool lab in which we are manipulating the genes of bacteria colonies so they will glow in the dark. That's fun. (Do homeschooled kids get to do science labs? Labs are my favorite part of science, clearly I was born to do research...)

Re: Do Hard Things

gavrielle — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 03:05:50 +0000

I KNOW! My main problem is I need to hide it from my mother, but I never remember where I hid it. O.O

Re: Do Hard Things

EmmaMayfield — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 03:48:46 +0000

Mitt Romney and Ron Paul shouldn't be in the GOP race in my opinion. But I'm 15, so I can't do anything about it.

Re: Do Hard Things

Elizabeth-of-Rohan — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 15:47:26 +0000

Lol. Sounds like me. :P

Re: Do Hard Things

Horsefeathers 151 — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 16:10:57 +0000

Awesome! I've met a lot of Jewish girls in the past few years and lots of them get defensive if I even mention the New Testament or Jesus. I sometimes I think it is because other people have tried to shove their own religion down their throats, which is sad because it just gives people in that religion a bad name. I tend to make points using the New Testament because I read it more often and sometimes it is easier to understand. I can only pick out a few words of Hebrew (usually just enough so I know what my dad's talking about) but I can't read it at all. Eventually I would like to try to learn it though and there is a pastor here at one of our sister churches that is fluent in Hebrew so I might take some lessons with him. Greek is my stronger point (I cheat and listen for root words and then translate over into English when I'm reading it.) My dad's a pastor and so when he's preaching he sometimes will read a passage out loud in Greek and then translate it directly over into English (or as close as you can literally get) I guess I've mainly picked it up from that. But really its not that impressive considering I've had no actual education in either language. I kind of get it! I think its cool that you have another section (I guess that's what you would call it...?) of commentary and stories. Out of curiosity do you have the Songs of Solomon in the Torah? I was just wondering because its rather poetic but I've never heard any of my Jewish friends speak of it. Christians refer to the first five books of the Bible as The Law, then we have the Books Of History and then the Books of Prophesy (I don't remember how many books are in each 'section') You sound a lot like me. I'm pretty cool about whatever and I think some of it may come from knowing so many different types of people and people in all different kinds of religions.

Re: Do Hard Things

Horsefeathers 151 — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 17:02:39 +0000

@Garvielle ^ Anyhow I'm a republican. I'm not a democrat. Personally though I just hate politicians in general they're all media crazed men and women who actually know nothing of daily life. Then the media is just another politically correct and moronically ran social network. Most people don't know that its was the media and politicians that blew up about the ozone hole and how we're all gonna die from it. They claimed it was "Of great importance that we stop the breaking down of the ozone layer for the safety of the public". Did you know that over 80% (I can't recall the exact number") of scientist don't even actually believe that we should even worry about the ozone hole. I mean its in FREAKING ANTARCTICA. Yeah if it were over say Asia it would be a bigger deal. Then of course politicians must find some way to look as if they're "fixing" this "problem", so they banned chlorofluorocarbon's (CFCs) which are carried through the air to Antarctica (only during the Polar Vortex) and a few of the CFC's particles break down some of the Ozone layer, which isn't even a lasting effect (it closes in around November) Now the problem with that is that CFCs are nontoxic to humans and used for many things. Without CFCs people are actually going to die. That means politicians and the media are giving up the lives of people for a few seals and polar bears, which aren't even affected by the ozone hole in the first place. Sorry I like to rant, can you tell? Now on the bright side I got to move one of my horses to my friends house yesterday so no more barn drama!

Re: Do Hard Things

gavrielle — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 00:43:41 +0000

Yeah, honestly, I have three really close Christian friends (two Catholic, one Greek Orthodox) who I would be willing to talk to in real life about religion-related things because everybody else who has spoken to me on the basis of religion has tried to convert me. So we tend to get a little defensive, but I think it's really understandable. Using Christian texts to explain Christianity is totally fine, so long as the point isn't "Let's convert Gabbi!" Because honestly, with a name as Jewish as "Gavrielle", I can't really convert... Hebrew is insane. I don't understand the grammar at all and I don't understand trope (which is necessary for reading out loud but not reading, which means I have to memorize the trope for any section I want to read in services). I used to get roots and suffixes and prefixes, but now I only remember some. And modern Hebrew is even more confusing than ancient Hebrew and it's just craziness. It's fun to learn, and the reading and writing is pretty simple when you don't have to learn trope (although if you are right-handed, writing right to left will be a challenge. If you're a lefty, it's revenge time >:) ). That's cool to be able to pick up some Greek like that though. I wish I could pick up the Hebrew just from listening... Also, question, do you have Texts with one language on one side and one on the other? That's how our books are (not the actual Torah obviously, but the commentary books), with Hebrew and English next to each other or one on the top half and one on the bottom... Another sections works. I don't know what else you could call it... Song of Solomon... I had to Google that to see what it was. Turns out I do know what it is, but we call it a different name. Song of Songs. I haven't studied it in years (since 8th grade?). It's there, and I like it, but it's not a major thing. Okay. If the splittings are the same (they might vary a little) what you call the Law, we call Torah. What you call the History, we call Nevi'im (which means The Prophets). And what you call the Prophesy, we call K'tuvim (which means Writings, that's where Song of Songs is). Although some things in Ktuvim seem more history-ish than prophesy-ish... so idk. That's the idea of it though. The whole thing (what you call the Old Testament) is called Tanach, which is an acronym for the three sections. We do sound pretty similar. Maybe I'm your long-lost Jewish, liberal, socialist twin (I'm joking about the socialist part. Mostly...) I guess I'm a democrat but this quizzy thing I had to take for AP Gov placed me in the "libertarian left" which I guess explains it better than I could. I believe the Government shouldn't be able to control social issues (like I support marriage equality and adoption equality), but I believe there should be a lot more equality in opportunity, and I don't believe the government is doing enough to fix that. I believe the wealthy should be taxed more than the poor (trust me. I know some of these millionaires. When you have teenagers going out for dinner at $1000 a head (not including dress and heels), you can afford to pay a little more to taxes. Also, don't post your receipt on facebook guys. NOT CLASSY!) and there should be an inheritance tax, but starting at fortunes above 5 million, and for that there should be a charitable deduction or the family should have some say of if they want to support a specific project or cause. I support government sponsored health insurance, including contraception and abortion rights in the first trimester or later if medical conditions call for it. And I support donating way more funding into the education system, from elementary schools (I had to attend private school because my local school was doing so badly) through research grants in universities (see above rant). I also support full separation of church and state, stem cell research, a non-religious reason justifying any law, and only evolution (not creationism) taught in public school science classrooms. If anybody wants to debate any of the above, I'm totally willing, because you learn way about the world more discussing people with different views than you learn discussing with people who agree with you. Umm. Any other Gabbi news? History research paper assigned, so I'm excited about that. I am officially done with PreCalc, so I'm supposed to start Calculus, but I kinda already started it so now I'm just kind of doing nothing in math. So that's fun. And yeah. I started thinking about college seriously for the first time like two hours ago. What do people know about U Chicago? Also Cambridge. I might apply for the heck of it... You only live once, right?

Re: Do Hard Things

gavrielle — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 00:47:17 +0000

You like to rant? I didn't notice :P Awkward time when Gabbi starts to question everything. But how are people going to die without CFCs??? They have pretty much all been replaced with better chemicals already anyway... Also, yes CFCs are nontoxic. But CFCs let off chloride ions when pressure goes down. And chloride ions are extremely dangerous in many ways. On lists of super bad poisons, chlorine is like really really bad... And here I go being the liberal science nerd and getting myself hated again...

Re: Do Hard Things

Writer.Gal.123 — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 02:17:07 +0000

U Chicago? One of my best friends wants to go there. She's a little crazy about it. Besides the fact that it's really selective and one of the best schools in the Midwest (among Notre Dame, Northwestern, U of Michigan), I don't know all that much about it. Obviously Chicago's a big city, so if you like big, busy, vibrant places you'll do awesomely. And they have a lot of undergrad research opportunities, which it seems you'd definitely like. (And I believe they even have extra support for women who want to do research.... but don't quote me on that.) Cambridge. Erm. That's in the UK, yes? (My knowledge of higher education only extends to the midwest region, unfortunately) But you should definitely go for it. If you don't get in, you don't get in. And if you do get in, it'd be an amazing opportunity, not to mention extremely cool.

Re: Do Hard Things

LilyLariaLaton — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 03:51:50 +0000

Exactly! Urgh, I hate polotics, but I can't seem to ignore them.... Can't wait till I can vote!

Re: Do Hard Things

1018mockingjay — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 03:16:34 +0000

I just remembered learning about CFCs in science the other day. They're harmless not until they go up and up into the atmosphere attacking the poor innocent oxygen elements. I should be doing my homework, but I don't know. I feel a bit hyped up for some reason, and the homework isn't that hard, and it's math. Though as I think about it, I should be doing my history project as well, and work on my page for the yearbook...

Re: Do Hard Things

beanza3 — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 21:15:27 +0000

Gabbi, you rant a lot. Nothing wrong with it, it's just kind of funny... :D And pretty much the only time my sister and I talk is when we're ranting, so, I know how it works! And personally, I like penguins, so... Ozone hole in Antartica. Not good. And, we should care if we're hurting the enviroment, and not suffering the consequences. And yes, I'd rather humans die then harmless penguins if we're causing it. It's like cheating on a test and having the nicest girl in school who doesn't even take that class pay for it. Cruel. And selfish. And don't Polar Bears live in the North Pole? Another democrat here! Or just an apolitical, sane person. One or the other... >.<

Re: Do Hard Things

LilyLariaLaton — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 03:32:42 +0000

I may be insane, but that doesn't make me stupid. Just to make the point. I'm a republican incase you couldn't tell

Re: Do Hard Things

beanza3 — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 16:54:02 +0000

Never said you weren't. I just said that I was... There are sane apolitical people, sane democrats, sane republicans, insane democrats, insane republicans, and so on... Basically, I can have a conversation with political people, and not hate them because of their political affliliation, in one direction or another. That's what I consider sane... :D

Re: Do Hard Things

LilyLariaLaton — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 22:05:35 +0000

Sorry if the comment came off as.. um.. snippy or any thing else, I literally was just making a point, and I agree that there are insane and (sometimes) stupid republicans. I guess that's just human nature:P Stinks sometimes... anyway I agree that the ability to debate civily is a great skill, one I hope I posess as I am going to start one (Not about republicans and democrates though:) I also was NOT saying democrats are stupid, If that thought entered your mind. That is not what I meant at all, and I'm sorry if it was taken that way.

Re: Do Hard Things

LilyLariaLaton — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 22:11:06 +0000

@Gabbi, and everyone else who agrees that only evolution should be taught in schools. So I just don't really get this. I'm willing to say it's ok for evolution to be taught, as a theory, which is what it is, but think that creationism should also be taught, as a theory if you will because many consider it as such. I just don't see how it's fair to completely disregard the possibilty that God made the world, even though the fact that the world exploded into existence is just as hard to believe. (For me harder but that's not the point) So I would like to hear your thoughts. You aren't going to change my mind, just to warn you, but I am interested in hearing your opinions.

Re: Do Hard Things

EmmaMayfield — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 22:20:16 +0000

I am fine with microevolution being taught in schools as fact. I am not fine with macroevolution being taught as fact, because it is at very best a unconfirmed hypothesis. Creationism should be taught in schools on that premise. Why favor evolution over creation? Well - actually I know why the US government does that, but yeah. Separation of Church and State was NEVER in the constitution by the way. Yeah, lets steer away from politics before it turns nasty.

Re: Do Hard Things

gavrielle — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 23:34:39 +0000

So I haven't been here for a while... We had a Jewish holiday on Wednesday night/Thursday, and then Friday was recovery and catching up on schoolwork, and then yesterday was preparations because we had more celebrations for the holiday today. So, that was exhausting. It's a fun holiday (think Mardi Gras mixed with Halloween) but an exhausting one. Also, one of my best friends is going through some sh*t at school (for lack of a better word, I don't mean to offend) and I am trying to be there but it's hard because I live on the other side of the country and I just wish people were less cruel... So I've been spending all my time skyping with him trying to just be there... Anyway, yeah. Sadness about that... Exhaustion about Purim... So glad spring break is in two weeks... Anyway, to the discussion on evolution v. creationism. Micro and macro evolution are not that different, and macroevolution is not an unconfirmed hypothesis. You can debate it all you want, but anybody who told you that it is has either no idea what they are talking about or is flat out lying. You can replicate it in a lab with pretty much no effort. First line of the first amendment: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion" Again, anyone who tells you it's not there is lying to you. Creationism is a theory in the common language sense. Evolution is a theory in the scientific sense. Here are some other scientific theories: plate tectonic theory, theory of gravity, quantum mechanical theory. And these are all taught in schools without argument. But creationism isn't scientific. Give me one peer-reviewed article and I'll consider it. But it's not science. Also, world exploding into existence is not any theory anybody considers. Just letting you know that. There are quite a few misconceptions about what evolution is. Evolution is a change in a population over time. Natural selection is survival of the fittest. Speciation is family trees. It isn't Pokemon; ape does not turn into man at level 34. And nobody is saying to disregard the possibility that G-d created the world. But you can't teach that in a public school. Honestly, if somebody taught something religious Christian at my school, I would punch somebody and leave. Because here's something that you guys don't really have experience with. It's called being in a serious minority religion. It means that my friend who wants to be President knows that he won't get elected even if he tried. It means that I can't wear a necklace with the symbol of my religion everywhere. It means that I have to lie sometimes and say I'm vegetarian even though my favorite food is sushi because if I say my real dietary restrictions, nobody will understand and somebody will try to hate me. It means I've walked into my synagogue to see a bullet hole in a window. It means that I know Holocaust survivors and of Holocaust victims and my family had to leave their country because they weren't safe. It means that I watch somebody like Rick Perry talk about adding school prayer to the constitution, and I just want to slap him. Because he could never understand. It means I've been insulted and hated and I've seen the memory of my RECENT ancestors be abused for someone else's political end. It means I sit waiting for Israel to go to war with Iran because we all know it's going to happen and three of my close friends are going to be drafted into IDF within the next two years. It means I'm afraid. And this is living in one of the most liberal, Jewish cities in the U.S. I don't want to be taught your religion in school. Why don't you teach mine. Do you know what would happen if somebody tried to teach Jewish teachings in public schools? I can tell you this, it wouldn't be pretty. So yeah. When you follow my religious teachings, I'll follow yours. The thing to remember about America is that America is a Republic, not a Democracy. People forget that, but it's true. We are a Democratic Republic. And what that means is that everyone is protected equally. The majority doesn't get to control the minority. Anyway, rant over. I think this is an interesting discussion to have, and honestly, the evolution/creation discussion helps me study for my upcoming bio exam, so I'd definitely like to keep the discussion going...

Re: Do Hard Things

beanza3 — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 17:14:29 +0000

Okay, here's my opinion, for all those who care... Evolution as as close to being scientific fact as any theory can be. It's like gravity. Or math. I think that religious education or creationism was many people take it to be shouldn't be taught. I think my idea of religious education should be taught. Ergo, a year on Greek and Roman mythology, a year on Christianity (including mormans), Judism, and Islam; a year on Wicca and what is commanly refered to as Vodoo; and a year on Hinduism. Other stuff can be added, but that's off the top of my head. None of these, though, should be proclaimed as any truth, but to educate to prevent bigots and ignorance. :D Why can't everyone just agree that the BBT is the creation of the universe w/o a deity and creationism is with, and evolution is things that happen in a few billion years w/o a deity and ID is with and just move on? It's like... a book vs. music. A book is physical. You can read it, study it, and observe it with all 5 senses. Music however, can't be observed but with one. You can't see it, but you can hear it. You can't judge a book being there in the same way you judge music. Science and religion is the same way. (For me at least) It does both a disservice to act as though they are the same thing. Hugs to everyone!!!

Re: Do Hard Things

beanza3 — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 17:15:21 +0000

I just tend to offend people accidentally, and I didn't want offense to be intended... So it's all good? That's good! :D

Re: Do Hard Things

LilyLariaLaton — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 17:54:42 +0000

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion" Yes, this is the first line of the first amendment and I agree with it. But that is not separation of church and state. Congress shall not make a law that says 'you must worship this way or else' , that is what that line is saying. It is not saying that Congress cannot have any ties with a religion or that religion cannot be considered in the runing of our government. But if someone comes along who does not agree with those beliefs, Congress has no right to say he must believe the way they do. It is religious freedom, not the forgetting of religion. Exploding into existence was kinda a figure of speech, but how then would you describe the big bang theory? So let me get this straight. You have the right to tell me something that you believe, that has not be proven and I do not have the right to tell you what I believe, stating the fact that what I believe has also not been proven? This makes sense how? I don't want (well I do want, but I know I won't get it so I'm going to say I don't) schools to teach creationism as a fact, I just want them to mention that there is another belief other than evolution. And I do not want evolution to be taught as undisputible fact, because it is not. So gravity and plate tectonics are also not proven, but there is signficant evidence to back both of them up. And many other theories have been backed up by hard scientific method research. Evolution may have some evidence, but not nearly as much as. lets say gravity. You drop an apple, it falls. You drop an apple in space, it floats. Pretty easy to see that there is something going on. Evolution? Give me an example like that and I'd be more open to the idea. For the record, I'm not trying to convert you. I'm not saying you have to believe what I believe. I'm not trying to control you. Just a debate:)

Re: Do Hard Things

gavrielle — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 22:54:15 +0000

Forgetting of religion and separation of church and state aren't the same thing though. Religious freedom isn't just the freedom to be one religion, it's the freedom to be any religion, and to not have it matter what you believe. I'm not saying religion doesn't matter, I am religious. But to teach creationism in schools is forcing a religion on somebody. You can argue that it isn't, but unless you teach every religious theory in existence, you can't teach any. Also, BBT and evolution are totally different things. I know it's all "science", but that's like saying the Odyssey and Catcher in the Rye and Venus de Milo are all the same because they are "humanities". BBT is astrophysics. And evolution is biology. And the two are more different than Medieval Art History and the study of poetry. (Also, I don't think BBT should be taught in an average high school science course because physics (especially astrophysics) is really complicated and I don't think astrophysics in within the average highschoolers realm of comprehension. There are a lot of nessecary prerequisites to understanding it, and teaching it without giving understanding is just stupid and leads to a lot of confusion. Natural selection is simple. I was taught the postulates in a 6th grade class, and everybody in the room could understand that...) Also, nope. That's not what I'm saying at all. In a science class, you should be learning science. Natural selection is the best model for how current species came to be. Yes, it probably will be tweaked some in the future, but the basic understanding has been proven (thousands of labs with Drosophilia that can be done in a high school lab). Nobody has yet to give such evidence of intelligent design. (I also linked to some examples below) Also, teachers should mention that there are other beliefs besides evolution. But not in a biology class. We talk about creationism in history class, because that is where it is relevant. We talk about it in Confirmation, because that is where it is relevant. I believe in G-d, but G-d doesn't belong in a science classroom. Of course you have the right to tell me what you believe. But teaching beliefs belongs in a religion class. Teaching scientific understandings as understood by the scientific community belongs in a science class. You don't teach physics in english, and you don't teach math in religion. Why would you teach religion in biology? Apple falling on earth and not in space actually isn't what the theory of gravity says, and if you drop an apple in space it probably will keep moving in whatever direction you dropped it, but that's due to a different law and it all gets kind of confusing and I'm totally on a tangent anyway... Here's the thing. The scientific community doesn't hold double standards. One theory has to meet all the requirements another theory does. Theories are models, not laws (that's the other thing. A theory isn't below a law, they are very different types of ideas, if you want I can explain that further but that would take a while and I have an essay due tomorrow that I need to work on as soon as I finish procrastinating...) but theories all have the same stuff backing them up. All theories are backed up by the evidence you mention, including evolution. Creationism isn't. Oh! Don't worry. I don't think you're trying to convert me, honestly, if I thought I was being attempted converted I would share this fear and probably give a nice long rant... I'm not trying to change your beliefs either, but there are a lot of misconceptions about what natural selection really is and that just makes the debate hard. At best, I just want us to be debating with all of the same information. Examples of witnessed speciation (one species becoming separate from it's parents species): http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/faq-speciation.html (Go to 5.0 Observed Instances of Speciation, the previous stuff is kind of irrelevant to the discussion at hand, just discussing a bunch of different ways of defining a species which is hard because species aren't meant to exist all split up the way humans like to do so, so ways that work for animals don't work for amoebas... references are at the bottom) http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/speciation.html (Some more examples of speciation) Also: whoever said macroevolution isn't fact, here is a good site with references explaining it. It's honestly pretty dry, but anything less dry would take so much longer to read, and it explains it pretty well. I can answer questions, and I'm sure others on the page can too http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/comdesc/ (Disclaimer, I'm not supporting talkorigins.org, they just explain this stuff with good sources really nicely...)

Re: Do Hard Things

beanza3 — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 00:59:50 +0000

"...I just want them to mention that there is another belief other than evolution..." Just to make a point... Most bio teachers in public schools like to be uber politically correct and mention that "you don't need to believe in this, but this is the scientific consensus, and as such, that is the 'right answer' for the test"... Which is really annoying the 14th time it's repeated, and I want to bang my head against the wall. (And 14 is an understatment). How much more would you want mentioned? Every creationism religion from Adam and Eve to Gaia? Should science teachers also mention the world emerging from an egg? Should they need to get degrees in mythology and religion to teach a science class? Apart from the irritating disclaimer, how far do you want them to go? All I want is for the science for high school peoples to have less irritating mentions of ~christianity/creationism~ in that obnoxious smart-ass tone. Yes, everyone knows some people don't believe in it, stop preaching and stick to the science... But I digress. >.< So... Yeah, I agree with this: "Also, teachers should mention that there are other beliefs besides evolution. But not in a biology class." There just really isn't room. And, hey, if you mean Christianity, just say Christianity. I'm getting sick of people mentioning "creationism" and "religion" as synonyms to Christianity.... It's not. :( And yet, no matter where you go, everyone treats them as such...

Re: Do Hard Things

LilyLariaLaton — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 18:48:51 +0000

I should have mentioned earlier in this discussion (though I have mentioned it before in this thread) that I am homeschooled. But, all I have heard from my public schooled friends is evolution, and that no other possibility is mentioned. In a nutshell I think you can study evolution all you want, and teach it in schools as long as the teacher at some point says, "This has not been conclusively proven and there are other beliefs of how the world came into being." That's it! You don't have to study creation in biology. All I was saying is evolution should not be taught as cold, hard, undeniable fact. If you are saying that it is not, and that they do mention that people believe differently, ok then. I'm pretty much good on that subject:)

Re: Do Hard Things

LilyLariaLaton — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 18:51:45 +0000

TO EVERYONE :D Feel free to interupt this debate with other discussions, this wasn't meant to take over the whole thread, as it seems it has:)

Re: Do Hard Things

beanza3 — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 19:09:11 +0000

"This has not been conclusively proven and there are other beliefs of how the world came into being." But it has been proven. That's what a theory means. And anyway, if kids don't know there are other beliefs, they live under a rock... >.< "Facts stand alone; they are independent of whether a person accepts evolution or rejects evolution. In the world of science there are easily a hundred thousand "facts" relating to biology, astronomy, geology, and so on. It is only natural to try to correlate all this information into explanations that make sense and that can predict other correlations. These explanations and correlations provide the "theories" of science. In any language, usage determines the meaning of a word. In science, the meaning of the word "theory" has been clearly established by usage; its fundamental meaning is a logical explanation based on all the available evidence. In order for theories to be given credence by the scientific community, they must be capable of predicting further correlations. Theories may be good, bad, or indifferent. They may be well established by the factual evidence, or they may lack credibility. But theories only explain the facts; they are not the facts themselves. The statement that evolution is "a theory, not a fact" is based on the belief that a theory is something that can not be proven, and therefore is not a "fact." This view grossly distorts the meanings of the words "theory" and "fact," and diverts attention from the large amount of factual evidence supporting evolution. In addition, it fails to make a clear distinction between theory and fact." http://chem.tufts.edu/science/FrankSteiger/theory.htm

Re: Do Hard Things

gavrielle — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 19:38:55 +0000

LLL, I get why you are saying what you say, but the thing is that evolution is the mainstream scientific understanding. And by mainstream, I mean that the scientific community agree that the evidence all points to evolution. It's not a belief. It's a scientific theory, and unless you plan on explaining to the kids "here is evolution and it's a scientific theory which means it's like a fact but takes up a lot more words, and there are also these religious beliefs but the scientific community doesn't really accept them at all and there is evidence pointing against but it doesn't matter because we are in a biology classroom not a religion classroom", I don't know how else you would be saying it. It is cold, hard, and undeniable. It's not fact because it is a theory. Mention of beliefs belongs in a social science or humanities classroom, not a science class. It should be mentioned in Humanities. There is no way Art History or the HRE can be discussed without an understanding of Christianity, and studying ancient religions gives you an understanding of the culture. But in biology, you talk about what the mainstream biologists accept. Also, evolution doesn't talk about how the world came to being, just how life has changed since it appeared... Also, a journal entry about doing hard things: I think I'm going to Central Library next week which is making me really happy because I love Central but it's downtown and I hate parking downtown but I have a history paper that requires research and my school library has only a couple books on the topic I'm looking for (social and familial lives of american spies in the cold war) and my local branch doesn't have much because it just doesn't because it doesn't need a social sciences and sociology and psychology sections because most people don't need tons of books about that. So I need to go to Central! :D It's kind of the most amazing library ever... (8 huge floors of books. SWOON!) Also, they should really make it easier to renew my card...

Re: Do Hard Things

ExclamationPoint! — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 20:31:00 +0000

The awkward moment when you don't post on a thread very often and when you come back it's been completely overrun by several intense political and spiritual discussions. Hmm. I'm going to post something totally unrelated. I took a biology test yesterday. It was hard. I studied all day before it, but it was still hard. That's really frightening to me, because academic things usually just aren't hard. Biology, for some reason, is. Anyway, I took this super hard test yesterday, and I've been living in fear until biology class today, when I would know my grade. (This test is really important, and if I don't make either an A or an extremely high B, I'll lose my A in that class.) And my teacher forgot to grade half my test. Almost everyone else knows their grade and can quit worrying now. But nooo, not me. It's super frustrating, and I'm extremely worried. And I'm being forced to do another hard thing: Waiting another whole day for results. I'm freaking scared. (I would ask y'all to pray for me, but in light of the conversation, it seems like a bad idea. So please share your sympathy. Because I am in need of it.)

Re: Do Hard Things

Writer.Gal.123 — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 23:03:56 +0000

I'll pray for you. :) Unless I'm misunderstanding things, I don't think anyone here is actually offended by the mention of prayer. Some people just might not believe in praying, or praying in that manner, but I don't think it's anything people get angry about. (If I'm wrong, and a request for prayers offends you for some reason, please let me know.) Anyway, good luck! I get stressed out over testing too. :-/

Re: Do Hard Things

beanza3 — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 23:46:42 +0000

I'll pray for you too! Bio can be hard, but, we hope you do okay!!! :D

Re: Do Hard Things

LilyLariaLaton — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 01:40:23 +0000

Who's to say some kids don't live under rocks?:P No one has ever seen an ape turn into a human. Ever. You can show me the fossil record all you want if you would like, but it is not conclusive. The article mentions small changes, but where are the fossils that show the major changes between species? People are born with slightly different sructures all the time, but that doesn't mean they are turning back into an ape. There maybe evidence for evolution, I don't deny that there is a reason people believe it. It. is. not. fact. Evolution is theory, and if you think theory is as conclusive as fact, look it up. Websters Dictionary Theory 1. The analysis of a set of fact and their relation to one another. 2. Abstract thought: Speculation 3. The general or abstract principles of a body of fact. 4. I'm not typing all of this because it's super long, but in a nutshell: a hypothetical set of facts 5. A plausible or scientifically acceptable general principle offered to explain phenomena 6. a hypothesis assumed for the sake of agruement or investigation: an unproved assumption: conjecture Yes, I understand that theory has gotten a different meaning, but unless I am completely misunderstanding it is not so different from the last definition here. Even if it is totally different, the explanation you gave me also does not say thoerys are always true. They are hypothesis based on the evidence that is availible, it doesn't mean that the conclusions drawn are correct. specifically @ Gabbi, Sorry to disagree, (funny thing to say in the midst of a debate:P) but no, you apparently really don't get what I'm saying. I think you are trying, maybe I just didn't make myself clear enough. I think teachers should say 'This may not be what happened, but this is what the scientific world accepts to be the truth.' You do not have to mention God in the classroom! Keep religion out of it if you want, don't mention what other people believe, just that that it might not be what happened. Wow, that kinda turned into a rant, sorry:)

Re: Do Hard Things

LilyLariaLaton — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 01:41:00 +0000

Wow, I hate hope the italics thing never works right for me >_<

Re: Do Hard Things

LilyLariaLaton — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 01:41:54 +0000

hate hope? What the heck Lily? I hate how

Re: Do Hard Things

LilyLariaLaton — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 01:52:56 +0000

I'll pray for you! That has got to be super stressful, and I know how that is... I hope you do great!

Re: Do Hard Things

ExclamationPoint! — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 02:12:30 +0000

Thanks. :) I know the mere mention of prayer usually doesn't offend people, but in the current context, it seemed like anything even remotely involving religion might spark something else. So I figured I should insert a disclaimer. Anyway, my dad bought me some girl scout cookies today, and I practiced my piano skills, and that made me feel a lot better. Now all I can do is wait.

Re: Do Hard Things

gavrielle — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 03:04:40 +0000

@ExclamationPoint. I feel for you (still don't really understand the concept of praying for people, but I give my uttermost sympathy and support through brainwaves and the internet, if that's close enough...). BIology is usually my favorite class, but we just finished biotechnology and that test literally killed my A... So I most definitely understand... And for help with biology, I usually use Khan Academy (khanacademy.org). They have videos that actually explain things, mainly math, but they have stuff for pretty much every subject. For biology, go to the biology and organic chemistry sections. I also swear by the SAT II and AP Review books... @LLL, No, I get what you are saying. I just think it's stupid to say "some people disagree with the scientific community" in a science class. You are supposed to say that in history, humanities, social sciences, and english. But that's like saying "the limit as x approaches 0 of sinx/x might not be 1, but mathematics community accepts that as truth" in a math class. It's assumed that what the teacher is saying is truth for the community. Nobody says "antimatter may not exist, but the physics community accepts the existence of antimatter as truth" in a physics class. Why would you? Also, never apologize for ranting to me. Resident ranter, remember? Okay. I'm also going to try to break down your post bit by bit for refuting because honestly, this stuff helps me study for bio, and also helps me practice for debate team... Please know that I mean no condescendingness (is that a word? it should be...) nor prejudice nor hatred of any kind. I just want people to understand exactly what natural selection and evolution and the scientific process is, and it doesn't seem you really get it, which isn't your fault if you've never intensely studied it... "No one has ever seen an ape change into a human." Of course not. Apes didn't change into humans. Mommy ancestor and daddy ancestor had kids, and one had a mutation that led them in this direction and one had a mutation that led them in this direction and then you got two species that couldn't have kids... Evolution isn't Pokemon, Ape doesn't turn into Man at level 34... I feel like that's a bad explanation, so let me try again... I'm assuming you know religious history because I assume that to be an integral part of any study of world history and world history is important and everybody loves it, so I'm going to explain how speciation works through a metaphor coming from religious history. We zip back 2500 years ago, and there was one monotheistic religion in the Middle East (well, two if you count Zoroastrianism, but that's irrelevant to this discussion). That religion was known as Judaism, but it wasn't exactly the same Judaism that exists today (it was primarily focused on burnt sacrifices and other rituals as such). Then came a "mutation". Some people believed that the Messiah could have a second coming. It wasn't a huge population. It started with one person, and slowly spread. Now, the people with this "mutation" or differing belief, continued to have some changing aspects of their beliefs and eventually, their religion was incompatible with the original religion ("biological species concept"). Slowly, there were more little changes to both religions. Christianity got to care about paintings. Jews lost the temple and decided to try praying instead. Christianity had some more splits, each leaving both new groups a little changed. This doesn't mean that original Christianity turned into Judaism. The original Christianity is the common ancestor of all new forms of Christianity. Does that make sense? I have no idea if that was any clearer than my original explanation... "Where are the fossils showing major changes between species?" http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/10/091001-oldest-human-skeleton-ardi-missing-link-chimps-ardipithecus-ramidus.html (humans and ape ancestors) http://iho.asu.edu/lucy.html (humans and ape ancestors) http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/05/090519-missing-link-found.html (higher primates and primates) http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=110903 (whales and land mammals) And there are more, but those are the ones I could remember off the top of my head... "People are born with slightly different structures all the time, but that doesn't mean they are turning back into an ape." If people were spontaneously turning into apes, it would disprove evolution much more than it would prove it... Also, why would evolution go backwards? And what is people's deal with evolution and apes. Honestly, apes aren't the focal point of evolution... YAY! Now I get to do my favorite thing, explain the difference between casual english and scientific terminology. First of all, why are you consulting the Webster's dictionary on scientific terminology and using one of the definitions as your proof when we just said that there was a separate casual definition and scientific definition? Okay. Science. Here we go. In science, there is no such thing as a fact when it comes to science. Fact is a nonscientist word. Here is why. Scientists like to learn things. Scientists like to learn new things. And scientists like to prove each other wrong (a big thing in mathematics is proving other mathematicians wrong). And as scientists discover new things (which is what they are being paid to do), the models change. I'm assuming that when you first learned about matter, you were shown an atom looking like this: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fb/Schematicky_atom.png BUT, scientists have discovered things since then. It turns out that orbitals aren't exact orbits, but are on these round plane-like things with weird shapes. They look like this: http://chemwiki.ucdavis.edu/@api/deki/files/4826/=Single_electron_orbitals.jpg But nobody is petitioning schools to show pictures of atoms with proper electron orbitals. Why is that. Honestly... Anyway, my point was models change. The basic understanding of an atom hasn't changed, just the model of it's shape. That's what is up with evolution. We know it's happened. People deny it. People disagree. That's fine. You don't have to agree, and you can continue to think of the atom with fixed orbitals like orbits. But the truth is they can put a bunch of flies in a lab and watch evolution take place. AIDS medecine? The cocktail of drugs? They have to use a cocktail of drugs due to evolution. It's been replicated in labs. It's happening. Anyway, scientists don't use the Webster dictionary definition 6, they use the scientific definition: A scientifically accepted general principle supported by a substantial body of evidence offered to provide an explanation of observed facts and as a basis for future discussion or investigation (Lincoln, R. J., G. A. Boxshall, and P. F. Clark. 1990. A dictionary of ecology, evolution and systematics. Cambridge Univ. Press.) It's a principle. It's a model. It may not be "fact" but it's not flimsy either... Also, a hypothesis is something TOTALLY different. That's something that is used as like a prompt would be in an english class. A hypothesis means nothing until you have data either supporting it or not supporting it. And then it's data and analysis, not a hypothesis... Wow. As usual, I wrote a lot. Again, I don't mean to convert anybody, just get us all on the same page of scientific understanding. Also, genetics is cool. Lab reports, not so much. Which is why I posted twice today... Gabbi out...

Re: Do Hard Things

IrelandChic — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 03:14:11 +0000

I'll pray for you.

Re: Do Hard Things

Writer.Gal.123 — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 22:23:45 +0000

Khan Academy saves my life in AP Chemistry. It really does. @ExclamationPoint! Glad you are feeling better! Girl scout cookies are the BEST. Trefoils always make my day. :) So.... hard things, hard things. Um. I'm working really hard to improve my nonexistant tennis skills. Sort of not getting Chemistry at the moment, so I should figure that out. (Yay Khan Academy!) And I need to figure out where I'm volunteering for my senior service project. Unfortunately, I dropped volunteering when I got a job (though I still go on mission trips and stuff. That's a hard thing. Lots of hard work goes into tearing down houses, you know.) Maybe at a hospital or with Habitat for Humanity. We'll see....

Re: Do Hard Things

gavrielle — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 00:38:51 +0000

GUYS GUYS GUYS GUYS!!!!!!! ONE OF THE MENTORS WANTS ME! I'M WANTED! I CAN BE A REAL FULL-FLEDGED MEMBER OF A LAB TEAM THIS SUMMER!!! (I mean, I still have to meet with her and stuff, but she responded that she would be interested in taking me under her wing for the next two years and I'm so excited right now and :D :D :D :D. I've just been like happy dancing around my room for the past hour and a half) So, assuming the meeting goes well, this is it. This is my life for the next two years. Researching how aging, stress, and gender change cognition and decision making. SO EXCITED! Plus, she's like really top of her field, even though she's pretty young. And it's a female mentor which is just awesome to have in science and research! And I think I'm starting to realize that this is actually going to happen. Wow. @writer.gal, Ew...Chem... I didn't like chem very much. I still don't like chem very much... Good luck!

Re: Do Hard Things

LilyLariaLaton — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 01:32:46 +0000

@Gabbi, Oh my word, that's awesome!! I am so happy for you!! Ok, I am going to quit making a fool of myself and get out of this debate:P Too late, much too late to not make a fool out of myself at all, but I am going to stop. Only because I have been realizing since this started that I am fighting a losing battle simply because I don't have the right weapons, if you catch my drift. Personally, I have never been a fan of science in general (no offense;) so when a science geek like Gabbi (by geek, I mean someone who studies something like crazy, so it is a big compliment) comes along, as has been shown, I am way out of my league, and consequently make a complete and total fool out of myself. Anyway, so that's why I pulling out, not because I agree or you have convinced me, I just realized I'm like a 6 year old trying to discuss polotics when it comes to this. But I do want to say, I'm really not as stupid as some of these posts have made me seem (the theory of gravity? Please don't ask me what I was think, because apparentaly I wasn't at all, I'm honestly am not that uninformed). But I think I'll stick to english and history, and leave the discussion of science to people who know more what they are talking about. But I know what I believe, I know why I believe it, I just don't know enough about the science to defend it well. It's been fun argueing with you guys, but I'm out:) @Writer Girl, Ooh, nonexistent tennis skills, I have those!! =P And I don't like chem either, I haven't done very much but I doesn't make sense to me, I really hope you can figure it out!

Re: Do Hard Things

1018mockingjay — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 05:37:03 +0000

Wow, good luck Gavrille! Have fun!

Re: Do Hard Things

beanza3 — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 19:29:16 +0000

Gabbi, that's awesome! :D I've got a sort-of question for anyone who cares to participate... What are your feelings on cloning? Specifically, human cloning? We're learning about it in science, I'm not sure what my stance is on it, and I've always found reading other people's opinions to help, so... :D If you would like to share, share, please! :D

Re: Do Hard Things

gavrielle — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 01:34:24 +0000

@LLL, Haha. Don't worry. I was just trying to explain the science (not to convince you, but so you would have the weapons, because everybody should have the understanding of concepts, even if they don't agree with them), but clearly I still need to work on putting science into understandable terms... And you don't seem stupid. You seem like someone who hasn't studied science all the time and put all their energy into science. I kinda come at an advantage in these debates, because I've spent a lot of time studying both humanities (including religion and comparative religions) and science. Also, you were pretty close to the general understanding of gravity. (For future reference, as best as I can explain it, which actually isn't that in depth, but the theory of gravitation is that matter is attracted to matter, and the more matter there is, the greater pull it has. So if i drop a penny, it'll be pulled a tiny bit towards me, a tiny bit more towards my bed, and a lot towards the earth). That's why things orbit, and why tides occur, and all that jazz... It was fun debating with you too! RE: Cloning My feelings on human cloning for the purpose of making new humans is that it is really stupid. Like really, really stupid. It would take way more effort than it's worth. The clones would have really short lives. And there is really no need to clone humans. We have enough people on the earth. We don't need any more, especially when they're going to have a lot of complications and not live very long. However, I fully support human cloning for the purposes of stem cells and transplants. And here me out on this guys. Currently, we have two kinds of stem cells, embryonic and adult. Embryonic stem cells are better in that they can become anything and fully take on the roles they need. Adult stem cells are better in the sense that they can match the recipient better. But, they have a technique where they take an egg cell, remove the nucleus (where the DNA is), and replace it with the DNA from a person. Then they shock the cell into growth. What you end up with is a bunch of human stem cells, embryonic in the sense that they are still undifferentiated, but adult in that they are a pretty good match. However, unlike embryonic stem cells, there isn't the potential that they could ever grow to full term as a fetus. They just couldn't survive that long as an individual human (to make them do so would require so much unnecessary work. see part 1). With these stem cells, you would get the benefits of both sides for really good matches for transplant victims and victims in need of stem cells. The one down side is some people are still arguing that using these cells is using an embryo and terminating a pregnancy (which it's not. these cells can't survive that far), so people can't do much research on them because stupid government won't let them...

Re: Do Hard Things

LilyLariaLaton — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 01:47:53 +0000

Thanks=)

Re: Do Hard Things

ExclamationPoint! — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 02:35:48 +0000

Y'all! I got a ninety on my biology test!!!!!!!!1! (I would usually be irritated by such a low A, but in this case, I'll take it with joy.) Thank y'all for praying for/sympathizing with me. Writer Gal: I've never actually tried trefoils, (for me it's tagalongs,) but I think all girl scout cookies have the same effect. They're amazing. Gabbi: Congratulations! That is made of awesome. As for cloning: I don't like it. Because think of the clones. Those are going to be actual people, and they're going to be treated like dirt because "They're not real people!" Just because you engineered them in some kind of lab or something, (I know very little about science,) doesn't make them not human. Anyway, I'm way too lazy to come up with any more reasons, but if I were to think about it, I'm sure I could find more. I've run out of stuff to say, so I'll see y'all later.

Re: Do Hard Things

LilyLariaLaton — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 01:11:41 +0000

@Exclamation Point, That's awesome!! Great job! @Writer Gal, I meant to get say this earlier, but Girl Scout Cookies are amazing! I LOVE Samoas the best, but Trefoils are really good too!

Re: Do Hard Things

Writer.Gal.123 — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 18:15:39 +0000

Ahh, you guys are making me really hungry for Girl Scout cookies! I ordered some from a little girl who lives across my street, but the order hasn't come in yet. :( LilyLariaLaton, I agree, Samoas are super good too. They would probably be my second favorite. :) @gavrielle That's really awesome! I'm happy for you. @ExclamationPoint! Nice job on your bio test! I know how you feel. I'm generally only happy with high As, but sometimes there comes that super hard test where you're really just glad you passed. Again, congrats! Human cloning. Hmm. I liked the point made about clones being actual people, and they're just going to be used. So there's a good chance we would be compromising their individuality. And gavrielle also had a really good point in that we really don't need to create any more human beings. However, there ARE potential medical benefits. Cloning could definitely help with scientific research and finding a better way to provide organ donations. But honestly, I don't really know. I suppose I'd have to research it to get a better opinion.

Re: Do Hard Things

gavrielle — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 23:57:17 +0000

I figured that what better way to spend my time while I wait for my dad to drive me to the library because it's rainy outside and I don't want to walk the 3 blocks than to be the researcher on clones, since I am the resident scientist (or one of the resident scientists, do I have fellow resident scientists?) now in addition to the resident ranter... So: There are two types of cloning): therapeutic and reproductive. Reproductive cloning is the type you guys are thinking of: cloning to make new people. It's worked on a sheep (see: Dolly), but nobody has had success yet with a human, mainly because nobody is willing to try. Most scientists don't think it's really worth looking into, and most grant-givers don't either (and scientists get all their money through grants, see my rant about the GOP cutting research funding above). There are some benefits to this (parents who are totally infertile could create children they are genetically related to), but then you also come into problems with eugenics (you are essentially making the designer baby) and the fact that there are a lot of kids out there who need homes... Therapeutic cloning does not create a human being (which then leads to a whole other debate about removing the potential for a human life (same as the stem-cell/abortion debate, this is a stem-cell debate...)). The scientific term is somatic-cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), and this is the cloning that scientists are most interested in, because as I said before, it creates a better stem-cell than embryonic or adult stem cells do. Basically, the way it works is you substitute a random single-celled human egg's DNA with the DNA of the person who will be "cloned". You stimulate it to divide, and then you get a blastocyst (same as you do when you fertilize the egg, this is why it's controversial...). Once you have the blastocyst, you treat it as you would any blastocyst you would be using for an embryonic stem cell, isolate the inner mass that would in a fertilized egg become the embryo, and create an embryonic cell-line of undifferentiated cells that would match the DNA of the person needing treatment. Pros are that you get the benefits of adult stem cells and the benefits of embryonic stem cells. These treatments could theoretically drastically reduce both wait times for organ transplants and reduce the side-effects of organ transplants. Cons are that SCNT is hard and can require hundred's of attempts to make one successful egg, so it would also be an expensive procedure (although as more research goes on, prices would drop as techniques would improve). Plus, egg donation isn't an easy process (although there is research in question to use rabbit eggs and then get them to not be rabbitty... I can't explain it really well, but it's going on...). Also, the instability of stem-cells can still lead to mutations and cancer (although more research would obviously be done before these treatments become readily available). Plus, there's the whole AN EMBRYO IS A PERSON debate which I disagree with (especially when it's an embryo that wouldn't make it as a person), but it's there. So yeah. If anybody has any questions, shoot.

Re: Do Hard Things

gavrielle — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 05:01:17 +0000

So (thread bump what?) Anyway, I've been rereading The Diary of a Young Girl which isn't hard in the sense that it's a difficult book to read intellectually. I read it for the first time when I was 11. It is always an emotional rollar coaster. Mainly because her 2nd to last entry starts with the line "I'm finally getting optimistic". It never gets sad. Even as an 11 year old, I felt she deserved to be able to write her end, because she was so eloquent, and maybe she could have put some sense into the senseless and the chaotic and the incomprehensible. Because how are we supposed to understand? How are we supposed to move on from something like that? And I'm not just talking about as the Jewish community that still feels the scars, but as the global community, how can we make sense of that? Anyway, I read the book for the first time when I was 11. I've never understood why people try to keep books about difficult subjects from children at that age. I read some quote in some paper about some woman saying that having raised 7 children, she knew that the Hunger Games was inappropriate for 13 year olds because it was horrible and "too close to something possible to reality" and when I was 13 I walked into the National Holocaust Museum and saw the hair that was cut off of victims before they were killed and then I lit a memorial candle. It wasn't pleasant, but that doesn't mean my parents were irresponsible for letting me do that. I understand parents wanting to keep their children innocent, but only to a point. 13 year olds can read the Hunger Games. It was required reading for all students at my school. The youngest are 11 years old. And everybody should read Diary of a Young Girl if they haven't yet. But, and the point of my long diatribe, is something I was wondering. Please don't anybody get offended or arguing-y. It's just a valid question, and here lies the group of nice Christians who won't cut my head off for asking this (hopefully). And I won't get offended by any answer. But honestly. I remember back when we had the theological debate thread that it was mentioned (as it has been to me many times before) that unless you convert to Christianity, you have no chance of getting into Heaven... So what happened to all those children who were Holocaust victims? I know the Mormons keep trying to convert them post-mortem, which is honestly really really disturbing, but really. I'm just wondering... The Holocaust really messed with Jewish ideas of death and the afterlife and G-d and life and forgiveness. But what did it matter to you non-Jews? Anyway, this book depresses me because she was so happy. So it's always an emotional journey. So it's hard. But it's something that I try to do every year to put things in perspective and honor Yom Hashoah (which is actually in a month, but I won't have time to read it then, so I'm doing it now). Most of the hard things I do are intellectually hard. I do a lot of science. I do a lot of history. I self-study calculus and try to write a 50,000 word novel in a month. But this is one of the few difficult things I do that are personally difficult and emotional difficult and spiritually difficult, and this is the only one that falls in the spring (I have a few that relate to Yom Kippur, and I try to read on Simchat Torah, but those are in the fall... so a long while away). Anyway, I'm going to go back to reading and crying.

Re: Do Hard Things

Elizabeth-of-Rohan — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 18:01:29 +0000

What's the author's name?

Re: Do Hard Things

gavrielle — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 19:16:38 +0000

Oh... Oops. Diary of a Young Girl = Diary of Anne Frank. So it's by Anne Frank.

Re: Do Hard Things

Writer.Gal.123 — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 00:38:21 +0000

Interestingly enough, I just finished my reread of the book. It never fails to make me cry. :-/ And it always breaks my heart when Anne Frank manages to be happy and optimistic; knowing what's going to happen to her is awful. Thanks for all the info on cloning. I was thinking something like therapeutic cloning existed, but I wasn't sure what it was called, and I didn't want to sound like an idiot talking about something I don't really know too well about. It's very helpful to have a resident scientist. :) "But what did it matter to you non-Jews?" Okay, so I'm a Catholic, and I suppose I'll give this a go. I think that the Holocaust victims, like any other non-Catholic people who die, have a chance at heaven. It's hard to give you a solid answer because there ARE some conflicting viewpoints, but here is the general idea: Before, in the earlier days, Catholics did hold the exclusive view that only Catholics could get into heaven. However, post Vatican II, the idea is that the Holy Spirit acts on all people no matter what religion they have. If a person is generally good, they have a chance at getting into heaven... even if they are non-Christian. The Holocaust was a terrible, awful tragedy (don't even really know how to describe it with justice) and Catholics do not believe that its victims are without the chance of salvation. And children have always been believed to be innocent and having the best chance of going into heaven. So in conclusion, although the Holocaust certainly had an effect on Catholics, it did little to change our beliefs. There's only one thing I'd like to add. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says that, "The Roman Catholic Church has a special relationship to Jews and Muslims because of the common reverence for the patriarch Abraham." (839-841) If anything, Holocaust victims would have a greater chance at salvation than most other non-Catholics. Hope that sorta makes sense! Let me know if you have further questions or if I wasn't clear on something....

Re: Do Hard Things

beanza3 — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 02:07:40 +0000

"But what did it matter to you non-Jews?" Well, I'm Catholic also. I hold no definate views about this, because God is the judge, and he is the only one who can choose who enters heaven and so on, but, since I've not yet been filled in, here's what I think. :D I think, ANYONE who is a good person (as in good person I mean, lives to the ten commandments and other teachings) has a shot to heaven wether they believe Catholic docterine or not. Which would mean that many if not all who suffered there would have a shot. If this isn't true, or if their "good doings"/whatever doesn't suffice. A while in purgatory before moving up is the worst I can see for any "other" religion who is a good person. Some Christians (not pointing at anyone on this site, but some people I actually know) believe that if your not Christian and ritual like the Christians in a specific denomination do, you go to hell. But I'm Catholic, and we love the prayer and the so-on, so... Basically, I'll pray for my Jewish friends as much as my Christian friends, but sometimes a bit more just because I like some of them better! ;) It's a hard topic, no one really knows, so... I choose the belief that allows me to be a good, respectful person on earth. If other want to walk around announcing people are going to hell, that's their choice. >.<

Re: Do Hard Things

Elizabeth-of-Rohan — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 16:01:11 +0000

ooh! Okay. I really like that book.

Re: Do Hard Things

ExclamationPoint! — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 04:52:53 +0100

This isn't a thread bump, what are you talking about? I was just checking in here because I'm finally on the internet again for the first time since the beginning of spring break, and I saw the Catholic responses to "But what did it matter to you non-Jews?" And suddenly I was seized with curiosity, and am hoping it wouldn't be too much trouble for someone to answer this question: What's the difference between the beliefs of the Catholics and the Protestants? Being southern baptist, all I really know is that y'all have saints and a pope and get baptized right after you're born, and that Luther was all, "Y'all are corrupt! Thesis!" so we separated. I feel like my knowledge of Catholics is woefully inadequate, and if I ask my question here it serves as a bump for this thread, so if anyone wanted to explain to me, I'd be super happy.

Re: Do Hard Things

CountryGirl13 — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 16:59:21 +0100

I have yet to read this book though now I plan to! I'm just a 13 year old with a heart for missions. I would love to help end sex trafficking in any way. One of the hardest things I've ever done is fight OCD. A lot o people joke around about it but it's really not fun. Sometimes it has pushed me to the point where I'd rather die than keep fighting. I began to have praying as an OCD compulsion, and it really hurt me spiritually. There are days when I'm really depressed. But I also know that God's grace can cover anything, and I keep on living.

Re: Do Hard Things

1018mockingjay — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 01:58:05 +0100

Welcome to the group! I've read the Diary of Anne Frank as well, in fifth grade since reading a book that was dealing with the Holocaust was required back then. However I didn't read it all the way though, but I was close to the ending. But I plan on reading it again sometime soon.

Re: Do Hard Things

Writer.Gal.123 — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 21:25:41 +0100

Hey CountryGirl13! I think it's great you want to help end sex trafficking - it's definitely an issue, and a worthwhile cause. And a lot of people do joke about OCD, but I know it can be really serious. Keep fighting, and please don't give up! There are some really close people in my life who have problems with depression, but if you've got a heart for missions, stay strong so you can make a difference in the world :) :) :) @ExclamationPoint! Um, so I'm not really an expert or anything, but I know one big thing is that Protestants rely on scripture alone. Catholics rely on both scripture and tradition. In fact, tradition is a pretty big part of our faith. And yes, we have saints and a pope, and we're baptized at birth. We baptize at birth because it involves the remission of sins, rather than just a profession of faith (since obviously babies aren't willfully choosing to join the Church.) We have another sacrament, Confirmation, which is more about joining the Church. I feel like I'm not explaining this well, lol, so I'll let anyone else comment if they have anything they want to add.

Re: Do Hard Things

royalturtledove — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 04:34:43 +0100

*pokes head in door* *sneaks in* *whistles and acts like she has actually been on in the last month* Hi. So... I finished my TARDIS Nook cover. Pictures here if you want to look at it: http://teaandquills.blogspot.com/2012/02/wibbely-wobbely-timey-wimey-knitting.html (I would just stick them in this post, but I'm lazy. :P ) So, one hard thing accomplished. And I can do colorwork knitting now! Well... sort of. But still. :D And... I've started planning work on a new story, so hopefully that will go well. But I still need to do the name/description/personality of one main character-- but after that, I think I'm just about good to go, and I can start writing on it. Also in the writing area of hard things, I'd like to a) revise or b) rewrite my NaNo10, which could use a little TLC. I actually quite like this story idea, but it needs to either be polished, or rewritten, to help make it have smoother transitions. There's a huge, three-month long chunk of time I have to add in, while several of my characters are kidnapped, that hasn't been written at all. I just sort of glossed over it, and stuck them back in the story the next chapter, because I didn't know how to go on after they got kidnapped, and I didn't want to backtrack, and be all, "Nevermind! That didn't happen!". Also, it has several other ares in which I could add more to it. I'd also like to return to a story I stopped writing about 20k in, because I actually quite liked it, but after not writing on it for a few days, I had lost the spark, and the will to continue the story. So I want to reread that, and start writing that again. And again, in the realm of writing, I want to start actually writing, and writing often, again. Over the summer, I write tons. During November, I write tons. But for the rest of the year, my writing slacks, and I don't really have a big project I'm working on. So. I want to fix that. Hopefully however, between the project in the planning stage, the project I want to start up again, and my NaNo10, that will start to happen. Anyways. Hi. I have no idea what's going on, but uh... yeah. *waves*

Re: Do Hard Things

EmmaMayfield — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 18:30:03 +0100

The hard thing I'm doing is working on Project Impact. It would mean alot if you guys checked it out and if you want, NaNoMail me your story. POSSIBLE TRIGGER CONTENT http://www.wattpad.com/3883332-impact-changing-the-world-one-voice-at-a-time

Re: Do Hard Things

ExclamationPoint! — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 02:35:38 +0100

Hey CountryGirl13! Welcome! I'm Laura, and I bet this isn't helpful to you at all, but just in case: Whenever my friends are depressed, I tell them to drink apple juice. Because apple juice is amazing. Royalturtledove: I just looked at your TARDIS nook cover, and it's freakin amazing. Writer.Gal.123: Thanks for the explanation! I know it's probably more complicated than that, as most religions are, but that sounds like a primary difference and explains a lot. In other news, Gabbi hasn't posted in a while, so I think that I can make a rant in her stead. I have a serious question. Why is it that so many people like to just take and get really passionate about what other people tell them? Let me clarify my irritation: Why do people do this without doing research first? It's like all you have to do is give a sad story with a few points exaggerated and you have the whole nation captivated and reacting in entirely the wrong way. Example: The invisible children (Kony 2012) thing earlier this month. Super exaggerated facts. A charity that uses very little of its money for actual charity work. They make a snazzy video and people are all up in arms, sending money and not shutting up about it. Without EVER stopping to find out anything for themselves. Another Example: The Treyvon Martin thing. There are two different witness stories. One of them says that Trayvon actually attacked the guy that shot him. Also, there are tons of murders all the time. Why does this one get special attention? Yes, that's right. Because "obviously, that guy was racist." Do your research and you'll see that "that guy" was biracial. And he's apprehended several criminals with the neighborhood watch. I'm not claiming to know all the answers about either of these things, but I just hate how people just accept everything they're given and assume that it's clear, cut-and-dry, black and white truth. I don't know what happened to Trayvon Martin, and I don't know whether invisible children actually has good motives. But at least I understand that I don't know, instead of jumping to immediate conclusions. Maybe if everyone cried for actual answers, we would get some. Either this is a classic case of two and two make five (George Orwell, anyone?) or just me being totally stupid and wrong, I don't know. What do y'all think?

Re: Do Hard Things

royalturtledove — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 02:47:09 +0100

Thanks! I had fun with it, even if it did take me a while. And I learned new knitting techniques while doing it, so I'm happy. :D

Re: Do Hard Things

faeline — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 04:50:57 +0100

I've been told about this book so many times! It must be really good. My name's Olivia, and I am fifteen. Since religion has been brought up, I'll add that I'm a Christian. :) I used to be home schooled, but last year I only worked on algebra, wrote a book, and did a Constitutional study. So my mom decided that I should go to a public school (which is terrible, because it is both easy and dull). Now I'm trying to balance homework, running, writing, singing, and preparation for my piano evaluation. It's quite a lot! ExclamationPoint!: You bring up a lot of great points, especially about the Trayvon Martin case. I also agree that the Kony 2012 charity is ridiculous. It is, however, an issue that I am extremely passionate about. A few years ago, a choir of "Invisible Children" (not affiliated with the Kony 2012 charity) came to my town. Over several weeks, me and two girls staying with my family became very good friends. I think it took the statistic out of it. They endured so much. I'm not sure what needs to be done, but it upsets me to hear about kids having to kill their own families. People have suggested the U.S. military get involved. But this is the problem: if we were to send military aid, we would be fighting the very people we'd be attempting to rescue. There's a solution, I just don't think we've found the right one yet. As far as jumping to conclusions, I think that in many cases people are just lazy. They seem to take whatever the media feeds them, or use their own experiences to draw a conclusion. Either way, it doesn't work.

Re: Do Hard Things

beanza3 — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 02:27:46 +0100

My views (albet unresearched... I'm still unsure what impact a 16 yr old kid can have on court proceedings, especially since I hate them, and only not reserve judgement unless it's absolutely clear, in which case, a court isn't needed... But I digress.) on the Trayvon Martin case is: I knew what they were going to do. They were going to dig every bit of dirt on this kid possible to make it look like he deserved to die. He didn't. I'm sorry, but, in my opinion, if you're older, larger, have a gun, a leave your home to pursue the kid, and the kid dies, regardless of your reasoning, you take the blame. I doubt the guy was racist as we define it. I think he might have the slight racism that makes a mom worry when her kids get a a plane with people in full muslim garb, or someone cross the street when it's dark and a darker skinned kid comes down it with the backwards cap and bling. It's not outright racism, it can't be prosecuted, and can only be killed with time. So I'll accept whatever the judge and jury decide. My views on Invisble Children. Good cause. Kony caused a lot of issues in Uganda, he's not been taken to justice and people are still recovering. I accept their three pronged effort --they believe in putting money into letting people know about him, recovery efforts, and catching Kony. I don't accept all of their solutions. And, the makers put this huge stink about ~AMERICA~ but... America can't and shouldn't swoop into other people's problems. It's called the international community. I understand their audiance, I just don't agree with the emphasis. And the Ugandan army is... Iffy. And Kony's really hard to find. Which makes it problematic. I don't give money to IC because I don't agree with many of their solutions, but I support their cause. "As far as jumping to conclusions, I think that in many cases people are just lazy." <-- THIS!!!!!!!!! faeline, you have my name!! :D

Re: Do Hard Things

ExclamationPoint! — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 18:28:55 +0100

I understand, and your views are completely valid. All I'm really trying to say is that I just hate it when people jump to conclusions. "Hey, let's all donate money to a charity that isn't actually helping anything! And then let's update our facebook status about it! Because it will solve all the world's problems!" "Did you hear? A black guy got killed by someone! He must be a racist!" I wasn't defending George Zimmerman, because he probably is guilty, or saying that the whole Kony thing isn't a problem,because it is. I'm just saying that everyone goes about it wrong. In other news: this. " As far as jumping to conclusions, I think that in many cases people are just lazy. They seem to take whatever the media feeds them, or use their own experiences to draw a conclusion. Either way, it doesn't work." This is probably the perfect explanation. Thank you.

Re: Do Hard Things

ExclamationPoint! — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 18:29:57 +0100

I just accidentally put a random space in between the last two lines, and it kind of bothers me. I wish there was an edit button.

Re: Do Hard Things

gavrielle — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 18:55:39 +0100

Hi. I've returned from the dead (and by the dead, I mean college touring which was amazingly fun but also made me decide I have to go to either Columbia or Penn and that means I need to start acing everything right now... also I saw RENT again in New York and if you haven't seen it you either need to go to New York right now (it's playing off-broadway, so not super expensive but the casting was near-perfect) or go watch the movie. NOW!!!) As for Invisible Children. The cause is good. The organization, not so much. I don't want to keep reiterating what everybody is saying, so I won't. But the movie is misleading. The charity isn't so hot. And if people want to do something they should actually go out and do something instead of donating money of which most won't go to help anybody and a little will go and help the Ugandan Army that is guilty of a lot of the same crimes. Also, Congress has been working to deal with Kony for a while, so stop being so stupid people! Teens who only "care" by posting facebook statuses make the rest of us who go out and work to change the world look bad... Now I'm going to go study for the AP exams, because I need to get into Columbia...

Re: Do Hard Things

beanza3 — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 19:10:31 +0100

I completely agree with you. Some people are just... O.o And then >12 yr olds get involved, they know nothing about nothing, and nothing about how to know nothing, and it's just... >.< Jumping to conclusions is the worst possible thing. Ever.

Re: Do Hard Things

gavrielle — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 06:47:33 +0100

Also, update on research position! NEW NEWS!!! Email has been sent to mentor to plan meeting (after jumping through loopholes to find some dates that not only work for the teacher who will be going with me, but also that my dance teacher won't be keeping me in rehearsals). The professor (research mentor, not school teacher) has a reply email that she will be away until the 4th, so I now wait some more. I'm just glad that I finally got this email out, as it was a little stressful to manage... But waiting is worse...

Re: Do Hard Things

pandoraparadox — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 10:25:39 +0100

I got into U Chicago. It was one of my top 2 choices until I visited (it has a fantastic Economics program). It's known as "Where fun goes to die" and while that's an exaggeration, it didn't seem to come completely out of nowhere. Of course, it all depends on how much stress you're willing to take & how much geeky stuff you like or not (e.g. there seemed to be a lot of people who played Dungeons and Dragons and stuff like that). And they do have very strong programs in certain areas, especially math/science I believe (I recall them having a really good Creative Writing program too, but it seemed like it was really hard to double major or anything like that). Also, I don't know how much this will apply to you, but compared to schools of similar quality, their financial aid was not that great - you'd be MUCH better off going to an Ivy if you can get in. (They also sort of have a rep as 'everyone who couldn't get into Ivies', though that's definitely less true of U Chicago than it is of other schools, like Tufts. U Chicago's a very unique school and is often self-selecting - that's why they have a 30% or so acceptance rate and still maintain a very high-ranking student body.) Oh, and then there's the safety issue... it's sort of reputed to be in a bad part of town, there's one green that you shouldn't cross alone at night or something. My mom almost wouldn't let me apply because of the safety issues/all the murders and stabbing and stuff she'd heard about (but she had a biased perception of how much crime really occurred there). My recommendation if you're seriously considering U Chicago is to visit. It's a great school with amazing resources, but it is also a very unique school. Its uniqueness can either be great for you, or it can utterly frustrating - it's difficult to tell until you experience it firsthand. Cambridge and Oxford from my understanding have very strict academic requirements - I think you have to take a certain amount and certain types of APs all within the same year or something. Not sure exactly, but it's something you should look into well in advance if that's a route you're considering. Also, just a heads up, whether or not you need financial aid will, from my understanding, have a huge impact on your admission chances as an international applicant to those schools (even moreso than at schools in the US). And be warned that the academic system in the UK is considerably different from how it is over here. I don't know much about Cambridge and Oxford's programs specifically, but in most unis students take hardly any classes outside of their major - maybe 3 total over their 4 years of school. Just something to consider, as if you have a diversity of interests that will be frustrating. It's also a lot harder to double major. (But again, some of these comments may be less true of Cambridge/Oxford than of the other unis.) If you have any questions about studying in the UK specifically, feel free to PM me - I studied abroad there. Also, not to butt in or anything, but if you're starting to look at colleges, I'd seriously recommend including a few safeties below Ivy level. That's not to suggest that you're not a good student or anything like that; rather, it's a comment on the state of college admissions - as in, it's bleeping crazy out there. You can get a 4.0 unweighted, a 2400, 5s on all your APs and still get rejected from every Ivy you apply to. How colleges decide who to admit - especially how Ivies and their peers decide - tends to be arbitrary and even unfair. There are certain things you can do to increase your chances - for example, applying ED really helps, but is hard to do if you need financial aid - and there are certain qualities that will hurt or help you, but even if you're a racial minority who doesn't need financial aid and plays varsity football, you're not guaranteed to get into an Ivy. And, just for the record, it's not the end of the world if you don't get into an Ivy. There are fantastic opportunities available at non-Ivy schools as well as Ivies. Liberal Arts Colleges can often provide benefits Ivies do not because they may have much smaller class sizes so you actually get to know your professors. There's also significant benefit to being in the top 10% of students at a well-recognized school a tier below Ivies rather than smack dab in the middle of an Ivy's student body. If you're in the top 10%, you're going to get accolades, good recommendations, and other sorts of goodies that will allow you to stand out when applying for jobs or grad school. Too, LACs may be less likely to have grade deflation, which can seriously impact any post-grad aspirations (e.g. for law school and med school grades and scores are basically everything.) And then there's quality of life, which is a huge issue even if you're 'just there for the academics' because it really impacts how well you thrive and take advantage of opportunities and so on. Harvard isn't the happiest school in the country. Neither is Columbia, Yale, UPenn, or any of those. It's my college. (Look it up :) ) Now, I'm not going to say that my college is perfect because it definitely isn't, but it is pretty great, for me at least. (And it has rigorous and highly ranked academics, too. I wouldn't turn down UChi for Podunk U :P) But part of what makes it great are things that could never exist at an Ivy. I took two summer courses at Ivies when I was in high school. One of them had upwards of 150 students in it. I had a lot of readings but felt like I didn't really learn all that much or develop useful skills. When I was abroad I had a similar experience - classes up to 250 or more - and they were, well, not worth much to me. The TAs were helpful, but by and large, I probably would have done almost as well if I had studied independently. My classes here, on the other hand, are small and intimate. The learning experience is that much more intense because of it. On top of that, the closeknit community fosters a really great environment. People are competitive and ambitious, but they support one another. There's none of those cutthroat GPA throwdowns you see so often at East Coast schools and Ivies. And people don't tie their whole self worth to their academic performance either - they lead very successful lives, but generally balanced and happy ones. And, for me, that type of environment has been great not just for my academic pursuits, but also for helping me grow and develop as a person. I can assure you I would have not have been able to have this sort of experience at an Ivy or even at most East Coast schools. I'll stop here because it's 2am and I'm probably sounding ridiculously preachy. If you want to disregard all this, you have every right and more because I'm spewing a whole bunch of advice you never asked for and probably didn't even want. And just so I'm clear, I'm not trying to discourage you from applying to Ivies. Nor am I trying to lobby for my college, either. (It's a great school and I love it but it's not for everyone, and besides it's probably too close to home for you - as the girl who traded coasts for college I totally get that feeling.) I'm just saying that it's a good idea to consider a wide range of options. And, too, to not get too hung up on the "Ivy" brand name, as it's probably very overrated and you might miss some awesome gems in the rough if you get too focused on Harvard/Yale/Princeton and their crowd. Anyway I'm gonna shut up now cause I'm exhausted and have to do a bunch of work tomorrow lol. Sorry for word-barfing D:

Re: Do Hard Things

beanza3 — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:30:17 +0100

News! Yay! I'm sorry it taking a while, but, yay! Gabbi's alive! :D

Re: Do Hard Things

beanza3 — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 19:42:37 +0100

Those who want to read a rant? For those who think I rant about the patriarchy and misogyny too much: http://www.facebook.com/#!/notes/julia-equality-maddera/for-those-who-think-i-rant-about-the-patriarchy-and-misogyny-too-much/10150626038172852 It's well written and very true in some respects. Sad too. PM me if for some reason you can't read it, and I'll PM it to you. It's long, and I don't want to freak the whole thread out!

Re: Do Hard Things

pandoraparadox — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 21:23:04 +0100

Sooo I'm just going to necro old topics here, sorry guys. (Necro = bring back from the dead, like necromancy) I actually visited the Anne Frank House last fall, with my (Jewish) boyfriend. That was a harrowing experience. "But what did it matter to you non-Jews?" I think it's hard to make generalizations about a group, but I did read a really interesting passage a while ago (as in probably 3 years ago) about the impact of World War II and the Holocaust on Europe, and especially on the youngest generations to have experienced. I don't remember most of it, but basically it showed a lot of data to suggest that WWII/the Holocaust negatively impacted the faith of Christian Europeans as well as Jewish Europeans and caused major existential crises/had a very strong psychological impact for decades to come. I wish I could remember the name of it. Personally, knowing about the Holocaust and other atrocities makes it very hard for me to believe in any sort of G-d/higher being. There are a lot of reasons why I'm not religious or theistic, though, and that's only one of many. I think it had a bigger impact on my boyfriend and his nonbelief... although he was a theist when I first met him at the start of college (he's now an atheist, basically. Agnostic atheist is perhaps the most accurate term, but either way he doesn't believe.)

Re: Do Hard Things

ExclamationPoint! — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 00:20:15 +0100

Oh my gosh. That was powerful. Are. . . (asked hesitantly in hopes that they aren't) Are all those stories true?

Re: Do Hard Things

beanza3 — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 00:23:56 +0100

As far as I know... I don't know the writer. I only know people who know her.

Re: Do Hard Things

firelight_cinderbrick — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 06:43:33 +0100

I have that book at home. Sadly, it's sitting in my to be read pile right now. I will get around to reading it one day(even though my dad bought it a long time ago and since then it's gotten really really dusty). I just need to stop forgetting about all my great books at home.

Re: Do Hard Things

firelight_cinderbrick — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 07:04:40 +0100

I loved it because it was sad but true. Also the reason why my mom is so paranoid and why I want to learn karate.

Re: Do Hard Things

firelight_cinderbrick — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 07:14:38 +0100

*sorry, I meant and instead of because, why am I so drowsy this morning?

Re: Do Hard Things

LilyLariaLaton — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 22:00:10 +0100

OH MY WORD I AM SO MAD RIGHT NOW!! Ok, so I'm doing screnzy and I was writing, but I went to go do some school to like change it up and I just closed my laptop and my stupid computer SHUT DOWN! I lost like 3 pages..... Urgh, frustrating! Ok, thank you:) Rant over. Welcome new people! I will be back to read all the other posts later, need to go rewrite three pages:(

Re: Do Hard Things

gavrielle — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 23:58:10 +0100

@beanza3, wow. That was intense. So well done and so perfect at conveying expressions that I imagine all of the girls on this forum (and everywhere) have, but intense. @LLL, Ughh. That sucks. My sympathies through the computer internet brain waves!!! And since somebody lost her journal again (guess who), you all get a Gabbi life story moment! 1. Meeting with the mentor on Tuesday after school! Am I excited? Yes I am!!! 2. Crazy Jewish holiday starts tonight. For those of you who are not Jewish (which I think is all of you) and have never celebrated Passover, it's basically eight days of severe Lent with the first two nights each having a Thanksgiving dinner at which everything has to be homemade because you can't have anything with wheat (except matza), corn, rice, beans, any grain except quinoa, etc. Also everybody drinks four glasses of wine, but it's kosher wine which is gross so it doesn't really count. So we've been cooking all week, because we're having the dinner at our house both nights (people are arriving in two hours, I just got off cooking and only because things are boiling and we're at a standstill). The food is all amazing, but there needs to be SO much of it and a lot of ritual stuff has to be done before the holiday and it's also Shabbat tonight so that's more stuff and it's one of my favorite holidays but it's exhausting. 3. APs are going to kill me. The end!

Re: Do Hard Things

Writer.Gal.123 — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 22:57:31 +0100

@gavrielle That's really cool. And I really love learning about other religions, so I always especially like reading your posts when you talk about Jewish activities. :) @LilyLariaLaton Ahhh that really sucks. Sorry :-/ Speaking of APs.... now that I'm finally back from my week-long mission trip in Mississippi, it's probably time to start studying for my practice AP Chem exam on Thursday. :(

Re: Do Hard Things

EmmaMayfield — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 02:12:39 +0100

@Gabbi: My family was going to do a Seder this year, but we weren't able to. :|

Re: Do Hard Things

gavrielle — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 04:12:09 +0100

@EmmaMayfield: If I can ask, how does a non-Jew do a Seder? Do you guys do an Ashkenazi style or Sephardic style? Do you do it all in Hebrew? Do you keep Passover when you do? How do you stand eating matzah when not being forced because there is nothing else to eat? Do you do the Seder Plate and the Afikomen and the Four Questions and the Matzah of Hope/Bread of Poverty? And do you do Eliyahu? Because I think the whole Eliyahu prayer kind of assumes that the Messiah hasn't come yet, but maybe it works somehow?

Re: Do Hard Things

EmmaMayfield — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 17:42:17 +0100

I'll have to ask my parents about that, I'm not totally sure :)

Re: Do Hard Things

gavrielle — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 02:43:37 +0100

GUYS! I GOT THE RESEARCH POSITION! *happy happy joy joy dancing around the room in a fit of smiles* So who knows how much writing time I will have BUT IT'S OKAY! :D :D :D :D --- Also, idk how many of you like video games, but I'm assuming that a lot of you are English nerds (correct me if I'm wrong). ANDDDDD I've been playing this Great Gatsby game. My best friend got me into it. I can't get past the final stage. It's driving me insane. I have no idea how to beat this thing... http://www.greatgatsbygame.com/ so there's that... yeah

Re: Do Hard Things

beanza3 — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 15:46:02 +0100

Yay! Gabbi, that's awesome! :D

Re: Do Hard Things

firelight_cinderbrick — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 10:10:49 +0100

Thanks for the link to the game. I love things like these. Keep trying, final stages in games are usually hard but you get past them eventually ;)

Re: Do Hard Things

ExclamationPoint! — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 20:58:23 +0100

Okay. I have something really serious that I need to rant about. Except I can't rant about it to my IRL friends because no one is technically supposed to know about it and if word got out before the announcement, people could get in trouble. So I'm going to rant here, because y'all will probably understand. Okay. So. Since about fifth grade, I've been in the Gifted and Talented (GT) program in my school. When I was in fifth grade, and even in sixth and seventh, I was super naive, close-minded, and kind of antisocial. Anyway. The way the GT program worked when I was in Junior High (sixth through eighth grade) is that for one of the eight periods every day, all the G.T. kids would go to G.T. class, which was taught by this really awesome teacher who is super old and has been doing GT for forever. In this class, I evolved as a person and learned a lot about myself, my classmates, and the world in general. I am now slightly less naive, far more open-minded, and a little bit more social. (Also: When I was in sixth grade, I started writing my very first novel. It was based on my G.T. class. After this, I never stopped writing, and now it's a super important part of my life.) I'm in high school now, where there is no GT program, and I really miss it, but I'm able to move on with my life. So. GT has played a super important role in my life and in my development as a person, right? Right. I think GT is a super awesome program and I'm really grateful that it exists and that I had it. Is that established? Okay. Now for the thing I need to rant about: The awesome GT teacher with whom I spent about three years worth of classes is retiring. That's acceptable, right? She's old, and she deserves a break. And now they can hire some other awesome teacher to take her place and allow GT to reach new heights. Right? No. That's not what's going to happen. They've decided not to hire a replacement teacher and to just get rid of the GT program in our school. The program that made me the individual that I am today. They're getting rid of it. I know it doesn't affect me, since I'm past that now, and I've already benefited from the program, but I still think it was a horrible decision for them to make. And I'm pretty angry about it. Because I know that there will probably be a lot more students coming through that school. And maybe, just maybe, there will be a few quiet, intelligent, introverted kids like me who don't really understand the world. And they will have no one to help them. They won't spend three years with sixteen awesome peers and one awesome teacher, and they won't make friends with those sixteen awesome peers, and they won't pick up any wisdom from them or from that one awesome teacher. And so much of that child's potential is going to be wasted. I don't care whether there's room in the budget, Junior High. (I'm guessing there is room since you managed to pay my awesome teacher for so many years and she's going and freeing up that money for you, but anyway,) You need to make room. If even one more child ever benefits from GT like I did, it will be worth it to pay seven more teachers for five hundred years. So do for these future children what you did for me. Because, dear school system, in case you haven't forgotten, you exist to help your students grow as people, especially students like those.

Re: Do Hard Things

pandoraparadox — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 01:28:00 +0100

"How do you stand eating matzah when not being forced because there is nothing else to eat?" --- It's remarkable how many non-Jews LOVE matzah. I don't get it. I had a few Jewish friends who would walk around with boxes of matzah and so many people would ask them for some. It's strange, but I could imagine there would be plenty of people who could tolerate it... at least for the first few days. (I also heard of a ton of non-Jews attending Seders this year, oddly enough. And yet my boyfriend, who seems to be getting progressively less Jewish, didn't even go this year. @_@ Instead we ate chinese food with friends... which somehow ended up being kosher for Passover lol) My whole family actually had to go gluten free for several months a while ago though, so for me forgoing grain products for a week and a day sounds pretty doable. That said, I really like my carbs. ^_^ Hope you had a good Passover!

Re: Do Hard Things

pandoraparadox — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 02:15:45 +0100

I had that problem a long time ago. It's really irritating how the first thing public schools go to cut seems to be gifted and talented programs or arts or other stuff like that. Like, really? The LAST thing the US needs right now is to cut programs that help our best and our brightest - they're the ones that will be starting new businesses, developing new medicines and inventions, and running our governments. You want them to be able to develop their skills and talents to the best of their ability. Have you considered going to a Board of Education meeting (or maybe a town budget meeting) to try and petition them to keep the program? Just because you might not be able to vote right now doesn't mean that they won't listen to you - I attended a lot of such meetings when I was younger (even as young as 11 or 12) and there were many high school students that spoke on issues and influenced the course of debate. If you can get a group of students or maybe a signed petition going, that might go very far for you. Too, it might be worth a look into current education policies - on both state and federal levels. I can't remember exactly what it was but I recall hearing that the part of No Child Left Behind that required equitable facilities for physically and mentally handicapped students also required equitable facilities for gifted students (i.e. GAT programs). Not sure how viable it is at this point but if you're really serious about this it's worth a look into.

Re: Do Hard Things

ExclamationPoint! — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 05:00:18 +0100

I really can't do anything about it right now. The thing is, my mom is a teacher. One of her public school system friends told her about this, but it hasn't been officially announced yet. Until they officially announce it, I'm not allowed to tell anyone because I'm not supposed to know. I'm afraid that by the time I'm allowed to know, and thus able to do something, it'll be too late, but I can't get my mom in trouble. I'm afraid that No Child Left Behind isn't useful in this situation either, because the school is "going to start having pre-A.P. classes, which will fill that requirement." It's obviously not the same, because an "advanced math course" that may or may not be more difficult than a normal math course isn't going to teach us about politics, current events, religions, architecture, design, human rights, poetry, oral histories, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. (We did all of these things and a lot more in that class.) But of course, if it requires us to spend less money, who cares? *sarcasm.* I'm about to start drafting a letter to the school board, which I will keep until I am able to send it, and I'm probably going to get a petition ready as well. I know a lot of people; it probably wouldn't take me too long to get a decent amount of signatures. I realize these efforts will probably amount to nothing, but I think I'm going to try if I am able.

Re: Do Hard Things

writerchick15 — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 04:21:53 +0100

Don't worry you're not old. I turned 17 on March17. I'd write more but typing on my Nook is kinda hard, so yeah. I'll post more later!

Re: Do Hard Things

beanza3 — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 23:47:16 +0100

Adding to my do hard things list is... Get a job... >.< Which is going to be awesome, considering the economy, where I live, and the fact that I have no experiance! /sar Can't money just grow on trees?

Re: Do Hard Things

Writer.Gal.123 — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 23:27:51 +0100

Yeah, it's really hard to get a job as a minor with little/no experience. I'm spending my second summer being underpaid as a food service empoyee at an amusement park. It sucks. But you have to take work where you can get it, I suppose. :) Good luck finding a job, and I hope it's a lot better than mine!

Re: Do Hard Things

HorsieGirl — Tue, 01 May 2012 01:52:21 +0100

My name is Deanna, I'm Home-schooled, I'm turning 16 (in late May), and I'm a Christian! It makes me happy to see this thread! :) I know Alex and Brett Harris personally my family have been going to their family's church since I was 3 years old! So besides me knowing them, I'm also Doing hard thing! I've recently competed in two home-school speech tournaments by NCFCA (And I'm plaining on doing it again next year!). I'm taking a Creative Writing class, and Art lessons all of Friday, I'm part of a horse group, I'm writing multiple stories, and my reading goal in my busy life is to read 40 books by Dec. 31st 2012!

Re: Do Hard Things

4sunsetgirl — Sun, 13 May 2012 23:04:40 +0100

Hi, no one's been on this thread in a while but I'm gonna post anyways. So... Hello, I'm Mandi. And I'm a Christian. Do hard things was one of the best book ever. Extremely inspiring. Probably that Hardest thing I have done is Nanowrimo. I did it last november and dispite it being the craziest month of my life, I finished. I wrote a novel called Writer's Block and I'm pretty proud of it. It was my first time not writing fanasty but more of a drama. Also my first time writing a Christian novel.

Re: Do Hard Things

gavrielle — Mon, 14 May 2012 04:28:11 +0100

Welcome! I'm Gabbi, the resident ranter (although I haven't been ranting lately... I'll need to fix that). What does that mean ("Christian novel"). (I'm Jewish, so please excuse my ignorance). As for my rant (is it needed?): I've been busy AP studying (last exam tomorrow. aiming for all 5s), SAT II studying (took 2 last week, have one more in june, don't want to wait 12 more days for results), freaking out about possibly moving to New York at the end of the year (which I'm not right now, which is kind of a relief because I would love to finish school with my friends at this point. my parents can move after I graduate), and having burst of inspiration for a camp novel that I totally forgot I had to plan until last week... I've mainly been studying though.

Re: Do Hard Things

ExclamationPoint! — Mon, 14 May 2012 16:14:18 +0100

I haven't been here in a while. Oops. Okay, two things. First, welcome, Mandi! Secondly, I would like to make an announcement: The people who run the public school system might not be quite as stupid as they appear! Even though the Junior High school was trying to not hire a new G.T. teacher and let the program die, the school board wouldn't let them do it! I didn't even have to kick up a fuss or anything, they just decided to hire a new teacher before anything was even announced. Anyway, that's all I have to say. I'm just extremely happy.

Re: Do Hard Things

nevillegirl — Wed, 16 May 2012 18:31:41 +0100

[quote=gavrielle] One of the problems I think teens face when doing hard things is that we're not taken seriously. [/quote] I know! Sometimes I haven't been able to do big projects because people don't think I will actually follow through.

Re: Do Hard Things

nevillegirl — Wed, 16 May 2012 18:35:31 +0100

[quote=LilyLariaLaton] Oops! I kinda lied, there's one more thing (but this is really it I promise) The Book Do Hard Things is a Christian book and is really about Doing Hard Things for God, but I did not want people who don't believe in God to think they are no welcome on this thread, they are very welcome. Doing Hard things is important no matter what, and all I want is to see a bunch of teens (myself included) exceeding expectations whether it's done for God or not. Just so you know. And if you have an opinion about this, please do tell! No matter what your veiw is you are welcome, as long as you follow the rules:) So anyone want to do something hard? [/quote] YESYESYES! I think teens should try hard NO MATTER WHAT they believe. My hard thingymajigs: Completed NaNo last November - 25,000 words Completed Screnzy '12 - 100 pages Plans to do both Camp NaNos and NaNoWriMo - a trilogy with each novel being 50,000 words Is taking 12 4-H projects this year, and has 5 done Taking two online English classes, one full credit, one half-credit, over the summer Taking trigonometry as a freshman (we work on math year-round, and I just started trig today!)