Stop the R-word campaign

Wow, I look really shiny in this picture, but whatever. This is what i wore today. I got the jacket at Forever21 a while ago.

I just wanted to show the detail on my shirt. The shirt is from Lulumari.

Anyway, there was this rally at school today. It was to raise sensitivity and stop the use of "retard" in all forms of speech. I was impressed at how well the rally was done. They somehow made our crappy sound system work well. You can actually see all of the rally online:

Part 1:

http://www.schooltube.com/video/28114/Palmetto-Spread-The-Word-Rally-Part-1

Part 2:

http://www.schooltube.com/video/28116/Palmetto-Spread-The-Word-Rally-Part-2

Part 3:

http://www.schooltube.com/video/28118/Palmetto-Spread-The-Word-Rally-Part-3

Part 4:

http://www.schooltube.com/video/28127/Palmetto-Spread-The-Word-Rally-Part-4

It was really inspiring. I didn't know that that word was so offensive because it's so commonly used. I encourage everyone to stop using that word so lightly. It's insulting. Please take the time to learn more:

http://www2.schooltube.com/Partners/SpecialOlympics.aspx

http://www.r-word.org/

It says: "SPREAD THE WORD TO END THE WORD".
Edward Barbanell, who plays Billy, Johnny Knoxvilles' roommate, in "The Ringer", came to talk to us. He read us a rap. He's hilarious and cute. Watch part 2 if you want to hear what he said. The RInger is a camedy about a man who fixes the Special Olympics and pretends to be intellectually disabled. Form the clips I've seen, it's hilarious. If I ever see the movie, I'll be sure to do a thorough review.

http://www.foxsearchlight.com/theringer/

Swimming champion Andy Miyares also talked to us. You can see him in Part 3.

You can register to volunteer if you are in Miami Dade at:

http://somdc.org/home/

You can join the Fan Community for the Special Olympics at:

http://www.specialolympics.org/community/index.html

I know, I know, I'm probably smothering all of you with all my goody-goodness. I'll stop. I just hope I got the point across. I said I would write a movie review on Monday, but I'll have to do it later. I have homework to do.

So...

 I got my license. I didn't post earlier because my computer was acting buggy. This was my first ride without an adult.

I found a place that looked very Zen, so i asked my little sister to take this picture for me.

I also got to change my room up a bit. I got my brother's QUEEN-sized bed. I slept like a baby yesterday.

I put up my family's cheap Christmas lights on my closet door for the heck of it. It turned out much neater than expected.

I got my brother's old classical guitar. I'm trying to learn a song right now. If I ever get good enough I'll post it up for you.

A punching bag. It does wonders for stress but I haven't been using it lately.

Another item I recieved when my brother left for college. It's my baby. I just wished I had a prettier place to put it.

I noticed that I have an excess of knick knacks. I can't throw them away because they're all gifts.
My friend made those stars for me.
My dad got it for me. He just brought it home one day just for the heck of it.
A kid from elementary school got it for me from China. I don't look like an asian female version of Cartmen, do I?
My good friend got this in Engalnd. It unfolds to reveal more pictures.

My friend gave it to me for my 16th birthday. It's called Jeero. Isn't it adorable?

I don't even need most of this stuff anyway. I feel so materialistic when I think of all things I have that I just can't let go of. Like my books. You only read them once anyway, right? I started going to the library instead of buying books. I feel less guilty now.

It's not just me though. This sort of materialistic  attitude is perpetuated through American culture. How many times have we heard that our clothes, and materials reflect who we are. I refuse to be tied down to a first impression because of my possessions. Buy this, because you need to prove you are unique. Get this, because everyone else is wearing it. Screw you. I don't need to buy your crap to be who I am. Don't tell me what to buy. I'll buy what I need to.

Buy what you want and need. Well... that's what I try to do.

Compensation?

I have, in my lack of posting the past days, compiled a bunch of content. So to the nonexistant readers of my blog, this is compensation for neglecting you. I have a bunch of new bands to show you.

Also, I think I want to move my postings from pretty much exclusively about music to a variety of topics. Fashion, design, music, books, movies. I'll be bombarding you for the next few days.

I've been busy lately, but things will lighten up very soon. Spring break is coming up and I have a three day weekend this week. Also, my school musical finished, so that's a whole chunk of time right there I can use. I didn't act, I played in the pit orchestra which is kind of grueling and awarding in its own very special ways. I play the cello. Am I not the coolest? ugh.

So, I'll be posting up some stuff tomorrow. Or today? It's 12 already? Time flies when one's not in school. Seriously.

I feel cheated when I'm in school. I love the fact that I can recieve public education, but I feel like I'm not getting as good of an education as I could. I'm pretty sure this is going on in other places as well, but here in Miami we're having serious funding shortages due to very bad decisions made up top.

The budget cuts are so bad that our teachers were forced to give out extra credit for buying paper for them. The budget cuts are so bad that our district seriously considered four day school weeks and longer school days to save gas for the buses. It would also reduce afterschool activities and thus save more money. The budget cuts are so bad that we have to end the school year early because we don't have enough money to kepp our schools running. It's like a bad yo momma joke that never runs out.

It's not just that though. The system through which teachers are rewarded is faulty. Teachers are given raises based on how long they teach. Which is ridiculous. They should be given raises based on how good they are. I also think that the standard for teachers should be raised. teaching is not a job that people should just fall back on. Education is a fundamental pillar to our democratic society. Our futures depend on these people. They should be given more than their current meager salaries and the noose should be tightened on slacking teachers.

With all this crap going on in school, I don't think it's worth giving up my basic needs everyday to attend school. I lose sleep over school. I can't go to the bathroom when I need to. One can't possibly call a cafeteria lunch nutritious. Okay, so I'm being dramatic. But you get the point, I hope. With all this crap going on, a rebellious, hormone-driven, irrational teenager is just prone to skip class and not put as much effort into school. So everyone loses in this situation. Everyone except those monkeys up on top.

Sorry. I kind of ran off on a tangent and ranted.

You know what? I take it back. Ranting is what blogs were made for.

I gots ta go. I have a big day ahead of me. I'm getting my license tomorrow. Wish me luck.

Possibly the cutest song in the world!

5 Years Time(Sun Sun Sun) is so cute. The song is by the British band Noah and the Whale. The things that are sung about are pleasant(love, laghter, the sun). As the song progresses I can't help but smile and proceed to say "awww!" It's that adorable. The song is so good that it was chosen as number 14 of Spinner's "Best Songs of 2008".

http://www.myspace.com/noahandthewhale

Young Love

I found this delightful band called Young Love. Check them out. Start by listening to Discotech. They are catchy, fresh and  danceable rock. You can see what I mean in the hilarious music video for "Find a New Way".

http://www.myspace.com/younglove

video mentioned:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Btj6GDGoc8&feature=related