happy new years!

Happy new years!

Unfortunately almost the whole family was sick on New Years Eve. My little sister Kyra had pneumonia, my mother had a sinus infection and I had strep throat and an ear infection. We were originally supposed to go to a New Years Eve party at my dads friends Pam and George. Obviously that goal was not going to be accomplished. Even though we were all sick we were certainly not going to let it stop us from having a good time.
My mother decided we would have a mini party! We were going to bake snacks and play board games. It wasn’t what I was used to but it sounded okay. Plus that meant I could just relax. We baked sandwiches that have ham and Thousand Island dressing, oh and sauerkraut. The sandwich is on miniature bread. We also made puff pastry with brie cheese in the middle. The rest of the snacks were basically the same. Little ordure’s.
In 2009 a lot of important events occurred in my life. My grandmother passed away from pancreatic cancer. It was most definitely difficult because I lived with her three months prior to her passing. I am looking forward to just letting life take me were it wants me to go and stop planning every little part of my life. I know that I have matured a great deal from last year and I finally realize that my life cannot just be planned. Life has twists and turns. I’m not going to fight it anymore. I don’t have to know what I want to be when I grow up right now. I’m just going to try my hardest to achieve higher grades and have fun.

every year on christmas I...

Every year on Christmas I…

Its Christmas again and I am legit excited! I love being able to participate in all our family traditions. There are so many where do I even start? I think I’m going to start with Christmas eve. Truly one of my favorite days of the year! The first tradition is to go to church.
Every year my family and I go to midnight mass. However this year due to timing issues we decided to go to mass at six PM at St. Maurice. I actually enjoy going to church on Christmas eve because if I haven’t really been in the holiday spirit church puts me in a good mood. After church the whole family headed over to my uncle Keith’s. We go to his house every Christmas eve and eat a great dinner. This year we had ham and cheesy potatoes. It’s a really fun tradition because we get to spend time with family and eat yummy food! After we leave my cousins house the kids go to sleep in my room while “Santa” finishes wrapping presents and placing them under the tree.
Finally I wake up on Christmas morning! It’s only four in the morning. For some reason I always wake up at four in the morning which I guess could be considered a tradition. When I wake up I go and look at the presents and my stocking. Then I tip toe back to bed. The next tradition is where the whole family goes to the living room and picks a spot to open all of there gifts. Mine is usually by the couch. After presents we travel to my grandma Strachan’s house and eat food. But before we eat whatever grandma prepares we open crackers. They are little crafts that u yank open to get a toy inside.

the power of one film reaction

The power of one film reaction

I was left speechless. In complete and utter aw of what I had just witnessed. The power of one is a captivating film that tells a tale of a boys struggle for peace in a world of hostility and racial discrimination. We first saw P.K when he was a mere boy at seven. By the end of the film he is without a doubt matured into a strong intelligent young man.
My main question is why does everyone P.K love die? I mean doc left him but his mother, nanny, Maria and his boxing coach. Is there never one person P.K can love and stay with? When Maria was killed I was just astounded! I never expected that his true love would die. Maria meant no harm.
I hated Sgt. Botha! I just wanted to come right through the screen and punch him in the face! How could he be so crude? He almost killed a seven year old. And I almost cried when he killed the chicken. As all the events when P.K weren’t bad enough Sgt. Botha also killed Maria!
I also especially hated Sgt. Bormann. When he made Geel Piet eat waste I was disgusted. What kind of sick animal does that? That is probably the lowest action you could have someone perform. The worst part in the movie has Sgt. Bormann involved as well. When he beat Geel Piet to death I was just angry beyond words. That scene was probably the most captivating scene in the whole film.
Compared to all the other global education films this has to be either number one or tied with hotel Rwanda. Both films showed how one person could change so many lives and ultimately discover the true meaning of power. That’s why I loved this movie!

I am thankful for...

I’m thankful for…
1. I’m thankful for my family! Without being surrounded by my family I’m sure I wouldn’t survive. Even though we argue and fight when it comes down to it we all love each other. When I get upset I can talk to my siblings or my mom or dad and they will help me get through whatever I’m going through.
2. I’m great full for my house. Of course I say that I would move somewhere else with a warmer climate or someplace less boring, honestly I love home. I love being able to just lie in my bed or relax on the couch. My house isn’t just walls and a ceiling it’s my home.
3. I’m thankful that I have great friends. Let’s be honest, you can’t tell mom and dad everything. I’m happy that I have friends who will listen to me and that I can laugh with. My friends are supportive and always trying to keep me happy. That’s why I love them so much!
4. I’m thankful for my school. Yeah I know what you’re thinking, why would she be thankful for work? Some kids can’t afford to be in school or are at a school with very bad education or an unstable environment. My school is helping me move towards what I want to do when I grow up and it’s safe too.
5. I’m thankful for soldiers. Many men and women are helping keep our citizens safe. On a time like thanksgiving I am thankful that I can spend this time with my family. Could you imagine spending thanksgiving by shooting in a hot desert? I sure can’t.
6. It may sound silly but I’m thankful for diet coke and orange juice. I know it sounds stupid and weird but I mix the two together and it tastes like heaven! During thanksgiving that’s all I’m going to drink. I love it so much but I honestly have no clue why.
7. I’m thankful for black Friday. I know it sounds strange but let me explain. Black Friday is the day when most of the Christmas shopping is done. I want Christmas presents obviously so black Friday is the perfect excuse for parents to buy things for their kids.
8. I’m thankful for sweet potato pie. Every year we have sweet potato pie and I absolutely adore it. Not only does it contain cinnamon but it also contains marshmallows on top. It’s probably really fattening which I usually don’t like, however the sweet taste is too yummy to pass up.
9. I’m thankful for hockey. A large part of thanksgiving is the hockey tournament that my little brother participates in over break. I love traveling to see other hockey rinks and I like watching hockey. It’s also really great if we win, however I’m unsure if we will win this time. In any case it has been a large part of break and I’m always happy to celebrate traditions, even if I have to get up early the day after thanksgiving.
10. I’m thankful for a break off of school. I like being able to have a little time to spend with my loved ones. Even if it’s just watching television or eating together, I’m still with the people I care about. Being able to relax and have a good time is always fun.


BY: Mackenzie Strachan

Bullets headlines and highlights of S.H.S

Mackenzie Strachan
Hr.1
Bullets, Headlines, Highlights Of S.H.S

· S.H.S activities: I haven’t been to many of the Stevenson events but from what I have been to for the most part, it’s been great! I attended the freshman dance. Everyone said it would be one of the best dances I went to and that it was probably the best dance but I didn’t like it that much. I actually liked the welcome back dance much more. I thought the older students made it more exciting. I’m not sure why the freshman dance wasn’t as cool but I also think it could have been because it was bright out for almost the whole dance. I think if it’s dark for some reason everyone is more likely to dance.
· Funniest, Weirdest, Scariest moments: the funniest moment in Stevenson so far is hard to pick. The most hilarious moment by far was when my friends and I were sitting at lunch and we saw this couple and the boyfriend was being such a freak. It looked like he was smelling her hair and at random moments he would just take her head and kiss her. It looked very violent. You could tell everyone was laughing and the couple was near us so we were having a really hard time keeping a straight face. We weren’t laughing because they were kissing we laughed because it looked so forced and awkward. They looked like they were in an over dramatic version of Romeo and Juliet. It was like the boyfriend thought someone was going to steel his girlfriend. I would even call this moment scary weird and funny.
· Old friends: my old friends are pretty much still in my life. Unfortunately I have a few that are in none of my classes. However we do see each other in the halls. I don’t have that many new friends. I don’t have too many classes with new kids. In any case I’m happy with the friends I do have.
· Hardest class work: so far I have had a few hard pieces of hard class work. Honestly the hardest piece of work I have had yet was to write a bill or do research in debate. I think it’s harder than most of my other classes because of all the research we have to do.
· Top five current events: well this one is super easy. The top five would have to be Michal Jackson’s death, the Kanye Taylor swift V.M.A incident, the balloon boy, the Olympic location battle, and the Nobel awards.
· Faces in the news: faces I remember most are obviously our president, Hillary Clinton, the Iranian president, and balloon boy.
· Interesting new words: provincial-unsophisticated. Peevish-annoying. Desiccated-dried out. All of the words I learned came from first hour. I love having vocabulary tests because I enjoy broadening my vocabulary.
· Popular or memorable songs: the first song I think of is party in the USA by Miley Cyrus. It’s on all the time. I also think of “Poker face” and “Paparazzi” by Lady gaga. One of my personal favorites is weightless by all time low. Honestly there are probably one trillion songs I could name but those few really stick out.
· Popular or memorable movies: these are just a few movies that have been really popular lately. Where the wild things are, Fame, and Paranormal activity. Personally I would never see paranormal activity. Even the thought scares me.
· Rumors or gossip: what’s the latest? I haven’t heard too much gossip or rumors. I think the only gossip or rumors I have heard are with my group of friends and I doubt many other people would know what I’m talking about. I think it depends on what happens with your group of friends.
· Fads or trends: when I think of fads I think fashion. Plaid, lazy sweats, moccasins, Uggs, and most of all zebra! I have seen about fifty girls with zebra print purses. There are zebra shirts and shorts.. Zebra bows and berets. Zebra is really in style.
· First cultural event: my first cultural event was a written paper on my trip to the renaissance festival. I didn’t mind it at all. It gave me an excuse to go somewhere fun. I didn’t do a creative display because I didn’t have that many pictures. I didn’t do an oral display because I wanted to see how other students did it first. They were all really good. I liked learning about what everyone did.
· Homecoming: I have had so much fun spirit week! The dance was by far the best. It was crazy! Everyone was having so much fun! The DJ played great songs and there was a huge screen playing the music videos of the songs on. There was a mosh pit at the end. It wasn’t fun at the time but afterwards I thought it was awesome.
· Advice for freshmen: the best advice I can give you is to not worry. All summer long all I did was worry about the first day. It’s not scary at all. I actually like high school more than middle school. There is too much drama in middle school. Nearly every part of high school is better. The dances the people the food, and last but not least the choices. There are so many choices and options for every kind of person. You’re treated like an adult most of the time. I thought that might be a bad thing and sometimes it is, but for the most part its better.
· What I’m looking forward to: I’m looking forward to all of the clubs and activities and even projects that I will participate in. I had an awesome time at float night and the last few dances. I hope high school is always this much fun.
· Other noteworthy achievements or events: Night on the field. I went to night on the field not knowing what to expect or even what it really was. I ended up leaving feeling liked I helped. The invisible children roadies were there to get us to not only be aware of invisible children but to be active in the cause. There was singing and food and a lot of people to hang out with. I had a blast. I loved how I could help change thousands of futures by just signing my name on a petition.

American culture?

Mackenzie Strachan
American culture?

What is American culture? I wasn’t really sure until I went online and did a bit of research. I didn’t find a specific answer but I think I can come up with one. Based on everything I looked up I would describe American culture as a celebration. America is a country made up of all different people and cultures. It’s a blend. Most of the holidays and events and even the history is all diverse. The largest events were ones that all different cultures brought to our country. I don’t think there is such a thing as American culture. We as Americans have adopted certain things and changed them around to make it our own celebration. Our culture also contains remembrance. We count Martin Luther King Day as a national holiday. We also have Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day and Veterans Day. We as a country like to make all different kinds of cultures important. We celebrate Halloween just like the Spanish celebrate day of the dead. We remember Martin Luther King Day because it is an important racial part of our country. What I found is that we are like a giant blender. We take all of the cultural ingredients and mix them up to make a great smoothie like country! We as Americans make it so that all cultures may be satisfied. Our culture is what I like to call the culture of all. I think it would be hard for cultures to be left out in our country.
My culture you ask? My culture is awesome! My heritage is Scottish, German, French, Welsh, Norwegian, and a tiny bit of Spanish. I am mostly Scottish. My dad is one hundred percent Scottish. So is his whole family. He was born there and lived there until he was two or three. I just recently visited there and discovered so much about my own culture! Scottish people have a lot of differences from the English or the Asians or Australians. Some of these cultural differences include the dress wear. Guys were kilts to something that is being celebrated instead of suits. The Scottish also speak very differently. Even though some say they speak English they are actually speaking Doric. It’s a form of English but not exact. Some simple words are different. What are you doing, for example, could be said as fitch adean (fitch ya deean). There are many more differences such as driving eating and school, but what I have come to learn is I can celebrate my Scottish heritage here in America. We have a festival every year called the highland games that takes place in my state in a few areas. Traditional Scottish games take place. It’s really fun. If I wanted to celebrate my German heritage I could go to Frankenmuth during the time of Oktoberfest and celebrate. My heritage is very mixed. Scottish and German are completely different but what I have learned is that as long as I live in America I can always get a taste of my culture.