Journalistic Style: Restaurant Review

So the style of this paper is a bit troubling for me. Just like Sam pointed out in class, it's a bit different to what we're really used to. I mean, of course it's the journalistic style, so I have to get used to it, but it still is troubling. For instance, am I doing it right? What if I don't and what if I get marked down for it? It's definately new and I like how we explore outside of the boundaries of MLA-stylistic writing. It makes sense though. It's just really short paragraphs, with a few sentences, and direct. Except, I don't know if we follow the paragraphs of MLA-styles or the journalism restaurant-review-style. Hopefully it's somewhere in between. Everything else is going well for me. It's definately fun being creative with this paper.

Brainstorming: Restaurant Review

I'm looking forward to this assignment (even though all the assignments so far have been interesting) because it's different to the typical style of a paper. Not to mention, it's foooood! Who wouldn't like this assignment? I've been thinking of all the restaurants, I love sushi, thai, and Indian but I go there all the time. I feel like I want to do Bahama Breeze because it's not a restaurant I go to all the time and its atmosphere is so nice! If I don't do that then I could do a small, secluded restaurant like the House of India or this Thai restaurant I go to. But I don't think I would have as much of things to say about those restaurants as I would for Bahama Breeze. I'm excited to eat and write!

The Argentinian Culture Displayed Eloquently

My second home, Chile, which borders Argentina, resembles a lot of Argentinian trends when it comes to meat. The only difference is that Chile's main food is seafood (except for in the summer when asados, or barbecues are popular), while Argentina lives and breathes meat. I really think the meat culture of Argentina is portrayed accurately in Jane Slaughter's "South American Way."

She really displayed the meat culture as it is; especially how the main and basically only course is meat. I thought the restaraunt review was very interesting and easy to read. It's a lot different to most journalistic articles.

Waiting for a Break

Although Spring Break is a while away, I can't wait for time for relaxation. School's a bit overwhelming right now, I just want to quit and go travel but I don't know how many 'older' college students have told me NOT to do that! It's just so tempting but I guess it makes sense to just get it over with now. I'm still young (really... I am... still 17) but I'm just in a rush to get out and see the world. I have already seen a lot of the world, but I just feel like I have so much more to see!

So back to Spring Break, I wish I was going somewhere! Except, I'm saving all my money for my summer trip that I keep on mentioning. Hopefully, the plans get finalized soon. I want to go somewhere! But I guess, during this Spring Break, I'll just relax--or work a lot--I haven't decided yet. We'll see. I just wish Break would come a bit quicker.

A Mix Tape for Commerce

In no particular order, the songs I chose for my community are:

1. Banana Pancakes by Jack Johnson: This song about sleeping-in best describes my community! Everyone sleeps in; it's just the way to be. For instance, sleeping in and not going to the first few hours of school is what Commerce kids are best known for. It's just so laid back! Banana Pancakes reminds me a lot of being out on the lake in the summer and listening to this song in the morning. Except I'd much rather be in Hawaii listening to this song; but I don't hold that against Commerce.
2. One Horse Town by The Thrills: A lot of people think of Commerce as being a place where if you don't leave after high school, you're tied down and can't get out. You just get sucked into the consistent lifestyle, laid back, small town kind of lifestyle. "Though my friends said don't go settle down, hanging around in a one horse town" only furthers my point on Commerce. I better get out before it's too late.

3. New Slang by The Shins: Kind of going along with the "One Horse Town," the shins really does have a curse for this town. This song is really mellow, which also makes me think of Commerce. Not only that, it's part of a really fantastic soundtrack (Garden State) and whenever I would listen to it while driving through town, it just kind of stuck to me. It also makes me think of when I was younger and when us Commerce kids were innocent. Ha, not so much anymore.
4. Breakdown by Jack Johnson: Another Jack Johnson song, although it doesn't portray just to Commerce, but also the surrounding townships (Milford, Birmingham, etc.) It's just hoping that the train breaks down so that you can take a look and walk around, to see what there is to see in this quiet, old town. It really describes this calm town. It makes you curious to step out and walk through the roads, and then you get sucked in (by the One Horse Town) and you're just doomed.
5. Champagne Supernova by Oasis: "How many special people change? How many lives are living strange?" Everything in this song really reminds me of the high school days and all the high school kids. Walled Lake Northern, Western, and Central are well known for its drugs, having random drug-dogs search the building and most of the time busting kids with illegal substances on them. It just simply reminds me of the youth in my community.
6. Don't Panic by Coldplay: The last line "Cause, yeah, everybody here's got somebody to lean on" really explains this community. Everyone's close in Commerce, especially in High School. Everyone knows eachother and everybody really does have at least one person to lean on.
7. Let Go by Frou Frou: "There's beauty in the breakdown" really describes this town. I think there really is beauty in the breakdown in Commerce.

An Interview with a Cousino

I'm really glad I chose Kevin Cousino to interview. The session was so uplifting, we laughed and cracked jokes the entire time and I miss those good ol' high school days. I learned a lot of things that I didn't know about him and we got to talk about the environment. I can't wait to write my paper, I have a lot of good quotes and a lot of funny ones that I could spend filling up the paper, but I want to show a different side of Mr. Cousino. For example we were talking about how when a person sees a celebrity driving a eco-car, they have to get it. I replied saying, "Yeah, people are just like sheeps." And he says, "Right [pause] put me down for saying that!" Of course I didn't, but we just joked around the entire time. All that laughing that went on, I think I've gained 3 years onto my life.

Also, I told him about my plans on going to Chile this summer (since he asked me how my trip in Australia went). He told me about students and what they're doing for the environment and people less fortunate and it got me thinking about that. Maybe when I'm in Chile I can build houses for less fortunate ones and maybe even go to the very south where the Glaciers are melting and document my experiences. Who knows... really. All in all, the interview was splendid and I couldn't have chosen a better community member.

Progress: Profiling Community Member

So I have been thinking more about it and I just don't think it would be appropriate to interview Mrs. Richards. I just would feel really impersonal and couldn't force myself to talk about Tyler. I miss him and it just would make me feel too sad.
I am considering my 11th and 12th grade science teacher. Kevin Cousino. He teaches Biology and A.P. Environmental Science and he is such a cool, laid back, young teacher. He really made students think about the evironment; he really did make a difference. Even when I see friends after high school at like a party, Cousino's name always comes up going along the lines of being a cool teacher! Still, I don't know if I could praise such a good man, but we'll see how the paper goes. At least it won't be as hard as an interviewer to interview Cousino since he's such a cool, funny guy. I'm sure it'll go swell.

Brainstorming: Prominent Community Member

When it comes to profiling prominent community members, I feel like I don't have the right nor the power to elevate ones superiority over anothers. It's such an arduous task and I wish I could include everyone and I feel kind of guilty pushing aside other people! Brainstorming, brainstorming, brainstorming. I guess when I first thought about it, Mrs. Richards came into my mind.

Tyler Richards died from a car accident my Freshman year. Walled Lake Northern High School had just opened, consisting of only freshmans and sophomores. We were two really close classes; a nice warm family that continued this tight bond until 2005. When Tyler died, I don't think an entire school has cried for one boy. It was devastating. After that, Mrs. Richards became really involved with our school. She was always at our high school, staying strong for her son.

I guess I would love to profile her, get to know more about her but I'm afraid to open old scars. Maybe I'll just keep on brainstorming.