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Annisa Ahmed Public Feed

Capstone: And It Pours

Posted by Annisa Ahmed in Capstone - Herman on Friday, May 31, 2013 at 11:58 pm
Abstract: All I can do is write. This is an honest assessment I have come to after my four years at Science Leadership Academy because, really, it is the last trick I have up my sleeve. Basing an entire Capstone on my words alone, however, seemed unfitting of both my character and of the endgame this project was attempting to achieve.

There is only so much a person tackle without the influence and aid of others and that initial brainstorm lead me down the path of deciphering patterns and connecting the dots between the classes and furthermore, their students. I wanted to find out for myself if there was any common ground amongst them. I interviewed and questioned, conversated and stalked, which allowed me to shape a tale with their thoughts guiding the way.

Something was made, something wholly mine and theirs. I simply wrote a story, one for all of us.
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Globalization BM: Water Walkthrough.

Posted by Annisa Ahmed in Globalization - Herman on Friday, May 31, 2013 at 9:16 am
Yeah, it's nothing special.
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Digital Story: Mumzy

Posted by Annisa Ahmed in Storytelling - Rami on Monday, May 6, 2013 at 9:38 pm
If there is anyone in my life that has a tale to paint a picture of, it is my mother. She is end all, be all to my quotidian life. It would be a lie to say my connection to her is based on love. It is more along the lines of admiration, like nothing could ever scratch the surface of her flawlessness.

She is, without a doubt, on a whole other level,
but this is one of the times when I realized she just as human as the rest of us.

Enjoy.
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Globalization BM: Developing The 21st Millennium.

Posted by Annisa Ahmed in Globalization - Herman on Friday, March 22, 2013 at 4:02 pm
Published: Sometime, Somewhere.
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Philly Love Note: Annisa Ahmed.

Posted by Annisa Ahmed in Storytelling - Rami on Friday, February 15, 2013 at 8:32 pm
Annisa Ahmed
Favorite Spot: Lindbergh Boulevard
Neighborhood: Southwest
Address: Speaks for itself, no?

About Me: A senior attending Science Leadership Academy with time on her hands.
Years In Philly: Seventeen and counting.
Current Home: Southwest
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My Note: It is normally a forty minute ride from my school to my house. The trolley I take drops me off in front of Penrose Plaza and from there, all that is left is to pass the three or so traffic lights that stand on corners of blocks that would put city ones to shame.

A struggle, it is. By that time I take my first step on Lindbergh Boulevard, my mind is already calculating how much longer it will take me to reach my sanctuary of sweat pants and saltines. Nevertheless, the short walk is mind-numbingly cleansing. Venturing through an area with more trees than people leaves more content than conversation could for some odd reason.

Maybe, it is due to the fact that I am normally the only one who actually uses the sidewalk. Bikes, cars and buses pass over me in waves and being able to stop and breathe for the first time that day continuously enlivens my evenings for sure. The past four years of this same cement is enough to bore any individual, but not I. I find security in the gleaming lights of the above, solace with whatever our relationship has come to. And yeah, I could never mind.

Regards,
Annisa A.
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Science & Society Benchmark: Food Project.

Posted by Annisa Ahmed in Science and Society - Best on Sunday, January 27, 2013 at 7:22 pm
ConolaWave
ConolaWave
​VEGETARIAN-STYLE ROTINI::

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes (or so)
Servings: 13

Ingredients:

6 tablespoons of pure olive oil
1 onion, peeled and chopped fine
2 cherry tomatoes, cut into small chucks
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1/4 yellow squash, peeled and cubed
1 zucchini, peeled and cubed
10 mushrooms, washed and cut into thin slices
8 baby carrots, washed and cut lengthwise
1/2 red bell pepper, washed and cut into thin slices
1/2 green bell pepper, washed and cut into thin slices
All the stalks of broccoli, washed and cut into chucks
5 cups of water, preferably from the kitchen faucet
A box of Barilla Whole Wheat Rotini
    A tablespoon of bubbarai
    Salt, pepper and cumin to taste
    Chopped Italian Parsley as garnish
 
Recipe:

1.) Heat up oil in a wok under medium heat.
2.) Add in onion and stir occasionally for five minutes.
3.) Toss in tomatoes and garlic and continue to stir.
4.)  Combine the yellow squash and garlic, the mushrooms and carrots and bubbarai, the salt and pepper and cumin and half of the Italian Parsley, the red and green bell peppers, and the broccoli with five minute intervals in between.
5.) Turn the flame down to low. Splash water into a standard pot and turn the heat on high.
6.) When water is boiled, gentle spill rotini.
7.) Stir when needed.
8.) Drain off almost of the water; leave roughly two cups left.
6.) Finish by tossing the vegetables and the rotini (with water) together. Top off with the remainder of the Italian Parsley.

Analysis:

The olive oil, water, pasta and two of our seasonings are probably the only pieces of this dish that are processed. If I am not mistaken, many of the vegetables in our household come from a farmers’ market in New Jersey and the rest hail from a store that exclusively sells fruits and veggies. Yes, the drive does release harmful gases into the air, but at the very least, we know where our food is coming from. As for the spices, we have a community garden that grows herbs, like the parsley, and we keep them handy until the time comes.

Although they are considerably low in protein and fat, veggies have varying proportions of vitamins, minerals, fiber and carbs throughout. It makes for a pretty well-balanced meal, even so eating this all day would not be very smart. As a remedy to where it is lacking, adding some well done meat or nuts of some kind to mix would beneficent to one’s health. Having it once a day is okay move for it does not necessarily hold everything a human body requires.

We know that the pasta was manufactured in the United States and the olive oil was imported from Italy, but there is one other thing that has traveled a far distance to end up on this plate. My grandfather is visiting from Ethiopia and the bubbarai that was used is a combination of spices that is a homegrown concoction. He made it with his bare hands, I swear. The trip over took him roughly a day, though and no matter how I look at it, that has to take away from the overall environmental impacts because yeah, the taste literally had to fly via airplane, the ecologist deathtrap.

Price has never been my strong point, still if I had to guess, I would say that a portion reaches into the nine dollar and seventy-six cents category. The actual price of each could not have been exceedingly expensive, but there was a bucketload to incorporate. On the bright side, dividing it between that many people should be about enough to cover the cost.

Thankfully, this was a flavorful vegetarian dish sans any type of meat, in other words, no corn for us. This project really delved deep into our food system and the phrase”made from scratch” is given an entirely different meaning. The ingredients that allow for it all to come together are not conveniently placed in our backyards. The distance traveled probably outweighs the health benefits, but now, we know.

PERSONAL REFLECTION::

I am the daughter of a consumer. While I do eat out with my friends on our weekly excursions, the grand majority of my meals are eaten in the dining room / kitchen area. Shoveling down whatever is available is considered okay for there are very few stomach-turning products make it past my mother. She is a critical human being and her judgement is adequate by my standards because my not-dying-yet is a testament to her choices.

However just because she gives into her motherly duty of combing through whatever she places on the table does mean the rest of country can. The way foods are labeled confuses, the practice in which they are introduced to the public is wholly disgusting, but more importantly, the American government allows multinational companies to carry on with their operations scott free. The healthy is far more expensive than the fast and all of this is playing on my wry humor more than it should.

Maybe it is just our mindset, because we are too young to have been corrupted with the temptations of the big bucks that we are able to think clearly. The food system is a cutthroat business where only the rich and cunning can rule and the ones trying to fight for the betterment of humanity are left to perish. Ah, and suddenly, this nation seems more like the land of the exorbitant and the home of the convenient.

Personally, this unit has entitled me with of the facts and figures to make the correct assumptions altogether. I have noticed that I look more critically at the soft drinks than the bottles of water, that I pass over the deep fried for the whole grain. Hopefully, there is something to be said here.

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Supreme Court Case Analysis: Insanity.

Posted by Annisa Ahmed on Friday, January 11, 2013 at 8:17 am
​If you would.
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Change The Game: Nuclear Arms.

Posted by Annisa Ahmed in American Government - Herman on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at 11:26 am
To the website, we go.
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AAhmed: Personal Election Blog. [2012]

Posted by Annisa Ahmed in American Government - Herman on Saturday, October 13, 2012 at 7:05 pm
​Daily entries can be found here.
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Measuring Media: Foreign Policy.

Posted by Annisa Ahmed in American Government - Herman on Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at 1:44 pm
​Said link.
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Section Vlll: New Crimes Considered Terrorism

Posted by Annisa Ahmed in American Government - Herman on Sunday, September 30, 2012 at 12:45 pm
Our political cartoons can be found here.
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Comments: Political Cartoon Analysis

Posted by Annisa Ahmed in American Government - Herman on Thursday, September 20, 2012 at 12:15 pm
My response can be found here. (:
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Political Cartoon Analysis

Posted by Annisa Ahmed in American Government - Herman on Wednesday, September 19, 2012 at 12:45 pm
The link to an analysis of mine is as follows: tada.
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Room For Debate: Patriot Act

Posted by Annisa Ahmed in American Government - Herman on Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at 8:31 pm
The USA Patriot Act is the gateway to a medley of possibilities. It secures our citizens with a safe future whilst slicing down the baddies, and only the baddies, down to size. This law gives the government the opportunity to hand out a ticket of justice to those who are harmful to the nation and allows the many intelligence agencies to move freely throughout the country in their effort to clean up the nation.

If only it were that peachy.

Correct me if I'm wrong but, the regulation permits tons of leeway, giving government agents the opportunity to delve deep into the personal and private information of visitors and Americans alike, provided that they are suspicious. After gathering up some potential evidence and presenting it to a judge, bank records, wire tappings, library history are up for grabs as means to finding out just what have people been doing with their time. Treating people like criminals in secret when they have not necessarily done anything yet seems a tad overbearing.

However, it is not realistic to just be rid of the whole entity altogether. The whole reason for this enactment being put into place for the security of American people. The once bill received an overwhelming approval in 2001 because the Representatives, the Senate and so on believed that it could prevent from such devastating attacks again. That the was the plan was to play it smart, to be shielded, to protect what we still had.

All the while, though, breaching beyond the boundaries of trust and text messages to catch a glimpse of a disaster in the making might equally be on the menu. Either way, something of paramount significance is lost. The government is trying to save America from itself. The only question that remains is how will they will go.

The act is good at heart but, goes about tackling the terrorists in the wrong manner. So the verdict of the course our America should take is beyond this clueless teenager, in all honestly.

​Annisa Ahmed
B Band
9.18.12

Tags: RoomForDebate, Activity1, PatriotAct
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Blog Post #1: Enemy of the State

Posted by Annisa Ahmed in American Government - Herman on Friday, September 14, 2012 at 11:56 pm
The government, or more specifically the NSA, was like a ticking time bomb waiting to happen. Reynolds & Co. were thoroughly trying to make Bobby's life a living hell: forcing him into a corner, prodding him with a stick until he had to eventually give. They were ruthless in their descent into madness. That oddly convenient   video tape tossed them over the end. They got sloppy, gullible which, lead to a slip-up that they would not be able to drag themselves from.

As for privacy rights, they were totally violated. Will Smith's character was battered, bugged and broke within a matter of days. This has the gears in my head churning; after all, if they supposedly (putting into perspective the dramatization of it being a Hollywood blockbuster, of course) had this level of technology back when I was merely three years, I have to wonder: what in the world does the government have stashed in their back pocket today?

Granted national security is a thing however, I would hope the government does not stick its nose where it is not needed. If they could narrow down the suspects inside branding every possibility as a terrorist attack waiting to strike, I could concede. As it stands, there is a reason why it is called personal information. Citizens do not want others to have access to their dirty little secrets and I, personally, find almost un-American for people, even the government, to be snooping through a person's laundry.

Though this might seem somewhat stupid, the government might be better off waiting instead basing things on a preemptive course of action. Although, it would make sense if someone, somewhere that have found a trend, a pattern that places the extremists on one boat. A method to pinpoint the crazy and leave the normals to their own devices. If all the fingers point to a person, that would be the only time freedom can be restricted. Then and only then, will the government actions suffice.

​Annisa Ahmed
B Band
9.14.12

Tags: BlogPost1, EnemyState, AmerGovt
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Annisa Ahmed, 10% Project.

Posted by Annisa Ahmed in Physics - Echols on Thursday, June 7, 2012 at 11:12 pm
Details the wonders of reflection as shown with the concept of light. Photos were taken, research commenced, keynotes were concocted and this is the final result. Feel free glance in and please do enjoy.
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Of History: Green Screen

Posted by Annisa Ahmed in American History - Herman on Sunday, June 3, 2012 at 11:24 pm
Group: Mat Walker, Terrance Williams and myself, Annisa Ahmed.
Watch away.
13 Comments

Proyecto de Conversación: Slapdash Endings

Posted by Annisa Ahmed in Spanish 3 - Gierke on Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at 8:19 pm
Annisa Ahmed
Español lll, D Band
Conversation Project: Week Five

Antes de Conversación:
What will your topic of conversation be?
    Either trends/clothing styles or trying to find out what the other does for a living.
What are you looking forward to about this conversation?
    Well, I am mostly looking forward to an ongoing conversations that will hopefully be the longest ones yet.
What are your nervous about?

    Nothing in particular, I just want it to go well.

Después de Conversación:
Who did you speak with and why did you choose them?
     As always, people pop up and I join the conversation.
What did you learn about them?
    I am now aware that Mauro is from Chile and works as a tour.
How did this interaction help you move towards achieving your goal?
    It was more of a dud than what I was used to. Along with the other talks I have had this week, most of the people have asked for my Facebook name or a Skype username, neither of which I have, so yeah.
What did you do well according to your goals?
    Not really. The convo was not really long nor did I get to really ask any of the questions I wanted to. 
What specifically do you need to improve on?
    Staying on task because time and time again, I jump around and never really get on the topics I planned on. Plus, I get distracted pretty easily.
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Proyecto de Conversación: Our Favorites

Posted by Annisa Ahmed in Spanish 3 - Gierke on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 11:22 am
Annisa Ahmed
Español lll, D Band
Conversation Project: Week Four

Antes de Conversación:
What will your topic of conversation be?
    Trying to find out what people enjoy doing as well as how can we find similarities within.
What are you looking forward to about this conversation?
    I am looking forward to talking to a person on a more personal level than I have ever dared to go before.
What are your nervous about?

    I am a tad bit nervous about how I will write down my own key highlights, and responding to theirs. I don't want to take very long or make them feel reluctant to share. Wish me luck.

Después de Conversación:
Who did you speak with and why did you choose them?
     All of them find me, as did Majela Alvarez Rivera. She was around my age and I figured it would be easier to find some things that we might have in common - teenagers are pretty much the same.
What did you learn about them?
    Majela likes basketball, swimming as well as music. And she likes a long list of genres.
How did this interaction help you move towards achieving your goal?
    I got a long list of answers, from things she likes to do to the number of siblings she has. So yes, I would consider this to be a success.
What did you do well according to your goals?
    Yeah, I sidetracked a bit but for the most part, it was a great conversation. 
What specifically do you need to improve on?
    I should try to not use WordReference too much for words I don't understand and just go with what I know because it will be better practice and also, less relying of me.
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Proyecto de Conversación: Surroundings And So On...

Posted by Annisa Ahmed in Spanish 3 - Gierke on Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at 9:50 pm
​Annisa Ahmed
Español lll, D Band
Conversation Project: Week Three

Antes de Conversación:
What will your topic of conversation be?
    This time, the plan is to find out more about other locations. And again, with the introductions.
What are you looking forward to about this conversation?
    I am looking forward to seeing how things will be portrayed from someone's first hand accounts of living in a nation for so long. It will be an opportunity to understand beyond America, or so I hope.
What are your nervous about?

    What I am looking forward to learning might be a bit hard to accomplish if I am not sure of how exactly to respond to people's encounters of things I have never seen.

Después de Conversación:
Who did you speak with and why did you choose them?
     I logged on and left the window for some time. After returning, I was granted with the present surprise of Luis's invitation. And history went on.
What did you learn about them?
    He is sixteen, lives in Mexico, tries his best to speak Spanish, has visited many huge cities in America and believes the best thing about his surroundings is the scenery.
How did this interaction help you move towards achieving your goal?
    Though, he could not really explain something that I never experienced, I was pleased with the insight that offered in its place.
What did you do well according to your goals?
    Somewhat, the questions that were asked were planed but again, the answers were not ones that I expected to receive. But, his thoughts made sense so, I have no real complaints.
What specifically do you need to improve on?
    I awkwardly went on about something that confused him, to which he clarified. I was slightly distressed by this and I hope that I will not be caught in such a cluster again.
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Proyecto de Conversación: Keep It Going

Posted by Annisa Ahmed in Spanish 3 - Gierke on Wednesday, May 2, 2012 at 8:53 am
Annisa Ahmed
Español lll, D Band
Conversation Project: Week Two

Antes de Conversación:
What will your topic of conversation be?
    Unsure. I just want to play with it and see where it goes.
What are you looking forward to about this conversation?
    Again, I want to keep the conversation going and see if I can speak less English and replace it with Spanish.
What are your nervous about?

    Last time, my pen-pal said I spoke fine however, I am still not certain I could ever be up to par with her.

Después de Conversación:
Who did you speak with and why did you choose them?
     In class, a couple days, I found Alexis Correa and we continue from last week's convo.
What did you learn about them?
    She still does not believe that I am allowed to speak to her while in Spanish class.
How did this interaction help you move towards achieving your goal?
    We exchanged information so, we can talk whenever.
What did you do well according to your goals?
    Umm, well, we did not have much time, but I did make her laugh, which I am sure it is an added plus.
What specifically do you need to improve on?
   More questions, of course.
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Proyecto de Conversación: Introductions

Posted by Annisa Ahmed in Spanish 3 - Gierke on Monday, April 23, 2012 at 7:24 pm
Annisa Ahmed
Español lll, D Band
Conversation Project: Week One

Antes de Conversación:
What will your topic of conversation be?
    Just about introductions, questions and just understanding before we move further on in the project.
What are you looking forward to about this conversation?
    I am looking forward to turn of how this conversation will go. Will it be a simple Q&A or will we branch off and talk about whatever comes to mind. Either way, I want to make this a good first (or a couple) experience.
What are your nervous about?

    I am hoping that spelling and conjugations will be up to par. I do want to confuse them with a language that they have known their entire lives with me, a random novice who feels like she knows nothing. So, I would say I somewhat scared.

Después de Conversación:
Who did you speak with and why did you choose them?
     Actually, they found me. Signing into SharedTalk, I had no idea what was in store. But I saved, when a person found me and asked if wanted to chat. After I taking a brief glance at her profile, Alexis Correa and I really hit off.
What did you learn about them?
    I learned that she is from Buenos Aires, Argentina, that she has two years on me and loves the idea that I was chatting with her while in school. That last one blew her mind.
How did this interaction help you move towards achieving your goal?
    Our little shindig made me feel comfortable talking with others in Spanish, even if it is only over the internet.
What did you do well according to your goals?
    Yeah, but I wish we could have spoken more. I could tell that we could keep going on forever of given the chance, which would make my plans for endless conversations a success.
What specifically do you need to improve on?
    I believe a little time just brushing on possible questions and common answers would do me a favor later on.

All in all, good run and I would not mind doing it again.
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Water Systems.

Posted by Annisa Ahmed in Physics - Echols on Monday, April 16, 2012 at 12:14 pm
​Team: Catherine & me (Annisa). Enjoy.
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Q3 Benchmark: Process Paper (Drug Trade)

Posted by Annisa Ahmed in English 3 - Pahomov on Friday, March 30, 2012 at 1:51 pm
​Annisa Ahmed
Fire Stream

It all began on the first day. Each member of our group opened up what our strengths and weaknesses were and chose our following roles accordingly. Kim took on the job of researcher and with the help Khalil, who had previous experience with working on this topic. Olivia played the website designer and was left with the task of putting it all together. This left me to the devices of writing, meaning absorb the facts and information that was handed over and whip up a text blurb to make sense of the drug trade.

Along the way, we keep in contact with each other; Olivia and Kim always gave me updates about where the project was headed, like when Kim decided to make posters for added effectiveness. Walking in Thursday morning to find two brilliant posters to help boost the moral of the cause was nice. I had written most the text on days prior, but I wanted to make sure that it was everything we needed. The more the merrier, and if I wanted to put as much effort as the rest of group had, things called for me to step it up a notch.

The final result was a written chuck that topped off at a little over three pages. This I was fine with, however when I noticed the time, I remembered that I had not answered back Olivia’s message. Though, it was around nine and I was hoping that I had not worried her with this. Either way, I decided that I would send my stuff over and try to get a hold of her. But alas, they were left unanswered.

On Friday, the website did cause some difficulty. Apparently, iWeb had switched over to being not free sometime recently, which led to some eruption of problems. The inability to make a pledge or have it up and running about frustrated us to no end because everything was there. We were just unable to make go viral.

The highlights to benchmark was that our group worked really well together. Everyone did what they were assigned to do and so, everything else just fell into place. As for challenges, I consider myself somewhat of a hindrance for not sending my part over as earlier as I could. In addition to the fact, that the application of our choice decided to back fire and make it impossible to have a functional website to present. By and large, and tossing complications aside, it was fun. An head-tilt worthy thing that makes people think thoroughly about what exactly they plan on churning out; enjoyable, definitely.
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Third Quarter Benchmark: NatHistory Day

Posted by Annisa Ahmed in American History - Herman on Monday, March 12, 2012 at 8:55 pm
To check it out, follow the link.
(Process Paper & Annotated Bib, included.)
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La Mujeres Luchan

Posted by Annisa Ahmed in Spanish 3 - Gierke on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 at 9:59 pm
Grupo: Alysha Ortiz, Marina Pyfrom, Madeline Walls & Annisa Ahmed
18 Comments

International Affairs: Terrance, Christian & Annisa

Posted by Annisa Ahmed in American History - Herman on Monday, March 5, 2012 at 10:07 pm
​As promised, the case study. Savor it.
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OneMinute 2fer: Annisa

Posted by Annisa Ahmed in English 3 - Pahomov on Friday, March 2, 2012 at 12:56 pm

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Traitor Joe's

Posted by Annisa Ahmed in Spanish 3 - Gierke on Monday, January 30, 2012 at 1:50 pm
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Printed Word

Posted by Annisa Ahmed in American History - Herman on Friday, January 20, 2012 at 10:36 pm
​Just me. So, without further ado, the second quarter benchmark.
The link to the place where stuff can be found.

Enjoy. ^^
6 Comments

PSA: Tyler, Becca, Ronald & Annisa

Posted by Annisa Ahmed in Spanish 3 - Gierke on Friday, January 20, 2012 at 10:53 am

Hicimos un PSA sobre el contaminación del ríos en Filadelfia. Es un asusnto importante a nosotros porque este destruirá nuestro mundo. Esperamos que el público de Filadelfia informa.

Mi grupo y yo hicimos un PSA sobre... el ríos.
Por crear el PSA, la cosa más importante que aprendí fue... conjugar los verbos es facil.

Me gusta el PSA de mi group porque... los videojuegos.
Si pudiera hacer el proyecto otra vez, yo agregía... musica.
Spanish PSA 2012 AnnTylBecRon
2 Comments

This I Believe: Working It

Posted by Annisa Ahmed in English 3 - Pahomov on Friday, December 2, 2011 at 9:36 am
I'm a doer.

When there is a task set in front of me, I tend to waver for a seconds before I sit down, plug in my headphones and just get it done.

My mindset: Get it over with and you never have to look at it again.

But then, there's that teenage section of me that wants go out, raise hell and ignore all possible signs of commitment and learning for the rest my days. It's this compelling plague, almost like a raincloud that follows me wherever I go. Something I can simply not turn away from because it's always, always there.

While being here at SLA, I have maintained grades that will probably land me in a good university. This is junior year, the time where scouts look to to see whether or not, these students are worthy of wearing their insignias on their chests. And so, I know I have to try, harder than I ever had before. Classes upon classes, benchmarks line up against the papers, and I sigh.

I know I don't want to do this, but I have kind of choice do I have really?

A couple years from now, I'll be graduating from college, trying to keep up with bills and maybe have to worry about a family. The ideal taxpayer with my degree, being the adult that I have engraved in mind from a young age.

But, I'm sixteen.

Young, foolish, stupid, with the constant idea of making mistakes. Time waits for no one and I understand that. Scholarships and SAT's are just around the corner, but I still wish I could live in the now.

So, I choose to. Usually, you can find me doing work although, not for every second of the day. I kid, laugh, giggle and do stupid, stupid things even when I know the consequences but it's worth it. I don't want to look back and wish of what I could have done, I plan to have fun with all the time I have left to spare.

Because I'm a doer. Sometimes.

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SouthWest Philadelphia.

Posted by Annisa Ahmed in American History - Herman on Saturday, November 5, 2011 at 12:06 am
Group: Annisa Ahmed and Tyreé Wright.

The Final Piece.
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Ahorita.

Posted by Annisa Ahmed in Spanish 3 - Gierke on Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 8:54 am
Refrán:
Yo vivo en el silencio
Pero hablan
La cuidad hablan

It supposed to show the sounds of the city.
The three lines seem to flow, kind of like poetry.
Adding some more lines could help.
Creating it was easy.
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AMERICA!

Posted by Annisa Ahmed in American History - Herman on Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 12:51 pm
The Barren Wasteland
AMERICA!
AMERICA!
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Humanities Portfolio 2011

Posted by Annisa Ahmed in English 2 - Block on Monday, June 13, 2011 at 8:40 am
​This year was insane. The changes I went through - that all of us went through - in all aspects such as character, writing, views and knowledge were immense and I can’t say that any of us are the same people that we once were when we first walked through the doors of Room #307. We grew, over the course of this year in the subjects of English and History, because of all the readings, pieces we had to absorb and spurt back out into unique and creative such the benchmarks and papers.

Looking back, I laugh. At times, there were moments when I couldn’t tell when an assignment was for History or English - because it could fell in either category. Like with the Prisons, the resources that were given to us were filled with facts that talked about the history and events that occurred. One would think this would be for History, but instead it was English. Responding to this on a forum on Moodle made me question why, but then again, it does make sense. The two fields go hand-in-hand, so why not incorporate them together in topics such as this one.

Being fifteen and sixteens year olds in the U.S., one could make a reasonable argument that our minds have an already set path on certain issues plaguing our world. But then, the real information is introduced and everything just goes haywire. Like with Religion Unit, when had to choose a topic like marriage and choose several religions and look for the correlations and differences between them. It was a chance for us to immerse in “contrasting” religions and see, first hand, how similar they really were. "To love someone, no matter their sexuality, no matter what religion they practice is what is the basis of a healthy, long-lasting relationship. If you love someone, go for it. If your soul mate is the same gender as you, don’t sweat it. And, if the two of you have different views on God, life, etc., know that the road ahead will be bumpy, but in the end, it’s worth it." (IronReligion2010) And with the Cortes Trial and the Sweatshop Trial, having to go out and research by oneself opened my eyes to how cruel the circumstances were for the victims, how could such catastrophes occur and where the blame lie. Which goes to show, once exposed, the truths push to go further, to want to make us want to know more.

Creativity just happens to be middle name, so of course I had to enjoy the more inspiring and imaginative parts of the school year. I, myself, am personally fond of Poetry, but being asked to make a page full of our own was a new idea to me. "My process doesn’t come naturally. I just need a song, a phrase, a word that give me just enough spark to make it happen. I type unconsciously. My mind wanders and my fingers just know how to voice my thoughts." (Poetry Page Intro) It required a lot of re-writes, though, in the end, I must say, I’m pretty darn proud of that work. Then, there was (what I like to call) the Descriptive Saga - a collection of scenes based on our lives, which eventually became a paper. To be honest, I was probably sugar high (because it was the beginning of the school), but I still cannot believe that I wrote that well, so long ago. And, the Monologue Project? The one when we had to choose a country, make up a storyline, and write about characters, their problems and simply come up with several scenes. I love writing, don’t get me wrong, but writing over three thousands on one topic can only keep one sane for so long. Still, I can’t say I expected any less from myself.

It was fun, sophomore year. I got a chance to tackle matters, completely fresh ones at that, and thoroughly make the most of every obstacle - project - thrown my way. And, I’m happy with my final results. Each of pieces required tremendous loads of effort, determination and work. And sure, I side-tracked in pretty much all of them - due my short attention span and a serious case of procrastination - but, yeah, I manages to do it somehow, thanks my friends, these classes and of course, Mr. Block. So, without further or do, I close the chapter of this school year.

Until next we meet, Annisa. ^^
words.words.words.
words.words.words.
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Quarter Four Benchmark. Annisa.

Posted by Annisa Ahmed in Spanish 2 - Gierke on Friday, June 10, 2011 at 2:57 pm
Reflection

The process included brainstorming, outlining, writing, reviewing, re-writing, and just putting it all together. Screenshots, throw in some music and wa-lah. My benchmark.

Using a variety of words was probably my strong point. I took things from the beginning of the school and added them to this benchmark.

Maybe, adding a voiceover would have done me some good.

I learned more about the tenses because I had to apply them to real life.


aahmed.spanish.bm
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Reality, As Is

Posted by Annisa Ahmed in World History - Block on Monday, April 11, 2011 at 8:48 pm

A selection dedicated to the ever-going Israeli-Palestinian Conflict that has plagued those nations for all too long. In a battle of territory, it somehow refrains from ever growing old; this is a daily issue. From people on the inside and out, these pieces are here to inform of the depth and reality that goes down behind these borders.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Act I, Scene 1

Character:
Lael, a Jewish female reporter who questions the essence of the problem.

Prologue: A woman with shoulder-length brown hair and confused eyes sits on love seat watching television, wondering where did it all go wrong.

LAEL
Colors, sounds, texture; none have reached my eyes because it doesn’t matter. It never mattered. The television in front of me couldn’t even keep my attention. What was the use? Sitting here, doing absolutely nothing. Waiting for the next day to come, to wake up, go to work, come home, make dinner, and fall asleep on this love seat only to wake the next day and repeat the process. But, what was the use? It all amounts to nothing in the end. It’s not like I’m helping anyone but myself. I’m being selfish without having the intention to be.

I’m lucky. I’m on the other side of the border. The safer side, the richer side, the better side, the safer side. I’m married, I have kids, I have a job, I have a house - what more could any sane person ask for? But, people on the other side don’t have that. The luxury of sitting with nothing on their plate; without a care in the world. They don’t have that option. Instead, they wake up every morning and leave home - not knowing if the place they headed to is still there or their family will be there when they get back.

Palestinians are only miles from this house. What makes me better than them? Are their lives any less valuable than mine? I don’t understand. How can anyone, anyone allow others to live like that? To everyone else in the world, it doesn’t matter. The strikings, the destruction; we need change. I want it to change. People are blind, ignorant and just don’t care - it doesn’t affect them. Whether a child lives or dies in Gaza, won’t make a difference. Her death will just only spark more controversy, more tension and more death to those who don’t mean any harm. That little girl will just be another death, another causality, another number to add to the total death count.

It’s stupid, this whole ordeal. Officials argue or “have peace talks,” and accuse each other of wrongly accusing each other and so on and so forth. Militant groups return to violence as a way that appears to make a statement towards the government or in the Name of God, which I fall to recognize. The only thing they succeed in doing is killing innocent bystanders and getting blood on their hands because somehow, in their minds that gets there point across. And, we can’t forget the border crossing that is practically sealed shut to anyone getting in or out. Honestly, I find it funny. No one notices that it’s lives there playing with. The officials, the government, the U.N., the suicide bombers, the smugglers, and even the reporters, like me.

As easily as I flip through these channels and switch between shows, it reminds me of how lives are being treated. That world seems to be giving up on those who are faultless, turning off on their lives as easily as I turn off the T.V. I’ve seen things, but maybe, I haven’t seen enough. To make the right decisions, to actually look at all the facts, to take to take the time to choose a side.

But what can I do? I’m just lone person in a endless battlefield.  Maybe, if I see enough blood, I won’t be as disturbed. Maybe, if I watched someone being killed, it won’t have as much as of an affect. And, maybe if leave my job, I’ll be free. But, not blind. I’m trying to tighten my grip on reality, but I can’t let go of what is in front of me here. I have to keep reporting. I can’t stop now. I’m not going to be just another reporter. Maybe, I’ll save a life. Or, maybe, I’ll be just another death, but I’m okay with that. Because at least then, I’ll make a difference. Because I’m not gonna tune them out - the tears, the screams, the blood. To me, life is worth more and I’m not going to turn off the T.V.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Act I, Scene 2

Character:
Noor, a child who does not understand the depth of the problem.

Prologue: A young child sits in her room - lights off, silence eerie. She plays a trinket.

NOOR
    (tracing the object)
Hey. I’m doing great. Mommy and Irfan are good, too. It’s kind of nice here. The shooting and the shells don’t come as often, which means everything must be getting better. I hope no more people will die because of them. I don’t want them to lose their biggest brother like I did.

I’m helping around the house now. Mom is kind of busy with work, so I have be a big girl and take charge and do what big girls do. Me and Irfan clean and dust and sweep and wash and dry and do all those things Mommy does. I feel like I’m helping a lot, so that way when she comes home, she won’t have much to do.

We go to school again now, me and Irfan. A different school. It’s a little farther because Mommy said we can’t go there anymore. I think it’s because it blew up but Irfan just shushed me. He said it didn’t matter, that it was ‘in the past,’ whatever that means. But, it’s nicer. I know some of the kids from our old school but a lot of them are new and I’ve never seen them before. But, I have some new friends now and that’s nice. I like them; they make me smile and I make them smile. There was this one girl. Her name was Raina. She was sitting alone. But, I went up to her and said hi. We became friends. Yesterday, she wasn’t there. The teacher said she would not be coming anymore. I asked why, but she didn’t say anything.

Irfan is changing now. He doesn’t talk to me as much but he’s just always there. He always in the room I’m in and if he’s somewhere else, he gets all sneaky-like and watches when he thinks I’m not watching, but I can see him because I’m sneaky-like, too. But, he’s always, always watching. It makes me feel like I have to be watched - that I can’t be trusted. me. He’s acting like he has to watch me, instead of liking to watch me, like he used to. I think he thinks that watching me is a chore and I don’t want to be chore. I want to be Irfan’s little sister, just that, only that.

(smiles) You know something, Sami. I still didn’t give it to Irfan. I wanted to, the day you died, but I couldn’t. I wanted it, I wanted something - anything - to remember you by. He had your clothes, your chores, the rest of your room, your everything but all I had was memories. Nothing real, memorable. I needed it. I needed to remember you. But, I am losing you. (voice breaks) Your voice, your face. I can’t remember you. This (clutches the object) is all have and I’m not going to give it. I won’t. I just won’t.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Act I, Scene 3

Character:
Irfan, a twelve year old who is a both an older and younger sibling.

Prologue: Two young boys sit in an alleyway, side by side. The shadow rests upon them, making their figures indescribable. They are both silent, waiting for the other to start. In the distance, the bustling of a market can be heard.

IRFAN
Yup.
Mom’s good.
Rana’s fine.
School’s...
    (pauses)
School. You?
Doing all of your homework?
That’s good.
So, Avi... It’s been a while, hasn’t it?
What happened? You just kinda disappeared for a few weeks there.
Your dad? Again?
I know. Your house isn’t that far from here and it’s not like we  o anything but sit here and talk... Except for that one time.
    (laughs)
What? You don’t remember?
But it was so funny.
How did you even manage to shoot the soccer ball that high? The third floor, how was that possible. Honestly, the managers of that building should have praised you instead of chasing us down.
Yeah, because I didn’t do it.
Fours years. But, your face when your dad stopped us from running all of town. (pauses) Priceless.
    (grins and laughs. the boy sheds a fake tear, then pauses)
Life is life. Me and Noor are going back to school, so that doesn’t take up most of the time, then helping around the house will.
Oh, yeah. You don’t know. Mom got a job.
I know. I never thought she get one too, but she landed the job a few weeks ago. So, money isn’t that big of an issue now. It’s just that she’s not around as much, so I have to watch Noor. But, I don’t mind because she’s happy. And, she hasn’t been this happy since dad died. And, since she happy, I’m happy.
Yeah. But, some people don’t like her having a job.
Like the neighbors. The women used come around the house and talk about her. They say she needs to get married. That “a woman like her shouldn’t be trying to get a job.” That “she could get that she could get married easily.” But, Mom said she isn’t interested in getting married. She has a job now, so she doesn’t need anybody except us.
People keep saying that she should get married because she needs a man in her life.
I don’t know. But, they say she will have a hard time without a husband.
She doesn’t mind.
She said that she can deal with anything people throw at her. She believes in herself. And, I have to believe in her, too. You know, for support. Anyway, how’s your family?
Wow. Really?
I never pictured your mom as a reporter. But, I never picture my mom as a reporter either, so...
My mom is a reporter, now.
Yeah, maybe they’ll work together. And, search for stories together. And, report crime together. That would be cool.
    (sigh)
    (awkward silence)
Yup, today’s the day.
It’s okay. It’s been two years now, if I’m not over it by now, I never will be.
Yeah, it seems like just yesterday, he was teaching me how to play soccer. (sighs)
I told you it’s not your fault. It’s not your fault he died.
I know, okay. It’s just that I don’t like talking about him.
Because he’s dead.
Because he’s not.
Because he was killed.
Because he’s was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
    (looking down)
Because the bag he was carrying looked suspicious and when they called him, he didn’t stop walking. Because he didn’t here them call his name. Because it was busy and the soldiers calling his name probably got mixed in the rest of the noises. Because it was late. Because he was a young teenage boy. Because he was a young Palestinian teenage boy. Because he wanted to get home to the rest of us. Because we were hungry and Mom had stay us and Sami was the only one who could get it. Because, we were young. Because Dad was working that night. Because, he went to the store across town to the best pick. Because he wanted the best for him and his family. Because the bag looked to be stuffed to the rim as the soldiers say. Because milk, bread and chick peas that were covered his blood could have been “carrying explosives” as the police put it.
Because it was my birthday. Because we were suppose to celebrate. Because it was suppose to be safe and fun and safe. Because nothing bad was should have happened.
(jumps to his feet, eyes moist with unshed tears) Because I know. Because I’m his brother. Because I still remember my father yelling and my mother crying and my confusion when I saw Sami, my big brother, my role model, my savior, my Sami laying on the living room, deathly still, bloody to bits, so pale I thought he was a ghost.
Because, Avi. Just because.
    (walks off)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Act I, Scene 4

Character:
Imad, a teenager who sells newspaper in the cit of Cairo, Egypt.

Prologue: An Egyptian teenager sells newspaper though he doesn’t see a need to buy one.

IMAD
    (hands a paper away, smiling)
Thank you.
    
        (turns, facing a crowd)
Paper! Paper! Get your paper! Only three pounds! The best news! The newest news! The only news! Only three pounds! Get your paper!  
    (crowd surrounds him, asking for the paper)

    (the crowd slowly walks away, satisfied)
The news gets old quick. It’s the same thing everyday. Someone dies everyday. It’s a part of life - you’re born, you grow and you die. It’s simple. You can’t expect death. It’s a daily occurrence.

Something that I wonder why people even bother to read about.

“A suicidal bomber killed a man, and two children - one six, the other four. Hamas has taken responsibility for the bombing and the police begin to investigate. The U.N. says that it will not stand for such...” Or something of the like. The cover of the newspaper is always something depressing about how someone died. It’s obvious. If you already know that death, mayhem and destruction conclude what’s inside of those pages, why buy the paper in the first place?
Sure, I feel sorry for those individuals trapped in Gaza, but death happens. I know that they are stuck inside with the borders surrounding their country and I feel sorry for them. But, there is nothing I can do. I’ve excepted it and the people need to to Gaza need to as well.

But, what about us? The people of Egypt. Sure, the Palestinians have dealing with that issue for so long. But here we are, being portrayed as the bad guys? Because somehow, Israeli taking Gaza soil is my problem. Because apparently, those who are dying, there blood has written my name. And, there’s a way, just a way, that ties in all the world’s problems back to me.

The thing is, though, I never asked for any of this. Truth be told, I’d rather have the Palestinians have a way out. I’d rather not have their blood spilled for the cause of “all of” Egypt’s apparent stupidity. He doesn’t speak this government does not speak for me. Heck, this country doesn’t even speak for me anymore. The people don’t have a say. We’re stuck, too. We want change that will never come. Just like Palestinians, however, we’re seen as the bad guys. The people of Egypt are stuck in the in between. Our voice has no voice. So, why should theirs, the Palestinians, matter?

    (turns)
Paper! Paper! Come get your paper!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Act I, Scene 5

Character:
Harrison, a activist in his later years.

Prologue: A middle-aged man is paces his office, in search of his glasses.

HARRISON
    (lifts a book)
Where did I put those blasted glasses?
When did Mitchell said?
    (rubs temple)
At least, no later than 10.
    (glances at clock, groans)
    (sits down)
I need to finish this and soon. Eliza expects home before then.
(looks at computer in front of him, squints)
What is this? Ancient Greek? And, these pictures? Just how many pixels is this?
    (sighs)
I work with amateurs.
(types, squints, and resumes typing)
I feel sorry for these people, the people of Gaza. They live with everything they need, but never can access their wants or desires. The want to get out of that hellish excuse for a country. For Pete’s sake, half the population is under the age of nineteen. It’s like this conflict is being waged with kids. Young, unlucky kids who are stuck inside those walls for some apparent reason that is bigger than the whole lot of us.
    (hunches)
Sure, those people have water and food and medicine, but what about the things that matter even more. How about a stable home, a safe environment, an ideal education? What about those things are so deadly that people should deprived of?
    (growls)
And, where are those damned glasses? I need them. I need to see to clearly. I need to see the shapes and figures, the symbols and the words. I need to see the poster before it begins to cover the lampposts and bulletins of the city. So, it informs and shows these people, the outsiders, those who don’t belong, what is really happening. That reminds them that the world isn’t perfect and that somehow, someway, if we band together in the justice and equality, then maybe, just maybe, my life, our world will be a brighter one for the years to come.
    (scratches his neck, feels something against his chest)
    (removes the object and smiles)
My glasses.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Act I, Scene 6

Character:
James, a reporter who has not seen the affects of war.

Prologue: A man stares at himself in the mirror, his partner in the other room.

JAMES
Come on. Let’s go.
Josh, we haven’t have all day.
    (waves hands, frantically)
Shots are being fired as we speak and we, as reporters, must well, report this. We have to get down before anyone else does.
    (turns around)
We haven’t much time until word gets out.

Bloody hell, Josh.
    (sighs)
Just leave it, then. I have a smaller camera. It’s not as advanced, but it’ll do.
    (fixed cuffs)
Well, hurry on then.
    (exits the room)

[James and his partner, Josh drive through rubble on what used to be a road.]

There’s blood. So much blood. I’ve been doing this for years, and yet... It still gets me every time. I can’t- My God. That building was just standing there three seconds ago. And, it’s now been torn to pieces.

That was a federal building?

People are probably still inside there. Dead and wishing they were dead. I would. If I were them. Being stuck underneath the rubble, rasping for another breath of air. I couldn’t do it. I don’t have the strength nor the soul to be able to survive a catastrophe such as this.

There were children?

To think that it is located next to a school for children. What were they thinking? They are innocent, naive and have no right to be put into a warped condition such as this one. They count for more than of population and it’s as though this whole conflict is being shoved into the hands of mere children. They have no right. To be stuck. To be under.

The building is silver?

Then, why is it so red?

Those people are terrorists?

Then, why are kids dying?

This isn’t a war?

Then what is it?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Act I, Scene 7

Character:
Haniah, a woman who speaks on the behalf of Palestinians.

Prologue: A young women sits alone at a coffee shop.

HANIAH

This war; it's stupid really.
    (stirs)
The fact that no one takes action against this conflict is disgusting, cruel and furthermore, inhumane. It's as if these people lives don't matter.
    (opens and pours cream)
Look I'm not saying we shouldn't, however we cannot ignore that fact that this is a lost cause. No matter how hard we try and despite how much most of us want it to end, it won't, Both the Israelis and the Palestinians are too consumed in removing each other that they are blinded from the right of way.
    (stirs; plays with spoon)
I'm am only here to give my thoughts as a women, reporter and civilian of the strip of Gaza. Whether my voice reaches your ears is up to you, but as long as I know I have had my voice heard... At least then I can sleep at night.
    (lets go of spoon, hand gestures)
Ma'am, I understand that, and forgive for sounding reeducate, but this war, this conflict, their lives will not change just because we want it to be. The U.N. is powerful, but this is issue has been going on for more years than we have been alive. You nor I can fully comprehend the depth of it and surely we never will. However, going in and making it better with our hands won't solve anything.
    (picks up spoon and continues to stir)
If anything it will make worse. How would you feel if a person, let's say, working at Starbucks decides to prance in here, telling us that everything we are doing is wrong, and that we need to be saved. I wouldn't accept that and neither would anyone else in this conflict.
    (pauses)
The Israelis, the Palestinians, the surrounding countries, even the outsiders know. We all know that in this conflict, there are the evil doers and there are the victims, just like always. But, the question is who are the heros, who will swoop in and save the day. It certainly isn't the U.N., the U.S. or any other super power that feels the need shape the world to fit their imagination. We are in over heads; this is far bigger than the both of us.
    (stirs)
The moral of the story of the story is that there is nothing that we can do. It needs to play out on its own, without any interference as to how to fix it. It doesn't to be fixed, only time. Just give it some time.
    (sips)

aahmed mono
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A Little Too Late. OP/ED

Posted by Annisa Ahmed in World History - Block on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at 6:32 pm

Instead of worrying about issues that don’t necessarily concern us, America should look towards changing the bigger things that do and will impact us for the generations to come. A problem lies closer to home - in our schools.

According to Death & Taxes: 2011, which happens to be the most accurate collage of government spending we will ever get our hands on, the spending towards education has gone up six percent from last year. That’s swell, but there is also a section that tells us the percentage from ten years ago to now. So, that means that the difference between 2001 and 2011 is one percent. This only lead to a total spending of almost 50 billion.

Shocking, I know. The only possible explanation would mean that our funding for the knowledge we teach has dipped down in the past decade and is now finally starting to come back up, to the highest point it’s been at in ten years. Our values our put in other departments, which may only help us on the short term.

That’s sad.

The standards for education seemed to have lowered over the years. Between wars and recessions, our children have not be given the best that this country has to offer. This lacking has resulted in schools being a place of dread, in opposed to expectation.

In Philadelphia, a ten-year-old boy punched his teacher, leaving her with a black eye and him with a minor arrest. And, just last week, that same child was found carrying a BB gun on school property. Him, among countless others, have threatened and assaulted teachers and this is pattern is one that can be spotted throughout our states.

Across the country, in Chicago, many students find that they cannot attend the schools that they were aiming for. Despite the fact that have been going to school for the fifteen years of their life, what their records show isn’t good enough. That the education they have received isn’t what colleges are looking for.

We are limited, us students. Sure, we are given an education, but the way things are going, it’s doubtful that it will get us anywhere in life. Living in a country where degrees mean everything and fewer jobs exist than the day before, it’s all about intelligence. It’s a dog eat dog out there. And, if the country that you live in fails, no one succeeds. Arne Duncan, the Secretary of Education, answered to the problem of our education by stating that now is the time to change the face of American schooling. That with the million or so teachers retiring, we need fresh, becoming educators to take their place.

And yet here we are, with no sense of reassurance, with no means of support, this country now decides that it is the best interest to improve the American meaning of education. The ten years that have passed can never be taken back - and the students who were denied the wisdom they tried to obtain can never relive their chances at success, it’s too late for them. Maybe the future holds more opportunity for change in our system, and in turn more opportunity for the youth of our nation. But for now, in this moment in time, we must focus our attention on the hole that have dug ourselves, one that will take years dig ourselves out. Look towards the future. Change the world to come if we ever want our country and our meaning of education.
Tags: world history, Op Ed, aahmed2
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La Rutina De...

Posted by Annisa Ahmed in Spanish 2 - Gierke on Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 7:22 pm
What did you learn from doing this project? (skills, life lessons, words etc)
I never took the time to notice all things that I did everyday of my life. I guess it was because of this video that actually noticed that I have a routine and even though it's not very efficient, it's the life I live today. It made re-acknowledge the things I go through and be grateful that I have it easy compared to others that are less fortunate in this world.

How do you feel about your final product?
I'm not saying I love it - because I didn't get to include everything I wanted to, but it still works because it manages to capture my daily life.

If you could do your project all over again, what would you do differently/the same?
I'd probably add more music or audio. I feel as though I could do more in some places. But, then again, I can't say that I am not pleased with what I have now.

Did you enjoy this project? Why or why not?
Definitely. I like that I got to incorporate Spanish into my everyday life by describing what I do. It was fun to record and pick the parts that I wanted to put in. But, overall, it was one of the most fun I have had to doing benchmark, if I am not mistaken.


aahmed.proyecto
Tags: aahmed2, Spanish-2, Spanish, Video, Rutina-Diaria, E-Band, Gierke, jgierke, Spanish-2, Spanish, Video, Rutina-Diaria
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Descriptive Essay.

Posted by Annisa Ahmed in English 2 - Block on Monday, December 20, 2010 at 3:09 pm

Annisa Ahmed

    “James?” The brunette glanced in her direction, emotionless.
    “Here.”
    “Natalie?”
    “Present, Ms. Hartford,” she said, cheerfully.
    “Thank you, Natalie.”
    “I left you an apple on your desk.”
    “Thank you, Natalie.”
    Showoff.
    “Umm... Anisa.”
    “It’s Annisa,” I growl.
    “That’s what I said, honey, Anisa.” She repeats slowly as if I’m the idiot.
    “Annisa.”
    “Anisa.”
    I huff. “Never mind. Forget it.” She nods and continues to call roll.
    Two years... And, she still doesn’t get my name right. I sit up front. I do all of my homework. And, I never get in trouble. And, yet, somehow, whenever roll is called or my hand raises to answer a question, A-nis-sa is all I ever here. I wonder if it’s because of her Southern accent. Or, maybe she’s too stubborn to admit she’s wrong and actually try to say my name correctly. Or, maybe, because she’s an alien. And, though it is really hard change something that you have already become accustom to, some just don’t try. They believe that it’s difficult and that their way is the only way and change isn’t something that comes easily, especially without the effort. I always believed that Ms. Hartford was one of those people... Although, her being an alien in disguise seems promising.
    According to the Merriam-Webstar Dictionary, change is to become different. But, to me, it’s much more than that. The average Joe, which in this case, is James. His name is ideal here in America and that saying it correctly comes naturally to the tongue. Natalie, however, earned her way up, showering Ms. Hartford with a number of gifts, such as apples and an a high squeaky voice, in order to change her name from Natalia back to Natalie. She in no way did anything to provoke Ms. Hartford and yet, her name was pronounced wrongly because of how Ms. Hartford was taught it. My name is both Arab and Muslim and some people are just prone to saying wrong. But, my former teacher probably just believed that it was pronounced Anisa. And, all I did was nag her about it when she called my name. I did not attempt to break the ice with Ms. Hartford, which why she did not make an effort to correct my name.
    When I was trying to get to her to change name, I should have been trying harder to get my grades up. See, I never was a good student. Ever since I was a kid, I never saw a point in education. I never put forth the effort. I never saw a reason to.
    “And, the winner of the Spelling Bee is... Hannah!”
    The whole class shouted, cheered and whistled as Hannah took the stage. She bowed and I was left forgotten. She thanked our teacher, Mr. Gannon for the extra sessions only she had received even though all of us participated the competition. She thanked her classmates for their support, as to which, the they started another round of applause. She smiled, as though she expected nothing less. News was made; the third grader, Hannah Corney had won the annual T.I.E.S. Spelling Bee Competition. She was given a trophy and was carried throughout the crowd, laughing like this was the best thing that happened to her. Even when she won every year. She caught my eye and waved her hand in a gesture to join her. I shook my head and turned my head before she could get a glance at my watering eyes. And, I, the runner up to the Spelling Bee, walked out.
    I had tried to motivate myself and thought that maybe a little competition could be the boost that I needed to help me in academics. But, I was wrong, as I always at that age. Instead of helping me, losing in things like Spelling Bees gave me the idea that I would always be the loser in both educational and lively standards. I felt though I was setting myself up to fail and knew I just couldn’t to do it. I wanted to change, but, honestly, how much commitment would an eight year old have. Not much. And, besides, in my mind, if I knew I would eventually fail, what was the use in trying in the first place.
    It wasn’t because I didn’t try because I did. It just I was trying to do it for myself, but the thing is I really did not want. Just my like old English teacher, I did not have a need to change. I had no reason to have motivation and that was my downfall. Instead of trying to become the best that I could be, I was trying to be something that couldn’t be. My need, my thirst for change was different then what I needed, my reasoning in becoming something such as the Spelling Bee champion was only because I wanted my name printed in the school newspaper. I was not desperate enough to change, not strong enough to see what was right in front on me.
    I should have been Natalie. Despite how I felt about it, I knew I wanted to have what she accomplished; her name said correctly. She cared enough to go and make effort by showing up early every morning with the bright smile on her face, shiny red apple in hand. Or like Hannah, who had her heart set on winning the competition the moment it was announced over the loud speaker. Who went out of her way to make sure every word’s was spelling was branded into her brain, instead of being just average. Like me.
    My reason to change... well, that’s just it. I didn’t have one. I felt that I should that should just have been the things I wanted, handed to me on a silver platter without me working hard to earn what I supposedly thought I deserved. Change is something I needed to make, I just didn’t see how.
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Language Autobiography.

Posted by Annisa Ahmed in English 2 - Block on Monday, December 20, 2010 at 3:05 pm

Annisa Ahmed.

    I fought the urge to walk away from the situation. Despite that flight would have been the easier and safer option, I chose against it, I would have to face her sooner or later. I made a mental note to kill Mina, my aunt, later. She knew about the conflict the two of us shared and had practically thrown me into it. She thought it would be a great way for us to ‘bond’ and become close to one another, but if only she knew the real reason behind it.
    My mom had left to work hours ago and Mina, deciding she had time to kill, crashed at our place until further notice. She then thought that it would be a swell idea if she cooked dinner for the household, herself included, of course. My aunt had asked me to go and ask my grandmother, Umi (as we all addressed her) what would she like to each. I cringed. My grandmother and I weren’t exactly on good terms; it’s not that I didn’t like her, it’s just that I couldn’t understand her. My grandmother was born in Ethiopia and spoke only the native languages that are spoken there. Oromo, a primary language, became the one she used the most and the one language the rest of her family spoke. When my mom and the rest of her siblings came to the United States, my grandmother soon followed. My aunts, uncles and mother all gradually learned how to speak English, while, my grandmother, however, decided she did not need to, that she would be better off without it.
    And that’s the problem. I was born here and learned English as my primary language. And though, the rest of family spoke Oromo fluently, I could never get a grasp on it. If people spoke to me in Oromo, I could completely understand them. It’s just when I’m trying to say, I can never put my words in the right order and it comes out sounding broken. That’s why I only speak English, except when I have to like when I have to ask something of my grandmother, like right know.
    “Mina,” I start. “Ali is upstairs. Why don’t you tell him to do it?”
    She pouts playfully. “But, he’s sleeping and it will only take a sec.”
    “Fine.”
    I turn and start my journey to my Umi’s room. My legs feel like bricks and my stomach is filled with butterflies. Maybe if I had try a different approach, or if I had try a little harder, I won’t be stuck in this constant cycle that happens every single day. Even though the two of us have lived in the same household for a long as I can remember, I can’t truthfully say I have ever cared for that woman. And, despite that the fact that we are family, the language barrier that we share keeps from getting any closer to one another. Because we speak different languages, we can never hold a conversation that doesn’t revolve around ‘did your mother come home’ or ‘what’s for dinner.’ Our relationship isn’t strong, our speech isn’t meaningful and our true feelings about one another stay unreadable.
    I felt like jelly, standing outside of her room. My head and the rest of my body lay against the door for support, to keep me standing. My heart beat at least five times faster and my mind just went black. I always fell like this when I have to hold a conversation with Umi. I try to make sense of the moment and I try to to make everything seem alright. But, I just can’t. My inability to speak Oromo has kept from others, like her, to understand me. I wanted to learn, to understand, to relate, to become closer to her, but I couldn’t.
    I sighed; time to get this over with. Hand met door and slowly but surely, confusion and despair inched closer. I let the light engulf me for a second until my eyesight adjusted. She sitting there, in her love seat, engrossed in a book. The squeak of the door was imitate and she looked up, acknowledging my presence. I gulped.
    “Umi,” I whisper.
    “Hai.”
    I took a deep breath. “Mal ati nifata.”
Her stare was blank, but her expression practically yelled confusion. I tried again.
    “Mal ati nifata.”
Her frown was more distinct now and her withered eyes looked at me with complete questioning.
I wanted to say the English translation - What would you like? - but, I knew she would be even more lost than she already was.
    Shaking my head, I said, “Huma.” Or never mind.
    I slowly began to close the door, I had made a fool of myself once again.
    “Annisa.”
    I murmured, “Hai.”
    “Mal atin nifata.”
    I gaped for a second, but then I regained my posture. I shook my head and laughed. “Hai, Umi.”
    Instead of becoming a way for people to interact, language keep from getting close together. However, my grandmother, in particular, understood what I was going through and was kind enough to help me to become more fluent in Oromo. Due to the fact that I could not speak the language correctly, my grandmother as well as the rest of my family members helped through and brought me on the brink becoming a person that I would be afraid to be. Language can become a barrier, a wall, the end for some people, but for me, it became just another checkpoint. It became something I could grow from and become better at. It just became another obstacle for me to overcome, language became something I am proud to speak.
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