French Finals and French Singing

Today i took a test in my french class.  I absolutely love french but was studying it today.  Now its weird to type in english and i keep putting extra letters where they would be in french words... But on the up side we got to listen to Mikas song Elle Me Dit today before our final and it is an awesome song.  Here is the link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiHWwKC8WjU

Conclusion

So for our writing class we are supposed to do a conclusion.  I decided that i really liked doing a blog and want to keep it up.  my posts have been kind of sporadic, but i would like to start posting at least once a week.  I think the main focus of my blog is on things that interest me like dance, my family, and other stuff like that.  I'm glad that we were able to do this in class and am thankful for the opportunity to start a blog.

Finals

I'm getting really nervous for finals!  im starting try to schedule everything in but i dont have the time!  hopefully  ill be able to figure it out.  Im glad that i have to take my french final earlier so that ill have time to study for all my other stuff though.  Well thank goodness itll all be over in two weeks and than itll be summer!!!

The Titanic

Okay, last post of the night.  Tonight i went and saw the titanic in 3D (amazing by the way).  I thought it was really interesting how it came full circle though.  I haven't realized it before tonight, but i guess i was looking at the movie more analytically.   The first thing that i noticed was that the quality of the movie was better.  They still took a lot of the main stuff from the former movie, but I think they changed around some of the backgrounds and i liked it more.  In the beginning they meet at they back of the boat and than Jack says "if you jump, I jump."  Right before the end Rose ends up saying the same thing that Jack had said previously.  Than right before the boat sinks Rose says how they met in the same place that they were at the time.  I think subconsciously people like to feel that things ended right, and even though Jack still dies in the end, they were able to leave their audience with a sense of the movie coming full circle.  It was cool to see how what can be used in writing is also used in films such as this as well. 

Family Pictures

These are some favorite ones of my family

I love the picture above because it shows all of us together even though its older. The one below is one of my favorites because i feel that it shows all of our personalities.  I also think its really cool that my parents are standing in the background watching over us.  

Butchart Gardens, the Sunken Garden

Another Picture of one of the beautiful gardens.

Butchart Gardens

Okay, so i noticed my blog looks a little boring so i decided to add a few of my favorite pictures to spice it up a little :) These is one i took at the Butchart Gardens in Canada. They are the prettiest gardens i have ever seen and loved going there.

L. Tom Perry's Talk Analysis

For our writing class we had to analyze a talk that was given in this Aprils' General Conference. 

Jessica Harding

Writing 150

President L. Tom Perry’s talk

I thought it was interesting how in L. Tom Perry’s talk he shared a story of a person who was adamant about testifying of the gospel.   L. Tom Perry’s talk was one of my favorite because of the story of a man who was a little handicapped that was his special friend.  He said how the friend of his always sent him a tie to wear at conference and how he was so good at sharing the gospel.   He constantly was talking to people in order to make friends and share what he knew.  I believe L. Tom Perry told this story in order to inspire us to share what we know as well.

L. Tom Perry used a lot of pathos in this speech, and this is one of the examples of his use of pathos.  Because he told us details about this man and the way that he acted and that he was a little handicapped, it pulls our emotions in.   People like to know what the person in the story looks like because than they have something to associate with.   This story also shows the people he is speaking to that if a man who is a little handicapped can go out and share the gospel so adamantly, than all of us should be able to do the same.

I believe that this talk was mostly centered towards adults and teenagers.  He talked about going out and sharing the gospel without fear, and I feel many adults and teenagers have a problem with this.  Children will usually go up to anybody and share what they believe but as adults, we are more likely to not follow their example because of our fear of causing disruption.  We should be able to share the gospel with people because everyone needs to know it.  It is our job to share the gospel with as many people as we can, and so we should follow the example of this handicapped man and share what we know.

Some of the enthusiasm of this man is shown in a short five lines L. Tom Perry shared.  

“Are you a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints?” said this man.

“No, I’m not,” said the other person.

“You should be. It is a great church!  Have you read the book of Mormon?”  He asked.

“No, I haven’t,” said the other man.

“You should.  It’s a great book.”

I really liked how in this little section he demonstrated this man’s love of the church and the Book of Mormon.  If we all had this kind of enthusiasm, I believe the devil would not stand a chance against the strength of the saints. This little section shows how people can convey a message in such a short time. He can be an example to all of the members of the church.  Even though he is a little handicapped, he does not let this stop him.  We can all try to share the gospel, just as enthusiastically and frequently as this man does.  

Narrative Essay

Final Draft of  my narrative essay, any comments are welcome! 

Jessica Harding

Writing 150

Final Draft due April 4^th

The Dance of our Lives

“And now, the West Albany Hi-Steppers!”

It was time.  All of our hard work had amounted to this moment right here.  As my dance team slowly, gracefully walked out onto the former basketball court, I knew every member was as anxious and scared as I was.

“Would all of our hard work pay off?” was the question on every performer’s mind.

 It was the state competition and we had furiously practiced for this moment for months before this time.  Every step was ingrained in my deepest memory.  All of the dancers were counting on each other to know the tiniest details of the dance we were about to perform.  The dedicatory words of the dance started and we took position.  I could barely make out the faces of my family, but I knew they were seated in the largest stadium in the state of Oregon.   Both sets of grandparents had shown up ready to watch what I had been working so hard on for months.  Lying on the ice-cold court, ready for coach to cue the music, my heart was pounding in my chest.  The smile we were required to have on our faces before we stepped out onto the court felt uncommitted.  I was scared out of my mind, silently praying on the court that I would not embarrass myself in front of my family and ruin my team’s chances at the championship.  I was sure everyone in the stadium could see the girl on the floor, shaking like a leaf.

As we waited on the floor, the tension mounted.  My mind went blank as I tried to nervously go over the looming dance moves in my mind.  I could barely see the rest of my team next to me. 

“Why wasn’t the music started yet?” we wondered nervously.

When the music finally started, we preformed what we had been working on for so long.  As I started dancing I was enveloped in the words and meaning of the song.  At first, I was scared for all of us, but when I heard that beginning note a new, peaceful feeling settled over me.  I knew that my body was trained for this, and hardly had to think about what I was doing.  I had practiced for this moment and was ready.  This sudden calm side of me took over and I could feel the emotion pouring from my body.  The smile on my face became real as I became conscious of the fact that I was actually enjoying this!  Because we had practiced so hard, everyone knew exactly what to do and we could perform without a second thought.  I could dance with the enthusiasm and energy as if I had been practicing alone, but with the thrill and excitement of the crowd watching our every move. I was no longer afraid, but animated by the cheers of the crowd and smiles of the judges.  While showing the judges exactly how I felt, I could see my family cheering out of the corner of my eye.  Coach was crying in the third row, and as the song, ended most of us were crying tears of happiness as well.

We ran off the court and everyone embraced.  The tears of joy of competing mixed with the tears of sadness of another year ending.  I could feel the sense of accomplishment and joy that was unanimous as we executed the dance perfectly. 

Dirt Biking

I went dirt biking this weekend!  i went up to sand mountain and we had a big campfire and i met a bunch of people.  it was a lot of fun until we had to leave.  we ended up leaving around 2 in the morning but when we tried to move the car it wouldn't get out of the sand.  we had to get a bunch of random people to help us push the car out but than we finally got out and left.  we ended up getting home around 4 but we had a great time :)

Narrative Essay

This is a very rough draft of my Narrative Essay.  Any advice or comments are welcome :) 

"And now, the West Albany Hi-Steppers!!!!"

It was time.  All of our hard work had amounted to this moment right here.  As my dance team slowly, gracefully walked out onto the former basketball court, I knew every member of my dance team was as anxious as I was.  It was the state competition and we had furiously practiced for this moment for months.  Every step was ingrained in my deepest memory.  Everyone was counting on each other to know all the details of the dance we were about to perform.  The dedicatory words of the dance started and we took position.  I could barely make out the faces of my family, but I knew they were seated in the largest stadium in the state. Both sets of grandparents had shown up ready to watch what I had been working so hard on for months.  Lying on the ice-cold court, ready for coach to cue music, my heart was pounding in my chest.  I was sure everyone in the stadium could see the girl on the floor, shaking like a leaf. 

When the music started, and we preformed what we had been working on for so long, it was amazing.  I was scared for all of us, but when I heard that beginning note a new, peaceful feeling settled over me.  I knew that my body was trained for this, and hardly had to think at all.  I had practiced for this moment and was ready.  This sudden calm side of me took over and I could feel the emotion pouring from my body.  Because we had practiced so hard, everyone knew exactly what to do.  This is what we had trained for.  As I looked towards the judges, trying to convey to them exactly how I felt, I could see my family cheering out of the corner of my eye.  Coach was crying in the third row, and as the song ended most of us were crying as well. 

We ran off the court and everyone embraced.  The tears of joy of competing mixed with the tears of sadness.  We were happy to have accomplished what we had been working for, but were sad that it all had now come to an end.  

Festival of Colors

Today some friends and i went to the festival of colors.  We had a ton of fun!  I had never been before so i was able to experience a new religions holiday and also throw chalk at a bunch of people.  We decided to go swimming afterwards

Hunger Games with my daddy

I went and saw the hunger games yesterday!!!  It was so awesome.  I was able to go with my dad last night and had a great time.  It was interesting to go with him because i learned how we have similar viewpoints when it comes to movies.  Both of us are analytical of movies and seem to think along the same lines.  After the movies we were talking and there was a part where she was moved away from the outside edge of the forest.  Both of us ended up thinking about how big the area was and how they managed to do certain things.  We are also the kind of people that need a logical explanation for things.  I thought it was really interesting how i could see these similarities between my daddy and i yesterday.

Increasing the involvement of families will decrease the risk of drugs and alcohol

Jessica Harding

Teacher: Lori Steadman

Writing 150

Rough Draft Due March 14, 2012

Alcohol and Cannabis use has become an increasingly common problem in our society today.  Many adolescents are highly exposed to these risk factors, and their families will not even know about it.  The majority of American families will not hear of the all too frequent offers that these teenagers have to try to use drugs or alcohol.  Increasing the relationship between parental figures and children will help children to stay out of potentially harmful situations and tell their parents when they are offered alcohol or drugs.  Increasing the family involvement with adolescents will decrease the risk of using Cannabis, alcohol, and other illegal drugs among the youth of America.  

There are many reasons that youth feel the need to use drugs.  Some of the reasons that people are influenced to do these things are because they don’t have a relationship with their parents that involves “family supervision, family communication, feelings of affection from the mother and a nonconflicting [sic] parent-child relationship, sibling nonuse of drugs, family loyalty, and family caring (word 4).”  All of these factors will affect how the adolescent feels about their parents and will increase their willingness to tell them what is happening in their lives.  Because they are more involved with their parents, the teenagers would be less likely to use alcohol or drugs.

Many times adolescents will be encouraged by family members not to do things that are detrimental to their health.  “Family attachment or strong connections between a young person and his/her family have significant protective influences against adolescent deviant behaviors: delinquency, alcohol, cigarette, marijuana, and illicit drug use (word 4).”  When adolescents are attached to their family, they more readily realize the effect that it will have on their relationship and also show them how using drugs or alcohol early on in life is bad for their health. 

Many times when the family is not stable, the child will resort to drug use as a way of escaping reality.  “A study on early adolescent children of substance abusers found that frequent family disruptions or family instability - especially the lack of a consistent parent figure - contributed to the risk of delinquent behavior, including drug use (word 4).”  Parents are the main example of what children should do.  When children do not have a consistent parental figure, they do not have that example to look up to.    This makes it difficult for the child to make good decisions because they do not have a consistent role model.

Many times when people use drugs or alcohol, it begins when they are adolescents.  Most teenagers want to rebel and try new things so, “Adolescence is a vulnerable period for experimenting with alcohol and drugs (word 3).”  When teenagers have a good relationship with other members of their family, it decreases the risk of wanting to rebel from their parents. This, in turn, will help these children not reach out to alcohol and drugs because they do not need to experiment with these things.

The availability of drugs and alcohol for underage children has increased since 1990.    “In 1990, about 25% of Grade 10 students [in the survey] reported to have used cannabis at least once in their lifetime By [sic] 2002, this figure rose to 45% (word 3).”  Because it is so much more readily available, these adolescents need to know why they should not use this drug and the harmful effects it will have on their bodies.  It is important to have parental figures telling the children in a kind way to not utilize these addictive substances.

Cannabis and alcohol are often referred to as gateway drugs.  Many times people that use these substances often are exposed to other, more harmful drugs.  “The risk for OID [other illegal drugs] initiation appeared 21 times higher among cannabis experimenters and 124 times higher among daily cannabis users than among non-users (word 2).”  This shows that when adolescents are in an environment that involves the use of drugs, they are much more likely to get involved with other illegal drugs such as LSD, hallucinogens, opioids, and heroin.

New gym pass

I started going to the gym when i got a free gym pass. I was so excited!  but than i figured out it was only free for three weeks.  I'll probably have to cancel it soon because its so expensive but i absolutely love it. Its so fun going to the gym all the time though and i love being able to go swimming, in the sauna, or the steam room whenever i want.  Its awesome!

President's Day

So the other day was Presidents day.  Many people went away for the weekend or did something fun.  All of monday i studied for my upcoming tests (Book of Mormon and French).  Almost the entire day was spent going over my packet for Book of Mormon and marking stuff so that i could remember it.  While trying to memorize all of these things my mom called me on skype.  I was able to discuss a few of the topics that i was learning with them and ask them questions and tell them what this packet said.  My mom decided that once i was done with the class, she would like to read the text.  It was a compilation of what prophets and apostles have said concerning the Book of Mormon, and also some things that show how the book of mormon is true.  Even though the class has a lot of stuff to do, I really enjoy all that we learn from it.

Dance quotes

So like i said earlier, i love dancing.  These are two of my favorite quotes.

Elder Bednars talk response

So our next assignment for freshman writing was to respond to Elder Bednars talk about "Things as they really are."  One of the main things i got out of this talk was how important our bodies are and that we need to take care of them.  The devil did not receive a body and is jealous that we have one. We need to make sure to do everything in our power to take care of our bodies.   It says "happiness consists in having a body."  In order to have physical feelings we need to have a body.  It also talks about relationships online versus relationships in real life. i  think something i need to focus on is having relationships in real life and not just online.  I have kept in touch with a lot of my old friends online and i usually make new friends through my old friends. Some of this can be good but i have realized that it makes it difficult for me to be outgoing by myself.  Instead I am going to try to be more friendly and sociable.  This is one of the things that i got out of this essay.  Also that i need to make sure to respect my body by eating well and excercising regularly.  Things have been stressful with school so i dont do these things as well as i used to, so i am going to start scheduling in time to do this.

Dance

So as you can probably tell by my URL i love dancing :)  this is one of my favorite quotes along with a beautiful picture

internet used for spreading good

Reading this talk by Elder Eyring taught me a lot about how members can use the internet to advocate for good in our society.  We do not just have to ignore the bad that can be online, but have a chance to put interesting, gospel related material out there.  He talked about the ripple effect.  The part that really hit home for me was how one person can effect a few others, but if many people post true, gospel related information the effect can be much larger. I think that even the effect our class will have could make an impact on someones life.  The internet is what people put out there and if we flood it with good, it will be that much more difficult to get to the bad.

M. Russel Ballards talk

Reading M. Russel Ballards talk about new media made me think about what i can do different.  It was very interesting to see what his thoughts were on how each member has the oppourtunity to influence a few people and how it can go out from there.  When thinking about it the first thing i thought of were the Mormon stories.  There are a bunch of adds on youtube about being a Mormon and how so many different people can be.  It was cool to see how people are pretty much taking this talk and putting it into action.  I need to start doing this in my life so hopefully ill be able to start with this blog.