Last year, my family bought a Cordoba C5-CE Classical Cutaway Acoustic Guitar from Guitar Center, in hopes that either my mom or I would begin to learn to play. It is designed as a classical guitar, but has a more narrow neck and a soft cutaway (the cutaway is the indentation in the body of a guitar). Although I am no guitar expert, as a beginner, I think that this is a really nice quality guitar. The nylon strings makes it easier to play, so that it does not cut into your fingers as much as metal strings would. And even though it has these softer strings, the sound that is produced is still very rich and strong. The guitar also can be played electrically, as it has a pickup system on the side, as well as a built-in tuner. The pricing is very fair, since it comes with many special features, and is only four-hundred dollars. I do not really have any complaints, except that the body is a bit thick and the neck of the guitar is wide, but that is only because it is designed after a Spanish classical guitar. The guitar also goes out of tune pretty easily, as I have to tune it every few days, whereas my dad's metal-stringed guitar stays in tune for much longer. I am really satisfied with our buy and hope that I can continue to improve on my playing skills wit this new guitar.
Since it is nearing Christmas time, today I will be teaching how to make paper Christmas baubles that can be hung up as ornaments on your Christmas tree. Materials Needed:
Step 1: Start by tracing twelve circles onto the colorful paper, and then cutting them out. You can use as many different colors as you like. Step 2: Stack all the papers together and fold them in half Step 3: Staple the papers together along the crease, once at the top and once at the bottom Step 4: Put a spot of glue on the top half of the circle, and press the folds together. Then, once you turn the flap over to the next side, put a spot of glue on the bottom of the new circle. It should end up looking something like this: Alfred Hitchcock was an amazing movie director. He grew up in London and developed a passion for film as he spent his free time going to the movie theatre. Hitchcock majored in art at the University of London during the early 1900s. He soon began to write his own little drafts and became employed as an assistant director at the Famous Players-Lasky company. He directed a few thrillers and then moved to Hollywood, where his films, such as Rebecca, Psyco, and The Birds gained huge, world-wide popularity. In a span of six decades, he directed over fifty films, most of which were extremely successful. Hitchcock's movies all have a very unique style and he is known for his dramatic and complex plot twists. He is nicknamed "the Master of Suspense," as the audience never seems to know what will happen next. Personally, my favorite films that he produced are Vertigo and To Catch a Thief, which are both extremely intriguing phycological thrillers, and I enjoy the tension and doubt that he provides the audience with. His movies combine all sorts of genres, such as comedy, horror, and action, making it a very entertaining watch for all viewers. All in all, Alfred Hitchcock seems to be one of the all-time best film directors, providing entertainment with his detailed and suspenseful scripts, as well as amazing casts. He is one of the main contributors that helped shape modern film into what it is today.
Sources: http://www.biography.com/people/alfred-hitchcock-9340006 http://www.lifetimetv.co.uk/biography/biography-alfred-hitchcock Billie Jean King is one of the world's most famous tennis players. She is also an important advocate for women's rights, especially in sports. King grew up in California, where she began to take tennis lessons and eventually became a professional tennis player. She won many awards, including 39 grand slam titles (grand slams are the four most important tennis tournaments in a year). Her style of playing is described as very harsh and quick, as well as somewhat impatient, however this agility is what has helped her to win many games. King's most famous match was her match against Bobby Riggs, which was dubbed the "Battle of the Sexes." Riggs was a famed 55 year old tennis player that was known for his disrespect for women's sports. He challenged King to a match, and although she initially disagreed, after he beat her opponent, Margaret Court, she decided to accept the challenge. King said that she was afraid that if she lost the match, others would become even more disdainful towards women's tennis and it would lower the self-esteem of many females. Over 30,000 showed up to the match, and it was also broadcasted on TV. King beat Riggs 6-4, 6-3, and 6-3, proving that women could play just as well as men could. After her victorious win, King spent her life promoting equality between men and women's tennis, so that women could get better pay and more opportunities.
Source: http://www.biographyonline.net/sport/tennis/billie-jean-king.html On Thursday, November 20th, Buffalo, New York was hit with a massive snow storm. This has been one of the largest and most dangerous snow storms that the US has seen in a while, as already "ten people have died, including four who suffered cardiac issues while they shoveled snow and one who died in a car accident, Erie County officials reported." Usually in a year, there is a total of about seven feet of snowfall, however, since Wednesday there has already been three feet of snow gathered. Many have died in these harsh conditions from plowing the snow, in car accidents, or due to health issues. Forty people are stranded at the local fire station, as the trucks and cars are unable to leave the premises, and food supplies have begun to run low. The County Executive says, "the major concern is flooding, but...the weight on buildings could [also] cause some to collapse." There forecast predicts that there will be heavy rains on the weekend and many are concerned that snow will soak up the rain, become heavy and collapse in buildings. There is also a lot of worry that the melting of the snow along with more rain will cause severe flooding. There has already been a report of cracked walls and ceilings at the Garden Gate Health Care Facility. Even though the snow has begun to clear up, New Yorkers will still have to take much causation in going about their daily lives.
Source: http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/20/us/winter-weather/index.html?hpt=hp_t2 As the world progresses, technology has improved and many things have become digitalized. In the article, Paper Books are Still Better than E-books, the author discusses how, "Physical books provide a better reading experience with touch, emotional connections and durability." Although many people nowadays enjoy keeping up with modern changes, there are still many of us that prefer the familiarity of a good old paper novel. Connecting with a story is a major part of the process of reading, and there is no better way to do that than to actually be able to physically turn pages, bookmark sections, and write your own notes on the pages. Personalizing a book can help the readers to feel closer to the author and characters. Owning a physical copy also makes it easier for the reader to be able to analyze or highlight important parts, as well as to flip back and forth between sections. He adds that, “a traditional book can get beaten up and it just adds to the emotional value of it.” There are a variety of cautions that the owner of an e-book has to take. Whereas you can spill food and drinks or drop a regular book on the ground and it will come out mostly unharmed, you need to be much more careful with an electric device, or the data can be removed and the device destroyed. E-books also require charging and using electricity, real books can be read anytime, anywhere. Even though books are books, no matter in what format, it is still adds up to a very different experience for each person.
Source: http://www.statehornet.com/opinion/paper-books-are-still-better-than-e-books/article_c3374cba-bd9d-11e2-b6da-0019bb30f31a.html I want to learn how to _____________, because_______________.
Current Event: Two Americans Freed by North Korea Arrive Back in the US, Reunited with Families11/11/2014 On Saturday, November 8, the last two Americans held captive in North Korea were finally released back to the US. Kenneth Bae and Mathew Miller had been detained in the North Korean prisons for months. Bae was accused of "plotting to bring down the government through religious activities" in April 2012, while Miller was convicted of "committing 'acts hostile' towards North Korea." Both men were sentenced to years of hard labor for their crimes. After the director of national intelligence, James Clapper, was sent by president Obama to deliver a letter to Kim Jung Un, the North Korean leader released the two men and allowed them to return with him. The government demanded an apology from Obama for Bae and Miller's alleged crimes, but acknowledged that the men had expressed regret for their actions and were well-behaving in the prison. Their family and friends are all extremely relieved to hear of there safe return. Although the Millers have been quiet since Mathew's return, Kenneth Bae and his sister have declared that they are happy that he has returned, but also declare that, "[Our] hearts ache for the people of North Korea...We know that there are many people in North Korea locked up like Kenneth was, and they remain apart from their families tonight." Bae has thanked the North Korean government for releasing him and claims to bear no anger towards them. He also is extremely grateful to Obama and the citizens of the US that continue to support his recovery.
Source: http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/09/world/asia/us-north-korea-detainees-released/ Reading books has been my passion since I was very young. As a child, my dad would read the Harry Potter series to me and although I didn't understand much of it (being only six or seven), I loved listening to the adventures of Harry, Ron, and Hermione. From then on, I started reading all kinds of genres: fantasy, adventure, mystery, etc. I have only ever enjoyed reading fictional books because I like being transported into another existence, where anything can happen. It takes me away from the mundane and boring life on earth and allows me to enter a completely new and exhilarating world. I can learn about different people and their lives, and even occasionally connect with their situations. Every weekend I go to the library to check out books. If we had a library at our school, I would probably spend most of my time in there. I love settling down in a quiet area and being able to just relax and open up a book. I believe that reading and writing is the best tool that humans have to share our ideas and knowledge, as well as to express emotions and provide entertainment.
Source:Engineering Books - ASME This quote shows the importance of following your own choices. The first part of the quote, "do not go where the path may lead," explains that a person should not live a life with the mindset of achieving a goal, and mindlessly follow the steps of others. Do not just go along with what everyone else is doing, and hope to be able to find happiness. The second half of the quote, "go instead where there is no path and leave a trail," is perhaps even more meaningful. It encourages people to find their own desires and invent new ways to attain their objectives. It is a great ability to be able to be unique and find a solution that is completely different from anyone else's. By doing this, you will start a new 'trail,' that can in turn encourage or inspire others. This expresses the great significance of being a leader instead of a follower.
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