Ozzy77's blog

Dear Readers,

Like the title's namesake, this blog is about a recent experience that is just too good to be given one name. This past 4 days make up the best half-a-week of my 18 year life. During this time period, I went to UT for orientation; I registered for my classes for the fall, I met new, cool friends of both sexes, I got to check out my housing,I got my school I.D., and I got accepted into the programs of my choice. I also learned a lot about the city of Austin. Austin is one of the most awesomest cities I've ever been to in Texas, probably only behind North Padre Island and Corpus Christi. The radio stations in Austin aren't exactly the bomb, but still I enjoyed the weather, clean air, and the city layout. I found my way around campus well, and I utilized the map that the OA guides provided to its full extent. I also discovered that the scores that I sent to the school will all be accepted as credit hours. I got a free CD featuring Matchbook Romance, M1, Hellogoodbye, Tom Vek, Blackalicious, and some other bands, and I have been listening to the CD non-stop since I got home. I even met a friend that I haven't seen in two years since she transfered high schools, and it was good seeing her. I made a lot of friends in my wing meetings and at the Big O Comedy Show!. I even ate at Chipotle's for the first time, and it was on the Drag (Guadalupe St.)! This entire orientation was the shizznit, and even though I couldn't get First-year Portugese because it was full, I was able to switch it out with an equally exciting class, History 311K, History of Traditional Africa. I am looking forward to school starting in the fall, more so than I've even been since tenth grade. I feel this year will be much better than senior year, better than junior year, even better than sophmore and freshman years, which are still two of my best school years from Kindergarten to 12th grade. This year will rock, and I think that is the key; Go into the year with a positive mind-set, put forth my best effort, and everything will turn out just fine. At this time I would like to send out a "Good Luck" to all you college freshman entering college this fall. Pray for me to do well, and I will pray for you. I conclude stating that this orientation is another favorable experience in an excellent month of July; First, I passed three AP tests and recieved credit for all of them, then I got my loan forms out during the first week. I have just finished a great orientation session, and now, I feel I've finally found a job where I might actually get it since they already called me for an interview. I hope the rest of you enjoy the rest of your summers, and take care and be safe.  Read More »

 Dear Readers,

I have recently been thinking about the way young children learn; The way in which they take in information and experiences around them and learn new skills and ideas. It is truly amazing to watch children curiously discover new things by simple experimentation and observation. However, learning subjects in school, especially elementary school, doesn't spark the interests of many children. Instead, the children become more interested in learning social skills and communication techniques with their friends. I have thought of many things I would do in order to encourage my child or children to enjoy learning information in school so that he or she won't suffer from an academic defieciency later on in junior high school and high school. There are alot of things parents can do to help their children excel and advance in school. One, parents can take the austere route, like my parents did, and make education number one and punish the young kid for poor performance in school. This method is very effective since it pressures the kid into doing good scholastically, but I wouldn't recommend it to today's parents who no longer spank their kids. The way that I would go about helping my kids excel in school is I would stress the value of a good education with my kids and hold educated conversations with my kids. That means no baby-talk, and I would support educated discussions among my kids in a family-meeting type atmosphere. Also, I would encourage my kids to read the encyclopedia, or at least look at the cool animal pictures; It helped me as a kid, and I learned a thing or two from the World Book encyclopedia. The more your kids dig for things in the encylclopedia, the more interesting articles they will run across. They can learn a lot from reading a random encyclopedia article. Another thing that help kids learn when they are young is a structured environment with rules and expectations; this type of environment must be created in the household early in the child's development, before kindergarten. Also, you can watch educational television programs with your children, and you can explain some of the words and images to them. They learn more words and terms this way. As a parent, I would stay clear of cartoons such as Ed, Edd, and Eddy, The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy, and Spongebob Squarepants mainly because they show no educational pursuit and don't inspire or challenge the child to think critically. The last tip I have is for the parents to provide music in the house, preferably music without lyrics. A piano, not a baby Grand or an organ, but just a plain Baldwin piano is a great investment for parents of young children. If you play the piano, and if you teach your kids to play, then they will enhance their memory, their musical ear, and their creativity. This helps a kid focus in on their ability to think and use their mind to remember and produce musical sounds that they hear. Being an uncle, I help teach my nephew and niece by encouraging them to play the piano. The kids make up songs and even try to replicate the songs that I play just by hearing me play the songs. My nephew has developed quite the musical ear. All of these tips help to improve the kid's mind, thus improving his or her potential in academics. If your kid has great potential, most kids do, but just has a problem doing the homework or completing work, then first, addess the issue as a serious problem. Tell the kid that he has to complete his work because it will make him smarter, like a superhero or cartoon character. Next, challenge the kid to do the work by making it a contest, and by rewarding him for a good job. Then if this doesn't work, then administer discipline to the kid as necessary to show the kid that an education is important and expected in the household. Usually, the kid decides to work, not only to keep the belt off of his butt, but to satisfy his own curiosities. One final tip, if the kid insist that learning is boring and not fun, correlate learning to certain interests of the kid. If he likes dinosaurs, teach him things about dinosaurs, then ask him if he remembers the information later that day. This helps build listening skills and memory skills, both very important skills to exceling in school. Feel free to use the techniques and methods that I have just outlined in this article to work to improve your child's or children's learning, and help him or her reach full potential.  Read More »

I am a fanatic when it comes to books, especially novels. I enjoy getting pulled into a good story with a great cast of characters, thrilling theme, and an important message or lesson. Some of the books I read don't reveal a message, or may not contain a hidden message. I still like these books because I always learn something from the book and I always find a way to apply that knowledge to my everyday life. Whether it includes learning a new fact in History (which is usually is), or discovering something for the first time in a field I know little about, I always take something from the book. Well, with all of the many novels I've read, some required reading, some in club membership, others for just personal enjoyment, I have mentally constructed a list of my fifteen favorite novels, (actually, one of them is a play). I had to think back to how I read the books, how I felt after reading them, and how well written the books were. This list is as follows:  Read More »

Despite the title, this blog is not about Adolf Hitler or his death. Instead, this blog is a commentary on the display of celebration, euphoric jubilee, and jocular jest at the recent death of the terrorist leader, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. On many of the news stations and news update shows, Zarqawi's death has been poked at by parodies and satires that make his demise seem comical. Now, Zarqawi, much like Hitler, was a killer of many, a threat to innocents, and a belligerent despot. However, his death should not be celebrated as if his death marked the beginning of the Vernal Equinox, or if his death was the beginning of the New Year. We must keep in mind that another human was killed; another person was led to an early and painful demise. Another soul was lost in the epic battle against God and Lucifer, against spirit and flesh. Another person has joined the ranks of the army of the fallen angels. No chance to redeem his soul from eternal hell-fire. Well, I guess in a way, his death was practical, but by no means should it be flaunted as a red banner. This would reduce the media and modern society to the level of tribal huntsmen; the very ones who used to stick decapitated heads of their foes on pikes, as a warning to other enemies. Many people probably figure that even if Zarqawi was captured, he would've still recieved the death penalty in court. Well, I am not a fan of the death penalty; actually, I am very opposed to it. I believe life in prison is a better punishment than the death penalty. However, that can never come to pass because he is dead. Such a sad situation; No eulogies read, not a tear was shed, for the world did not cry when Zarqawi died.  Read More »

Dear readers,

Now I know I am probably one of the most doubtful people when it comes to religion and God's activism. (I simply mean how active God is in our daily life as a whole.) In an earlier blog, I proposed the idea that God operates on a 50% free-will, 50% divine intervention rubric, system, whatever you wanna call it. Well, while I believe day to day decisions, and secular things are decided on by free-will, the greater things, like physiological functioning, mercy, and fateful destiny are determined by God. For example, when I was out getting my required immunizations for college this past week, my mom started telling me about how she has to get a bi-weekly (or monthly) shot to help her body produce hemoglobin. At first I just nodded, yea, yea, I know. Then when she told me her count, which was very low because the span between the numbers was like 20 to 30 digits, I began to put all the info together. I had forgot my mom has Sickle-cell Anemia, and only one kidney. Now I learn that her blood count is low, which is dangerous considering that at any time the red blood cells she does have can twist into sickle shapes, lose oxygen, shrivel and die, and not be able to carry blood to the rest of the body. I felt bad when I heard this, and it pains me everytime I think about it. I am know convinced that there is a God, and like my mom said, She is a "walking miracle"; A sign to the world that their is a God working on our behalf, watching over us, letting our bodies operate in homeostasis. It isn't done by man, it isn't done by evolution and adaptation; It is done by our creator, God, by whose hands we are "wonderfully and fearfully" made. Only God could keep the flow and balance of billions of people at once. Now, God does give us choices with our bodies. We as humans, must make the choice to eat healthy, intake minerals and chemicals in moderation (like glucose and sugars), and exercise, work, and sweat to keep our bodies fit. Yet, remember that even if you make a bad choice and splurge on chocolates or toke too much weed, there is a God watching over the physiology of your anatomy.  Read More »

How many people out there like the new song "Danny California" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers? (crickets chirpping) Tough crowd, eh? Well, anyhoo, I like the song and the video, as well. I am thrilled about the band getting back together. Another band that is getting back together (if rumors hold true, and usually they do) is the Smashing Pumpkins. Smashing, don't you think. I am anticipating their reunion, and I am sure they will release at least one hit solo. Another old group that got back together is Slayer. I'm not really a fan; Actually, I hadn't heard of the band until a couple of years ago. But it is awesome to hear them on the radio airwaves with new songs. My only concern is when is No Doubt gonna have their reunion. Gwen is still young, vibrant, and making songs. Now all she needs is to grab the guys, and they're a band again.  Read More »

After watching The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (I know, I should pick better sources for citing! Sue me!), I understood that the NSA, the National Security Agency, are in fact keeping track of our phone calls, their destinations, the numbers and extensions that are dialed, and the name of the two-parties on the phone line. I was surprised to find out that the phone companies are just voluntarily handing out this information. Yet, I still suspicion there is more going on, and I think that the Bush administration is forcing the information out of the phone companies. If you were a measly phone company, would you give in to a few thugs threatening to whup you a**? No? Not only does the government have access to gangsta-like thugs, the government has a whole military at its disposal that answers at its beck and call. So, I ask again, if you were just a phone company, would you slip information to a government that threatens to use every force and might they have to make you extract the info? Just as I thought. I don't know if you believe the right to privacy is an important right or not, but to me it is. Without the right to privacy, the unalienable rights, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, are useless. Who wants to live in a place where privacy isn't guaranteed or protected? Would you want to drop trou in a bathroom while a million eyes are looking? That is pretty much what the government is doing when listening in on our phone calls. This government is made for the people, by the people, and we retain the final say in whether our privacy should by attack and infiltrated. Help get the word out to the government that we don't want them spying on our phone calls, or other private things for that matter. We don't want "Big Brother" on the other line while conversating to someone in private. So in order to get privacy, we must demand it! One other thing, how many times do you walk out of the room when you want to talk to someone in private?  Read More »

Dear readers,

Now that school is done and over with until fall, and now that the summer break is upon us, don't stop learning completely. No. Educating yourself with information about the world around you is very important and key to your mental growth. Surely you can enjoy yourself; Play outside, go to a party, watch DVD's for a few hours, go beserk. But by all means, remember to pick up a book or watch an enlightening program on T.V. for a while each day. I don't expect you to read non-stop for an hour or two each day, nor should you try to at first if you aren't used to it. Gradually add a little reading into your schedule, even if it is reading a short story by Guy de Maupassant or a news article from the newspaper. Reading keeps your mind thinking grammatically and enhances your knowledge about the English language. Also, it is fun once you get into a good book and really begin to understand the storyline and meaning.  Read More »