Rwanda

Watching the debate between the Hutus and the Tutsi was a great experience and I learned a lot. In my opinion everyone is to blame accept the Red Cross. Though being in the position of the RPF, the one I would blame would be the Interhamwe. I just have a really hard time understanding why they would go around slaughtering people.I think that the Tutsi were innocent though because they were only tying to fight back and protect themselves. There is no excuse for that because whether the Interhamwe were brain washed or not, people are people and they make their own decisions. Now, I am saying this as a member of the RPF and as taking a step back and saying it myself.
I learned through the debate that a discussion like this can open your eyes to other things and make you learn in a whole new way. I learned more about individual groups because I was the kid in the class who understood things the day before the debate. So, I really didn’t understand anything. I was greatly involved in the debate and felt proud of myself as well as Mr. Fielder. Things I didn’t know that I learned in the debate were; Belgium made the identity cards, the Interhamwe was brainwashed by Juvenal, I learned more about Paul Kagame and Romeo Delaire. Everything was just very helpful and I felt that that was the easiest way to learn. I hate learning through margin noting or just taking notes like we always do (no offense Mr. Fielder.) I just don’t remember anything or learn that way because nothing makes sense and it all comes so fast so nothing sinks in. So leave a comment and let me no whether you agree with me or not. I’d love to know what you think. Thanks!- Kyla Christine=)

American Scholar

The American Scholar
When choosing a career, you don’t have to specialize in one thing. You have many options and can specialize in many things.
Emerson and I have the same point of view on this topic. Man is not only doing his job, but becoming his job. Also, that man should and does know about more than just what he does for a living. I believe that some people do this today yet there are others that just focus on one thing. For example, say I am a psychologist. I should know more than just about the human mind. A quote from Emerson is “man is not a farmer nor a professor, or an engineer, but he is all.” This holds true in certain cases such as in physical therapy. You need to know genetics, diseases, how the body works, and physics. Those are the types of things Emerson is talking about.

photography

I love photography with a burning passion. I can’t wait to take in next semester!! I can make an amazing picture out of absolutely anything. My favorite type of photography is black and white. Otherwise I like really bright colors. I also like to be in front of the camera. So far I have had two photo shoots. I liked my second one better than my first one because I looked really young in my first one plus I had braces. Anyway, I really appreciate the beauty and time that is put into taking a good picture. I love setting up a scene and choosing different scenes. I also love editing pictures. I know this is really odd but I just love to do it. Someday I would like to be a photographer. I would want to be the type that goes and take pictures of people like somewhere in the city or downtown. The picture above is of me sitting on railroad tracks and it is my first photo shoot. I was very nervous and I loved it. After I was done I wanted to do it over again. I gladly got to do another photo shoot but it was not the same. For the first one, I got to go to downtown Howell. I also had many different outfits to choose from. For the second one, the setting was at home and I only got to wear two outfits but I was still happy with the outcome. I am not sure, but I am getting another photo shoot done. If I am lucky, then my pictures will get sent into some agency and I will get to get photo shoots done for money and for a big store or company. That would be amazing. I am NOT a model (I have gotten that question many times.) I do not think that modeling would be a career choice for me for many, many reasons so I think I will stick with photography. To check out some examples of the photo shoots go to pattimargaritaphotography.com. She was my photographer and she is amazing. Let me know what you think of her work and leave a comment…thanks!
Xo xo,
Kyla Christine=)

Giving it another shot

I started playing volleyball when I was in 4th grade at St. Mikes. My mom was one of my coaches and most of my close friends were on the team with me. It wasn’t difficult to make the team-it was 4th grade, after all. Throughout the season, I began to love the sport and got to be pretty good (for a 4th grader.) In 5th and 6th grade, I made the team again. During both of those seasons, I got much better and felt pretty confident about moving up to the Varsity 1 or 2 team in 7th grade.
Try outs for the varsity teams were held in mid-August and were three days long. I had grown a lot taller over the summer and thought that I had a great shot about making the team. St. Mike’s is the kind of school where kids get REALLY GOOD at playing sports at an early age, so the competition is tough! There were a lot of girls trying out with me, but again, I felt sure I would make the team. At the end of try-outs on the very last day, we all received an envelope that contained a piece of paper. On that paper was the answer to whether or not I made the team. I will never forget opening that paper in the car after try-outs. My step-dad picked me up and my mom was waiting for me to call her at home as soon as I found out. I even told my step-dad, “I KNOW I made it-I’m not worried!” As I tore into the envelope, I realized how small my slip of paper appeared. It didn’t look like there was any information printed on it about when practice would be or anything. I opened the paper up and to my shock, sadness, and surprise, it said that I did not make the team. It didn’t help that the phone rang a second later with my mom excitedly asking if I made it or not. I was so upset.... It was at that moment that I vowed to myself, my mom, my step-dad and anyone who was within earshot that I would “NEVER TRY OUT FOR VOLLEYBALL AGAIN!” For a few weeks after that, I sank into a slight depression. I mean, I was used to practice with my friends and games and tournaments, and now I wasn’t even on the team! It took a few months, but I finally got over it. In 8th grade, I didn’t even give it a second thought-there was NO WAY I was gonna try out for volleyball.
That all changed when we went to open house here at Stevenson this in past winter where incoming freshman could tour the school. I walked into the gym and saw the volleyball table with a sign-up sheet for people interested in trying out for the team in the fall. To my surprise, my mom, who was touring the building separately from me, had already put my name on the list of people interested in trying out. I didn’t really think about it at that time, but I didn’t take my name off the list either.
Over the summer I didn’t attend any camps or clinics, but I did go to open gym at school to practice. After that first practice, and after I saw how good everyone else was, all of my old fears and insecurities about not making the team came back. Between my mom pushing me to try-out and me changing my mind a thousand times, I finally decided I’d give it another shot. After a week of try-outs and more feelings that I was making a big mistake, the final cut was made and….I MADE IT! I could not believe it! I was so amazed that I actually made the team! A few of my friends from St. Mike’s also made the team so I didn’t feel completely alone on this new team of girls that I’d never met.
Our season is coming to an end next week and I can’t say the season has been easy by any means. Between 10 hour-long tournament days, practice five times a week, drama between girls on the team, long nights of trying to get homework done after a game, and hard work physically, it definitely HAS NOT BEEN EASY! But I have learned so much along the way. I learned that I should never say never (like I did when I vowed to “never” try out again.) I learned that some people that you thought might be an enemy could actually turn out to be the friend(s) that you didn’t know how you lived without before you knew them. In fact, some of our most fond memories are yet to come-like homecoming this weekend!!!! Most of us are going together in a group and I cannot wait! I learned the TRUE definition of “team” instead of thinking about “me” or “I.” And I learned one thing about myself-if I set my mind to something, the possibilities are limitless. Being on the team this season has taught me to never sell myself short or believe that I “can’t” do something. All I can do is give it my best….fate determines what will happen from there. I don’t know if a spot on the J.V. team next year is going to be a reality for me or not. I do know that I will try out and at least give it another shot.

HALLOWEEN

October 31 is the day that most children look forward to in the year. All they think about is candy, costumes, and decorations. Personally, I love Halloween myself. It is one of my favorite holidays. It is right up there with Christmas. I love dressing up and pretending to be who I am not. I love going out late and getting free delicious candy with my friends. I love the excitement of getting scared and not knowing what will pop out at you. I love the haunted houses and the fall season itself. It’s all amazing. The fall season is personally one of the most beautiful times of the year. All the leaves are changing and the weather is not too cold and not too warm. My favorite thing of all is going to the cider mill and getting warm cider and donuts. THAT IS THE BEST!!!! My favorite is the glazed donuts and my favorite candy bar is Milkyway. Something I would like to try this year is going out and getting candy in one costume and then going back out again in another costume and getting even more candy. Tonight is Devil’s Night though and I can’t wait to see what happens tonight. I am probably going to egg some houses or tepee them with toilet paper or maybe take soap and write all over the car windows. Sounds pretty fun huh? My fondest memory of Halloween was when my cousins and I once made a haunted house in my basement at my dad’s. It was just about the best haunted house made by 12 and 13 years old if I do say so myself. We had a smoke machine, a tanning bed that was turned into a coffin, a huge spider web the covered the whole basement, and a huge bowl that looked like real bloody brains. It was definitely a lot of work to put together and clean up. This year I don’t have much to do. I think I maybe going to a party for a while and I was going to hang out with my boyfriend, but he is still sick. So I guess I will just make last minute plans. I hope anyone who reads this blog has a great Halloween and a fun devil’s night. Stay safe and be smart!
Xo xo,
Kyla Christine Hunter=)

HALLOWEEN

PIGS GALORE!

H1N1, swine flu, deadly disease, either way you put it, it is still a horrible, nasty thing. What is it you ask? It is a highly contagious form of influenza caused by infection with a filterable virus first isolated from swine. In other words, wash your hands and stay clear of people who have it. This disease/flu is worldwide (not good.) Now there is something new for it. There are some vaccines and things of that sort to help with the swine flu. To keep yourself safe well as your family safe. Last but not least I can also think of the shots. I hate shots or sharp objects in general (I could never get a shot even if it's for swine flu!) As you can see, there are many more ways to treat the H1N1. Back to the swine flu suit; the suit is covered with titanium dioxide which is a chemical used in toothpaste and make ups or lotions and such. This chemical breaks down when coming in contact with light and supposedly kills the virus upon contact. Isn't that sweet?!?!?! www.news.cnet.com is the website if you want to check it out. It looks just like a business suit that you can wear any day of the week to any formal party or event. The nasal spray would personally be my second choice for swine flu safety. Then again, people have died from getting the nasal spray so I would not take my chances. “What is the difference between the nasal spray and the injectable vaccine for H1N1, or swine flu? Just as there are two forms of seasonal influenza vaccine available to the general population, vaccine makers have produced two vaccines to prevent H1N1 infection. The nasal spray vaccine is a live virus that has been weakened so it doesn't cause disease in healthy people. The injectable vaccine contains an inactivated, or "dead," virus. The nasal spray vaccine can be used only in certain people: You must be between ages 2 and 49 and have no history of major health problems. The vaccine is not recommended for pregnant women. Remember to discuss these issues with your health-care provider.” That information was from www.washingtonpost.com. The Washington Post is a pretty reliable source so I would recommend it. Well, the people who have H1N1, I hope you look into these three things. Leave some comments and let me know how you feel about the suit, vaccine, and nasal spray.
Xoxo, Kyla Christine=)