Thursday, December 31, 2009

Why Mexicans Fear 2010

Forget 2012. As far as many Mexicans are concerned, the ancient Mayas were being generous: the sky's actually going to fall next year. Why? Because it's 2010, Mexico's bicentennial, and Mexican history has an eerie way of repeating itself. Mexico's 1910 centennial, after all, saw the start of the bloody, decade-long Mexican Revolution, which killed more than a million people. And that cataclysm was precisely a century after the start of Mexico's bloody, decade-long War of Independence in 1810.

You get the picture. As a result, there's been no shortage of talk lately about possible unrest, especially in the form of armed rebel groups, erupting south of the border in 2010. But is there really a basis for concern? None as apparent as the popular grievances that existed in 1809 or 1909. But this is still Mexico; and while Spanish colonizers no longer oppress the country, and dictators like Porfirio Diaz aren't brutalizing campesinos, the country nonetheless is reeling from the worst criminal violence in its history and one of its hardest economic slumps. "We are very near a social crisis," JosÉ Narro, the director of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) in Mexico City, said recently. "The conditions are there."

My Summary

What I think about this prediction about the Mexcians going to a brutal death or war is pretty uncertain. I dont think its going to happen there really isn't any recent news about the Mexican people going through some tough times. Well they always have problems but if you think about it all the gangs for example the Zetas they are a pretty big gang that are even coming to this country that we live in. Maybe the big war or death they are talking about will be from the Zetas or many other gangs. What if they want to go to war with the U.S and maybe start some big controversy that will end up in killing alot of people. But we will never know until 2010 which is going to be in ummm 9 hours. Pretty cool.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

3rd six weeks persanol narrative

My third six weeks starts out by me starting the third six weeks. Hahaha I was just playing no really my six weeks starts out good because the following week after the first weeks is Thanksgiving break. The week that we were off was one of the best weeks ever because I got to spend time with my girlfriend almost everyday and she also came over on Thanksgiving day with my family. The next week we went back to school and it was very tiring to get up on that Monday, it felt as if there was no more school left and we didn't have to go back but we did. Everything was okay and things could of been okay but I failed my algebra 2 test when we got back. I failed it because I didn't study during the Thanksgiving break. Things are getting better in school but not that good with my girlfriend but in school they are great my grades improved alot when I got my report card I was shocked to see my grades so good. The class that I was most shocked about was biology I thought I was going to fail that class but no I didn't and it was a good grade too I had gotten a 69 and now the second six weeks I got a 80 so I was happy. So things were going great and at ROTC these Marine recruiters went and told us about all of their things and the scholarship they offered and they aslo mentioned this Marine P.T training they hav every week. So me and my friend went to their training and it was awesome because they made us run 2 miles and did alot of push-ups and sprints and it was just awesome, but it was to weak for me I was expecting a little hardcore stuff from them so I don't think im going back. What I did find interesting was this Navy recruiting station right beside the Marine one but it was closed that day. So I'm going back because I want to be a Navy SEAL. I want to be the best of them all. After a few weeks Christmas break came and it had its good moments and bad. The bad moment was i broke with my girlfriend and got back with her the next day so it wasn't that bad and I got my girlfriend a necklace for Christmas and she loved it very much and on Christmas eve at church I came out on the Christmas play and I was nervous but it came out good. So far everything is good nothing is going bad except for my biology project that I might not do because I dont understand it. But so far that is my 3 six weeks.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Healthcare in the U.S.

Healthcare in the United States, as of right now, limits how many people can be covered by government funded insurance associations. Out of all the people living in the U.S. only approximately 20% is covered by any kind of health insurance and of those uninsured, 85% are naturalized or natives of this country. Although many insurance reforms have been suggested, our government has failed to put the sufficient amount of importance on this subject. In 1993, Bill Clinton proposed a major overhaul of the U.S. health care system that would provide universal health insurance within the decade. Apparently this did not occur and now after almost 16 years of waiting, President Obama has stirred up the nation’s awareness of the gravity of the situation. Healthcare has many negative attributes that many people within our nation are unaware of.

Healthcare in the U.S. greatly benefits the older citizens of our nation. Senior citizens from the ages of 65 and up make up most of the insured population. Surprisingly many of those suffering from terminal diseases have no medical coverage and are drowned in medical bills. The United States is the only industrialized nation that does not guarantee access to health care as a right of citizenship. There are approximately 47 million people who are uninsured of which 8.7 are children. Believe it or not working families are the ones who are experiencing double-digit increases in the costs of health insurance, more out-of-pocket costs expenses and have to pay unbelievable high prices for prescriptions. Deductibles are increasing and many companies who offered health insurance at more affordable rates are being forced to increase rates for their employees which force them into having to eliminate health insurance for their families as a whole. Although older citizens have the right to health insurance and most are covered somewhat, 32.5 million seniors and people with disabilities have been forced to pay higher premiums and other Medicare costs. All this information proves that something isn’t right with our healthcare and needs to be changed.

The U.S. government hasn’t paid much importance to this and only cares about receiving their share of profit. The decline in our economy has greatly contributed to the drastic change in healthcare coverage. With such little money entering into lower class family homes, health insurance is the last thing on the list of bills to pay. Over half of bankruptcy is due to medical bills. How it is that one of the most countries in the world has not placed the level of importance on this matter as it is needed, I am not sure but finally we are taking a stand. Our health insurance plans have many negative attributes such as high premiums, lack of coverage on prescriptions and little coverage on emergency hospital visits. Eighteen thousand people die each year because they are uninsured. Our healthcare doesn’t cover much but medical expenses keep increasing. Older citizens, people with disabilities, children and those suffering from terminal diseases should receive extra help when it comes to medical insurance but that is not the case.

According to the UN Human Development Report, “The uninsured are less likely to have regular outpatient care, so they are more likely to be hospitalized for avoidable health problems. Once in hospital, they receive fewer services and are more likely to die in the hospital than are insured patients. They also receive less preventive care. Over 40% of the uninsured do not have a regular place to go when they are sick and over a third of the uninsured say that they or someone in their family went without needed care, including recommended treatments or prescription drugs in the last year, because of cost.” “Over a third (36%) of families living below the poverty line are uninsured. Hispanic Americans (34%) are more than twice as likely to be uninsured as white Americans, (13%) while 21% of black Americans have no health insurance.” Many of the deaths caused are due to the patient being unaware of their condition. Those who are uninsured are obviously less likely to have a regular doctor and can go years without being a disease being detected. Hispanic are more likely to have health insurance in America than actual American natives. The U.S. Government should put the same amount of energy in working towards acquiring health insurance for their legalized citizens.

The U.S. not only has a horrible economy at the moment, but is not spending enough time focusing on the well being of the people. If only health insurance was available at a more affordable rate then more would be covered. You would think that after looking at all the facts things would have changed but they haven’t. According to the UN Human Development Report, while the United States leads the world in spending on health care, “countries spending substantially less than the US have healthier populations.… The infant mortality rate for the U.S. is now higher than for many other industrial countries.” Money is not the issue it is lack of concern.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Game Boy makes the Toy Hall of Fame

The best-selling portable system ever is now a hall of famer.

In honor of its revolutionary features and impact on pop culture, Nintendo's original Game Boy has been inducted into The National Toy Hall of Fame.

"Over the past two decades, Game Boy has become synonymous with hand-held gaming fun" the Hall said in a release. "Its portability and efficient design, ability to allow simultaneous multiplayer gaming, and scores of intriguing games (like Tetris and Super Mario Land, featuring Nintendo's already-iconic character Mario) make it a true innovator."

The Game Boy beat out nine other classic toys -- including Hot Wheels, Cabbage Patch Kids and the Rubik's Cube -- to earn a spot as one of three inductees in this year's class. The others? The iconic Big Wheel and the ubiquitous "ball," which somehow took a decade before getting the green light. Who's voting on these things, anyway?

Nintendo's potent portable is now the second video game system to earn Hall honors, joining the landmark Atari 2600, which was inducted in 2007.

My summary or opinion

I think it's awesome that they finally put the Game Boy on the hall of fame. That game has been around for a long time and I think it's one of the most sold items from its time period. But seriously who votes for these things. I would like to vote for toys. They should induct the Superman toy but that's just my opinion. I wonder what other toy will be in the Hall of Fame. I didn't even know they had a toy Hall of Fame. Who would of thought. What next thing you know there going to have a food Hall of Fame but I don't how there going to find out which is number one. Good luck with that.

What happened? Michael Phelps misses finals in two events

Superman had kryptonite. Michael Phelps apparently has non-polyurethane swimsuits.

While wearing an old-style swimsuit, the 14-time gold medalist failed to qualify for two of three finals at a World Cup meet in Sweden today. Phelps finished 16th in the 100 freestyle, was disqualified in the 100 backstroke, but qualified seventh in the 100 medley. Most of his competitors wore the high-tech suits that dominated the swimming world this year.

Since those body-length, polyurethane suits will be banned starting January 1, 2010, Phelps went back to an old textile suit (which was thought to be the height of technology when it was released in 2008) to prepare for the change. But was that really the reason he flopped so badly in Stockholm?

It played a role, but no suit could ever make 15 guys at a World Cup meet faster than Michael Phelps in the 100 freestyle. There were a number of factors which led to Phelps' poor showing today:

1) It was a short course meet. Instead of the 50 meter pools used in major international competitions, these races were held in a 25 meter pool (like at your local pool). Swimming is swimming no matter what the setting, but short course races focus more on sprint techniques like fast starts, quick turns and explosive strokes, not Phelps' forte.

2) The events weren't his specialties. As mentioned above, Phelps isn't a sprinter. He's trying to mold himself into one, but the goal is to get there by the 2012 Olympics, not at an off-peak meet in 2010.

3) This meet isn't important: Before the meet Phelps said he was "not in the best shape". His next big event isn't until next August. Him losing these races is like Tom Brady throwing two interceptions in a preseason game. It won't worry him one bit.

4) The suit. We didn't say the suit played no factor in the losses. It's probably fourth on the list of reasons Phelps lost, but there's a reason those suits were involved in nearly 100 races last year that lowered the world record. They're fast. But, as Phelps showed in Rome, when he's at his peak he's able to overcome technology. He's not in top form now. And in 51 days, he won't have to contend with technology either.

My summary or Opinion

I think that Michael Phelps lost just because I think he wasn't having a good day. I don't think it was because of what he was wearing or maybe the other suits did have an advantage but I think they should have made the competition all the same attire. Besides that competition wasn't for no medals or anything so maybe he didn't want to try or maybe he just got tired of being first (but who ever gets tired of being first). I think what he is trying to do is maybe to attract attention and then at the Olympics he just bust out with him winning first place again and coming out as a BEAST again!!! Or maybe he just sucks now I don't know.

Friday, November 6, 2009

My pictures with my teachers

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Millions worldwide would like to switch countries

WASHINGTON (AFP) – Some 700 million people worldwide, or more than all the adults of North and South America combined, think the grass is greener on the other side of the fence and want to permanently move to another country, a poll showed Tuesday.

Residents of sub-Saharan African countries were the most likely to want to move abroad permanently, the polls conducted in 135 countries between 2007 and this year by Gallup showed.

On average, 38 percent of the adult population in sub-Saharan Africa, or around 165 million people, said they would up stakes and head for another country if they had the chance.

The most popular destination was the United States, where nearly a quarter of the 700 million -- around 165 million people -- said they would like to settle.

In joint second were Britain, Canada and France, each being named as the preferred destination of around 45 million people.

Thirty-five million said they would go to Spain, 30 million to Saudi Arabia, and 25 million each to Australia or Germany.

The least likely to want to emigrate were Asians -- only one in 10 Asian adults said they would move to another country.

Nearly 260,000 people aged 15 years and older were surveyed, either by phone or face-to-face, for the poll, which has a margin of error of around five percent.

My summary or opinion

What I think about this article is that people who want to move the United States think that there lives will get better. But in reality it wont get better at all because for example people from Mexico they think that if they come to America there lives will get better but they wont. The reason for that matter is because they see all these advertisements,T.V. commercials about how good America is but when they come they find out that there lives get worser than they were in Mexico. So I think that People who live in the U.S. think that there lives will get better somewhere else but they wont. So I think that people who live in the U.S. should just stay in the U.S. because there lives my get worser somewhere else.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Manu snares bat

SAN ANTONIO (AP)—The Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (notes) showed off his quick hands— capturing a bat.

“That was amazing,” teammate Tony Parker (notes) said after the San Antonio Spurs beat the Sacramento Kings 113-94 on Saturday night. “The legend continues with Manu. Unbelievable. … He’s always doing crazy stuff.”

Late in the first period a bat swooped into the AT&T Center and descended onto the court. Players scattered and officials stopped play. The bat circled and left only to return—briefly.

That’s when Ginobili performed his Halloween trick, swatting the bat out of the air with a bare hand. He then carried the creature off the court to thunderous cheers.

2nd six weeks of annual personal/academic portfolio

2nd six weeks personal narrative

My second six weeks starts out bad because I found out that I failed two classes. One class that I failed was biology. The reason I failed my biology class was because my teacher is not a good teacher because I don't like the way she teaches and I knew that everybody from my class was going to fail that class and I was right everybody did fail her class and the rest of her classes. So I went to my counselor to talk to him about that class but he said to comeback during the 3rd week of the second six weeks to see if anything changed. Which I haven't gone to go see him yet ,but I know that I'm going to fail this six week again. The other class that I had failed was World History ,but I know why I failed that class. I failed that class because I was lazy and didn't try at all to do the project that Mr.Detrixhe had given the class but now I know that the project was a big deal to my grade. So what I'm doing now is my project for Mr.Detrixhe. The first and second week were ok because I tried hard on all my classes especially on biology because that's a really hard class to pass and I think I improved on all my classes and this six weeks im going to pass all my classes. My third week of the six weeks I forgot to go to my counselor and the fourth week and the fifth week but I'm going to go on the six week which i think is a little late but still. The other thing I did during the second six weeks was join the wrestling team and I took the hydration test to see if i had water in my system which I passed because the day before the test I just drank water. I took the PSAT which I think I did really good because it wasn't as hard I thought it would be except for the reading part that was kinda hard for me and I think it was hard for everybody that I asked. I also joined rifle team for my ROTC class on the third week of the second six weeks. I got put on the A team which is way better than the B team. I don't know why I got put in A team if I don't even know how to spin a rifle yet but i will learn. I thought being on rifle team was going to be easy but it's not as easy as it looks becasue you have to learn like thirty questions about the rifle and the uniform. I also thought spinning the rifle would be easy but no it's really hard to spin and it's heavy but I will learn. So basicly thats my second six weeks and I'm going to try harder the next six weeks.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

My Obituary

My name is Uriel Garcia and I have just finished high school from Skyline 2012 woo!!woo!! Well now I'm going to a college that is in Fort Worth that will help me in completing the career that I took in Skyline , Aviation. Once I'm done with the five years of college that I need I will move to Florida and pursue my real dream of being a WWE wrestler. I plan on doing all this in minimum of 7 years and by that time I would be 25 years old still young and I will get married with Maria by the age of 27 and have a son or daughter in a year and in total of my life I am going to have four or five kids. When me and Maria get married we are going to have the biggest wedding ever made and for the honeymoon we are going to Paris and Miami. Also one of my goals is to wrestle with Rey Mysterio and Thriple H and I also want to make a movie and be a moviestar and a wrestler at the same time and I want to go down in history as the best wrestler that ever existed and make it into the Hall of Fame. When I build my house my house is going to be a three story house that is going to have on the first floor the kitchen,living room,dining room, library, and a computer room. The second floor is going to have five rooms but the stairs that go up to that floor will go in and separate in two one going to the left and the other to the right in a arch. the third floor is going to be a big master bedroom with a jaccuzi installed and a really huge shower that fits two people and a refrigerator with wine and chocolate syrup and chocolate covered strawberrys and it's going to have a porch so you can look outside or just get fresh air. Finally there is going to be a guest house outside and another house but that's where all the arcade games are going to be at and a very huge pool outside and a basketball court with very artistic taggings on the basketball court. Well I think that pretty much sums up everything Im going to do. OHHH I forgot I'm also going to live till I'm 200 years old.

me at Six Flags with the Batmobile

me at a 15 during the summer

another picture

I got a dog over the summer which ran away already

My girlfriend Maria

My future career

And thats just me right there

That's my future house

My Summer of 2009

My summer starts out by me getting out of freshmen year and going to my friends house and going to go play basketball with all my friends from my home school Woodrow Wilson High School. I think that was all i did the rest of the day. My first week of summer was boring because I really didn't do anything I just sat home either listening to my Ipod or I was on the computer. Then after my first week of summer passed I remembered that I had to go to summer school in week. Right after I realized that I had summer school coming up I went out with my friends and we went to Celebration Station, which is like a different version of Chuck E. Cheese except it has two floors,laser tag,go carts, and a mini golf course.When me and my friends went to Celebration Station we went when it was a lock-in ,which means that it opens at midnight and it close at six in the morning but during that whole time from midnight to six they dont let you out.The good thing about it was all the games were free and the laser tag,go carts,and even the food was free. I remember when we were there i was full of energy and me and my friends went to the laser tags like 8 times and soon it got to the time where it was about four in the morning and i got so tired I wanted to go to sleep and there was like five people sleeping on the floor and watching them made me want to lay down to. I would lie down on the air hockey machine and sleep while we waited for the line for laser tag. After that I sort of slept for two days straight and soon that day came where I had to start summer school and sure it enough it came. My first day of summer was okay it wasn't all that good. I took summer school at my home school Woodrow Wilson High School which i finally got to see the inside of it and it's a pretty beat up school it looks really old and it smelled old. Even my mother said it smelled bad when she went to go enroll me in. So after a while i got to know more people and I met to girls I forgot there names but thats the two people i only talked to in that class. Both of the girls I met went to Townview and one of them was in law and the other was in bussiness. So I thought they would be smart and they would help me out with geometry which was the class I was taking but it resulted that they knew nothing and that I just had to do my best to pass that class and get my credit. It turns out that geometry isn't that hard and that I was smarter than the rest of the class because everybody would get twenty's on there progress reports and I would get ninty's it made me feel so smart and people would try to copy me and I would feel like a smart person. Soon summer school was over which I think went by really fast and I passsed with a ninty one. Which is the hightest grade in math I have ever gotten since like 7th grade I felt so proud. Right after summer school was done there was this church event at my church it's called Vacation Bible School or known as VBS. VBS is a summer program that last a week and it's for little kids from ages two to thirteen and I signed up to be an assistant teacher and they did use me as an assistant teacher and they put me with Maria the girl i have had a crush on since she came to our church and I wasn't going to let this opportunity just pass by so I worked my magic with her and everyday I made her want me until it came to sunday and she held my hand during church and I told myself in my head mission accomplished. So that was pretty much my summer and oh yea I also went to Six Flags I forgot but that was at the end of summer but anyways yea I'm still going out with Maria and on October first will be our third month together.

Annual Personal/Academic Portfolio