Entry #10 The Power of Music

In today's blog, I will talk about the influence of music. Our behavior and emotions can be greatly influenced by music. It can act as the background music for our lives, greatly impacting our attitudes and behaviors. While slower music can calm our minds and induce relaxation, upbeat music can excite us and increase our motivation and productivity. A song's impact on how we feel is influenced by its melody, rhythm, and lyrics, which may cause a range of emotions from excitement and joy to sadness and nostalgia. Whether we realize it or not, music frequently acts as a mirror to our deepest emotions and ideas, increasing or decreasing them while we listen.

Music has always been an escape for me, a way to relax and connect to some great songs. Music is my go-to when I'm feeling stressed after a long day or just want to have a moment of relaxation. Every genre, from the smooth rap flows to the passionate jazz innovations provides an experience of its own that encourages me to explore different emotions and thoughts. The power of music to create a web of sound that deeply connects with us through melody and lyrics is what makes it so appealing. Some of my favorite artists are Lucki, XXXtentacion, Peezy, PesoPluma, Tee Grizzley, Kodak Black, and more.

Every song is a work of art and a tribute to the diversity of their own experience and emotion. Music has the power to bring us together, whether it's through the pure honesty of a touching song or the contagious energy of a dance hit. I find that music is very special because it creates a sense of connection and exploration. Music speaks to the spirit directly and leaves a lasting impression on our hearts and brains because of its depth and simplicity, which cross the borders of language and culture.

Entry #9 Media Synthesize

My knowledge of the impact of social media has increased from class and as a result, I have been paying closer attention than ever to what I consume from social media. The hidden motives, narratives, and biases that take over different media outlets are something I've been more aware of. Whenever I come across statements on social media, television, or the news, I find myself questioning their accuracy and honesty. I've become more careful about the things I choose to believe and tell other people thanks to this newly developed important perspective.

I've started to notice how media consumption affects people's perspectives and behaviors by observing how they behave. Clearly, media has a big influence on how people think and act, from how they interact with the news to what they buy because of commercials and advertisements. I'm now more aware of the possible effects of the media on people and society in general, especially when it comes to developing specific opinions, maintaining stereotypes, and affecting public opinion. 

As I consider my own media consumption, I see how important it is to choose the information that I expose myself to with purpose. To gain a better understanding of complicated topics, I've started to look for a range of perspectives and information sources. Also, I've started to take responsibility for carefully consuming the content that is given to me, confirming claims, and taking into consideration the messages' hidden objectives. I want to explore the world of technology responsibly and try to develop a more excluded and educated society by increasing my awareness of the media I consume and its potential consequences.  

Entry #8 Green Book Movie

This weekend I saw a movie called "Green Book". The film tells a moving story about the odd relationship that developed between Dr. Don Shirley, an African American pianist, and Tony Vallelonga, an Italian American driver, while the two were on a concert tour in the 1960s in the segregated South. Together, they encounter a range of problems and stereotypes along the way, but with their shared situations, they build a strong friendship based on respect and understanding. Tony spent his whole life in the Bronx and it's pretty much the only world he knows. Dr. Don Shirley is an amazing pianist who gets paid to play in front of white people to feel cultured even though they discriminate against Dr. Don Shirley. 

My experience watching "The Green Book" was upsetting. Seeing the racism and discrimination Dr. Shirley endured due to the color of his skin made me feel both angry and sympathetic. But even in the face of struggle, I was impressed by his determination, his sense of dignity, and the bond that grew between him and Tony. I connected strongly with the movie's message of overcoming discrimination to find common ground, which was an important reminder of the value of empathy and compassion in bridging differences. 

You can access this movie on YouTube, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV.

In the end, "The Green Book" gave me a feeling of confidence and empathy. Even with all of the unfairness shown, the movie serves as a lesson of how friendship and understanding can break down the strongest social barriers.  That gave me additional respect and motivated me to work toward constructing a more open and compassionate world. It also strengthened my belief in the adaptability of the human spirit and the potential for positive change. 10/10 recommended movie. 

Entry #7 Hashtags

 Hashtags have altered social media interactions and connections, becoming an addition to today's technology society. A hashtag is a term or phrase that is used to organize things on social media platforms, attached by the pound symbol (#). Hashtags enable people to find relevant topics in their own interest, engage in conversations, and express themselves clearly and logically on social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, etc. 

I do make use of hashtags, mostly on Twitter and Instagram. They are useful, in my opinion, for connecting with people who have similar interests and increasing influence. For example, I shared a picture of my new skateboard. I used hashtags like #skateboards or #bakerboards which is the skating brand of my board and I used these hashtags to draw in followers who also value both skating and skating brands/fashion. I try not to use hashtags constantly because they can come out to be bogus or obnoxious. 

Hashtags are more than merely a trend on the internet; they have their own significant cultural, political, social, and professional effects. For example, hashtag activism has given people the ability to spread the word about significant issues in society and inspire groups to take action. There have been noticeable changes in society as a result of movements like #BlackLivesMatter and #MeToo, which have encouraged significant conversations about structured racism and gender injustice. Also, hashtags are effective tools that professionals and organizations may use to market their goods, increase brand recognition, and interact with clients. All things considered, hashtags have opened up communication by making it possible for anybody with an internet connection to engage in global conversation and influence shared ideas.   

https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/hashtag-activism-hashtag10-twitter-trends-dresslik/.  

Entry #6 Video Games

 Playing video games is a way for me to escape reality. It's a way for me to step into different worlds where I can forget about my stress for a bit. I play Fortnite and Call of Duty most of the time and I can feel the excitement of competing against other players. It's fun and helps me forget about any stress I might have. I also play FIFA and this game lets me pretend I'm a professional soccer player, controlling my favorite teams and players, and in my last favorite game, Skate 3, I can skateboard around cool places, doing tricks and having fun without any real-life consequences.

In Fortnite and Call of Duty, you really have to outthink your opponents to win. FIFA is awesome to score goals and win matches against my friends and family, even if it's just in a game. Skate 3 is more relaxed. I can explore the virtual city, skate around, and do tricks without worrying about getting hurt. It's a chill way to have fun and escape from reality for a while which is what I do a lot. I take breaks between games since I'm aware that playing too many video games can occasionally make me feel tired or less interested in socializing. I feel better when I go outside and spend time in nature rather than spending all of my time playing video games. Maintaining a healthy balance between gaming and real-world activities is necessary for me. Otherwise, video games help take my mind off things in the real world while having fun and enjoying things in my interest. 

Basically, I chill and take a break from life by playing video games like Skate 3, Call of Duty, FIFA, and Fortnite. These games allow me to enter into new worlds where I can have fun and briefly forget about my problems. But I am aware that to maintain balance, it's important to take pauses and spend time outside. In general, playing video games allows me to relax, enjoy, and truly engage myself in my interests in a video game. 

Entry #5 Local Story Respond

 As someone who goes to college and lives in Arizona, thinking about higher education is important. When I read the articles, "Ducey: Why Arizona needs more college grads" and "Earnings potential goes up a lot for Arizonans with college degrees," I feel a lot of different things. These articles talk about why it's so important to get a college education in Arizona, both for your own success and for the state's economy. But they also make me think about how not everyone has the same opportunities to go to college. 

I know from my own experience and from watching my family and friends that having a college degree can make a big difference in someone's life. My mother is always telling me how good having a college degree is because it's something good and sure to fall back on. It can help you get better jobs, make more money, and feel successful. The first article talks about how Governor Ducey believes we need more people with college degrees in Arizona to help our economy grow. The second article gives numbers that show how much more money people with college degrees can make. As a college student, this helps me understand how valuable getting a higher education is these days. So, going to college is like investing in a better tomorrow for yourself and for everyone around you. 

In the end, while these articles show how important college is in Arizona, they also remind me that not everyone has the same chance to go to college. I think it's really important for our state to make sure that everyone has a fair chance of getting a college education. We should support ways that help more people go to college and overcome the obstacles that are holding them back. By doing this, we can make Arizona a better place for everyone to live and succeed in.

Entry #4 Skateboarding

 Over spring break, I decided to give learning how to skateboard a try. I wanted to explore new hobbies, rather than just relax and do the usual things. I thought, "Why not give it a shot?" because skateboarding always looked fun and cool. I spent the break improving my learning skateboarding skills and performing tricks on my own. Although it was really hard, I could feel my skills becoming better after each attempt. It was a great way to spend my break, and I can't wait to see what I can do after a year of practice. 

 

I became interested in skateboarding because of a movie called "Mid 90s." I felt strongly motivated after seeing it, great movie by the way! The characters in the film seemed to be enjoying the time of their life while skating around and having a good time. Therefore I decided to attempt skateboarding. Like the movie's characters, I wanted to experience the same adrenaline and sensation of freedom. Even though there's a chance of getting banged up, the thrill of skateboarding makes it all worth it! Some tricks I got to learn were an ollie and pop shuvit. Skateboarding gives you a sense of freedom and opens your eyes to new perspectives on looking at the world. Skateboarding is also a thrilling way to pass the time when I'm not in class or on the soccer field. This helped me stay entertained and active. 

 This movie can be found on HBO Max or YouTube.

Overall, I took advantage of having a whole week off from my regular schedule to explore this strong passion.  Not only did I learn how to skateboard over spring break, but I also enjoyed the opportunity to follow new interests unrestricted by my usual routine. The thrill of skating is common to everyone, regardless of skill level, making it a constant source of adrenaline and enjoyment for people of any age. Skateboarding is a lot of fun and I would encourage everyone to give it a try!