Happy Mother's Day!!!!!

Before I begin this weeks blog I would like to take a second to thank you all the mothers in the world. It takes a lot of patience, love, and care to be a great mother. I personally want to thank my mother, Amanda for everything that she has done for me. Being a single mother with two kids is a hard job, however my mother has done a terrific job raising my brother and me.
Now back to my school life and more importantly English class.... This week in English class I finished everything for both of my Spring Inquiry presentations. If you are not up to date with everything for my Spring Inquiry project, I have been split up into two different groups. All the groups I am meet up last week and decided that because our essential question was a three parted question we decided that the only way to fulfill the requirements for the Spring Inquiry project was to split the group up. My two groups consist of the second period group with Serena, Jackie, and me and my fifth period group which consist of Shanynthia and myself. The second period group finished everything for the project page this week including the abstract and the visual creation. Serena and me concentrated most of our energy and time in making sure that everything for the project page was included and that our visual creation was completed to perfection. Serena and me decided that we would interview Krista (Urban Ecology teacher) and Maria (Multi Media teacher) because they were both in long term serious relationships and we wanted to see how they both got to this point in their relationship. The only problem that Serena and I had with the visual creation was that we did not have enough time to complete the editing part of the creation because their were so many technical difficulties. As for my fifth period group Shanynthia and I decided that we wanted to make a jeopardy game, so that the audience and our presentation could interact with each other. The only problem that Shanynthia and I ran into with our visual creation was actually getting the opportunity to meet with each other. Shanynthia has English fifth period and I have English second period, so its really hard for us to meet, but we really communicated through Google Doc's and calling and talking to each other, so everything worked out very well in the end. I am really excited to present next Tuesday, because both of my presentations are on the same day and I am really excited to present to everyone, and tell everyone how they should be dating or what the experts say.

Thank you fellow BLOGGERS!!!

To all of my devoted blog readers I wanted to say thank you, thank you for going through this rough journey that many would call "senior year" with me. Without you my devoted blog readers I would not have a reason to write or a friend to lean on, so once again I say thank you. Now I have got that off my chest, lets talk about what I have done this week in English class. This week in English class all of my group members and I got together and split up the presentation and our abstract. Now that we have organized our presentation/abstract I am so happy because now I can focus on just my part of the project. This week I am also happy to announce that I have finally picked what school I am going to. However I will not announce it on this blog until I have let the other schools that I have been accepted to know that I will not be attending that school. But if you are dying to know just e-mail me/ call me/ or ask me in the hall way. I am very excited to go to college next year and I am very happy that I have chosen what school that I want to go to, so that I can now just focus on that one school and relax. Hopefully this summer I will be able to visit the school and check out where I will be spending the next 4 years of my life. I am also very excited for GRAD NIGHT!!!! I really want to enjoy this once in a life time senior experience and have fun, and most importantly just chill with my friends. Fellow bloggers we only have a limited amount of time with each other so please continue to read my blog and leave me comments.

What is going on in English class?

Hey fellow bloggers, this week in English class we started working on the final conclusions for our Spring Inquiry project. My group has been split into three different mini groups, so that we can present effectively and creatively. For the presentation portion our three groups consist of the second period group; Jackie, Serena, and myself, then there is the third period group; Jackie and Julia, and the fifth period group; Shanynthia and myself. The reason that we have decided to split up the group was because we wanted to have diverse conclusions and focus on different aspects of the very controversial inquiry question of "why we are attracted to what we are attracted to/why we love/ and who is Mr. Right and how can single women find him? The second period group has also decided to try the dating advice research on an actual person aka my wonderful government teacher Eli Cameron. For about 4 months now my group has been reading several dating advice books to help see how people are attracted to each other, and to see how match making experts would advise single individuals. Because of all of our recent knowledge we wanted to see if it really worked, so we ask our wonderful government teacher Eli Cameron to be a Guinea pig to see if the advice is actually conclusive. For this experiment the group will first see Eli's current dating process regarding all aspects like how he approaches a woman. how he starts the conversation, and how he arranges for a first date. Then we are going to see how Eli is on a first date, including his behavior, what he talks about, and how he responds to his dates information. After we have specifically interviewed Eli to see how he currently dates we are going to put him through a dating boot camp. In this dating boot camp Jackie, Serena, and I will advise Eli on what a woman really likes. Because most of our books we woman dating advise books we are going to advise Eli on what women are being told to do, so that he is aware of the woman's behavior through out the date. After dating boot camp Eli will use his newly found dating knowledge with speed dating. Therefore Eli will have multiple trails on giving the woman the right first impression. Although this sounds like the perfect plan for our project we still need to find a speed dating place for Eli. Most of the places that we have called have said that Eli is just too young. Which bothers me because can't young people me looking for love too? Anyways, after our project planned the visual/media abstract for our presentation we called tons of dating experts, so our group could have a professional expert's advise within the abstract. After calling over 30 different love coaches, marriage counselors, and match makers, our group finally found a match maker that was willing to give us an interview. The interview was perfect and now I feel like we have a true professional opinion within our project.

JM Kearns is a Love Genius! Blog 22

Hello fellow readers, for the last couple of weeks I have taken a break from school to enjoy “Spring Break” which was a much needed vacation from school and work in general. I wanted to take this time to update everyone on the last book that I am reading for my Spring Inquiry project. To remind all the readers the book that I am currently reading is “Why Mr. Right Can’t Find You” by JM Kearns. Currently I am in the middle of the relationship advice book and I must say that I am officially addicted to this book. At first I was a little skeptical on the advice that JM Kearns was saying and I think that I was so doubtful because I didn’t want to admit the secrets that every woman is in denial about when it comes to her love life. Some interesting tips and advice that Kearns suggests is that women recognize that any place and any time is the time to meet Mr. Right. A lot of the time women are thinking there is a certain time and place that they will meet Mr. Right, however JM Kearns that there is no certain time to Mr. Right, when the time comes and you feel a strong connection with someone then just go for it. Kearns also suggest that women go to bars alone, now I know what you are thinking fellow readers/ bloggers, who in the world would go to a bar by themselves, but hear Kearns out. He suggests that women go to bars that are safe and a place where you may know the bartender or someone that will protect you if needed. Don’t go to a bar where you know you will feel uncomfortable and may feel in danger. However if you do have the opportunity to go to a safe bar by yourself, you will have the upper hand. Because man will feel like they can approach you without your group of girlfriends that will probably herd him with questions. Going to a bar by yourself always men to feel comfortable approaching women without all of the pressure.

Update on my school life... Blog 21

Hello, readers lately I have been updating you guys on what is going on with my spring 2011 Inquiry project, so I have decided to update you on my school life and what we have been doing in school lately. Right now in school I am experiencing a little bit of "Senior Syndrome." School right now isn't like it used to be. Lately I have been feeling like I am so not ready to graduate. Everyone keeps reminding me all of the responsibilities that I will be taking on after graduation. I hate thinking about my future 5,10, and 15 years from now. Right now I just want to get through senior year instead of worrying about what I am going to name with my children. But right now I am going to be like Jordin Sparks and take one step at a time, because there is no need to rush.
On the other hand if you are desperate to know about "Have Him at Hello" please do visit my project page located on the Spring Inquiry Project page, under Relationship Advice.

Be Yourself.... Blog 20

Right now in “Have Him at Hello” author Rachel Greenwald talks about what “date breakers” are for men. Greenwald defines date breakers as things that men do not want to hear on a first date and the top ten reasons why you will not be getting a call back. The first reason Greenwald says that women don’t get a call back is because she plays “The Bitch in Boots” this is the woman that doesn’t seem nice and often has a tough exterior. For example if a women goes on the first date with a guy and constantly reminds him that she is the boss of her company to show that she has power and that she is independent. The second character that a woman often plays when she is dating a man is “The Blah”; “The Blah” often refers to women that leave no impression. The date wasn’t bad and it wasn’t good, it was in fact nothing special and left the man thinking of something totally different at the end of the night. The third character that a woman often plays when she is dating a man is “The Park Ave Princess” which is the stuck up girl who wants it all. She is very demanding and very spoiled. “The Park Ave Princess” often brags about what she has and what she can get. She might not always be her own main provider; it might be her parents or even her rich uncle. The fifth character that a woman often plays when she is dating a man is “The Closer”. “The Closer” is the woman that is often on a mission to find a boyfriend. She is in strict interview, asking questions pertaining to the far far future, like how many kids do you want, where do you want to live, and what’s your monthly income. Which is all too much for the first date? “The Closer” can also develop a nasty habit of being a “Stage 5 Clinger”!!!! This is when a woman will not stop calling, e-mailing, phoning, or texting a man. Which according to Greenwald is a big NO NO!!!???? The sixth character that a woman often plays when she is dating a man is “The Flasher”. “The Flasher” gives off a negative vibe without even realizing it. She might often talk about her boyfriend, or something bad that happened at work or even worse something bad that happened to her girlfriends, cousins, uncles, nephew’s baby daddy. This is another NO NO!!!! On a date a guy wants to hear about you in a positive light. He wants to hear what you have accomplished without bragging about it and what you plan to accomplish without digging to deep into the future. Next week I will continue reading what a guy really hates on a first date and what character women often play when they go on a first date.

I personally think that Greenwald is right about absolutely everything. I can personally fit into all of the descriptions and characters that women can be on a first date. Surprisingly I think that I can fit into all of these descriptions. When I am around some people my personality really shines and when I am around other people my personality is overshadowed or doesn’t come really shine. I think it’s all up to my comfort level. I think that when women look for man they look for someone that they have to look perfect in front of, which then makes women put up this tough exterior when all they need to do is be themselves. Men should love you for who you naturally are, not of who you try to be.

After reading this section of the book I really thought about the movie “He’s Just Not That Into You.” For those that are not familiar with the movie “He’s Just Not That Into You” the movie portrays woman that often fall for guys before they fall for them, as the women continuously date they learn that maybe some guys just aren’t that into them, which is okay because some guy will be someday. As I was reading “Have Him At Hello” I felt bad for my fellow woman. I often think that we do think a guy is really into us because we are really into them, but it could be the opposite, sometimes we get the wrong impression and the guy really doesn’t just like us. I think that when women don’t get a call back from a guy after a date they think it is their entire fault. However sometimes it just not a right fit for a guy or the guy might have some issues of his own to deal with so he can not be in a relationship.

Have Him at Hello: Blog 19

The second book that I started reading for the spring Inquiry project is "Have Him at Hello" by Rachel Greenwald. This is a dating advice book that is aimed towards women. So far in the book I really enjoy and relate to a lot of mistakes that women make while they are dating. I am really enjoying this book so far and I cannot wait to continue on the the second half of the book.
So far in “Have Him at Hello” by Rachel Greenwald, Greenwald talks about the top mistakes that women often do on a first date that makes men not want a second. One top mistake that women make on a first date that make men not want to ask for a second date is the fact that women share too much one a first date. The first date is to get an initial reaction to someone to see if physically you like them and if you both partners have the capability to even start a relationship. It is in the second date where both partners really get to know each other. Another mistake that women make while dating is suspension that they have done something wrong. Whenever a women does not get a reaction that they think is positive they often think that something is wrong and it is their fault. When in fact what they could have said or done was not negative but just sparked something in a man’s past that reminded him of something else, women always think that if something bad happens it is their fault.

I personally think that Greenwald is right when women do not get the reaction they are look for they automatically think that something is wrong and it is their fault. I personally am very guilty, whenever I send a text or make a phone call and don’t receive a response or call back immediately I think that maybe the text was stupid or I offended the man that I sent the text to. Instead of think that they might have been busy, or that they never received the text.

I can relate to what Greenwald is saying about the first date or initial meeting between two partners. I think that women go in to the date thinking they have to tell the man their life story. I think that men often get really suffocated by the overload of information that the woman has told them.

The End of "Why We Love" :Blog 18

Finally I am finished with “Why We Love” by Helen Fisher. As you may or may not know I have been updating my blog readers on my progress with “Why We Love” and I know you’re wondering Sydney… Why do we love? Well I am going to tell you what I have concluded from that “Why We Love” however this is merely just an opinion. I would personally suggest that each of my blog readers read “Why We Love” so that you can conclude you answer on why we love. What I concluded from author Helen Fisher’s research on why we love is to avoid being alone. Fisher once states in her book that at one time in our life, we will began to feel depressed and lonely, almost to the point that we are in a suicidal state of mind, and having a partner we can avoid feeling that way. When two people are in a healthy relationship you each complement each other. When two partners are together each partner looks to each other for self esteem and confidence to survive. Note, this is why it may hurt when your partner calls you some type of rude name. When two partners break up with each other, each partner will feel depressed, angry, and may reacted error rational. At the end of “Why We Love” Fisher talks about how the differences between men and women. There are many differences that Fisher brings up about men and women’s attraction and how they attract each other. Men usually pick women that can fit in their life style. Men pick women that can get along with heir friends, parents co-workers, and overall life style. One the other hand women pick men based on status, financial ability, and controlling tendencies, and outside appearance. After reading "Why We Love" I thought a lot about the movie "The Ugly Truth" which was supposed to be a movie about how men think more sexually and women more so look at a man's intelligence. However Fisher reveals that both men and women both think of intimacy just as much.

Women in the back seat?: Blog 16

In the next section of Why We Love by Helen Fisher she goes into the things that couples that today are doing to keep the love in their relationship. Fisher surveys and interviews several couples to see what they do to keep romance alive in their relationship. One of the biggest things that each married couple said that they still have to do is keep the intimacy alive, by continously responding to their partners sexual desires. Fisher also surveys married couples to figure out their connection towards each other. Fisher explains that men have always jockeyed status to win mates and how women have a more emotional connection and often connect to another mate my personal reflections on themselves or other people. Women are usually attracted to status, money, time and connections. Men however can sometimes be attracted to the opposite. Men are more so attracted to the "fit " that women can balance into their lives. Fit meaning how they interact with friends, parents, co workers, and overall life. If women will be controlling or let the man be the leader.

In class this week we talked a lot about true love and where that comes from and if a soul mate can last forever. I think that this part of the book can very well answer that. I think that romance can last forever if the partners are welling to sacrifice for each other. In Why We Love Fisher explains that intimacy is one thing that each partner must provide for the other. I think that together is a sacrifice that each partner must make for each other. I also think that Fisher was right when she explained what men and women are attracted to. I think that women for the most part are attracted to a man's status and how controlling he is towards her. I think that women do look for men that will take the lead and show power within the relationship. Rarely do you hear women paying the bill on the first date and women opening the car door for a man. The man is expected to do most of the physical work in the relationship.

I agree within my Mr.Right list I do look for a man that can take control when it is needed. I am personally not attracted to someone that wants me to do all of the work in the relationship. I do also expect for the man to be chivalrous towards me and open the car door or any door in that manner and to pay the bill on the date, and overall live up to the expections that have already been set out for him. I remember that I met a guy and I really liked him however I refused to call him because I thought that it was the man's job to contact that girl. So I waited and waited and three months later the guy decided to call me and well we were talking he asked me why I never called him. Not only was I surprised at his question I was apauled that he expected me to call him. This is just one example of how women expect men to take the lead in the relationship.

Why We Love: Helen Fisher.... So far: Blog 15

Retell: “Why We Love” written by Helen Fisher is the study of why humans love. So far in the book Fisher talks about a study she explores with college students. Have of the college students in here study are in love, and the other half have just broken up with their significant partner. Fisher uses an efficient technique to look at how the brain reacts to their significant other. During an M.R.I test she has the student look at a picture of their significant other and then she has the student look at a neutral picture, to see how the brain reacts to the memories with the significant other. Fisher writes about the brains reaction to heart break and the trauma that it personally causes to the brain. Fisher writes about a student named Barbara who started off as a student that was deeply in love with her boyfriend and what was supposed to her soon finance Tim. However during Barbara’s time in the study her and Tim broke up. Fisher noticed that after the Barbara’s break up from Tim that Barbara lost weight, became paranoid, depressed, and had a deep since of hatred. Fished concluded that the when someone is in a relationship that the brain becomes very dependent on that personal for energy and comfort. However when a sudden break up happens the brain yearns for that loving feeling so much that it is like a withdraw reaction.Respond: When first reading how the brain reacts after a break up I associated it with drug or alcohol withdraws. When the brain becomes so dependent on someone and loses that significant other they will do anything to get that partner back.Relate: Although, I have never been in a “serious” relationship I can see that being in love is like being on a drug that gives you a constant high. When author Helen Fisher describes the withdraws people get after being in love it really reminded me of the withdraws that people get when they first get off of drugs. Paranoia, annoyance, anger, rage, depression, and bitterness are the basic emotions that happen after someone has broken up with their partner.

Final Propsal: Blog 14

This week in class our final proposals for the Inquiry project were due. My group and I still decided to keep the topic that we originally chose, which was the art of attraction. Our overall question is what are single dating books telling single individuals to do? To be completely honest I am very excited to research the art of dating books. In a dream world I would love to make an experiment out of my Inquiry project by having an actual single individual to try a dating book on. I would love to take a single individual and have them read the same dating books that I am and actually go "out on the prowl" and use the tips that they were advised, so that I can make conclusions based on accuracy instead of my and other love coaches general opinion about dating. However this experiment is not possible, however after reading my dating books I will talk to a professional dating coach and a professional marriage counselor. In the end I hope they will both give me a perspective about how relationships start and how relationships through the cracks and breaks of life end. My hypothesis is that what first fuels any relationship will be the thing that most people hid on a first date like their financial responsibilities in life. After reading each book I will blog about my finding to update my readers on the accuracy of my hypothesis.

Mother Tongue :Blog 13

This week in class I focused on writing an essay based on Mother Tongue by Amy Tan. For those who have never read Mother Tongue, the short narrative is about a girl growing up with a mother that does not speak proper English, she speaks what we would call "broken" English. In my essay I focused on the fact that American society being obsessed with perfection and not really accepting someone that does speak English. I personally think that American society judges people unfair when the speak broken English, because society tends to think that people that speak broken English are lower class and are not as smart as others. I think that we should stop judging people based on their English and recognize that English is not everyone's first language, and others may be proficient at speaking another language. At the end of the day English is not America's official language. If it was then Mandarin and Spanish could not be on the voting ballot.

What makes a "hot" guy "hot? :Blog 12

This week in class we are reading what is proposed to be the first tale in anglo-saxon the language that was first started in English, which is Beowulf. Although we are reading Beowulf in class, I am not going to discuss any more details on Beowulf, but I thought that you should know what we are mainly doing in English class. In English class we are also working on our second Inquiry project. My group and I have collectively decided that we want to study the qualities that make a “hot” man. For every girl there is a “hot” attractive guy out there, and my group and I want to discover what each of us looks for in a guy to deem him attractive. My goal for studying what makes a “hot” guy is to uncover the truth behind my ideal guy. I personally would like to have a well researched list on qualities that I find attractive in a guy. My only question for my readers is why books do you think we can read to help us with our study.

English: Blog 11

This week in English we are study the history of the English language and the different languages we use in our daily lives. The more I study the English language the more I start to discover how many different language I speak in my life. For example my father is from the British Virgin Islands, so he has an island accent and sometimes uses strange phrases. For example when someone does something crazy or stupid he might say “are you got in your head” which means why did you do that, are you stupid? Another place I use a different language would be at the salon. Whenever I get my hair done I might use words or phrases like touch up, relaxer, hot comb, edges, kitchens, press, or naps. And whenever I text my friends I use a lot of acronyms like omg, lol, g2g, brb, gtl, fml, and lmao. On my mother’s side of the family they speak pig Latin, usually when they speak in pig Latin it means they don’t want me or anyone else to know what they are talking about. One day I hope to learn how to actually speak pig Latin so that I will be able to understand what they are talk about.