THE PRiCE 0F 0UR FUTURE

Just $400 billion - 0.8% of global GDP. That's how much money one of the world's leading economists says governments around the world need to put towards "green" policies that will ensure global finances and the global environment prosper in the 21st century.There's a catch, and it's a big one: the money needs to be set aside by this summer and spent by mid-2010.The former chief economist of the world bank, Nicholas Stern, and three leading economists have compiled their report under the auspices of the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change. Their aim was to determine whether it made sense to solve "the two great crises of our time" one financial, one environmental - in one fell swoop.The four were co-authors of the 2006 Stern Review, which estimated the economic cost of tackling climate change.

i W0NDER

One day last week I was in chemistry class and we were learning about polar and nonpolar chemicals. To help us better understand how polar and nonpolar chemicals interact with other chemicals, Mrs.Wenzel did a mini experiment. Stryofoam is a nondegradable material that builds up over time in landfills. Acetone, gasoline, kerosene and etc. are nonpolar chemicals and can break down stryfoam. These chemicals if concentrated well enough can not affected the human body and can be used to recylce styrofoam materials. If we were able to think of this in high school, why hasn't this been used to help our land fills out. Doing this could be a BIG help for our pollution levels and could change out future. Tonight when I meet with my sponsor I am going to present this information with her and hopefully spread my information with the world. I figured I have to start small first and then I will eventually get some where with this. There is no reason to have this knowledge and not do anything about it. I hope my plan works out and I can get this going making it a law. It's amazing what you can find out!

GETTiNG RiD OF PLASTiC

Mr. Abrams brought to my attention an article in the Philadelphia Inqurier about a women by the name of Beth Terry who got rid of plastics in her life. For two years now she hasn't used or brought any items that were kept in plastic containers such as mustard, because her favorite mustards are all in plastic containers, she makes her own. Even though she has not gotten rid of her telephone and computer moniter she is trying to become a conscious consumer in those areas as well. This article is close to my project because I'm all about reduce, reuse, and recycle and it's nice to see other people are as compassionate as me. I start my volunteering this Thursday and I can not wait! There are many things I would like to bring up such as nondegradable things such as sterofoam and ways we can recycle them. I also can't wait to go to Medford and Camden to the aquarium and to a wild life relief site. Seeing stories like these makes me feel like I'm not alone on my fight about trash. I also want to start on my trash sculpture soon.http://www.philly.com/inquirer/magazine/39300712.html

QU0TE 0F THE WEEK

Today while I was in Freshman Seminar class, my students had to read a quote and write about it in their journals. The quote said " No one can drive us crazy unless we give them the keys." After I got done reading that quote, I sat back and said Wow! That is so true. The quote is basically saying no one can put you in a bad mood unless you let them do so. I had a very bad weekend this pass week and it wasn't because somone got me mad but, I allowed them to. If you don't let them break you you can't go wrong. I now will live life by this quote because I tend to let people break my spirits and either put me in a good or bad mood. I think this will also be heathier for me because if I become very upset I tend to lay in bed more and become lazy. I am pretty sure life will be a lot easier to handle and put less stress on me. Once I figure out if this helps out I will tell others to do the same.

VALENTiNE'S DAY

Valentine's Day is right around the corner and I'm excitied. It is my favorite holiday and brings me joy. On that day I always wear pink or red and buy little Valentine's Day cards to put in all my friends lockers. i love to get gifts such as chocolate and cards and go out to dinner or movies. I also enjoy it a lot because the best movies come on during the week of Valentine's day. I love watching sappy movies such as The Notebook, which is my favorite movie because it always has a happy ending. This year I think I am going to Atlantic City and enjoy dinner at the Rain Forest. I never been there before but, I think I will have a good time. Also, for many of my friends they have boyfriends and always say "What should I get my boyfriend?" I say "Nothing." I don't think boys should get anything for Valentine's Day because it is a girl's holiday. It's made to show how much you appreciate females and to basically make up for anything you have done wrong in the past. Valentine's Day is on Saturday and I can't wait.

NEW 0BESSi0N

DRAG QUEENS! I have a new obession with drag queens and I love it. I have a lot of gay friends who are boys and I absoluetly adore them. I found myself being more comfortable with them then actual females. To me, they have a better taste and more sense then some girls and that's what makes them so unique. On comcast, there is a channel called LOGO(163) and it is the best. The channel is strictly for gays and lesbians and they show movies, t.v shows, and videos. One show I started watching was called Noah's Arc and it has the best story line. When I was in lunch I was talking about the show with Torrin and I found out that Mrs. Pat also watches it too. She then put me on to a new show called "Ru Paul's Drag Queen." It's a reality show to see who is the best drag queen. Who ever is the last man standing gets 10,000 dollars in cash. The men on the show do things such as design clothes and walk down run ways. The reason I love it so much is because the dedication they put into their make up, hair, and clothes is amazing. Everything has to be so perfect and it's a work of art once they get done it all. I love their confidence and boldness they each have and that makes them individuals. I would love to see drag queens perform someday and get tips about clothing and make up.

PARENTS JUST D0N'T UNDERSTAND

Why are parents so hard to understand? It's hard to believe that they once were teenagers because they sure act like they don't understand what goes on in our life. I understand that times are a lot more different then they were before but, come on give me a break. It seems like they want you to be their precious little babies FOREVER and it doesn't work like that. When does it become okay for you to grow up? When will they see you as an adult making adult choices? Well, you know what my answer is, NEVER. It was always wait until your 18 that's when you can do what you want and be look at as an adult. Helloooo, I turned 18 4 months ago and I still don't get any respect. Now that I am 18 its, what until you graduate. This becoming too stressful, wanting to pull out my hair. When will I be old enough for anything? Your able to vote on your next president, go to the army, and get a license but, not old enough to drink or smoke. I'm not saying I want to do these things but, come on now. Even though, I try to become more responsible and become an adult, everybody thinks Im just trying to be "Grown" but isn't that the purpose? I mean if I was trying to be "Young" then wouldn't that be even more of an issue? I think right now is the time for that I should be getting ready for my future because graduation is right around the corner. It's better now then never and I would hate to still be living with my mom at 30 saying I'm grown. So here I am still bothered by this question, when will I be old enough?