Advice Column (March 3rd-7th)

Dear Connie: How do you take care of damaged hair?

Dear Anonymous,

I know how distracting it can be when you’re in class and you happen to look down to a couple split ends. Or when you run your fingers through your hair and you notice how dry it is.

Improper diet and the excessive use of styling products are two big reasons why hair can get mistreated. I recommend that you simply don’t use color treatments, chemicals and any straighteners, wands, blow dryers or curling irons. Also protect your hair from the sun and try to have no tangles in your hair ever! Natural hair is the most beautiful and every person should learn to cope with theirs.

If you’re a girl, you really do have plenty of advantages. You can style in buns, braids, ponytails so that you won’t always have to deal with “disobedient” hair.

For both guys and girls, getting a really short haircut than you usually do, is actually a good idea. Try something new! That’s what I did, I cut it as short as I could and I began using olive oil. It moisturized my hair and got rid of those pesky split-ends.

Never give up on your hair, after all it’ll always be a part of you.

Dear Connie: If you’re losing hope on something because you feel like you’re losing confidence on something that won’t happen and I’m talking about dreams, not relationship stuff, what do you do? Just accept the fact that it can’t happen due to money issues, or still keep hoping for the best?

Dear Anonymous,

Everyone at some point in their life experiences this type of fear. Perhaps you’re feeling as if you’re adrift in the world. You feel that you work hard, but you don’t get anywhere worthwhile. To be honest, you just have to set formal goals. To put it in simpler words, I’ll just answer this with a question.

Would you set out on a major journey with no realistic idea of your final destination?

Dear Connie: What advice would you give to junior taking the SAT?

Dear Anonymous,

For many students, practice can improve scores. Many students practice with real tests and fixed amount of time. Have someone sit with you and actually time you using SAT tests from prior dates. You can find these tests online at College Board. Definitely, don’t wait for the days before you walk into the test center. Have a green tea the night before and go to sleep early. You’ll be fine. Best wishes!

Dear Connie: How do you deal with annoying people?

Dear Anonymous,

This is funny because I would ask myself the same question. I suggest that you realize the fact that annoying people are inevitable. You can’t just cut people off as easily, especially if they annoy you in school, in family reunions or in places you simply are burdened to attend. Most importantly, we’re not built to be incline to LIKE/LOVE everybody and everything. Perhaps you create stories as to why someone is annoying you. Such as “This teacher thinks I’m stupid, that’s why she keeps picking on me” or “These kids are walking slowly because they want me to be late for class”. You don’t exactly know if all these are certain, so stop making yourself angry.

Also, you can’t expect everyone to treat you exactly the way you want. They won’t walk the same pace as you do, speak they way you do, or do things in a manner that’s most ideal for you.

Another solution that I personally did is de-friending and unfollowing people whom I simply did not want to see.

If none of this works, then just take mental notes and draw up stories you can tell your friends later! It’s always fun to do that.

Dear Connie: What’s more flattering to win over a girl? Reciting her a poem? Singing her a song or just be straightforward with her and tell her you like her?

Dear Anonymous,

It makes me so happy that there are still guys out there that still follow the “chivalry code”. Being thoughtful totally builds up points already. Hope the girl takes that into consideration, because some will just act like they’re used to the attention, when in reality, they’re not.

Anyways, back to the question… I believe that doing all three things will allow her to see that you would always treat her right and you’re definitely not like other guys she has dated in the past. By singing and writing poems, you will prove that she deserves better, and guess what? You are that “better” she deserves. I think you will always have opportunities to prove to that girl that you’re the “perfect guy”, but I love individuality, so I can’t really tell you what’s best. You have to observe the girl and figure out what you think will have the strongest impact towards her and her heart. Get creative. Do something that you know your girl would love. Doesn’t hurt to try. Good luck!

Dear Connie: How do you stay so skinny and healthy during vacation?

Dear Anonymous,

It’s okay if you come back from break and you’ve gained a couple of pounds. You’ll start losing them slowly once you come back to school, and especially if you don’t eat our school’s nutritious food! Just kidding. You should definitely look into snacks from Special K, Quaker’s Chewy bars, and of course the Nature Valley granola bars. Small snacks like these can really satisfy you and give you those quick energy boosts you need. Also, drink as much water as you can and try not to consume sugary beverages. For example, I don’t drink anything but water, coffee, and teas. I also don’t eat after 8.

Try to win the battle between you and your stomach all the time! You know when it’s time  to eat and when it’s not.

Dear Connie: What books do you recommend people to read?

Dear Anonymous,

I will list out some of my favorite books and the three books I have recently read.

-Women with Big Eyes by Angeles Mastretta

-My Life in Heavy Metal by Steve Almond

-Sirena by Donna jo Napoli

-You Deserve Nothing by Alexsander Maksik

-A Long Fatal Love Chase by Louisa May Alcott

Pun: Excerpt from William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

1.     Explain the pun used in this passage. How does it contribute to the meaning of the scene and play?

In this passage, Romeo is determined to suck the fun out of everything because of his depressed and heart broken feelings. The whole conversation with Romeo admitting that he does not know how to dance, but now he changed his tone a bit more serious and said it wouldn’t be a great decision to go to this feast at all. Mercutio, his “cut-up” friend asks why, and Romeo tells him he had a dream btu he doesn’t specify what it was about. Mercutio then imitates Romeo and says he had a dream too and that it was about “dreamers often lie”. This is an extended pun, but when they talk about dreamers the reader does not know if they’re referring to dreamers actually lying by not saying the truth, or dreamers actually laying down as to go to sleep because of the use of wording in “lie”.

The way that this pun contributes to the scene is by calling Romeo a liar because he might not be saying the truth on whether he wants to go to the feast or not. That is why Romeo wittily replies with “In bed asleep, while they do dream things true”.  Clarifying that maybe as a dreamer, he still says the truth and dreams of nothing but the truth itself.

News: Detroit’s Plan for Survival

Detroit revealed its historic plan to emerge from under $18 billion in debt. That is the reason Governor Rick Snyder of Michigan announced plans to attract 50,000 highly skilled, legal immigrants with advanced degrees to the city. As many know, an economy’s greatest asset is its very own human capital and the more people who work and have skills, the more economic development is possible. Detroit’s loss of human capital has been deep ever since its residents saw the lack of opportunities in the year of 2013. If Detroit’s current citizens vote in favor, the state will more than likely reap continual benefits.
This plan could fill the thousands of vacant engineering, technology, medical and health care jobs in Detroit with nothing but entrepreneurs. Under the plan, it is assumed to boost Michigan’s economic development in other ways. Taking into consideration that Detroit suffers from double-digit unemployment, I fully support Mr.Snyder’s plan. These remarkable immigrants  will live and work in Detroit, under a program called EB-2. It’s a win-win situation, allowing the highly skilled immigrants to open small businesses and share their ideas for people in need.
Detroit’s residents have fallen to 700,000 from its 1.8 million in the 1950’s. The governor’s plan depends on how quickly President Obama approve of the special visas for five years under current immigration laws. This will enable the tax contribution and it will eventually bring revenue for Detroit. 

By increasing Detroit’s population, unemployment will simultaneously decrease and more job opportunities will arise for current residents. These jobs will create more stable life and everything will slowly go back to the norm. Families will reproduce and so on and so forth. Immigrants are said to create one-fifth of all small businesses nationally. Mr. Snyder said, “Isn’t that how we made our country great, through immigrants?” demonstrating that his plan regarding immigrants will not only succeed but also improve quality of life. 

Being pro-immigration can “benefit long-time residents”, especially those that fall under the category of the 38 percent which live below the poverty level. Immigrant entrepreneurship, an American tradition, will bring innovation to this economy and hopefully minimize this percentage of people.
Michigan is making a name for itself by attracting immigrants. Snyder’s proposal would help Detroit get back up on its feet, as well as all those who call this city their home. However, it is up to federal policymakers to reform our immigration system so that newcomers could contribute to the nation - particularly, Detroit.

William Shakespeare Biography

William Shakespeare has a reputation of being “the greatest playwright” and the “most famous English man”. He lived during the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. His plays, poems, and sonnets have been passed from generation to generation up until this day. Why, you may ask? Shakespeare’s truthful writing style captivated many and influenced biographies, novels, plays, and films no matter what era it was. He wrote with different emotions: cheerful, sorrowful, unfortunate, or the opposite, humorous. No other writer’s plays or works have been produced so many times or read so widely in so many countries as his.

Shakespeare was born in Stratford in 1564, being one of eight children in total. His mother came from a wealthy family, and his father was a glove maker. He was about seven years old, when he began attending Stratford Grammar School with other boys of his own social class. The school had highly qualified teachers who were very strict  on disciplining the students. Students went to school for about nine hours a day and went to school year round. He did not want to attend a university, so he withdrew from school at the age of only fourteen. Shakespeare’s poems and plays show love and nature and rural life which reflects his childhood.

At age eighteen, William Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway, who was ten years older than him. Together, they had three kids. The following year after their marriage, their first girl, Susana, was born. They also had one set of twins. Their names were Hamnet and Judith, but Hamnet only lived to be eleven years old due to the plague that was going around the city. From the years of 1585 and 1592, not much is known about Shakespeare that is why they are called “The Lost Years.” In 1592, Shakespeare left Stratford and left to London where he went to pursue his career. In London, his career flourished.

In 1592, he became well known by many people in London as an established playwright. Shakespeare was an actor, writer, director, and stockholder for a well-known theatrical company in London called Lord Chamberlain’s Men. After he became known as a poet, many theatres were calling upon him to write more plays. The company was extremely successful and popular, simply because of his performing and works. He was the company’s leading member. His company often performed for Queen Elizabeth and her court and they were always satisfied with the outstanding performances and scripts.

Shakespeare began to write poems when London authorities closed all public theatres because of outbreaks of plague that were being exposed to everyone. During that time, there was no need to write plays so he began writing poems that most people considered more important than plays. In 1593, Shakespeare wrote his first long poem called, “Venise and Adonis.” The following year he wrote another poem called, “Rape of Lucrece”. Both poems were dedicated to Henry Wriotheslet who was the Earl of Southampton. The success of the poems did not lead Shakespeare into giving up writing plays. As soon as the Theatres reopened he began to write plays again.

His sonnets gained so much popularity. They usually described the devotion of a character that was often identified as the poet himself, to a young man whos beauty and virtue he praises and to a mysterious and faithless dark lady with whom the poet is infatuated. Although a lot of Shakespeare’s sonnets are popular, his reputation is primarily about his plays.

Once the theatres reopened, he became fully involved in writing plays. During the years 1594 and 1608 Shakespeare was London’s most popular playwright because of the number of times his plays were published and performed. The company that he worked for, was later called the King’s Men because they performed special presentations on a regular basis for King James I. Shakespeare performed many times for him. He performed for the king so much, that he had the privilege to perform in The Globe, which had barely been built. The first play was called “The Tragedy of Julius Caesar”. After he produced that tragedy, he dedicated himself to writing  many more. Some of his most famous tragedies are: “Hamlet”, “Othelo”, “King Lear”, “Romeo and Juliet”, “Macbeth”, and “Anthony and Cleopatra”. Many that were performed for Queen Elizabeth after she passed away. The tragedies that he wrote gave insight to the way his life and thoughts really were.

Shakespeare was an innovator. He adapted to a different writing style other than the traditional one at the time. This style allowed his words to flow more freely. His early works, such as Richard II, Henry VI (parts 1, 2, and 3) and Henry V are all about weak or corrupt rulers that have been interpreted by Shakespeare himself, and justified the origins of Tudor Dynasty. He also wrote several comedies that included witty romance. Midsummer Night’s Dream and the Merchant of Venice are best recognized as favorites because of their wit and wordplay.

William Shakespeare wrote with intellectual perceptiveness and poetic power of a high scholarly person. Perhaps, that is the reason why many skeptics have questioned his authorization. His most tragic plays such as Hamlet, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, and Julius Caesar. Shakespeare’s work is studied and performed everywhere around the world. An example of an influential movie is The West Side Story, which mirrors Romeo and Juliet.

Some of his comedies are: “The Taming of the Shrew”, “The Comedy of Errors”, “As You Like It”, “Much Ado About Nothing”, and “The Two Gentlemen of Verona”. After his many works, he became a better observer, which also helped him to write his plays better. William Shakespeare was considered a gentleman and his plays showed  a lot of violence and passion. Many of his plays and poems are based on the way life really was. Some of his themes were love, evil, war, heroes, and romance. Many of his characters also came from many different lives. Shakespeare had everything; from kings, generals,to lovers, drunkards. Shakespeare understood people. He created characters that had meaning beyond the time and place of his plays. All of his characters were intriguing and remarkable. 

As you can see, William Shakespeare has been very influential on the modern world. He has inspired great movies and wrote lines that will live on forever. His sonnets are still well known and moving emotionally. He is generally considered the greatest dramatist that has walked this earth. He is the world’s famous author and the finest poet ever to write in the English language. No other plays have been produced and translated so many times, as his, which explains why he is a praised writer.

How To Choose A College That’s Right For You

The college search doesn’t have to begin or end with the Ivy Leagues such as Harvard and Yale. There are plenty of schools out there to choose from, some known and some less known. They are all worthy of your attention!

 First examine yourself and your reasons for going to college before you start you search. Why are you going? What are your abilities and strengths? What are your weaknesses? What do you want out of life?

Although college is a time to explore, you have to make sure that the college you choose is the size you are most  comfortable with. Size matters and your college does not have to be bigger or smaller than your high school.

Choosing a college because your friends are going there or because of where it ranks on a list does not take into account who you are and who you will become. College is a match to be made, not a prize to be won. Finding a good fit requires time and thought.

If you give it your best during the tenth and eleventh grade, you will be lucky enough to apply for many great options! Below I have rearranged the top ten colleges with the best acceptance rates in California.

1. Bakersfield (CSUB)

1801 Panorama Dr  Bakersfield, CA 93308

Bakersfield is located between Fresno and los Angeles. This university offers 31 bachelor’s degree programs and 17 graduate degree programs.

Enrollment: 7,684 (6,155 undergraduates)

Admission: The majority of students who get in have GPAs over 2.75. SAT scores are usually around 1300 or higher. ACT scores are of 17 or higher.

2. Channel Islands (CSUCI)

1 University Dr Camarillo, CA 93012

CSUCI is the youngest of the 23 universities in the Cal State system. It is located at the base of the Santa Monica mountains midway between Santa Barbara and Los Angeles.

Enrollment: 3,783 (3,530 undergraduates)

Admission: The majority of students who get in have averages in the “B” range or higher. SAT scores required are from 1350 or higher. ACT scores are of 18 or higher.

3. Chico State (CSUC)

400 W 1st St  Chico, CA 95929

Chico is among the top master’s level universities in the West. It is located in Chico, California, about ninety miles north of Sacramento.

Enrollment: 17,132 (15,803 undergraduates)

Admission: Majority of the students who get in have GPAs of about 2.8 or higher. SAT scores consist of 1350 or higher. ACT scores are of 18 or higher.

4. Dominguez Hills (CSUDH)

1000 E Victoria St  Carson, CA 90747

Cal State Dominguez Hills is within minutes from downtown Los Angeles and the Pacific Ocean. This school is greatly known for the Home Depot Center that is located on the campus.

Enrollment: 12, 851 (9,490 undergraduates)

Admission: This school accepts students with GPAs over 2.6 and SAT scores of 1300 or higher. ACT scores of 17 or higher are accepted.

5. East Bay (CSUEB)

25800 Carlos Bee Blvd  Hayward, CA 94542

Cal State East Bay is located in the Hayward Hills with the view of San Francisco Bay.

Enrollment: 14,167 (10,912 undergraduates)

Admission: SAT scores in this school are 1250 or higher. ACT scores are of 16 or higher. Majority of the students who get in have grades in the B- range or higher.

6. Fresno State

5241 N Maple Ave  Fresno, CA 93740

Fresno State occupies the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains between Los ANgeles and San Francisco.

Enrollment: 22,613 (19,359 undergraduates)

Admission: The majority of students who get in have GPAs of about 3.0 or higher. SAT scores are of 1350 and higher. ACT scores are usually around 18 or higher.

7. Fullerton (CSUF)

321 E Chapman Ave  Fullerton, CA 92832

Cal State Fullerton is one of the largest universities in the CSU system. One is located in Fullerton, California and another campus is in Orange County near Los Angeles.

Enrollment: 36,996 (31,428 undergraduates)

Admission: GPAs of 3.0 or higher, SAT score of 1400 or higher, and ACT scores of 19 or higher are always welcomed.

8. Humboldt State

1 Harpst St  Arcata, CA 95521

Humboldt sits alongside a redwood forest and overlooks the Pacific Ocean. Hiking, swimming, camping, and kayaking are some of the outdoor activities held in this ecologically corner of Northern California.

Enrollment: 7,800 (6,998 undergraduates)

Admission: Applicants with 2.6 GPAs and scores of 1350 and 18 for both the SAT and the ACT are most successful in applying.

9. Long Beach (CSULB)

1250 Bellflower Blvd  Long Beach, CA 90840

Cal State Long Beach has grown to be the largest university in the CSU system. It is located in Long Beach, California. It features many impressive landscaping and a pyramid-shaped complex.

Enrollment: 36,868 (30,746 undergraduates)

Admission: CSULB accepts applicants with with GPAs higher than a 3.0, and SAT scores with 1400 or higher. ACT scores with 19 or higher are preferable.

10. Los Angeles (CSULA)

5151 State University Dr  Los Angeles, CA 90032

Cal State Los Angeles is located in the University Hills district of L.A. The bar for admission isn’t unreasonably high.

Enrollment: 20,743 (15,867 undergraduates)

Admission: Successful applicants have GPAs over 2.6. SAT scores and ACT scores are required to be 1300 and 17 or higher.

A Hymn to God the Father, John Dome (1987)

 By: John Donne

Wilt thou forgive that sin where I begun,

         Which was my sin, though it were done before?

Wilt thou forgive that sin, through which I run,

         And do run still, though still I do deplore?

                When thou hast done, thou hast not done,

                        For I have more.

Wilt thou forgive that sin which I have won

         Others to sin, and made my sin their door?

Wilt thou forgive that sin which I did shun

         A year or two, but wallow'd in, a score?

                When thou hast done, thou hast not done,

                        For I have more.

I have a sin of fear, that when I have spun

         My last thread, I shall perish on the shore;

But swear by thyself, that at my death thy Son

         Shall shine as he shines now, and heretofore;

                And, having done that, thou hast done;

                        I fear no more.

from Poems of John Donne, vol. I., E. K. Chamnbers, ed. London, Lawrence & Bullen, 1896

        What is the poem about? What is the narrator expressing?

A Hymn to God the Father is a religious hymn filled with uncertainties and doubts of the speakers view on Divine Providence’s powers of mercy and forgiving. This speaker holds up his sins to God. His confessions, couched by puns, and accompanied with a brave tone, are all honest. He hopes that God could somehow forgive him for these things. The sinner admits that he “has more”. 
How do the puns on “done” (5, 11, 17) and “Sun” (15) give structure and meaning to the poem? Explain the relevance of the meaning generated by the puns.
Done is repeated about six times, and this refers to the poet’s own name. Just like “more” is repeated and is connected to his wife’s maiden name, Anne More. The meaning of these puns adds certain levity to this poem. “Son” on line 15 makes a direct reference to the Catholic Son of God, Jesus. The punning iterates the value of the spoken word, which is what connects to a hymn. These words have a cleansing value, that can even break a situation for the poet.

How does the structure and diction develop tone and mood in the poem?

This poem is filled with agony, fear, regret and faith. The words Dome chooses make the reader wonder if he will actually stop his wrongful ways. For example in lines 4 and 6, he says, “And do run still, though still I do deplore?” and “For I have more” give an uncertain tone. He’s asking for salvation but is there truly repentance for the sins he has committed? The mood also makes him feel as someone who is desolate and bleak, so low that he is capable of using Christian references. When he uses the word, “deplore”, he knows that he cannot be forgiven for his sins even if he deplores the state of mind that men have been force to be regulated to.