My work experience

By now it's been over a month since I got laid off from this place. It was my first job experience....so it exceeded and un-exceeded all expectations. I expected it to be hard and it was and wasn't. I expected it to be boring, and it was and wasn't. So, it was neither a good nor a bad experience. It was just that- just.

I worked as a... what-do-you-call it? I don't even know. But my job duties included sewing by hand, steaming clothes, inspecting clothes, hanging clothes......and any other job duties in between to get all that done. I worked at clothing company Karen Kane.

The manager was strict, and when I say strict, I MEAN strict. He was a bald guy, and had a bit of trouble communicating with the workers, since his main language is English. He was always inspecting the workers work and walking around, inspecting, just as any manager would. But he'd always have a serious face. Rare, very rare, was the occasion when we saw a smile on his countenance, and that meant a bit of relief on the workers account. But anyways, who doesn't expect a strict boss? By the way, his name was.....nah, better keep that to myself.

Anyways, the working environment was alright. Some good co-workers, some not. Expectantly, un-expectantly. But it was good to meet'em all. They all added a different spice to my life.

If I had the chance to go back, I would, without doubt. After all, who isn't willing to work under any working conditions during these times of need?

Thanksgiving Giveaway Idea

          During the last five years Mr. Ellington, an english teacher in the Justice and Law Academy, has been assigning an“$88 giveaway story,” and this year he will do one on November 19. He repeats the opportunity with his new students in the spring.


          “It’s a way to give back to the community… I think it’s everyone’s responsibility to share it and help out everyone else [involved],” said Mr. Ellington.

          Mr. Ellington incorporates this idea into his course objective. He said, “They have to write a story about who they would help. [They have to] use ethos, pathos, and logos in it, so it ties up with literature… and it also includes the ESLR’s. They have to be ‘aware and socially responsible citizens.’”

          The students write an essay for the “$88 idea” and submit it to the teacher. He screens them, and picks the ones that stand out the most and then the students take a vote to nominate a winner.

          “[The winner will be chosen based] on how they affect the students, so it has to be something that touches everybody’s heart. [The winner will be chosen based] on who uses the money in the best way; [on] who is going to have the greatest impact on somebody else’s life,” said Mr. Ellington.

The Sky sets on Fire since 2009

        The band, the Sky Set Fire, was created since the Halloween of 2009.

The band plays progressive and rock alternative music. It was formed by a

group of students that were motivated to show that anything can be possible.

        "The purpose of the band is to show that you can have fun, and that you

don't have to fit in to create music," said Antonio Palomero, the lead guitarist

and vocalist who is a senior in the Technology and Media Academy.

        Palomero is the last band member that is still a student at South

East High School; the others graduated last year. The band consist of only three

musicians: Palomero, lead guitarist and vocalist; Joe Ibarra, bassist and

vocalist; and Carlos Canova, drummer and vocalist.

        According to Palomero, he's the one that composes the songs that

they play. He said, "I make the guitar part and vocals and the band adds on to

it."

        Some of their original songs include: "Seriously", "Cynical Dream",

"Safely Spin", and "Honestly I've Tried". Recently they've also composed a few

others, including "Fair Grounds" and many others that don't have titles yet.

Additionally, they play cover songs like "FCP" by Fall of Troy, and

"Enertia Esp." by Marks Bolton.

        Ibarra, the band's representative, is the one who coordinates the band

and sets up all the events and shows where they perform.

One of their performances was held on Saturday November 4 at the Key

Club. The event was called "The Next Big Thing Tour" and it took place at

Hollywood. The event lasted from 11 a.m. -11 p.m. and their show set the event

on fire between 1:40-2 p.m.

        The band leaves their heart on stage when they perform. "We had been

shy about it but now we [leave everything on stage]. We didn’t have that much

confidence, but we have it now," said Palomero.

        Many of their fans have followed them closely since their beginning. "I

have witnessed them audition since they were first starting... and they [have]

kind of changed their style a bit, but it has just gotten a lot better," said Anthony

Romero, a senior in the Technology and Media Academy.

        It is evident that they dedicate a lot of energy to their rehearsals. They

practice once a week for 3 hours. Does it pay off? "The best thing about having

a band is having a hobby that you enjoy and interacting with people [that

become] like your second family," said Palomero.

        A band was born on October of 2009, and it emerged to last. "The band

will live on. For the others it has, and for me it will too," said Palomero.

Ever Flipped over Flipped?

        Flipped is a romance novel written by American author Wendelin Van

Draanen in May of 2003.

        This unique book is a standalone teen romance novel that features

dynamic lead characters and very realistic dialogue scenes.

Each chapter alternately switches narration between the two main

characters, Bryce Loski and Juli Baker. It is uniquely written in a he-said she-

said manner that allows each of the main characters to share their perspective

on a shared set of events. Therefore, this novel truly allows the reader to get

both sides of the story.

        "It was really interesting because you can see what a guy and a girl

think. Sometimes one [of them] thinks [that] they think alike but they really

don't," said Claudia Castro, a senior in the California Academy.

        Juli Baker and Bryce Loski, were both seven when they met and became

neighbors. The second Juli saw Bryce's blue eyes she fell in love with him, and

that's how she felt for him for the next six years. Bryce, on the other hand, never

felt the same way for her, that is, until everything "flips" in the eighth grade.

        Each character has a very distinctive voice, and pretty soon the readers

feel as if they have known the characters very well, which allows them to draw

parallels between their lives.

        "What teenager can't identify with them? I think we've all experienced the

same feelings [of infatuation] during our childhood. And we've all gone through

a similar process of maturity, developing a better understanding of the world

and of life," said Brenda Morales, a senior in the Technology and Media

Academy.

        In this novel teens learn a valuable lesson: to look beyond the surface of

people; that there's more than meets the eye. "Get beyond his eyes and his

smile and the sheen of his hair -- Look at what's really there," Bryce’s Grampa

advised Juli.

        "If we haven't realized it already, it's a great eye-opener: true love is

not solely based on physical attraction. It's deeper than that and that's what

the book shows," said Morales.

        There is more to this novel than just teen romance. It has many

unthinkable twists and turns that make the book all the more readable. It

definitely includes all the elements that you would expect to find in a quick

read.

        "It's a really good book. At first I thought it was going to be lame, but at

the end [ I found out] it was really interesting. I would recommend this book to

all kinds of people, [even] to those who wouldn't be interested in love or

romance novels. It tells the actual truth [about life]," said Castro.

Are you ready for the big California earthquake?

Earthquakes strike California everyday, but according to experts the “Big One” has yet to come. According to researchers at the University of California, destructive earthquakes strike California every 150 years; however the last destructive earthquake struck 300 years ago, which means that the “Big One” is long overdue.

Furthermore, the US Geological Survey predicts that the upcoming earthquake of a magnitude of 7.0 or higher will have devastating effects. The USGS predicts that there will be 1,800 deaths, 53,000 injuries, 1,500 collapsed buildings and 300,000 damaged buildings. Thus, they suggest that people become prepared. They recommend having a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, 1 gallon of water per person per day, and an emergency plan. Survival may depend on these preparations.

When asked if his family was prepared, Angel Gastelum, a junior in the Technology and Media Academy and a reporter, said, “I would say good enough as far as water and a fire extinguisher go, but… sometimes parents and other people don’t realize that an earthquake can happen at any second, so they don’t realize the importance of an emergency plan or first aid kit.”

Maria Vera becomes new drum major for band

Maria Vera, a senior in the Visual and Performing Arts Academy, earned the title of drum major for the band this new school year. During the last days of the 2010 school year, Vera and many other potential drum major candidates attended an election meeting. After various meticulous tests, she was ultimately selected by a panel of judges, including band coordinator, Mr. Quintero.

"I felt excited and happy! I couldn’t believe that I was chosen, and [I was very] happy that I was going to lead the band during my senior year," Vera said.

Vera has played the saxophone in band since her freshman year. Now with her new position, she plays a different role in the band.

"When you're a leader leading the band, what people forget is the process. Extra responsibilities come with certain positions," said Mr. Quintero.

As a drum major, Vera is responsible for giving commands through hand gestures to indicate where to march, what to play, and at what time to key. Additionally, she is also responsible for making sure that things are running well during practice.

"She's a good leader. She's able to do things that are asked of her. She's known for being very helpful, supportive and outgoing,” said Robert Galindo, a senior in the Justice and Law Academy, who also plays the saxophone.

Her leadership position demands serious commitment, and Vera is conscious of the responsibility she has accepted.

"Students don't realize everything that is involved: looking over 50-100 people; working on what they have [in order] to get going; preparing for football games, competitions and parades,” Mr. Quintero said.

Regardless of all her responsibilities, Vera has enjoyed her new position and has found many benefits from this experience. "This new experience has made me less shy and more social. The members of the band work with me, and are fun, outgoing, and cool to have around," Vera said.

Some of the things that are worth doing are those that are enjoyed. "[Although] It consumes [a lot of] time,” said Vera, “It’s worth it. I love band…It’s my real passion."

And even though Vera doesn't want to follow music in her studies in college, she will continue playing for fun. She confesses, "I love music… It’s my life, and this is what I spend most of my time on. [Otherwise] I wouldn’t have anything else to do.”

Through Vera’s perseverance, she has demonstrated that she has the potential to obtain many achievements. “I really think they're going to have such a great future. You can see that development [in them]," said Mr. Quintero, who has a lot of confidence in his band kids.