Conclusion: Thank God It's Over!

     The blogger experience was really good. There were themes that were more fun than others, and times when I thought that I was never going to finish, but overall it was great. What I like the most about this project was thinking that I don’t have to take a final test because that is lame and boring. Besides the final test, I think it was something completely different and original. I think what really stand out from my mini-essays is my sincerity and that, also, I tried to make some topics a little bit funny. I enjoyed talking about myself, my interests and exposing my crazy mind. If I had the chance, I would definitely do the project again for the next semester.  

*My song through all the blogger experience.*

Five Steps For World Domination

World domination is not an easy task, but it’s not impossible. If you are interested in conquering the world, follow this five simple steps, it is easier than you may think. When you take over the world you’ll need a catchy and remarkable name, for example: Dr. Evil (Steven Powers), or Locki (Avengers). If you have an uncommon and cool last name, like Hitler or Napoleon, you won’t need to create a cool name, because you already have one. The second step is building an army; it can be a fan base, or to create your own minions. This step is really important because, as much as independent you could be, you will always need someone manipulable and stupid enough to give their live for yours. Always remember: Use emotion for the many and reserve reason for the few. It is imperative that your persona has a trademark, something that makes you stand out from the crowd, and it could be a mustache, a scar, a birth mark, your style, etc… If you still can’t think of anything singular or striking, just imagine yourself as a Halloween costume, how would you like people to remember your appearance?

     The fourth step is the most important of all: the scheme. You must ask yourself: how would you like to take over the world, and what will you do with it once is yours? The scheme, should always remind a secret. You do not want to get caught without having reached the climax of your world domination, and you do not want copycats stealing your ideas. And last but not least, the powerful and glorious secret weapon. Yes, you need one, because in case the scheme gets into jeopardy, you can always threaten to destroy the world if your enemies don’t do as you say. But let’s be honest, you just want to rule the world, not kill yourself trying. So, why don’t you better put the evil weapons aside and go for plan B: ask for those 100 billion dollars!

Education: "I am Malala"

     Education is supposed to be for everyone, regardless of race, sexual orientation, nationality, skin color or sex. Unfortunately, in some parts of the world this does not happen; going to school is a continuous battle, and the life of who wants to learn is put at risk. This was the case of Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani girl fighting against the Taliban for the right of female education in her country. In Pakistan, some Islamic extremist groups do not allow girls to educate because women, according to their beliefs, were born to serve their husband, take care of the house and the children; and not to educate themselves. Malala began writing a blog for the international broadcast BBC, where she wrote about her experience has a schoolgirl in Pakistan, she was just 13 at the time. This was a really dangerous mission for her because if the Taliban knew about it, they could kill her and her family. In her blog, she relates how these extremists bombed schools, threatened parents and girl students, and killed those who opposed them.

      With the support of her parents, Malala continued with her battle, and it became very public. The Taliban did not like this, so decided to take action on the matter. Malala gained international recognition when an individual of the extremist group shot her in the head when she was taking the bus back home. It is said that the armed man came in and asked: "Which one of you is Malala? Speak up, otherwise I will shoot you all", after identifying her, the man shot her in the head. Fortunately, Malala survived. The news went all around the world, and a hospital in London offered to cover all the expenses. After a year in recovery, Malala decided to use her new found fame to call for worldwide access to education, and wrote a book known as I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban. Her work was recognized in 2014, when at the age of 17, Malala received the Nobel Peace Prize, and became the youngest Nobel Prize winner. 

Donnie Darko

One of my favorite movies of all times is Donnie Darko. This movie, set in 1988, is a psychological thriller of 2001, starring by Jake Gyllenhaal, Drew Barrymore, Patrick Swayze, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Jena Malone. Donnie Darko (Jake Gyllenhaal) is a boy with supposed "daylight hallucinations", who is awakened in the middle of the night, and led outside, by a man wearing a giant rabbit costume, known as Frank, who tells him that the world is going to end in 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes and 12 seconds. In the morning, Donnie finds out that a jet engine crashed into his bedroom and no one, not even the investigators, know where it came from. After all this, a series of mysterious events occur in Donnie’s community, leading him to save the world, and to a tragic ending. Donnie Darko received mixed to positive reviews from the critics and became a major cult following film.

This film means a lot to me because I feel so related to it in the sense that I would like to be Donnie Darko. He’s this really weird kid that nobody understands with a normal life, and suddenly his life becomes interesting. I would like that to happen to me. Besides, this movie portrays a religious-scientific conflict, like for example: Tangent Universe (The parallel Universe that most of the film is set in) and the indirect question of  “Is there a divine entity that makes the mysterious events happen?”. This movie could be so hard to comprehend that wed sites explaining the plot and the ending have been created, and I would be lying to you if I tell you that I understand the whole film. I like this movie because is a challenge to me and because is so symbolic. I just love the darkness and the mystery that entails. Every time I watch Donnie Darko, it feels like taking a time machine, going back to eleventh grade and seeing myself writing in every paper sheet and desk “28:06:42:12 That is when the world will end.” 

David Luiz: Soccer, Personality & Hair

          He is one of the highest paid defenders in soccer, known for his resemblance with The Simpsons character Sideshow Bob (Bob Patiño in Spanish) and for crying like a baby after losing 7-1 against Germany in the Brazil World Cup 2014.  He’s name is David Luiz Moreira Marinho, or simply known as David Luiz, born in Brazil who actually plays for French club Paris Saint-Germain and serves as vice-captain for the Brazil national team. David Luiz is one of the reasons why I got interested in soccer. I remember being watching the FIFA 2014 (Brazil vs. Croatia) when I saw him playing, and at first I didn’t care about him as a player. But then, after watching all the matches and players from the Round of 16, my favorite was David Luiz. His personality inside and outside the game made him someone to be inspired by and an example to follow, because when David was young, he was rejected from the Sao Paulo soccer club for being too small and skinny to succeed in a soccer career.  This devastated David, but didn’t stop him from following his dream.

Unfortunately, the Brazil team lost horribly against Germany when David Luiz was serving, for the first time, as captain of the team. That day, the blame for the failure was on him. He gave one of the most heartbreaking interviews a soccer player could give, he accepted all the blame and apologized to his people, while crying and sobbing. I must say that I cried, not only because of what happened to David, but because I’m a fan of the Brazilian team as well. It was a sad day. On a more positive side, he stills being recognized as one of the best players from Brazil FIFA World Cup 2014 and also, although being the highest paid defender in the world, his humbleness, altruism and charisma are admiring.

Media

Media, a way to reach a large audience by mass communication, makes part of our lives since we wake up in the morning, till bedtime. Radio, films, television, music, newspapers, magazines and the internet, they’re all part of a web of communication that controls what it’s cool, trendy or acceptable. Having said that, I’d like to provide some examples of what I’m exactly talking about. First, celebrities are a huge influence on the nowadays media, and the perfect example of celebrities in the media are the Kardashians. Selfies, big butts, contouring makeup, opulence and drama; these women became a major impact on what is cool or trendy on our society. Another thing is music, mostly because it has always been a good way to communicate and express what is concerning our generation. Basing myself on songs like “Anaconda” by Nicki Minaj and “Booty” by J Lo, I’d dare to say that our generation is more concerned about big butts, than in the economic crisis. Furthermore, the media help us to be aware of what it’s happening around the world just with one click.

 Although we may think that the actual media is superficial or not focused on what is considered important, the truth is that the media is just trying to please the public. We are the ones that decide what we want to read, see and hear. If we didn’t care about the Kardashians, the media would have to stop talking about them because they, the media, wouldn’t make any money. We gave the Kardashians, and an obnoxious song like “Anaconda” the spotlight they have in the media right now. Like I said before, the media help us to be aware of what it’s happening around the world just with one click, but sometimes I feel like we are using more this tool for trivialities, than for educating ourselves. 

Marriage: Cordially Invited

Oh, marriage!!! That moment when you promise for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health to love and cherish that person till death do both apart. So romantic and so, so, so… boring. First of all, most of marriages fail, second, weddings bore me to death, and third, I don’t want to get marry. However (here comes the plot twist), I’ve always thought about how would my wedding be, because if I was to have a wedding it wouldn’t be boring at all. So get ready, because you are cordially invited to my wedding, right now. My wedding would take place in a mysterious and exotic place like Morocco, Turkey, or Egypt, in an old castle. The decoration would be Arabic, but with a bit of darkness in it, because the theme of my wedding is something like Middle Eastern vampires, so yeah… My gown, makeup and hair would be inspired by Cleopatra. Of course, if there’s a bride, then there must be a groom, and this groom is none other than Brazilian soccer player, David Luiz.

Skipping the boring part, with the “I do” included, what’s left is partying like a rock star. For the party, the music would be performed by Shakira, Evanescene, and last, but not least, Metallica. After all this, and with a groom so good looking, I can’t wait for the honeymoon in Dub- wait a second, I just realized something. Maybe, I just want a wedding without the marriage, without the seriousness that it entails. And maybe, that’s why most of the marriages are failing nowadays, because everything is just made for fun and having a good time. We are forgetting about the huge step that we are about to take. Well, then get ready, because you’re getting cordially invited to my divorce… 

Religion or Lack of Empathy?

Religion, for some people it’s a search for inner peace, and for others it’s a way of controlling multitudes. The truth is that religion has been used multiple times to explain cultural beliefs and morals. To be honest, I don’t think we need religion, I mean, if you think that you need a system of beliefs because you like it or because you want to be safe, fine, but don’t go around preaching that without it I won’t be able to know how to be a good person. I personally don’t think I need 10 commandments to determine right from wrong because the last time I checked the commandments, it didn’t say anything about rape. Does it mean rape is not wrong? Of course not. The world doesn’t need religion, it needs common sense.

My whole life I have stayed away from religions. I think they have only created conflicts and death: the Gaza-Israel conflict (Jews vs. Muslims), the Inquisition (Catholics killings anyone that wasn’t catholic) or the Jihad (the Muslim duty of killing thousands of innocents in the name of Allah). If a king killed thousands of innocents, he was wrong, but if he does the same in the name of God, it was right. Is that religion? Murdering for your beliefs? Isn’t that wrong? If you still need religion to understand right from wrong, I feel sorry to tell you this, but you need empathy, not religion. 

War: The Good, the Bad and the Truth

There have been wars for different countless reasons: petroleum, territory, religion, politics, terrorism, etc. However, all wars have something in common: is a conflict between parties, where there’s a “bad side”, the “villain”, and a “good side”, the “hero”. But wait, how do I know which one is the villain? Which one is the hero? What if I’m the villain? Well, I don’t worry about these questions anymore because I found out there’s no good guy. When in 1941 the Japanese Navy attacked Pearl Harbor, they were the bad guys, but when the United States bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki during the final stages of World War II, they became the new villains. Events like this led me to realize that parties, in this case the countries, want to make their people believe that they are the heroes on a mission to save the world, and we believe it because is convenient, easier than facing the reality.

At the end of the day, or at the end of the war, being the villain or the hero does not matter because what really matters is winning. Wars never were about saving people, peace or helping the poor, it always was and always will be about winning. Which reminds me of a famous quote by Bertrand Russell “War does not determine who is right - only who is left”.  But wait a minute, if there’s a winner, there must be a loser, right? Well, yes! Fortunately, no one has to worry about the losing party because the winner party, or the “heroes”, got rid of them all. 

Death

When I hear the word death, the first thing that comes up to my mind is closing my eyes, stop breathing and then… nothing. The simple idea scares the hell out of me because I don’t want to just die and stop existing. And don’t get me wrong, I would love to believe that after dying I’ll go to a heaven where I would meet the one and only… Kurt Cobain, but the story seems too good to be true. Nobody has ever escaped death, not even the prettiest and richest ones. The Grim Reaper doesn’t give a rat ass if you are the pope, the president of the United States or if you’re the most beautiful living creature in the whole world, he’s still going to get you. And the saddest part is that I don’t want to die, period. I want to see the first female president, I want to see Brazil winning another FIFA world cup, and I definitely won’t want to miss the so awaited coming of the aliens. There’s so much, but so much left to do.  

I hate the fact that death is synonymous of darkness, coffins, sadness and worms eating my butt, and pardon the expression, but that’s my feeling. Although I don’t like what the word death entails, I actually don’t like what the word immortality entails either. Immortality to me seems kind of lame and boring. Since I'm not immortal and I know am going to die because I can't stop that from happening, the only good thing that I can hope for is dying unconscious, asleep, fast, or simply high on some sort of drug. Those to me are the perfect ways to die.

Happiness

Happiness. Every once in a while we feel this quality of state of being happy. It is one of the most common emotions that we, as humans, experience in our lifetime, but what exactly makes us happy? Anything could make us happy, it’s a broad question. In my case, what makes me happy is making other people laugh. I like the feeling when I’m telling a story, or a joke (it depends on the moment), and everybody is looking at me like expecting for something. They look interested on what I’m saying, and then suddenly, I make them laugh. That’s the moment! Their laughter is like the blood in my veins, it keeps me alive. Well, maybe I’m exaggerating a little bit, but the point is that that moment means happiness to me. I´ve never considered myself a happy person or a comedian, and I’m in fact a person who likes tragedy, but for some really strange reason, people see the comedy in me.

Happiness is such a strong emotion and it comes in so many ways. What you might see as insignificant, it could be what put a smile on someone else. It is one of the most subjective human emotions. To me, laughter is the representation of happiness, but to other people it could be money, love, success or even food. All I know is that everytime I make someone laugh, my life becomes a little less sad and a little more happy.

Introduction

This blog is about a project in which the class must write mini-essays discussing a theme that should be narrow into a topic. Each week, the themes will be: happiness, death, war, religion, marriage, media, a celebrity, movies, education and the world. The point of the blog is pretty much making everybody happy because, since the project blogger is going to be the equivalent of a final exam, no one will have to take a lame final test. I personally think that the blogger project is a wonderful idea because I hate, no-no wait, I loathe final exams with all my heart. This is an interesting and dynamic project in which we, as students, can express ourselves about certain topics that we are able to choose. At the end of the project blogger, I would like to really feel proud of what I did, and of course proud of my grade, and do not think about “the teacher made me do it” because that’s really disappointing. I just hope that anyone that reads this blog enjoys of my thoughts on each theme.