Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: ASD, Autism, Autism Society of America, Autism Speaks, autism treatments, CBS, Democracy, Democracy In Action, Spectrum, Spectrum Magazine, statistics, Sue Rubin, treatments
AUTISM. AND WHY YOU SHOULD CARE!!
Let me explain: we have this lovely project (and no I’m not being sarcastic!) that my teacher thought up a couple years back. She calls it Democracy In Action (DIA), and I’m proud to say that I think there’s only one other school that copied us. Well, DIA is the big thing that all the 8th graders do. The 8th graders freak the seventh graders out mostly by complaining about it, and saying how hard you’ll work, the lack of sleep you’ll get… but I digress.. The point is this: I chose to do autism as my DIA topic. I didn’t have to think about for long; I hate how the opted “weird” kids always get attacked at school. Middle School is, as we all know, the struggle to “fit in” by basically crushing other people’s lives into tiny little pieces of pain and sorrow. Seriously. For those lucky few who manage to look good, attack others, etc, they’re (kind of) safe. The truth is, no one can be 100% safe ever, but anyway. For those many people who aren’t so fortunate, life is hard. For thefew who actually struggle with behavioral problems, etc, it’s even harder. Possibly more than anyone can imagine, I know I can’t really wrap my mind around it. Anyway, for those (now not so rare) people with autism, being surrounded by their peers who aren’t autistic like themselves, I can assure you, is tough. Obviously, I’m not autistic, but let me just tell you a little bit about this disorder.
I believe the first time autism was really looked at, or reported was in the late ’40s. In that time, however, no one seemed to understand it, and the few who were actually studying it wouldn’t have been able to tell you much. Today, more and more people are starting to take an interest in autism. There are lots of organizations (headed/started mostly by mothers, or fathers of autistic people) that offer aid to families affected by autism. (I’ll put some helpful links below, if you’re interested.)
Autism itself, and for many autistics out there, is a battle, and a struggle to stay in control of their emotions, etc. Today, every 1 in 100 or 110 (1 in about 70 boys) children are autistic. Over the years, the rates of autism have increased greatly, and no one knows exactly why. Of course there’s the theories, and all that, but there’s no known and/or proven cause of autism. Along with that, there’s no cure. There’s treatments, of course; now there are schools for autistic children, (my mom works at a school where they have a classroom with autistic children. The kids interact with other, non-autistic students, but have their own classroom where everything is organized, taught, etc specifically for them) and if a child is diagnosed early enough, and there is time, and money, they can be placed in (hopefully) a good school where their autism can not necessarily be cured, but dealt with, and handled properly. If done soon enough, the child’s autism might not be as bad as those who don’t receive some kind of treatment until they’re, say around the age of 8.
Autism begins to be noticeable in children around the ages of two and three. It’s a shame when some autistic children aren’t realized to be autistic until they’re much older. By then, they’re further into their own world, and their own kind of mental prison, one that becomes harder and harder to control and escape from. Still, you need to know, and remember this: they aren’t stupid, and they are most definitely not unaware of the world around them. I was reading an article that had a kind of interview with , Sue Rubin an inspiring autistic woman who is learning to really cope with her autism. Here’s a little excerpt that really made me think (taken from “What Are They Thinking“, a CBS online article)
When asked about what it was like to be locked in silence, inside her body without any way to communicate non-verbally, Rubin is blunt.
“Nightmare,” she types.
So I hope that hits home with you guys, like it did for me. It really made me think about how easy life is for all of us, and how often we take it for granted. I think I’ll add more to this in a while, because right now as I go over this, all of it sounds bad. I don’t usually write so horrendously… Anyway, here are some links that you should really check out:
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: animal cruelty, bad laughs, fish, fishes, gears of war, generations, video games, violence, violent video games
Hey, guys! Sorry for being such a sloth and not doing anything for months and months and months. This blog, right now, could technically be compared to a sluggish old person trying to watch some 5 hour long movie, but falling asleep, and then starting it over. Ick. I know, crappy example. Haha. Anyway. I must explain: I have two ideas, and I really didn’t want to put them in the same post, mainly because they’re opposites, and have nothing to do with one another. Yeah. I need order. (: Alright. So, topic no.1:
WHAT HAS BECOME OF MY GENERATION?
A few days ago, Bella told me a gruesome story, one that I won’t tell you, I’ll only give you a few main points, and details. A girl basically killed an animal (one that I suppose wasn’t cute, and furry because she basically stabbed it to death), laughed about it and took pictures of it. I’ll spare you the rest of the story, and get on to my main point. Has this generation lost all feeling, and sense of right versus wrong? I mean that is just inhumane (inanimane?), and it just made me wonder how anyone gets around to that, and getting some kind of joy out of it too. I just don’t get it. Maybe it’s all of us kids (starting from like the tender age/s of 6-8) playing violent video games and all that. (For instance, a credible source told me of some 8 yr olds he knew who played games like GEARS OF WAR. I mean seriously, 8 year olds?? I think that’s going to maybe mess them up a bit..) Now, I’m sure some of you may be like: “Well, teenagers can handle it. They’re mature enough to shoot at animated people, and not go out and shoot other people.” I mean, I’m not talking about violence, so much as… just insensitivity, and inhumane-ness(?). (I still like those games, but I guess I’m just lucky that I know how gross, and more importantly awful, and cruel, it is to kill little animals for no apparent reason.)
Anyway, what I’m trying to get at is this: people change, generations change. I’m sure my generation, in comparison to one 12 years ago is going to be vastly different…But it would be nice if every generation kept a sense of right and wrong, had some morals, and knew what a life–even a little fishy’s– means: definitely more than a few laughs.
Filed under: Uncategorized
Hello, all. Today, I would have to say is a very important day. No it’s not just the fact that we have a day off as far as school goes (which, don’t get me wrong is awesome), but the simple fact that our world isn’t perfect. Ever since the dawn of time, when Jehovah first created life (or maybe a little after), there has been fighting. War. Countries have been threatened, lives have been lost. There are a brave few who stand up to the challenge, however, and put their life on the line, 24/7 to defend us. Ourselves and our future. I know what you’re thinking, how can Bella, Gabby, and Siena be so talented, smart, and witty, and also save the world whilst doing so? Although I would very much like to agree with you kind people, I have to say that no, for once I am not in the spotlight.
It’s about honoring not just one person, but the many who have risked everything for their country. They make it able for us to go about our daily lives, for us to believe whatever we wish to believe, to pursue and education as well as happiness. My grandfather served in WWII, years ago, and I would also like to honor him now, and the millions who fought alongside him. Take this moment to realize what you, as an individual can do. Be your own hero! Go out of your way to do good. And meanwhile, if you know someone who served in a war, tell them a simple ‘thank you,’ which personally doesn’t really even begin to describe how thankful you should be. Give them a hug, a smile, even a handshake. Just let them know how much they mean to you, and mean it.
Happy Veteran’s Day everyone, or is it Veterans’ Day?
Filed under: Uncategorized
Actually, I’d love to re-word that to: The Quandary That I Find My Generation In. First and foremost: music. I know that music changes through the years, but there are some songs, and artists that are timeless, and probably will remain timeless for years and years and years. The point is, folks, I think that my generation is in need of a wake-up call. I do appreciate a lot of songs that kids my age listen to, however, they just aren’t my style. That’s not a crime, definitely not, but sometimes I wish that I could enjoy that kind of music a lot more than I actually do. Still, no matter how hard I try, I really can’t. A lot of people think I’m weird (but I know that already), and the music I listen to (categorized as “crappy old music”) is… for lack of a better word, strange. So. I am assigning you Children an assignment that must be completed ASAP. (:
There are some amazing songs out there, and I’m only going to give you about three or four. I want you to cultivate your music tastes haha. Yeah. Don’t I sound so professional? Anyway… Here are some songs that I love. (: Hope you enjoy. If you don’t I don’t want to hear about it. Haha just kidding! O:
“Rock and Roll Suicide” – David Bowie <3
“Last Nite” – The Strokes
“Bullets” – Tunng
“I go Crazy” – Paul Davis (no that’s kind of a joke.. but still…)
Now. Go ENJOY yourselves, my tan-faced children. (Bonus points if you know where i got that quote.) There is more to come, my darlings (quote), and expect a follow up to this in a few days, yess?
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: 500 days of summer, joesph gordon-levitt, zooey deschanel
*note: it’s disabled. ):<
Basically, it’s about two people. “Boy meets girl. Boy falls in love. Girl doesn’t.” It skips back and forth through the 500 days they spent together before their breakup somewhere around the 100′s (or 200′s). The boy is Tom Hansen, the girl, Summer Finn. Tom works at a greeting card company and lives a fairly normal life until his boss has a new assistant; Summer. From the minute he sees her, he knows she’s the one. On the other hand, Summer knows that Tom definitely isn’t “the one” (still, that doesn’t mean that they don’t like each other. A lot.).
I really enjoyed this movie a lot, and I’ve been waiting to see it for a very looooooonnng time. Well, I can definitely say that I am satisfied–no, more than satisfied. I would definitely recommend you go see it. Like… NOW.
Filed under: Uncategorized
haha okay, well, everyone, I hope your summer is going amazingly!!
—Bella out
As some of you might have noticed, I have finally updated the blog’s header. I know, what a relief! Yesterday, if you were reading the blog anywhere from 10:30-11:00, you were probably very confused since I couldn’t decide on a header. Well, I’ve been stuck deciding between two, so if any of you want to help, please post comment, and/or ‘vote’ on which one I should use. And yes, I know, the current header is fuzzy. :O
header one
header two
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: benjamin button, movies, the sound of music, to catch a thief, Up
- The Sound of Music
- UP
- Benjamin Button
- The Sound of Music (again)
- Some movie that has ‘Eagle’ in the title
- To Catch A Thief
It is imperative to know that my grandfather’s favorite movie of all time is The Sound of Music. He watches it at least two or three times a day, the most has been four or five. At first, it seems almost comical how many times he can watch this movie (my grandmother has to persuade him not to), every now and again he’ll stop to remark on how he loves the movie. But after you’ve been around long enough, you’ll find yourself unintentionally mouthing the words to the songs as the movie plays. I could sing for you all right now, though I’m not sure you’d like to hear it.
There’s really no need to talk much about UP, since I’ve already reviewed it.
So onto Benjamin Button! This movie was very ‘pretty,’ the cinematography was gorgeous, and Brad Pitt went through some very interesting transformations. Still, the actual quality of the movie, like the storyline wasn’t as good. I wasn’t very pleased with how the movie ended, and I’m pretty sure it’s much, much different from the book. Besides all of that, it was very long. VERY LONG.
The rest of the movies, I just won’t say much about either because they’re self-explanatory, or I just didn’t really watch all of it (or pay much attention). My favorite movie this week? Easily UP. Like I said before, it’s really beautiful, the animation is precise and the storyline is both moving and uplifting. It had everyone tearing up a little, even the kind of people who never cry at movies. never. ever. ever. All in all, my week was just a lot of movie-watching. something I don’t do much of. Anyway, I really recommend most of these movies, and if you haven’t seen The Sound of Music, you’ve just missed the American Classic.
Filed under: Uncategorized
Hey, guys! So right now the three of us are at our grandparents’ house in carlsbad. We’re going to be here for a while, so if anything happens, I’ll update you. [;
Anyway, my aunt is taking us to go see the movie UP. I think everyone knows what movie that is. I honestly can’t wait to see it, it looks super cute. On top of that, “Carl fredrickson’ looks JUST like my grandfather whom I’m visiting. so.. cool, huh? I’m not kidding, btw. Carl looks like a caricature of my grandfather almost.
So, I’ll update later about the movie and how it was and everything, of course for those of you who haven’t seen it, I won’t spoil it for you. <3
Filed under: Uncategorized
hey everyone, sorry for being so unresponsive and… dead. lately i’ve just been busy. But now Summer’s FINALLY here! Dreaded school is over. Hooray for sleeping in until 12:00 and staying up until 5AM (yes, i just did that a few hours ago). So, I’m more alive than I’ll ever be thanks to Summer. Don’t worry. I have not contracted a serious illness which has crippled my hands and thus caused me to stop posting on my blog. I’m just a little tired, lazy, and enjoying my uneventful summer.
So what are you guys doing? Like Gabby said, we got back from San Francisco about a week or two ago (seems likes months). Later on we’re going to Las Vegas to visit family, then going to Utah to go camping. Just like San Francisco, we are driving the whole way… and that’s a lot of driving.
Of course, I’m not exactly looking forward to the long drive/s/, but it’ll be worth it. (: Meeting family is super fun, and have you noticed that I’m rambling? Well, anyway, to save you from further boredom, why don’t you stop reading and start posting! That’s right: tell me about your summers. Hopefully summers that aren’t filled with lots of car-driving and boredom. But it will be worth it in the end… right?
