Journal/Blog 6

Picture by: Adam Elmakias

Taken by Elmakias, this is Asking Alexandria, a Metal band from England. On their recent tour in the states, Elmakias toured with them taking pictures of their lives on and off the stage. This image provides an example of what the lights at AA's live shows are like and provides a creative shot that looks like a sun.

Another image taken by Elmakias of one of AA's live shows. This show cases the view that the band sees every night and the pyrotechnics that go into their performances. The colors are great and balances with the purple on the stage ground and the vibrant yellow and orange of the fireworks shooting over the crowd.

Picture by: Adam Elmakias

Pierce the Veil is a post core rock band originated out of the state of California. Like Asking Alexandria, Elmakias toured with PTV on their recent "Collide With the Sky" tour. Setting up a white backdrop backstage, this is a picture of the lead singer Vic Fuentes. Although Fuentes looks like he is fixing his jacket, this image is posed. With that being said, there is a great balance between white, grey and black levels and nothing is over or under exposed. A very casual picture for a heavy style of musician.

Blog 5

Naomi

http://www.anywhere-but-home.com/

Sweltering weather, crowded streets, delicious food - just a typical summer's day in Shanghai, China. I wandered around the streets aimlessly, observing the locals' daily routines as I passed by, and I visited all the famous landmarks around the city. It was incredible to see such a modern place, full of bustling streets and sleek buildings, when I'd just been staying in my parents' rural town where wide stretches of farm fields were abundant. It was a city full of life.

At night I wandered toward the famous Bund, where colorful lights illuminated all of the historical buildings, reflected in the clear waters of the Huangpu River. There I was, with every other tourist in Shanghai, admiring the stunning view, yet I felt right at home.

Blog 6

Last summer, I went to France as a part of an exchange program, and I stayed with a host family who lived on a farm in a city that only had a population of around 400. It was different, obviously, than what I was used to, having lived in a big city like Houston all my life, but it was a great experience nonetheless. I was somehow able to become friends with my host sister, who didn't speak a word of English, with my broken French. I grew close to her, and the rest of her family, in those three weeks.

In a few years, when I'm in college, I'm definitely planning on coming back to France as a part of a study abroad trip. I want to go back with my improved French, and see if it's possible for me to get by. And, of course, I want to visit my host family and see how they're doing. I'm really excited for all the opportunities that lie ahead, and I can't wait until the time comes when I can finally travel again.

blog 5

maryam nabhani
blog 5

written in the style of Laila Lalami

Book Review: Daisy Miller

Capturing the essence of the clashing old and new worlds, old money verses new money, Henry James' Daisy Miller expresses how the uncouth, un-classy Nouveau riche try to blend into the realms of the elegant Western European world. James' himself is an American-Born, European-transformed man; his essence is reflected in that of the active character of Winterbourne, another European-made gentleman who finds himself lost in the wonder of the titular character, Daisy Miller. Daisy exemplifies a brash, bold American teenage girl; she's of "new money" and finds herself trying to prove her identify in the sophistication of Europe, though ironically unintentionally tarnishing her own reputation.

Blog 6 Claire Fisher

I had band practice until 4:30 after school. I went to the band hall, put my cellphone on the music stand, and put my clarinet together. Practice was normal, and when it was over, I got a ride home with my friend. I walked through my front door, reached in my pocket, and realized something very important was missing.
Over 225,000,000 cellphones are used in the United States. Smart phones are nifty devices that can be extremely helpful are extremely dangerous. Most adults keep a banking app on their phone which contains their account information. This is helpful if someone steals your wallet, but deadly if someone steals your phone. Luckily, the good people at Apple have a solution this: the "Find My iPhone" app.
The find "Find My iPhone" app can wipe your phone of all data, lock it remotely, play a sound, send a message to the finder of your missing iPhone, and even show you where your phone is. This app can be used on any other Apple device, so if your device goes missing, you can borrow a friends to find it.
I am glad I have the app because if I didn't, my phone may have been lost forever. When I arrived home after school, my phone was not where I thought it was. I called my friend to ask if it was in his car; he didn't see it. I went back to school and scoured the band hall; it wasn't there. Then I used the "Find My iPhone" app and saw that it was on Fifth Street and Grand Lake Street.
My mom and I rushed to the listed location. We knocked on doors and searched lawns, remaining unsuccessful. Our next move was to go to the police station.
Arriving at the police station, I called my friend one more time and played a sound through the "Find My iPhone" app. It was in his car.
Technology is one of the most useful tools, but losing my cellphone made me realized that I am too attached to it.

Blog 6

When I was told I could write a Blog about anything, I thought first what really mattered the most. School, Friends, Family? I can't make up my mind, so I'll describe how I feel about school, friends, and family. I have a theory. It's a theory on moments. Moments that come to define who we are and the path that we set forth for ourselves. My theory is that moments, the ones that last in seconds, are the most important moments in your life. The big situations in life do affect you, but it's the little things that make you, who you are. This blog isn't meant for you to look at yourself differently, but rather, look at your life in the form of a book. I'm a teenage boy of course I don't read a lot, but I have come to terms that I would read a story about my life. I would do so because I live with no regrets. I let the flow of life take me I need to go. You decide what you want in your book. You decide which moments make you the person you are today.

Blog 6

As high school nears the end for seniors and we begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel, the hope and excitement for our futures become more and more evident. Senioritis has begun to take its toll on some students grades, and everyone has started planning their prom groups and dates and the perfect way to ask a special someone to the grand event. Although we are all very excited for our futures, there are many things to be missed from our experiences at Bellaire High School. The friends made in high school will last forever, just like the memories. Little quirks about Bellaire such as the forever growing writing on the bathroom stalls that provide entertainment in between classes, and the hundreds of students sitting around on the floor during lunch shouting to be heard above everyone else. Some students will now go off to college to spend four or more years working for a degree, some will go to trade school and learn a specific skill, some will take a year off traveling the world, but we will all remember our days we spent together in high school. 

Katie Martin

Entertainment Section Editor 

Three Penny Press

Kim Jong Un vs. Teddy Roosevelt: Blog 6

The only leader worse than a dictator in any modern country is an inept dictator. Kim Jong Un, as the worlds's youngest incumbent head of state, certainly fits that stereotype. Much more than his predecessors, the current Kim in power follows a "gunboat diplomacy" foreign policy much like Theodore Roosevelt, but with nuclear weapons. Roosevelt, however, was a master of subtlety. He desired peace through preparation for war. Instead of direct threats against enemies, he subdued Japan with the Root-Takahira Agreement. This favored Russia over Japan in a treaty to end the Russo-Japanese war which Japan was actually winning at the time. "Gunboat diplomacy" consisted of floating state-of-the-art ships around the world to different countries to positive reception and cheers from foreign citizens. Nuclear weapons tests, however, do not have the same positive reception. Even "gun boat diplomacy" would not work today in a geopolitical spectrum devoid of jingoism. Kim Jong Un's "military-first" ideology, started by his own grandfather, is something the former has no idea how to uphold. The nepotism of the Kim family dynasty threatens the ideology of the family itself. Although North Korean propaganda and aggression is primarily directed against the United States, Kim Jong Un has a lot to learn from one of our former presidents.

Blog 6

In my latest blog, I wrote about the pains of trying to look decent for school. I lightly touched the subject of dress code. In all honesty, it took a lot of self control to not deviate in to a rant about why I disagree with our school's dress code. However, I have decided to make a few points on what and why I disagree with the rules. 

This has nothing to do with teenage angst or rebellion, but more with my misunderstanding with the reason behind the rules. For instance, I am against the rule outlawing short that go above your finger tips. Yes it isn't prudent for a girl to wear booty shorts, but it is ridiculous that I cannot wear athletic shorts in 90 degree weather, which in Houston is frequent. People say that it's inappropriate, but why is it? I don't understand why people deem legs (body parts that are only there for the utility use of walking) so inappropriate.

What about the rule against showing shoulders? Since when have shoulders become inappropriate? I get that we shouldn't wear spaghetti strap or strapless shirts, but if only my shoulders are showing how is that wrong in any way. Perhaps if someone explained the reason behind the dress code (and if the explanation was reasonable) then maybe more people would make an effort to abide by them.

Blog 6

On Monday night, April 8th. Louisville won the NCAA Basketball Championship. The Cardinals defeated the Michigan Wolverines lead by Trey Burke. The night was not highlight by the star players, Burke, Smith, Haradway, Silva, bur rather by unknown player, Spike Albricht and Luke Hancock. Both player stole the show with their lights out shooting from the three. Coach Rick Pitino won the championship with his second team. This was an emotional win for Louisville after dealing with the tragedy of Kevin Ware who broke his leg on national television. The game was close the whole time and ended with cutting the nets.

Sami Bissonnet

This is the home page picture for the new background check deal. It really catches your eye, that you want to click on the story. If it were just a picture of some politician, no one would be brought to the story.

This is another front page picture for stricter gun control. This one take a sympathy route by presenting multiple pictures of the aftermath like memorial sites and grieving loved ones. Many people are drawn in by sympathy pictures.

Paris. Amanda Taylor

Amanda Taylor

PARIS

It's hard to summarize the effect of Paris to a first timer. The city of love, lights and croissants, that can never be captured by the numerous movies, books or recounts of its travelers. The city is so beautiful that my Canon cannot even begin to capture what all it holds. I love stepping out of Charles de Gaulle Airport and hearing the flowing language out of everyone's mouth. I love waking up to fresh baked bread down the corner and passing by monuments that spread across millions of postcards. You feel different when in Paris. I recommend it to everyone and I can't wait to go back.

#5 Amanda Taylor

In the style of parkandcube's review type blogs

Stemmed from the idea of two Canadian brothers, a new frozen yogurt shop has emerged. Located perfectly in the center of the Galleria, Yogen Fruz is the next big thing in ice cream alternative shops.

The small kiosk on the Galleria’s first floor feels like more than enough. The line wraps around the modern white counter with ingredients in easy view. Servers work in the center of the square kiosk, surrounded by fresh fruit, juices, candies and toppings.

Visitors start off with a small, medium or large cup that is to be filled with original flavor yogurt. Then customers discover the shop’s unique option of mixing. Everything from banana to watermelon to honeydew is available to be perfectly blended by machine with the original yogurt. The topping option is more mainstream, where candies, fruits, cereals and granola are dispersed to add flavor.

Yogen Fruz also offers smoothies with original names like Blueberry Breeze, Peach Berry Sunset and Tropical Blast. These blended treats are just as good as the yogurt itself. Yogen Fruz may not have been the first to hit Houston and certainly will not be the last, but this original Canadian born  yogurt shop has left a big impression on both customers and taste buds.

Sami Bissonnet

Blog 5

Diplomat Killed on Afghan Mission She Coveted

This picture went along with a story about a diplomat that was killed in a bomb attack while delivering books to a local school. I think this a great picture for this story because it make the woman look like a person that you could be friends with. She looks innocent and friendly so it makes very sad to hear that she was killed.

Are food trucks safe?

This picture is great for the story because you usually see nicely decorated and cute food trucks that seem very welcoming while this truck looks grungy and makes you feel unsafe about its contents. 

Spring Breakers review (Beats makeup)

 A week ago, I walked into a New York movie theater at 11:30 to see Spring Breakers. I half-expected it to be a movie much like 2012's Project X, with teenagers seeking pleasure by drinking alcohol and doing drugs as the central plot element. However, that plot was, unlike its predecessor, inserted into a superb piece of cinematography.

The cast featured James Franco as a Florida rapper named Alien.  The four central female leads were played by Vanessa Hudgens, Selena Gomez, Ashley Benson, and Rachel Korine. The first two are better known (and should be better known, for the sake of their younger fans) as Disney channel stars. Those two actresses especially went from G-rated dramas like High School Musical to pulling off robberies and doing illegal drugs, showing how dynamic of actresses they are. James Franco, who probably had experience left over from his role as a drug dealer in Pineapple Express, effectively portrayed Alien as a money-getting, machine-gun-shooting, party-life-seeking rapper. All lead roles were superbly acted.

The cinematography and filming were also done quite well. During scenes where characters were intoxicated, the movie filming shifted in and out of focus, warping until nothing (or no one) was discernible.The film also replicated elements of psychological thrillers like Michael Clayton. The film did not always follow chronological order. Quotes were spliced and placed in different, but relevant areas of the movie.

I'd recommend Spring Breakers to anyone.