"My Everyday Thoughts" by Kayla Salters
Introduction
March 25, 2015
Hey guys my name is Kayla Salters and I'm an eleventh grade Creative Writer, ( obviously lol). This section of Co-op Voices is just my everyday thoughts on random things, ( life, love, etc). I also run Kim's Komplaints located to your left, and I have a box in the main office just in case you have a problem that need to be addressed with a solution. So yeah, that's pretty much what I'm doing :)
Lee Kuan Yew
March 25, 2015
Fact: A man named Lee Kuan Yew has died at the age of 91. Mr. lee was the first Prime Minister of Singapore, and he turned this place from a third world to a first world country. He was a smart man who campaigned for a 1958 election and two days later, he became a prime minister. He believed that the island was too small to be deprived of resources to survive by themselves. He had to make a lot of decisions which involved giving only some freedom of speech. Even though he never did apologize for his actions, his intentions were to make it a better place. After a while, he stepped down from being the Prime Minister, he still remained the Senior.
One Direction- Zayn is leaving!!
Recently, there's been a report about Zayn Malik leaving One Direction. " OMGGGGG life is sooo over!!!!" ( not really, he's still alive. seriously). I mean, too many girls worldwide have threatened to self- harm themselves over this. I don't mean to offend anybody, but, girls, its not that serious!! Yes, it's a bit of a shock but everyone does have to move on with their lives sooner or later. To be honest, there are more important things that we should be focusing on like: what's going on in different countries, applying for colleges, etc. This situation is really not worth stressing over.
Misao Okawa- World’s Oldest Woman!
April 1, 2015
Discussion: Recently, Misao Okawa died in Osaka, Japan at the age of 117. (Wow). She was born on March 5, 1898. She was born to a kimono- maker and she had married her husband, Yukio in 1919. Together, they had 3 children and in addition to that, she had four children and six great grandchildren. She feels as though her time on earth was short; which is a little ironic.
My opinion: That’s an amazing thing to be able to live so long and to see all the changes in society. She says that the key to a long life is to eat sushi and to get 8 hours of sleep. That may work, but what else can we do to live longer? A lot of people have different theories of this. You know: eat plenty of fruits and veggies, drink water, and exercise, but some things work for different people. Hm… something to think about.
NEW RULE: NO ANOREXIC MODELS!!
France’s Parliament
· A few days ago, France had declared that it will no longer allow for models to strut on the catwalk if they’re anorexic. Parliament has adopted an amendment that states that anyone with a B.M.I. of anything less than 17.5 is anorexic. They go on to warn modeling agencies that if they’re paying for an under- weight model, then they’ll face up to 6 or more months in jail and an additional fine. Oh my gosh it is about time someone has stood up for these models! And in this case, France has! Hopefully, this will spark a worldwide effect in stopping this crime.
What being anorexic does
· I searched up the images online and I came across a cartoon picture of a woman on Pinterest. This picture is shown with arrows pointing to various body parts and how it is affected. Here are just a few examples:
The brain: You can’t think straight, you heightened fear of gaining weight, you faint, and you experience mood swings.
Heart: you get heart palpitations, (when your heart skips a beat), low blood pressure, etc.
Kidneys: eventually you’ll get kidney stones and/or kidney failure.
Fashion Industry
· Because some people in society believe that being anorexic is beautiful, two of probably hundreds or even thousands, have died. A fashion model named Ana Carolina Reston has died in 2006 from this disease. Another young woman named Isabelle Caro has also died. I watched a quick video of her and she talked about how she only bought a few items in the grocery and/or corner store. As the video went on, she mentioned that even if she did want to eat; she wouldn't be able to carry all of it without strength. Shortly after she died, her mother committed suicide perhaps because of a mother’s guilt. It’s just horrible that people should have to go through self- harm just to sell clothes. No disrespect to designers that allow this to happen, but what is the way with someone with a little weight? Why should they have to kill themselves slowly because you want to make a profit. I just don’t understand why people should have to look a certain way.
Skinny Girl Piece
4-21-2015
People in our society believe that being skinny is the best thing to be. All across the internet, (Facebook, Instagram, etc.), you see selfies or videos of how to be skinny. (Or if you are already skinny, how to be even thinner). Many girls grow up with envy of other girls because they can’t alter their bodies fast enough. But then there’s the downside; you are constantly criticized. How do I know? Because I am skinny.
Now, I don’t get bullied about my weight because 1) I never asked people’s opinions and 2) I don’t care what they say. I’ll admit, it gets annoying when people ask, “Where do you put all that food?” or “You probably don’t even eat that much.”
One day, an acquaintance of mine and I were walking down the hall discussing it. She’s a little thinner than I am and claims she has a healthy appetite, but people still question why she’s skinny. It’s the same with me; I can either eat small or larger portions. (In my case, I love food so I eat really well). But that doesn’t mean skinny people don’t eat, it’s just the simple fact that we all don’t eat the same foods or portions. So that’s all I’m saying.
Being skinny isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be. To be honest, if you’re any size, you’re still going to be criticized so you might as well love what you already have!
Disaster in Nepal!!!!
April 28, 2015
Recently in the news, there was an earthquake that hit Saurpani, Nepal. Nepal is located at the top of India and borders near China.
The disaster teams in Nepal have pinpointed that the quake started somewhere in the middle of Mt. Everest and worked its way around the Base Camps where many hikers were located and it is believed that some died. BBC has stated that about 970 people have died, but then other people think that the death toll could reach 10,000 people. Many people were displaced out of their homes and many are still trying to search for their loved ones. The images that I saw were heart wrenching because many have died trapped under brick buildings, ancient temples have crumbled down to the ground, etc. I was watching a video of a news anchor who was talking when all of a sudden, the earth began to tremble. Naturally, some began running anywhere they could be where could they run to? They were still surrounded by buildings that could topple at any moment, and some streets exits were still blocked because of the rubble. If anything, I hope that people in the U.S. disaster teams travels out to help them and I hope that more people are recovered.
Here are some links:
http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/28/asia/nepal-earthquake/
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-32461019
Why the Injustice?
May 11, 2015
Eric Garner: He was a 43-year-old man who was choked to death by Officer Daniel Pantaleo for allegedly resisting arrest. He was found selling cigarettes on the streets of New York. Slogans saying, “I can’t breathe” were held up in Washington, New York, and many cities. Some Los Angeles Laker’s basketball players sported the, “I can’t breathe” t-shirt while warming up. Many people stormed through Macy’s and held their protest there with signs and sit-ins. http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/04/us/garner-last-words/index.html
Michael Brown: He was an 18-year-old man that was shot by Officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, Missouri. There was an incident at a convenience store that involved two men who stole several packs of cigarettes. Supposedly, Michael and his friend, Dorian, matched the description. Dorian eventually fled, leaving Michael and the Officer. Darren Wilson’s side of the story was that Michael was coming closer and closer while eyewitnesses state that Michael Brown’s hands were up, sparking the “Hands up Don’t Shoot!” protest. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shooting_of_Michael_Brown
Tamir Rice: He was a 12-year-old African American boy who was shot by Officer Timothy Loehmann and Officer Frank Garmback because Tamir supposedly had a gun. But after the fact, they realized it was an Airsoft replica.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shooting_of_Tamir_Rice
Discussion: There are many others incidents of police brutality, but this is what I have to say. I’m absolutely sick of hearing about it. I understand that the police are there to serve and protect, but for what? In these situations, the victims didn’t deserve what was brought upon them. There’s a certain point where people stop trusting the police. I’ve also heard that there are going to body cameras placed on all officers, but what good will that do? I mean, I’m all for it if it stops police brutality, but many videos have already been taken by innocent bystanders and justice still isn’t being served. I just don’t know anymore.
The definition of inherent is, “something that is permanent and/or essential.” Well, some believe that people are born with inherent racism, meaning that a person is born with prejudices against others. Most people’s opinions are that others are not inherently racist; rather, it is taught by family and/or friends, or it is seen to be morally correct in the environment that someone lives in. If you put two babies of different races in the same crib, they won’t hate each other. They may have differences on how to play or what they want to play with, but they will get along. A lot of citizens aren't sure of what goes on in police headquarters, but one can assume that some officers are being taught to target certain minorities because of all of the deaths and statistics we hear about. Even if you do have inherent racism, you can work your way out of it by means of counseling and lots of exposure to positive interactions with the people you’re prejudiced against. So, there’s really no excuse for racism.
Do we really need it?
I read an article called, “Perfect Nails, Poisoned Workers,” on www.nytimes.com. This article explains how manicurists risk their health just to make others look beautiful. Ms. Rocano, a manicurist in the Ridgewood salon in Queens NY, told the rest of the women about the defects of her toddler, Matthew. When she was six months pregnant, she continued to work in the salon. Ms. Rocano was around a bunch of harmful chemicals such as *dibutyl phythalate, *formaldehyde, and *toluene while she was buffing her clients’ nails. As her toddler grew, she quickly noticed how his legs buckled when he tried to walk and how he had problems forming words. She went to her son’s doctor and he explained to her that whatever substances the mother is exposed to, the baby will absorb. Another woman named Ki Ok Chung who worked in salons for two decades said that while she was getting her fingerprints scanned for a U.S. Citizenship, her fingerprints were almost non-existent because she was constantly around these fumes. Now she can’t touch any hot or cold dishes without getting pain in her hands.
The federal law regarding cosmetic safety states that nail companies aren’t required to share information with the Food and Drug Administration. The federal law states that people shouldn’t be around harmful chemicals, but they don’t require any investigations to see if there are any in the nail polishes.
Discussion: I’m absolutely appalled at all of the chemicals that are inside one bottle of nail polish. I understand that this is a business and it is the worker’s choice to accept this job, but I believe that every worker should return home without any symptoms of chest pains, thyroid problems, or anything else. I was told by a friend that there are organic nail polishes that don’t contain as many chemicals as regular bottles. If you are a person who regularly gets a weekly manicure and/or pedicure, I suggest that you use these organic products instead.
Dibutyl Phythalate: this makes the nail polish and other products pliable. The definition of pliable is, “easily bent, and hard to crack.”
Formaldehyde: this chemical is used for embalming fluid.
Toluene: This helps to let the nail polish glide on your nails, but this can affect your kidneys and your cognitive thinking.
Introduction
March 25, 2015
Hey guys my name is Kayla Salters and I'm an eleventh grade Creative Writer, ( obviously lol). This section of Co-op Voices is just my everyday thoughts on random things, ( life, love, etc). I also run Kim's Komplaints located to your left, and I have a box in the main office just in case you have a problem that need to be addressed with a solution. So yeah, that's pretty much what I'm doing :)
Lee Kuan Yew
March 25, 2015
Fact: A man named Lee Kuan Yew has died at the age of 91. Mr. lee was the first Prime Minister of Singapore, and he turned this place from a third world to a first world country. He was a smart man who campaigned for a 1958 election and two days later, he became a prime minister. He believed that the island was too small to be deprived of resources to survive by themselves. He had to make a lot of decisions which involved giving only some freedom of speech. Even though he never did apologize for his actions, his intentions were to make it a better place. After a while, he stepped down from being the Prime Minister, he still remained the Senior.
One Direction- Zayn is leaving!!
Recently, there's been a report about Zayn Malik leaving One Direction. " OMGGGGG life is sooo over!!!!" ( not really, he's still alive. seriously). I mean, too many girls worldwide have threatened to self- harm themselves over this. I don't mean to offend anybody, but, girls, its not that serious!! Yes, it's a bit of a shock but everyone does have to move on with their lives sooner or later. To be honest, there are more important things that we should be focusing on like: what's going on in different countries, applying for colleges, etc. This situation is really not worth stressing over.
Misao Okawa- World’s Oldest Woman!
April 1, 2015
Discussion: Recently, Misao Okawa died in Osaka, Japan at the age of 117. (Wow). She was born on March 5, 1898. She was born to a kimono- maker and she had married her husband, Yukio in 1919. Together, they had 3 children and in addition to that, she had four children and six great grandchildren. She feels as though her time on earth was short; which is a little ironic.
My opinion: That’s an amazing thing to be able to live so long and to see all the changes in society. She says that the key to a long life is to eat sushi and to get 8 hours of sleep. That may work, but what else can we do to live longer? A lot of people have different theories of this. You know: eat plenty of fruits and veggies, drink water, and exercise, but some things work for different people. Hm… something to think about.
NEW RULE: NO ANOREXIC MODELS!!
France’s Parliament
· A few days ago, France had declared that it will no longer allow for models to strut on the catwalk if they’re anorexic. Parliament has adopted an amendment that states that anyone with a B.M.I. of anything less than 17.5 is anorexic. They go on to warn modeling agencies that if they’re paying for an under- weight model, then they’ll face up to 6 or more months in jail and an additional fine. Oh my gosh it is about time someone has stood up for these models! And in this case, France has! Hopefully, this will spark a worldwide effect in stopping this crime.
What being anorexic does
· I searched up the images online and I came across a cartoon picture of a woman on Pinterest. This picture is shown with arrows pointing to various body parts and how it is affected. Here are just a few examples:
The brain: You can’t think straight, you heightened fear of gaining weight, you faint, and you experience mood swings.
Heart: you get heart palpitations, (when your heart skips a beat), low blood pressure, etc.
Kidneys: eventually you’ll get kidney stones and/or kidney failure.
Fashion Industry
· Because some people in society believe that being anorexic is beautiful, two of probably hundreds or even thousands, have died. A fashion model named Ana Carolina Reston has died in 2006 from this disease. Another young woman named Isabelle Caro has also died. I watched a quick video of her and she talked about how she only bought a few items in the grocery and/or corner store. As the video went on, she mentioned that even if she did want to eat; she wouldn't be able to carry all of it without strength. Shortly after she died, her mother committed suicide perhaps because of a mother’s guilt. It’s just horrible that people should have to go through self- harm just to sell clothes. No disrespect to designers that allow this to happen, but what is the way with someone with a little weight? Why should they have to kill themselves slowly because you want to make a profit. I just don’t understand why people should have to look a certain way.
Skinny Girl Piece
4-21-2015
People in our society believe that being skinny is the best thing to be. All across the internet, (Facebook, Instagram, etc.), you see selfies or videos of how to be skinny. (Or if you are already skinny, how to be even thinner). Many girls grow up with envy of other girls because they can’t alter their bodies fast enough. But then there’s the downside; you are constantly criticized. How do I know? Because I am skinny.
Now, I don’t get bullied about my weight because 1) I never asked people’s opinions and 2) I don’t care what they say. I’ll admit, it gets annoying when people ask, “Where do you put all that food?” or “You probably don’t even eat that much.”
One day, an acquaintance of mine and I were walking down the hall discussing it. She’s a little thinner than I am and claims she has a healthy appetite, but people still question why she’s skinny. It’s the same with me; I can either eat small or larger portions. (In my case, I love food so I eat really well). But that doesn’t mean skinny people don’t eat, it’s just the simple fact that we all don’t eat the same foods or portions. So that’s all I’m saying.
Being skinny isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be. To be honest, if you’re any size, you’re still going to be criticized so you might as well love what you already have!
Disaster in Nepal!!!!
April 28, 2015
Recently in the news, there was an earthquake that hit Saurpani, Nepal. Nepal is located at the top of India and borders near China.
The disaster teams in Nepal have pinpointed that the quake started somewhere in the middle of Mt. Everest and worked its way around the Base Camps where many hikers were located and it is believed that some died. BBC has stated that about 970 people have died, but then other people think that the death toll could reach 10,000 people. Many people were displaced out of their homes and many are still trying to search for their loved ones. The images that I saw were heart wrenching because many have died trapped under brick buildings, ancient temples have crumbled down to the ground, etc. I was watching a video of a news anchor who was talking when all of a sudden, the earth began to tremble. Naturally, some began running anywhere they could be where could they run to? They were still surrounded by buildings that could topple at any moment, and some streets exits were still blocked because of the rubble. If anything, I hope that people in the U.S. disaster teams travels out to help them and I hope that more people are recovered.
Here are some links:
http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/28/asia/nepal-earthquake/
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-32461019
Why the Injustice?
May 11, 2015
Eric Garner: He was a 43-year-old man who was choked to death by Officer Daniel Pantaleo for allegedly resisting arrest. He was found selling cigarettes on the streets of New York. Slogans saying, “I can’t breathe” were held up in Washington, New York, and many cities. Some Los Angeles Laker’s basketball players sported the, “I can’t breathe” t-shirt while warming up. Many people stormed through Macy’s and held their protest there with signs and sit-ins. http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/04/us/garner-last-words/index.html
Michael Brown: He was an 18-year-old man that was shot by Officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, Missouri. There was an incident at a convenience store that involved two men who stole several packs of cigarettes. Supposedly, Michael and his friend, Dorian, matched the description. Dorian eventually fled, leaving Michael and the Officer. Darren Wilson’s side of the story was that Michael was coming closer and closer while eyewitnesses state that Michael Brown’s hands were up, sparking the “Hands up Don’t Shoot!” protest. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shooting_of_Michael_Brown
Tamir Rice: He was a 12-year-old African American boy who was shot by Officer Timothy Loehmann and Officer Frank Garmback because Tamir supposedly had a gun. But after the fact, they realized it was an Airsoft replica.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shooting_of_Tamir_Rice
Discussion: There are many others incidents of police brutality, but this is what I have to say. I’m absolutely sick of hearing about it. I understand that the police are there to serve and protect, but for what? In these situations, the victims didn’t deserve what was brought upon them. There’s a certain point where people stop trusting the police. I’ve also heard that there are going to body cameras placed on all officers, but what good will that do? I mean, I’m all for it if it stops police brutality, but many videos have already been taken by innocent bystanders and justice still isn’t being served. I just don’t know anymore.
The definition of inherent is, “something that is permanent and/or essential.” Well, some believe that people are born with inherent racism, meaning that a person is born with prejudices against others. Most people’s opinions are that others are not inherently racist; rather, it is taught by family and/or friends, or it is seen to be morally correct in the environment that someone lives in. If you put two babies of different races in the same crib, they won’t hate each other. They may have differences on how to play or what they want to play with, but they will get along. A lot of citizens aren't sure of what goes on in police headquarters, but one can assume that some officers are being taught to target certain minorities because of all of the deaths and statistics we hear about. Even if you do have inherent racism, you can work your way out of it by means of counseling and lots of exposure to positive interactions with the people you’re prejudiced against. So, there’s really no excuse for racism.
Do we really need it?
I read an article called, “Perfect Nails, Poisoned Workers,” on www.nytimes.com. This article explains how manicurists risk their health just to make others look beautiful. Ms. Rocano, a manicurist in the Ridgewood salon in Queens NY, told the rest of the women about the defects of her toddler, Matthew. When she was six months pregnant, she continued to work in the salon. Ms. Rocano was around a bunch of harmful chemicals such as *dibutyl phythalate, *formaldehyde, and *toluene while she was buffing her clients’ nails. As her toddler grew, she quickly noticed how his legs buckled when he tried to walk and how he had problems forming words. She went to her son’s doctor and he explained to her that whatever substances the mother is exposed to, the baby will absorb. Another woman named Ki Ok Chung who worked in salons for two decades said that while she was getting her fingerprints scanned for a U.S. Citizenship, her fingerprints were almost non-existent because she was constantly around these fumes. Now she can’t touch any hot or cold dishes without getting pain in her hands.
The federal law regarding cosmetic safety states that nail companies aren’t required to share information with the Food and Drug Administration. The federal law states that people shouldn’t be around harmful chemicals, but they don’t require any investigations to see if there are any in the nail polishes.
Discussion: I’m absolutely appalled at all of the chemicals that are inside one bottle of nail polish. I understand that this is a business and it is the worker’s choice to accept this job, but I believe that every worker should return home without any symptoms of chest pains, thyroid problems, or anything else. I was told by a friend that there are organic nail polishes that don’t contain as many chemicals as regular bottles. If you are a person who regularly gets a weekly manicure and/or pedicure, I suggest that you use these organic products instead.
Dibutyl Phythalate: this makes the nail polish and other products pliable. The definition of pliable is, “easily bent, and hard to crack.”
Formaldehyde: this chemical is used for embalming fluid.
Toluene: This helps to let the nail polish glide on your nails, but this can affect your kidneys and your cognitive thinking.
Kim's Komplaints
Gum Chewers
February 26, 2015
Discussion: So, this is a tiny complaint of mine, and probably a complaint that others can relate to. What irks me are obnoxious gum poppers and those who like to graze and pop their gum while giving an answer in class or when it's dead silent. Bruh. When a teacher asks you to read or give an answer, I can barely hear what you're trying to say.
Solution: All you have to do is chew quietly, and keep your mouth closed while doing so. If the teacher asks you a question, please just take the gum out for a quick second. It won't hurt you!
The heating system
February 27, 2015
Discussion: I got a slip of paper from someone regarding the heating system. I understand. Its unfortunate for some students because they don't have the luxury of having a classroom blanket. I talked to one student who said that certain places in the school are ice cold while others are extremely hot. (A few examples are the main stage, the fourth floor, etc.)
Solution: The most that I can say to solve the problem is to bring yourself an extra coat or sweater; if you leave it in your locker, grab a pass to go get it. But because this is a problem that a few people have, I can talk with Mr. Costanzo to see what we can do about the problem.
The lunchroom
March 3, 2015
Discussion: Many people, have, well, expressed that they don't prefer the lunch choices that we have, and they're wondering if they can go out to grab some food. I thought about it, and I believe that this is fair.
Solution: I'm not sure if we'll be allowed to do this every day to be honest. But if the administrators agree, and if we can find some teacher(s) willing to take some students out within the block, then it should be permitted. ( I'm talking about the corner store, Chipotle, Subway, etc.)
Gum Chewers
February 26, 2015
Discussion: So, this is a tiny complaint of mine, and probably a complaint that others can relate to. What irks me are obnoxious gum poppers and those who like to graze and pop their gum while giving an answer in class or when it's dead silent. Bruh. When a teacher asks you to read or give an answer, I can barely hear what you're trying to say.
Solution: All you have to do is chew quietly, and keep your mouth closed while doing so. If the teacher asks you a question, please just take the gum out for a quick second. It won't hurt you!
The heating system
February 27, 2015
Discussion: I got a slip of paper from someone regarding the heating system. I understand. Its unfortunate for some students because they don't have the luxury of having a classroom blanket. I talked to one student who said that certain places in the school are ice cold while others are extremely hot. (A few examples are the main stage, the fourth floor, etc.)
Solution: The most that I can say to solve the problem is to bring yourself an extra coat or sweater; if you leave it in your locker, grab a pass to go get it. But because this is a problem that a few people have, I can talk with Mr. Costanzo to see what we can do about the problem.
The lunchroom
March 3, 2015
Discussion: Many people, have, well, expressed that they don't prefer the lunch choices that we have, and they're wondering if they can go out to grab some food. I thought about it, and I believe that this is fair.
Solution: I'm not sure if we'll be allowed to do this every day to be honest. But if the administrators agree, and if we can find some teacher(s) willing to take some students out within the block, then it should be permitted. ( I'm talking about the corner store, Chipotle, Subway, etc.)
