First Amendment

1.Give a speech before a large gathering of people and express opinions about the president's abilities.

2.Circulate a petition calling for the repeal of an unpopular law.

3.Post your opinion on your blog about an issue being discussed at a local school board meeting.

4.Write a letter for the editorial page of a newspaper in which you criticize a state legislator.

The first amendment is important to me because I have my own opinions on religions and my family does also. So I think everyone should be able to have their own beliefs and chose what ever religion pleases them.

Podcast

podcast -

June 5, 2009

My last swamp I visited is called Pripet marshes. I know it says marshes, but it's really the largest swamp in Europe. It's in Poland which is surrounded by Ukraine, Germany and Norway. The capital of Poland is Minsk. There are no major bodies of water close to Poland, but the North Atlantic Ocean isn't too far away. The GPS coordinates are 51° 48′ 55″ N, 24° 57′ 10″ E. The climate is cool with lots of precipitation. This swamp looks like the trees are farther above the water. There isn't much grass, and the water is very green. The swamp was discovered in 1872 and is important to all of the many animals that live there. Poland is 4,480 miles from Botswana. I flew a plane to get here, which cost $730. The rental car was $48, and hotel was $74. I felt like I learned a lot about the world while I was away on this trip, not only about landforms, but cultures and different people. The most important thing I learned is about swamps and what they looked like, I never knew that the swamps had so many species of animals living there. My family was excited to see me, and they were proud that I had a good experience.

May 29, 2009

From the Vasyugan swamp, I then went to the Okavango swamp in Botswana. The capital of Botswana is Gaborone and Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe border it. Sowa pan is a body of water that borders Botswana. The GPS coordinates are 46 04'15.06" S 70 02'09.30". The climate is hot and damp, and this swamp looks like a field with shallow water covering it. The history of this swamp is it used to be a delta, but over time also became a swamp. It's important because it is also an eco- system. It's about 10, 314 miles from the last swamp. To get to Botswana I flew. The flight was $1,265, the car was $468, and the hotel cost $715. I haven't really had any problems. But this destination is much different. Africa is very different from the United States, it's very hot and dry here.

May 22, 2009

The next swamp I am visiting is Vasyugan swamp in Indiana. The capital is Indianapolis, which is bordered by Kentucky, Illinois, West Virginia, and Ohio. There are no bodies of water that surround it. The GPS coordinates are 36 08'53.17" N 87 10' 40.45". The climate is cool and obviously wet. This swamp looks like a maze. There aren't any trees just tall grass and bushes with water everywhere and sometimes in the middle of the bushes. There isn't really any history, but it is important because it has many endangered species and is one of the largest swamps in the world. This swamp is about 4, 354.21 miles from my last. To get to my fifth location I took a plane, and there was no layovers. It cost me 1, 427 for the rental car, hotel and flight. I was impressed with my travels. They went smoothly and I had no trouble.

May 15, 2009

The next location I am visiting is Lahuen Ñadi Natural Monument swamp.
It's in Chile, and the capital is Santiago. Argentina, Peru and Bolivia border Chile. For bodies of water there is South Pacific Ocean and South Atlantic Ocean. The GPS coordinates are 41 16'55.22" S 73 00'34.67" and the climate is damp and humid. It looks like the woods, but with gross water surrounding the trees. Truly, there really isn't any history of this swamp. It could be considered important because it has vegetation which not all swamps have. This swamps is about 7,063 miles from the last. To get to the swamp I flew from Sydney, Australia to Chile. I bought the flight and hotel in a package because it cost less, and together they were $1,486. The rental car was $54 a day, and I had it for 2 days so I spent $108. While traveling I didn't have any problems, except at the airport things ran very slowly. I think the biggest difference between this swamp and the last, is the temperature. It's warmer in Florida, than in Santiago.

May 8, 2009

From now on I am going to visit swamps. I found one in South Australia called The Swamp of the Fleurieu Peninsula. Adelaide is the capital of South Australia, Australia is both a continent and country, so no countries border it. But for oceans, there are a lot that border Australia. You have the Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, South Pacific Ocean and the North Pacific Ocean. The swamp, as expected, is very damp with lots of rainfall. It's an interesting sight, with lots of trees and plants. It looks like a forest in the middle of a lake, or something like that. The truth is, there really isn't any history, I guess you could consider this being historic because it's one of few with over 40 species of animals, which is also what makes this location important. The GPS coordinates of this location are 35 o6'46.14" S 138 49'55.20. To get to my second location I flew out from Phoenix, Arizona to Adelaide, Australia. I spent $1,876 for the plane ticket, two night in Holiday City in Adelaide cost me $192. And last for the rental car, $75.44.

May 1, 2009

The first mesa I am visiting is the Look out Point in Mesa Verde National Park. It is in the United States and the capital is Washington D.C.. Canada and Mexico border the US, but for oceans there are the North Pacific Ocean and North Atlantic Ocean. The climate is colder than most deserts around, the temperature mostly reaches to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and the GPS coordinates are 37 15' o9.40" N 108 26' 37.75". The history is it is in a park that has been around and visited since 1906. It was discovered by Spanish explorers. The location looks like a desert and very dry, but different because there are shrubs and plants around. This location is important because there are ancient stone villages that can uncover people's past.

April 16, 2009

My avatar is basketballer4814. I am 13 years old and I'm going to visit mesa's around the world. I am leaving to go on this adventure because I want to learn more about the landforms in the world and to see the sights. I am excited and cannot wait for this trip. Although at times it may be boring, I'm sure the majority of the time will be fun. My family says that this is a good learning trip for me, and I will have lots of fun and see many beautiful things.

LA newspaper article

Respiratory disorders are #3 killer in U.S

OF NEWS STAFF

NEWPORT- A 61 year old, Paula Stone was pronounced dead on Wednesday March 4th. Dr. Hall says “Her case of chronic pneumonia was getting out of hand when she was brought in to the Eastern Maine Medical Center on Tuesday March 3rd.”
Family and friends are shocked, and never knew it could go this far. “She's always been perfectly healthy, I don't know what happened.” Says Kaitlyn Stone, Paula's daughter. The symptoms of chronic pneumonia are confused mental state, or delirium. Heavy perspiration, chattering teeth, shaking or chills, and blueish color to lips and nail beds. Rapid breathing, rapid pulse, severe chest pain, and high temperature.
This winter, the disorders have been going around fast. Watch out for bronchitis, pneumonia and influenza. Doctors encourage you to get in to a hospital as soon as symptoms you have any that could lead to a respiratory disorder. Also if anyone you know has a disorder that could be contagious, please keep you and your family away, so no one else has to go through the pain like Paula.
Eastern Maine Medical Center is now researching further in to finding treatments to help cure these disorders. “We're trying to keep people healthy and safe this winter, we need to fight these diseases and do what we can to keep people safe.” Said Dr. Hall.
For more information on respiratory disorders, and some symptoms to look out for, go to www.fightdisease.org. "Let's try to get people back on their feet and healthy again." said Dr. Hall.

March 26, 2009

Today is much different then the middle ages. We usually have families with everyone in them, dad, mom, siblings. But in the middle ages the families would not all live together or the husbands would go find work while the woman stay around home. Also all the kids go to school today, and before most kids did not attend school.
Our government is run by the people. But we have a president to also keep us in line. The middle ages had people like presidents but instead they were King and Queen. They told the people what to do, and the president cannot do that. We have freedom of speech, and before if anyone insulted the king they would be put in the dungeon. The only things people may get in trouble for is threatening another person, which can be very serious.
Events today include things like birthday parties, get togethers for a special holiday, or sport events. In the middle ages they didn't have big events like us. Maybe for birthdays, but not for holidays or sports. The people didn't seem as social.

March 18, 2009

Just recently we celebrated the queen's birthday. Our whole town went came to the castle to have a feast. It took place about a week ago, but the king had got the messenger to secretly tell everyone so it was a surprise on her birthday. While we were there the main things we did was eat, and talk amongst everyone. My mother and I wore nice clothes, because we thought it would be best. I was very shocked that everyone was invite, including myself, but since we have very nice people, who really all are fortunate, I guess it was a good idea. I think everyone else was shocked too, but maybe not. Since the birthday I think everyone else have been more social and friendly.

-Isabel Cook

March 11, 2009

Most of the people I talk to are other kids in the castle. I do have some friends that go to school. But I never get the chance to talk to them, but I wish I did. I love eating bread and oatmeal, but I am a very picky eater. Some fish is good, and vegetables, but that's about it. I live in a nice place. Most of the time we have good sunny weather but it does get cold. I love where I live.

March 4, 2009

Our government here is feudalism. Some of our laws are anyone who infringes the king, will have to pay a fine, or go to court. If you kill someone else, you could be sentenced to death, or if you steal, you will lose a few fingers or pay a fine. Recently, a law was made to stop all punishment towards the messenger when he delivered any bad news. I definitely agree with the laws for anyone who steals of kills. Maybe after their punishment, they will know better next time not to do it again. I don't really agree with the law with the king. Unless they are threatening to kill. But if they just speak rude words, then I don't see any harm. I am a bishop, and go to the church here at the castle. So far there haven't been any real conflicts happening. A young boy tried stealing a fish, but he didn't get very far. Since he wasn't of age to be punished, his parents were given a fine to pay.

February 25, 2009

I'm Isabel Cook and I live in England. I just turned 16 and I do not attend school although I wish I did. My mother is the only family left. Recently my father passed away from a deadly disease. My mother works in the kitchen as a cook with me. We do not own a house, for now were living here in the castle bedrooms along with many other workers. For fun I go outside with my friend Muriel. Some chores I'm expected to do are, go buy food, keep the kitchen clean, and fill my mothers position when she's sick.

Isabel Cook

Memoir

Our Gift From Henry

I woke up Christmas morning, excited as could be. I tiptoed downstairs
and the closer I got, the clearer I could see that there was an
animal. I paused for a moment, unsure what to do. Until I heard my
dad sit up in bed. He turned all the lights on and thats when I saw
what it really was.

“What do you think of him” He whispered.

I didn't know what to say, my emotions were getting the best of me. I
just smiled and rushed downstairs.

I couldn't believe after all that time I had finally gotten what I
wanted, a dog. I thought about all the possibilities for names, and
decided to go with something different, Henry. My brother and I
finished opening our presents and got ready for our grandmother's.
When we got there all my family came up and pet Henry. I think they
loved him as much as I did. While we all visited and opened our
presents, Henry must have been tired because he slept beside me the
whole time. I would have to say, that was my best Christmas.

From that day on, Henry was my best friend. Although I didn't see him
everyday, the days I saw him I cherished. The days we went out to
play were great. I remember the way he sloshed through the puddles
making water sprinkle everywhere. I could see the happiness in his
eyes glow, and the friendliness he showed. Henry jumped high, chasing
after the butterflies he never caught. The cold fall wind chilled
[against] my body as I ran around trying to catch up with Henry. Then
he would stand there staring at me when I was waiting at the door.
“Come on Henry. Come get a treat” I called. I had never
had a dog this playful and really liked the fact he was. He didn't
want to come inside, so I gave up waiting. Finally he came around and
followed me inside to the warm home. We'd played enough outside for
the day.

At a family birthday party one year, my dad took all my family out back
to show them his subdivision. Of course as you know, Henry came too.
He started running ahead of us, so I called his name hoping he would
stop. He did, but not until he hit the road. That split second a car
came speeding down the road and hit Henry. I stood there, staring at
what had happened in front of me. Then, a miracle must have
happened because Henry got to his feet and trotted off the road. I
dried my tears and smiled. I couldn't believe what had just happened.
He's alive. He came over to me and I bent down and hugged his neck.
“It's gonna be okay Henry” I whispered.

After all that, I knew Henry was unstoppable. If he could live through
being hit by a car, he could live through anything. Unfortunately,
that wasn't the case. One afternoon when I was with my mom, my dad
called. I answered the phone and he asked to speak to my mom. I
didn't argue, I just handed her the phone. I listened to what they
were saying, but I figured they were just talking, so I didn't ask
questions. She hung up the phone and went back to what she was doing.

I got out of bed the next morning and rushed around to get ready. That
was the day I was with my dad. I couldn't wait to see Henry, and take
him outside to play. My mom drove us to our dads, and I hurried out
of the car and ran out back to what I thought was going to be Henry.
But he wasn't there. I looked around and thought to myself where he
would be. But then it hit me, he must be in his kennel. So from there
I went inside and as I got ready to go downstairs, my dad walked
towards me. “Where's Henry?” I asked.

He didn't look up at me. “Well....He's not here.”

“Where is he?”

“He.....died.”

I took a second to think about what was really said. Henry had died. My
feelings were unexplainable. Everything just rushed around through my
mind. Then I broke down in a flow of tears. My best friend was had
left me.

A little later that day when I felt a little better about everything,
I asked my dad how Henry died. “Well were not really sure yet.
I think that he had a heart-attack. Ever since he got hit by that
car, he's never been the same.” He answered. I just nodded, not
really caring anymore. Then made my way back to my bedroom.

The next day, I sat up in bed and looked out my window. It was that
moment that it had really sank in that Henry had died. I wasn't in a
good mood, and my dad knew because he didn't say a word to me. I
stood at the kitchen sink rinsing my plate off when I saw a glance of
yellow. I took a closer look through the window and it looked like
some sort of flower. So I walked out back and took a look. It was a
sunflower. But where did it come from? I knew for sure we didn't
plant it. I went inside and got my dad. He looked at the flower and
didn't say anything. Finally he looked up at me and answered, “It's
our gift from Henry.”

I thought about it and said it again to myself, “It's our gift
from Henry.”

Although Henry isn't with us anymore, he was a great dog while he lived. I
will never forget the times we had together, and that Christmas day
he became my friend.