Presentations, Spring Break, and More

Our TED Talk this week spoke of the paradox of choice and how "the secret to happiness is low expectations".  I certainly wasn't very "happy" per say with a majority of your presentations that did not seem professional and in control.  Some of you might not understand why presentation skills are important in this day and age of technology, increased social media, and less face-to-face contact, but the ability to "speak with authority" as Taylor Mali says is an earmark of a successful person.  Obviously success means different things to different people, but I know of no one who aspires to be tuned out, laughed at, or secretly mocked.  I'm not saying I did those things - well, not all of them at least - but the point is:  be a good presenter or no one will listen to a word you're saying.  Most of you were just as bored as I was, right?  And most of us could tell the people who pulled their work together at the last minute, and we could tell the ones who can "own" a room.

A high quality presentation/presenter has some common characteristics:
- interesting
- energetic
- knowledgeable about their subject
- appropriately dressed (I'll come back to this one)
- dynamic
- funny
- engaging
- interesting

How did your presentation stack up?  How did you?

As for the "appropriately dressed" one, period 2 mostly rocked that.  Thank you.  And several of you in other classes came close, but one stood out and what I found interesting was that this particular presenter was asked why he was so dressed up.  I muttered under my breath in the back of the room, "Because he freakin' knows how to do a presentation."  

I wore workout pants, a t-shirt, and tennis shoes (sneakers to some of you) on purpose.  I wasn't presenting.  I wanted to relax and be comfortable in case I fell asleep or had to run away at a high speed.  You always, always dress the part.  Period.

I've blabbered on for enough time - feel familiar?  Suffice it to say, I will teach you how to do better.  And once you know better, you will do better.  TED Talks are in 10 weeks.

Read a few things, feed your brain, and I'll see you in a week.

Happy Spring Break.
xoxo

Synthesis Tomorrow

Review the all the consumer/materialism/debt documents I've posted on the blog this week - INCLUDING THE NYT article on the 704 square foot home in Oregon.  You could print them out, reread them, and annotate them as well.  Just sayin'...

Bring your brain and a pen and some notebook paper to class.

xoxo

p.s. - And definitely check out "Fitting in Cardboard" by Ze Frank on youtube.  Definitely worth your time.  Thanks, Z Girl...

Stuff About Stuff is Tomorrow

Did you read the blog title?
Well then.
Today's random commentary:  Cadillacs are for rich people who are hardworking and successful.  If you don't drive a Cadillac, what is wrong with you?  Ha.

See y'all tomorrow.

xoxo

Feed Your Brain

TED Talks are below.  Period 2, you only watched the first one.  Make sure you have both viewed by tomorrow.  Also, here's The Atlantic's article on cheating that is worth a read.  Check out Nicholas Carr's The Shallows if you're up for a good read.  And check out this interesting visual about debt in the U.S.

Ingenious Homes In Unexpected Places

Malcolm Gladwell's talk

xoxo

p.s. - reminder:  Stuff about Stuff on Thursday this week!

A Reading Post - Read On!

Lots to say/share/write so here goes:

Links below are for delicious things you should rewatch and read.  First off, the fabulously adorable "I Like Being 98" shared by DM.  Share with someone you love.

Read this delicious piece from The Atlantic - uh, hello, PLHS and the world!

And what else?  This bit on consumerism.

And this one on Tupperware.

Read on, read on, read on.

TED tomorrow.

xoxo

Stuff About Stuff

Be ready.

Or Bless Your Heart.

xoxo

Multiple Choice Mania

Any of you so inclined can form small groups of 4 for tomorrow's multiple choice practice.  Think utter vulnerability.  Wear comfortable clothes just in case, too...

xoxo

You Tested...

...I read, and boy did I find some good stuff.  I'll keep most to share on Friday, but below is a cool link to an article I cannot stop thinking about.

704

"Own less.  Live more."  These people built a home for themselves that is all of 704 square feet.  In a society obsessed with size (the average home these days is at least 2500 square feet), it seems that we are constantly being bombarded with the idea that more is better.

I didn't grow up in a big house - 2 bedrooms, 1 bath.  Our kitchen was so small that you could sit at the round table and open the refrigerator without getting up.  I'm not sure how many square feet it was - my mom's since moved to a bigger house that has 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, a study and a dining room (she lives alone).  But what I do recall from that house is the feeling of literal and spiritual closeness with my mom and sister.  It was a home that housed our triumphs and struggles and fears and successes.

So this article really made me think.  Why is it that I believe (like so many of us do) that bigger is better?  Who says a big house equals success?  I know plenty of people (and I bet you do, too) who have lots of nice things - cars, clothes, gadgets - and big houses to boot - whose life is but a sham of shiny, sparkly things that glitter but aren't gold.

Hmm...Just read the article and think on it.

For class, come with your 2013 Synthesis packet so we can work on writing an essay together.  See y'all then.

xoxo

p.s. - period 2, I found a new washer.  And my eyeball is doing fine.  Besos.  

Manana

EAP tomorrow - sounds like a disease - but really it's just to test your college readiness when it comes to writing.  (Insert stress if you've learned nothing from The Circle Thingy).  For those who are interested, check THIS and THIS out.

In other news, I am still sleepy.  And my eyeball hurts.  Will I wear my glasses tomorrow?  Hmm...

Laundry calls.  Dishes call.  Little One's bath time calls.  But "Revenge" is on my DVR.  #conundrum

GO LADY POINTERS!

I cannot think of a better way to commemorate International Women's Day than with a group of highly talented, dedicated females winning their school a CIF Championship.  Way to go!  Congratulations to Coach Aros and all the ladies - special shouts to Mi'Lexus, Ilish, Angelica, Desiree, M. Aros and Jessica.  We were watching in period 6 - the live stream - and it was exciting, tense, and anxiety filled.  So happy for you!!!!!!

In other news, classes were super small as a result of the awesome game, so if you were out and DID NOT email me your topic of choice, GET ON THAT RIGHT NOW.  ybeltran@sandi.net

Have a safe and happy weekend,
xoxo

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Good luck tomorrow women's basketball.  So, so proud of you!!!  Game at 11:07am at USD's Jenny Craig Pavillion.  Tickets are $10 with your student id.

Stuff About Stuff tomorrow - ideally something to celebrate International Woman's Day which is Saturday.  Also, your topic of interest is also due - jot it down on an index card or something simple.

See y'all then!
xoxo

For Tomorrow...

You will need THIS. You will need the whole thing eventually but for tomorrow make sure you have the first set of multiple choice questions (#1-17).

No cheating.  :)

xoxo

Why Not Rewatch?

Just in case you want to nourish your minds again, rewatch the two delicious videos we viewed in class.  They are below.  Consider your position on both speakers' ideas and main claims.  (ooh, that sounds fancy - basically just think.).

Video One:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPCkfARH2eE
Video Two:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJgiYBdD2VA

Think about your topic of choice as well.

xoxo

ALSO, print out the Synthesis Question from 2013 from College Board and bring to class.  Thanks.
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/exam/exam_information/2001.html#name13 (website)
 http://media.collegeboard.com/digitalServices/pdf/ap/apcentral/ap13_frq_english_language.pdf (pdf)

Monday Monday

I meant to give a shout out in class to Oso but I forgot.  Your writing is just about awesome - thank you for always filling my mind with good food to digest.  Thank you!!!!!

So, that speech.  It slayed me.  Your responses were super thoughtful too.  Big shout out to Sydney B. and Hannah O. who wrote some pretty amazing and lyrical things.  Wow.

Consider what interests you and be prepared to share your answer on Friday.

TED Talk Tuesday tomorrow.

xoxo