Emily Scoggins VHS Final

Week 14

My favorite assignment during week 14 was the interview. We had to choose an adult who has made a sacrifice for his/her family, and I chose to interview my mom. The activity she said she enjoys doing but can't would be interior designing. This was interesting to me because I didn't know that about my mom. I said I could potentially help her fulfill this by going to college, majoring in business, and helping her start her own interior design business. This activity made me realize that there's always more to learn about a person, and there's always a way to help them. I hope by doing this week's interview I will be more helping, and try to serve others, even if it's on a small scale.

"Sacrifice - Google Search." Sacrifice - Google Search. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Dec. 2015.

Week 13

During this week, we learned a lot about stress and how to handle it. This lesson was very helpful and important to me because I struggle with anxiety, and of course anxiety and stress run hand in hand. It's difficult for me to handle it but doing the 13.3 Stress Search helped me in abundance. I was amazed to see just how negatively stress can take a toll on your body. Not only does it affect your moods by making you irritable and angry, it can also weaken your body's immune system, which was very interesting to me. Signs that you deal with stress negatively can include you: overeating, binge watching movies or TV, and filling up your schedule to the point where you have no time to do anything. Reading that in an article made an impact on me because I realized that I do those things sometimes. However, some of the main ways to handle stress positvely include: exercising, getting enough sleep, and eating healthy. Doing this assignment helped me so much and I know it will continue to help me because I get stressed out very easily and I can remember to do these things so that I won't be as stressed.

"Stress - Google Search." Stress - Google Search. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Dec. 2015.

This week we dealt with emotions and how to identify/handle them. My favorite lesson from this week was probably the interview. I really enjoyed doing the interview because we got to interview 3 different people from 3 different age groups on how the all experienced and handled a certain emotion. It was very interesting to me because a 17 year old will, of course, have different life experiences than a 72 year old, and I liked to see how drastic the examples they listed were. For example, my friend listed she was happy when she got a dog, but my grandmother was happy when I was born. My mom was angry when she found out why my dad wanted a divorce, but my grandmother gets mad when people mess with her family. Just this two emotions show how different people can be and how much they weigh certain things against others. It's made me realize that what I'm facing now will pass. I'll have better times, and I'll have worse times, but the important thing is to take it all in while I can, because like I said, it will pass. It also made me realize to be receptive to other people's emotions, because you truly don't know how they're handling things. Like an article I read this week stated, "people repress their emotions." So just because you think someone might be over something, they could be just repressing their feelings and putting on a front. After this week, and this interview, I want to express my emotions more and handle them better. I want to start a journal so that I can be more aware of the emotions I'm feeling, and so that I don't repress my feelings.

"I don't want to be at the mercy of my emotions. I want to use them, to enjoy them, and to dominate them." -Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray

Week 12

Week 11

Week 9

"Community+serve - Google Search." Community+serve - Google Search. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Dec. 2015.

This week was all about community service and service-learning. I enjoyed learning about both and learning the similarities and differences. Before doing the research, I though they were both exactly the same thing, just a different way to say it. However, I now know that their both designed to help those in need, your community, or the environment, but the difference is that community service is strictly about the service itself, with no motives other than it being the right thing to do. On the other hand, Service-Learning is done a lot of times through school, and even if not done through school, it's an educational opportunity. Service-Learning is designed to let student's, or any individual, help someone or something else, while bettering themselves. It's interesting to me that service-learning has led to better motivation for student's, as well as more academic success. This week has also inspired me to volunteer my time to help others. A random act of kindness by me could start a trend in others, causing my community to be better for it on a large scale. Or, on the smaller scale, at least my actions could brighten someone else's day.

Week 10

My favorite activity from Week 9 was reading "Hope for the Flowers." This book was about two caterpillars, Stripe and Yellow, who find each other on their journey to the top of a pillar. Once they find each other, they both realize that the other is more important than the journey to the top, so they turn around a head back to the ground. After their return back, Stripe got bored again, and the feelings of not being content returned to him, so he left Yellow and made his way back to the caterpillar pillar. Yellow was sad, but as she went to look for him, someone else showed her something beautiful and amazing- how to turn into a butterfly. On Stripe's mission to the top, he missed Yellow, and turned back for her. This book, through childlike things- butterflies and personification- taught me important lessons. This book helped me learn about my own traits. I'm like Yellow; I can stay close to home with the ones I love, in the place I've always known, and flourish into something wonderful. Yet, there's a part of me like Stripe, that yearns for adventure, and the thoughts of " there's more out there than what I've always known," and not being content until I "get to the top." This book will help me think about decisions in my own life- "Is what I'm after worth it? Is it what I need?" It taught me patience. If I set out on a journey to get to the top, I must be patient. Everything I want will not land in my hands all at once. I must have perseverance, and push through difficult obstacles, like Stripe, if I want to get to the top of my pillar.

"It may mean everything or it may mean nothing. You'll never know until you decide to look at it from a different perspective." -Unknown

"Caterpillars - Google Search." Caterpillars - Google Search. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Dec. 2015.

One of my favorite activities from this week was the interview of two different people in the same household! It was interesting to see how two people can go through the same situation, yet have different feelings and weigh different outcomes. For example, the decision I chose to write on was my mom and dad's divorce. It was crazy to see how my mom thought different things were important, like the fact my kids won't have their grandparent's together, where I thought just moving houses was a drastic change. I guess that goes to show how you never really know what someone is dealing with on the inside even if you know their situation. Learning this will help me in life because I can be more receptive to people's feelings and not judge them on how they're handling a situation, that truthfully, I may know nothing about.

Emily Scoggins

"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Matthew 6:21 KJV

During week 8, we dealt a lot with money. We looked at our needs versus our wants and the things we spend money on weekly. However, my favorite assignment from week 8 was our discussion. We were asked whether money was a motivator or a necessity. I said, like many others, money is definitely a necessity. Everything costs money, even basic needs such as food, water, and a home. I enjoyed reading Madeline's response on how it even takes money to make certain things, then it takes money to buy those things, and it takes money to pay employees. Others took the stance that money is motivator. Without money, we wouldn't have an incentive to go to work. Having no money means not having luxurious items, such as a huge house or the nicest car, or the prettiest clothes. Therefore, money is a motivator for us so that we can have those items. This week opened my eyes on how the cost of living is very expensive. It made me realize that getting an education, and working hard to have a nice, stable job is extremely important, because if you want to live comfortably, you will need a steady income. But if you want even nicer things, it becomes that much more important as well. That's why I think it's important to be content and not get caught up in materialistic items, but instead to be happy with your family and friends and the small amount of things you do have.

"I think that we all do heroic things, but hero is not a noun, it's a verb." - Robert Downey Jr.

Week 8

This week our focus was on heroes! We talked about what a hero is, and who our heroes are. I said a hero is someone who stands for what's right. Some of my favorite definitions from my classmates are: a hero is someone who is determined, helps others, focuses on the positive, and pushes boundaries. The hero I chose to write about was Abraham Lincoln. His life went along with the definition I gave; he stood for what was right even though it was the unpopular opinion. He did everything in his power to free the slaves, and he wanted very badly to see the North and the South come together again. This week has taught me to "be a hero," or in other words, stand for what I think is right in my heart even if others don't agree, to have a better attitude, to never give up on my plans, and to give my help and time to others because we never know if someone is looking to us for leadership and guidance. I think this week's lesson will help me in the future, especially when I have kids, to teach them and portray in everyday life the qualities of a hero.

Week 7

Week 6

Week 5

"Every act you have ever performed since the day you were born was performed because you wanted something." - Andrew Carnegie

My favorite lesson from this week was learning about a man named Abraham Maslow. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about him and the hierarchy he created. His original hierarchy consisted of 5 levels- biological needs, safety needs, belonging/love, esteem needs and self-actualization. There is also a seven level hierarchy and an eight level. I think my favorite hierarchy is the 8 level, because I agree we have more than 5 "levels," and I also think it's important that we help others find their place in life, only AFTER establishing and maintaining our own place. I think we contributed to the adding on of his hierarchy because our standard of living and literacy rates are higher, meaning more people value art and education than the amount of people who did when Maslow first created the pyramid. On the original 5 level, I believe I am on the third level waiting to be on the fourth. I think I will reach the fourth after I graduate high school, get a job and start college, making me more independent. Maslow also helped me to discover how we as a society have different needs, yet they're all the same. This week was very enlightening on our choices, needs, and stages of life as humans.

This week we answered the discussion question: What is the American Dream and who do we think has achieved it? I said for my response that, "The American Dream is every man and woman having an equal chance to be successful and working hard for what you earn." There are many people who come to mind, but for my response I said Andrew Carnegie achieved the American Dream because he started out in poverty from another country, came to the United States, and ended up being the second richest man in the world. This week we also continued to look at and evaluate our values and dreams. Some of my dreams included living in New York or living some place in the mountains where it stays cold. I know by learning about the American Dream this week that I can achieve and live MY dreams through hard-work and perseverance instead of just hoping that one day they will happen. This week's discussion has given me hope that if people like Andrew Carnegie can come up from the struggle, I can as well.

"Abraham+maslow's+8+hierarchy+of+needs - Google Search." Abraham+maslow's+8+hierarchy+of+needs - Google Search. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Dec. 2015.

Week 2

Week 4

Week 2 focused on who we are now and also metacognition. Metacognition is when you think about what you're thinking about; I never knew it had a word until now! We were asked if we had ever experienced metacognition, and if so, how it affected us. I said that I had experienced it, and it affects me postively because it helps me to control my thoughts, words, and actions.Like if I'm thinking something negative, I realize it, and then I can choose to not think that way anymore, and to think on something more positive. Others said it affected them negatively because it made them realize what they were thinking (for example, when they were thinking about other people) and those thoughts made them feel like a bad person. These assignments helped me to figure out why I make the decisions I make (metacognition).

"Never Judge a Book by Its Cover - Google Search."

Week 1

"Thinking - Google Search." Thinking - Google Search. Web. 14 Dec. 2015.

My favorite assignment during week 1 was our discussion. We were asked what we would do in a situation where a cashier gave us too much money back. I said, like many others, that I would return it no matter the place of business or how much money because it's wrong. I would feel guilty and like I had stolen something. During the discussion, people brought up the fact that if we didn't return the money, the cashier could get accused of stealing it, and therefore lose his/her job. I didn't think about that when writing my response, but it's a good point. This discussion has taught me to be honest because you never know who or what else your dishonesty could be affecting.

During Week 4, we learned our core values. But first, we started our week off with our discussion question about the phrase "Never judge a book by its cover" and stereotypes. Many of us were talking about how stereotypes affect our lives daily because of all the different labels we're put under during school. For example, the "band kids," "weird kids," "nerds," "preppy kids," etc., etc.. I wish we could drop the labels and really get to know people for what's on the inside, what their soul is made of. This discussion went along perfectly with the lesson because what's on the outside does NOT always equal what's on the inside. We also had to interview a friend on what they believe the qualities of a good friend are. The friend I interviewed said it's important to be trustworthy, outgoing, and compassionate. However, really thinking about this weeks lesson, I wish she would have said someone who isn't JUDGMENTAL. I think to be a true friend, not just to your "best friends" but also to every day people, means learning and loving and showing kindness to who they really are, despite the labels put on them. This week taught me to look past the labels and stereotypes and to start treating everyone with kindness and love because you don't truly know what someone is going through or what's on the inside, and you could be that light and hope that gets someone through another day.

"Honesty - Google Search." Honesty - Google Search. Web. 13 Dec. 2015.

Week 3

Week 3 was very interesting. We started this week by answering our hardest discussion question yet: would we go to a concert we had already planned for, or go spend time with our sibling if they had news to share. I, like several others, said I would go to the concert! The rest said they would ditch the concert and hang out with their sibling instead because "Family comes first." Well, I say, if we were really that close to our sibling, they would already know that we were going to a concert that night. This discussion opened my eyes to how everyone thinks differently, and we shouldn't have to justify our decision making to someone who disagrees. It's important that we put family first; they'll always be there for us. But sometimes we also have to think of ourselves and the plans we have already made that may not come around again, like going to a concert

"Tomorrow when you choose, you have to think of the family. But you also have to think of yourself." -Caleb Prior, Divergent