What Happened This Year?

Year in Review

Many people don't realize how much goes on year round. This is, because we can't be everywhere all the time! It's just not possible! To keep updated we have our "devices". Almost every American has a type of device they use to... do many different things with. These devices such as Apple products, Androids, Tablets, or anything else you can think of, all have a way of keeping you updated. Although technology made a drastic change so has many other things. Some of these events weren't to pleasing, such as the Boston bombing. This was a very unwanted event, but unfortunately happened. To learn more about these topic keep reading onto my Opinions section. For more information, and questions you can answer click on the link below. (in green)
http://nyti.ms/JCNHpR


As you can see this advertisement was one in the many made by the Apple Company
promoting their product in 2013.

My Opinions

Personally I believe many interesting, tragic, and exciting things took place in 2013. That means we can't forget about them! A new event from 2013 that I will remember is the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary. The killer of the helpless children had a sick mind, but that's only my opinion. Music has changed drastically this year. For example now music videos are like mini movies. In the music videos the music part of the video is just a background. The events that took place in 2013 made me realize something. Wherever you are you aren't safe. There is no place you can be and not be in danger. It is your choice to take risks and go places, but if you don't do it yourself now, you will find yourself saying "I could have but didn't." I don't want to be that person, saying they could have, because by then, it would have been to late.

Top Ten Songs of 2013

1. Thrift Shop
2. Royals
3. Roar
4. Wrecking Ball
5. Blurred Lines
6. Can't Hold Us
7. Applause
8. Just Give Me a Reason
9.The Monster
10. Say Something
Please do not listen to any song on this list without a parent/guardian's permission. Thank you!

Got Questions?

Have any questions about this year? Comment them and I'll answer! Another thing you can comment is what you think about the new enhancements of 2013. If you have any suggestions about my blogging this year please let me know!

How Do You Make Candy Canes?

Ever Wonder How to Make Candy Canes?

Making candy canes is a very unique and difficult process. It takes several hours to do this. Candy canes used to not be like how the are now. They used to be simple sugar sticks, which were candy for children. These sticks slowly developed stripes and the shape of a cane. The ingredients had to be mixed, heated, pulled, cut, and twisted to get its twirled figure.People that make candy canes could have to wake up at five in the morning, everyday to start making these interesting, sweet delights.Below is how to make a candy cane from scratch.

My Opinions

I feel this process is difficult and a lot of hard work. I think this, because in and article I read called "How did Candy Canes Get Their Shape?" In this article the author states, "The process

took a lot of time and strength. The candy ingredients had to be mixed, heated and then pulled, cut and twisted." This like shown in the video, the process may look like a lot of fun, but hard work is also involved. For a link to the whole article of "How did Candy Canes Get Their Shape?" try below. (in red)

http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/how-did-candy-canes-get-their-shape/

Top Ten Candies

1. M and Ms 
2. Hershey's Kisses
3. Snickers

4. Twizzlers
5. Kit-Kat
6. Butterfingers
7. Twix
8. Hershey Bar
9. Jelly Beans
10. Skittles 

Got Questions?
Wonder more about candy canes? Or do you want to know about a different candy? Pick which ever suits you and find out more about them. If you decide to do this be sue to let me know by commenting!  

Ever Wondered if Your Taste Buds Change?

Ever Wondered if Your Taste Buds Change?

     Actually they do change. They could die when you drink something scorching hot and you grow new ones, but mainly they  get over used, then they die and new ones start to grow. That's why if your young and you don't like something, when you get older you start to like it. There may be a food, like say broccoli, that you don't like, but your parents do like it. That may be, because when you get older your taste buds don't capture a food's flavor as much as before. Your nose is also a big part in taste. When you smell a food you don't like, you don't want to eat it. So, taste buds do change, and your nose affects what you eat too.

Thoughts and Opinions

Now you know that taste buds do change, but ever wondered more? I did, but then I read an article called "Do Your Taste Buds Change?" In this article the author states, " If you love pizza and eat it all the time, there’s a chance that you might detest it one day if you happen to eat it right before coming down with the flu." This demonstrates how if you get sick before or after eating something you love, it could ,either temporarily or even permanently, make you dislike the food.  That's unfortunate! Don't you think? If you want to read the full article of " Do Your Taste Buds Change?" click the link below.(in orange) 
http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/do-your-taste-buds-change/

Top Ten Foods Loved By Americans

1. Cheeseburgers
2. Steak
3. Hotdogs
4. Nachos
5. Pie
6. Turkey
7. Barbecue Ribs
8. Buffalo Wings
9. Smores
10. Popcorn
 

Got Questions?

Wonder how your taste buds taste? I know I wonder that. I know what can solve our problem! You can find the answer to this question If you decide to be sure to comment what you found below! 

 

 

Why is it called " Black Friday?"

Why "Black Friday?"

     Wonder why "Black Friday" is called "Black Friday"? Well, let's find out!  In the 1960's  police officers used to call Fridays "Black Friday" because of all the traffic. Businesses didn't like the negative use of this term so they had a different way of using "black." When something went wrong they said they were "in the red" and when some was good they said they were "in the black." When they are "in the black" businesses are making money. On Black Friday businesses make lots of money form people buying the store's products. That's why the stores are "in the black" on "Black Friday!" There is a similar day in England called Boxing Day. Black Friday is right after Thanksgiving! That's why so many people go shopping!



My Opinion

Personally, I don't like how businesses changed the true meaning of the term "black" because people don't know the original meaning of this term. I don't think that's to fair. I feel that Black Friday should be called something else. Anyway when I think of black I think of something dark and dreadful. I don't think of happy people shopping. Do you? I didn't think so. I agree with the police that made up the original meaning of this term. They used it in a negative way which in my opinion seems like the right way to used a dark color. If they used a bright color such as yellow or orange it wouldn't work as well as black did. I feel the change in the meaning of black was not an amazing idea, but since not many people know the original meaning of the term it really doesn't affect  people. 

Top Ten Stores Shopped at on Black Friday

1. Macy's

2. Walmart

3. Target

4. Best Buy

5. Sears

6. Kohl's 

7. Game Stop

8. Costco

9. Kmart

10. The Home Depot

Got Questions?

Do you think businesses should have changed the original meaning "black"? I know I don't think so, but I want to here what you guys think! Now, let's see if you can find other meanings of the term. Make sure to comment if you do! 

    

Secrets Behind Advertising

Bandwagon and Emotional Appeal

      What are these things you say. Well, bandwagon and emotional appeal are ways advertisers try to convince you to do what they want. When they use bandwagon they try to tell you that if you don't buy or use their product you will be missing out on it. This way you want to buy or use the item now. In the ad below the mime went out of his way to tell the "customer" that she will save lots of money if she uses State Farm. See how this works? Emotional appeal is used a lot in many ads. When advertisers use emotional appeal they are trying to get into your head and make you think how they want you to. Like in the ad below they go for your sense of humor by making you laugh from a talking baby. They could do many things such as using cute pictures of maybe animals, or a sad topic like a funeral, this way you feel how they want you to. In this ad you will see and hear things that may amuse you and you may get convince that State Farm is actually useful. That is what advertisers are trying to do. As you watch the ad think of how bandwagon and emotional appeal are used. For another funny State farm ad using these same strategies click on the link below. http://youtu.be/q388CjelxvU

     In this ad bandwagon was shown right at the end, when they said,"Get to a better state, State
Farm." This is saying how you can only be in a good condition with State Farm .This ad uses
 emotional appeal by making you laugh from the talking baby.

My Opinions

     In my opinion this ad uses emotional appeal. How, you ask? Well, were you laughing? That's how! I like this commercial, because it is funny and clearly shows emotional appeal. Since this strategy was used it would make me want to use State Farm, because if someone would go out of their way just to tell the "customer" that the product will save her money, I would want to buy a product like that. The target audience for this commercial would be adults that are trying to save money. They would be convince that they are going to say money. I think this ad will help the company make money, because people that are desperate to save money will be convinced by a silly ad like this.
     This ad uses bandwagon too, at the end of the commercial. I don't like this commercial, because it indirectly says that you will only save money with State Farm, which isn't totally true. This strategy will not want to make me buy it, because I don't think that the only way possible to save money is with State Farm. Although, some people could get  convinced by the large amount of money that the mime saved. I think the target audience is adults trying to save money, that could use something like State Farm. I do think this ad could help the company make money, because most people don't think of how the amount of money they save can vary from 5 dollars to 500 dollars, this way they will use this product.

Top 5 Bandwagon Advertisements 

In this ad bandwagon is used, because at the end of the ad it says you will stay young only if you
 drink Evian.


In this ad bandwagon is used, because it shows how Apple is the only company that has come up
with Siri.

In this ad bandwagon is used, because they show how safe the Jetta is when other cars could be
safer than the Jetta, causing the ad to have bandwagon.


In this ad bandwagon is also used, because at the end of the commercial it says that AT&T has the
 fastest 4G LTE network, which is  saying that only AT&T has a fast network.


In this a d bandwagon is used, by showing how only Chex Mix tastes good and everyone only wants
 Chex Mix.

Top 5 Emotional Appeal Advertisements

This ad shows emotional appeal by making you laugh by how the small dog could knock over a large
door. This shows a happy emotional appeal.


This ad shows emotional appeal by showing a young boy's shoe alone on the street next to the car.
 This shows sadness, because the boy lost his life, because of a careless lady.


This ad uses emotional appeal by make you smile, because throughout the whole ad the man was
showing the women how paper isn't needed, but at the end the opposite happens making the ad
 funny.


This ad shows emotional appeal by making you laugh from the crazy story the dad told the young
boy. This makes you feel happy; Why else would you be laughing?


In this ad you probably laughed a lot which the advertisers wanted you to do. Since they did this it is
called emotional appeal. 

Got Questions?

What do you think about the techniques advertisers use? Do you understand them? If not, be sure to ask questions below! Next time you watch T.V make sure to watch out for an ad you like and add a link in your comment. Maybe you'll make my top ten comment list! You can't make it if you don't comment!

Here's a link to some other funny commercials. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enzkdcCE8s4   

The Cruel Chinese Emperor

The Cruel Chinese Emperor

    2000 years ago a fiendish Chinese emperor, disliked by many, unfortunately ruled China. With him in his after life were thousands of clay soldiers called the Terra Cotta army. The Terra Cotta army was made up of 6000 clay statues including soldiers, horses, bowmen, archers, and chariots. None of these statues were the same. Each statue was made with a different expression and hairstyle. People think that he did this, to show his interest different, but no one can be sure. This brutal emperor is known as Quin Shi Huang.

My Opinions

       I  think that Quin Shi Huang is a cruel person. He killed his wives, his workers, and other citizens, so that they would come with him to his afterlife! Well, during his time in ruling he did what many would call great things. He built the first version of the Great Wall,  and developed the first forms of coins, weight and measures. Although he did many great things for the country, in all stood in the shadows of  the vicious things he did to the innocent citizens in the country. Killing was the most harsh punishment Quin Shi Huang did, but his high taxation was a problem of its own. With the emperor's lack of understanding, it caused people to dislike him.

To some he was a great emperor, but to others he was an abominable ruler.

Top Ten Facts about the Terra Cotta Army

1. An army of 8000 clay soldiers accompanied Emperor Quin in afterlife. 

2. The army is about 2200 years old.

3. The Terra Cotta army was found by farmers that were digging for water.

4. Each of the sculpture's faces were unique. 

5. The height any uniform of each sculpture was based on rank.

6. 650 of the sculptures were horses.

7. The soldiers held real weapons.

8. Over 700000 workers were involved.

9. Experts found rivers between the tomb. That part of the tomb has not been dug yet though.

10. The Terra Cotta army was found in 1974.

 

Got Questions?  

     I think Quin Shi Huang is a cruel emperor, and you have learned that, but what do you think? Do you disagree with me or do you think I'm right? Whatever your answer may be make sure to comment below!

     

The Fierce "SuperCroc!"

Introduction 

     Millions of years ago a vicious creature roamed the Earth in water and on land. The king put fear into the well known T-Rex along with many other ferocious dinosaurs. Destroying everything in its path, "Super croc" weighing up to 8 tons and almost 40 feet long ruled the Earth. These creatures have surprised many scientists that study crocs, but when they compared these giant crocs to modern crocs they were just blown away. Super crocs are just stunning beasts! At least the're not alive any more, that would have been dangerous. 

My Opinions and Facts

     Super Croc, one of the biggest animals on Earth, have been researched for years by Scientist Paul Serano and his team. Serano found fossils in Gadoufaoua, of Super croc with his team. In the article "Super Croc" the writer says" The team found only part of its skeleton, so Serano had to make an estimate." This estimate was made by calculations that were compared to modern crocodiles, so Serano could find the height and weight that Super croc actually was. I think that Super croc could have been even bigger than scientists think, because the largest crocs could have spent more time in the water, so there fossils would still be in the water undiscovered. Although, from research that has been done by scientists, no bigger Super croc has been found. I feel like Super croc is a magnificent creature, but has not been discovered to it's full potential. If these crocs were alive I don't think I would ever go near a swamp or pond ever again!

My Top Ten Facts About Super Croc

1. Super crocs have about 132 teeth.

2. Super croc's jaws are about 6 feet long.

3. Super crocs have been extinct for about 100 million years.

4. Super crocs were about 40 feet long.

5. Super crocs weighed at lest 8 tons.

6. Super croc's scientific name is Sarcosuchus.

7. Super crocs lived in Africa.

8. Super crocs grow throughout their lifespan.

9. Super crocs occasionally eat dinosaurs.

10. Super crocs lived on land and in the water. 

Got Questions?

     Super croc is a impressive creature, but that's my opinion. What do you think about Super croc? Do you think they are boring or quite interesting? Comment below to let me know what you think.