GALLOP

One of my favorite shots from over the break. I had let Arthur out and he started cantering off. I just love the focus and his color and the highlights on his coat.

Ella silhouetted against the rare bright green grass.

When we were walking to get the ponies, one of the barn dogs ran up to greet us.

Arthur walked up to greet me, then he turned to eat some hay.

Mo reaching for a treat.

Arthur watching me while he finished his hay.

Tula putting Mo's halter on.

Lunchtime is the time when we monitor our Instagrams.

An Introduction to Yearbooks

25 things that should be in every yearbook:

1. Interesting/compelling title
2. Table of contents
3. Good pictures
4. Good captions
5. Events of the year
6. Entertainment
7. Worldwide sports
8. Student sports
9. Fashion
10. Football games
12. Major weather events
13. Overall theme
14. Color theme
15. Student pictures
16. Band/Orchestra
17. Choir
18. Arts
19. Theatre events
20. Major news events
21. Clubs
22. Teachers
23. Core class academics
24. Language classes
25. Table of contents

Questions:

1. Out of Character
2. Bellaire High School, Houston, TX
3. Blue, red, gray and white color theme; different, weird text styles; the words "Out of Character"
4. 10 different sections
5. The agriculture/ FFA section
6. A cow
7. There are animals, multiple pictures, and it's organized well
8. More animals, because that's what the clubs are about
9. There is not an index
10. Yes, there are photos of all of the members of clubs/organizations
11. Yes, there is a table of contents
12. A lot.

Looking Back on 2015

Best Pictures of the Year:

This interstellar shot is gorgeous. The colors are amazing, and it is hard to believe that something like this could even exist. The shot seems futuristic, and it feels like we don't have the level of technology to be able to get a shot like this.

From http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/03/world/gallery/year-in-pictures-2015/
Taken by NASA



American Pharoah has to be on this list. He won the triple crown for the first time in 37 years. The pictures taken of him are stunning- they show how great of an athlete he is.I love this picture of him winning the last race of the triple crown- he looks so happy and Victor Espinoza(his jockey) is celebrating.

From http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more-sports/breaking-american-pharoah-wins-belmont-stakes-triple-crown-article-1.2249227
Taken by Robert Sabo












I really like this picture because, obviously, horses, but also how 'In the moment' it is. It is so clear and focused, but you know that the horse is falling quickly. Trained groups like this are very professional, so it is rare that something like this would happen.

From http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/03/world/gallery/year-in-pictures-2015/
Taken by AP Photo


Favorites of the Year:


Song:
My favorite song from 2015 would probably be Renegades by X Ambassadors. It has an amazing beat and a great melody.





Movie:
The Martian. When I saw it, it caught me off guard. It was amazingly done, full of suspense, and looked very real. The actors were really good.







News Story:
Same-sex marriage debate. I support everyone for same-sex marriage, and it was a huge step forward for the US. It's a huge change from traditional ways.










Person:
Malala Yousafzai. She is an amazing young woman, and I look up to her and her actions.
















Sports/Entertainment:
Definitely American Pharoah. He's just totally amazing! He's undefeated except for 2 races, and won the 12th Triple Crown. Plus, he's really cute.







My Holiday:


1. I got to go out to the barn a lot, and I was able to get some phenomenal pictures. My brother and sister also rode Arthur and Mo, and they did really well.

2. I didn't set any resolutions, but I thought about some things that I need to work on- becoming a better rider and trainer, and building up Arthur's muscle.

3. I'm looking forward to getting through freshman year, and riding Arthur more.

Final Exam- Photo Essay

Every Christmas, my family and I have a tradition where we receive a family from SafePlace, a non-profit organization for victims of sexual and domestic violence. when we receive the family, we get a wish list of the top two things that they want for Christmas, along with age, gender, and clothing/shoe sizes. We go to a store and pick out the things that they want, and buy it for them. This year, we went to Kohls for the shopping.

The mother had three children, a 13 year old daughter, and 8 year old and 2 year old sons. Logan, my three year old brother helped pick out a pair of shoes for the two year old. He loved getting the presents- he was extremely excited to go.

My sister, Elizabeth, checks the list for the shoe size of the 8 year old boy. My brother Ryken and her picked out the pair of basketball shoes that he asked for. Both the older son and the 13 year old daughter asked for Jordans, but since they were out of our price range, we got Nike basketball shoes instead. The boy's second choice was Nike shoes, so his gift was perfect.

All of the family members asked for shoes. Therefore, we ended up getting four different pairs. It was expensive, but it was great helping out someone else.

We had to check the prices to make sure that they weren't too expensive. Each family member could only have a certain amount worth of gifts.

After Logan picked out a toy for the 2 year old, he wanted to keep looking at toys. He loved getting to pick out the toy for the family, but I think he was also excited about going to look and play in the toy section.

The 13 year old asked for a Bath and Body gift card along with the shoes. There weren't any gift cards available, so Liz picked out some different lotions and perfumes for her instead.

While we were checking out, Logan waited for the chance to look at and play with the train set. He later said that he wanted "to go to the house of the family and show them how to [set up the train set]" The total ended up being about $200, which was actually less than my mom expected.

While checking out, the cashier saw that one of the pairs of shoes had two left shoes. We had to go back to the shoe section and find the same pair with the right feet.

After a good shopping trip, we put the gifts in the car and headed to the nearby Chipotle's for dinner. It was a great way to end the day.

Publication Assignment 2: The Brownie Store

During lunch and passing periods, there is a store called the Brownie Store and it's open during lunch and passing periods. They sell brownies, Rice Krispie treats, crackers, pickles, and water for $1 and under.

The store resides at the end of the main hallway, near the courtyard and gym. At the beginning of lunch, so many students line up to buy some stuff that they pass the doors. As Ashley Armstrong says, "The brownies are divine! They are really moist and chocolatey." Her friends agree.

A student pays for his snack at the door. The teacher who works there is very cooperative with the students, and is very good at his job.

Publication Assignment 1: The Talent Show

The MAC Radio Talent Show featured eleven different acts, including dancing, singing, comedy, poetry, and even a band. Pictured here is Terra Estep, who read an amazing poem.

Jennifer Riviera sung Stay, by Rihanna, and won the talent show. 

The hosts of the show had to entertain the audience between acts, especially when there were some technical difficulties. Here they are, taking a selfie.

Sports Photography

http://www.astropix.com/SPORTSPIX/NSC/NOTES.HTM

http://www.photographymad.com/pages/view/the-perfect-camera-settings-for-action-and-sports-photography

http://www.nikonusa.com/en/learn-and-explore/article/h20zbjpj/photographing-sports-indoors-and-out.html

My choice is the first link. It has a lot of great in-depth information. They have very detailed how-to's about the different techniques and the things that you need to know how to be able to do. They also talk about the career of sports photography, which is very helpful. It gives us an insight to the life of the photographers and the risks of becoming one.