#30 election reflection

 I think that the election is really important, as it determines the fate of our entire country. The election will really affect everyone in the US, and other countries too. I predict that Joe Biden will win, but things could change really you never know because things can happen. I'm worried mostly about women's rights, LGBTQ, BLM, abortion rights, COVID-19, and many other things, but at the moment mostly COVID-19. I hope that if Biden wins, then he could handle the situation much more professionally and with more care.

#29 Music’s Dirty Secret: Censorship Is Good Business

 Sisario, Ben "Music’s Dirty Secret: Censorship Is Good Business" The New York Times 27 October 2020 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/27/arts/music/clean-versions-explicit-songs.html

I prefer the unedited version of a song, mainly because the edited version sounds weird and I'm fine with songs having bad words and other stuff because it's just a song. Even the article states that "A golden age of self-censorship followed, with profanities and violent lyrics often simply deleted — leaving hit songs dotted with brief silences, like holes. 'We used to call it Swiss cheese'"(Sisario). My parents don't really have any rules to what I listen to, mostly because I usually don't listen to songs with bad words and I listen to chill songs. I think that the parents should make decisions to what their kids listen to, but also give them a little freedom.

#28 Americans Surge to Polls: ‘I’m Going to Vote Like My Life Depends on It’

 Corasantiti, Nick and Saul, Stephanie "Americans Surge to Polls: ‘I’m Going to Vote Like My Life Depends on It’" The New York Times 31 October 2020 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/31/us/politics/early-voting.html

When I am old enough, I will vote, and I will vote every four years. I think voting is important because according to the article, "public polls showed the two candidates engaged in a tight race... Mr. Trump over Hillary Clinton by five points"(Corasantiti). Although one vote may not make that huge of an impact, added up together will help a lot. Voting is a great way for your voice to be heard which is why I will vote. I think that so many people have voted in this election already because like me, they want their opinion to matter.

#27 Dialects

I think that the way you talk does say a lot about where you are from. I took the test, and I got California, so I think that it's pretty accurate. My parents are from Hong Kong, and I am from San Diego but I don't think I picked up much Hong Kong so I'm Californian. I would not want to change my dialect.

#26 After a seven month wait, this tourist got Machu Picchu all to himself

 May, Tiffany and Ueno, Hisako "After a Seventh Month wait, This Tourist got Machu Picchu all to Himself" The New York Times 13 October 2020 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/13/world/americas/machu-picchu-japan-tourist-coronavirus.html

If I could have a world famous destination all to myself, I would choose Hong Kong, because that's where my family is from. Hong Kong is known for being very crowded, and having really high buildings because of this. There are so many fun places there like ocean park, Disneyland, and Victoria Harbour. One of my favorite places is a small island called Tai O, and they sell lots of yummy foods (mostly seafood). The buildings are on water, and we even spotted some dolphins there.

I prefer going on trips with my family, because that's a big part of the experience. Without them, I won't have money first of all, but they also make the trip exciting and always plan exciting things to do. My sister makes the plane rides bearable too.

#25 Nothing extraordinary

 Kim, Jennifer "Nothing Extraordinary" The New York Times 7 January 2020 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/07/learning/personal-narrative-essay-winners.html#link-7257e973

I think the most powerful moment in Jennifer's story is when she comes to realization. She realizes that her mother cares so much for her and says that "Her clothes were tattered and old because she spent so much money buying me new ones. She looked so tired and ragged all the time because she was busy working to provide for me" (Kim). Jennifer was used to being ashamed of her mother for not being anything outstanding, but she realizes that it's because her mother would sacrifice it for her. She suddenly feels so grateful for her mother and ashamed of herself. It really is a powerful moment.

When Jenifer describes her shame by writing "I felt like I've been dropped into a cold lake" I feel that it very much resonates with me. Whenever I regret something I did or I feel ashamed I kinda feel shocked, like jumping into a cold pool.

#24 Return Looted Art to Former Colonies, Dutch Committee Tells Government

 Moses, Claire "Return Looted Art to Former Colonies, Dutch Committee Tells Government" The New York Times 9 October 2020 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/09/arts/design/dutch-restitution-report.html

I believe that museums should have to return things that were stolen, looted, or taken with the threat of violence because honestly it's just logical that people shouldn't steal (unless they have to for some reason) and if they do, they should return it. In the article by the New York Times, it states that "The main principle remains the same: 'what was stolen should be returned' (Moses). There's no reason why a person should steal things just to keep in their museum, because it wasn't theirs to keep. They should at least ask first.

I think that if museums have looted art and artifacts in their collections, they should let everyone know. It's just like if a person were buying something, they would want to know  that where they got it from is a legit place and not a scam. Same with museums people want to know what they are looking at and learning about.