Bull Shoals Lake

I'm really excited for this weekend because it is the first time I get to go to my "lake house" in a small town down by Arkansas when the water won't be freezing cold! They are holding a 5k as well so I am also excited about that; hopefully I win. Usually my birthday falls on Memorial Day, but this year I don't get to celebrate it at the lake. This is also the first time I get to bring a friend down there with me. Last time she was invited but couldn't go. We always take my dog on walks down there because the scenery is beautiful! My sister and I always walk down to the bluffs and sit on the very edge of them to watch the sunset (If we have already come back in from the boat).

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Something That Bugs Me

One thing that really bugs me is dress code in school. Yes, I know that we have to wear appropriate clothes to school and I respect that, but some of the rules aren't fair to people like me. The shorts rule is one example of that. I have outrageously long arms and I can hardly get away with some gym shorts that I have. I know it is a priority to look professional in school, yet that is what people tell me. If they want me to look professional, I can't wear basketball shorts to school everyday. Also I understand that girls can't wear spaghetti strap tank tops. I also understand the rule about leggings. It just really bugs me that the shirt sleeves are measured by a ruler and the shorts are measured by how long your arms are.

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Six Flags

I have plans for the weekend to go to six flags with my friend. I haven't been in a while; I think the last time I went was during the summer last year. Most people go to Six Flags like every weekend in the summer, but I don't like to do that because it would get boring after a while. My favorite ride there is Batman and Superman even though I know absolutely nothing about super heroes. I also like all the wooden rides. Every time I go, I always get a huge cone of ice cream which sometimes makes me feel not-so-great. I have always loved roller coasters but my sister hasn't. One time when she was only three years old, my mom tied a giant bun on her head so she would be old enough to ride Screamin' Eagle. That traumatized her forever.

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Kid Nation 7

The first thing I have seen in this video is deviance. When Jared knocked over Divad's entire snack shop, it was behavior that does not follow society's expectations. A lot of Divad's friends offered to help her, but she said it was okay and that she could do it herself. She also said to Jared when he apologized that she understood and there "was no hard feelings." She was very cooperative when this happened to her because if it was me I would have freaked out and gotten Jared back. Divad was very understanding even if Jared is a deviant.

I have also seen in this video stigma. Because Taylor is very negative about a lot of things like cleaning, cooking, or really anything to help the town, she has an undesirable trait that is used to negatively label a person. All those times she has said no or made people very mad has left a bad impression on her. Another example was when Greg got really mad about not getting the gold star earlier in the season, and because or this, the council and pretty much the whole town had a different idea about how Greg really was. There is a lot of stigma going around in this city because everyone has their own opinion about each other.

The last thing I have seen in this video is social sanctions. The gold star is a reward for doing a lot of great things for the city. The council doesn't really give much punishments, only if they refuse to do something that could benefit the town like when Taylor refused to help. I think the gold star really effects how someone might act. It is definitely an example of social sanctions because the gold star is a reward that encourages conformity to norms.

Kid Nation 6

The first thing I have seen in this video is cooperation. As we all know, the trash in the town is getting VERY disgusting. Individuals are combining efforts to achieve a common goal.; each district has picked a couple of hardworking people to bury the trash far away. Taylor and Leila however are not cooperating when they were picked to help out. After a while, Leila decided that it would be best to go with the council and help dig the hole for the trash, and she didn't have to deal with the punishment for not cooperating. Since Taylor didn't even work her punishment, the whole town has to cooperate with filling the barrel with water.

I have also seen the Iron Law of Oligarchy because it seems as if the council is gaining more and more power as time goes on. The town council has never punished anyone for not doing their job, but when Taylor didn't cooperate, they made her carry the water. Also, the town council has the decision to pick which prize they get for collecting all 75 cans. The council also has the power over picking the person for the gold star. There are some people who are working extra hard because they know that the council might pick them for the gold star.

Another thing I have seen in this video is social exchange. A lot of kids in Bananza City are working extra hard to get the gold star. This is an example of social exchange because they are performing a voluntary action while expecting something in return. Another example was when Leila went back out to help with the trash because she was expecting not to have a punishment. But really the main conflict between people in Kid Nation is the gold star. It caused much conflict with Greg and the council members earlier in the season, but I think that Greg has been much better with cooperation, which is why he got the gold star in episode 5.

Kid Nation 5

In this video I have seen an example of a group. The whole town is a group because they work together in regular contact, and share some ways of thinking. They also have to consider each others behavior, and they have some common interests and goals. Also, there are groups inside groups: the districts. It must be very hard to work with each others different ideas and goals, but if they want to make this town work out, they have to learn how to cooperate with the changes. Changing the council members is going to be a great way to learn these ways.

I have also seen Social Category because each group shares a different characteristic. For example, each district has a certain job that they are responsible to do for Bananza City. The laborers, cooks, merchants, and upper class are these characteristics. Also, it is clear to most people watching that the yellow district has some annoying people, including the district leader. The green district is a very hardworking group of people. It is clear that each district has different characteristics.

Another thing I have seen is many examples of conflict because of the re-elections. There is a lot of interaction aimed at defeating an opponent. Zach really wants to win over the town and have them vote for him because he believes he can make the town better. Taylor has been putting up posters about how she is going to do a better job as a leader, however she has said that in the past. Zach ended up winning the election, but he said he doesn't have any more power then the rest of them. I believe he is going to make the town a better town and really help out a lot.

Kid Nation 4

The first thing I have seen in this video is status. Each person has their own status depending on what they believe; some people are Christians and some are Jews. The council is trying to get everyone together to have one service, and every single one of the kids disagree. However, Morgan is trying to get some people at a bonfire to have a prayer and show everyone that different religions can come together in ways. Yes, I understand that each child might have his or her beliefs, but during the bonfire many people realized that they have gone so far in building this town that they can't have it all fall apart.

Another thing I have seen in this episode of Kid Nation is ascribed status and obligation. The showdown is what assigns each district their jobs by giving the first place upper class, second place merchants, and so on. Of course, everyone wants to be the upper class, so everyone is going to try their hardest. No one wants to be the laborers, though. No matter what, someone has to do the dirty work, but people have to try their very best so they won't have to be the ones to clean toilets.

One of the last things I have seen in this video is role. The whole point of creating the districts was to make sure everyone did their jobs properly. Taylor is the main problem because she isn't playing her role correctly and many of the other people from other districts are having to step up and help out. The gold star is another important part of role. Some people are working extra hard for the reward. They aren't only playing their part in the community, but they are doing extra.