My Experience With CodeHS

   CodeHS is a website where one can learn how to create programs and code. I've been using it in my computer science class for the past 5 or 6 weeks and I really enjoy it. It is very easy to learn and to use and I the problems are fun. I also like that the program has you give "commands" to a dog (Karel) because it gets the concept across that coding is essentially writing rules and giving orders. The only problem I have with CodeHS is that whenever I get stuck there are no clues or hints to help me on the website. But overall, I like using CodeHS because it's cute, it is easy to learn, and it's fun.

My First Impressions on the Informational Interview Assignment

     An informational interview is "an informal but structured conversation between you and someone who is doing the kind of work you are interested in". I learned that for the first time 2 days ago when I received a sheet of paper titled "Informational Interviews". My initial thought was "Oh no, I'm going to have to interview a total stranger about their job AND do a presentation about it in class". I'm very shy around people I don't know very well so I was nervous when I first read about the project. When I found out that we did not have to interview someone (yet), I felt relieved and somewhat disappointed at the same time because I had just discovered a loophole: that I could interview my mom. If and when I do have to interview someone, I would like learn more about jobs involving working with kids or something in the science/medical field.

What is ASCII?

   What is ASCII? ASCII stands for the American Standard Code for Information Interchange and is "the most common format for text files on the Internet and computers". ASCII originated from the alphabet and from telegraphic codes that were used in telegraphy machines to send messages in Morse code. Since then, ASCII has been developed to accomodate more symbols/characters and has been reorganized. Today we use this code to represent text in computers and other electronics.

My summer: CampToons and Cancun!

       This summer was a blast! It was fun, relaxing, and stressful all at the same time. During the first week of summer break I got to relax, sleep in, and watch TV. The week after that I started training for CampToons, which is a Christian day camp I volunteer at at my church. I was moved up to being a chief this year so I was in charge of an entire group of kids and counselors. I helped out with camp for 6 weeks straight. It was a lot of planning, preparing and, most of all, fun! At the end of the 6 weeks, we held a carnival for all the kids and their parents. But before the carnival ended, I was on my way to Cancun, Mexico.

       I stayed in Cancun for a week with my family and friends. It was very hot and humid and we were at the pool almost everyday. I got to see some ancient Mayan ruins, active bats in a cave, and go swimming in a huge sinkhole about 130 feet deep. At the end of my trip I was sad to leave Cancun, but the memories I have of it will always stay with me.