Spring!

I had a great spring break however, it seemed much too short.  The week seemed to fly by with the blink of an eye.  Boom! And I was back at school.  I think that it felt so fast because of the great fun I had.  My family and I traveled down to our beachfront condo in Rocky Point, Mexico.  We stayed for about 5 days and they were fantastic!  I was able to meet up with friends that also ventured to Mexico for spring break and had a great time.  We rode the banana boat, swam in both the pool and the ocean (frantically avoiding the jellyfish), and soaked up the sun.  The trip could not have been more fun!  On top of Mexico, when I got back to the states I added a second place victory with my volleyball team to the long list of memorable events this spring break.

Now that school is back in session, I am so happy that it is the final quarter of my junior year!  I am very excited for it to be summer and for me to be in my final year of high school.  However, this quarter of school my be one of the best.  Aside for the final exams at the end of the year accompanied with the two AP tests I will have to take for English and History, this quarter's curriculum should be more on the easy side.  Socially, I am so excited for prom!  I can not wait to get dressed up and have a great night with my peers.  Prom will be a night in high school that I will remember forever.  With spring break over, though I am sad to have left the beach, I am hopeful and excited for the quarter to come!  

Dope

Man That Was So Dope

Drugs, or dope, is a term in common language that is used as a nonchalant phrase. In today’s society, the word “dope” has taken on a different meaning than its dictionary definition and adapted into a word that demonstrates fondness. What does dope truly mean? Is it a substance used voluntarily to harm oneself? Is it an expression of delight and pleasure? The dictionary defines the word dope as a stupid or annoying person. So which definition is accurate? Why is the word dope now used as a slang term to describe something or someone who is great? The term dope takes on many different forms in today’s society, but it should never be used as a proclamation of pleasure.

The term dope has been used in common language and vocabulary long before the popular culture of today. However, dope, back around the year of 1807, did not take on an expression of joy. Dope is defined as, “sauce, gravy, thick liquid; thick dipping sauce” (Merriam-Webster). It is also defined as: “foolish, stupid person; thick­headed or a sense of inside information”. All of these definitions go back to the 1800’s, and not one mentions the expression as an adjective. The dictionary even goes as far as referring to the word as a verb, “doped; doping,” but yet gives no descriptive qualities in the definition. How did the word form into common language as an adjective? The word dope is found in many places described as a drug or a stupid person, but it is found in only one place as a cool, descriptive term.

 The urban dictionary is a website in which words are defined as how they are seen in popular media at the present time. Dope has never been defined as an adjective before the 21 st century, which may be because its connotation comes from popular culture. The word dope has become a common expression in media today in songs, movies, and even television shows. The term has formed into a common expression, but not for its original meaning. The online urban dictionary used the example sentence: “Man that car is so dope!”(Dope). This form of the word can only be referred to as an adjective describing something great or likeable. When the word is used in this way, synonyms could include: cool, sick, awesome, nice and so on. How does this relate to the original definition of a drug? Social media creates the idea that drugs are “cool.” Songs and movies all about drugs are sending the wrong message and are changing how people interpret the word dope. Celebrities that the youth today look up to have fallen off the wagon and shown that it is okay to participate in such behavior. Dope is most commonly defined as a name for a drug. Social media today shapes the term into a tolerable action and expression of delight.

The definition of the word dope changes with the time and the new generation of people. After walking around a school of young adults, it is clear that the word dope is used as an adjective often. When a group of teenagers are asked what the word dope means, the reactions are: “sick, cool, something that is really awesome, or that's so tight.” An online survey taken by young people revealed that 6 out of 8 think of the word dope as meaning cool. However, when the older generation of people are asked what the word dope means to them, they associate it with drugs such as marijuana and heroin. Adults often do not know an alternative definition than drugs. The word can hit on a sensitive point in a person’s life because it is such a controversial topic. The new generation has changed the meaning of the word dope from a life threatening substance to a pleasurable phrase.

The developments in social media have created an overwhelming and unpredictable impact on society. Advancements in technology and popular culture have changed the word defined as drugs to a word that has a completely different meaning. It is important to discuss the proper meaning for the future youth. The word dope is commonly misused and should not have a place in the common language of teenagers. Why has this definition changed so dramatically? Has the word changed forever for future generations? These questions are those that can only be answered by how social media portrays the word. Music, movies, and TV shows have grown so important to society that they affects how we view certain ideas. The word dope, defined for years as a toxic substance, now takes on a new role in society that puts the term in a better light.

Passion For Volleyball

One of my greatest passions in life is volleyball.  I have been playing the sport since I was 11 years old.  I have built great relationships and friendships from being involved in the sport.  It has been such a huge part of my life growing up.  The position I play is setter.  This allows me to take on a captain role and be a leader for the team.  Another skill I acquire is serving and through serving, I am able to ace the other team.  I chose to make Kish My Ace the title of my blog because it demonstrates my love for volleyball.  The title exemplifies and shows that I have a strong passion for the sport.  Most of my free time is taken up by volleyball so the title is appropriate.