The Explorer

With the purchase and use of iPhones on the rise, apps are becoming a popular way for high schoolers and other users to pass time. From social networking sites to games, apps have taken over the  world of phones. Millions of apps are available on the iTunes store and are now available on Android phones as well. With so many games to chose from, it’s no wonder a phone is constantly in today’s teenager’s hands.

“Pinterest is definitely what I am on my phone the most for; it is so addicting,” said Lilian Diaz, 11, “Twitter is also really useful.”

Social networking sites are an easy and ever-growing popular way to keep in touch with friends on the go. With apps for Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr, it’s a wonder that kids today still get stuff done. Other popular apps include Instagram and iFunny.

“Everyone loves Temple Run, of course, nowadays, but one old game that I still like is Words With Friends,” said Claire Kim, 10.

From games like Tiny Wings to brain busters like Scrabble, from restaurant finders like Gold Spoon to helpers like Google Maps, apps can be used for everything, from finding a place to eat to finding your way home. No wonder so many teens and even adults are glued to their phones these days; your phone can do virtually everything now!

Many people can say that they have a nerdy side; who doesn’t? Whether it be a love of comic books, Harry Potter, or science fiction, everyone has something people would consider “nerdy.” One of these extremely popular nerd obsessions is the popular British science fiction television series, Doctor Who.

In the beginning, “Doctor Who” was nothing more than a science fiction-looking version of “Mr. Rogers” with sets that looked like they belonged on a theater stage rather than TV. This however, was in 1963, when big budgets for television shows were unheard of. After a little more than a decade of being off the air (it was cancelled in 1989 due to a fall in ratings), 2005 marked the return, with the reincarnation of the ninth Doctor portrayed by Christopher Eccleston in the Series 1 premiere “Rose.”

The story follows the character simply known as “The Doctor,” and his adventures through time and space. Originally from the planet Gallifrey, The Doctor is the last Time Lord in the universe due to a war that destroyed his entire race. The Doctor also travels in the only TARDIS (Time And Relative Dimension In Space) left in the universe. Shaped like a 60s styled police call box, the TARDIS has been remarked as being “bigger on the inside,” which it is. The Doctor is joined by various companions, most notably Rose Tyler (ninth and tenth Doctor), Mickey Smith (tent Doctor), Captain Jack Harkness (ninth and tenth Doctor), Martha Jones (tenth Doctor), Donna Noble (tenth Doctor), Amy Pond (eleventh Doctor), Rory Williams (eleventh Doctor) and River Song (eleventh Doctor), on his travels. He mostly travels with various women, most whom fall in love with him, and sometimes travels with their male counterparts (i.e. Rory becoming Amy’s husband, and therefore permanently joining as a companion). Meeting up with many aliens and historical figures or even people in the future, The Doctor and friends help whoever they can, even if it means getting trapped in a parallel universe, being involved in dangerous military actions, or living with the pain of never being able to raise a newborn daughter.

The Doctor has been played by eleven actors, hence the terms ninth, tenth, and eleventh Doctors, starting with William Hartnell in 1963. The Doctor goes through “regeneration,” meaning his physical attributes change when he is near death or injured far too greatly. This was used as an excuse to switch actors when Hartnell left the show in 1966. Since then, ten other actors have portrayed him, including Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, Peter Davidson, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy, Paul McGann, Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant and the current Doctor, Matt Smith.

Much of the show is handled on a serious level, with bits of comedy and references thrown in from past seasons or from pop culture. Anyone interested in the Whovian fan base simply needs to watch the show. Starting from any point in the show’s history is a good point, whether it be from the beginning or the tenth Doctor. Once you’ve become engulfed, you’ll be saying “Geronimo!” every time you take a huge leap.

Another year gone; your birthday is coming up soon, Pisces! February nineteenth through March twentieth are the dates for being a Pisces. Pisces is the twelfth sign of the zodiac, and it is also the final sign in the zodiacal cycle. They say they have a little bit of every sign because they’re the last ones. Your element is water, symbolized by two fishes swimming in opposite directions.

People that are pisces are often feeling like they are being pulled in different directions, often a problem to make concrete decisions. They are easily adapting and have open minds and tremendous understanding.

Pisces will go out of their way to help a friend. They are extremely sensitive and loyal. They will take a friend’s problem and make it their own and suffer with them. Pisces needs a dominant partner or role model in their life or they will very easily fall into a pit of self-pity.

Compassionate Pisces is idealistic. You really are a survivor. You outlast those who may be much stronger, by adapting more easily to the demands of changing circumstances.  Over all, you are imaginative, sensitive, compassionate, kind, and unwordly.

Have an awesome birthday! Don’t get too rebellious.

Ever hear the saying, “This room looks like a barnyard?” Well for Mr.Vasquez in B-34, it couldn’t be more true. For the lucky twenty-six students in his AP and IB classes, they know how fun an environmental science class can be. You look to your left or right and see fuzzy animals or scaly ones that some you may have never heard of.

The freedom of the class is clearly seen through the window at the entrance to the classroom. Students are given the option to take in any animal they want to observe. Currently the class is experimenting with energy flow and measuring biomass by observing the animals over a period of time and seeing how much they’ve grown. The class has a variety of animals, such as a teddy bear hamster, a corn snake, koi fish, western ornate box turtle and a marine red red eared slider turtle, and an angorian bunny. Mr.Vasquez plans to make an addition of a miniature sea aquarium. The strangest fish you would see in the room would have to be the Pacu, which happens to be related to the amazonian red belly piranha. Students observe how the changing of temperatures and feeding affects the biomass of the animal.

The program so far looks to being quite well. Mr.Vasquez responded by saying, “I think the students enjoy it and really get into it, and they have the choice of making their own experiment.”  Though it all sounds like so much fun to spend your class surrounded by animals, the students do have to know extensive amounts of information about the animal they’re raising. If you enjoy science, animals, and  teachers who like to show off their creativity and input, this class was made for you.

The Blend, a smoothie restaurant on Mesa, next to Planet Fitness and across the street from Morehead, is hosting a musical performance on Saturday, February 18, 2012, at 1:00 P.M. Several people will be playing, including Coronado students Juanito Taveras, Brandon Ramirez. Noah Slavin, and Franklin student Ashley Curtis. Afterwards, the band Set Us on High will also perform. Admission is free, but the smoothies are delicious. Come and support our fellow students!