Welcome to Ms. Mathis' History Class.....

Tonight, while my dad was flipping through the TV and he stopped on ETV. There was some kind of show on about Harry Connick, Jr. and tracing his ancestors. Apparently, his ancestor James Connick signed up to fight for the Confederate Army. When Harry found out about this, not only was he embarrassed that his family was on the side of the South, but he was very disrespectful to his ancestor and anyone else that fought for the South. He kept looking for a reason his ancestor would join the Confederate Army and it not include him condoning slavery or owning a slave. Are you kidding me??? His biggest mistake was not knowing anything about history. I am here to give you a quick history lesson so you don't make that same mistake...


Origins of the American Civil War:
Confederacy (South) vs. Union (North)
Slavery was an issue and a cause in disunion between the North and the South. Slavery had become very popular in the south because the south was conducive to growing cash crops, like tobacco, cotton, and indigo. The first slaves to leave Africa, and the majority of the slaves to leave Africa actually ended up in South America.----NOT in the Southern states of North America. Southerners, while holding slaves, thought that if the Federal government actually held a restriction against slavery that it violated states' rights'. They felt that it would make the Federal government too strong. "As a panel of historians emphasized in 2011, "while slavery and its various and multifaceted discontents were the primary cause of disunion, it was disunion itself that sparked the war." Other factors that helped catalyst discontent among North and South were tariffs, party politics, abolitionism, Southern and Northern nationalism, expansionism, sectionalism, and economics. All of these things actually contributed to the American Civil War.

I hear all the time from students that I teach that the Civil War was fought because of slavery. While slavery was a major issue, it wasn't THE ONLY issue. Also, I know my ancestors fought for the South, some of them. Why would I be ashamed of that?? Have I ever owned a slave? Do I support racism? No and no. In fact, I should be proud that one of my ancestors stood up and was willing to go to war to fight for something that he believed in so wholeheartedly--whether we think it was morally right or not.  Slavery was a big issue--and yes, it happened. We should accept it and not be ashamed of it. Make sure it doesn't happen again. And if slavery was really what the Civil War was fought about, why were there African American soldiers that willingly fought for the South? Before you go and make yourself look absolutely uninformed about anything (like Harry Connick, Jr), do some historical research and make sure you know all the facts.


Quick fact: About 70% of white Southerners did not own slaves. Those who did owned 20 or less, and those who owned 50 or more were few and far between.

Found a cool article on African Americans and their role in the Confederate Army: here is the link if you can't read it.... http://www.flatfenders.com/scv/bc.htm

The world will be watching,,,,

I am a VETERAN when it comes to going to see movies open at Midnight! I have done all the Twilight series, The Dark Knight, and even Spiderman once. I have also been to a couple of others that I cannot recall at the moment...If I think of them, I'll let you know!

One of my most memorable midnight showings was when I went to see New Moon with my sister and some of our friends. We went to Spartan 16 and it was awesome. We sat in the lobby and played card games for a couple of hours and we were just so excited! I sacrificed a lot that night....drove back from USC-Upstate at like 4 in the morning and got up and went to school and taught all day the next day! I was extremely exhausted by 3:20 but it was totally worth every minute of sleep lost. 

So, tonight is very exciting!! The Hunger Games comes out tonight at midnight and I have convinced some colleagues of mine to tag along as well as bring some of their children! I was shocked when they said yes! They always look at me crazy when I do these midnight-movie openers. There is just a pull to be the apart of the very first group to see the movie. This one is gonna be good. I started reading the books this past summer. They are really awesome and were recommended to me by my friend Taylor. I think what makes them so good is that instead of having a main character a man, you have a strong, independent protagnist named Katniss who doesn't need a man to take care of her--she can definitely take care of herself--and that she sacrifices for her sister and puts her family's needs before herself. It's not just going to be another 'love story, triangle, crazy thing". It actually has depth, and purpose. Even if Katniss didn't end up with either guy she may be interested in, the story would still be a hit! I also think the books rock because they talk about something that is so completely unreal to us, yet we can relate to it because we see it everyday. Government control, freedoms of citizens revoked, the haves and the have-nots. We can relate to it!! Suzanne Collins is a genius and so if you are going to see The Hunger Games be sure to read the books too! You will not be disappointed! Plus, once you see the ending to this first book, you will be DYING to find out what happens NEXT!!!

"May the odds be ever in your favor..."

And "A" is.......... *LIVE BLOG*

Okay kids, tonight is the night........The finale of Pretty Little Liars! "A" will be revealed....definitely have waited for this day for a while!!!


I will be live blogging my thoughts throughout the entire episode as well as a my final thoughts on the outgoing season!


There have been lots of guesses from Mona, Jenna, Garrett, and even that Ali has a TWIN! Now it is suppose to be different than the books--which I am currently on the first one---but the Twin theory seems to be the most popular via Facebook and Twitter. 


We left out last week when the girls went to that CREEPY doll store, everything went crazy after that,....then Jenna turns in Page 5 of the autopsy report that was stolen and turns Garrett in for it! We leave with the girls watching as Garrett is arrested for the murder of Alison DeLaurentis. AND finding out that Jenna's surgery was successful and she CAN SEE! Also, we see that "A" pays the lady at the Doll Store for the 'damage'.


**********SPOILER ALERT: DON'T READ AHEAD IF YOU HAVEN'T WATCHED!**********


OK....Here we go.......


8:00 pm 
 Garrett pleads 'not guilty'. My mom says 'their house is weird'. I agree. However, it's a set not an actual house. Oh, I digress.And now we know Melissa and Garrett know about the "Jenna Thing". 1st Threat from A: Bring back the phone or someone dies. Messenger at the door for Masquerade Ball....be there at midnight! 


Oh-this is gonna be good. So I'm thinking that "A" will be revealed at the Ball...at Midnight! 


8:04 pm
So sad. Fitz is gone. They are in his apartment so apparently he still pays for it. Dr. Sullivan is brought up....did they ever find her? I don't think they did. Spencer finds a pen with the words "Dougherty's Landing" which is a air strip in the middle of nowhere. Apparently this is where Ali went the day she dissappeared. Also, I hate Aria's shirt.....


8:10 pm
Yes, we are 17 year old girls in the middle of nowhere, its dark, raining and we want to go to an old hotel by ourselves cause that sounds like a super plan.....

8:11 pm
First text from Katie: "Creepy ass motel? Get the F out!" Word.


8:12 pm
Guy at the motel is so lying. He has heard of Vivienne. They checked in to an actual room...the one that Ali stayed in. Girls are looking for clues.......I mean really, HOW MANY HORROR MOVIES START LIKE THIS?!?! I bet it says NO VACANCY on the front. 


8:15 pm 
It actually says Vacancy....durn. 


8:16 pm
Girls go into look at check in book. "A" is here. Actually walked in on Hanna while she was in the shower....Can you say straight from the movie "PSYCHO"...OMG. This bout to get real. 

8:21 pm
Holy Crap! "A" is looking through a peep hole at the girls from the OTHER ROOM!!! Creeper.


8:23 pm
Spencer goes to Toby for forgiveness. She is shot down. Toby receives a phone call from DR. SULLIVAN!!! AND JENNA IS DRIVING A FREAKIN' CAR. Jenna goes and is speaking with someone at a park. I believe it's "A" she is talking to. Ok, so Jenna knows "A". Which means that the Twin theory I have may actually be right. Grace agrees with me. 


8:27 pm
Flashback: Alison is dressed in her 'Vivienne' costume. Mona makes deal with Ali. Mona wants to be popular and Ali gives her a piece of paper with the postcard that they are missing. *Ali was watching "A".! Huge development. 


8:32 pm
My mind is spinning right now trying to figure out how the writers are gonna end this.. This is going to be one of the most EPIC finales ever.....


8:34 pm
EZRA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


8:35 pm
My mom says Mona is it. Not sure.........Spencer and Mona go back to creepy place. It apparently has something in it cause their faces are OMG. Ezra and Aria are just PRESH. Especially with Lady A(no pun intended) singing in the background!......Back to the room, "A" has put up all kinds of pictures, news clippings, literally obsessed with Ali and her life and death......They found "A"'s lair.

8:40 pm
Never liked Emily's choice in women. For one, there are too many hot guys on here to be dating another girl. Second, Paige is weird. 


8:45 pm
Mona is acting really suspicious. Might be to just throw us off. Same gum wrapper that Mona just had was found in Ali's Diary. Mysteriously Mona excuses herself. WHAT?!?!?!?! "A" has been revealed!!!!!
*I will not spoil anything here so no name will be written*
"A" knocked Spencer out and is driving her somewhere. "A" is driving really crazy...."A" offers her to be team mates....join #TeamA. 


8:50 pm
"A" is about revenge! Saying that they stole her best friend. "A" has a gun! Spencer's dad's gun! Hannah in the nick of time!!!! "A" jumps on Spencer in a struggle. "A" seemingly falls to her death off the edge of a cliff! Honestly, this has been anti-climatic. This is just like the books. They said it wasn't like the books. However, There maybe more. Jenna, Lucas, and a Black Swan creature at the Masquerade were gathered together....


8:54 pm
Dr. Sullivan is back!!! "A" apparently threatened her son. The girls are quite upset with everything.


8:55 pm 
"A" apparently has some personality disorder that causes her to be omnipresent and all knowing. "A" talks to her self and says "They think its over....".


8:56 pm
Toby apparently helped and pretended NOT to love Spencer, just like she did, to protect each other. Katie doesn't like them together. Where's MAYA???? oh heeeey lots of police and people at Maya's.....they think Maya's body was found in a house......just like Ali. And the cycle starts allllll over again.......


8:59 pm
"A" is seen in the 'crazy house' and they have a visitor....in a RED JACKET!!!!!!!!!!




Ok-here is what I think.......
"A" ends up in the crazy house and finds Ali's crazy Twin Sister----Vivienne. I think she is behind all of this and I'm still not sure that "A" killed Ali. I definitely thought it was wayyyy anti-climatic and wayyyy too much of this I predicted. I was really hoping for a crazy plot twist. However, ALL NEW EPISODES start THIS SUMMER!!!!! :) :)


"You better watch this summer, bitches" -A

"This one's for the girls..." who don't like basketball...

Since I watched the Duke Blue Devils take home the NCAA Championship in 2001, I get thrilled by the month of March. I have always liked basketball, but until then, had never really paid attention to who won, and honestly didn't care. Thankfully, I was saved by the grace of blue and white and Coach K. It was thrilling to watch! Now, I might have watched a little too much because of certain players (Mike Dunleavy at the time was my main man). And every year, a freshmen would come in and I would follow them 3 or 4 years as well. JJ Redick(my all time fave), Plumlee Brothers, Nolan Smith, Chris Duhon, etc...you get the picture. I loved to watch them play! However, March and all the madness that it is, is dominated by bracketology and guys spending hours on filing out their bracket. I even know a guy loves March so much he compares it to Christmas---even puts up a tree.
I understand brackets and all that junk because, one, I have watched basketball for a long time and, two, I have a fiancee who spends HOURS on his little S-curves and RPI and SOS excel spreadsheets (and no, I don't exactly know what those mean). However, for the ladies that do not understand brackets and everything, I am going to give you some resources so #1 you can beat everyone in the office pool and #2 you can impress any guy. If this is your first time doing a bracket, then you probably have a good chance of winning against a guy. The less you think, the better. Guys put so much thought into every game and its not that big of a deal.
Now the following image is somewhat of a "let's make fun of girls who know nothing", but actually if you are stuck this might work:

 

Now, if that's too easy and you need some more REAL resources check out Stiletto Sports. This has literally TONS of information that you need to be the Babe of the Brackets. Also, Dish Mag has a pretty legit blog that even features "Madness Language" so that when you are in a room full of guys yelling at the TV, you may can make out some words and figure out what they are talking about. It also has fun facts about March Madness that you can enter into any conversation and guys will think you know way more than you do---Impressed they will be! 

And-if you have  any real interest in debates about College Sports---have him listen to Justin and Brad as they do lively pod casts on the web about any and all sports (Justin, my fiancee and Brad-Christmas Tree guy). They know what they are talking about and are very well informed on the issues today! Find them at http://68and16sportscast.tumblr.com/ and http://sportsentiment.com/,

And if none of these work--just pick the one with the better seed. You really can't go wrong with picking all #1 seeds. One of those usually ends up in the Final Four.

Now-go fill out one of those bracket things---games start tomorrow! Let's go ladies!!

"Where I belong..."

Every morning, when I get to school I check CNN. It's just a habit. I like to be kept up with the news around the world. Every night when I get home from work I turn on the TV for the local news. Again, just to be informed. If you do watch the news, read the paper, or the internet, you can be honest and know that there isn't much out in the news to be happy about. The biggest issue concerning the media today deal with celebrities, Syria, and the GOP Presidential race. Throw Iran in there with gas prices and anything about soldiers in Afghanistan and you have got about 30 minutes of nothing but bad news. And it is not getting better. This world, with every generation is getting worse. Technologically better, morally worse. And you can see it start with youth. I mean even Socrates saw the youth in his day get worse:

"The children now love luxury. They have bad manners, contempt for authority, they show disrespect to their elders.... They no longer rise when elders enter the room. They contradict their parents, chatter before company, gobble up dainties at the table, cross their legs, and are tyrants over their teachers."

Doesn't that sound like it applies to today??? Yet, that was thousands of years ago. I know sometimes I feel that there isn't any good in the world. That there is only hurt, pain, suffering, and if history is to tell us anything, it is only going to get worse.

But as a child of God, I know that there is a better day coming soon. That I can look at the bad in the news and I can look at the hurt, and the pain, and the suffering and KNOW without a doubt that when I breathe my FINAL breath, it's not the last. That it is only the beginning. The beginning. That this WORLD has NOTHING FOR ME. This world is only to bring pain. So, to turn on the news and to see the bad stuff, we shouldn't be shocked because SIN has taken over. We are at the worst it has ever been. However, there is hope! Hope in Jesus.

Sometimes, I may feel like an alien in this world, maybe an outsider because I am different. I am not of this world. This is not where I belong. Something better awaits me. My final home. And I can't wait.

"All I know is I'm not home yet. This is not where I belong. TAKE THIS WORLD AND GIVE ME JESUS. THIS IS NOT WHERE I BELONG." -Building 429

Check out the video/song that inspired this post: Click Here