"The Ouliers"

This week, I was fortunate enough to have a rather good reading period in AP Lang. We were assigned to read a chapter from " The Outliers", a novel that encompasses the road to success. Malcolm Gladwell's novel offers several clear arguments. In the chapter we read ( The 10,000 Hour Rule), the author argues against the following theory: 10,000 hours of practice is what it takes to master something.
While Gladwell recognizes that it takes a considerable amount of time to master something, other factors must be taken into account.

Success is entailed by part innate talent and acquired opportunities. Gladwell brings about these major points by using several examples from non famous , yet successful individuals such as Bill Joy to famous individuals such as Bill Gates. In each of their stories ( and the stories of other successful people), the author uncovers their road to success which all take a similar path. They are given extraordinary opportunities that are basically part of their luck. Bill Joy was very smart but he was not into programming until he visited a specific college. This college had new technology. The technology was available to him at certain times. His practice with the technology lead to success. Also, the technology was very new and not really prevalent in a lot of other places. Because of his innate talent and lucky opportunities, Bill Joy became successful.  These track of events are explained in greater detail in the novel with the use of several other examples.

Overall, I agree with the authors basic premise on how people achieve success. It is part natural/genetic intellectual capability but the other half is the lucky oppurtuntities people encounter through life. In order to be an oulier, defined by Gladwell as those that have luck lined up for their success and benefit, one must really be lucky to achieve great success.

Side Note- Although I read a chapter out of the entire book , the rest of the novel seems like an interesting read. The authors tone engaged me to actually read through his argument. His rhetorical devices also thoroughly persuaded me. He uses data, facts, examples, and other strategies to win over the reader. One of the biggest things Gladwell does is inform the reader without tieing in everything together then allows the reader to deductively come to the same conclusion the author argues. I plan to read this book over summer as it recieves great reviews and grabbed my undivided attention.

Spring Break

Finally, my well deserved spring break occurred last week. Unlike the majority of people, I did not have any big plans. I did not travel to the beach. I didn't go out of the country like some people do. I did not even go any nearby states. So what did I do? 

I took the opportunity of an entire week off of school to enjoy myself. I arranged with friends to go to Six Flags, a tradition I have had with them for the last 6 years. Although it might not sound like much, Six Flags was very fun. This year was the first year in which we did not have to worry about transportation. My friend and I each drove our cars with a few friends in each. That just started the day off great because of the freedom and responsibility that comes with driving friends all the way to Six Flags. Second, we each bought season passes so I am looking forward to several more trips to Six Flags in summer with my friends. The rides there might get old, but they always offer a fun and thrill-full.

Over spring break this year I hung out with friends. We went mini golfing and go carting at Andrettis. We also spent time and hung out at different friends' houses playing video games and watching movies. 

With all my other time, I caught up on my sleep and studies. It felt good sleeping when ever I wanted to that week. I also felt successful by studying for various subjects that I needed to catch up on. 

While this was definitely not an awesome spring break, I still enjoyed the time off from a stress full school life. Now it is the race to summer break- I can't wait!

Cars are AWESOME!

Throughout my life, I have always found an interest in cars. Most people that know me, though, don't know this side of me- the side of me that includes my peculiar obsession for cars. In my spare time, I enjoy watching car review videos and even researching cars. I can correlate the price, style, engine type, horsepower, torque, curb weight, and much more for several cars ranging from basic compacts to super  cars .

My real obsession for cars began around freshman year when I realized I would be driving soon. As a typical teenage boy, I think its safe to say I wanted a stylistic, luxurious, and fast car. From then on, I was on the hunt for cars- used or new. I would look through several pictures of interior and exteriors of cars, and memorizing years in which the cars overall design (exterior) was in style or a generation. I watched car reviews for several cars, looked at miles per gallon estimates, and enjoyed spending my time at  few car shows.

Furthermore, its not just enough to get a car and be done. It can always be improved by replacing stock rims with some special , yet costly rims. Also, one could replace the exhaust tone. They can continue with other body work such as spec packages, tinted windows, smoked taillights, and even lowering the ride height. All these terms though define ricers- want to be racers. True car enthusiastic would enjoy to do all these modifications but further more install under the hood modifications. These can include air intakes  turbo chargers, and even superchargers.


Cars are one of my favorite things invented. I hope to own the cars of my dreams in my future.

Why Billy Bob should keep the pup

My client here is a lonely man that thought he found the love of his life. Unfortunately. They are obviously getting divorced. His wife, Mary, is now leaving him; not only is she leaving him but his children as well are being speedster from him. The wife also gets to keep the family car and the current house in which they live in. It is necessary that Billy Bob keeps the family dog in order to not lead a lonesome life. Billy Bob also has a lot of stress in his life and thus must keep the dog as it will cheer him up and take off some of the stress.

Furthermore, Billy Bob adopted the dog because of the immediate emotional bond he created with the dog as soon as he saw him. If this is not enough to convince you, I will proceed to develop more points. Another argument is that Billy deserves the cute puppy because it will help him to attract more women when he walks it. These are a great amount of reasons to allow Billy to keep the dog. If you don't let him keep it, y'all are a bunch of heartless people.

People of the jury, imagine your life in the shoes of Billy Bob. You are losing your beloved wife and children. You are losing your love. You are losing the years of your life that you invested in your family. You are losing money by having to continue to pay for expenses legally enforced on you for the divorce. You are going to be lonely. The last thing you have is your dog. The dog has become part of your family throughout your years and holds a special sentimental value. This man deserves to keep the dog. Please take these points into consideration in your decision making process.

The John Labib of the Future

Most people contemplate on what they want to be in the future, who they want to be in the future, and why they want this envisioned life that the future potentially holds. Thus, I come to conclusion that it might be beneficial for me to enlist a few of them on my blog. Who knows, maybe when I am actually 30 or so I can refer to this ancient blog and see what I have accomplished ( if my goals don't change). Here they are

1. Name – John Labib. Who would change their name? Its the name your parents entitled you with. It carries a long heritage. Its also what you have been called all your life.
2. Employment – Doctor. My interest is to be an  orthopedic surgeon specifically but I have a long time until that is decided upon.
3. Family – Perhaps I will consider the normal path of most of the population and get married, have probably two kids, and live a life that includes working to pay for all of them . I really don't know if I want to have kids though; they seem like a drag. Think about all the money you would have to spend on them. But yet again, it seems like part of a normal life.
4. Leisure time – Be in a social group of long time friends from college and work colleagues.
5. Car- Hopefully a decent , entry level sports sedan such as G35 or an Acura TL. This is in realistic terms, not childhood terms in which I would want to get the latest Lambo.
6. Setting – Nice suburban  area. Decent neighborhoods, schools, and people
7. Satisfaction – I will be happy because its my decisions that impact my life. I will be happy also because I would have tried my hardest.
8. Turning point in your life – College. College will give me the opportunity to  change, meet new friends, and find my true interests in life.

Favorite Movie Scene

Last year, " The Dark Knight Rises" was an instant hit in movie theaters. During the first week about  $161 million dollars were produced in revenue from the action packed movie. Like many, I found myself waiting in line, paying $12(it was so worth it!), and watching the movie. Through out the movie, several scenes engaged the viewers packed in theaters across the country. To me, the ending scene of  this specific Batman movie was perfectly directed and completed the current Batman trilogy. 

Side Note: In order to understand the FULL magnitude of awesomeness of this concluding scene, you literally had to at least watched and payed attention to the entire movie (no bathroom or snack breaks and I mean it) if not watch the first 2 movies previously, in my opinion. 

Building up to this scene, Batman was always notorious among the people of Gotham. Although he was the hero that Gotham deserved, Batman was always looked down upon by several in the city, including the police force in which he helped a lot. While nobody put him up to it, Batman felt the need to save the city from its destruction. Bane, the villain, created a bomb of great capabilities, fictionally, that was going to destroy the entire City of Gotham and all its inhabitants. 

After endless fight scenes, Batman ( the Dark Knight) truly rises from his previous defeat in which Bane breaks Mr. Wayne's back. He leads police forces, civilians  and others to escape the terror of Bane's bomb. Batman decides to fly out the bomb from the city himself by using his flying Bat Helicopter. In the silent scene, foster kids along with a majority of the citizens of Gotham watch the humble act of the Dark Knight on his suicide mission. 

As the scene continues with the bomb exploding, viewers watch the silent scene with a sad and emotional feeling. This scene is truly unbelievable as it shows Batman's true personality of a man trying to  others, not a rich business man. 

"The Dark Knight Rises" is an amazing movie that includes my favorite movie scene, as of now. 

The Story of Joe

Joe was the last person on earth I expected to do that. I mean, Joe was always a quiet and reserved guy but not this time. I guess it’s because all the anger and emotions he held inside; he rarely socialized. When he did, though, he was always shutdown in some sort of manner. I still can’t believe he did that. The way he did too was with this very audacious style. He went straight up to his class mate and just started the fight after the peer insulted him. Joe was in a furious rampage. He immediately began to hurt the peer until the peer was begging for mercy.

What was also unexpected was the strength Joe possessed. As mentioned, he was shy and quiet but he was also of small stature. Nobody expected him to be capable of hurting a peer that seemed twice his height and ten times his strength. Joe left everybody in dismay as he repeatedly and uncontrollably punched the peer unit the peer was bleeding from his nose and lips.

After the fight (if you want to call it a fight because the peer didn’t even have a window to fight back), Joe was immediately escorted to the principal’s office by the school police man. Joe was still boiling with anger. His face was as red as a flame from hell. Everybody in the class had to go talk to the administrators of the school in order to be a witness to the event.

By the end of the day, Joe was just given a minor disciplinary act because he was indeed harassed by several other students. Joe walked away with relief yet everybody viewed him as even more of a freak after that. Joe, the quiet, shy, and reserved, student finally released all his emotions in the violence of the fight. Joe was the last person I expected to do that.