Brit Takes The U.S. Citizenship Test-

Hey y’all! A few weeks ago I had to take the U.S. citizenship test (the one given to immigrants) because it is now required to graduate. While looking at the basically pointless study guide, I was thinking that it could be funny to have someone not from the U.S. take the test.

And who would be better than one of you? Mit agreed to take the test on my behalf, (thanks again btw) so welcome to a british boys version of the U.S. citizenship test!

(The questions are normal, his answers are highlighted/ bolded, and mine are in italics)

1. What is the supreme law of the land? 

   a. The Declaration of Independence

   b. The Bill of Rights

   c. The Constitution 

   d. Executive Order 9066

One particular executive order doesn’t seem worthy of ‘supreme’ so I can rule that out. It’s the Constitution that Americans seem to bring up when anything regarding guns is mentioned, so that seems like a the right option. 

And you would be correct. I assumed you had at least heard of it, so good job.

2. What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?

   a. The Roosevelt Corollary

   b.  The Monroe Doctrine

   c. The Bill of Rights 

   d. The Articles of Confederation

The Articles of Confederation seem to refer to something else, so it’s between the first three. The third sounds familiar. 

Wow, two for two. The Articles of Confederation was the first version of the Constitution that was a huge mess basically. The Roosevelt Corollary was an addition to the previous Monroe Doctrine states that the United States will intervene in conflicts between European countries and Latin American countries to enforce legitimate claims of the European powers. 

3.What is the “rule of law”?

Something that states that if several were to commit the same crime, they would be seen as equals in the eyes of the law.

I’m starting to think that you looked up the answers or something…. but yeah everyone is under control of the law, even ze President. 

4. Name one branch of the government

Congress? That sounds about right but maybe it belongs so something else that I don’t know. 

Good guess, Congress is something else although it does have to do with the legislative branch. There’s 3 branches of government, executive, legislative, and judicial. 

5. The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?

“Self-government is real” I really have no idea about this one.

Hahaha, no. It’s “We the People” .  

6. What stops one branch from becoming too powerful?

   a. Checks and balances 

   b. Executive power

   c. A signed agreement from the head of each branch

Executive power makes it seem like a dictatorship, and I’m not sure if a signed agreement would work. 

Another one right. I really just kind of made up the other answers mostly. 

7. How many U.S. Senators are there?

   a. 35

   b. 100

   c. 50

   d. 25

One for every state sounds about right.

Close, but not quite. There’s two for every state so the answer is 100. 

8. How many voting members does the House of Representatives have?

   a. 100

   b. 435 

   c. 55

   d. 78

It’s much higher than the others.

I’m actually surprised you got this one right, but congrats. 

9. What is the name of the President of the United States now?

Donald J. Trump

Obviously. 

10. Which is a cabinet-level position?

      a. Secretary of Immigration

      b. Secretary of Territories

      c. Secretary of Energy 

      d. Secretary of Architecture

I think it’s between a and c as they seem more serious. I don’t even know if a exists, so I’m going to go with c.

I thought for sure you would get this wrong, but you’re right! 

11. Under the Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states?

       a. To print money

       b. To declare war 

       c. To provide schooling and education

       d. To make treaties

It’s a pretty big deal and I’m not sure anyone else apart from the state could do this.

Nope, the states can’t declare war. This is a power of the federal government. 

12. What is one right only for U.S. citizens?

The right to bear arms.

I mean you’re  technically not completely wrong, but people that aren’t citizens technically can too in their own countries… the answer is to vote and/or run in a federal election. 

13. What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?

It was a declaration that stated that all citizens of the USA should be emancipated.

Again, not entirely wrong. The Emancipation Proclamation was declared by Abraham Lincoln in 1863, and it freed all slaves in the Southern States. 

14. How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?

18

Yup. 

15. When must all men register for the Selective Service?

a. Only in times of war 

     b. Between the ages of 18-26

     c. Only when the president requires

C sounds a bit far-fetched (that the president alone decides you have to sign up to the army) if you have  and I don’t believe that every male citizen of the United States has to do military service.

The answer is actually b- between the ages of 18-26. And while every male is registered, it doesn’t mean that they will be drafted. That would only happen if there was a serious war and if  there weren’t enough volunteers. 

16. Who lived in America before the colonists arrived?

a. Native Americans/ American Indians

     b. Mexicans

     c. Spanish

This just seems right.

Right again. Native Americans in the correct term, but people say Indians all the time. 

17. What is one reason colonists came to America?

They thought it was India (hence ‘American Indians’ right?)

Ooh smart one, but you’re still wrong . That was how/why America was discovered. Colonists came for a few reasons, religious freedom, economic opportunity, freedom, etc. 

18. Who is the “Father of Our Country”?

   a. Abraham Lincoln

   b. Eugene Debbs

   c. Alexander Hamilton

d. George Washington

He was the first President, so it would make sense.

Right again. Lincoln and Hamilton were presidents later on, and Eugene Debbs was a guy who broke a law and ran for President from prison. Pretty cool if you ask me. 

19. What are the 3 rights the Declaration of Independence outlines?

1. The USA has their own government. 

2. The government is to be elected by the people.

3. Colonists have to leave.

All good guesses but the answers are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Thomas Jefferson took John Locke’s natural rights and changed property to the pursuit of happiness because it can justify almost anything. 

20. What was the name of the war that split the U.S. from Britain?

The War of Independence.

Nope xD. It’s the Revolutionary War. Well at least here, do you guys call it that??? 

Okay, and just for fun… fill in the blanks of the Pledge of Allegiance.

I pledge allegiance to the government of the United States, and to the Constitution for which it stands, glorious Nation, under mountains of debt, indivisible with liberty and hamburgers for all.

I honestly think I might like your version better, my friends and I are all laughing.

The real pledge goes- I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. 

Over all, Mit got 10/20 right which is exactly half! I hope you guys found this funny/ entertaining! How do you think you would have done?

Love y’all! -Aspen AKA The Author

 

 

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Goodbye 16

Hey y’all, as I’m sure I’ve mentioned before, tomorrow is my 17th birthday.

I currently have 55 minutes left of being 16. That’s crazy to me. T

hese past few years have been hectic but I’m glad to be where I am now. 

This is the year I learned what really hard trials can be, and what it takes to overcome them. I learned that the really difficult things can become really good things. 

I also learned that friendship is one of the most valuable things I posses. I am so exremely proud to call so many people my friends. You are what gets me through the hard things, you make life fun, and never fail to remind me of the beauty in others. 

And my family. Sometimes clueless, but always caring. Always willing to help me and support me in whatever I do. I wish I would have realized that earlier. My parents really do mean the world to me, and I’ve come to know how much they will do for me. And my pain in the butt little brother that I couldn’t live without. 

Horrible people are everywhere , but the world could never be a completely dark place when people like the ones I know exist. 

I’ve also had a renewed desire to do well in my schoolwork so that I can eventually become a doctor. Now it’s not just talk. It’s time to work, because my dreams start here. 

And as much as I complain about the massive loads of homework, I am very grateful for the educational opportunities I’ve been given. They are what will create the pathway to my future. 

I hope I’ll learn as much next year as I did this year. I hope I can stick to my faith with high spirits and know that everything will be okay. The hard times will pass. If I could give any advice to 17 year old me I’d say to take the work I do seriously, but to enjoy life and enjoy the people around me. 

I love all of you. Goodbye 16, hello 17. 

-Aspen AKA The Author 

The Blue Sky Tag

Hey y’all! I was nominated for the Blue Sky Tag, by Ash and Allie, thanks so much guys! I haven’t done a tag in a long while,  so I’m excited to do this one.

Also, sidenote, all of these have 11 things to do which is my favorite number because of my birthday, which happens to be tomorrow!

Here are the rules:

1. Thank the person (people) who nominated you.
2. Answer their 11 questions.
3. Tag 11 people.
4. Give them 11 questions to answer.

And now onto the questions I was given (since I was nominated twice I’ll just do some of both):

1. A quote you live by? The one in the background of my blog by Christopher Poindexter. “The purpose of life is not just to be happy. The purpose of life, my love, is to feel. You must understand that your pain is essential”. OR ” May we ever choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong” by President Monson.
2. Favorite song? Of all time, my favorite song is “Whiskey Lullaby” by Brad Paisley, its heartbreaking but beautiful. Right now my favorite song is, “Body Like a Back Road” by Sam Hunt, its super fun and upbeat.
3. Who is your least favorite superhero? This one was actually tricky, because I have 2. First off, superman. He’s just boring to me. And then Captain America, which I know people are going to give me crap for but he’s so morally good it’s annoying. And I personally think he’s kind of self righteous.
4. One thing you’ve done this week that you’re proud of? Actually finishing all of my AP homework and not withering away. I also remembered to tell everyone that had a birthday, Happy Birthday, which is an accomplishment because I know a crap ton of people born in April.
5. Biggest Aspiration? Hmm, well either to just live a happy meaningful life, but I also really want to be a pediatric cardiologist- so that is my main aspiration in life.
6. If you are granted 1 wish by a fairy what would you ask for? I think that I’d ask for a trip around the world without missing any schoolwork or having to pay for anything so that I can meet people and just travel.
7. Can you speak a second language? If no, what language do you wish you were fluent in? I’m not fluent, but I can speak quite a bit of Spanish since I’ve been taking it for 4 years. But I definitely want to become totally fluent. I need a Spanish tutor or something.
8. What’s the best kind of day? My favorite kind of day is somewhat overcast but warm so that I can stay outside all evening and just play games or sports running around with my friends and family. Ooh, or a day at Bear Lake hanging out on the boat and the beach all day.
9. Top 3 favorite song lyrics.  I can’t sit here forever and find my actual top 3, but these are ones I do really like.  “Papa loved Mama, Mama loved men, Mama’s in the graveyard, Papa’s in the pen” by Garth Brooks. “She rushes out to hold him, thankful he’s alive, but on the wind and rain a strange new perfume blows. And the lightnin’ flashes in her eyes, and he knows that she knows” also by Garth Brooks. And then, “She put him out like the burnin’ end of a midnight cigarette” by Brad Paisley.
10.  Your greatest accomplishment? Normally I would say my 100 mile bike ride, but right now I’m just proud of how I’ve led myself so far and the decisions I’ve been able to make that led me to be responsible and valuable in work, relationships, and even church.
11. Favorite character name? The one that comes to mind is Jessamine Lovelace from The Infernal Devices.

Well that’s 11, I hope you guys enjoyed reading my answers! Here are my questions:

1. Were you a cute or ugly baby?
2. Would you rather live in the times of the Old West, or medieval times?
3. If you could only have sweatshirts or sweatpants which would you pick?
4. If you could know 1 thing about the world what would it be?
5. Least favorite food?
6. A song you can’t stand but always sing when it comes on.
7. What do you call hair elastics where you live? (i.e. ponytails,etc)
8. Favorite scent of soap?
9. At the beach would you rather stay playing in the sand or actually swim?
10. If you could move to another country, would you? If so, where?
11. If you had the ability to teleport to 1 person right now, who would it be?

And I nominate:

1. Elly
2. Lu Reads
3. Trish
4. Edge
5. Caitlin
6. Jags
7. Hideaway Girl
8. Liss and Dani
9. Sams Honest Corner
10. Diversion 3000
11. Gioia

Love y’all! -Aspen AKA The Author

My Favorite Quotes from General Conference :)

Hey y’all! It’s been awhile! Next week is finally my spring break, and it’s also my birthday on Tuesday! I don’t feel old enough to be 17 xD To celebrate,  Lauren’s family and mine are going to Bear Lake and staying at the cabin from Wednesday to Sunday (Easter!) and I’m excited to just get away for a few days 🙂

Anyways, the point of today’s post is that it’s April 6th! Which is not only my good friend’s birthday, and the day the church was organized in 1830, but also the day that my church celebrates (and believe’s it to be the actual day of) Christ’s birthday! We also had General Conference this past weekend where the prophet, apostles, and other leaders of the church speak to everyone and it’s broadcasted throughout the whole world.

So in honor of that, I compiled a list of my favorite quotes from General Conference.  I’ll have a post on my HOSA trip coming up soon (even though it’s been a month since I went) and then I also have another post in the making that I think y’all will get a good laugh out of, so stay tuned!

1. “As we learn to see others as the lord sees them, our love for them will grow, and so our desire to help them” – Elder Palmer

 

2. “Remember, it is by divine design that not all the voices in God’s choir are the same” – Elder Holland

3. “We are His Children. He loves us, and all He does is for our eternal benefit” – Elder Oaks

 

4. “Knowing where you are going and how you expect to get there can bring meaning, purpose, and accomplishment to life” – Elder Ballard

5. “Overcoming the world is not one defining moment in a lifetime, but a lifetime of moments leading to eternity” – Elder Andersen

 

Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed it! Leave one of your favorite quotes in the comments below.

Love y’all! – Aspen AKA The Author