Spill it all out on paper

General Learner Outcomes Portfolio

2011-05-25T12:14:00.004-10:00

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Journal #4: Process Paper: How I shaped and produced the "impact activity"

2011-05-25T12:13:00.005-10:00

Targeting a certain group of society and focusing them as the film’s audience was a challenge on my part. It was the basis of my short film. The goal was to influence them in making a difference in the world around them and taking action to make a change. To do that, I had to create a short film that is able to convey a message and is able to achieve a response from the targeted audience. As usual, I wanted to go beyond the issues of poverty, violence, drugs, and the like. At first, I wanted to bring awareness about those who are blind and the gift that the blind are given although they don’t have the ability to see, but to hear and touch. I wanted to grasp the importance of hearing and the feeling of touch. However, this was very unsuccessful because I was so pressed on time and I didn’t have the resources to help me capture the film the way I imagined it. So, I refined it into a story about those who are suffering from a type of dementia. I then added the belief of the “power of love” and how it can conquer. However, I realized that this was a much more difficult project because I needed the help from multiple beings, but unfortunately, those around me were busy developing their own projects and the professionals I contacted were unavailable. So, I had to reinvent my screenplay and script into a simple story that didn’t require much resources, but is still able to receive a response from the audience, showing that my message was understood through my short film. So, I wandered around for a few days and carefully observed those around me. I also looked into my own personal experiences and the many trials and tribulations I go through in my life. After a few days of intense pondering and with the help from my peers, I was able to develop a story about the relationship between a mother and her child. Due to the limited amount of time, characters, and resources I had, the screenplay was simplified during filming. I had only one day to film and within that one day, I worked hard in using my skills in digital media to capture the message the way I pictured it - details, foreshadow, and so on. Unfortunately, one of the scenes in my screenplay was skipped because I was short on characters, so I used my skills in video editing to manipulate that scene just a little bit. This was a challenge and a stretch for me because it taught me the importance of alternative plans when a certain task cannot be completed or when a previous plan/idea has failed. In the process, I also added a certain twist to the story, an array of hope. The end result, although it didn’t turn out the way I wanted it to, still had an effect on the audience. My short film was molded into a narrative piece about the importance of practicing moral values, especially to those who deserve the respect. It eventually turned into a story about a disobedient teenager who learns the importance of changing her former ways (bad attitude). With this, I was able to receive a response from my teacher and from my friend, showing that my video did have a certain effect/impact on them. Through Project Icarus, I have learned the importance of targeting the audience and the importance of successfully capturing the story through digital media. From here, I will continue to stay in contact with the Academy of Creative Media and the individuals I tried to get in touch with. With their help, I will be able to improve my skills and develop as a learner and thus, gain a more valuable learning experience.

Journal #3: Reflective Journal: Response to my learning

2011-05-25T12:13:00.004-10:00

Ever since I was in elementary school, I have always been interested in film-making and video editing. I have always wondered about how established film-making companies were able to capture dramatic action scenes and scenes with nature and wildlife. I always used the term “magic” to explain my confusions. With this, I began creating my own videos, using my cellphone. I didn’t have a program or a camera, so I used whatever was available. I became serious about film-making when I was in middle school. I registered media as my elective and ever since I became a finalist in the Olelo Youth Exchange Awards, I decided that I should expand my own learning and so I did. Beginning freshman year, I became a member of the Mene Mac Learning Center. My goal was to be exemplary and to go beyond what I already knew and what I was able to do. I focused on story-telling, cinematography, and video editing while using animations and techniques such as green screen. I wanted to be different and I wanted others to notice my work and what I was able to do. I always wanted to tell a story through my videos. I don’t want it just to be a compilation of random things and happy objects. I wanted to grasp the audience. When my music video, What Hurts the Most, was released through YouTube and posted on blogging sites, my group and I received positive responses. I didn’t actually think anyone would respond, but majority of their comments said that the music video made them cry. They were able to relate the story to their own personal experiences. When I read about their responses, that was when I realized I wanted to do more. Beginning sophomore year, I decided I wanted to travel a more narrow path. I desired uniqueness and rarity and I didn’t want to have the cliche and the common things in my video. So, in every project I was assigned, I tried to mold it so that I could capture something different compared to what has been done before. At times I find myself creating my own projects as a single person. Now, there are people, like my friends, relatives and acquaintances who want to collaborate with me and this has given me the motivation to continue and expand in film-making. Project Icarus has pushed me to achieve a certain stretch - the ability to influence a targeted audience through narrative and story telling. I was able to do this through my very first short film about teenagers and the importance of the awareness of moral values. I would not have been able to do this without training in school. I would not have been able to master my skills and develop my abilities in film-making if school was inexistent. It has trained me to push further and to continue progressing and improving. School has also introduced me to many different aspects of digital media. It has also taught me the importance of time management and the required content in certain types of media. With the help of my teachers, I was able to approach and get in contact experts and those who are experienced in film-making, such as the chair person of the Academy of Creative Media. These experiences have shaped me into a person with a better outlook of the future and has helped me refine my skills and abilities.

Journal #2: Essay: Data and Information Gathering

2011-05-25T12:12:00.003-10:00

The Academy for Creative Media in University of Hawaii’s College of Arts and Humanities encourages students to tell their own stories while applying the different aspects of digital media. This program offers courses in Digital Media, Computer Animation, and Critical Studies - allowing students to master their skills in narrative, story telling, and digital media. Students in this program have the opportunity to create their own program in film studies beyond the ACM core courses. Students are also provided with an ACM Media Center, which is where all of the equipments are held for students to check in and out and to report any problems with the equipments. Students also have access to tutorials to aide them with the basic operating of the equipment. Students in the ACM program produce over 100 short films every semester. These films are entered into competitions in local film festivals. ACM is also part of an international program called the Student Media Art Exchange. This is an integrated program with China that allows students to film on location and gives students the opportunity to experience filmmaking outside of the school complex. Students gain a better outlook in the film-making business through this international program.

WongFu Productions is an independent production company who is well-known through YouTube. Ted Fu, Wesley Chan, and Philip Wang create short films, music videos, and vlogs. They write, direct, and edit on their own with their own equipment. They have also started their own t-shirt brand, Nice Guy, designed, run, and modeled by them as well. Collaborating with Far East Movement has given them the opportunity to begin their own concert series known as the International Secret Agents, held seasonally with various artists in the making, such as David Choi, Kina Grannis, and many other famous YouTube artists. Their videos are very inspirational and they are able to bring a positive impact on themselves and to their audience. They are very entertaining and they have succeeded in reaching a new aspect of film-making through their own humor. Today, they are working on a new series and collaborating with Far East Movement and many other YouTube artists, as previously mentioned, to develop their new Spring Concert Tour 2011.

MainStay Productions is another “underground” and independent professional company in the making - focused in the art of film-making. There isn’t much information about their background and the development of the company. However, they are exemplary for multi-tasking and time management. As of now, they have 10 open projects in various stages of development. Their challenge is finding the time to focus on just one of the projects. Their collaboration skills and their ability to manage their time wisely allows them to be able to progress through all 10 projects, but at the same time, develop quality work. MainStay Productions is currently working on a Hunger Games Project. They have previously released previews and sneak peeks of their project, which is the cave scene with Katniss and Peeta, Rue’s death scene with Katniss, and a small introduction to Mockingjay. This is not the only project they are working. They are also working hard in producing Taylor Swift’s official music video for her song, Mary. They were able to contact her record label and they have started a campaign to help them become selected to shoot her music video. They have many projects in the making and yet they are able to produce them with quality content, cinematography, videography, and sound.

The Jubilee Project is also another film-making crew. Their videos are mainly focused in bringing awareness about the issues occurring in society today, such as poverty in Africa and the blind. They receive sponsorships through their videos to help support the organizations who are helping those in need. The Jubilee Project’s main goal is to impact society in a positive manner, hopefully bringing about a change and influencing their audience to make a difference in the world today in the process.

Reflection Questions: Holocaust Video, Chapter 2 & 3

2011-05-02T19:11:00.005-10:00

1) Describe the areas that Oprah and Elie Wiesel visit in Chapter 2 & 3?

They visited the huge gas chambers that were used to accomplish mass killings easily. They also went to the area termed the "prison in the prison." In the center, there is a bricked wall where political leaders are tortured, beaten, and shot to death. Nearing towards the end of Chapter 3, they visit the museum, where the suitcases, shoes, and baby clothing are located.

2) Why do Oprah and Elie Wiesel refer to the camp as a "death factory?" How was it "industrialized?"

They referred to a "death factory" because every day, hundreds of people were killed. In every part of Auschwitz, people died. Mass killings were held in gas chambers. Doctors and nurses poisoned their patients and slowly burned them to death. Others were burned alive in ovens. Occasionally, the German guards would shoot at the people for fun. Others were worked to the bone and tortured until there was no longer a breathe of life left in them. It became a normal, day to day activity and the deaths soon became their "product."

The "death factory" was "industrialized" because in their mass killings, such as the gas chambers, they were able to increase the "production" of death.

3) What is the significance of the hundreds of labelled suitcases? Of the baby clothes? Of the shoes?

Before the Jews boarded the trains, they wrote their names on their suitcases, signifying the owner of the suitcases. They thought that their possessions would be returned to them, but when they arrived to the concentration camp, their belongings were thrown out. These suitcases represent all of the innocent lives that were lost as a result of the holocaust. The baby clothes were the most saddening because they did not have a chance to live their life to the fullest. They were killed instantly. The shoes' owners could be identified by their styles and designs. Elie especially pointed out a red shoe in the pile and identified it as a dancer's shoe. The people who owned the shoes could have been successful individuals, positively contributing to the community and society, such as possibly finding the cure for AIDS. They could have influenced the lives of those around them, but their lives were cut short.

4) How is this video different in video technique and style from most videos or movies that you are used to seeing? (think about your answers to question 2 on the previous reflection)? Do you think the difference in style was effective? Why or why not?

It's very different from what I am used to seeing because the camera was successful in capturing Oprah and Elie's emotions and reactions. Everything was taken on location and instead of an interview, where the lighting is set up and the background is arranged neatly, Oprah and Elie have an emotional conversation as they take a step back into history. The difference in style is effective because there is more meaning conveyed. The viewer is able to grasp a better understanding of man's inhumanity to man and the video technique was clever in piercing through the hearts and minds of its audiences.

5) After watching the video and reading the book, what is your impression or response to this thing called the Holocaust? How did the experience of watching the video differ from that of reading the book for you?

The video was able to bring the book to life. I was able to see the horrors that happened during the holocaust. It's almost unreal because we label it as something inhumane, not normal, not human. The Germans were just like any other human being that lived on Earth. They had a love for culture, they loved their families and yet they had the audacity to murder millions of innocent Jews. I think to myself: How can they have no feelings at all? What was going through their minds? Are they mad? Have they gone crazy? And it's unbelievable because it's real and it actually happened. The most frightening thought that continues to remain in the back of my mind is: Is there a chance that another holocaust may happen again? This is what I fear the most and I am hoping that history doesn't repeat itself.

Reflection Questions: Holocaust Video, Chapter 1

2011-05-02T18:41:00.002-10:00

1) What details about the Holocaust experience became clearer or more vivid for you because of the video?

I did not realize the immense size of Auschwitz until I saw the video. When the Jews arrived there, they were fooled into thinking they were moving into a "better" place, but once they enter, they are immediately separated from their family members. They are stripped of their outer garments and many are already thrown into the crematories. Others are pushed around and worked to the bone. They aren't given any food at all and they become emaciated from all of the arduous tasks that are given to them. Babies are separated from their mothers and are burned alive. Their belongings are thrown out and those who have died are piled altogether and hauled into a huge trench. I didn't realize the inhumane acts that were done until I saw raw footage of the Jews.

2) Describe the video techniques used to tell this story:

Camera angles
Graphics
Interviewing
Excerpts from the book

The camera person was intelligent when it came to capturing the scene appropriately. The shots were long and they added to the sadness and sort of "dark" and dramatic feel of the video. The camera worked well with the environment. They shots continued to move and there were no still shots. It panned from one side to the other, cleverly showing the immensity of Auschwitz. The graphics helped to illustrate the excerpts from the book and the factual descriptions spoken by Oprah. They were his own words and they were able to convey more meaning about the inhumanity that happened in Auschwitz. The interview helped to bring the horrors and the experiences that Elie went through into light.

3) What is the "madness" that Oprah and Elie Wiesel speak of at the end of this section?

The "madness" they describe is the inhumanity that occurred during the Holocaust. Nothing seemed human. For Elie, there were no words to describe it.

Project Icarus - Journal #1

2011-04-07T23:03:00.003-10:00

Topic

Film-making

Passion and Stretch

Started during 8th grade and continued until today in Mene Mac.
Learned how to work Final Cut Pro on my own.
I watch a lot of videos and tutorials and I get inspired to make my own videos.
Create videos for fun with my friends and I upload them for others to enjoy.
I want to advance myself, so I'm looking forward to getting a new HD camcorder and the opportunity to work with Adobe After Effects.
I'm going to be entering my videos into competitions soon, such as the Film Festival. My group and I are still working on the video we will be entering.

Resources and Research

Ben Leong and others
Mene mac media teachers
Still trying to find others on the island
Videos I have already created
Tutorials

Process and Product

I would attend orientations or workshops that will help me to extend my knowledge of film-making.
I would want to interview those who are experienced and are fulfilling their dream as film-makers.
I would want to produce my own videos and showcase them on the media or festivals.
I want to apply for an internship at a local media place.
I want to create videos for others.

Outside Reading Card

2011-03-08T04:23:00.003-10:00

Self-assessment in comment below.

This I Believe Essay - That Innocent Afternoon Nap

2011-03-02T07:15:00.004-10:00

It was the most significant day of my life. A time that changed my whole entire view of people and things. It was a time when I actually cried for a reason, not because of a sad scene in a drama or because of the stress that I go through in school. That day began on a morning I thought all would go well. It wasn’t until I took a short afternoon nap.

I had a long day in school and all I wanted to do was snack on a bag of chips and lie in bed. I just finished a 2-hour dance rehearsal and my body was aching. As soon as I dropped my bags next to my bed and changed my clothes, I laid down and slept. I didn’t think about anything else. I just wanted to start off my night with a clear head and when I was younger, my parents always told me that it was good to sleep in the afternoon. So, I did, but I had no idea taking a short nap would become a problem.

I felt this painful slap on my leg and a heavy object fall right on my stomach. I woke up in an instant and found my mom at the edge of the bed. I frowned and said to myself, “ohhh......here we go again.....” She began yelling at me and accusing me for not being a responsible person anymore and for lying to her about my school projects. I yelled back and I tried to defend myself. I told her my side of the story and my complete innocence. She still didn’t believe me. Then, the words I will never forget. “You’re so immature and you don’t listen anymore. You don’t obey us anymore. You always want to go out and have fun. Why don’t you think about the responsibilities you have towards your family members?”

From that day on, I began to focus more in school. I wanted to stay away from home as much as possible. At times, I had suicidal thoughts. I looked down a building once and considered it, but something was holding me back. I would seek advice from my friends every so often, but they all told me the same thing, “Run away from home.” But, if I do, where would I go? I have no one to turn to. How would I support myself? What will I do in my life? I just can’t run away. Despite what’s going on at home, I still want to stay. I don’t know why, but I just want to stay. But, it still bothers me. She doesn’t even know her own daughter. She doesn’t take the time to get to know me before she judges me. She needs to know that my actions are based on the way she treats me.

Recently, I spoke to a friend of mine. She told me, “Don’t ever think about leaving this world. Just find a way to get through your parents.” Ever since she told me that, I had hope. She gave me confidence that one day, things will get better. Since then, I got stronger each day. I didn’t want to become like my mom. I wanted to be someone different. I didn’t want to be like the other teens who became rebellious because of the dysfunction in their family. Each day, I put a real smile on my face. When I’m in school, I’m happy. When I film videos, when I dance dance, and when I sing, I find my inner happiness. So, no matter how difficult things get, you will become stronger when you keep persisting. Don't let anything bring you down. This I truly believe.

Reading Circle #3: Catcher in the Rye Reflection Questions

2011-02-19T19:34:00.005-10:00

Explain the following quote from the reading selection. How does the museum fit both literally and figuratively into Holden's story?

"The best thing, though, in that museum was that everything always stayed right where it was. Nobody'd move. You could go there a hundred thousand times, and that Eskimo would still be just finished catching those two fish, the birds would still be on their way south, the deers would still be drinking out of that water hole....Nobody'd be different. The only thing that would be different would be you."

Response

Catcher in the Rye (p.135)

While on his date with Sally, Holden decides to walk from Central Park to the Museum of Natural History. During this time, Holden begins to recall all of the memories he had when he visited the museum for school field trips. Holden then begins to realize the life lesson that the museum teaches him. The museum can be likened to a life that is frozen and always remains the same. This is the life that Holden understands and wishes that he could have. He cannot accept the challenges that he encounters day to day. He wishes that life could be like the life of the Eskimo, which is simplicity. It's very manageable and less troublesome. The problem that Holden is facing is that he would rather live in his own fantasy than face life's challenges. He'd rather escape from it than learn after dealing with it. He is too caught up and he just feels that it's too difficult to deal with life's adversities. With this, he decides not to go into the museum. He is aware that each time he visits the museum, he is a different person. That is what's troubling him and he doesn't want to accept that. He wants life to stay the same without any worries. In the book, he points out specific objects, such as the Eskimo, the birds, and the deers. The reason for this is because he is making a reference to himself. Holden is able to judge these things based on his own perspective. He can call them "phony" all he wants, but the fact of the matter is that those objects in the display cases will never judge him back. That's the beauty of the fantasy life he wishes he could have because there wouldn't be any problems in his life. No decision making, nothing at all. Just pure simplicity. In addition, instead of saying me in the book, he uses the second-person point of view, you. I believe that he did this to generalize this situation. It applies to everyone and I believe that was Holden's intent.

Holden has yet to outgrow his immaturity of not being able to deal with life's challenges. Sure, it maybe difficult at first, but it is unavoidable. There's nothing he can do to escape. However, even if he does, he is going to have to come back someday and deal with it anyway. Holden is missing out on the beauty of encountering life's problems and that would be the maturity that is gained after the situation has been tackled. Holden is afraid and he has been through so much that life seems so out of reach to him. It's difficult for him to accept certain things now because he is growing up. In a way, he is forced to go through the challenges that life poses for us. It is natural, but it's not what Holden wants. A life of simplicity is what he wants because it's easy to manage and it requires no effort at all. One of the other reasons I believe Holden treasures his idealistic view of a simple life is that he wants people to stay the same. Perhaps the people around him have changed for the worst and yes, in actuality, things like that do happen. I believe Holden is afraid of losing the most important people in his life, so he would rather keep them the way they are. Maybe that's why he wishes life to be a museum.

Final Allusion Graphic, Poem, & Reflection

2011-01-29T08:51:00.008-10:00

Sitting in the Rubble

Pressure, Stress

Losing my mind in everything

The yelling and the screaming

Just make it stop

All those hurtful words still ringing in my ears

Taunting me, threatening me, doubting me

If only I could seize it all

But I have no control

None

Only forced to watch

As everything falls apart

I beat the ground below me

And I spend endless days and nights

Pondering, Wondering

Staring into nothingness

Every now and then I ask myself

What did I do to deserve this

Really, what sin have I committed

Just tell me

Is it something that I can fix

No really, I want to be a better person

No answer

Dead silence

So I continue

Dealing with the pain that fell upon me

I go

But suddenly

A hand

Reaching out for me

Shedding an array of sunlight around me

In such confusion, I look and stare

As the green grasses grow

Wildlife spring about

Happiness filling the hearts of those around me

The rubble, the dirt

Dissolving, disappearing

Those relentless voices

Gone

I guess it really does exist

Hope

Reflection

At first, it was really difficult for me to find an allusion that would describe who I am. I wanted to do something on a bible story, but I found this an obstacle because I wasn’t as ‘great’ as the characters that were portrayed in the stories. They were so faithful and so perfect in a way. They’ve done so many great things that I just could not compare myself to them. So, I took a look at the Disney characters and the Egpytian and Roman gods and goddesses, but I found them a little boring because everyone else was using them. I wanted to shoot for uniqueness. So, I skimmed through “My Book of Bible Stories” children’s book and I tried to look for something of my liking. Luckily, I did find what I was looking for.

I chose to relate my life and the trials that I go through with Job’s experience. In the bible story of Job, his faithfulness to God was being tested by Satan. His cattle and camels were stolen, while his sheep were killed. His 10 sons and daughters were also killed by a storm. Satan then struck Job with a terrible sickness that took over his entire body. His wife began yelling at him, telling him to “curse God and die.” Three false friends also visited him and told him that he lived a bad life. However, throughout all of this, Job kept faithful to God. With this, he was able to withstand the trials that fell upon him. As a result, God blessed him with twice as much as he had before he was tested. He was healed and God gave him a beautiful home and many things.

This story was always my favorite out of all the other Bible stories. So, for the allusion project that we had, my goal was to relate my life to Job’s life. Although I may not have gone through the same things he has gone through, I did find some similarities. I used the base of the story to describe the trials that I go through in life. In my life, I go through a lot of pressure and stress. Sometimes, they are so burdensome that I can no longer handle it anymore. At times, I want to explode and sometimes I just wished I had to power to stop everything and seize time in its place. Every now and then, I just take the time to think and observe the many things that’s occurring. I try to find a solution to the problem, but it gets difficult because there are time when I just don’t know what the problem is. Like Job, he has not done anything wrong towards God, so he must have been confused, just like how I am when I am going through trials. Also, the people around me sometimes mock me and yell at me for something that I know I did not do. Some just do it to intimidate me and to confuse my mind. So, with this I was able to write the beginning of my poem. In addition, I wanted to end the poem with a message of ‘hope.’ Something along the lines of “good things come to those who wait” or “there’s always a rainbow after the hurricane.” Then, I began to think about the events that happened in my life. I did realize that after the obstacles that I overcame in the past, I was always rewarded for my hard work. With this, I found a perfect ending to my poem. I was so caught up in expressing my feelings that I began to add extraneous parts to my poem.

With the comments from my peers and my teacher, I noticed where I needed to make improvement. My goal for my final was to shorten it and to focus my poem on the important parts. So, I tried to generalize the poem - generalizing it in a way that is still focused (if that makes any sense). So, I thought about all the events that have influenced me a lot and I looked for all of the similarities that each of those events had with each other. With success, I was able to write out my poem. Towards the ending of my poem, I added the green grasses, wildlife spring about, happiness, rubble, and dirt. I wanted to achieve a bit of imagery, but at the same time I wanted these elements to symbolize “hope.” I was really happy with the outcome of my final poem, although I did struggle on finding the right words that would portray the right meaning.

In the rough draft of my graphic, I envisioned a hill with storm and lightning up above. Then, I would have me running away from it, symbolizing my wanting to escape from all of the difficulties that I go through in life. I was still iffy about my graphic because it seemed as though it was missing something. At first, I thought that I just needed to add a little text, but I didn't want that because I wanted my graphic to be pure imagery. After my commentary, I realized that I was missing the message of "hope". So, after I finished finalizing my poem, I picked out evocative words that existed in my poem and I tried to incorporate it with my graphic. It can be seen with the reaching out of the hand from the sky, symbolizing hope. The green grasses growing below me and the blue sky erasing the rubble also symbolize that message. The black and whiteness of the rubble behind the blue sky also represents the sadness and the trials that I went through in life. Then, you see me in the center of the graphic, looking up at that array of sunlight up above. My skin and hair have a little bit of a distorted coloring because I wanted to achieve that feeling of sadness and hurt. However, my clothes begin to receive color. This shows that I have finally found a way out of my troubles or a blessing for my effort in overcoming so many obstacles. You can also see a little bit of the story of Job in this graphic as well, which is what the allusion assignment was about anyway. (WOOHOO!)

Allusion Graphic - Rough Draft

2011-01-18T23:30:00.002-10:00

I'm going to replace Rachel McAdams with me. However, this will be the basic outline of my allusion graphic. I'm still not too sure if adding text in this graphic will be appropriate. I wanted it to be more of an imagery.

Resisting the Voice - Allusion Poem Rough Draft

2011-01-18T19:23:00.006-10:00

This poem is related to the story of Job: Job is Faithful to God

The sun

Bright as it can be

Blessing the land with fruitage and health

Happiness and freedom fill the hearts of those around me

But

A dark cloud begins to appear

Securing the sky

Dooming the earth with years of sadness

And hurt

There’s a voice

Taunting me

Telling me to turn away from everything

“The earth is doomed to years of darkness

It’s no use

Give it all up”

Again and

Again and
Again

The voice, like a boomerang

I can’t escape from it

Grabbing me and

Pulling me from the heels

I seek help from those around me

But they tell me the same thing

“Go! Just leave home!”

I watch and look

I begin to feel a sense of loneliness

Like an invisible spirit

Only walking the earth

Without notice

My possessions

The people I love

Decreasing by the number

My house

The money

Growing smaller and smaller

I have no control

None

Only forced to watch

As everything falls apart

The anger

The depression

I beat the ground below me

And I spend endless days and nights

Pondering

Wondering

Staring into nothingness

But I manage to escape

From the darkness

The voice

The people

Pulling me back into nothingness

I knew

I always knew

That there was a rainbow in the distance

I stayed

No matter how much it hurt

I stayed

and I was blessed

Outside Reading Card - Quarter 2

2010-12-16T18:05:00.000-10:00

Writing Standards Portfolio

2010-12-16T07:15:00.003-10:00

Hello mom and dad,

This quarter I have created, yet, another website for my portfolio. This time it is for my Writing Standards Portfolio. Now, you will be able to see the work that I do in my English class. This assignment gives you an opportunity to comment on my learning. It is also a part of my teacher's assessment on my attainment of General Learning Outcome #5, "Effective Communicator." My sharing of the portfolio should enable you to reflect and respond to the four reflection questions below. Thank you so much for your support.

Here is the link: http://www.wix.com/shaneika_aguilar/writingstandardsportfolio

While you are there, you will be treated to simple, but cute animations. You will also be able to view my work. Just click on the icons and they will automatically be downloaded to your desktop. Also, click on the pictures to view them in full screen size. ENJOY!! ^^

Here are the four reflection questions:

What piece of writing did you like best in my portfolio and why?
What did you like about my portfolio and sharing and what would you like to see me improve on?
Which of the writing traits (ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency) do you feel was most successful for me?
Which of the traits of writing would you like me to improve on in the coming semester?

Love,

Shaneika

Pro/Con Subtopic Essay Draft - Pressure/Stress (Critique Ready)

2010-11-23T21:53:00.024-10:00

Making Ends Meet

“New York University students and administrators are reeling in the aftermath of what appears to be the third student suicide in five weeks. On a Saturday around 9:45 p.m., Michelle Gluckman, a 19-year old from Brooklyn, plunged through a sixth-floor window of 1 University Pl., a private apartment building near Washington Sq. Park.” Stress. Or in other words, pressure. It is “a specific response by the body to a stimulus, as fear or pain, that disturbs or interferes with the normal physiological equilibrium of an organism.” Today, many teens are experiencing or coming to know about the overwhelming effects of stress. In this world, there’s just so much to do, but so little time. There are deadlines and demands that have to be met. It is normal and everyone goes through it. At times, many become so overloaded that they can no longer handle the stress. For some, they have the ability to perform their best when they are under pressure or when they are stressed. However, piles and piles of smaller pressure eventually leads to countless amounts of stress. Too much academic stress is bad because it can affect teens’ health and decision making.

Admittedly, negative pressure does influence some teens to make wrong decisions, however, positive pressure is promising to many teens. One of the common reasons that explains students’ continuous effort to keep on going, is the dream. According to the Barna Survey, 68% of students "indicated a tendency to lean away from the practical, tangible awards towards achieving ideals for their own sake and the potential to influence others through an academic career." When teens make the effort to push through and keep going, a great future is waiting right ahead of them. Various colleges will be open to them and there will be many career opportunities. In the same survey, 54% take life seriously. Students set very high expectations and standards for themselves, which allows them to focus more on the important things in life. They don't allow anything to interfere in their striving for success. Teens also try very hard to avoid the useless things that will cause them to fail. They, in a sense, develop the "over-achiever" attitude and behavior. In the Barna chart, entitled, Graduate Students' Personality Profile, graduate students leaned towards the idealistic "perfectionist" as well. Majority selected traits, such as leader, focused, skeptical, aggressive, contemporary, driven, and serious. While very few selected the total opposite. This shows that teens no longer take things very lightly once they start realizing the importance of their education. With that, they can expect to find various opportunities open to them in the outside world.

Indeed, stress can benefit teens for their future, on the contrary, teens are unaware to the threat it poses on their overall health and well being. Many students feel overwhelming pressure to do good in school, mostly to please their parents. This pressure usually begins when students begin their high school education, but sometimes it may begin as early as elementary school. As a result, college eventually becomes their definite battlefield. According to the author of the September 10, 2009 article, entitled: Meltdown, academic pressure key reasons behind suicides, “... academic pressure on school and college going students are driving reasons behind the suicides.” In school, students are pressured to strive high so that their chances of getting into a good school or occupation in the future increases. However, students are not provided with enough support that would help them cope with their struggles. Most students refuse to “give up” in order to avoid the feeling of “low personal accomplishment,” but with it comes consequences. According to the Neumann study, “emotional fatigue greatly influences student performance and affects personal commitment.” When students become occupied with increased amounts of work load, they no longer have enough time outside of school. In the NEW study, commissioned by Grad Resources and conducted by sociologist, Dr. Robert Woodberry in 2010, 43% of all graduate students surveyed indicated that their stress levels are “more than they can handle.” “Excessive overload, lack of balance, inadequate free time, and little opportunity to influence the environment make up only part of the fatigue syndrome.” With an overwhelming amount of students trying to persevere and cope with the pressures they are confined in, provides very little escape or recovery. Sometimes, it takes a toll on their lives. According to the Grad Resources, “the diathesis-stress model of mental illness shows that certain genetic combinations may lead to a predisposition toward a mental disorder” and when combined with environmental stress, it can lead to abnormal behavior.

Although positive stress can influence teens to become better persons, negative stress can cause students to engage in unethical behavior. Educational pressure has an effect. High school is when teens finally meet with never-ending stress. It’s when they become so vulnerable to the sources around them. In the Fourth Annual “Teens Ethics Poll” released by J.A. Worldwide - Junior Achievement and Beliotte and Touche, 69% of teens have admitted to engaging in unethical behavior by lying. 34% downloaded songs without paying and 22% of teens cheated on tests. This was caused by the overwhelming stress they experienced in school. It becomes so much that teens can no longer handle it. So, they try to find a means of escape.

In conclusion, although some teens become prepared for their future after stressful experiences, it doesn’t defeat the effects it has on their overall health, well being, and decision making. With the overload of small amounts of stress, it can cause teens to resent to wrongful behavior and experience all types of physical and emotional problems. At times, this leads to random acts of suicide. No doubt, no matter how much treatment or help teens try to receive, it may not be the ultimate cure. With the overwhelming pressure to do good in school and to meet up with all the demands, teens will eventually turn to a means of escape. As long as we live in this world, no one can escape from stress.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bibliography:
1) Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. "Meltdown, Academic Pressure Key Reasons behind Suicides - The Times of India." The Times of India: Latest News India, World & Business News, Cricket & Sports, Bollywood. The Times of India, 10 Sept. 2009. Web. 26 Nov. 2010. <http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Meltdown-academic-pressure-key-reasons-behind-suicides/articleshow/4992625.cms>.

2) Repak, Nick. "Emotional Fatigue: Coping With Academic Pressure." Welcome to Grad Resources. Grad Resources. Web. 26 Nov. 2010. <http://www.gradresources.org/articles/emotional_fatigue.shtml>.

3) Walsh, Erin, and Nathan Duke. "After Third Suicide, Students Cite ‘isolation,’ Pressure." The Villager. Community Media LLC., 28 Oct. 2003. Web. 26 Nov. 2010. <http://www.alliswellhelpline.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=68:student-suicides-is-academic-pressure-sole-reason&catid=42:suicide-more-insights&Itemid=66>.

4) Times, Sakaal. "Student Suicides: Is Academic Pressure Sole Reason?" Welcome to All Is Well Global Helpline. ALLISWELLHELPLINE.ORG. Web. 26 Nov. 2010. <http://www.thevillager.com/villager_25/afterthirdsuicide.html>.

5) Focus on the Family. "Does Peer Pressure Cause Teens to Smoke or Use Drugs?" Find Answers. Dr. Dobson, 5 July 2010. Web. 12 Nov. 2010. <http://family.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/936/~/does-peer-pressure-cause-teens-to-smoke-or-use-drugs?>.

6) Smith, Melinda, Ellen Jaffe - Gill, and Robert Segal. "Stress Management: How to Reduce, Prevent, and Cope with Stress." Helpguide.org: Understand, Prevent and Resolve Life's Challenges. Help Guide, Oct. 2010. Web. 12 Nov. 2010. <http://helpguide.org/mental/stress_management_relief_coping.htm>.

7) Lee, Albert. "7 Simple Ways To Decrease Stress." EzineArticles Submission - Submit Your Best Quality Original Articles For Massive Exposure, Ezine Publishers Get 25 Free Article Reprints. EzineArticle.com. Web. 26 Nov. 2010. <http://ezinearticles.com/?7-Simple-Ways-To-Decrease-Stress&id=478076>.

Outside Reading Card

2010-09-27T23:19:00.008-10:00

Self Assessment: 4
I rate myself as a 4 because I was able to put my graphic skills to good use. I used my analyzation of the book to write out the conflict and resolution. I also used stroke and drop shadow to make the title and the author stand out. I used different colors and effects on the text so that they are identified separately and so that they are readable. I tried to make my illustration match the description in my text. Since the book is partly about bridge, I used that as the background. It also plays a factor in Uncle Lester's life, so I added a picture of an old man. This picture also gives you a little insight on how I pictured him from the book's descriptions - blind man who always plays bridge and who lived a mysterious past. Doesn't the picture give a mysterious feel? Also, his desire is to win the Nationals, so I included the trophy. Alton, on the other hand, is a boy who is lost in life and has a difficulty trying to understand everything. I display this by using a simple picture of a high school boy. I blended him with the picture of the old man because they learn important lessons from each other. Alton learns to mature, with the experience he had with his grandpa and all the times he went to his grandpa's bridge club games. Since this book is mainly about Alton's journey in life, I added the significant quote that gives an overall idea of how he dealt with his confusion in life in the end. Also, the book is about his 'coming of age,' so it would be very fitting. The quote is also metaphoric because it uses bridge terms, so the card theme and background would match. Alton also plays an important part in his grandpa's life because he helped his grandpa to fulfill his dream and he gorged the hidden kindess out of his grandpa's "cold brick-like" heart. Overall, I made the photoshop graphic as simple, yet effective as possible so that it's appealing. This way my understanding of the book will come through.

College Essay Final Revision

2010-09-23T22:56:00.003-10:00

The Framed Recognition Awards

When you look at me, you may think I’m just a normal little teenager. However, if you take a look at my work, it’s much greater. My friends and classmates have always wished to be like me, but I don’t consider myself as the “smartest” or as the “perfect” child that many refer me too. They realize my dedication, commitment, and effort that I put into everything that I do, everything that I am passionate about. Each day, many people go to me for help. They’re either asking me for advice or methods on how to solve a math problem. I have to admit that the feeling of helping others really gives me the sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. However, the person that I am today wouldn’t have become if it wasn’t for the most important person in my life - my mom.

In truth, I was very foolish and immature when I was younger. I always desired material things and free time in the outdoors. To me, pushing aside homework was no big deal. All I had to do was leave it in my binder untouched. However, this all changed when I reached the 5th grade. From there, my journey to success began.

The school bell rang and the sound stretched from one end of the campus to the other.

“Finally! School is over,” I said to myself as I cleared my desk.

In my view, school was merely an interference rather than a benefit to my life. Quickly packing my things, I dashed across the classroom, but my teacher stopped me in my tracks. There was a certain disappointment in her face and I wasn’t in the mood to listen.

“Shaneika, I’m holding a parent-teacher conference with your mom today. So, you should stay here for the remainder of the time until she arrives.”

I wasn’t so surprised. This wasn’t the first time anyway. However, it seemed odd that I was the only one with a conference at that very moment. I looked around as my classmates left for the school bus. In no time, a foot stepped in through the front door. A Louis Vuiton bag hung from her arm - it was my mom. I watched in confusion as my mom shook my teacher’s hand. I knew I didn’t do anything wrong. I didn’t attempt to hurt someone or anything. So, what was the conference going to be about anyway?

My teacher invited me to sit with them. She pulled out a manila folder from her side. In it was a thin yellow paper. There were grid lines on it, similar to the appearance of a report card. She flipped it over. I read the letters: N-N-N-N-N across the entire math section and in one of the other sections. Above it: Shaneika Aguilar. I was in total shock. I slumped into my seat and sighed. I felt my chest drop and it was as if I had totally given up in everything. During the rest of the conference, I could only recognize my mom’s facial expression. Her lips were pressed together and her eyebrows formed seriousness with her eyes. She continuously looked at me and gave me the death glare. Discouragement filled my insides and I just wanted to escape.

Driving home, my mom lectured me.

“From now on, I will not let you watch TV, play with your friends, go on the computer, or go shopping at all. Not until I see a big improvement in your grades.”

I held my ears with my hand, attempting to block out what she was saying, but it was no use.

“You should be taking your education seriously because when I was younger, schooling was difficult. We were less fortunate and life in the Philippines was not easy as life here in America. You should be thankful that you can actually go to school because many kids around the world would die to be in your place right now!”

I closed my eyes as tightly as I could, but the images of poverty and malnourished African children filled my mind. It was all I could see.

I ran up into my room and slammed my door before anyone could enter. I paced around my room and constantly jumped up and down. I screamed into my pillow as loud as I could. She aggravated me and I felt hopeless.

It’s been an hour and I couldn’t stay in my room any longer. It was just too much isolation. I slowly opened my door and looked around, making sure my mom was nowhere near. I crept into my grandparents’ room and next to them, was the computer room. The door to the computer room was open halfway. I peeked through and someone was already sitting on the rolling chair. I jerked back. Books and binders filled the place. I looked at the screen and I saw my mom’s reflection. I was curious, so I observed a little bit. Carefully examining the books and cross-referencing, she seemed very thorough and accurate. Her posture was upright and her eyes were fixed on the computer screen.

I was afraid that she might lecture me again. So, I headed back through the room and into the hallway. I constantly turned back to ensure that she wasn’t following me. Unknowingly, I tripped over a box. I noticed that my dad was vacuuming the room and had escorted the boxes out. However, the box I tripped over seemed a little different from the rest. There was a golden rimmed picture frame that stuck out. I slowly pulled it out. I expected a picture, but across the top, it was written: Certificate of Recognition Gina Aguilar. In amazement, I rummaged through the box and found many of them. Her pictures and her recognitions were all in there, along with my dad’s certificates as well. The titles that they achieved seemed very prestigious and professional. I felt intimidated and I began to question myself.

“YES!” A voice came from the computer room.

It was my mom. She ran out, waving the telephone in her hands. In excitement, she headed straight to where my dad was. I was curious so I crept to the edge of the door to eavesdrop.

“Honey!!! I got promoted!!”

At that moment, I realized how amazing my mom was.

That evening. We all sat at the dinner table - my grandparents, parents, uncle, aunt, and my cousin. My mom looked at me with disappointment and shook her head as she turned to eat her dinner.

“I had a conference with Shaneika’s teacher today. She failed her class.” My mom broke the silence.

My eyes widened and I was appalled at what I heard. Everyone turned to look at me. I couldn’t believe it. She exposed me and she actually had the nerve to embarrass me.

In Ilokano: “Oh no. You’re going to end up like the homeless people living on the streets.

They all shook their head as they compared me to the rejects who couldn’t graduate high school. I felt offended.

“She’s going to end up like that girl you know.....”

At that moment, I felt a certain guilt rush over me. I excused myself from the table and headed to my room. There, I began to think in solitude. After a few minutes of silence, I realized what I’ve been doing wrong.

That experience became the turning point in my life. I became so determined to do what I can do now. Today, I am an over achiever. One who is passionate about everything. One who will analyze every detail and make sure that they are all accurate. One who is never willing to give up, but keeps on going. One who will always try their best to endure trials and persevere even when difficult times try to tear me down. However, it’s not my natural born talent. These qualities had to be developed for many years and I thank my family, especially my mom, for opening my eyes to reality. Her perseverance, endurance, and her “striving for the best” mindset inspired me. When I realized the joy it came to being successful, I desired to become like her. I have to admit that I am much like my mother now. Even when times are hard or when I’m struggling from challenges, I do what I can. My mom stuck with me and she didn’t give up on me. She kept on trying to alert me when I was younger, but each time I was blinded. Today, I am thankful. Thankful for everything and all she has done for me. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. Now, I am confident. I will continue my education and I will work so that I can help repay my mom and my entire family for having faith and confidence in me.

College Essay Draft (Critique Ready) - When the Ground Below Crumbles Before Me

2010-09-14T17:33:00.004-10:00

College Essay Topic

I will be writing a personal essay that expresses who I am. This is one of the requirements for the college application to Hawaii Pacific University.
The essay will be about the things that I have to go through outside of school. I will focus on a situation that has greatly affected me.

Admission Requirements for Freshman Students

"The personal statement is your opportunity to let the admissions committee know more about yourself. You may submit writing samples, a personal essay or poetry, it is up to you on how you wish to express yourself. There is no set length required."

When the Ground Below Crumbles Before Me

The bright rays of the morning sun awoke me from a good night's rest. As always, I refused to spring out of my comfortable bed. I just wanted to lie in that soft comfort until noon. Just five more minutes. Not until I heard footsteps approaching my bedroom door. It was my mom.

"SHANEIKA!! GET OUT OF BED NOW!!! YOU WANT TO GET DROPPED OFF?? THEN, GET OUT OF BED OR ELSE YOU ARE RIDING THE BUS!! WAKE UP NOW!!! WAKE UP!!!"

I scrunched my face at the sound of my daily wake up call. I glanced at the clock that read 6:30 am. The cold breeze from the fridge caressed the sides of my cheeks as I opened it. I slowly munched on a swiss roll while I looked at my planner. Scrolling down, I noticed in big, red, and bolded letters: FLOORSHOW!!

So suddenly, a sense of excitement ran through me. Within seconds, I shoved the entire roll into my mouth and rummaged through my closet that I would always get lost in. With eagerness, I slipped my cutest top on and pulled up a pair of my favorite jeans to my waist. Looking at the mirror, there was a green post-it note secured in its place. It read: Need another $20 for PSAT registration.

That's right! These little notes always proved helpful for me, especially with my constant forgetfulness. I opened every piggy bank and wallet that lay availably in my room. Pennies and dimes fell out as I vigorously shook each one. The one and only 10 dollar bill I had sat at the side of my foot. Just another 10 dollars and the amount would be complete. Walking through the hallway that led to my parents' bedroom, my guilty conscience came knocking at me again. It was telling me that I've been asking for too much lately, but this was one of those needy times again. I forced it.

My mom stood at the front of a mirror as she carefully applied eyeshadow. Knowing the person that she is, my legs began to shake. From time to time, arguments would spark up. Each time, there was always one person with a constant flow of tears. There were times when giving up felt like an option. It was as if my feelings were never considered during these horrible times. Sometimes, a sense of fear took over me.

"Mom, can I borrow $10? I need it to pay for my PSAT registration."

"Sure," she smiles as she pulls out her wallet.

She handed me $6.

"I only have $100 and $50 bills in here. You have one dollar bills for the rest, right?"

"Yes.....," I was guilty.

I had no other cash with me, but I kept my mouth shut from asking for more. With thankfulness, I hugged her. My grandpa was the last resort. He always had a wad of cash with him. Every once a month, he would try to venture out of the house to spend quality time with his relatives, but each time, I worried for him. Most of the food he consumes are detrimental to his already weak immune system. To me, it feels as if he's swallowing a pound of salt per week. Each time he left the house, I felt the squeezing tension in my heart telling me stop him, but I have no control over him. He can be very stubborn, but he is a giving man. Whenever he spoke, the room I stood in would vibrate.

In Ilokano: "Grandpa, do you have $4 that I could borrow? I need it for school."

Without hesitation, he pulled out his wallet and handed me 4 dollar bills. They were wrinkled, old, and seemed as if they've been staying in isolation for quite some time now, much like my grandfather.

My mom was already in the garage, awaiting for my arrival. With swiftness, I dashed down the stairs and jumped out into the garage. I dumped all of my school supplies onto the back seat and let out a sign of relief. For some reason, there was a certain anger that masked my mom's face. She opened her mouth and her angry tone ran through my ears.

"How much money did you ask from tata?!"

"$4. Why?"

"Why did you ask money from him? What do you need it for? You're collecting money, aren't you and you're not telling me where these are going!"

Confusion filled my mind and I began to question what I've done wrong. I spoke, but it backfired.

"YOU LIAR! I can never trust you!"

Just that one statement struck the core of my very heart. She lost all confidence in me. Never before has she called me this.

"I didn't want to take all of your money because I felt bad! You already paid for so much and I didn't want to take any more!"

The argument continued back and forth and I thought my words were stronger than hers. Until the turning point.....

"THAT'S IT!! You're not going to FLOORSHOW and THAT'S THAT!"

I stood at the parking lot in total shock with the words still echoing in my head. They wouldn't escape me and at that very moment, I felt like I lost everything I had. I stared blankly at the black BMW van as it turned a blind corner. I wanted to burst, but I held it in. I wanted to storm my way through the school, but I held it in. I wanted to scream my frustrations out, but I held it in.

During the rest of the school day, her very words clouded my mind. Whenever I glanced at the mini yard that stood between buildings G and H, I remembered the many days I went in to practice with my friends. I remembered the laughs we would share as we practiced the hip hop routine with Sonia. I remembered my eagerness each time the clock struck 2:00. I remembered the very desire I had to perform on Homecoming Day.

Suddenly, my phone vibrated in my back pocket. It was her. My voice shook as I worked up the courage to apologize to her. I begged her to let me go, to give me the opportunity, to give me the chance that I wanted so bad. Her voice calmed. This gave me an indirect sign of approval.

"Alright. You can go to floorshow."

A smile should be stretching across my face by now, but it wasn't there. There was only a small bit of happiness that was present. She pressed the end call button before I could and I just sat there in confusion. The clock striked 6 pm, which signaled the arrival of the official beginning of homecoming. I sat below the tree and let out a sign of frustration as I watched my friends finalize the backdrops. I played around with my phone charm as I watched my phone battery slowly lose its life. I continued to ponder over her sudden declaration of approval. Something didn't add up, but I couldn't point it out.

That night, I noticed a familiar face in the bleachers. It was my mom. Her Gucci sunglasses covered her eyes as she observed the happenings around her. She noticed me, but she didn't smile. A certain guilt rushed over me and a cold breeze sent chills through my spine. After the floorshow and trivia game were over, she approached me. Her cheek bones rose as she pulled out her camera. After seeing her happiness shine behind the flash, my heart became delighted.

I may not know all of my mother's ways, but I know that she's doing these things for my own good. I may dislike her methods of discipline, but I come to appreciate it in the end. There may be those difficult times that I may have to go through, but that's life. The endurance and strength that she continues to uphold as a mother always keeps me from giving up on life. She's the only person I can go to when the ground below me is crumbling. She opened my eyes to reality. Her guidance helped me to develop the person that I am today. Each day, I force myself to do my best so that I could please her. Each day, I work up the nerve to smile even when times are hard. Each day, I pray that things will go well the next day and each night, I tell her "I love you." She's the one who goes through several clothing stores just to find that one top that I've always wanted. She's the one who would give up thousands of cash just to get me the necessities that I need for school. She's the one who would always mix spices in her recipe just so that she could get the perfect taste that satisfies my taste buds. I will never let one argument, not even that one difficult moment, ruin everything.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

tata - grandpa

Coming of Age Poster (Final Revision)

2010-09-12T16:23:00.000-10:00

Coming of Age (Final Revision)

2010-09-09T20:50:00.000-10:00

Registration (The First Step)

A dull yellow form gave me a blank stare. It looked at me as if it was saying “HURRY and CHOOSE!!!" I have to admit that this form was one of the most difficult tasks in my whole entire school life. The general information book was thick. I quickly flipped through the pages and glanced at the ant-sized words that filled them. Everything seemed so foreign to me, as if high school had its own language. I vigorously shook my head and pulled my hair. I was confused and frustrated. I was just a kid and I didn't expect freshman year to arrive so quickly. I took another look at the information book and read the contents slowly. Then, I suddenly remembered what my media teacher, Ms. Fu, had said to me. She told me that I had potential in video productions, but I wanted a second opinion or maybe a third as well.

From what I had heard, programs have high expectations from their members. I was hesitant for fear that I might not be able to survive my first year at all. At this time, I really wanted to follow my cousin's footsteps. She decided not to take Mene Mac since she recognized it as a program that would cause much stress and frustration. It seemed like a wise decision, but my interest in media technology and video productions made me think twice.

“MADDIE!!!!!”

I found Maddie and was relieved. I quickly rushed up to her and showed her my registration form.

“Are you taking Mene Mac freshman year?”

“Yeah!” She said with a smile on her face.

Aside from her World Languages elective, she had an interest in digital media technology and a desire for acting. During the middle of 8th grade, I would always give her an excuse note to leave her Spanish class because she was the most compatible person to act in my videos. Each time, she was eager and excited to leave her class to be able to come to the media room. So, it would make sense for her to join the program, but I wanted more opinions.

I found Jordie, Rebekah, and Kiyo at the other side of the tree talking to a few people. Quickly rushing up to them, I asked:

“Are you guys taking Mene Mac in freshman year? Because I really don’t know if I should. It sounds hard.”

They looked at me and responded:

“Of course we’re taking Mene Mac! OMG! You should too! Come on, Shaneika!”

With this type of encouragement, it gave me a reason to join the Mene Mac program. I thought twice and told myself:

Maybe joining the program won’t be such a bad idea. I mean high school is all about challenge. Although it may be hard, I think it would be wise to join the program. After all, I really wanted to get a taste of what high school and my future would be like.

I quietly sat on the grass and looked at my wrinkled registration form. Then, I turned to the Mene Mac page in the General Information booklet. I thought again and for a moment, it seemed like the whole entire world just froze in its place.

Beginning my freshman year in the right path, the right course was essential for me. This was the only way I would be able to develop the skills needed for the 'career of my dreams.' Taking the wrong classes or if worst comes to worst, taking the classes that I wouldn't even enjoy at all, is not the way to go. Looking at the yellow form, there was a moment of silence in me. Confusion bottled up in me, since everything was happening so quickly.

The words from my friends kept running across my head. In frustration, I slowly walked back to class. As soon as the bell rang, I was already seated in my homeroom. With a frown on my face, the yellow registration form stared at me again. There was an abundance of white out that covered majority of the paper, since I wasn't sure of what I wanted at all.

My parents arrived home and I felt hesitant to talk to them at first. I was afraid about how they would respond to my question.

As we talked, I asked my mom about the electives that would help me in high school. I handed her the general information booklet and the yellow registration form. She took it and slowly skimmed through the book. All of a sudden, my body became jittery and I couldn’t stop tapping my right foot.

"Well, media class is really enjoyable and it’s filled with great opportunities," I told her.

"But," I resented.

"If I take Mene Mac, that is going to be really hard for me because it seems like it's going to be very demanding and hard to keep up with work and stuff. So, I don't know if I will be able to survive in that class. It seems so hard and I can't take pressure and stress, " I continued.

My mother turned her head to look at me and I expected her to tell me what I should do.

"It's a decision you have to make on your own. I can't choose the classes for you because it’s not my place to make the choices for you. I am only here to support you, " she assured.

My shoulders dropped down at the sound of that. In frustration, I immediately stomped out of the room and grunted. I don’t want to take up the challenge. It’ll be too difficult for me and I don’t feel prepared.

Then, it suddenly occurred to me. Without challenge, life would have no purpose, no adventure, no experience, nothing. Reality is much more than this and if I don't get a taste of what life would be like, then I won't be prepared enough to survive the real world once I graduate high school. I need to prepare myself now. It's the right time for me to recognize my potentials and where I really belong in high school. Without any further questioning, I picked up my black pen and confidently wrote Mene Mac on the electives section along with the class code.

After a few days of what seemed to be endless patience, it was the moment of truth. Those who got accepted into mene mac were to be given a notice. During recess, my friends rushed up to me, excited that they got accepted. They showed me the notice that they got as they jumped for joy. I was shocked. I hadn’t received any notice and I expected to get accepted into mene mac. With arms crossed, my eyebrows came together.

"Does this mean all that I have done has gone to waste? Does everything end here? Will I end up taking spanish next year?" All these thoughts began to run through my mind and it seemed to have provoked me a little.

I wanted the program so bad and this was the outcome. Stress and tension built up inside me, so I quickly rushed to the media room to ask Ms. Fu about the notifications. She told me that only those who have received the notice meant that they have gained membership. Those who hadn’t have been rejected. I was appalled at the sound of this.

"They are still trying to process some students and they haven't gone through everyone's projects yet. So, you might be among that bunch."

Sudden relief came over me. Knowing that there was still a chance for me to get accepted into the program, I became determined. However, my wait began to die within two weeks of so-called patience.

It's been two weeks and I haven't received anything. I panicked, since this was not what I had expected. My desperate want for the program motivated me to contact Ms. Fu. Through the conversation, she told me that all the students have already been processed. As of now, no additional members will be accepted into the program.

That's it? Am I totally done for?

The results aggravated me, so I rummaged through my school work to find a xerox copy of the Mene mac form. Quickly, I skimmed through it and found Mrs. Sueoka's contact number and email. From my pocket, I pulled out my cell phone and dialed her number. My fingers fidgeted. No one answered and the feeling of uneasiness took over, so I left a voicemail. For a moment, the world seemed overwhelmingly slow.

I checked the registrar's office and personally asked them about my freshman classes. They told me that I was not in the Mene Mac program at all. In hopes of a positive answer, I asked if there was any way to change or switch my classes, but it was impossible. I just couldn't grasp what was happening anymore. My temper tantrum nearly exploded, but I managed to hold it in.

My chances of getting the 'career of my dreams' grew slimmer.

In a few hours, however, the phone rang. It was Mrs. Sueoka. Knowing this, a sweat dripped from the side of my cheek. I shook. This is it. The moment of truth. Once I pick up the phone, there's no hanging up or turning back. Will I be accepted or not? What are my chances? I didn't know. I was hesitant and nervous. I didn't want to know what she will say, but what if it was good news? Or bad news? I took a long and deep breathe and slowly picked up the telephone. It was her, Mrs. Sueoka.

"Hello?"

"Is this Shaneika?"

"Oh, yes," my heart pounded.

"There has been a misunderstanding in the registrar's office....."

"WHAT??!! Really? So, what they told me earlier was false? What could it be? Have I actually been accepted into the program?," I thought.

"You are actually enrolled in the program. Yeah, since you are not in GE, you have first priority. So, immediately you should have been accepted already. I don't know why it didn't go through properly with the registrar's office, but I took care of everything. So, yup, don't worry, you are in the program."

My smile reached the tip of my ears. With great happiness, I nearly screamed into the phone. YES!!! FINALLY!! The answer I have been waiting for in such a long time. I was so thankful. Now, there was nothing to worry about. I'm in the program and that's all I cared about. It was the most important any way. It was the foundation of my future high school career. I teared a little as I jumped for joy.

After such an overwhelming experience, I realized the importance of taking up challenges and overcoming obstacles. Although things may get difficult, who knows what is actually in store. Plus, who's never up for a good challenge? The more obstacles I overcome, the stronger I get and better yet, the more prepared I am for the future.

College

2010-09-05T23:29:00.001-10:00

Colleges:

University of Hawaii - Manoa

Hawaii Pacific University

Reason:

These are probably the only colleges/options that I have since my parents don't want me to leave Hawaii. If I could, I would want to study abroad or at least go to one of the top colleges in the mainland. Anyway, I chose these colleges because they are the best in the island and people have recommended them for me. Also, they have the classes that I need to be able to fulfill my career as an RN (Registered Nurse). I have visited the College and Career Center and Ms. Mau has given me all the requirements for entering UH Manoa, especially the class and registration requirements for people like me who want to become an RN. In UH, I am very interested in their Bachelor of Science - Nursing Program and they offer opportunities that will help me apply for the Department of Nursing and earn a Master's Degree in the nursing program. Aside from this, I also want to take up dancing and singing in these colleges as well. UH also offers courses for these. However, I am debating between the two colleges.

Once I become an RN, I will be qualified to become a CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist), NP (Nurse Practitioner), or a CNS (Clinical Nurse Specialist).

Pro - Con REDO

2010-09-01T12:36:00.000-10:00

School gives kids cell phones as a teaching tool

Click here to view the article

Proposition: Students should be given opportunities to use their cellphones in class as a learning device.

Coming of Age Poster Draft: The Graduation Cap Marks the Spot

2010-08-30T04:00:00.001-10:00

I will be adding a picture of me onto this poster later.

Coming of Age Draft (Critique Ready)

2010-08-30T03:59:00.001-10:00

Registration (The First Step)

(Note: In my final, I can assure you that it will be much shorter than this dinosaur.)

A dull yellow form gave me a blank stare. It looked at me as if it was saying “HURRY and CHOOSE!!!" It was tempting. I had to admit that this form was one of the most difficult tasks in my whole entire school life. It was the first step and the beginning of my future. I was nervous and my heart was racing. The general information book was thick. I quickly flipped through the pages and glanced at the ant-sized words that filled them. I didn't receive any benefit from that. I was confused and frustrated. I was just a kid and I didn't expect freshman year to arrive so quickly. I took another look at the information book and read the contents slowly. Then, I suddenly remembered what my media teacher, Ms. Fu. She told me that I had potential in video productions, but I wanted a second opinion or maybe a third as well.

From what I have heard, programs have high expectations from their members. I was hesitant for fear that I might not be able to survive my first year at all. At this time, I really wanted to follow my cousin's footsteps. She decided not to take Mene Mac since she recognized it as a program that would cause much stress and frustration. It seemed like a wise decision, but something made me think twice.

With the yellow paper still in my grips, I quickly frolicked across the school field to the “Team A” tree. It was my team’s very special hang out area, where all members would be able to bond happily together. As I approached the tree, I squinted my eyes and slowly scanned the hang out area, in hopes of finding someone who was in the media class. I saw a familiar face, four actually in the distance.

“MADDIE!!!!!”

I found Maddie and I was relieved. I quickly rushed up to her and showed her my registration form.

“Are you taking Mene Mac freshman year?”

“Yeah!” She said with a smile on her face.

Aside from her World Languages elective, she had an interest in digital media technology and a desire for acting. During the middle of 8^th grade, I would always give her an excuse note to leave her Spanish class because she was the most compatible person to act in my videos. Each time, she was eager and excited to leave her class to be able to come to the media room. So, it would make sense for her to join the program, but I wanted more opinions.

I found Jordie, Rebekah, and Kiyo at the other side of the tree talking to a few people. I ran up to them and asked:

“Are you taking Mene Mac in freshman year? Because I really don’t know if I should. It sounds hard.”

They looked at me and responded:

“Of course we’re taking Mene Mac! OMG! You should too! Come on, Shaneika!”

With this type of encouragement, it gave me a reason to join the Mene Mac program. I thought twice and told myself:

Maybe joining the program won’t be such a bad idea. I mean high school is all about challenge, right? Although it may be hard, I think it would be wise to join the program. After all, I really wanted to get a taste of what high school and my future would be like. Plus, who’s never up for a good challenge? Yeah, that’s what I should do – join.

I quietly sat on the grass and looked at my wrinkled registration form. Then, I turned to the Mene Mac page in the General Information booklet. I thought again and for a moment, it seemed like the whole entire world just froze in its place.

I needed to begin my freshman year in the right path, the right course. This was the only way I would be able to develop the skills I need for the 'career of my dreams.' I didn't want to take the wrong classes or if worst comes to worst, take the classes that I wouldn't even enjoy at all. I took another look at the yellow form. There's was a moment of silence in me. I just couldn't accept the fact that everything was happening so quickly.

The words of my friends kept running across my head. In frustration, I slowly walked back to class. Just in time, I stepped into my homeroom as soon as the bell rang. I sat down with a frown on my face. The yellow registration form stared at me again. I noticed that there was an abundance of white out that covered majority of the paper. I wasn't sure of what I wanted at all.

"What to do. What to do," I sighed as I rested my head on my left hand.

Throughout the rest of the school day, all I could think about was Mene Mac and the other four electives that I had to choose for the registration form. My teacher spoke, as her words went into one of my ears and went out the other. I couldn't concentrate and my mind was practically blank. I stared at the clock that hung on the top center of the chalkboard.The second hand ticked and slowly hypnotized me. I wanted to escape everything I was going through. It was just too much. Within a few seconds, I ended up taking a nap during class.

"Shaneika, Shaneika, pssssstttttt. HEY! Wake up," Helen said as she nudged me to the side.

"RING RING!"

The thought of high school still existed in my head as I walked to the bus waiting area. I watched as my friends played around like little kindergartners and smiled. I felt envious since they had already selected their classes for their freshman year. They encouraged me to smile and assured me that everything would be okay in high school. I wanted to agree, but I couldn't. Reality didn't seem real anymore.

The bus screeched as it parked in the front gate of our school. I boarded on and leaned my head against the window. I just stared out the window as children happily jumped on with smiling faces. I just wanted to get home and take a long nap.

My parents arrived home at the usual time - 5:00 p.m. I was hesitant to talk to them at first because I was afraid about how they would respond to my question.

"MOM! Can I ask you something," I asked as she walked into her room.

She approached me and I asked her about the electives that I should take in high school. I handed her the general information booklet and the yellow registration form. She took it and slowly skimmed through the book as I watched. She asked me what I was interested in.

"Well, I took media class and I really enjoyed that class," I responded.

"But," I resented.

"If I take Mene Mac, that is going to be really hard for me because it seems like it's going to be very demanding and hard to keep up with work and stuff. So, I don't know if I will be able to survive in that class or program or whatever you call it. It seems so hard and I can't take pressure and stress, " I continued.

My mother looked at me and told me that she understood my situation.

"It's your decision. I can't choose your classes for you. You need to make the choice yourself because it's what you want and what you want to do in high school, " she assured.

That didn't help me at all. I became more confused and stomped out of the room. I didn't want to take up the challenge. It will be too difficult for me and I didn't feel prepared. In fact, I was unequipped.

I took a deep breathe and began to skim through the contents of the general information booklet.

"Alright. Let's do this Shaneika."

Then, it occurred to me. Without challenge, what would life be like? There would be no purpose, no adventure, no experience, nothing. Life is all about challenge, isn't it? Reality is much more than this and if I don't get a taste of what life would be like, then I won't be prepared enough to survive the real world once I graduate high school. I need to prepare myself now. It's the right time for me to recognize my potentials and where I really belong in high school.

Without any further questioning, I picked up my black pen and wrote Mene Mac on the electives section along with the class code. I smiled and slapped myself from reaching the white-out.

That night, I felt relieved and relaxed. Knowing that I had my freshman year planned out, I had nothing to worry about, except for the challenges and obstacles that are awaiting for me. I didn't let that bother me. After all, in one form or another, difficulties will interfere in my path regardless. So, there's no way of escaping it.

The next morning began. I dressed for school and rushed out the door as usual. When I arrived, I entered the office and greeted my teachers as I headed down the yellow light hallway. I placed my bag on the chair and sat comfortably. Since I was the very first, I decided to prepare the morning bulletin. I turned all the switches on, including the computer. While in the process, my teacher stepped in with a white sheet of paper.

"Shaneika, you're taking Mene Mac next year right," asked Ms. Fu.

"Yeah," I responded.

She handed me a form. Turns out there was more than just writing "Mene Mac" onto a yellow piece of paper.

Later that day, I logged onto my computer and began typing out my essay. I wanted to prepare it beforehand, so that I could concentrate on the mini project that was required as well. As I was typing out my essay, I let out all my inner thoughts, emotions, and feelings into it. It was like selling myself to a management of 'criticism' with a 20% chance of entrance.

After thinking about the mene mac program, I totally excluded the fact that it would be challenging and time consuming. I began to consider how much fun it would be and the bountiful amounts of opportunities I would have in exploring and discovering new things, especially with the world. I became excited and I actually looked forward to the very day I would step into the Mene mac room.

After printing my essay out and placing it into a yellow manila folder, I checked off the requirement in the membership form. I realized that this was my very first Mene mac project and an introduction to what will come in the future. Knowing this, I continued to fulfill all the requirements. I plugged my jump drive into my Dell Computer and searched for three of the best videos I produced so far. I dragged them out from the drive and onto the desktop. I couldn't help it, but I decided to play the videos. As they were playing, it brought back so many memories. I came so far and I've changed so fast. I was proud of it and I wanted them to be a part of what I liked to call: "first step mene mac project."

At the end of the week, I approached my teachers and kindly asked them to complete a letter of recommendation for me. Both, social studies and mathematics, teachers were able to print their letters out for me. Prior to that, they assured me that I was a good student and they were determined I would get accepted into the Mene mac program. I was glad and it brought about a cheerful mood to the atmosphere. Without hesitation, I filed both letters into the manila folder along with my essay, completed membership form, and my DVD project. I sealed the flap of the envelope and pressed it against the table. I handed it to my media teacher, who was happy enough to send it in to the high school for me. After submitting it, patience was the next requirement.

After a few days of what seemed to be endless patience, it was the moment of truth. Those who got accepted into mene mac were to be given a notice. During recess, my friends rushed up to me, excited that they got accepted into mene mac. They showed me the notice that they got and jumped for joy. I was shocked because I didn't receive any notice and I was expecting to get accepted into mene mac. I was confused.

"Does this mean all that I have done has gone to waste? Does everything end here? Will I end up taking spanish next year?" All these thoughts began to run through my mind and it seemed to have provoked me a little.

I wanted the program so bad and this was the outcome. I refused to accept the fact, so I began to ask others if they got a notice. I asked my friends who decided to join the program and majority answered positively. Three, however, didn't receive anything. I couldn't believe it and I wasn't even on GE. So, I should have gotten accepted because I'm first priority aren't I? I quickly rushed to the media room and asked Ms. Fu about the notifications of acception. She told me that only those who receive the notice mean that they got accepted into the program. Those who don't have been rejected. I was shocked at the sound of this.

"But."

Wait a minute? There's still hope for me?

"They are still trying to process some students and they haven't gone through everyone's projects yet. So, you might be among that bunch."

This gave me relief. Knowing that there is still a chance for me to get accepted into the program, gave me determination. However, my wait began to die within two weeks of so-called patience.

It's been two weeks and I haven't received anything. I began to panic. I didn't expect this to happen. I wanted to get into the program so badly. I contacted Ms. Fu and she told me that all the students have been processed. As of now, they are not accepting or adding any more additional members to the program.

That's it? Am I totally done for?

I didn't want to accept it. I rummaged through my school work to find a xerox copy of the Mene mac form. I found it under a stock pile of papers, I quickly skimmed through it and found Mrs. Sueoka's contact number and email. I quickly pulled out my cell phone and dialed her number. No one was answering and I began to worry, so I left a voicemail. Then, I waited..............again.

I couldn't stand the wait and I began to think that they might have had misplaced my form. Yeah, that's what I thought. I began to take all the xerox paper work and placed it into the manila folder, except there was one problem: I didn't make any copies of my letters of recommendation. I became frustrated. I pulled out my pink binder and pulled out all the paper work to find the syllabuses for my classes. There, it had my teachers' contact numbers and email. I quickly texted my teacher asking her to send me another copy of the letter of recommendation. I also contacted my other teacher through email. However, they had to delay it a little bit since they had other commitments. I felt bad, so I waited...........again.

After a day, I received the pdf form with their signatures. I quickly printed it out, since I was so pressed on time. I then took the initiative to travel to the high school by bus. I dropped off my form again along with a note and a letter from my mom indicating that it was another copy of my project in replacement of the original that could've been misplaced. I then checked the registrar's office and personally asked them about my freshman classes. They told me that I was not in the Mene Mac program at all. I told them if there was any way to change my classes, but it was impossible. I just couldn't grasp what was going on. I wanted to get into the program.

My chances of getting the 'career of my dreams' grew slimmer.

In a few hours, I received a call from Mrs. Sueoka. The phone rang, a sweat dripped from the side of my cheek. I began to shake. That was it. The moment of truth. Once I pick up the phone, there's no hanging up. Will I be accepted or not? What are my chances? I didn't know. I was hesitant and nervous. I didn't want to know what she will say, but what if it was good news? Or bad news? I took a long and deep breathe and slowly picked up the telephone. It was her, Mrs. Sueoka.

"Hello?"

"Is this Shaneika?"

"Oh, yes," I said slowly as my voice shook a little.

After a small introduction, she told me the results of my registration.

"There has been a misunderstanding in the registrar's office....."

"WHAT??!! Really? So, what they told me earlier was false? What could it be? Have I actually been accepted into the program?," I thought.

"You are actually enrolled in the program. Yeah, since you were not in GE, you had first priority. So, immediately you should have been accepted already. I don't know why it didn't go through properly with the registrar's office, but I took care of everything. So, yup, don't worry, you are in the program."

YES!!! FINALLY!! The answer I have been waiting for in such a long time. Now, there was nothing to worry about. I'm in the program and that's all I cared about. It was the most important any way. It was the foundation of my future high school career. I was relieved and all I could do at that moment, was smile. I was so thankful I nearly cried tears of joy.

After such an experience, I realized how important it was to take matters into my own hands and not depending on others so much. Although things may get difficult and may seem challenging, who knows what is actually in store. Plus, who's never up for a good challenge? The more obstacles I overcome, the stronger I get and better yet, the more prepared I am for the future.

Pro - Con Formative Assessment: Animal Rights

2010-08-09T19:15:00.000-10:00

Summary:

In China, animals are being skinned alive for fur exports to the United States. Undercover investigators (PETA and Swiss Animal Protection) witnessed how the animals were inhumanely treated and were able to record the happening through a hidden camera. They observed how the animals were repeatedly beaten before they were skinned. After the process, they are thrown into a pile of carcasses, with some still alive. However, the Chinese Fur Commission and the China Leather Industry and Association claimed that the PETA reports made were inaccurate, in which they said was an "unjustified generalization." They released statements stating that they do care for the animals properly. Regardless, PETA still continues in their efforts in trying to prevent animal cruelty.

Article Link:

Animal Skinning

Proposition:

I am definitely against live animal skinning. Regardless of the claims and statements made by the fur industry, it doesn't serve as thorough evidence to prove that PETA was inaccurate. With the undercover investigators having the opportunity to witness the animals, along with the video, it is enough to say that this is 'animal cruelty.' The entire industry needs to get charged for animal cruelty acts. It's the only way to save our animals from injustice. Although they may be doing this just for business, it's the animals' lives that are at stake.

Coming of Age

2010-08-05T19:11:00.000-10:00

Potty-training, baby teeth, diapers, toys, first words, and preschool. These were the beginning stages of life. As children, we were constantly dependent on our parents. We looked up to them because we knew that they are able to feed each and every one of our needs. Unfortunately, our entire dependence on them doesn't last forever. We eventually grow up and learn how to face life on our own. Once we receive our driver's license or once we turn 18, we will have realized that it is our turn. In our society, coming of age is the time when an adolescent finally enters the world of adulthood and learns to step up to the plate to take on new challenges.

Just a few years ago, I was nothing but a mere little girl. One who had much to learn and no experience. Although I was successful in school, I didn't take much pride in it. I only did what I was told and did nothing more. In my home, strict rules were reinforced and I had to follow them. Each day, I had to make sure that I finished all my vegetables and ate fruits right after dinner. Sleep was also an essential in my growth. Although I wasn't tired, I was forced to take a nap in the afternoon. My mom also had to assist me in my hygiene. She made sure that I flossed and moisturized. I disliked the feeling of sunscreen on my skin, but it was for my own protection. At a young age, I really wanted to roam around and be free, but I was very unaware of the dangers the outside world would bring.

On the very day I realized I was about to step into high school, my outlook on life changed dramatically. There was more to life than fun play and games. As humans, we learn by trial and error. So, I recognized that each day was a test, an obstacle rather, that we needed to overcome. The mene mac program helped me greatly. All of the projects that we have done, especially KC3 and Ecybermission introduced me to all the events that has been happening in society. I began to become aware of all the troubles that was occurring. From global warming to the oil spill, from furlough days to unemployment, and from incurable diseases to death. Realizing this gave me the opportunity to take the initiative and use my time wisely for community service. I also realized that it all begins with me and what I want to do to make a difference.

Not only have I come in recognition with this, but I began to see how near my future was. Only 3 years of high school left and I'm on my own. With this, the importance of school became evident to me. I took the initiative to visit the College and Career Center for some advice and guidance. I also set a resolution for myself to begin taking life seriously. I made my decision of becoming a registered nurse. So, I chose Health Services Core as an elective to help me prep for the medical field. However, I also wanted to be well-rounded and open to other pathways that I was interested in. I continued my membership in the mene mac program, took Japanese as an elective, and decided on joining at least two clubs this year. Thanks to CAP, I was able to pre-select the classes for my junior and senior years and have set goals that I want to achieve before and after I graduate. With all my dedication seeming to be focused entirely in school, I also have commitments outside. I managed to make time for myself, friends, family, and church.

I don't want to take the easy way out of high school because that will do me no good for my future. By being more involved and fulfilling all of my commitments will help me prepare well for my future. Although I may stumble along the way, I will try to find a way to "get back up."

Invitation to GLO Portfolio

2010-05-20T16:53:00.000-10:00

Greetings!!!

I just wanted to invite you all to visit my GLO Portfolio here. Come and enjoy the various graphics, school work, animations, and information that I have prepared. The purpose of this portfolio is to showcase some of my best work that helps to show my attainment of the six Hawaii General Learner Outcomes. So, keep a look out for these and the many things that I wrote about them. There are also external links that lead to other sites. So, be sure to click on the buttons and linked graphics when you have a chance. You are in for a little surprise. I don't want to give out too much, so you will have to find out what more I have in store.

Don't forget to comment as soon as you have finished viewing my portfolio. :D

~Shaneika

Sci Fi Essay Final: More Than Just Entertainment

2010-05-09T18:02:00.001-10:00

More Than Just Entertainment

When it comes to sci fi movies, E.T., Star Wars, Avatar, and many others, entertainment can now also mean education. When creators produce sci fi movies, they not only form a story line that grasps the viewer’s attention, but they take scientific breakthroughs and they base the plot and conflict of their movies around the possible consequences they believe will arise from the technologies. They produce their movies in order for the public to get a glimpse of what may occur in the future. Watching these types of movies should influence the public in a way that will get them to think about themselves and what is happening around them. Good science fiction has an enticing story line that emphasizes the importance and the consequences of the breakthrough.

In order to provoke the viewer’s interest, a good movie needs a good story line. If it’s confusing and doesn’t make sense, then it’s not worth watching. It’s important for a story line to be suspenseful in order to develop the story’s mood. For example, in the year 2105 in the movie Wall E, all humans were evacuated from the trashed planet - Earth. The BnL government left robots called WALL-E to clean up after the humans. By the year 2805, only one WALL-E remains. Meanwhile, humans have inhabited a highly advanced spaceship in space. Each being supported by a floating chair and all their daily needs provided by the push of a button. Due to the humans’ dependence on technology, they have suffered from severe bone loss and obesity. Later, an advanced probe robot named EVE was able to collect evidence of plant life on Earth. However, upon losing it, she and WALL-E are sent on an adventure to find the plant. In the end, the Captain maneuvers the spaceship back to mankind’s home planet. With the help of all the humans and robots, they work together to restore Earth. From this example, sci fi movies should include a convincing and enticing plot, conflict, and resolution. That way, the audience will have the ability to relate to the movie and question for themselves what they believe will happen in the future. This keeps them aware and educated.

Exposing the importance of the scientific breakthrough also plays a key role in the making of a good sci fi movie. This exposure will help develop the public’s understanding of the purpose of the technology and its creation. Realizing its abilities will allow them to think for themselves about the possible consequences that may arise as a result of the technology. They must convince themselves that each day technology is being improved to the point where they are considered “smart.” For example, in Wall E, the audiences were overwhelmed at the handful of newly developed robots. Advanced technologies, such as M-O, was designed to detect and clean all foreign contaminants. This was unbelievable because M-O kept the spaceship pristine and contaminant-free. Breakthroughs like this captures the audience’s attention and it also develops their imagination.

The technology introduced in all sci fi movies may also influence and take a toll on the lives of mankind. Today, technology is now looked upon as a source of entertainment, recreation, education, and many more. It has increasingly become a public need because new and appealing technologies are being presented. If mankind is incapable of realizing the consequences that may arise, Earth’s future may not look so bright. In Wall E, the creators show the obese humans so engaged in their holographic television. Due to their crave for better technology, they were completely unaware of their surroundings. They suffered from obesity and they were unable to support their own weight. In another scene, as the Captain forced to activate the holo-detector in order to send the humans back to Earth, Auto locks the captain. In Auto’s automated system, it was programmed to keep humanity in space, since Earth was uninhabitable in 2105. As a result, it took control and kept its original orders. Due to this possibility, the creators of sci fi movies are trying to convince the public that although humans are promised a luxurious life, it’s important to ponder over the consequences and avoid being ignorant.

The production for sci fi movies are not only for entertainment, but to help the public realize what the world is leading into. Producers and creators are trying to draw out what may become of mankind’s future on this planet if technology is constantly improved and developed. The increase of scientific breakthroughs has gotten the minds of society to want more technological advances. Humans will become more dependent than ever to the point in which technology takes over mankind’s lives. Good sci fi movies will help the public to open their eyes and realize what is going on in society and what will become of the future.

Sci Fi Essay Draft: What makes good sci fi and why?

2010-04-24T16:49:00.000-10:00

When it comes to sci fi movies, E.T., Star Wars, Avatar, etc., entertainment can now also mean education. When creators produce sci fi movies, they not only form a story line that grasps the viewer’s attention, but they take scientific breakthroughs and they base the plot/conflict of their movies around the consequences/possibilities they believe will arise from the technologies. They produce their movies in order for the public to get a glimpse/taste of what may occur in the future. Watching these types of movies should influence the public in a way that will get them to think about themselves and what is happening around them. Good science fiction has an enticing story line that emphasizes the importance and the consequences of the breakthrough. We have sci fi because they present possible outcomes that may affect society’s lives.

In order to provoke the viewer’s interest, a good movie needs a good story line. If it’s confusing and doesn’t make sense, then it’s not worth watching. It’s important for a story line to be enticing, suspenseful, scary, shocking, makes sense, and sets the mood that matches the theme of the story. For example, in Meet the Robinsons, the creators were able to center the story around the life of a boy who has lived in the adoption center for almost his entire life. Every interview, he would try his best to impress his soon-to-be parents, but nothing seems to go right, especially during the science fair. A story line like this appeals to the audience because they are eager to know what will happen next. They may ask themselves: “So, will he be able to find his biological parents? What if he never gets adopted? What’s his future going to be like?” A plot line like this keeps the viewers hanging, since they have no idea what will happen next. They will have to watch the entire movie in order for all their questions to be answered. Good sci fi movies keeps the audience wanting more. Sci fi movies should also include a convincing plot/conflict and resolution. That way, the audience should also have the ability to relate to the movie because it keeps the story realistic. This goes back to the reason why sci fi movies are made. It raises the possibility that the technological advances in the movie, including the consequences, may happen in real life. An enticing story line should cause the audience to question for themselves what they believe will happen in the future. This keeps them aware and educated.

Exposing the importance of the scientific breakthrough also plays a key role in the making of a good sci fi movie. The audience needs to understand the capabilities and abilities of the technology. Then, they will be able to interpret what they believe will happen in the future. This is the only way they will be able to realize the importance and it will extend their knowledge about science. The public will begin to think for themselves the possible consequences that may arise as a result of the technology. They must convince themselves that each day technology is being improved to the point where they are considered “smart.” This is supposedly meant to make our lives easier and to enhance the researches being done by scientists, researchers, etc. Then, the public will decide for themselves if what they watch in the movies is really what they want to happen on Earth. For example, in Wall E, the creators were able to show the beauty and advantage of technology. They showed floating chairs that supplied with humans their daily needs. The importance of this technology is that it makes life easier, especially since it is also a source of transportation. In the movie, humans no longer had to use their feet to take them anywhere, it was all done by the push of a button. Exposing its importance will help the public to understand the purpose of the technology and why it was created. A good sci fi movie must be able to present the purpose of the scientific breakthrough through illustration and narration. It serves as an outline of the base of the story.

The technology introduced in all sci fi movies may also influence/take a toll on the lives of mankind. Scientific breakthroughs also present positive and negative consequences. If technology continues its improvement and development, they may grow into what may be known as “Super Technology.” Today, humans are so dependent on technology to the point where they refuse to leave their homes. Technology is now looked upon as a source of entertainment, recreation, education, etc. It has increasingly become a public need because each day new technology that appeals to society’s interests is being presented. If this continues and if mankind is incapable of realizing the consequences that may arise as a result of their dependence, Earth’s future may not look so bright. In “There Will Come Soft Rains,” Ray Bradbury starts the story off about a smart house that will supply all the daily needs of a person. However, as the story progresses, he begins to touch light upon the condition of the environment outside of the house. All is filled with “rubble and ashes” and destruction. Due to mankind’s crave for better technology, they have created a radioactive technology that has swept all inhabitance off of the face of the Earth. Bradbury was able to focus on the wonderful advantages that technology may give us, but he then emphasizes the negative consequences. If humans continue to depend on technology, sooner or later, technology will rule over us and take control of our lives. A good sci fi movie shows these types of consequences in order to educate the public and present possible outcomes that may arise as a result of what is being developed today. Creators are trying to convince the public that although technology promises humans a luxurious and easy-going life, it’s important to ponder over the consequences that may arise and not let our ignorance get the better of us. These consequences will have an effect on our lives whether it be for the better or for the worse.

The only reason why sci fi movies are being produced is to help the public realize what the world is leading into. Producers and creators are trying to draw out what may become of mankind’s future on this planet if technology is constantly improved and developed. The increase of scientific breakthroughs has gotten the minds of society to want more technological advances. Humans will become more dependent than ever to the point in which technology takes over mankind’s lives. A good sci fi movie must include a dramatic story line, scientific breakthrough, plot/conflict, and resolution because that will help the public to open their eyes and realize what is going on in society and what will become of the future.

Analyzing a Picture

2010-04-04T16:46:00.000-10:00

Verbs

listening, playing (instruments), singing, sitting, looking, concentrating, enjoying, performing. standing, flashing, and talking.

Sensory Details

Hear: The instruments. The performers singing. The MC talking. Dead silence amongst the audience.

Smell: Aroma of food. Fragrance of the flowers.

Taste: The food on my dish.

Feel: The cold breeze exerting from the AC. The vibration from the stereos.

See: Sparkling lights, spotlights, instruments (guitar, piano, trumpet, saxophone, drums, etc.), flowers, the focus of the crowd on the performers, white coated chairs, plates filled with food, empty screen in the background, glass cups filled with water or soda, unique patterned clothing, disco lights, yellow and white napkins, and flash photography.

Blog Invitation

2010-03-24T23:27:00.000-10:00

Greetings!!

Bate your breathe to another somewhat long invitation.

My name is Shaneika Aguilar and you are invited to visit my poetry website. I want you to take the time to read what I have in store for you. You may just find something about me that you may not have known before. There are graphics that I want you to enjoy, including the different poems I have chosen to interpret. I created the layout in order for my visitors to navigate through my poetry website easily. I have also selected some songs that I respond to emotionally and the best part is that I have also linked the videos on as well.

Link: http://www2.k12.hi.us/~saguilar/metaphorproject.html

Some of the things that I want you to see are the photoshop graphics I have taken the time to create in order to compliment the poems and songs that I selected. I also would like you to notice the videos that I have posted. Trust me, you will definitely enjoy watching and listening to them. Watching them will give you a better understanding of my interpretation of the songs, mainly because they are korean songs. :) Lastly, there are some animated objects that I have included in the end, just to sum up what my website is about. Also, my website is a flash website, so enjoy the effects as you are navigating through the pages.

Oh! Almost forgot. Watch out for my metaphor video. Unfortunately, I was unable to include the video to my website, so make sure to click on the link that I have provided.

ENJOY!!! :D

Leave a comment and give me some feedback on my website and what I can improve on....

~Thanks

Media Reflection

2010-03-10T15:36:00.000-10:00

I hope this is the reflection on the metaphor video I did.

I think I did well in. It was a good thing that I completed it beforehand so that I could make revisions. As I was producing my video, I have learned a lot about myself and the things that I am able to do. I was also able to discover my skill in editing videos. In this video, I was able to compare my abilities to a computer's abilities. In order to display this, I filmed my computer and matched it up according to the way I wrote my poem. Then, I filmed myself, showing how the things a computer does, are the things that I am capable of doing in life as well. Sometimes, these things that I do benefits the people around me. I learned that I get treated the same with a computer, when it comes to frustration. When people grow frustrated of me for one reason or another, they would usually snob me and kind of 'abandon' me for a while. However, they end up realizing that what they did was not right, so they come back to me again. As I was producing my video, I heard a lot comments coming from those who have viewed my video already. They agreed with the fact that I am much like a computer, especially when it comes to work. They recognize the effort that I put into everything I do and how I would not make a mistake slip by, however if I do, I end up learning from it and making sure that I improve from it. Not only have I learned about myself and what I am able to do, but I was also able to develop my skills in interpreting poems and figuring out the meaning of the metaphor. When I was developing my poem, I had to make sure that I used evocative words that matched up with 'computer' language. I also needed to avoid forming my poem into a paragraph. I have a tendency of doing that. I learned that poems are more 'telegraphic' and that poets pick the most important words that will bring out the poem's meaning. On the other hand, filming was a bit of a challenge because I had to think of ways that will be able to display my poem, through narraration, effectively. This took a little bit of thinking and storyboarding. However, by having Mrs. Sueoka take a look at it and have my peers critique it, they helped me to make it a better video.All in all, I learned that the purpose of this project was basically to display our understanding of poems and how to use figurative language effectively so that the reader is able to interpret the meaning of the poem. Another thing, as I was producing my video, I had to be aware with camera angles, lighting, and the effects I used in order to bring out my poem into a narration. If I didn't set the camera in the proper position, the viewer would not become aware of what is happening to the actor's facial impression or to what is occurring in the video. The lighting is important because if it was too dark, the viewers would not be able to see the video at all, just a shade of black or a silhouette of the actors. Finally, the effects I used in Final Cut had to be taken into consideration because if I used the wrong transition, such as a sudden flash or a jaw wipe, it would not match the the mood, tone, or what is occurring in the video. Overall, I learned a lot during the process of creating my poem and the video. They have helped me realize my capabilities and my skills in poetry.

Poem Revision: The Person Behind the Screen

2010-02-28T12:09:00.000-10:00

Many grow dependent on me,

for the help they seek.

Constantly searching,

‘till satisfaction is met.

Enjoying my presence.

Without the use of

paper and pencil.

Saving,

as they are working.

Placed into my storage device,

entrusted me,

to keep it safe.

I do well on my own.

Dedicating myself,

to what I do.

Checking each detail,

for accuracy.

Continuously,

processing my work,

‘till the job is done.

Multitasking every so often,

performing tasks in the background,

with another,

in the foreground.

However,

if I overload,

I malfunction,

behaving,

as though a bug has entered my system.

Some grow frustrated of me,

if I don’t function properly.

Abused,

and then abandoned.

But, after awhile,

the need of having me,

is realized.

Sometimes,

I feel as though,

others take advantage of me.

To use me for their own benefit.

However,

others feel that having me around,

is a good thing.

Without me,

life is hard and empty.

I make it easier - to live.

My name,

remembered forever,

a computer.

Journal #31: Metaphor Project Poem Plans

2010-02-25T22:02:00.000-10:00

Songs

1) Wedding Dress by Taeyang

Some say it’s not over ‘till it’s over

Guess this is really over now

There’s something I gotta say before I let you go

Listen

When you have a fight with him

Sometimes you cry

And feel sad and blue

I become hopeful

My heart aches secretly

Then just a hint of your smile

Can make feel fine again

To keep you from figuring out how I feel about you

Coz then we would drift apart

I hold my breath, bite my lips

Oh, please leave him and come to me

Baby, please don’t take his hand

Coz you should be my lady

I’ve been waiting for you for so long

Please look at me now

When the music starts

You will vow to spend

The rest of your life with him

How I prayed every night

This day would never come

The wedding dress you’re wearing

It’s not me (next to you)

Oh, the wedding dress you’re wearing, oh, no

You never knew how I felt about you

And I hated you so

Sometimes I wished you would be unhappy

Now I have no more tears left to cry

When I’m by myself I talk to you like you’re here

I’ve felt so restless every night

Maybe I’ve known all along this would happen

I close my eyes and dream an endless dream

Please leave him and come to me

Baby, don’t take his hand when he comes to you

Coz you should be my lady

I’ve been waiting for you for so long

Look at me now

When the music starts

You will vow to spend

The rest of your life with him

How I prayed every night

This day would never come

The wedding dress you’re wearing

It’s not me (next to you)

Oh, the wedding dress you’re wearing, oh, no

Please be happy with him

So that I can forget you

Please forget how miserable I looked

It’s going to be unbearably hard for me

For a long while to come

2) Haru Haru by Big Bang

Leave
Yeah, Finally I realize that I am nothing without you
I was so wrong, forgive me

Ah ah ah ah~

My broken heart like a wave
My shaken heart like a wind My heart vanished like smoke
It can’t be removed like a tattoo
I sigh deeply as if a ground is going to cave in
Only dusts are piled up in my mind
(say goodbye)

Yeah, I thought I wouldn’t be able to live even one day without you
But somehow I managed to live on (longer) than I thought
You don’t answer anything as I cry out “I miss you”
I hope for a vain expectation but now it’s useless

What is it about that person next to you, did he make you cry?
Dear can you even see me, did you forget completely?
I am worried, I feel anxiety because I can’t get close nor try to talk to you
I spend long nights by myself, erasing my thoughts a thousand times

Don’t look back and leave

Don’t find me again and live (on)

Because I have no regrets from loving you, take only the good memories

I can bear it in some way

I can stand in some way

You should be happy if you are like this

I become dull day by day (eh eh eh eh)

Oh girl I cry, cry

You’re my all, say goodbye…

If we pass by each other on the street

Act like you didn’t see me and go the way you were walking to

If you keep thinking about our past memories

I might go look for you secretly

Always be happy with him, (so) I won’t ever get a different mind

Even smallest regret won’t be left out ever

Please live well as if I should feel jealous

You should always be like that bright sky, like that white cloud

Yes, you should always smile like that as if nothing happened

Don’t look back and leave

Don’t find me again and live (on)

Because I have no regrets from loving you, take only the good memories

I can bear it in some way

I can stand in some way

You should be happy if you are like this

I become dull day by day (eh eh eh eh)

I hope your heart fees relieved

Please forget about me and live (on)

Those tears will dry completely

As time passes by

It would’ve hurt less if we didn’t meet at all (mm)

Hope you will bury our promise of being together forever baby

I pray for you

Don’t look back and leave

Don’t find me again and live (on)

Because I have no regrets from loving you, take only the good memories

I can bear it in some way

I can stand in some way

You should be happy if you are like this

I become dull day by day (eh eh eh eh)

Oh girl I cry, cry

You’re my all, say goodbye, bye

Oh my love don’t lie, lie

You’re my heart, say goodbye

Poems done by professionals:

1) I, Too, Sing America by Langston Hughes

I, too, sing America.

I am the darker brother.

They send me to eat in the kitchen

When company comes,

But I laugh,

And eat well,

And grow strong.

Tomorrow,

I'll be at the table

When company comes.

Nobody'll dare

Say to me,

"Eat in the kitchen,"

Then.

Besides,

They'll see how beautiful I am

And be ashamed--

I, too, am America.

2) I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

The free bird leaps

on the back of the win

and floats downstream

till the current ends

and dips his wings

in the orange sun rays

and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks

down his narrow cage

can seldom see through

his bars of rage

his wings are clipped and

his feet are tied

so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings

with fearful trill

of the things unknown

but longed for still

and is tune is heard

on the distant hillfor the caged bird

sings of freedom

The free bird thinks of another breeze

an the trade winds soft through the sighing trees

and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn

and he names the sky his own.

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams

his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream

his wings are clipped and his feet are tied

so he opens his throat to sing

The caged bird sings

with a fearful trill

of things unknown

but longed for still

and his tune is heard

on the distant hill

for the caged bird

sings of freedom.

3) The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim

Because it was grassy and wanted wear,

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I marked the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

4) The Person Behind the Screen (My Poem)

Many grow dependent on me,

for the help they seek.

Constantly searching,

‘till satisfaction is met.

Enjoying my presence.

Without the use of

paper and pencil.

Saving,

as they are working.

Placed into my storage device,

entrusted me,

to keep it safe.

I do well on my own.

Dedicating myself,

to what I do.

Checking each detail,

for accuracy.

Continuously,

processing my work,

‘till the job is done.

Multitasking every so often,

performing tasks in the background,

with another,

in the foreground.

However,

if I overload,

I malfunction,

behaving,

as though a bug has entered my system.

Some grow frustrated of me,

if I don’t function properly.

Abused,

and then abandoned.

But, after awhile,

the need of having me,
is realized.

Sometimes,

I feel as though,

others take advantage of me.

To use me for their own benefit.

However,

others feel that having me around,

is a good thing.

Without me,
life is hard and empty.

I make it easier - to live.

My name,

remembered forever,

a computer.

"You're a life-saver!"

2010-02-21T14:08:00.000-10:00

Many grow dependent on me,

for the information and help they seek.

They keep searching until they are satisfied.

When they are,

they perform their work in an application.

Once completed, they click save,

to store into my storage device,

so they can refer back to it in the future.

As a result, I help them gain the knowledge that they need.

I do well on my own as well.

I dedicate myself to the things that I do,

checking each detail for accuracy.

I continuously process my work,

until the job is done.

I multitask every so often,

performing tasks in the background,

while another is being used in the foreground.

However, if I overload,

I begin to malfunction,

behaving as if a bug has entered my system.

Some grow frustrated of me,

if I don't function properly.

They tend to abuse me and then abandon me.

But, after awhile,

they realize the need of having me with them.

So, they return,

with a solution to the problem.

Sometimes, I feel as if others

are taking advantage of me.

Only to use me for their own benefit.

However, others feel that having me around is a good thing.

Without me, life is hard and empty.

But, I make it easier for them,

that's why they call me a

"life-saver."

Journal #27: Brainstorming a metaphor

2010-02-05T16:37:00.000-10:00

I think I want to compare myself to a computer because computers are usually used to store information and when we don't remember or we lost things, we look to them for reference. Another thing is that we go to computers when we need help with something. If we can't answer a questions or we are looking for information, we would google it. I am sort of like a computer because people usually depend on me when it comes to work. I'm the one who holds all the information for them, such as the worksheets, since the teacher advises that the most responsible be the one to keep it until the next class begins. People also come to me for help. When they can't answer a question or when they get stuck on a certain problem, they ask me. Most of the time, I am able to give them a satisfying answer. They also looked towards me just to clarify a few things. Like when they forget or are unsure of something, they refer to me. Then, I will be able to tell and explain to them what they are unsure of.

I think I want to compare myself to an elephant. Elephants are said to have good memory. At school, when my teacher says something, I easily remember what they say. Or when there are quizzes, tests, or exams, I am able to remember almost everything that I have studied/learned. It's like having a photographic memory.

I think I want to compare myself to ______ because when I hear, see, or read something that is important, I jot them down into post-it notes, paper, computer, to almost everything that is available for my use. Then, when I get home, I review them just in case, I don't remember or have to refer to it. (I don't know what kind of object has the ability to do this.)

I think I want to compare myself to _____ because they are very cautious, meticulous, and are very observing. I am like this in my school work. I make sure that every detail is accurate and precise. I feel that there is a chance to reach perfection, but not complete perfection. I have to convince myself that the work that I produce is acceptable and achieves all requirements and benchmarks. (I don't know what kind of object has the ability to do this)

Journal #25: "My Vocabulary History"

2010-01-26T10:44:00.000-10:00

1) Assess your own vocabulary. What are your strong points; what are your weak points when it comes to the trait of Word Choice in your writing and reading?
When it comes to Word Choice, I don't have that many strong points. However, whenever I learn a new vocabulary word, I tend to use it more often so that I am able to familiarize myself with its meaning. On the other hand, I tend to always go on Thesaurus whenever I am writing an essay or anything related to that. I try to find alternative words for common and simple words such as ran, difficult, etc. When it comes to reading and I happen to come across a word that I have no idea exists, I tend to read the same sentence over and over again. I try to use context clues, but sometimes that doesn't help at all. I ask those around me what it means and if they don't know, I would go to the nearest dictionary I could find, whether it be on the internet or a handheld, and try to find the definition of the word. All in all, I am not that good or talented when it comes to word choice.

2) Describe how you have studied vocabulary in the past. What kinds of class activities and assignments have you experienced to work on your word choice?
In elementary school, we would have spelling tests. They would give us random words and just throw it at us. We were graded strictly because we didn't know that many vocabulary words and we would blank out whenever we wrote a short story. We had very limited knowledge. We also were given about 20 new vocabulary words everyday and were told to define them and use them in a sentence.

3) Describe how you, personally, learn new words. Give a specific example of how you have learned a new word recently.
Well, I learn new words just by listening to my friend Jordie. She has a very wide knowledge and she can turn her intelligence on and off. She likes to challenge us. Another way I learn is by reading other people's essays, reading a book, or listening to the teacher. Whenever I learn a new word, I would usually search up what it means in the dictionary. If I still don't understand I would go to the Thesaurus. If I wanted a second opinion, I would ask those around me about how they interpret the meaning of the word. I will only listen to them if a majority of people agree on the same meaning. After learning a new word, I tend to use it in my every day language and use it in the things that I write just so that I can gain a better understanding of the word.

4) What are your specific vocabulary/word choice goals? How many new words would you like to learn this semester? What will be your evidence that you “own them” and can use them in your speaking and writing?
For my goals, I would like to expand my knowledge of my vocabulary. That way I will be able to become more expressive in the things that I write and say. I also want to be able to gain a better understanding of these vocabulary words so that I wouldn't have to struggle when it comes to Word Choice. I want to be able to exceed in this trait without a problem.
This semester, I want to be able to learn at least 50 new words, including the definition and understanding of each.
My evidence would be my constant use of the words that I just learned and my ability to use them wisely and properly in a sentence. If I really want to show that I do understand the words, I would tend to use them in my every day language/speaking.

Journal #21: All About Me

2010-01-12T12:32:00.000-10:00

The three words that I have chosen to describe myself would include: meticulous, perfectionist, and talented.

I would say that I am meticulous mostly because my 8th grade math teacher described me as that. When it came to doing my math homework, I always wanted to make sure that I used the correct formula and performed the right process. Since math sometimes seem complex with numbers, I needed to be concerned with the details of my work. For instance, in my Chapter 7 Test, I re-double checked my work to see if I have answered each part of the question and that I answered it correctly. I received my test back a week after, and all the checking that I did really payed off. I got a 100% on my test with a stamp. That was the happiest day of 'math' life. Chapter 7 was a real challenge, as well. Overall, I am always concerned about the details of my work and I have to make sure that everything looks precise and 'ready to publish.' This has helped me succeed in most, rather, all of the work that I do.

I also decribe myself as a perfectionist because that was my nickname since I was in elementary school. I always wanted to make sure that everything looks good and that it was of quality work. I hated turning in work that I had no confidence in. Whenever I did my work, my peers would watch me and would always wonder why I would make things look of high-quality work. The content of my work was also very important to me. I wanted to include everything that I knew is important, even when the question does not ask for it. I always feel that perfection can be attained 99.9%. I am also happy when all my things are organized and are labeled. I want things to look neat and pristine, especially when it is an art project. Erasing marks looks so yucky and makes the art project look kindergarten. So, yeah, this is basically why i would describe myself as a perfectionist.

I would also decribe myself as talented because I was enrolled in Music Works when I was at least 4 0r 5 years old. I started very young and my mom wanted me to have diversity in my life. She wanted me to experience new things. Because of her forceful ways, I was able to get in and each day, I had to work up my eagerness to walk into class happily. Since I have been doing this for at least 5-7 years, I got used to the idea of getting up early. I also began to develop a passion for singing, dancing, and playing the piano. I used to have a private tutor that would come over my home and teach my how to play the piano well. She was very nice and I still remember her name. As I progressed, she quit Music Works because of financial issues. My interest in piano slowly faded away. However, now, weirdly, I am gaining back my interest in Arts and Communication. Each day, I would sing in the shower and sometimes bust a move whenever I hear music. Music gets me up and going and I always listen to it when I am doing my homework because it's what keeps me calm and serene. Because I love doing this, I am able to compose my own songs right on the spot. This is what I am really proud of and I just hope that I maintain it when I get older.

Enclosed From the Celebration

2010-01-10T19:43:00.000-10:00

'Twas the very night of New Year's Day. I sat in my living room couch and awaited the approach of January 1, 2010. I was anxious, but not as much as I thought I would be. Outside the comfort of my home, children popped firecrackers and shrieked as it sparked. Sadly, I could not take any part in this for I do not celebrate any holidays. I did nothing special for this day. All night, I listened to the noise, similar to a bomb, that shocked me several times. Each time, our appliances and furniture shook rapidly. The stink bomb polluted the air and covered the sky with a gray and smoky substance. It was hard to see what was in the distance. I glanced at the time twice. Finally, the final hour had arrived. I grabbed my camera and captured the last of what was known as 2009. Within minutes, the hour hand stroke. The celebration that took place outside had increased. It was a memorable day and if I wanted to, I would be able to recapture this seemingly small memory through my camera. The fireworks faded away as we proceeded further into 2010. The people that I like to call 'celebrators,' popped the last of them. They hesitantly made their way into their homes. A gush of wind slowly cleared the smoked sky. The 'sound of celebration' subsided, until all has been calmed and quieted. It seemed as though 2009 passed by within a blink of an eye. All those good memories that would be remembered of in the future has gone. I was saddened, but glad at the same time. I told myself that I can now experience newer things this new year. I can't wait for what 2010 has stored for me. :)

Parent Agenda

2009-12-17T20:29:00.000-10:00

This is basically what I went over with my parents:

1) Introduction to my Home Page

2) Brief Overview of my experiences in all my Mene Mac Core classes

3) The things I learned in each class

4) Introduction to English

5) My new learning experiences

6) The goals I have fulfilled as written in my Introductory Letter

7) Preview of my Syllabus from Quarter 1 and 2

8) Introduction to the 4 traits

9) Definition of Ideas

10) Thorough explanation of Ideas by showing my drafts, commentaries, finals, and final rubric grades

11) Same thing was done with Organization, Voice, and Word Choice

12) Conclusion

13) My Goals for the next semester

14) My blog - Purpose

15) My blog - Reflection

16) My blog - Parent Invitation

17) My blog - Response to the three questions

Purpose

2009-12-14T21:44:00.000-10:00

The following posts serves two purposes:

1) It is an opportunity for you to comment on my learning and

2) It is part of my assessment of your attainment of General Learning Outcome #5, "Effective Communicator." My sharing of my portfolio should enable you to reflect and respond to the three questions below.

Portfolio Reflection

2009-12-14T21:35:00.001-10:00

Overall, I have learned many things throughout the first semester. In English, I learned about the importance of focusing on one topic and being able to develop it. Verbs and specifics also make for a stronger essay because they contribute to the showing of a situation rather than telling about it. The 6 traits, however, have been a challenge, especially when aiming for a 4. On my very last essay, which is my KC3 essay, I was able to shoot for a 4/3. This was all thanks to the constructive criticisms given by my peers and my teacher, Mrs. Sueoka. I was able to make revisions to make my essay stronger. However, I do struggle on one trait, which is 'word choice.' It's really difficult for me to tackle stronger verbs and effective words that are right for my piece. In Biology, I made a lot of progress and I learned much about life and the smallest creations that can not be seen by the naked eye. There were some things that I had no understanding of, but I was able to as I asked questions. I am looking forward to further and more complex concepts. In History, we learned about the history of Hawaii and how it has made up for what we are going through today. Many things have happened, especially when the Americans began to westernize Hawaii. Mene Mac has to be my favorite subject. I was able to display my skills in story boarding, filming, directing, and editing. The photoshopping and web paging, however, became a challenge for me because I haven't mastered my skills in these areas. However, I am improving with the help from my fellow pupils.

I am looking forward to the more challenging concepts that will be introduced in the next semester. I will try to make improvements in my learning and to be able to display exemplary work in all the work that I do. I will maintain and shoot for a score of 4. If I happen to not do so well in my work, I will try to make up for it to get a better grade.

*After you have finished reading my reflection, please proceed to the "Parent Invitation" below.

Parent Invitation

2009-12-14T21:24:00.001-10:00

Greetings mom and dad!

Now that you have been able to look through my powerpoint and you have seen the many accomplishments that I was able to fulfill, I am now inviting you to assess me in my portfolio work. Your constructive criticisms are important and will help me to try to make my portfolio better. I hope you enjoyed my portfolio. To conclude this conference now, I need you to answer the following questions thoughtfully and honestly. Please do not rush. Aside from that, thank you. :)

1. What did you like best about my portfolio conference? What would you like to see me improve on in my portfolio?

2. From your point of view, which of my attainments of the 4 traits of writing is of most value? Please explain why you feel it is important and what about my documentation of it impresses you.

3. Which of the traits of writing would you like me to focus on in the coming semester?

*You can leave your answers to these questions by clicking the comment link below. After you have finished, make sure to click on the 'publish comment' button. However, there is a verification code that you will need to type in before you completely post your comment on my blog.

THANK YOU!!

The Challenges to Reaching Success

2009-12-09T23:50:00.000-10:00

It was in the late morning and my friends and I were heading for English class. I took a brief look at my KC3 Project Overview Sheet. It had a list of project tasks, which included the individual, partner, and group portion. I scrolled through and noticed how this project involved the participation of every member in my group. I began to realize the challenges of fulfilling each task.

As I walked into English class, everyone were quietly in their seats awaiting for the agenda to be announced. I took my seat and listened carefully to what was being said. My teacher, Mrs. Sueoka, began to introduce to us the different parts of the KC3 project and how we must be making progress. There were two parts to the project, which are the individual and group portions. Each part required everyone in the group to contribute and to cooperate with each other. There can be no delays nor procrastination since it was a demanding project. Everything had to be done on a specific date and anything done later, will harm the progress of the group.

We dispersed into our groups and followed up on the research we have been doing so far. One of our group members hadn’t even done anything during the past week. He complained that his given subtopic was difficult and hard to comprehend. His subtopic was also one of the major parts to our presentations because its effects brought a great impact to Hawaii. He wanted something simpler and relied on me to change it for him. He told me that he wanted an easier job that would allow him to not stress over the project too much. However, if his subtopic is challenging, it would be difficult for him to present his research. I stressed over this situation and tried to switch subtopics with someone in the group, but they were already comfortable with what they had. It was hard for me to say, but he had to stick with what he was given.

It was 4 in the afternoon and we were still having trouble with his subtopic. I assured him that it wouldn’t be that difficult and that if he does his part of the job, he and the group will be benefitted. The interviews were already scheduled and I needed each member of the group to draft out some questions that they would want answers from. Again, the same person provided me with nothing and was having a difficult time researching for relevant articles. The both of us spent the night seeking for information. I finally found two fully loaded ones and he could only find one.

“Well, I guess that’s better than nothing.”

It was already late and I needed the questions from him. One interview was scheduled for the next day and that was going to be part of our group’s video. I checked my email and he was already signed out from chat. I was furious. I didn’t want to do the work for him because it wasn’t my job. So, I ended up leaving that portion of the video out.

It has been at least a month now and our KC3 essays are nearing their due date. We met up at G201 to do some follow up. I asked him about what he was doing so far and what he has learned.

“I don’t know.”

He appeared so clueless and so dispatched from our conversation. I needed information from him so that I could begin his portion of the video, but he wasn’t even cooperating. He blamed me for his lack of knowledge, so I pressured him even more. I lectured him as best as I could and hoped that what I told him was effective.

That same day, at around 8:00 pm, I looked through how much my group has progressed. Then, something caught me by surprise. That same person who was having a difficulty, had posted his essay up on his blog with pre-detailed information. I was relieved that he actually did some research.

“Now, I can finally cover each of our subtopics in the video!”

The stack had been lifted off my shoulders and I was glad that my lecturing was effective. I finally got his full cooperation.

Currently, our video is nearing completion. Just a few finishing touches will do the job and then, it will be ready for presentation day. I had confidence in all my group members and after all our hard work, everything payed off. Everyone was able to do their part successfully, even though we had a few arguments. The website is looking wonderful and the powerpoint has already been completed. The interactivity is being planned out and the scripting is currently in progression. I have to say, with the full cooperation from each group member and with their determination, we can truly become successful in the things that we do.

Interdependence Essay

2009-12-03T17:34:00.000-10:00

Making Connections

One word, big definition - Interdependence. In our every day lives, we have experienced this. It is the act of depending on someone or something. In a sense, the little things that we do affect everyone and the environment. It may be for the better or for the worse. The experiences that we go through are what changes our thinking and activities.

Every single minute of the day, we are relying on someone or something. If we want to get to somewhere, we depend on transportation. If we need or want something, we depend on the stores and malls. So, without them, it's as though we are incomplete. Just like how we need our feet to walk and our eyes to see. These are also the things that help us get through the day. However, the ones who we depend on the most, are the people around us. They are the people who we trust and will support us through thick and thin. People are not the only ones who depend on other people. The most helpless things are what need people to help them throughout their entire lives. They are the animals who are suffering because of, ironically, people like us. So, it makes sense that we need to clean up our own mess. These animals depend on us to survive.

One day, I realized the importance of interdependence. It was the day when I went out to find information for my KC3 project. My group needed a few pictures of the most invasive species in Oahu. I managed to get more than we needed, but as I was out taking pictures, I noticed many things in the environment. At Sand Island, I found more than piles of litter that filled the entire park. There were rusty tires that we thrown about and rotten car parts. The place was deserted and was not luscious green, rather, dehydrated and brown. There were a few feral cats, but many birds. The place that they lived in seemed impossible to survive in. As I walked the area to investigate, I found spam cans, juice bottles, Safeway plastic bags, soda cans, and much more. I caught a sight of a crane picking on the plastic bags and tried to bite on it. There was a van with four men inside. One of them threw a used cigarette bud on the ground and stepped on it. Then, I pondered on what would happen if we didn't do anything to clean the park. The area would be so polluted and filled with ill cats and birds. The park would have no beauty and other than that, the animals would lose their habitat and the food they depend on for survival.

I realized the importance of interdependence. I began to think how wonderful it would be if volunteer groups came together to beautify the park. The animals would be living in a safer and much cleaner environment. More and more of them would be flourishing the park, rather than garbage. They will be healthier and the park would attract more visitors.

Coincidentally, my KC3 project involved interdependence as well. The topic we chose was invasive alien species. In this topic, my group had to search about the different types of species that were deteriorating, ranging from the smallest of creation to the largest. The creatures that are found on Hawaii can not be found anywhere else in the world. However, they are becoming extinct because of humans. We brought in rats, mongooses, and other alien species that became invasive. Now, Oahu's native species, mostly are the birds, are disappearing everyday. We no longer hear their unique calls, since they have lost their habitats and lost against their competition with the more powerful invasive species. So, it is up to us to clean up our own mess. Multiple organizations have come together to evict these invasive species from wherever they are taking over and are trying to breed more of Hawaii's native species. These species are depending on us for survival and for safety. So, we are being depended on in order for these species to gain back the things that used to belong to them and they have lost. In this case, interdependence plays a very important role in every single living thing's life.

Not only do animals depend on people to sustain them, but we as individuals, depend on other people as well. In our every day lives, we look upon someone for our own benefits. I came across this very situation multiple times in my life. Just like this one day that changed my life. It was in the late afternoon of a school day. I was watching the news and was struck by one of the articles. The Philippines was hit by an unfortunate event. A devastating hurricane happened to make a trip to the country. More than 80% of the Philippines has been flooded and the people there have lost every means of living. Their homes have been washed away and everything inside has flowed away with the water. I saw a video of a family that were being carried away by the strong current of the water. There was screaming and crying in the background and I could see a small child that was clinging very tightly to his mother's shirt.

Something has to be done, I thought to myself. They can't just be left out like that without the support from other people. There was a donation that was occurring in school that was going towards helping the cause. I donated from my heart and prayed that the people will be able to gain the things that they need as soon as possible. I watched the news the next day and found our that most of the celebrities were donating thousands of dollars and were giving away all the things they needed, such as slippers, clothes, bags, and importantly, food. Even people from other countries and states decided to pitch in as well. Then, I realized how important it was to have a helping hand. Without the world's help, it would be impossible to reconstruct what Philippines has lost.

Many people have depended on me as well and I have depended on others, too. My friends and classmates look up to me to help them with the simplest things. This would include teaching them how to work something or providing them with the notes they need to get the work done. It is my responsibility to provide these people with the things they need. If I didn't do my responsibility, they would not be benefited. In the end, it all comes down to me and they would learn that I shouldn't be the person they should be seeking for. This can harm their lifestyle and their personal interests.

My family also look up to me to get the job done. At home, I have multiple chores to do and they all can be very tedious. I don't get paid whatsoever and I do these things voluntarily because it is for my own well-being. When I have done everything that I must be finished, I feel complete and I know that I have made my family happy. However, if I didn't do any of my responsibilities, the privileges that I have been given would be taken away and this would cause distress in my family. Everyone would be disappointed in me and I would feel guilty myself. In this case, it would be very hard for one person to gain back their confidence.

Not only have I been depended on, but I have relied on others to help me throughout my life. I looked upon people to provide me with the things I need. This has benefitted me because I know that I can count on that person no matter what happens. During the times when I really need that person, I wouldn't know what to do if they weren't there for me. I would feel empty and helpless. This may affect me emotionally, physically, and mentally. That is why interdependence is important in my every day life. Without it, I wouldn't be getting anywhere.

Throughout my everyday experiences, I have learned to be very thankful and not to be so high-pride. I noticed how the entire world evolved around interdependence. In a way, we become a better person. We learn from each other and from our mistakes. We learn about how to care for each other and to take action when someone is in trouble. And when the day is over, we feel more refreshed and happy because we know that we did something that helped the other person or thing. On the other hand, when we are being the one depended on, we feel good because we know that that person can depend on us for everything and we know that we can provide with them the things that they need. In our inner selves, if we have been successful, we have every reason to be proud of ourselves. Not only have I improved myself, but I have learned how to become a better person. So, in the end of the day, we can pat ourselves on the back and be relieved to know that we did good.

Interdependence is what helps mold all of us to become the person we are today. We depend on other people and other things and they depend upon us as well. We lean on each other's shoulders because we feel like we can trust them. We know that they will be able to provide us with the things we need in order for us to survive in this world. Without the people or things that we depend on, it would be impossible for us to get through this sinful world. We wouldn't know what to do in life and we would be completely lost. We would be out of our minds and going crazy looking for what we need. That's why every human feels the need to have their own guardian angel. We create personal relationships with each other that makes us feel complete.

Journal #18: Interdependence and Empathy

2009-12-02T00:54:00.000-10:00

a) Empathy means that you understand and you know what the person is going through/feeling. You can put yourself into their shoes.

b) When my friend was arguing about this person in school, who I have no knowledge of, I began to feel the same emotions. She told me how bad and mean the person was and I began to develop anger inside of me. I felt like I wanted to punch whoever that person is.

c) SS: We learned about segregation between the Caucasians/Europeans and the Asians. The Caucasians and Europeans were allies and they were always the one who had authority and had complete control over how they wanted to treat their people, which were the Asians. The Asians were the ones who were seen as the most unskilled. This occurred during the plantation days.

SC: We are doing this Ecybermission project, but we haven't chosen our topic yet. However, this project does deal with empathy because we are supposed to be doing our project on a current issue in Oahu that is yet to be solved. And in order to be able to solve these issues, we need to be able to have a full understanding of it. Instead of feeling sorry for our environment, we actually know how the environment is feeling, i.e. we know what the environment is undergoing.

LA: We are doing this KC3 Project and the topic that we chose was "Invasive alien species." This topic involved empathy because the native species who were once flourishing the islands of Hawaii are dying out. They are still here, but most of them are already extinct. The few that are still living in the island are suffering diseases caused my mosquitoes, loss of habitat, loss of food, and are dying out day by day. Now, these invasive alien species that were brought in overseas have been flourishing our island as of today and are taking over the natural beauty of the island.

a) Interdependence is the act of depending on someone or something. The things that we do affect the well-being of others and the environment. For example, if we litter, our oceans will become filthy and the animals will not be able to survive, eventually, the oceans can no longer support us.

b) Instead of polluting our oceans, air, and our Earth, I decided that I'd rather help improve the horrid conditions of our planet. So, in a sense, our planet is depending on us to help it survive. So, just by doing these little things, we can make a big difference. Now, if everyone or majority of people came together to help in volunteer projects, then we can greatly improve our planet and alter the minds of those who have no care. Another experience was when I needed a helping hand from someone for a problem that I was undergoing.

c) SS: We learned about the challenges that the people had to suffer during the plantation days. The Asians demonstrated interdependence because they depended on the Caucasians and Europeans to supply them with the basic living that they needed. They were the ones who had to provide them with food, water, electricity, housing, clothing, some spending money, and they had to pay for their personal taxes. They also needed money so that they could bring some back to their homeland and make a better living. However, this didn't happen. They were paid very low and suffered harsh living conditions. So, they depended on the government to improve their living and for higher pay.

SC: In our Ecybermission project, the topic that we have chosen depends on us to find the solutions.

LA: In our KC3 projects, we are learning interdependence because the topic that my group chose, which is invasive alien species, involves this. We learned that Hawaii's ecosystems, which include underwater sea creatures and plants and land creatures and plants, depends on us to make a difference. Our native species are getting extinct and these invasive alien species are beginning to take over Hawaii. So, these many organizations are coming together to evict these alien species and to breed more of Hawaii's native species.

Meddlesome Creatures

2009-11-14T13:40:00.000-10:00

Hawaii has a variety of tropical islands. It has a diverse types of animals that can not be found anywhere else on the Earth. Many tourists come by to marvel and appreciate these magnificent creatures. Because of Hawaii's abundant food source and habitats, it is easy for just a single animal to thrive in the thousands. But, has it ever come to mind that maybe these animals don't belong here? That they may have come from another country in the world? If you look at Hawaii, each island began as giant volcanic rocks that arose from under the vast Pacific Ocean. So, could you say that all of its animals are native to Hawaii? Only those creatures, such as birds, who have migrated to Hawaii on their own are considered native. They were not brought or introduced by humans. Today, there are hundreds of thousands of species roaming around the place. Majority of these animals are alien, but they are not invasive. However, among them are about 46 invasive alien species and of these are the top 3 most invasive alien land animals. The threats of these species has put Hawaii's ecosystems in great danger, especially of those who are native to Hawaii. Hawaii's ever-changing ecosystems has been greatly impacted by the introduction of these alien land animals.

The issue of invasive alien species began with the introduction of foreign animals. However, first, we must consider a few words. there is a big difference between the words "alien" and "native." Alien, meaning belonging to a different country in the world other than Hawaii. Invasive, meaning destructive and obtrusive. The first invasive land animal was introduced back in the 1800s. Back in 1872, a man named W.B. Espeut founded a solution to the rat problem that might have caused harm to the sugar cane fields. He got the idea the Indian mongooses would do the trick. He sailed on a ship called Merchantman in search of these creatures. He traveled to Calcutta and captured a total of nine mongooses and brought them back to Jamaica. Two decades later, Espeut gave a review saying that all the mongooses have done was destroy the harmless and native animals of Jamaica. There was no reduction in the population of the rats. People in Hawaii had the same rat problem. In 1883, 72 Jamaican mongooses were brought to the Hamakua Coast of the Big Island. They began to flourish there and were later transported to other parts of Hawaii, such as Maui, Molokai, and Oahu. This solution brought no peace on the lands. Instead, the native Hawaiian goose, the nene, nearly became extinct as well as Newell's shearwaters. There are no natural predators for these creatures. So, they have to be trapped and killed immediately. However, this is a challenge because they have been known for being the best hide-and-seek players. Till this day, there are as mush rats as there are mongooses. It is almost impossible to evict all of these mongooses from Hawaii.

Mongooses aren't the only ones that have caused a great impact to Hawaii's native species. Between the years 1991 and 1994, a footless creature made its way through a cargo shipment and onto Hawaii's fields. This happens to be the brown tree snake and these cargo shipments originated from Guam. On June 15 1944, US military equipment and war material that were used on Papua New Guinea were shipped to the bases of Guam. The first snakes were reported to have been in the war-torn sites of Guam where rats, geckos, and invasive species have been invading. In the later years of 1970s through the 1980s, the snake population began to flourish all across Guam and the bird populations were declining. These snakes, however, found their way into cargo shipments that were headed for Oahu, Hawaii. The first reported snake was discovered on April of 1981. It was found on the Customs area of the Honolulu Airport. Several reports have been coming in about brown tree snakes for the next 17 years. The climate of Hawaii and Guam are very similar, which provides good habitats for the brown tree snake to live in. In Guam, they have caused about ten out of twelve native forest birds to go extinct. They have been known to be preying on many birds. And these birds are what helped to give the land food. They are responsible for pollination and seed dispersals of many native plants. Other species have also been affected because of the loss of their habitat and native food supply. The Hawaiian Islands are in great danger because there is an abundance of various kinds of foods and habitats. This has helped many growing species to thrive peacefully in their habitat, before invasive species came to the land. To reduce the population, the US Department of Agriculture's program on Guam are responsible for trapping and night searches for brown tree snakes in port facilities, cargos, and vehicles. They have also hired their own snake-detection dogs to sniff out these pests. The Hawaii Department of Agriculture is also responsible for checking the cargos just in case they might be hidden in the cargos. Finally, the DLNR has a trained staff and a group of volunteers that track down these brown tree snakes in order to keep the population on a low level. The citizens of Hawaii are also involved in the search for these creatures. It is safer to do so because these snakes have already been established on Hawaii in the 20th century.

The last species on the Most Wanted list is the ever-annoying coqui frog. These small creatures were introduced around or before the year of 1988. They are native to Puerto Rico and have hitched its way in plant imports to Hawaii, via Florida. They are quarter-size frogs that are difficult to see because of their size and camouflage ability with the plants. These frogs don't need water to produce eggs and so its easier for them to reproduce. Many people have claimed that these creatures eat mosquitoes and termites, but samples from their body has proven otherwise. Instead, they eat the pollinators of native plants. These frogs have been flourishing mostly in the islands of Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island. On Kauai, only one active spot and on Oahu, 5 focused locations were reported to have had an abundance of coqui frogs. On the Big Island, majority of the coqui frogs have been found on the coasts around the island, but mostly thrive on the east side of the Big Island, so about 200 spots. And on Maui, about 40 locations have an active population of these small creatures. They have been reported to be very noisy and has caused many sleepless nights for many. It has been proven that they compete for food with the endangered birds and their presence provides a food supply for non-native snakes. They have also been known to be devouring bugs that exist nowhere else in the world. However, Hawaii has founded a safe solution to eradicating these frogs: citric acid. It was claimed to have worked on Kauai, but to ensure safety, imported plants must be treated for any existence of coqui frogs. Today, it is illegal to release, transport, or export coqui frogs. Any offenses would be a fine of about $250-$25,000. 367 certified nurseries are also responsible for keeping their plants in tact. The state has also made efforts to educate people about how to identify and control these species. A project called the "HEAR" project is in progress and is underway. But, even if they put their best foot forward, they will miss frogs and eggs.

Biodiversity is important in an ecosystem. Without it, the different animal species will not be able to survive for long. However, this can be destroyed by the introduction of non-native species. Especially, those that can cause a great impact in the ecosystem. Invasive alien species are the second leading cause of extinctions. Global transportation imports have worsened the threat of these invasive species. This is why it is very important to learn about the behavior and nature of the creature before introducing it as a solution to a problem. It is also critical that the departments of the states check any cargo imports from foreign countries because one import can release another one of the most invasive species. Communities and residents who are neighbors of these species must also take action as well as being educated to get to know more about their backyards and what they are living with. It's important that the state and the people take action once there has been several reports about a pest. One mistake can cause a big mess. So, we should all join in the help to save our endangered species and bring a stop to this issue once and for all.

Journal #14: Thesis

2009-11-05T16:47:00.001-10:00

Topic: Invasive Alien Species

Subtopic: Invasive Land animals/humans and the programs that are trying to fix this problem

Thesis: Oahu's ever-changing ecosystem has been greatly impacted by the introduction of alien land animals, their defeat against native species, and the programs/people that are trying to evict these alien species from the land.

KC3 Project: Assignments Update

2009-11-03T19:26:00.000-10:00

Shaneika Aguilar:

√- Prepare for essay impromptu

- Research on invasive alien land species and its effects

- B-roll, visiting, and documenting

√- Come up with 5-8 interview questions that you want to know from authorities

√- Contact visitation places and schedule appointments

- Make sure to add a bibliography and credit every source that you use

- Collect everyone's research notes and articles once they have completed their final essay

√- Find 2-3 more articles on my new subtopic

Korie Lum:

√- Prepare for essay impromptu

√- B-roll, visiting, and documenting

√- Come up with 5-8 interview questions that you want to know from the authorities

- Research on invasive alien saltwater species and its effects

- Make sure to add a bibliography and credit every source that you use

Rebekah Morales:

√- Prepare for essay impromptu

√- B-roll, visiting, and documenting (Picked up)

- Come up with 5-8 interview questions that you want to know from the authorities

√- Research Hawaii's local biodiversity and why it must be preserved

- Make sure to add a bibliography and credit every source that you use

Madelynne Nguyen:

√- Prepare for essay impromptu

- Constantly check on Survey Monkey and update if necessary. Take data. Ask Ms. Sueoka if we can advertise our survey worldwide. (further information given on Thursday. Don't begin until further notice)

√- Research programs/people that are trying to protect our local species (Hawaii) and its effectiveness

- Make sure to add a bibliography and credit every source that you use

- Come up with 5-8 interview questions that you want to know from the authorities

Jordie Guasch:

√- Prepare for essay impromptu

- Design a graphic design for our website and pre-information for our audience (don't begin until further notice)

- Research invasive alien plants and their effects on the environment

- Make sure to add a bibliography and credit every source that you use

- Come up with 5-8 interview questions that you want to know from the authorities.

Kevin Caguillo:

√- Prepare for essay impromptu

- Research invasive alien insect species and its effects.

- Make sure to add a bibliography and credit every source that you use

- Come up with 5-8 interview questions for the authorities

New Subtopics

2009-11-03T18:36:00.000-10:00

Hey guys here are you new subtopics

Rebekah: Biodiversity and why it must be preserved

Maddie: Invasive land plants and programs that are trying to fix this problem

Jordie: Invasive marine plants and programs that are trying to fix this problem

Korie: Invasive marine animals and programs that are trying to fix this problem

Kevin: Invasive insects, their effects on other species, and programs that are trying to fix this problem

Shaneika: Invasive land animals/humans and programs that are trying to fix this problem

Presentation Plans

2009-11-01T21:50:00.000-10:00

What to bring in:

- Rebekah: Seaweed/nori

- Maddie: Spam

- Korie: Musubi maker with handle, Furikake, & Teriyaki Sauce

- Shaneika: Rice and Soy Sauce

- Jordie: Utensils

*Send Maine students ingredients for spam musubi

- Bring in pictures of the food that is representing each culture that has been included in Roots and Recipes power points.

- Script/Costumes

Timing:

- 1-3 minutes: Introduction - ask a few questions and summarize Hawaii's diversity of people and how we are all brought together by the food that we eat and how other cultures enjoy the same dish. Others that are not hosting at this time will be quietly setting up the table in the back table.

- 2 minutes: Showing pictures of the foods that represents some of the cultures in Hawaii and do a brief summary of each picture and culture.

- 5 minutes: Making spam musubi, while Maine is making spam musubi with us and talk about its popularity in Hawaii. For example, they are packed as lunches for little elementary students when they go on their educational field trips.