Children have a reputstion in society. They are seen as young short individuals, who, like sponges, soak in their surrondings. They always seem to brimming with imagination and positivity.
As a child, I possessed all of these qualities - and more I felt invincible. My actions could never have consequences. The fiction of my dreams could become non-fiction in a split-second. Anything and everything I wanted could be obtain with the clasp of my tiny hands. One event in my life changed it all.
It was a warm, sticky day in the South and the only relief to the weather seemed to be water. I was in my room, playing with dolls when my mother hastily ran in my room, hurrying me along with hand-motions.
"What's wrong? Where are we going?"
My apparent confusion didn't seem to pierce her thoughts as she dressed my brother.
Within ten minutes, we were on the outskirts of a large lush complex. I remember passing the wooden sign that I had come to know.
"Glenwood Forest" meant we were going to grandmother's house.
When I entered familiar faces filled the room to the brim, but they puzzle me - why are they here? What's going on? Why is this happening?
It took me a few moments to realize my aunt and mother were talking in hushed drawls, and my aunt's eyes were pink and watery.
Out of frustration, I began to cry. My mother, without a word, lead me to the den and I plopped down on the buttery couch.
"What is going on?"
An assemblage of my cousins and great aunts pooled in the room.
My mother kneeled down to my level and her eyes, identical to mine, met with mine. Her mouth seemed to struggle with the words.
That in itself is a warning sign - my mother tongue-tied.
"Your..Ma. Ma is in the hospital."
"Hospital? Is she sick? Is Nene in the hospital too?"
"Jacqueline...Ma has cancer."
Like a searing light, a memory came to me. It was the spring, and flowers were blooming in shades of purple and pink. I was inside, watching the television. A commerical for a cancer charity came on, and as my mother passed, I asked what cancer was. "Cancer doesn't have a cure, so if they can't fight it, or it spreads, the person might pass away. We have to count our blessings."
I began to wail. The sound seemed to loud to come from a seven-year-old girl. My mind was beginning to proccess everything- how my grandmother smoked cigarettes to "keep the bugs away" from the balcony of her apartment, and how in the first grade I learned that cigarettes could increase the risk for cancer. In that moment, that faded moment in the book of my memory, all I can remember is the utter despair that my beloved grandmother would pass away before my eyes.
Countless visits to the hospital and tears passed as seasons changed; birthdays and holidays passed and the only constant.
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Portfolio Reflection
My favorite piece of work in my portfolio is my MLA Citation essay titled "The Great Gatsby : The Tale of the Ill-Fated Lovers" that I submitted last semester. This essay didn't take of lot of time to construct, as it is a simple summary of The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald. However, my favorite part of the essay are my last three paragraphs where I analyzed different elements that have made literature from this time period classic. The irony of Daisy and Jay's love is one that is highlighted in my essay. Also, the symbolism of the green light is something I discussed amongst other elements in my essay. Overall, I am quite proud of this MLA Citation essay. I think it says that I am quite good at analyzing text and pieces of literature.
My academic goals have shifted even more in the positivie side of the spectrum. Starting out as a freshman in high school, my top priority was classes and grades. Although, it stil is, over the last semester and the past of this one, I have become very interested in the subject matter and topics I am learning. Esoecially in Algebra and Spanish. Math was bever my strong suit and eas afraid of failing my first math high school class. However, after throwing away all doubts, and coming prepared to learn, I mastered everything from systems to inequalites in a semester and got a perfect score on my final. In Spanish class, as we moved through the basic chapters in the book, my pssion for learning Spanish grew and grew even more. I am so glad I found m passion in these subjects.
My least favorite subject is Biology. It hasn't always been a least favorite subject. In middle school, I was so happy and content with studying life scienes and basic chemistry - I connected to it because I had a kick of natural curosity that comes with that age. However, when I realized the load of working hard to memorize so much - and I knew in the back of my mind that I don't usually have to force myself to memorize facts from my favorite subjcet! The rigidness of the classroom's atmosphere combined with this simple fact makes me feel so uncomfortable with biology.
My academic goals have shifted even more in the positivie side of the spectrum. Starting out as a freshman in high school, my top priority was classes and grades. Although, it stil is, over the last semester and the past of this one, I have become very interested in the subject matter and topics I am learning. Esoecially in Algebra and Spanish. Math was bever my strong suit and eas afraid of failing my first math high school class. However, after throwing away all doubts, and coming prepared to learn, I mastered everything from systems to inequalites in a semester and got a perfect score on my final. In Spanish class, as we moved through the basic chapters in the book, my pssion for learning Spanish grew and grew even more. I am so glad I found m passion in these subjects.
My least favorite subject is Biology. It hasn't always been a least favorite subject. In middle school, I was so happy and content with studying life scienes and basic chemistry - I connected to it because I had a kick of natural curosity that comes with that age. However, when I realized the load of working hard to memorize so much - and I knew in the back of my mind that I don't usually have to force myself to memorize facts from my favorite subjcet! The rigidness of the classroom's atmosphere combined with this simple fact makes me feel so uncomfortable with biology.
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Found Poem - "Guilt-Free Style" by Shan Li from the LA Times
Faux animals hides have arrived
with a new appropriate name
and with science's help
pleather is out,
and vegan leather is in.
Gone are the stereotypes
of faux leather
with it's black shiny exterior
made of polyurethane
that feels and looks like plastic.
Even the name sounds cheap
on the tongue
to consumers and producers alike.
Animals lovers can now enjoy
leather that looks
and feels like leather
thanks to innovations
in the textile industry.
Because of these improvements
fashion can now be guilt free.
Citation: Li, Shan. "Guilt Free Style." LA Times. 26 Feb 2015. C-C4.
with a new appropriate name
and with science's help
pleather is out,
and vegan leather is in.
Gone are the stereotypes
of faux leather
with it's black shiny exterior
made of polyurethane
that feels and looks like plastic.
Even the name sounds cheap
on the tongue
to consumers and producers alike.
Animals lovers can now enjoy
leather that looks
and feels like leather
thanks to innovations
in the textile industry.
Because of these improvements
fashion can now be guilt free.
Citation: Li, Shan. "Guilt Free Style." LA Times. 26 Feb 2015. C-C4.
Found Poem - How To Eat A Guava by Esmeralda Santiago
As children we didn't always wait for
the fruit to ripen.
A green guava is sour and hard.
A ripe guava is yellow although some
varieties have a pink tinge.
As I move toward the apples and pears of adulthood,
I remember how you bite into a green guava,
how you hear the skin, meat and seeds
crunching inside your head.
How the inside of your mouth explodes into spurts of sour.
On the rare occasion of cool nights and plentiful rains,
the guava bushes grow close to the ground.
The branches are laden with ripe juicy guavas with firm and sweet skin
and a pink heart.
I let the guava that smells of summer
afternoons join it's sisters in the Shop and
Save exotic display.
The apples and pears of my adulthood are
predictable and bittersweet,
but the ripe and sour guavas of my
childhood are both bitter and sweet,
reminding me of years past.
Citation : Santiago, Esmeralda. "How To Eat A Guava". New York 2003.
the fruit to ripen.
A green guava is sour and hard.
A ripe guava is yellow although some
varieties have a pink tinge.
As I move toward the apples and pears of adulthood,
I remember how you bite into a green guava,
how you hear the skin, meat and seeds
crunching inside your head.
How the inside of your mouth explodes into spurts of sour.
On the rare occasion of cool nights and plentiful rains,
the guava bushes grow close to the ground.
The branches are laden with ripe juicy guavas with firm and sweet skin
and a pink heart.
I let the guava that smells of summer
afternoons join it's sisters in the Shop and
Save exotic display.
The apples and pears of my adulthood are
predictable and bittersweet,
but the ripe and sour guavas of my
childhood are both bitter and sweet,
reminding me of years past.
Citation : Santiago, Esmeralda. "How To Eat A Guava". New York 2003.
Friday, February 20, 2015
District Assessment Writing Task 2
Technology has advanced in over the last fifty years. When the world of the Internet blossomed in the 1990's, it probably didn't seem like it would be a major necessity for anyone to use for a resource. Now it's the contrary. Students go on their phones or computers to research instead of the library, and adults who are working usually do their work on a computer program. We even use the internet to communicate.
It would only make logical sense if the Internet could be a source of mal intentions as well as positivity. However no one would believe the government could be behind snooping and watching people's lives. It has been reported that the US government is collection people's technological data - phone calls, photographs, electronic mail and documents. I believe that privacy should be an expectation whether it's digital or otherwise.
My first claim is that the government is collecting very specific types of data that no one can be sure has no content. "Director of National Intelligence James Clapper has indirectly confirmed a program called PRISM. This program collects data from overseas customers of large internet service companies like Microsoft, Yahoo and Google and Apple. The program is designed to collect 'audio and video chats, photographs, emails, documents' and other materials. The Wall Street Journal reported on the program and has said the data doesn't include the content of messages."
The data should be very tightly restricted because invasions of privacy by the government happen all too often. "In 2006, reports revealed that the NSA as secretly collecting telephone records to help then discover possible terror plots." Although some believe the NSA had a purpose to intentionally use data, it is still an invasion.
A common rebuttal to claims similar to my view is that the government has a valid reason to access our data because of all of the recent terrorism events. "A senior Obama administration official said that the government need this information to discover whether known or suspected terrorists have been in contact with other persons who may be engaged in terrorist activities, particularly people located inside the United Sates. "Data should be recorded and reviewed by suspected people, but to have innocent people's data collected doesn't seem very wise. Their energy could be put on more "actual" terrorists.
The big debate over privacy versus overall safety is something that will always take heed with this subject. The government believes that the insight found in data will help broaden their knowledge of security threats and protect us. However, some politicians and citizens believe that his type of data collection on such a large scale can come with threats from outsiders trying to hack the databases or corrupt government activities that have happened before. They also fear of our liberty and privacy being taken away from us.
As technology evolves even more, the question of whether government invasiveness on our digital "property" is unjust or not will continue to be an issue. It might be even bigger than we expect. Time will only tell if digital privacy will be honored or shattered.
It would only make logical sense if the Internet could be a source of mal intentions as well as positivity. However no one would believe the government could be behind snooping and watching people's lives. It has been reported that the US government is collection people's technological data - phone calls, photographs, electronic mail and documents. I believe that privacy should be an expectation whether it's digital or otherwise.
My first claim is that the government is collecting very specific types of data that no one can be sure has no content. "Director of National Intelligence James Clapper has indirectly confirmed a program called PRISM. This program collects data from overseas customers of large internet service companies like Microsoft, Yahoo and Google and Apple. The program is designed to collect 'audio and video chats, photographs, emails, documents' and other materials. The Wall Street Journal reported on the program and has said the data doesn't include the content of messages."
The data should be very tightly restricted because invasions of privacy by the government happen all too often. "In 2006, reports revealed that the NSA as secretly collecting telephone records to help then discover possible terror plots." Although some believe the NSA had a purpose to intentionally use data, it is still an invasion.
A common rebuttal to claims similar to my view is that the government has a valid reason to access our data because of all of the recent terrorism events. "A senior Obama administration official said that the government need this information to discover whether known or suspected terrorists have been in contact with other persons who may be engaged in terrorist activities, particularly people located inside the United Sates. "Data should be recorded and reviewed by suspected people, but to have innocent people's data collected doesn't seem very wise. Their energy could be put on more "actual" terrorists.
The big debate over privacy versus overall safety is something that will always take heed with this subject. The government believes that the insight found in data will help broaden their knowledge of security threats and protect us. However, some politicians and citizens believe that his type of data collection on such a large scale can come with threats from outsiders trying to hack the databases or corrupt government activities that have happened before. They also fear of our liberty and privacy being taken away from us.
As technology evolves even more, the question of whether government invasiveness on our digital "property" is unjust or not will continue to be an issue. It might be even bigger than we expect. Time will only tell if digital privacy will be honored or shattered.
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
English 9A Final Part 3 : Essay
In the United States, important families aren't portrayed in a positive way. Although many will protest and claim that times have drastically changed, most still don't appreciate "foreigners" becoming citizens of a country that is supposed to accept everyone. What people don't see about these immigrants is their undeniable strength and courage, and how they are making a sacrifice for themselves. "Hunger of Memory" by Richard Rodriguez and "An American Story" by Andrew Lewis delves into the issues that seem to be hidden by society's blind eye. However, these memoirs confront these issues quite differently from one another.
The two immigrant families featured in these memoirs have gone through similar experiences - a common theme. "My mother and father were more annoyed than intimidated by those two or three neighbors who initially to make us feel unwelcome ("keep your brats away from my sidewalk.")" (Rodriguez 160). "They drifted for days until they made it to Malaysia - swimming in at night to avoid patrol boats that had fired at them." (Lewis 153). Although both of the families received backlash, that didn't deter them. The Rodriguezes ignored their neighbors, and the Dinhs made it to Oregon after months spent at a refugee camp in Malaysia and got to the United States.
The speakers of these memoirs have both experienced these hardships but in different ways. The author of "Hunger of Memory", Richard Rodriguez actually grew up in Sacramento, California and he writes about his family's experiences and his own linguistic dilemmas such as being bilingual, and his first encounter with English. He also doesn't see his family as victims, although they did face discrimination. "It never occurred to my parents that they couldn't live wherever they chose. Nor was the Sacramento of the fifties bent on teaching them on a contrary lesson." (Rodriguez 160). Anthony Lewis is a journalist who chooses to write about topics he sees that America struggles with - and immigration is definitely one of those issues. After receiving a letter from Viet Dinh in 1991, that became the basis of this memoir. Viet Dinh sent information about his family, and how they were succeeding in academics and industries after reuniting for 15 years in Oregon. "There is more to tell about the Dinh family, as I learned as I interviewed Viet." (Lewis 154).
Both of those memoirs tell similar stories, but the authors portray them in opposite ways. However, there is one more element that ties these nonfiction works together : style. There is a narrative tone that draws in readers and makes it more appealing. Often during reading these works, it can feel like a fictional story, especially "Hunger of Memory". "In the early days of my boyhood, my parents coped very well in America." (Rodriguez 160). This opening is reminiscent of a novel. This applies to "An American Story" as well. "Fifteen years ago this Thanksgiving weekend, a ten-year-old Vietnamese boy named Viet Dinh arrived in this country as a refugee." (Lewis 153). However, a contrast is that "An American Story" is an article meant to make a point in politics, while "Hunger of Memory" is simply the memory of growing up. "There is no other country that has taken in so many people from so many places and cultures, and gained so much in the process. To turn away from that tradition now would do the United States great damage." (Lewis 155). "I grew up in a house where the only regular guests were my relations." (Rodriguez 161).
To conclude, "Hunger of Memory" by Richard Rodriguez and "An American Story" by Anthony Lewis confront an issue that will still plague the Untied States. However, through more memoirs and positive media, immigrant families could hopefully be recognized for their strengths and sacrifices and struggles of moving to a new country and adapting their lives to our cultured, no matter how difficult that continues to be for them. It is a serious feat to accomplish - succeeding in a totally different country - one day that will be the common portrayal of immigrants in the United States.
The two immigrant families featured in these memoirs have gone through similar experiences - a common theme. "My mother and father were more annoyed than intimidated by those two or three neighbors who initially to make us feel unwelcome ("keep your brats away from my sidewalk.")" (Rodriguez 160). "They drifted for days until they made it to Malaysia - swimming in at night to avoid patrol boats that had fired at them." (Lewis 153). Although both of the families received backlash, that didn't deter them. The Rodriguezes ignored their neighbors, and the Dinhs made it to Oregon after months spent at a refugee camp in Malaysia and got to the United States.
The speakers of these memoirs have both experienced these hardships but in different ways. The author of "Hunger of Memory", Richard Rodriguez actually grew up in Sacramento, California and he writes about his family's experiences and his own linguistic dilemmas such as being bilingual, and his first encounter with English. He also doesn't see his family as victims, although they did face discrimination. "It never occurred to my parents that they couldn't live wherever they chose. Nor was the Sacramento of the fifties bent on teaching them on a contrary lesson." (Rodriguez 160). Anthony Lewis is a journalist who chooses to write about topics he sees that America struggles with - and immigration is definitely one of those issues. After receiving a letter from Viet Dinh in 1991, that became the basis of this memoir. Viet Dinh sent information about his family, and how they were succeeding in academics and industries after reuniting for 15 years in Oregon. "There is more to tell about the Dinh family, as I learned as I interviewed Viet." (Lewis 154).
Both of those memoirs tell similar stories, but the authors portray them in opposite ways. However, there is one more element that ties these nonfiction works together : style. There is a narrative tone that draws in readers and makes it more appealing. Often during reading these works, it can feel like a fictional story, especially "Hunger of Memory". "In the early days of my boyhood, my parents coped very well in America." (Rodriguez 160). This opening is reminiscent of a novel. This applies to "An American Story" as well. "Fifteen years ago this Thanksgiving weekend, a ten-year-old Vietnamese boy named Viet Dinh arrived in this country as a refugee." (Lewis 153). However, a contrast is that "An American Story" is an article meant to make a point in politics, while "Hunger of Memory" is simply the memory of growing up. "There is no other country that has taken in so many people from so many places and cultures, and gained so much in the process. To turn away from that tradition now would do the United States great damage." (Lewis 155). "I grew up in a house where the only regular guests were my relations." (Rodriguez 161).
To conclude, "Hunger of Memory" by Richard Rodriguez and "An American Story" by Anthony Lewis confront an issue that will still plague the Untied States. However, through more memoirs and positive media, immigrant families could hopefully be recognized for their strengths and sacrifices and struggles of moving to a new country and adapting their lives to our cultured, no matter how difficult that continues to be for them. It is a serious feat to accomplish - succeeding in a totally different country - one day that will be the common portrayal of immigrants in the United States.
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Winter Break Descriptive Essay
Winter break is known for being not only the longest break from school, but it is seen as more exciting because of the holidays. My break was memorable because of Christmas and New Years.
Tradition has always been important in my family, and although I had just moved across the country less than a year ago, my mother was still adamant on spending time with our family, going to church and cooking a lot. My cousin had moved to Sun Valley, so we spent our first Christmas in Los Angeles in a heated church in eighty degree weather, and then of course having a lavish dinner after opening our presents. My favorite part of Christmas has always been the religious celebrations because to me, it displays the true meaning of Christmas.
This Christmas I got a lot of thoughtful gifts from people who really know me well. My best friends gave me jewelry, signed copies of books that are by Lena Dunham and Neil Patrick Harris, clothing, perfume, a Starbucks frappuccino charm, makeup and earbuds. My family gave me countless gift cards since they know I love to shop. My brother made me a decorative ornament that he made in his art class. I gave out similar gifts to my best friends - jewelry and books. I gave my mother nail polish and a necklace, and my brother a new computer game.
New Years has always been exciting for me because that's when I spent time with my friends since I don't see them for the rest of the three weeks. One of my close friends wanted to celebrate her birthday at Knott's Berry Farm in Orange County, and after having to plan out the entire day in a few weeks, it was definitely worth it. I absolutely love amusement parks, and I was glad I got to ring in the new year with my best friends - after getting off another rollercoaster, of course.
Overall, I enjoyed my winter break, and I'm glad I got to spend it in Los Angeles since it's my first year living here. I hope I can spend many more winter breaks here.
Tradition has always been important in my family, and although I had just moved across the country less than a year ago, my mother was still adamant on spending time with our family, going to church and cooking a lot. My cousin had moved to Sun Valley, so we spent our first Christmas in Los Angeles in a heated church in eighty degree weather, and then of course having a lavish dinner after opening our presents. My favorite part of Christmas has always been the religious celebrations because to me, it displays the true meaning of Christmas.
This Christmas I got a lot of thoughtful gifts from people who really know me well. My best friends gave me jewelry, signed copies of books that are by Lena Dunham and Neil Patrick Harris, clothing, perfume, a Starbucks frappuccino charm, makeup and earbuds. My family gave me countless gift cards since they know I love to shop. My brother made me a decorative ornament that he made in his art class. I gave out similar gifts to my best friends - jewelry and books. I gave my mother nail polish and a necklace, and my brother a new computer game.
New Years has always been exciting for me because that's when I spent time with my friends since I don't see them for the rest of the three weeks. One of my close friends wanted to celebrate her birthday at Knott's Berry Farm in Orange County, and after having to plan out the entire day in a few weeks, it was definitely worth it. I absolutely love amusement parks, and I was glad I got to ring in the new year with my best friends - after getting off another rollercoaster, of course.
Overall, I enjoyed my winter break, and I'm glad I got to spend it in Los Angeles since it's my first year living here. I hope I can spend many more winter breaks here.
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