Semester 1 Portfolio

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Angry Letter: Draft

My Address]
Kapolei, Hawaii, 96707
December 3, 2014

Forever 21 Headquarters
3880 N Mission Rd
Los Angeles, CA 90031

Dear Forever 21 Administration,

I can honestly say I am very satisfied customer when it comes to your mens products. I continuously check your website for the stylish clothes that are in season and walk out of your store with a bag or two. Your reasonable prices yet up to date trends makes it very hard for me to resist buying them.

However, I’ve noticed with all of the the Forever 21’s I’ve been to, all of them only consist of a small area for mens clothing. I have been shopping at your retail areas for a very long time, but with the limited amount of mens items in your store, its difficult for me to always find what I want. Again, I also shop online but at times, I prefer shopping in stores due to the fact it’s a much quicker way to buy your products. I completely understand that Forever 21 is known to be a women based clothing company, it would be nice to have more space for mens clothing. For example, a two floor Forever 21 store would put all of their mens products in a single corner on one floor. With that, I am continuously walking around in a circle look at the same clothes over and over again. It would be nice to have an even bigger selection on men's apparel. I can say that this has got to be my biggest concern with your stores.

Along with that, there are certain stores that have move their mens clothing from a single corner, to right in front of the escalator. By doing this, they completely made the the mens section cramped and harder to move around. I have no right to question your store’s decisions but it would be great for larger area and selection for your mens clothing. I am able to say this would also benefit both your stores and your customers. I again, do not disagree with any of your decisions but in my perspective this is a major issue that should be solved.

Overall, Forever 21 Mens is still one of my favorite places to shop and the employees there make it a lot easier to shop as well. I still continue to purchase your clothing but a bigger area for mens apparel would make it a better shopping experience.

Sincerely,

Jonas Maestro

Risky Business: Social Media Perspective Final Essay

               With a new generation comes new forms of technology and even more ways to be connected. Along with the constant growth of trends in our society, we have used it to our advantage through social media. With the benefits and disadvantages to having social media, disadvantages have shown more due to the amount of time that is irresponsibly consumed, influences teens, and takes away physical activity.            

              As the world progresses, the knowledge and technology develops with it as well. Social media is given the purpose to save time by helping our society become more connected, but for some, the amount of saved time could be the complete opposite. Although some may not notice, the time being taken away due to social media is exceedingly high. “There is no denying that social media does have its uses, but our growing dependency on social media results in a disruption of time for us.” (Kristen Ha) Time is taken up not just by teens but by adults as well. “About 10 hours and 45 minutes per day are spent online” (Katie Lepi). Our world today is becoming more reliant on technology, which can lead to many disadvantages. 

           Social media as not only developed but the users as well. With most teens being on social media, it can be very easy to be influenced by what is seen on social media. Both boys and girls are being exposed to what is said to be a “perfect image”. “According to a study by the Keep it Real Campaign, 80 percent of 10-year-old American girls have been on a diet. Examples of negative teen body image are all over the Web. In YouTube videos, kids ask an Internet audience to tell them if they're pretty or ugly. They rate each other on Instagram.They edit their selfies and drink in advice about how to improve their online image.” (Caroline Knorr) Along with the information consumed through social media, the way teens act are also affected. “The difference is that with social media, adolescents not only consume information, they also produce it.” (Megan Moreno).

            With the amount of time that is irresponsibly taken by the hours spent on social media, less physical activity is being done. For instance, teens could be on social media rather than going outside and getting exercise that is needed.  Grades have also been affected by the usage of social media. “Researchers have found that the middle-school, high school and college students who used Facebook at least once during a 15 minute period get lower grades overall.” (Chris Cosby) With that bullying has also become an issue. “Cyber-bullying has spread widely among youth, with 42% reporting that they have been victims.” Social media has made its way to become both good and bad for teens today.

            Though many people may not see it, social media is taking the world by storm and has greatly affected its users both positively and negatively. We are constantly using it to a point where it has affected our daily life. Social media is a growing trend that could that could possibly become bigger, but the society today must realize that social media must be responsibly used to continue having a healthy life away from technology.

Risky Business Rough Draft: Social Media Perspective

            With a new generation comes a new form of technology. Along with these new innovations in our society, we have used it to our advantage through social media. With the benefits and disadvantages to having social media, disadvantages have shown more due to the amount of time that is irresponsibly consumed, influences teens, and takes away physical activity.

            As the world progresses, the knowledge and technology develops with it as well. Social media is given the purpose to save time by helping our society become more connected, but for some, the amount of saved time could be the complete opposite. Although some may not notice, the time being taken away due to social media is exceedingly high. “There is no denying that social media does have its uses, but our growing dependency on social media results in a disruption of time for us.” (Kristen Ha) Time is taken up not just by teens but by adults as well. “About 10 hours and 45 minutes per day are spent online” (Katie Lepi). Our world today is becoming more reliant on technology, which can lead to many disadvantages.

            Social media as not only developed but the users as well. With most teens being on social media, it can be vey easy to be influenced by what is seen on social media. Both boys and girls are being exposed to what is said to be a “perfect image”. “The sizes of supermodels and actresses often influence teenage girls -- who are actively seeking to find an identity -- to believe they have to be thin to exemplify beauty.” (Nola Mokeyane). Along with the information consumed though social media, the way teens act are also affected. “The difference is that with social media, adolescents not only consume information, they also produce it.” (Megan Moreno).

            With the amount of time that is irresponsibly taken by the hours spent on social media, less physical activity is being done. For instance, teens could be on social media rather than going outside and getting exercise that is needed.  Grades have also been affected by the usage of social media. “Researchers have found that the middle-school, high school and college students who used Facebook at least once during a 15 minute period get lower grades overall.” (Chris Cosby) With that bullying has also become an issue. “Cyber-bullying has spread widely among youth, with 42% reporting that they have been victims.” Social media has made its way to become both good and bad for teens today.

            Though many people may not see it, social media is taking the world by storm and has greatly affected its users both positively and negatively. We are constantly using it to a point where it has affected our daily life. Social media is a growing trend that could that could possibly become bigger, but the society today must realize that social media must be responsibly used to continue having a healthy life away from technology.

Collage Essay: Final Draft

    It’s been said and done before. Hearing all of these common stories on how easy-going yet not so perfect life has developed for different people. February 13^th, 2003, my family had taken a huge risk and moved to Hawaii. But it wasn’t that easy. My mother, my sister, and I had to leave my dad behind in the Philippines because he still did not have a Visa to move to the United States. That was the thing with my parents, they would’ve done anything and everything they could possibly do to create and ensure a better future for my both my sister and I. But being only three-years-old at the time, nothing made sense to me; I literally was a blank canvas waiting for what the world had to offer.

     Growing up, I’ve become the child that asks elders if they needed help or if someone was in need of assistance, they had my attention. When I was around five years old, my cousins and I would play and my grandmother would yell at just me for being “too loud”. She would put me on time out in the bathroom, which connects to the laundry room outside and the only thing I could do was talk to her while she did laundry. But now growing up, I’ve realized that while I was sitting on the closed toilet for a long period of time, I would have genuinely fun talks with my grandmother about being behaved at all times. Also thinking back it was her way of raising me, or what I call “hidden discipline”.

     Being raised by all women with possibly no male role models, has to be the reason why I am the person I am today. I was taught to never be too loud, be polite, courteous, and to always think before I do anything. But there was nothing wrong with that, having a caring family and going to a private school for ten years has definitely impacted how I’ve grown. Taking actions for my responsibilities and being independent yet selfless has been something I lived by. With that, I’ve matured faster than any other person in my grade. I’ve learned through the people around me that you must work hard in order to get what you want in life. And that’s exactly what I’m doing to this day.

     Now, having both parents with me that work hard each day to provide for the rest of our family puts me into a position to where their ambition and determination to succeed motivates me to make them proud. Although my parents would say that grades weren’t everything, I knew they secretly hinted that school is probably the biggest thing I should be focused on.  From the very beginning I was told that I needed to prioritize everything I did, which means being smart in every aspect I could think of. So while I see other teenagers my age worrying about not being in a relationship, I worried about what I want to become or what my future has in store for me.

     The world I have come from may seem quite boring and plain, but through my eyes, it’s my key to success. Through those around me, I have been shaped as an individual that aspires to have the determination and commitment my parents had. They’ve started with absolutely nothing, and now they’re in a position they’d never thought they would be in. That’s how I see myself in the future. I’d want to look back and think that all of what I have worked for is finally going to become something far more than what I expect. Though I have yet to discover what I in vision to be, I am working to the best of my ability to gain a successful future.

Word Choice

1. 

Not knowing much on where we're going or what we're doing. The only hint that was given to the rest of my siblings was "surprise". Being seven years old, the only thing I was expecting was a triple scoop cotton candy cone, topped off with sprinkles and multi colored gummy bears. "We're here!" said my mom as we came to a stop at an unfamiliar parking lot. We stepped out of our car and headed towards this intimidating looking man. Closer and closer we got to him, and suddenly my heart stopped. Running as fast as my legs could possibly go towards him while whipping the tears that ran down my face, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. “You’re home!”

2. My heart raced as I walked through my house. Step by step I take going towards the last room I haven’t checked. Step one. My life is at risk; there is someone in my house. Step two. Not knowing whom this is but the crashing noise of my window gave them away. Step three. I take a breath holding the gun up towards whoever might be trying to kill me. Stepping into this room seeing the shattered window on my floor. No one was here. But at the corner of my eye I see a dark figure with a gun pointed towards me. Afraid to look, I took my last breath in.

3.

Third set. Final point. I closed my eyes as I in vision winning the Olympic title. Everything that I’ve been constantly working on was in my hands. It was our serve and I knew missing this would put a great shame to my name. I hear the serve whistle and I took my breaths. I bounced the ball five times and spin it two times before I serve. Time moved slower, and the crowd got quite as I took each step. I put everything I got into that serve. It was a perfect ace. The crowd goes wild along with my team. We did it. We got our title.

College Essay: Rough Draft

Describe the world you come from — for example, your family, community or school — and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations.

            It’s been said and done before. Hearing all of these common stories on how easy-going yet not so perfect life has developed for different people. February 13^th, 2003, my family had taken a huge risk and moved to Hawaii. But it wasn’t that easy. My mother, my sister, and I had to leave my dad behind in the Philippines because he still did not have a Visa to move to the United States. That was the thing with my parents, they would’ve done anything and everything they could possibly do to create and ensure a better future for my both my sister and I. But being only three-years-old at the time, nothing made sense to me; I literally was a blank canvas waiting for what the world had to offer.

            Growing up, I’ve become the child that asks elders if they needed help or if someone was in need of assistance, they had my attention. Being raised by all women with possibly no male role models, has to be the reason why I am the person I am today. I was taught to never be too loud, be polite, courteous, and to always think before I do anything. But there was nothing wrong with that, having my caring family and going to a private school for nine years has definitely impacted how I’ve grown. I’ve matured faster than any other person in my grade. I’ve learned through the people around me that you must work hard in order to get what you want in life. And that’s exactly what I’m doing to this day.

            Now, having both parents with me that work hard each day to provide for the rest of our family puts me into a position to where their ambition and determination to succeed motivates me to make them proud. Although my parents would say that grades weren’t everything, I knew they secretly hinted that school is probably the biggest thing I should be focused on.  From the very beginning I was told that I needed to prioritize everything I did, which means being smart in every aspect I could think of. So while I see other teenagers my age worrying about not being in a relationship, I worried about what I want to become or what my future has in store for me.

            The world I have come from may seem quite boring and plain, but through my eyes, it’s my key to success. Through those around me, I have been shaped as an individual that aspires to have the determination and commitment my parents had. They’ve started with absolutely nothing, and now they’re in a position they’d never thought they would be in. That’s how I see myself in the future. I want to look back and think that all of what I have worked for is finally going to become something far more than what I expect. Though I have yet to discover what I in vision to be, I am working to the best of my ability to gain a successful future.