Final Portfolio

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A'ole Moanalua

To Whom it may concern,

At a given moment in their lives, students will have to face reality which is planning out their life after high school. Without much knowledge they are given guidance through classes taken throughout the week which, here at Moanalua, we call Career Academic Planning or CAP class. As students of Moanalua, we feel our CAP classes aren’t providing enough to prepare us for the future. Often times we are required to complete work we find unnecessary or have no connection to future tasks. We are demanding a better structured and useful CAP class designed to ensure success in our future endeavors.

Students exiting high school are worried they aren’t well prepared. The National High School Center states that nearly half of all high school seniors feel they lack the skills and abilities to secure non-entry-level jobs. One fourth of them reported to not feel at all prepared for college-level work. The public school system should work to educate students on all levels whether it is standardized testing or deciding on a career, all of which we have no knowledge of.

In the end students should feel peace of mind walking down that graduation aisle, knowing that they were given the tools to do the very best in whatever they want. The only way to do so is for high school planning courses to implement more practical and valuable skills being taught in their curriculum. Many students want to know which colleges best suits them, what careers are available depending on their skills, or what level of degree they need to land their dream job. All these are questions we feel aren’t being focused on enough. An informational CAP class can make a big difference to a student’s confidence leaving high school. As students we deserve a chance at making our future as bright and successful as it can be.

Sincerely,

Anonymous

Hunger Games Graphic

Macbeth Essay: Final

We live in a world where being at the highest authority is the only way of being successful, but for some people, they would do anything it takes to get what they want. It seems that with all the things we’re blessed with, there are always gonna be people who are not satisfied and happy with what they receive. “Macbeth” is a story revolves around what one does to gain power and the effects of doing so. A man faces the outcome of murdering those around him to gain authority and eventually pays the price. He starts off as a normal individual with a normal life, but throughout the story, his character progresses into an entirely different person. In the book “Macbeth”, written by William Shakespeare, the story represents the result of how being so driven by power can affect one’s life negativity in ways that leads them to changing their entire personality.

Macbeth starts the story off as a man destined to become king, but with there already a king on the throne, he’s not able to take power. But with his wife also willing to do whatever it takes to gain authority, they decide take action. “It is this bloody business I am about to do which makes me see things. Now in one hemisphere of the world, nature seems dead, and wicked dreams disturb the sleepers in their curtained bed.” (2.2.48-51) By killing king duncan they eventually had the power they didn't deserve. Feeling anxious with those around him being suspicious, he then turns to murdering others. “My anxiety returns. Except for this, I'd feel totally secure, all of a piece like a marble monument, firm as a rock, as open and free as the air that encloses us. But now I am imprisoned, hampered, confined, hemmed in by uncontrollable doubts and fears.” (3.4.22-26)  A result of killing the king, Macbeth at this point is so paranoid to the point where he’s willing to have anyone murdered.

With such a drastic change and series of events, Macbeth has started to lose his mental stability and began to see what he thought were “ghost” but instead were just fragments of his imagination due to the guilt he was feeling. “Get out! Leave my sight! Bury yourself in the earth! Your bones are without any narrow; your blood is cold; you have no perception in those eyes you glare me with!” (3.4.94-97) Those around him are also noticing the change in his personality. They are starting to realize how he has been acting and are starting to doubt him as king. “Now he feels hid hidden murders clinging to his hands...Then who can blame his tormented senses for being jumpy and easily startled, when his own conscience condemns what it finds in his inner thoughts.” (5.3.23-27) Although Macbeth has power, he is still tormented by the amount of crims he has committed. His conscience had played tricks in his mind because of what he did in order to obtain his desires the wrong way.

Throughout this entire story, Macbeth has gone in a downward spiral. Starting off as an average man, he’s turned into a psychopath doing whatever it takes to keep his power. “I have lived long enough. My lifestyle has been transformed into a shriveled  and faded leaf, and all those things I ought to go along with old age, such as honor, love, obedience, crowds of friends I can't expect to have. Instead I get curses, not voiced loudly but felt deeply, and respectful mouthings of courtesy, merely hot air, which the timid speaker would like to deny but dares not.” (5.3.21-29) Macbeth himself notices the change he has gone through and has completely changed into an entirely different person. With the many things he's done, being this way has not come to a surprise. He had been so caught up with what he was doing that he hasn't noticed anything around him. “I have almost forgotten what fear feels tastes like. Once I would have shivered if I heard a shriek in the night; and if I read a frightening story, my hair would stand on end as if it were alive. I’ve had my fill of horrors Terror, which goes hand in hand with my bloody thoughts, can no longer startle me.” (5.5.10-16) Even after the death of his own wife, he no longer felt anything. If Macbeth were still the same character he was in the beginning of the story, his reaction to his wife's death would've been completely different. From the moment he killed the king, his life was basically a ticking time bomb waiting to explode. 

Macbeth’s character represents those who cheat, get lazy, and are hungry for power. In this story, Macbeth has gone from an honorable man with friends and a future with his wife, to a dead man with nothing but a ruined reputation that will forever be remembered. William Shakespeare's book, Macbeth, is a clear representation of why we as individuals need to understand the concept of working for what we want and taking the easy way out of situations will only make things worse. Relating it to our society, it shows that even today, what we do to get what we want may not be the correct option. It is important to remember that what goes around, comes around, which is another focus of this story. Every decision one makes will eventually affect your future based on weather the decision was the correct or wrong one. We as individuals must work to the best of our abilities to get what we desire.

Macbeth Essay: Draft

We live in a world where being at the highest authority is the only way of being successful, but for some people, they would do anything it takes to get what they want. It seems that with all the things we’re blessed with, there are always gonna be people who are not satisfied and happy with what they receive. “Macbeth” is a story revolves around what one does to gain power and the effects of doing so. A man faces the outcome of murdering those around him to gain authority and pays the price.  In the book “Macbeth”, written by William Shakespeare, the story represents the result of how being so driven by power can affect one’s life negativity in ways that leads them to changing their entire personality.

Macbeth starts this book off as a man destined to become king, but with there already a king on the throne, he’s not able to take power. But with his wife also willing to do whatever it takes to gain authority, they decide take action. “It is this bloody business I am about to do which makes me see things. Now in one hemisphere of the world, nature seems dead, and wicked dreams disturb the sleepers in their curtained bed.” (2.2.48-51) By killing king duncan they eventually had the power they didn't deserve. Feeling anxious with those around him being suspicious, he then turns to murdering others. “My anxiety returns. Except for this, I'd feel totally secure, all of a piece like a marble monument, firm as a rock, as open and free as the air that encloses us. But now I am imprisoned, hampered, confined, hemmed in by uncontrollable doubts and fears.” (3.4.22-26)  A result of killing the king, Macbeth at this point is so paranoid to the point where he’s willing to have anyone murdered.

With such a drastic change and series of events, Macbeth has started to lose his mental stability and began to see what he thought were “ghost” but instead were just fragments of his imagination due to the guilt he was feeling. “Get out! Leave my sight! Bury yourself in the earth! Your bones are without any narrow; your blood is cold; you have no perception in those eyes you glare me with!” (3.4.94-97) Those around him are also  noticing the change in his personality. They are starting to realize how he has been acting and are starting to doubt him as king. “Now he feels hid hidden murders clinging to his hands...Then who can blame his tormented senses for being jumpy and easily startled, when his own conscience condemns what it finds in his inner thoughts.” (5.3.23-27) Although Macbeth has power, he is still tormented by the amount of crims he has committed.

Throughout this entire story, Macbeth has gone in a downward spiral. Starting off as an average man, he’s turned into a psychopath. “I have lived long enough. My lifestyle has been transformed into a shriveled  and faded leaf, and all those things I ought to go along with old age, such as honor, love, obedience, crowds of friends I can't expect to have. Instead I get curses, not voiced loudly but felt deeply, and respectful mouthings of courtesy, merely hot air, which the timid speaker would like to deny but dares not.” (5.3.21-29) Macbeth himself notices the change he has gone through and has completely changed into a different person. “I have almost forgotten what fear feels tastes like. Once I would have shivered if I heard a shriek in the night; and if I read a frightening story, my hair would stand on end as if it were alive. I’ve had my fill of horrors Terror, which goes hand in hand with my bloody thoughts, can no longer startle me.” (5.5.10-16) Even after the death of his own wife, he no longer felt anything. From the moment he killed the king, his life was basically a ticking time bomb waiting to explode. 

Macbeth’s character represents those who cheat, get lazy, and are hungry for power. William Shakespeare's book, Macbeth, is a clear representation of why we as individuals need to understand the concept of working for what we want. Relating it to our society, it shows that even today, what we do to get what we want may not be the correct option. I is important to remember that what goes around, comes around, which is another focus of this story. Every decision one makes will eventually affect your future based on weather the decision was the correct or wrong one. We as individuals must work in silence and let our success be the noise many will hear.

Section 1

1. Agree. Men in our society have a mindset that women aren't needed or appreciated. But, little do men know is that women are also the reason why men become successful. My mother raised me by herself up until I was 10 and majority of my time growing up, females have raised me.

2. Agree. Though many may not believe it, there are actual supernatural things in our world. From ancient times, there are forms of these witches, demons, and evil spirits. Growing up, I've been surrounded with superstitions such as ghosts. and my grandmother being a witch????

3. Agree/Disagree. People these days have done things they're not proud of to get what they want. If one truly wants something, they'd have to do anything to get it. I once took 5 dollars from my moms bag to get candy. ((I told her after bc guilt))

4. Agree. Karma, is one of the superstitions I've been surrounded by my entire life. I take it seriously because the more you do good, the more you shouldn't expect much from others. Doing something right or wrong will eventually come back to you. When I was 10, I use to tease my sister about her acne and my mom would always warn me that karma is gonna get me. Then puberty hit me like a truck giving me a face full of acne.

5. Agree. With our society. we care less about others feelings and worry about our own happiness. Just like number 3, some people would do whatever it takes to get what they want, even if it means doing something bad. *****

6. Disagree. There are many republicans that would rather have Obama not be president. With him being a democrat, in a republican filled government, he's obviously gonna have people that want him our of office. ********

7. Agree. There are certain situation to when killing an individual is reasonable. Examples would be if the person murdered was attempting to murder the person that actually murdered, then they shouldn't be punished for self defense.

8. Agree. Success is something you need to work for. Success can't be bought or bribed when there are so many other people that deserve it. I use to think going to private school meant you're going far in life or having better things than other people meant you're better. But when I went to public school, it still showed that you had to work to get to success.

9. Disagree. "Kings" are not appointed by God, they appoint themselves. Anyone could literally say they're in charge because a God that no one else has seen or heard from appointed them.

10. Disagree. Horoscopes, or majority of horoscopes just tell you what you want to hear. They are basically feeding you information that you try to relate to yourself after you read what it says. On twitter, there are these astrology tweets and people are all like "that's so me" or "omg this is so true" when all the horoscope says "virgos work hard" or "you went through a rough time and managed to get out of it" Like anyone can relate to that.

11. Both. It depends on the situation. Many people should have a chance to defend themselves. Yet if we let those who are traitors go, the more traitors there are gonna be around us. Traitors aka cheaters in this generation should obviously be punished but not killed for example.

Section 2

3.  Redemption is a huge decision to make especially when someone has done something genuinely evil. There are so many reasons why someone could have done such a thing, mostly because they've followed the wrong path and have chosen to do wrong. But in certain situations, forgiveness can be given. To give someone your redemption is a huge change, but only with time will it be given. One cannot just expect to be forgiven for what ever they've done. Though there are times where a person can be redeemed of their actions, the ability to recover from it may never come.

4. There are always gonna be situations where you wouldn't be certain with the actions you're doing, but instead blinded by what you admire or who you respect. With the many things you decide on in your life, you would have to see the bigger picture of what you're doing. Knowing what's right and wrong has to come naturally and having guidance would be an extra help to what you're dealing with. In this case, if one knows that someone has committed acts of genuine evil, it should be your correct decision to not seep into their actions. You may admire them or respect them, but you must not follow their actions and stay true to your values.

5. One who uses morally evil methods to acquire a goal, will forever be tainted or polluted by the actions one had taken to achieve this goal. People must not take their easy way out to get what they want, when everyone else knows that you have to truly work for the things you want. Taking you're time and doing the right thing to achieve your goal would be the correct thing to do.

Night: Final Exercise

Theme Thesis:

1. Survival was an important aspect during the holocaust, and in "Night" written by Elie Wiesel, being able to take charge of your own life is something needed to survive even if it means leaving those you love behind.

• "An endless road. Letting oneself be pushed by the mob; letting oneself be dragged along by a blind destiny." (83)
• "No one wanted to give to give up now, just before the end, so near to the goal" (88)
• "We walked over pain-racked bodies. We throd on wounded faces. No cries. A few groans." (88)
• "Don't forget you're in a concentration camp. Here, every man has to fight for himself and not think about anyone else. Even of his father." (105)
• "It's dangerous to fall asleep in the snow. You might sleep for good." (84)
• "Death wrapped itself around me till i was stifled. It stuck to me. I felt that I could touch it the idea of dying, of no longer being, began to fascinate me. Not to exist any longer." (82)
• "This was the end. Hitler was going to keep his promise." (107)
• "We had been tormented with hunger. We had eaten nothing for six days, except a bit of grass or some potato peelings found near the kitchens." (108)

Character Thesis

2. With the holocaust happening, Eliezer "Elie" Wiesel in the book "Night", taught many individuals that being independent and fending for youself will help you survive, even if it means leaving those around you behind. 

• "It's too late to save your father, I said to myself. You ought to be having two rations of bread, two rations of soup." (105)
• "There were no prayers at his grave. No candles were lit to his memory. His last word was my name. A summons, to which I did not respond." (106)
• "I did not weep, and it pained me that I could not weep. I had no more tears. And in the depths of my being, in the recesses of my weakened conscience, could I have searched it, I might perhaps have found something like-free at last!" (106)
• "I have nothing to say of my life during this period. It no longer mattered. After my father's death, nothing could touch me anymore" (107)
• "I did not feel pity for him. I was even pleased about what happened. I saved my gold crown. It might be useful to me one day to buy something-- bread or life" (50)
• "I witnessed other hangings. I never saw a single one of the victims were. For a long time those dried-up bodies had forgotten the bitter taste of tears." (60)

Allusion Graphic: Final

Dialectical Journal Practice

              "Dehumanization is the psychological process of demonizing the enemy, making them seem less than human and hence not worthy of humane treatment. This can lead to increased violence, human rights violations, war crimes, and genocide." As for the prisoners, their behavior has grown more to be more self conscious. They have no choice but to do what ever is necessary to survive. The changes Eleizer noticed was the amount of killing there was surrounding him. He became less surprised when he saw someone dead.

"My eyes were open and I was alone-- terribly alone in the world without God and without man"

"This day I had cease to plead. I was no longer capable of lamentation" (65)

Dialectical Journal Practice

Discuss how Wiesel sets up the contrast between the panic of the Jews with each new decree or action of the government and their attempts to reassure themselves and to adjust to each new infringement on their freedom.

So basically Wiesel set everything up to make sure people understood that although many jews were panicking, they stayed optimistic throughout their entire experience. By optimistic, he included many family values and how sticking together was so important. Also, with them traveling and moving all the time, many still kept their faith intact, for example the father. 

Dialectical Journal Entries

1. "The stars were only sparks which devoured us. Should that fire die out one day, there would be nothing left in the sky but dead stars, dead eyes" (18)

2. "In everyone's eyes was suffering drowned in tears. Slowly, heavily, the procession made its way to the gate of the ghetto." 

3. "Humanity? Humanity is not concerned with us. Today anything is allowed. Anything is possible, even these crematories." (30)

4. "Never shall i forget those flames which consumed my faith forever" (32)

5. "The morning star was shinning in the sky.....There remained only a shape that looked like me. A dark flame had entered my soul and devoured it." (34)

The Holocaust

Holocaust is a Greek origin word, meaning “sacrifice by fire”. Six millions Jews were tortured and killed during the Holocaust by Nazis. The Nazis categorized Jews as “racially superior” and it came out as a threat towards the Germans. During the era of the Holocaust, Germans not only targeted the Jewish community, but also the lower class (such as Roma Gypsies, Poles, Russian, the disabled, and homosexuals.
     During this time period, many Jews suffered from the many effects of the Holocaust. “Between two and three million Soviet prisoners of war were murdered or died of starvation, disease, neglect, or maltreatment.” These inhumane acts had many innocent people frightened for their life. Jewish people had been viewed as a "flaw" in this that time period. “Between 1941 and 1944, Nazi German authorities deported millions of Jews from Germany, from occupied territories, and from the countries of many of its Axis allies to ghettos and to killing centers, often called extermination camps, where they were murdered in specially developed gassing facilities.” This period was a time where being jewish was a disadvantage and many still remember this era as a historical brutality.

Allusion Poem: Final

I find it quite funny

How you can be so dependent on your sister

With every step or stone dropped

With every “whoops” or mistake

Her nagging voice could 

cause a serious headache 

Trying to find our destination

While making our way through these dark woods

As we pass through each negative sound

Family is one of the most important things to us 

The same thought that goes around

I still find it quite funny

How we’re complete polar opposites 

Being the Sun or the Moon

Choosing to go left or to go right 

We are a balancing force

Who won't let anything wicked,

Be the change in our course. 

We are siblings 

Always will be 

Always there 

Though her company may get salty and annoying 

Our brother-sister bond is pretty rare 

We have learned our lessons,

nothing too good can be true 

And to never to eat from a candy house 

Keeping our practical minds straight

“we shall soon find the way,”

through this cruel, wicked world 

Allusion Graphic: Draft

Allusion Poem: Draft

I find it quite funny
How you can be so dependent on your sister
With every step or stone dropped
With every “whoops” or mistake
Her nagging voice could 
cause a serious headache 

Trying to find our destination
While making our way through these dark woods
As we pass through each negative sound
Family is one of the most important things to us 
The same thought that goes around

I still find it quite funny
How we’re complete polar opposites 
Being the Sun or the Moon
Choosing to go left or to go right 
We are a balancing force
Who won't let anything wicked,
Be the change in our course. 

We are siblings 
Always will be 
Always there 
Though her company may get salty and annoying 
Our brother-sister bond is pretty rare 

We have learned our lessons,
nothing too good can be true 
And to never to eat from a candy house 
Keeping our practical minds straight
“we shall soon find the way,”
through this cruel, wicked world 

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.