The Queen Piece

For this Elective term I took a class called Rapid Prototyping and I was assigned to make a chess piece with a classmate and design our piece in three types of ways. The three types of ways were building the chess piece of clay, then cardboard and finally on a online digital 3D website to be then printed. What I am most proud of is my three models that my partner and I made for this Action Project. The most challenging thing about this project was creating the digital piece on the website called Tinkercad. It was so frustrating because some of my pieces were floating and weren't in their place. I think the most easiest thing about this project was building the clay model piece, it was fun and easy at the same time.
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The Creative Letters

For this Elective term, I am taking a class called Rapid Prototyping. Rapid Prototyping is to learn and create things with the idea of math and connecting lines and different types of shapes to your creation. For this first Action Project, I was assigned to choose two letters and make a design with the letter chosen and also the material that was given. The two letters I chose was "J' and "r" the materials that were given to me were vinyl and tin foil. I am most proud of making my letter out of tin foil because it was so difficult to cut by machine than by hand. The most challenging thing while creating the letters were figuring out the shapes to cut from the machines. Also, cutting the tin foil by hand was a struggle, everything with the tin foil was hard. These are my designs.

                               
                                                       JR (2015). "The creative letters"

The Homeless In AMERICA

For the third unit of this course "Rhetoric" the assigned project was to choose a important social issue to you and design a art piece, poem or audio/video to present your social issue. The purpose of this action project was to show your artwork and change people's minds of how important the issue you chose is to you. The topic I chose was the homeless in America, because homeless are the most stereotyped human beings in the America's. I want to be able to change the way people think about the homeless, because if I was in their shoes I would want some support or someone to help me, notice me. I am proud of the topic I chose and being able to express the way I feel and helping out the homeless to get the real meaning of what homeless people are and what they go through every single day, where we tend to ignore because our minds are too caught in the fact that each homeless person in America is a drug addict, has domestic violence records, financial issues and are too lazy to get a job. Here is my art piece that I hope will change the way you think about the homeless here in America.

JR (2015). "The Homeless In America Board"

 I am JR and the topic I chose was "The Homeless In America" The reason for choosing this topic is for the way the homeless were stereotyped on websites like Huffington Post and the main stream media. As I read on a website, a statement came up and triggered me to think about the homeless differently. The statement was " Admit it: when you think of a homeless person, a certain stereotype comes to mind. A middle-aged to older man who's addicted to drugs and too lazy to get a job. You think it's their own fault that they're living on the streets." I totally agree with this statement because I have thought like that about homeless people whenever i'm outside. This is the reason why I chose this topic. Homeless people go through so much and I just want to put their mindsets out there so people know that they are not homeless because of what we immediately think when the word homeless comes to our mind. I want to be able to present my artwork and make a change in America.

 The art piece that I created was a cardboard poster with a quote, question, a mirror and facts and take one cards and a suggestion box for the homeless people. The reason why I chose to present my art piece on a cardboard poster was because the majority of homeless people write on card board to speak to people around them instead of going to each person asking for help or money. Some people are not always interested in speaking with homeless people. Some people find it very awkward and weird. The quote is to inspire people who read the quote and to give them a inspiration to change and think of homeless people differently. The mirror is to look at yourself and picture yourself in their shoes. Looking at yourself is to imagine yourself in their same situation and not judge no matter how bad their situation can be at the moment. The about me cards are to take with you and know more about the person and the homeless.

 The question is to make you think deeply, change your mind about the homeless being stereotyped and helping them how they should be helped no matter their situation. The colors that I used are Black, Red and Green. Each one of these colors represent a topic Black is the most written color on a cardboard poster when I see homeless people with their posters. The quote is written in black to make it stand out. The Red is the question of how deep it can be to a person and painful, showing a little bit of pathos. The green is support/ help / important. I have done research on just homeless and the rate of how many people become and actually move on with their lives. It just frightens me to know that young teenagers are also becoming homeless. Like, I definitely don’t want to end up in a situation like that at all. This makes me want to help out more.

Young people often become homeless due to family conflict, including divorce, neglect, or abuse. A large majority of young people experience short-term homelessness, returning back home or to family/friends. The medium that I chose to grab the audience's attention for the social issue. I picked a cardboard poster which resembles everything about what homeless feels like and what we should do to help change that. What inspired me the most was Marvin Gaye and his song “Inner City Blues” which he depict on the ghettos, economic, about the America.

 “The United States government acknowledges four categories of people who qualify as legally homeless:
(1) those who are currently homeless
(2) those who will become homeless in the future
(3) certain youths and families with children who suffer from home instability caused by a hardship.
(4) those who suffer from home instability caused by domestic violence.”

 These are facts that I would like you to know about the homeless in America.

•  "On a single night in January 2014, 578,424 people were experiencing homelessness — meaning they were sleeping outside or in an emergency shelter or transitional housing program.
•  "Of that number, 216,197 are people in families, and 362,163 are individuals." 
•  “About 15 percent of the homeless population – 84,291 - are considered "chronically homeless” individuals, and about 9 percent of homeless people- 49,933 - are veterans.”

Citations:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/uloop/what-homelessness-is-real_b_8094190.html

http://www.endhomelessness.org/library/entry/the-state-of-homelessness-in-america-2015

http://kylyssa.hubpages.com/hub/homelessness-myths-misconceptions

The Simple Bike

In the second unit of Design & Engineering I learned about different types of bikes and how they are used differently by everyone. I also learned about the different ways they work and how they are designed. What I am most proud of is learning how bikes are properly used and how they should be used to be as safe as possible. I learned that bikes are also good for our health, that it’s good to ride your bike at least 20 minutes a day to prevent you from getting diseases and all these types of health issues. The purpose of this assignment is to redesign a bike for someone specifically chosen for my partner and I to create a better bike for her lifestyle. The most challenging thing was building the bike the way we sketched it and thought it should be.

The bike that my partner and I created for our given person was simple. We got a young 15 year old girl named Malia that lives in the Logan Square area. She rides her bike to school and back on the 606 trail. Her commute there is 5 miles and on her way home from school she stops at the grocery store. My partner and I decided to build her bike simple and not so heavy. Since she will be carrying groceries on her handles, we thought we could add a basket that is attachable and removable. The handles are removable and can be used as a lock so that way she doesn’t have to worry about digging in her bag for her lock and locking her bike. We created a comfortable heating seat that will support her back and also in the winter keep her warm.

What I learned from existing bikes is that they all have their ways of functioning whether it’s a more comfortable seat, better grippable handles, nice smooth wheels, low or high frames and how fast or slow the bike rides. The person whom I interviewed, Pedro Illas said “Bikes are better for the environment, and are easier to commute around the city.” This made me want to create a more simpler bike to keep Malia from struggling when she has lots of weight on her bike while riding and also when locking her bike while she shops. The reason to believe is that, the bike is perfectly made just for Malia and her commute to school and back. We added some small things to her bike which were the basket for the groceries, comfortable seat and supporter in the back, the chain guard and fender above the wheel, and the handle lock so she can lock the bike at school and won’t have to carry anything extra. We tried to keep the bike simple and with not so much stuff that will take up her time to ride her bike.

These are the added parts to Malia’s Bike:

-The seat is comfortable and also supports your back, you can also insert heat pads during the winter time while she rides to school. This will make her back less cold and will support her as well.

-The fender will block everything from coming up and ruining her clothes. The fender also has pockets that you can add a bottle or books for school. I added a chain guard also by the pedals just in case grease gets on her pants.

-The basket in the front of the bike which is removable, foldable and stretchy.

-The handle bars are removable also and can be used to lock your bike.


JR & VG (2015). "The Convenience Bike"

The kinetic energy is when Malia is riding her bike to school on the 606 trail. The potential energy is when Malia will be going down the ramp of the 606 trail she will have lots of force. The diameter of the bikes wheel is 28 inches, The circumference is 87.92 inches, how I found this was that I plugged in 3.14 which is pi and times it by the diameter which is 28 inches, my answer is 87.92 inches. The average speed to school is 5 miles = 26,400. On her way to school her bike wheel rotate 3,603.27. The scale that was used for the bike is in inches and the wheel is 2 inches diameter wheels. The driver gears 12, 16 teeth. Driver gears 24,36, 48 teeth. All ratios 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 3:2, 9:4.


JR & VG (2015). "Malia riding her bike"

Knives In Self Defense

For my third period class "Self Defense" I learned different martial arts techniques of fighting which were boxing, muythai, knife, sticks and hammer grip. I chose to do knives, because it was the most one I think I was good at and made me feel cool. The knife technique is very easy is block, attack and run. If that doesn't work you disarm and twist the arm in and do an x with your arms and eject the knife with your wrist bone. The most challenging thing was learning each one of these types of ways of fighting. It was always a struggle for me because I am very short and couldn't reach my partner as much but I always did it. The most thing I am proud of is knowing all these different ways of fighting and that now I can walk outside my neighborhood confident that I can defend myself and not get harm in any type of way. This helped me learned a lot and helped me realize a lot of things.

Boogie's Ladder

For this course "Rhetoric" we were assigned to choose a celebrity and annotate a song or speech they have done or said. I chose "Boogie" because he's still in the process of being famous, I thought I might just shout him out in my Prezi. The most thing that I am proud of is learning about Boogie and his background and how he grew up to be a great rapper. The most challenging thing about this action project was trying to annotate the lyrics to his song further, it's a really sad and deep song I like it. I recommend you listen to the song! and look at my Prezi.

The C.O.O.L Lopper

For this course, Design & Engineering. My partner and I were to choose a tool at home depot that most stood out to us. We brainstormed ideas to redesign our tool in a less stressful, painful and simpler way for the elderly. We chose to research the Lopper, a cutting tool. The most challenging thing was thinking of a way to upgrade your chosen tool and making it better. What I learned from this action project was the different ways designers think and how they have to make prototypes to see if the consumer like what they created. What I am most proud of is our redesigned tool, I actually thought the lopper was already simpler. Making it simpler was the hardest but you learn so much and get very creative.

My partner and I decided to give The C.o.o.l Lopper wheels, there's actually three because we thought that having two wheels was just going to be unbalanced and not still. So it's actually easier to move around. The wheels also are water resistance so it can be in water and it won't slip and has lots of rubber. We added a height adjustable stick to change the height of the lopper any way you want it to be, it's also rotatable. The stepper attached to the bottom is to open the blade when is pushed down and when you let it go it will cut and will also close the blade. On the side of the lopper we have firm jelly handles for the elderly's hands. We made it that way so that it wouldn't put so much stress on the hands when trying to push down the stepper. Inside the legs and stepper we have a pulley system which is connected to the lopper whenever it's opening and closing.  On the bottom of the blade, when the stepper is pushed and release to cut there's a bumper that stops the blade from going too far.  We made it so that it's light and the elderly won't have to make so much effort and strength to drag the tool around the garden. The legs and handles are foldable for storage too. The other Loppers that have been upgraded were very different. Some had bent handles for better comfort and leverage. Some were smaller to carry around and easier to cut.

Everything has been redesigned is for the elderly, so they can feel comfortable and not left out, because they're older. Even though they have made plenty upgrades we thought this lopper will be more effect-able and more usable since it has more gear and it's not that heavy and it can be moved around easily. The existing examples of the original lopper is

• The handles are designed to give the person more leverage, a better grip.
• The lopper has a bumper that is used when doing force in, when cutting which prevents you from crushing your fingers together.
• The maximum cutting capacity is 1.5 & the blade is curved to make the cutting more efficient and smooth.

The C.o.o.l Lopper demonstrates empathy by making people feel an emotion of the experience and putting themselves in someone else's shoes. Knowing that the tool is made for the elderly, they get a better understanding of why the tool is designed the way it's designed. This quote “I love to cut branches, weeds and grass” is relevant to this tool because the lopper is used to cut branches and small things.

J.R, NVA (2015). The C.o.o.l Lopper

J.R, NVA (2015). The C.o.o.l Lopper

J.R, NVA (2015). The C.o.o.l Lopper

Summer Day Camp With ICI

On my summer break, I attended Inner City Impact known as ICI which provided me the place to do my community service hours for school. Inner City Impact is a Christian organization/program located in the Logan Square area, where I have been going since the third grade. Inner City Impact is a place of bringing hope to inner city kids and impacting lives to impact generations. I can say ICI is my second home, I go there probably 4-5 times a week. Every summer, ICI does a day camp event for kids in grades K-5th. What they do is group the kids by grade and they rotate after every 30 minutes. Each group is either in a bible lesson, having snacks, crafting or playing a game.

When day camp started, I was very nervous and scared. I was not prepared to handle with parents and so many kids. They had me in charge of signing up kids to attend day camp. The most challenging thing was signing kids up, I was not being prepared to deal with so many children and speak with parents all at the same time. Day camp lasted for a whole month. Every day 100-120 came to have fun and learn about the word of god. I learned to be very patient and understanding with these kids. They got very attached to me very quick and so did I. I got to talk to so many kids and know them pretty well. It made me sad that I had to go because it was done. If I ever have to do more hours I'll definitely do it with Inner City Impact.

D.W (2015). Inner City Impact

D.W (2015). Inner City Impact 

Flamin' Hot Cheetos En La Isla

In this course, Rhetoric, I was to choose a topic of what will be to write a speech about what I considered important. I chose to speak about my favorite chips, Flamin' Hot Cheetos being and the need for these tasty snacks to be sold in Puerto Rico. The purpose of this project is to know about your topic, apply rhetorical techniques to your speech, and convince the audience. The most challenging thing about this action project was conducting my research in order to boost my logos, but mainly finding the bad things Flamin' Hot Cheetos do to young kids. On the good side, my research makes me want to change the way I eat sometimes (they're so addictive!). What I am most proud of is producing an action project about my favorite chips and a place I love to be sold in Puerto Rico, which is where my blood comes from. I chose to speak about Flamin' Hot Cheetos because they’re one of the most purchased snacks in Chicago. These (not-so-healthy) chips are very addictive and have a unique taste- different. This is why I would like to have Flamin' Hot Cheetos sold in Puerto Rico, since all the stores sell currently are cheese Cheetos.

                       

Flamin' Hot Cheetos En La Isla by JR from GCE Lab School on Vimeo.

Flamin' Hot Cheetos were introduced to the U.S in 1992 being some of the most tastiest, most addictive and mouth-watering chips. Right now, they are the top selling chips in the U.S. These chips are everywhere in the states, which with virtually every teen consuming them multiple times a week. Flamin' Hot Cheetos are my favorite because they're spicy enough without burning up your whole mouth and throat, salty and enjoyable. I had just assumed these chips were sold everywhere in the world, until I went to Puerto Rico.

The first time I went to this beautiful island, Puerto Rico was in 2014 with the mindset of it being pretty similar to parts of Chicago. Puerto Rico is extremely different from the states however, it’s very hot, humid and overly GREEN--nothing like the city. Nobody had told me about hot chips not being sold in Puerto Rico before my first trip there. I naturally, brought a bag on with me to snack on during my flight there, which I ate immediately on that first day being there. I went to the store on the island to restock my chips. Little did I know at the time, but I was looking in vain for Flamin' Hot Cheetos, browsing the snack aisle confident that I was going to be eating some hot chips in Puerto Rico. As, I looked around the snack section all I saw were Lay's, Doritos and other typical Puerto Rican chips. The only flavors they had for Cheetos was cheese. I'm not a big fan. I even asked one of the workers, but she just looked highly confused by my request for the spicy chips. The one thing that I had in my mind all that day was those chips, and them not to exist in Puerto Rico literally broke my heart into tiny little pieces. I desired those chips so much, it made me want to go back home. I stayed in Puerto Rico for a whole month without them, making myself eat other, different chips to kick off the need from my body.

I feel like Flamin' Hot Cheetos should be sold in Puerto Rico because they're the most awesome snacks ever. They're sensationally good and spicy with a hint of salt and very crunchy. They're not so expensive either; they'll be bought quickly and could spread fast around Puerto Rico, depending on the types of taste that people favor. Some might not buy them at first because they’re already used to eating cheese-flavored chips. Flamin' Hot Cheetos might be very spicy but hey, once you eat and taste Hot Cheetos there's no going back. I'm confident, though, because of their delicious taste, these chips will win over the people of Puerto Rico over time. And for those who argue that this snack isn't healthy, my advice is to eat them in moderation. But at least have the chance to enjoy them sometimes!

Mama What Were You THINKING?

For this 3rd unit Matriarch we studied the roles of matriarchs. The play that we read together in class were the little foxes and the raisin in the sun. We learned the differences between lots of plays and why they were said the way they were. I learned to visualize more a play and think outside from what a book is just telling.

Chorus Draft:

Prologue: On the Southside of Chicago lived the Youngers, known as the poor African American family. In the 1950’s African Americans were fighting for their dreams and hopes. The man of the house lost his life leaving his wife “Mama” with all the inheritance money. She then, told the rest of her family about the money. Walter her oldest son wanted her money to build a liquor store because he thought it would make lots of profit for the family. Mama on the other side, didn’t like the idea of a liquor store because she was religious and she thought that was a sin.  Mama instead, wanted to buy a house for her family to live in. Everyone liked the idea of a house besides Walter. Mama bought a house in Clybourne Park where it was an all white neighborhood. Mama was worried about what the rest of the family will say. When Mama discussed the purchase to the rest of the family they were happy but, worried and scared. Their reaction to the purchase was shocking because Mama didn’t have no other choice but to get the house because it was the cheapest at the time.

Ruth: Get on in there--- So you went and did it!

Mama: Yes, I did.

Chorus:  Remember Mama?  Remember how she wanted to share the 10,000 inheritance check with her children? Mama always dreamed of a bigger house. She wanted everyone to get what they always wanted;  Travis his room and Ruth out of that infested house. Now, Walter wasn’t thinking the way Mama was thinking. He wanted the money for a liquor store that Mama didn’t approve of and still Mama was willing to give him money to start his business. And there’s Beneatha, too. She wanted to be a doctor, and even though, Mama didn’t quite understand why a woman would want to be a doctor, she supported Beneatha’s dream.

Ruth: PRAISE GOD! Please, honey ---let me be glad… you be glad, too. Oh Walter… A home…. A home. Well--- Where is it? How big is it? How much it going to cost?

Mama: Well---

Ruth: When we moving?

Mama: First of the month.

Ruth: Praise God!

Mama: It’s--- It’s a nice house, too … Three bedrooms---nice big one for you and Ruth… Me and Beneatha still have to share our room, but Travis have one of his own--- and I figure if the---new baby--is a boy, we could get one of them double-decker outfits… and there’s a yard with a little patch of dirt where I could maybe get to grow me a few flowers… and a nice big basement.

Ruth: Walter honey, be glad---

Mama: ‘Course I don’t want to make it sound fancier than it is...It’s just a plain little old house---but it’s made good and solid---and it will be ours. Walter Lee---It makes a difference in a man when he can walk on floor that belong to him.

Ruth: Where is it?

Mama: Four o six Clybourne Street, Clybourne Park.

Ruth: Clybourne Park? Mama, there ain’t no colored people living in Clybourne Park.

Chorus: In her stupidity, she bought a house where there were no Black people. Okay, why can’t we move to an all- black neighborhood where it’s redlined that way they know that there atleast safe, since Whites know to stay away. Anyways,  people have been tortured and killed trying to move into an all-white neighborhood and for passing the sundown time. Did she really think her children would agree moving with her? She’s risking the lives of her children, where they aren’t even welcomed.  Why would Mama risk putting her children in this kind of danger?

Mama: Well, I guess there’s going to be some now.

Walter: So that’s the peace and comfort you went and bought for us today!

Mama: Son--- I just tried to find the nicest place for the least amount of money for my family.

Ruth: Well---well-- ‘course I ain’t one never been ‘ fraid of no crackers, mind you---but--well, wasn’t there no other houses nowhere?

Mama: Them houses they put up for colored in them areas way out all seem to cost twice as much as others houses. I did the best I could.

Chorus: Well, it was the cheapest one around. This is why she bought the house in the first place. Not to judge but did you even know where you were buying this house at?

Ruth: Well---well--- All I can say is---if this is my time in life--- MY TIME--- to say goodbye---to these goddamned cracking walls!--- these marching roaches! --- and this cramped little closet which ain’t now or never was no kitchen! … then I say it out loud and good HALLELUJAH! AND GOODBYE MISERY...I DON’T NEVER WANT TO SEE YOUR UGLY FACE AGAIN. Lena?

Mama: Yes, honey?

Ruth: Is there---is there a whole lot of sunlight?

Mama: Yes, child there’s a whole lot of sunlight.

Ruth: Well--- I guess I better see ’bout Travis. Lord, I sure don’t feel like whipping nobody today!

Mama: Son--- you---you understand what I done, don’t you? I --- I just seen my family falling apart today… just falling to pieces in front of my eyes … we couldn’t of gone on like we was today. We was going backwards ‘stead of forward--- talking ‘bout killing babies and wishing each other was dead… when it gets like that in life---you just got to do something different, push on out and do something bigger… I wish you say something son… I wish you’d say how deep inside you you think I done the right thing---

Walter: What you need me to say you done right for? You the head of this family. You run our lives like you want to. It was your money and you did what you wanted with it. So what you need for me to say it was all right for? So you butchered up a dream of mine--- you---who always talking ’bout your children’s dreams…

Mama: Walter Lee---

Chorus: Don’t be like Mama. Yes, she made a quite difficult decision for her children but we got to  understand, that Mama was trying to give the best for her children.  Mama shouldn't have done this to her kids. She should have discussed it with them. Instead, of purchasing it right away. You see what anger you brought onto Walter?  What else is there to do?

Blount's disease power point

The first action project for cure was to choose a disease and make a power point to what it was and what does it affect to the human body such as, organs, systems and cells. I learned a lot about this disease because I can relate to it very much. My challenge was whether choosing this disease or another one because all diseases sound very interesting. The thing that I am most proud is that I learned much more about what causes this disease and why people tend to get blount's disease.

Blount's Disease Medication

My second action project in cure I was assigned to choose a disease and research a medication that reduces the pain or illness away. I chose to pick Blount's disease which is a growth disorder that causes the bones in the lower legs to bow inner or outer. The medication that I chose was Morphine because it is a prescript-ed pain reliever that I searched that can only be prescript-ed and not be bought over the counter. Other medications that are categorized as pain relievers, that can be bought over the counter are Tylenol, Advil and more. The most thing I am proud of is learning about what medications really do when their taken and what types of disease involve what medications. My challenge of this action project was the actual medicine box and knowing what goes on each side of the box.

As I created the medicine box I took pictures of all six side. Each side had specific information about the medication. Such as, the ingredients, the therapy process, the chemical compounds, the directions, etc.

Oh Kate!

For this unit which is called "Shrew" we were assigned to read the taming of the shrew and discuss the different roles that the play performed. As, we read we talked and wrote short summaries about each play. All the characters were the same, in each play. So we were to choose a character that you would give advice to make them be a better character. I chose Katharina because she was the main character in the story and she was the shrew also. I thought to myself it might be easier to give advice to someone who is a shrew then the men that were just trying to tame her or wanting to marry her because of money. I wrote a sonnet explaining my advice.

Sonnet

Kate the amazing shrew wouldn't let any man tame your power

Your words more powerful than most, made people hate you and you were so sour

you couldn't stand the sight of quiet, obedient women and what people put you through.

You didn't let men who were afraid of your power get to you,

As powerful as you thought you were, you lost a part of you that you never thought you could

Then along came a knave of a man who starved and tired you to make you good

You lost the shrew in you when Petruchio convinced you the sun was the moon

All you did was turn your cheek and agreed the moon can rise at noon

You became his Bond maid and he left you powerless

You know that you can be a good wife without losing your prowess

If being a shrew is part of your charm

learn to be you without causing him harm

If being a shrew is who you are, learn to be you without putting him down

Speak, listen, and respect each other so your healthy relationship can one day, be renowned

The Dangerous Dengue Fever

For this unit, Disease has taught me a lot of different types of diseases and there cause and affects. For the third Action Project I was too choose an epidemic that was world spread in a country. I chose the Dengue Fever because growing up I've heard about it a lot and I had a two family members go through this disease. So, I chose to learn more about than just knowing the name and that it makes you sick. The Dengue Fever is a serious disease that has been around since the early 1960's and still is around today. What I am most proud of is learning more about the disease. The most challenging thing about this Action Project was trying to search important information and not finding nothing. Hope you enjoy and learn more about diseases.

                                                   The Dengue Fever

The Dengue fever is a disease that comes from a mosquito called Aedes aegypti, the mosquito attacks the human body severely. The mosquito lives in countries that have a very high climate, that are tropical. The mosquito likes to reproduce in humid and hide in small places. This mosquito comes out when it needs to eat, and what it does is it stings you anywhere around your body that is exposed and easily to get stinged and will plant the virus. Once, you have that you will later start to get the symptoms which are high fever, joint pain, headaches especially behind your eyes, muscles, nausea, diarrhea, rash that looks similar to measles and mouth and nose bleeding. You can stay with this illness 3-7 days if you don’t get immediate help. It is originally located in these countries Cambodia, Panama, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Cuba and more countries. It developed in Southeast Asia and then headed to other areas around the world. The viruses are kept and maintained in the forests of Southeast Asia and Africa by transmission of the female.

"Denguefieber." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2015.

The R Nought for the Dengue fever is 27.2 which means that every mosquito infects 27.2 people a day. It is not contagious so a person with a virus cannot pass it to another person. People can prevent getting the Dengue Fever from wearing clothing that will cover your skin from getting stung. Wearing Mosquito repellent or a clip on, that will be with you all the time wherever you go. Mosquito nets also are good for doors and beds. Repellent candles are good for outdoor events. Some places where they would likely to reproduce is in small places like inside tires, tree cracks, roofs and between bricks. The reason for this is when the temperature gets too high or it starts raining and get humid. That’s the perfect time for the mosquito to reproduce. The sanitation of places is a huge problem because that's what attracts the mosquito's too. No vaccine for adults and children can be the reason why people are dying. poor vector control is not getting rid of the mosquito's.

N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2015.

However, The Dengue Fever had been around since the early 1960's. This is a severe disease it has killed over 100,000 people. The places that struck the most was in Puerto Rico in 2007, The Dominican Republic in 2007 and The Philippines in 2006 & 2008. The most recent place the dengue has been notified, has been in Pakistan the year 2011 and killed over 350 plus more people. This graph shows you the population density and the environment/ disaster affected. As you can see in the graph below it shows the in 2000 of the population density and the environment disaster there were 12-14 countries.

JR. "Gapminder Graph". 2015

Gapminder World

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

For my course "Forbidden Books" I was assigned to choose a question and develop it into a summary. What this last unit was about, was diversity and the ways . The book I read for this class was The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. It takes place in Eastern Washington, near the city of Spokane, which is the Spokane Indian Reservation. I liked this Action Project because I got to read my favorite book and write about it. What I am most proud of is that I got to read my favorite book again. My challenges throughout the project was trying to find quotes that fit in to my writing. Keeping track of time and reading my book. Overall, this project was great and hope you enjoy.

JR. The Absolutely True Diary Of A Part-Time Indian. 2015.

Censorship In BURMA

For the second unit of my Forbidden Books class I was to choose a country and look for something that was censored during that time period. As, I researched I chose the time period where their were a lot of censorship involved. Which made it very easy for me, because I didn't have to go through the whole time of censorship in Burma. What I am most proud of is learning about the country itself, knowing the struggles that the Burmese people had between the 1900-1939. I liked this project because I got to know more about censorship and what important things to the Burmese people were censored at the time. What is interesting is that it's still the top country of censorship.

The Border ______ Disorder

For this Action Project, I was assigned to choose a disorder from the DSM-V which stands for "The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder". As, I looked at the topics of disorders Personality disorder caught my attention because I feel like some of my friends have a tiny bit of it. At first, I thought that this disorder was a changing personality disorder but not into a demon/violent way. What I am proud is to know more about this disorder and hopefully knowing a person and help and support the person. I am also, proud of taking this class because I find it very interesting to know more about diseases and learning the difference and how many disease their are.


The Borderline Disorder

The Borderline Disorder is a huge part of the Personality disorder. I chose this one because I feel like I have experience a little of what the effects are of this disorder but i'm not diagnosed, thank god. Also, because my friends also seem to have a little bit of the disorder too. The Borderline Disorder tends to get the person very upset, angry, unstable emotions and moods. They can be easily shifted. Sometimes it's very hard to keep calm and stay from getting angry. The borderline disorder is another cluster from the personality disorder that people usually have, that's why I chose this topic because as I read it seemed to be very familiar and easy to express. The also tend to, see the world black and white it makes it easier for them to not misinterpret the actions and the motivation of others. Sometimes they tend to act impulsively because of their moods and emotions. Having this disorder makes me feel very different because I feel like if I feel this everyday feeling down, having emotional feelings different moods all the times will put me depressed and very annoyed.

Lupus

For this unit of this course was called body my class and I were assigned to choose a disease that someone has or know that you can interview. I chose to interview my sister because she was recently diagnosed with Lupus. As I did some research I kind of figured what were some symptoms and affects to this disease so it made it more easier for me to introduce this disease. What I learned from this Action Project was that it's actually not a great feeling to go through any disease. Which I knew, but,  this interview made me really realize how much change a disease can do to a persons life. A disease that will never go away, if it doesn't have a cure. It's just hard to think about, hard to think about the struggles in your life, hard to know that your not going to be able to do things like before. What I am really proud of is doing the interview with the right person which was my sister that I love dearly. I learn so much more and now I understand so much more than just what is pain. I wish I could walk in her shoes to feel what she feels when she is in pain.

Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that happens when your body immune system attacks your own tissue and organs. The inflammation that occurs in the body can affect lots of the body's organs and systems like the kidneys, brain, lungs, brain vessels, blood cells, joints and heart. These organs and systems play a big part of Lupus that increase the risk of getting cancer. Lupus is really hard to diagnose, but some signs of Lupus are fevers, butterfly facial rash, chest pain, shorten of breath, dry eyes, joint pain stiffness and swelling, headaches, confusion and memory loss. Lupus is not contagious, some people are just born with the tendency of developing Lupus. It can be triggered by certain drugs, infections and sunlight. When my sister was diagnosed with Lupus, my family and I were confused because no one had Lupus in the family. We didn't even know what was Lupus, until we were present on days that lupus activated in my sister's daily life. Her body over night will swell up making her unable to get up from bed because of the swelling and pain on her joints all over her body. She, sometimes had to stay still to breath, because she was short of breath all the time. My sister's fingers, were always a problem because in different occasions her fingers won't go up or down because of the stiffness on her fingers. While sleeping during the day or at night, she will get chest pain that would tighten up her chest that would make her out of breath also. When the family will go out to the beach sunlight was also a problem for her because she had to shower herself in sun block before going all the time. From night to day her parts of her face will get very red and slightly itchy. Her feet will swell really bad too, like if she was pregnant. This disease really changed my sisters lifestyle and the family because now we have to be precocious of everything and always be with her on her bad times. Some treatments that she is taking are insulin and pills for her diabetes and more pills that control the high blood pressure. She has taken chemotherapy only once for the first time in her life. During chemo it effected her eye, which busted one of her eye vain which was very painful.

Key Vocabulary

Kidneys: Lupus can cause serious kidney damage, having kidney failure is one of the leading causes of death, people with lupus. Having kidney failure, they’re also symptoms.

Lungs: Lupus can affect the lungs which will result as, chest pain and shorten of breath but very painful. Having Lupus can also increase chances of inflammation in the lungs

Heart: Lupus can also increase the chances of inflammation in your heart muscles, heart membrane and arteries. Also, you can increase serious heart attacks as well. Sharp chest pain which slows down your heart beats and blood

Interview Questions & Response


Q1: How has this disease changed your life?

R: Lupus has changed my life drastically, emotionally and physically.


Q2: Have you had any follow up disease, after being diagnosed? If yes, which ones?

R: Yes, high blood pressure and diabetes because lupus effects the internal organs little by little.


Q3: What went through your mind when being told you were diagnosed with the disease?

R: The first thing in mind was that I was going to die, I thought that there was not going to be a cure for it and that it was going to consume me very slowly.


Q4: What were your first symptoms that made you get immediate help?

R: I noticed that my finger tip were getting swollen, warm and painful.


Q5: What treatments or medication have you taken?

R: I have taken 1 dose of Chemotherapy. The medication that I am taking now are Prenazone, Vitamin c & d, Plaquenil, and Micro Phenolate.

JR.  Human Body Of  Lupus. Photography. 2014

What Is freedom?

For my first action project for this course called politics I was assigned to choose a question, interview some friends and family members, and ask for their opinions. My question that I asked was "What Is Freedom?" I chose this question because I thought that It would be very interesting to hear what people's responses were. My topic seemed easy at first, but then it got a little hard trying to write the script. What I learned in this unit was about Socrates and how he lived trying to find someone wiser than he. I learned about his Socratic Method which was the method that Socrates was using for the students he was teaching. It was individual discussions between two people and asking questions. He wanted them to think critically, come up with ideas, and ask questions to the public. The reason why people thought it was bad, was teaching his students about his Socratic Method and teaching them to go out and ask question was uncomfortable for some people. So his students eventually did what his Socratic Method was about and those student’s parents didn't like the fact that their kids were asking them questions and going out to the public and asking people questions. As I interviewed people, I learned that there's more to just freedom than just being free. I heard a lot of responses that were all very great. There  were ones that stood out to me a lot, I liked that everyone had their own definition of freedom.

JR, EGB.  What is freedom video. 2014

Here is my script of the video

Characters:

Haley:Elizabeth (Character 1)
Jordan:Jamilet (Character 2)
Filmed: 2/10/15
Topic: Freedom


Haley: Hey Jordan, how are you?

Jordan: Hey Haley, I am fine how are you?

Haley: That is great Jordan! I am super good.

Jordan: Oh Cool! You seem excited about something. What is it, Haley? Come on, tell me!

Haley: Well, they made a student council group at our school. Which means we will have more freedom. Are you joining? I am.

Jordan: I do not know, do you think that joining will give us more freedom? What is freedom anyway?

Haley: Freedom is to be free, you can do whatever you want. Just join, it will be fun, trust me.

Jordan: Everybody knows that freedom is to be free and have the ability to do whatever you want, but I do not think that joining the group will give you more freedom. Do you think that the students will really be free Haley?

Haley: Yes, Jordan, because the students will not be controlled by a higher power. We will all share our thoughts and we will be able to voice our opinions without negative consequences.

Jordan: Okay, but you can do that independently without being in student council. Do you not have that ability already?

Haley: You are right! But joining will make me feel good and content.

Jordan: Hmm.. Well, if you feel good and content does that make you free?

Haley: Not just feeling good, but the ability to create your own contentedness and goodness, that is freedom.

Jordan: So having the right to create your own contentedness and goodness, that is freedom?

Haley: Well, if they join, they will probably be able to feel the same way. Not only will we have freedom, but we will not be overpowered, we will be able to do what we believe is right. We can do whatever we want without any judgement.

Jordan: Yes! But, do you not have that ability already? Yes, freedom gives you plenty of opportunities but it does not mean you have to join a group to receive more freedom.

Haley: You do have a point, maybe I do not need to...

Jordan: Yes!

Haley: Thank you for helping think through that, Jordan. Now I see I can exercise freedom in more ways than student council.

Jordan: You are welcome Haley! I am glad you understand what freedom is. Bye!

Haley: Bye Jordan!

The SETTING!

For my electives term class Stage Chemistry I was assigned into a group of our choice and discuss a plan about the Christmas Carol setting. As we discussed our plan we said we will build a model into three parts and those parts will be past, present and future with little details attached to each of these parts of our model. The group struggled a bit but in two days we got most of the props done for each sections. I am really excited to see how this model will turn out at the end, with all the other models.

As we settled into groups, each group had a job and those jobs were theme, settings, characters and props everything that basically makes a theater. I was put in the settings with three more other students to work on this part of space of a theater. For the first part we started with lots of stuff like how the model will look and be designed. So we started off by choosing the three top important roles that the theater will need so we went with

Each one of these roles have a need and concern as you see above. We chose these roles because we thought it would fit perfect with each of the parts that the group decided to do for the model. one student built the house that separates into two which is pretty cool. Us girls built the round circle to make three sections off of it to represent each of the three settings of the play. So, we started with that and well we kind of just started from the draft model and made little things like chairs, stoves, and bushes. We added a huge model to the model that was made to look like a barbie house. We decided to use it at last minute because we were running out of time but it was a really good model to show how scrooge's inside of the house looked. We build little descriptions for the house which looks pretty cool and after I thought it wasn't a great idea it turned out it was a good one.

JN. House Model 2. 2014

JN. House Model 1. 2014

JN. House Model 2. 2014

AJ.Model.2014 

The Stage Designer is suppose to have appropriate design for the time of the arrow of the play. Have lots of safety with the sets and props. The crew job has to be done right in order to look good. Also, have the correct appropriate equipment for the stage. 

The Director is in charge to always have a finished script for a show to run. Rehearsed actors is really important for this role because without the actors not practicing what they have to do makes the stage performance look very crappy. It's a really big part of being a director and making the actors take this role of rehearsing their scripts and acts. Any injuries and understudy is also very important because if they get injured this goes to the director's responsibility. Everyone's job being done on time.

The Crew/Tech always have to be careful with setting things on stage and while performance is on play. Safety for the sets, props, swifts and people. Fit and timing with light and sound. A Backup electricity generator for the lighting and sound. Also, have everyone trained so they know what to do with the lighting and sounds which is a really big part also for a stage.

AJ. Settings. Photography. 2014

                                           Here is a video of the two work days with my group.