The Spanish-American War

Hello bloggers! In this unit "Execute" we learned about the executive branch of federal and government in which is responsible for carrying out and/or executing the laws. We also learned the purpose and the powers of the executive branch, and how those powers are executed throughout history. For this second action project the class was given the choice to pick a war, researching it and deciding whether the war was unjust or just in your opinion. The war I chose for this action project was The Spanish-American War. The most challenging thing about this project was to find a war that I felt comfortable researching and learning more about. What I am most proud of is learning about the The Spanish-American War and knowing the history behind it and how it effects everything today.
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The Spanish American War, U.S. forces took place in 1898 in Cuba, Puerto Rico and Guam. The war was fought between Spain and the United States of America. This war happened because a lot of people wanted Cuba to become an independent country but they refused and on along with that the Americans wanted a colonial empire for their country which lead to war between Spain and the United States of America. The Spanish-American war involved the Caribbean islands such as Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam and Philippines because Spain lost the sea war in which they had to give up its colonies of Cuba, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and part of Guam. All of these colonies, except for Cuba, would become U.S. colonies at the end of the war. Although the main issue was Cuban independence.

The Spanish-American War went on from April 25, 1898 – August 12, 1898 (3 months, 2 weeks and 4 days). The ten-week war was fought in both the Caribbean and the Pacific. The United States of America joined because Americans wanted a colonial empire for their country. They wanted to take control of other lands and that’s when they decided to fight against Spain. One of the unique features of this war was that this was a U.S. occupation during the larger, ongoing. American troops were soon in route to Spain’s other important Caribbean possession, Puerto Rico, and landed on the island’s southern coast on July 25th. The invasion was in keeping with the U.S. strategy to intensify pressure on Spain’s possessions until Madrid sued for peace. Spain began to realize they couldn’t anymore but to ask the Americans for peace terms. By then, U.S. ground forces had swept across southern and central Puerto Rico, where inhabitants received them warmly.

This war was fought because Cuba wanted to become an independent country but the Americans wanted a colonial empire for themselves. The Cubans were wary of the United States' intentions, the overwhelming support from the American public provided the Cubans with some peace of mind, because they believed that the United States was committed to helping them achieve their independence.

 Immediate Causes:

•  Cuba’s Independence 
• The Unites States wanted control over land and more territory.

 Underlying Causes:

•  Demands by Cuban patriots for independence.

 Overall, I think that this was unjust because the United States of America really didn't have to control any land or territory. They were already big enough, it was just unnecessary to have a war over colonizing other peoples countries and land.

Citations:

"Puerto Rico Invaded." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 16 May 2016.

"Spanish–American War." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 16 May 2016.

"The Spanish-American War, 1898." Milestones: 1866–1898. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May 2016.

"Where Did The Spanish American War Take Place." Enotes.com. Enotes.com, n.d. Web. 16 May 2016.

Sexual Equality In Sports

For this action project, In Policy I was assigned to write a letter discussing about a topic that I am most concerned about and write it to someone that will read this letter and make a change. I decided to choose Gender Equality on sports because I experience a lot of this when I play sports that mainly have only males. What I learned in this unit was about the three branches of government. I am most proud of choosing this topic and being able to express myself the way I want to and being able to let someone know what I think and what should be done and changed. The most challenging thing was researching and finding both sides of the stories.

April 25, 2015
The Honorable Barack Obama
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW,
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President:

What is it like to be a female who views herself as both a student and an athlete in the U.S.? Let me tell you, although their are plenty of sports to choose from, depending on the school you attend, there are still a lot of challenges and restrictions.I am asking you to craft a bill that will make all school sports (from elementary through college) on the same level of equity. Although, I do know the disadvantages that it takes upon females and males playing together in a sport. I know that it can be tough and frustrating for some males playing with females because some sports can be very aggressive and violent, in which some males wouldn’t like to hurt or play with a female because the sport is too aggressive.

As I was researching, Debates.org came up when I asked about “coed sports in high school”. The debate is whether “sports should be co-ed?” Yes or no. 63% voted yes and for 37% for no. This all depends on how females would feel in being a “male” sport, even having the privilege to play and experience. Boy and girls might be more comfortable with playing in the same sport. Boys tend to be afraid of hurting the female in the game. As a female I have experienced a lot of personal issues playing in a all male sports, like American Football. I love football and I like playing it but I have had issues where I got judged because I am a female and because I might just seem weak to them and not good enough.

I understand that this is a hard decision because males would prefer to play with their own gender because it might work best in their opinion. Despite the fact that males would prefer to play with the same gender I still think that Title IX plays a huge part in the United States. Us women have the right to participate and be in all types of activities no matter what gender, age and color you are. Women may get discouraged because on average they perform poorly in comparison with men; and that female sports are different from male sports. It is argued that all of these arguments are flawed. This decision will be up to all the females if they want to join a sport that they know mainly males play and that it might be aggressive.

The Declaration Of Athletic Sex Discrimination

For this unit, "1776" is based on arguing for independence. This course is called Argument and for this action project I was assigned to choose a topic that I would like to issue as a course in GCE. The topic I chose was on Sports Ed, obviously cause I love sports and I also love playing them too. I am most proud of learning from this topic and learning more about Title nine that I have never in my life heard of until I continued to go deeper into this topic. The most challenging is to really understand the Title nine, it seems so serious. The purpose of this action project is to think about topics or issues that will be courses that can be taken in the future at GCE and learn more about.
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I declare an independent study focused on exposing girls to traditionally male dominated sports. This is necessary because a lot of teenage girls are being discriminated in male sports, more in high school, programs and colleges. This is also necessary because Title nine defends all women from being rejected from any events in schools, programs and activities. We shouldn’t be denied to participate, no matter what. The course would be on an “Sports Ed”. It will be teaching students about different sports and about sex discrimination on girl and male sports. This course will be issued on the first term of sophomore year to get the students started in sports and how to treat their teammates in games. Playing fair should be the number one rule mentioned in the class, it’s a difficult task to take in hand and honestly people forget to play fair. This will be a steam & a humanities course. Women have the right to participate in any activities, programs that receive federal financial assistance. Title nine, gives us the protection on each principle mentioned above. “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.”

Sex discrimination is the argument to this upcoming independent study. This should be pursued because sex discrimination is awful and it should be learned and discussed to young teens so that as they grow older they know how to be respectful to others in sports and teach others to be nice. I think this should also be talked in high school for future purposes like, any sports or any sports after high school. The premises that support my argument is: (1) No co-ed football in some colleges or in any public open programs. (2) High school women athletes are higher than college women athletes. (3) Football not being a girl sport. (4) Males sports for just males.

My desired outcomes are for people to understand that sex discrimination is horrifically wrong and that it should stop because we as women have the defense against anybody or anything trying to reject us from any events we might want to be apart of or anything with the federal financial assistance. Students who are interested in sports and learning more about Title nine and making a change. This will be a great course for student with high interest in sports. I am an athletic girl and I love playing sports and being active. Whenever I play, I get discriminated a lot on my gender because I'm "supposedly" not good or I'm weak, because I'm a girl. I chose this argument because it's something I've been through and it's something hard to face alone, especially when you want to achieve in something you love doing and engaged in a lot and also being apart of a team and show people that even if you're a girl or women you're not weak and you're capable of doing what a man can do and be as strong as a man too. This argument began because it's a big issue in our age and generation. I've experienced it, seen it and also done it too. I am not going to lie, I sometimes do discriminate other girls for not being so athletic as me or for not putting the same effort. I know what I've done and I try to stop and make better decisions and show other girls that they're not alone and they can also be athletic like me. The structure of my argument is no matter what gender you are, you're capable to achieve, succeed and be better than anyone else. As long as put in your time, effort and commitment, then your good. If you practice you'll become more better and you'll be less seen as weak or not good as for others. For example, when I play catch or play a football game with guys. I get the look like "She can't throw", "Let me move on up, cause she might not throw as far", "She's a girl", "She doesn't know anything about Football". WRONG! Yes, I'm a girl but because I'm a girl doesn't mean I can't be good at something like a man can. It's sad to know that others put you down without even speaking, but as soon as I throw the ball I make them run and look at me like "Dang, how you do that?", "How you know how to throw?", "who taught you?" I get all these questions and compliments right after and it's okay but you still discriminated me because of my gender and that's why I want it to stop and change the way women are looked at in sports in our generation.

Here is a video that will help you understand more about Equality, sports and Title Nine. Enjoy!

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

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.

Stand by Me

For this class Ollywood I was assigned to choose a movie that would best suit me and would be able to watch. I chose "Stand by Me" by Rob Reiner. I was recommended by my teacher and so I watched it thinking probably it was going to be boring but at the end I really like it and now it's one of my favorite movies of all times. I think that this movie was great. I am really proud that I got to see this movie because it was fun to watch especially a movie from the 80's.

Hey, my name is J.R and I’d like to talk to you about a really great movie titled Stand by Me directed by Rob Reiner” This movie was released on August 8, 1986, The Main characters are Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman. Stand by Me is now one of my favorite top movies that I’ll always recommend to other people. I liked this movie very much because it used some cool film techniques and some of the kids lives were a mess because of their parents really stood out throughout the whole movie. They really expressed a lot of their emotions and that’s one thing that I really liked because it made me feel what they were going through.

This movie is about four young kids that go on an adventure trying to find a missing dead body. As, they go on their adventure they go through some challenges and also become more mature. These kids try to find a missing teenage boy that got hit by a train. When they` found out about the missing boy they thought that if they found him they probably will become hero’s and have their faces on tv and the newspapers. The boys really want to do something different and special with their lives, and some just want to get away from their terrible families.

In some scenes of the movie there were a lot of fade out (dissolve) editing cuts used, more in the parts where the boys were talking/walking together on the train tracks and well because the movie is one long flashback. So, it makes good sense that the film editors would use fade outs to capture these past moments. Another editing cut used effectively was the Eyeline Match used when the group of boys all started on their adventure and one of them mentions “Food” and none brought food so they start giving their money to Gordie to count. The editing here shows that Gordie is really the unofficial leader of the group by focusing our eyes on what he is doing as he collects all of the money as the one in charge. In addition, camera techniques including long shots and mid-shots of the train tracks were used in the scene when the boys debated whether they should risk taking the train tracks and getting killed by the train and jumping off but it was 100 ft. These camera techniques, along with the editing made me feel like I was part of the group.

Besides editing and camera angles, the soundtrack of “Stand by Me” included songs weren’t really that familiar to me because the story takes place during the late 1950s. The song that really stood out to me was “Lollipop” by: The Chordettes, which is played in the scene when the boys were walking in pairs singing lollipop and making the “POP” sound. The song actually matches the action in this scene, which is interesting because the soundtrack is part of the story, not just playing over it like in most other movies. Another powerful part of the soundtrack is the flute played in Ben King’s “Stand by Me” song which is played in the early part of the film and played again in a different beat at the end of the movie. which is “stand by me by: Ben King” This song is also the title of the film, which makes me think that the theme of is really important in the movie.

Some sound effects that really brought certain scenes to life and made the boys’ journey more realistic were crumbling rocks, barfing and gunshots.

The film focuses on the friendship of these boys, and since it is told as a flashback by the main character, Gordie, it seems to show the difference between childhood and manhood. There were many scenes that showed parts where it was childhood to manhood like when all four of them went together to find this missing dead body. Chris manning up in front of his brother when both his brother’s gang meet where they find the missing dead body.

I’d recommend this film because it shows a lot of friendship between these kids and shows lots of bravery and confidence in going on to an adventure to find a dead missing body together. The best part is that each one of them has each others back no matter what.

Thank you for reading!

The AJ & JR Show: There Will Be Blood Critique

In my elective course, Ollywood we focus on the components that makes a film come together. The second Action Project is a video critique about the 2007 drama film, There Will Be Blood. The purpose of this project was to give a general explanation of the plot, characters, framing, lighting, and also our personal experience of the movie in a video format with a partner. I'm proud of being with a peer, and to accomplish this assignment in this time frame we had. The most challenging part for my partner and I was the filming of the video, we had faced a lot of camera and tech issues while filming. Overall I would do it again with my partner! Below you can locate the rest of our project. I hope you enjoy it as my partner and I enjoyed making it.

Filming Info 

Movie Title: There Will Be Blood
Genre: Drama
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Release Date: December 26, 2007
Main Characters: Daniel Plainview By: Daniel Day-Lewis and Eli Sunday By: Paul Dano
Number of awards: 55

AJ and JR Show: There Will be Blood

        

Slideshow seen in the video above:

        

Thank you for your view! Click here for link to There Will be Blood movie trailer!

My Model Stage: Stage Chemistry

For this action project we were assigned to build our blueprint that we were also assigned to do for the first AP of stage chemistry. My first AP I chose to measure Fasseas in Menomonee Boys & Girls club. I Basically Measure throughout card board and cut and built Fasseas Stage that I drew on my blueprint. What I am most proud of is to have my stage built before everything is due and well, because it was a fun AP. As a follow up with my previous Action Project (Link) I had turned my blueprints into an 3D model, that you can locate below in a series of moving pictures.

For my first motion that I chose was a trap door that I cut in the middle of my stage. I chose to cut it in the middle of  my stage because I thought  it would be cool to have a person go through it while performing to get the audience to react some type of way. This trap door is made for actors (people) to make a good way out of the stage more like disappear. While someone is going through their scene they will usually go through the trap door to not make a plain exit from the stage, and they will usually end up in the bottom of the stage. As you can see on these to examples of the trap door on my stage this person weighs 135 pounds and the force being made on the trap door is 600.507 newton's same as the upward force on the trap doors. The way I found out how much force was given up and down the trap doors, with the persons weight. The person weighed 135 and so I multiplied it by 4.4482 and got 600.507 newton's which is the exact force for both ways (up and down).

JR. Going Through Trap Door. 2014

JR. Side View. 2014

For my second motion I chose was a pulley. I put my pulley above my stage so it can look like a real pulley and for the people that will be using it. I added a chair on the left so that a person can pull the person up and down and make it look like the person is above ground. Usually the person will wear a belt and that belt will be attached with the pulley to bring the person up and down. To make this pulley I made a hole on the top of the roof of my stage and inserted a loop to put in the rope to give my pulley some action.

JR. Pulley In Motion. 2014

Trap Door Safety Rules:

• Make sure your on time to go through the trap doors.
• Be careful how you land.
• Make sure the trap doors are unlocked.
• Fall the proper way in case something goes wrong.
• Trap door must be clear from the bottom (besides something comfy to land on) and top.
• If done using the trap door, please lock it so no one falls through it while walking on stage.
• Make sure their isn't nothing blocking the trap doors on stage.
• Don't fall head first while going through the trap doors.

JR. Safety Rule. 2014

Pulley Safety Rules:

• Make sure that you belt is clicked on and working good.
• When above ground don't touch the belt or release the buckle.
• Don't pull or grab on to the pulley rope.
• Don't get distracted while your about to get pulled up.
• Make sure to get your harness on before getting pulled up.
• Don't perform a weird stunt that will get you tangled while above ground.
• Chair man has to be strong and not get easily distracted.
• Make sure your weight is checked before using pulley.

JR. Safety Rule.2014

I used my blueprint to build my stage because when I created the blueprint with the measures of Fasseas and I needed those measurements for my stage. I also included a roof and also made my stage hallow so that way I have a better view of my trap doors I put on the top of my stage.

My Mathematical Formula For The Trap Door:

JR. Trap Door Mathematical Formula. 2014

The Beast of the Southern Wild

For my class Ollywood I was assigned to choose between five films to watch and write about the production design- the sets,costumes, and props of the film as well as identify the protagonist, antagonist, and other plot elements. I chose to critique the film  Beasts of the Southern Wild. I really liked the movie because it showed the positive things a child can do. I think that is very interesting that the movie was directed by someone who got inspired of the Hurricane Katrina.

Beasts of the Southern Wild is a film directed by Benh Zeitlin. The movie was filmed in Louisiana and released in the year of 2012. Young Hushpuppy lives with her father Wink in a little community on water with a small group of neighbors. Hushpuppy is only six years old and is curious about her mother who is missing, but is maybe alive somewhere. Wink is the only thing she has right now, but he’s extremely sick and is an alcoholic Hushpuppy is the protagonist of the film, and one of the quotes that best represents her character is when HUshpuppy says, “The whole universe depends on things fitting together just right.” I liked this quote because for her to be six and actually speaking this is pretty impressive; she seems to know a lot like an adult. The antagonists of the movie are the aurochs and the storm.It clearly has the residents on edge, as one. The little boy warned the others“ The storm is coming, the storm is coming, the storm is coming.”

Hushpuppy wants to find her mother and spend more time with her father, Wink. She tries to understand why her father acts the way he acts and what’s wrong with him. She questions herself about why her father doesn’t seem to want to be with her and pushes her away. She tries to understand him and talk to him but he’s always busy drinking and barely has time. She wants her father to stay healthy and be there with her. But, there’s a problem that happens. The storm get overly aggressive and floods the town, affecting a lot of the people in their own households. This storm infected most of the animals, leaving the people in the town to starve.  Hushpuppy’s desire is to leave on an adventure to find her mother. She wants to find out if her mother is still somewhere alive. She carries the hope with her even when her father tells her that she’s dead.  Meanwhile, the antagonists - the aurochs and the storm -  lead to the destruction of people, houses and constantly threaten the other characters and take over of Bathtub make Bathtub as their environment the entire community of the Bathtub.

The director, Zeitlin, was inspired to make the sets of Beasts after the crisis of Hurricane Katrina. That hurricane struck the Bahamas before passing to Southern Florida, then to the Gulf of Mexico and the southeast of Louisiana in late August of 2005. It caused severe destruction and left a lot of people injured, dead, and homeless. Beasts shows the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina through the sets and costumes. For example, the houses in the Bathtub were destroyed, garbage was floating on everywhere on the water, there weren’t enough animals to feed on just everything was a disaster from the beginning of the film . The characters who lived in the Bathtub wore the same clothes again and again -- often they were ripped, worn out, too-big boots and shoes. The outfits that the characters wore actually fitted with their personality it makes people think about who the person is.

Hushpuppy now knows that her father is ill and is soon going to die. The only way to not stay alone is to go on an adventure to find her dead mother. Hushpuppy and her friends, leave the hospital and make her company as she tries to find her mother.The scene that most stood out to me was was the ending of the film. The scene is when Hushpuppy’s father dies and Hushpuppy sets him on fire on the car boat onto the water. It really shows the courage, bravery and strength to actually do what she did. She now has to face the real world, being an orphan, also with the Aurochs taking over is a big deal for her. Not only that she’s an orphan but she also has her fathers neighbors that were his close friends. Hushpuppy now is on her own with no family.

Stolz, Kit. Meet the future, little girl. 2014.

Poverty

For this course, Populations last unit on if/then was based on over population and how it effects the world. I was assigned a project, to choose a topic on which applies to population growth and how that will also reflect on it's symbiosis. I chose poverty because I am more familiar with this topic and I like talking about it.

The symbiosis that will apply to poverty and the two interacting parties will be competition. The reason for choosing competition as the symbiosis is because United States and Congo are in competition of lack of jobs. The more the population grows the lesser jobs people have, which will make it harder for people to look for one.

Here is a picture of how much of the population growth will be in 2050.

JR. "Human Population Growth In A Geometric Sequence". 2014. Photography.

Right now the human population is 7,125,000,000 billion people. As a result of the prediction of the human population growth in 2050, is 10,715,465,520 more billion people

Here is also a script of Kevin and Cynthia conversing about the lack of jobs because of poverty and over population.

Kevin: Hey Cynthia! do you know any places where they’re hiring?

Cynthia: Certainly NOT! Good luck finding one.

Kevin: What do you mean?

Cynthia: Well, there aren’t enough jobs offerings for the amount of people here.

Kevin: Really? How do you know?

Cynthia: Look at the population and economy right now! Do you really think we have job offerings

for 7,125,000,000 people?

Kevin: Woah! that’s a lot of people

Cynthia: Did you know that the population in 2050 will grow to a maximum of 10 billion people, which people would want jobs and be in competition for jobs.

Kevin: I never knew that? tell me more.

Cynthia: it’s true and now people are going to struggle because of the lack of jobs that is going to happen from then to 2050. If I was you I would start researching and looking for jobs quick.

Kevin: Thanks, I will.

Spider Man The Ultimate Hero

For my Stories course, my class and I were assigned to pick a fictional hero and a non-fiction hero. We are to write a story about the 8 steps of a Hero's Journey and a non-fiction hero. The purpose of this action project analyze the journeys of both characters.

                                                    

Spiderman is a fictional hero, a superhero who appears in comic books that are published by Marvel Comics. I picked this hero because there was an episode of Ultimate Heroes on Netflix that caught my attention. I started to watch it, and I liked it a lot and chose Spiderman as my fictional hero.

For my non-fictional hero, I picked E.B who I met probably 3 years ago as a volunteer at a program called Inner City Impact (ICI). She became the discipline leader of the high school program on Fridays, which then i started to attend. I got very attached to her, we became very good friends. I chose to interview her because she is like a second mother to me.

 Hero's Fictional Journey

Call To Adventure

Spider man is at school one day, when the principal gets kidnapped by four frightful villains. Spider man has to rescue the students and principal and defeat the villains in order to bring back safety.

"spider man off to his adventure"

Mentor

Nick Fury is a secret spy who helps heroes improve their skills of responsibility and safety. He helps train Spider Man to fight villains and combat). Fury trains Spider Man to not be messy and to fight quickly against other villains.

'spider man and the frightful villains"

Threshold

Spiderman gives up after training and thinks that he can be responsible to and train himself to be fast and not messy. The four frightful villains capture Spiderman and Nick Fury’s four trained hero’s.

"Nick Fury telling Spider Man about the training"

Growth

Spiderman and Nick Fury's four heroes all now go to the same school so they can keep an eye on  Spider Man since he didn’t know how to properly and quickly fight against of fighting with villains

Ordeal

Spider man fights with the four frightful villains. He fights with the villains because they try to take him to kill him.

Reward

Spider man goes to Nick Fury for training and his heroes now go to Spider Man's school to protect him.

Atonement

Spider man uses Nick Fury's advice which was to give him a chance to be more quick and responsible while fighting as he trains

Return

Spider man now fights villains fast and not messy and responsible.

Hero's Real Journey

The Call

It is hard to say exactly what other people see in me, but from what others have said before, I believe that I am compassionate and really love deeply those who are in my life. I thrive from being available, loyal, and intentionally invested in the people I come to know. I believe that people and relationships are worth working for, which leads me to be quick to forgive and show grace to others.  I also feel very strongly about my convictions and faith, which is an area that causes some people to respect me.  

Mentor

I hope so! That is my goal at ICI! We desire to be as available as possible and build real relationships with kids, so that if/when a kid is looking for a mentoring relationship, we are available to fill that role! There are some kids that I spend more time with others, the ones I really connect with, and I would say that a few of them would think of me as their mentor! It was a combination of trial & error, and God opening and closing doors. I went to school for Social Work, and it was during grad school that I realized that as much as I loved social work, that there was more that I wanted to do and God opened a door for me to work at ICI.  Even though I wouldn't have expected to be here, I am so glad that I am!

Threshold

This is my first full-time job since graduating, but this environment is different in a lot of ways.  In this environment, I am surrounded by more people through my job that have the same passions and beliefs that I do, which allows me to feel supported and encouraged in the convictions and passions that I have. And Chicago offers way more diversity in people and culture than the areas I lived in before.  I love being able to learn from and be stretched from being in community with people from other cultures!

Atonement

One of the biggest challenges I ever faced was actually moving to Chicago.  I had never been to the city, and I moved here without really having any idea what I was getting myself into! It definitely required a step of faith and had lonely moments, but it was worth it!

Rebirth

Through that year of being in a new place and having to make new friends and reestablish myself, I really got to know myself in a new way.  I had more moments of being on my own, and not depending on others for my happiness.  I also saw that the plans God had for my life were better than what I could pick for myself! And like I said before, being in Chicago has allowed me to learn about other cultures first-hand, and understand my culture better, too.  

Return

It has allowed me to be more comfortable doing things on my own and knowing who I am. Which in turn, allows me to be a more sincere friend and truer to myself. It also allowed me to see that taking risks can sometimes be a good thing! Instead of trying to control every aspect of my life, I can trust that all things happen for a reason and be more open to go with the flow! If I had not been willing to take the risk of moving to Chicago and work for ICI, my life would look so different today! I wouldn't trade this season of my life for anything! 

Baelfire and The Book

For this unit lessons, I was assigned to make a fable with no human characters. We have also learned the different types of characters and what are fables meant to be and say. We were also assigned to read fables in order to get perspective to write one. Every fable has a story or message behind it that will inspire or will not inspire a person who reads it.

Once upon a time there was forest that was possessed with Horrible Creatures. There was a rabbit called Baelfire and a cat named Macho. When Baelfire was in the woods he found himself a book titled the "The Possessed Forest" and as he read everything to him seemed so real. The book had a pathway into the forest but no way out. It also had signs, pictures of rocks and trees, and weird creatures of the forest but no way out. So, Baelfire wanted to know more about this possessed forest and how it became and why it became that way. Baelfire and Macho were strong enemies, they didn't talk or bare to look at each other. While Baelfire was walking down the street looking for something to eat he saw Macho, walking down a path that Baelfire didn't know that was the way to the possessed forest. Well, Baelfire stood shocked because it was Macho and because they were best of friends. Baelfire started thinking about the book and what it said, he started to walk faster to see if he can catch up with Macho. While hiding through doors and buildings so Macho would not notice. finally Baelfire catch up to Macho and confronted him and told him to tell him everything about what this possessed forest is all about.

Macho said to him "This isn't possessed what are you talking about?". Baelfire stood very confused and kept asking question about it. Baelfire asked him "then why are you walking into the forest?" Macho answered "I'm trying to find some berries for the pies that I'll be making for the pie contest later." But, Baelfire didn't believe him one bit, staring at Macho weirdly. So Macho told him “Enough with your pathetic made up stories of yours” Baelfire got so angry that pushed him away and kept walking. Macho yelled and said “Okay and why are you asking about that possessed forest theory?”. Baelfire said "I was walking in the woods and found a book that said everything about a possessed forest here". Macho said "Let me see?" Baelfire "handed the book to Macho softly". Macho was so mad when he was reading everything. He said to Baelfire "you really think this is real?, this is a fable" Baelfire didn't care and tripped on a rock making him bleed so much that he panicked and fainted and eventually he woke up knowing at the end it was all a dream.

JR. Baelfire and The Book. (2014)

Jr. Baelfire and The Book. (2014)

The moral of the story is to not believe everything you see or read.

Murphy On Mars

For this class "Population", The unit From/to was based on the difference characteristics of animals and about natural selection. I was assigned to choose an animal that will be able to live in Mars. While I searched on the Anti-cruelty website, I thought to myself I will need a pet that will be furry and have long legs. As I scrolled down the page of dogs I saw a male dog named Murphy. I picked him because he had a somewhat thick coat and large legs. He is a Terrier/mixed and 9 years old. The purpose of doing this project was to chose an animal that best suits to be in Mars and so I did.

Mars is a planet made up of a iced rocky hard surface all around it. Freezing cold and dusty, it's also the fourth planet from the sun and the second smallest planet in the whole solar system. Mars can also be described as the "Red Planet" with a thin atmosphere.

I made a good and bad list of what is good to have and what's not good to have in a dog in order to survive in Mars. Murphy is a Terrier which means they are typically developed in Great Britain and Ireland. Some Terriers have large legs and bodies which are used for hunting badgers. Long ago, Terriers were crossed with hunting dogs, fighting dogs and others Terriers. They were mostly breed-ed with Hounds which is a type of dog that assists hunters by tracking or chasing the animals being hunted.

Here is old handsome Murphy

Murphy. 2014. Anticruelty.org

As you see here, Murphy has a lots of fur, large legs and medium size body. Which was something I was looking for in a dog. All these great features that Murphy has can really help him live in Mars. Having lots fur can keep him warm, large legs can help him run and heat up his body and from predators, and medium size body can also help because he's not to huge or too small an probably won't get tired fast. What I was not looking in a dog was no fur, short legs and no small body.

I took data from another 15 mixture of dogs on the website and collected all the years and found Murphy's Standard Deviation.

Standard Deviation Data

JR. 2014. "Standard Deviation Data". Photography.