GLO Portfolio

Hi mom, please take the time to view the website that i've made that will show you what i've done this year.

http://adara-pineda.wix.com/lastportfolio

Please leave a comment! "What did you learn about your child's achievements and experiences in MeneMac this past year?" Don't forget to log out...

This I believe final essay

Going through the early stages of childhood I always craved the presence and company of a friend. During playtime, I’d always make friends to keep myself from being alone. I wanted everyones acceptance. This trait didn’t seem to bother my parents. It wasn’t that annoying because I was just a kid and I'd probably out grow it. Little did I know that this was going to be part of a huge issue in my life. 

The beginning of the middle school era was a breeding ground for insecurities and dependent practices. Cliques began to form and the “populars” began their rein. You were either part of a group, or categorized as a “loner.” Before I knew it, the serene and calm school scene became a jungle full of ravenous creatures while I, was the lost adventurer.   I remember in a distant memory how I’d shuffle in my loose vans that my mom copped from Ross, how my belly would protrude when I’d look shyly down walking the hallways. I’d walk pass the kids wearing their well fitted skinny jeans, while their hair was in sync with the current fashion. I could feel their eyes follow me as I carried my load, like as if I was stealing something from the ninety-nine cent store: swiftly and ashamed. I could hear the muffled whispers that burst into quiet giggles. I walked as fast as I could, because running would be lame. 

This wasn’t enough though, for my insecurities would get the best of me. I’d pull back as my group of friends would laugh loudly during break time, observing the reactions of the students nearby. I knew that I wasn’t part of the cool crowd, but I really wanted to be. I always thought of having the cool people compliment me on how I looked, getting hugs, and getting likes on pictures that show everyone on facebook how awesome we are. As I look back I realize how shallow this all seems, but then these are the type of naive things you learn from that help you grow up.

Every child has heard it: “be yourself” but this quote is one of those, “it’s better said than done” kind of things. It was hard to fathom that the idea of being “you” would be acceptable in today’s society because, simply, you always wanted to be someone else. 

I could clearly remember me ranting to one of my friends about how inadequate I felt in my own skin.

“Honestly. I really think that if I wasn’t fat ----- would probably think I was pretty.” 

I forgot to mention that I was hopelessly in like with guys who thought I was peculiar.

“Maybe if I sucked in my stomach and bought those cute little hair clips that those girls wore.”

“I should really start exercising.” 

I was in seventh grade for crying out loud. My friends would confront me on how I was changing into a “girly girl”, “snobby” to be exact and how it was getting really annoying. That really made me step back and take a look at how I was acting. I, was becoming the type of person that I promised myself I would never be; pretentious, but most importantly, not myself.  I was becoming the person that made me feel like I wasn’t good enough. 

I think it’s true that one negative comment can make you forget all the good things that were said about you. I never really gave much thought about the qualities that made me, me. I perceived my unique qualities as blemishes and flaws. My amazing, genuine, caring, friends loved me for me. I would soon set-in-stone that belief because I am still close friends with them today. I was trying to fit the role in this play I was in. This thought reminded me of the time when I was watching Oprah and she quoted Oscar Wilde, “Be yourself, everyone else is taken.” I  realized then, that I was going to write myself into the script.

This I Believe Draft

Going through the early stages of childhood I always craved the presence and company of a friend. During playtime, I’d always make friends to keep myself from being alone. At home I’d always bother my mom with questions and stay in the same room with my sister. This trait didn’t seem to bother my parents: it wasn’t that annoying because I was a kid and, I’d probably out grow it. Little did I know that this was going to be an issue for me as I got older.

The beginning of the middle school era was a breeding ground for insecurities and dependent practices. Cliques began to form and the “populars” began their rein. Before I knew it, the serene and calm school system became a jungle full of ravenous creatures and I, was the lost adventurer.   I remember in a distant memory how I’d shuffle in my loose vans that my mom copped from Ross, how my belly would protrude when I’d look shyly down walking the hallways. I’d walk pass the kids wearing their well fitted skinny jeans, while their hair was in sync with the current fashion. I could feel their eyes follow me as I carried my weight, like as if I was holding a menstrual pad going to the bathroom: swiftly and ashamed. I needed my friends to make me feel at ease. 

This wasn’t enough though, for my insecurities would get the best of me. I’d pull back as my group of friends would laugh loudly during break time, observing the reactions of the students nearby. I knew that I wasn’t part of the cool crowd, but I really wanted to be. Every child has heard it: “be yourself” but this quote is one of those, “it’s better said than done” kind of things. It was hard to fathom that the idea of being “you” would be acceptable in today’s society because, simply, you always wanted to be someone else. 

I could clearly remember me ranting to one of my friends about how inadequate I felt in my own skin.

“Guys, honestly. I really think that if I wasn’t fat ----- would probably think I was cute.” 

I forgot to mention that I was hopelessly in like with guys who thought I was peculiar.

“Maybe if I sucked in my stomach and bought those cute little clips that those girls wore...”

“I should really start exercising.” 

I was in seventh grade for crying out loud. My friends would confront me on how I was changing into a “uptight girly girl” and how it was getting really annoying. That really made me step back and look at how I was acting. I, was becoming the type of person that I promised myself I would never be. I was becoming the person that made me feel like I wasn’t good enough. 

I think it’s true that one negative comment can make you forget all the good things that were said about you. I never really gave much thought about the qualities that made me, me. I focused on the unique traits what I perceived as flaws and blemishes. My amazing, genuine, caring, friends loved me for me. I would soon set-in-stone that belief because I am still close friends with them today. I was trying to fit the role in this play I was in. This thought reminded me of the time when I was watching Oprah and she quoted Oscar Wilde, “Be yourself, everyone else is taken.” I realized then, that I was going to write myself into the script.

Protest Poster

We are protesting about the transportation issue that Moanalua's G.E. (geographical exception) students are currently facing. Many G.E. students come from places as far as Waipahu, Kapolei, and even Waianae. Because of the lack of bus routes going to MoHS, our argument on having more bus routes pass through the saltlake area relatively close to the high school is reasonable because it can serve more than one purpose. Those who aren't G.E.'s that are coming from the leeward side can also use the new bus routes to get to town. Not only will this possible change be beneficial to the G.E.'s but to the people of Hawaii. 

Hunger Games Graphic

Black & White

I realized my values and that I haven't experienced a lot of these things that i've listed and I hope that I wont end up doing so into the future.

Poem Final Draft

The world was my oyster
my dreams could be reached
the impossible was attainable, it seemed

that's how I saw the world
beautiful, blissful, mine.

It was though, it was not enough
The smell of the earth that crumbled in my hand
The oxygen that filled my lungs
The sunsets that drew portraits in my head

In essence, I was a stranger to this planet 

Just like my bestfriend

I wanted to paint my masterpiece with the stars
Be able to breathe on the moon
Touch the galaxies with my fingertips

So then I felt the handlebars in my grasp
peddled as fast as I could
and whispered to my basket
"Home."

Poem Photoshop Draft

As you can see my draft is really raw, but imagine it really well done and edited that it looks like one picture.

Allusion Draft

The world was my oyster
my dreams could be reached
the impossible could be attainable, it seemed

that's how I saw the world
beautiful, blissful, mine.

It was though, it was not enough
The smell of the earth that crumbled in my hand
The oxygen that filled my lungs
The sunsets that drew portraits in my head

I wanted to paint my masterpiece with the stars
Be able to breathe on the moon
Touch the galaxies with my fingertips

So then I felt the handlebars in my grasp
peddled as fast as I could
and whispered to my basket
"Home."

Parent/child conference

1. What piece of writing did you like best in my portfolio and why?
2. What did you like about my portfolio and sharing and what would you like to see me improve on?
3. Which of the writing traits (ideas, organization, voice, word choice) do you feel was most successful for me?
4. Which of the traits of writing would you like me to improve on in the coming semester?

1. Out of all the work that has been presented to me in your portfolio, I'd have to say that I liked your coming of age essay and college essay. I knew you had struggles in your first year in MoHS, and I feel that you have connected with the reader your struggles and how you've matured. And you have matured. I also liked your college essay because it was real and you had creative details, and I'm sure the college admission officers would've enjoyed your essay.

2. I would like to see you work on your organization skills because even though you may have a lot of good examples, details, and so forth, you can organize them better.

3. Your voice and ideas are neck-at-neck. You surely can tell you wrote these essays, and that they were well thought of.

4. Like I said organizing, and word choice. You can expand your vocabulary by reading more.

Movie Review

American Meth (2008) is a documentary about how meth has become an epidemic in America. The movie showcases what meth is and what is has done to communities, families, and the lives of individuals. Especially the youth.

I feel that the documentary has done an exceeding job on covering all aspects of the drug. it covers the different viewpoints through interviews, a very well done job on interviews. From a journalism perspective, I could tell the director did a good job in asking questions. The documentary covered the emotinal damage Meth has done to many. There was also a segment shown on a family who both parents are hooked on the drug, also families who are all influenced by the drug. The documentary shows real life situations affected by Meth that instills fear and disgust in the viewers.

Although the content of the move is very informational and interesting, the quality of the videography isn't equally the same. A lot of the shots were shaky and the audio wasn't audible at times. Altogether, I believe that this documentary is worth watching if you want to get into the core Meth.

Angry Letter Draft

(my address)

Honolulu, Hawaii 96818

November 15, 2012

Oahu Transit Services

811 Middle Street

Honolulu, Hawaii 96819

Dear Oahu Transit Services,

I’ve been riding your buses on a regular basis since my freshman year in high school, and it’s been two years since: not to mention riding the bus to China Town when I was little with my grandma. Riding the bus has been a place of familiarity and it has been especially the bus drivers who’ve made the experiences enjoyable in the little ways. I appreciate the smiley greetings, heart-warming goodbyes, and the occasional small talks.

However the recent changes and current conditions have made my bus experiences difficult and uncomfortable. I’ve noticed that since the canalization of the route B bus has made rides on the 2 bus rides that I would dread. There are also many changes that have been made to other bus routes and I have no doubt that others have to affected as well. There are days where I would take the 3 bus into town from salt lake because the 32 bus only comes every hour. After waiting a long while, I would get unto a severely cramped number 2 bus, so cramped that passengers would be standing pass the yellow boundary line holding on to the sides of the bus for dear life. Sometimes there would be elderly struggling to stand up without falling between wide bus turns. If the B bus can’t be reactivated, it would do so much if there would be more 2 buses especially during the rush hours.

Not only has it been uneasy riding the 2 bus, but also when there would be times when I actually go to sit down, sometimes there would be a stench. At times I’ve seen cockroaches and bugs on the bus crawling around. Sadly I’ve also seen grafitti, and parts of the bus like the windows that need to be taken cared of. I know that some of these things listed may seem like the least of your problems but I feel that like Oahu’s buses should also be cared for more. This is one of the major forms of transportations on the island and citizens should feel confident when riding them.

I still continue to frequently ride the bus despite these problems, and so do thousands of other citizens. But I feel that you should take these suggestions and opinions, even those besides me because changes towards these problems would drastically improve the travels of your passengers.

Sincerely,

Adara Pineda

Risky Business Draft

Although meth is a serious and life threatening drug, the plummet of meth use doesn't make it less of a danger to a young individual.

Meth is a central nervous system drug that over stimulates the body and makes the body addictive to the drug. It releases high levels dopamine to the brain. Dopamine is usually acquainted with the feeling of motivation, reward, experience of pleasure, and motor skills. Because of the high levels of dopamine, meth users experience a rush of euphoria that is addictive. This drug has a negative effect on the brain structurally and functionally. These problems usually continue to exist even after one stops taking meth, if they can stop.

Surveys have shown that the meth epidemic is decreasing, causing many to believe that it's okay to let our guards down against this part of war on drugs. Studies done by The National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that marijuana use rose among Americans from 5.8 percent in 2007 to 6.9 percent in 2010. That's more than 17.4 million American teens and adults. Math user rates have done done substancially by nearly half, 731,000 users to 353,000 in 2010. We may believe that the meth epidemic is slowly going to dissipate but the fight isn't over.

Surveys done by NCSL show that teens find it easier then expected to be in possession of meth than adults. More than a quarter of high school students seniors out of the US population (28.3%) say that it was either "fairly easy" or "very easy" to obtain "crystal meth" if they wanted to. This can be shocking news to parents especially when they come to realize that their child might be that 28.3%

We may believe that the cause of the meth epidemic from the beginning are the meth dealers. Although this is partly true, it is in fact the victims fault into falling into this trap. According to surveys reported by CBS news, not only is it easy for young individuals to be in possession of the drug, teens have no fear of the drug and actually believe that there are actually benefits.

This is why it is important to make aware the danger and risks of this drug: it is easy for an epidemic like this to be hidden right under your nose.

Brainy pix

College essay: very broad prompt

“In the personal statement, applicants have an opportunity to present themselves creatively, in a way that would not otherwise appear in the application. The statement provides the opportunity to showcase critical thinking and analytical skills in a creative format. Many students begin this statement with an anecdote about themselves, their family, a unique time in their lives, their discipline, or the world around them. An anecdote allows a writer to give a strong narrative opening, hooking the reader in the first paragraph by providing a unique slice of life which can illustrate both the applicant’s individuality and thoughtfulness.”

It's 4 o'clock and I'm on my couch digging my hands through the cushiony seats, my hands searching for the remote. I really should be doing homework but this is far more important.

My family's old so-not-a-flat-screen tv shows a familiar face. An African lady with a short updo is cheerfully walking into the the stage. The crowd has a variety of races, mostly women. 4 o'clock was the time of day where I'd get my daily dose of deep thinking that made you go "aha".

See, I was only 11 when I started to watch the Oprah show, National Geographic, Animal Planet and many interesting and diverse TV shows. Kids my age were often watching a yellow sponge and a pink dimwitted starfish for 3 hours. Since I could remember my thirst for knowledge has always been something that made me tick. Most kids would read "Captain Underpants" while I would be borrowing some Charles Dickens. Of course a dictionary would come along with it. Most kids would talk about cars and toys, while I enjoyed sharing my fun facts on how there was a Gorilla named "Koko" who knew sign language .  I liked to tell stories. Most kids would play with other kids in the neighborhood, while I'd be stuck inside my house because my parents were over protective. I would be stuck writing consuming thoughts in my journal: thoughts like "could I make enough money to buy a space ship before I die?" This is what kid of child I was. I'd like to think that of my way of thinking as a child contributed positively to the well-oiled machine I am today.

My world was colorful as a child and today I try my best to scrape what's left on my palette. I've been introduced to so many things that have challenged my love for learning.

Life instead became the ocean, slowly eroding away the foundation of my inspiration. It only has been recent that I found my muse and now I can see in color. I know what I want to do. I want to venture out into the world and see how a new environment can change me. How I, under the different pressures will evolve intro a new and complete person. As a child I always loved math and hoped one dy to be an engineer to create and innovate. I want to lean, thrive and do what I love for a living. I believe that I can find this in Colombia Univeristy.

Word Choice Graphic

Frantically, Millie scurried towards safety shuffling her feet almost falling down. Moments later an explosion filled the air ringing her hearing. Black evil looking clouds rose into the air making her breathing hard.

College essay question

UCLA

UC Berkley

Columbia University

UC Berkey's essay/prompt:
1. Explain the world you came from-- for example, your family, community, or school. And tell us how Your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations.

2. Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment that makes you proud and how does it relate to the person that you are?

CA- Poster Draft

Becoming of Age Draft

I’m walking down unfamiliar but beautiful territory with my out-of-the-box shoes, and new bag. I can’t help but clutch dearly unto the blue material that hangs close to me. I try to stride coolly tilting my head up hoping that people don’t look at me funny. I scold myself, “I can do it! Calm down, its only your first day.” Indeed it is, but I can’t help but feel anxious, anticipating the next classes where I’ll meet the people that will be with me throughout my high school career. An irritating ring fills the crisp summer air reminding me how at this time, I could be sleeping. Before I could take a look at my schedule the sound of hundreds of student’s footsteps resound. I make my way quickly on the side so that I don’t embarrassingly block the way. I find out my classroom and I stride, stride.

I open the door and air-conditioned air brushes my face. I see a couple of people in their seats, no one close to each other conversing. I slowly walk over to an empty table and I see a short Japanese lady smiling at me. I smile back greeting her nervously— she’s probably my CAP teacher. I take a good look at the people in the room, like everyone else they’re just sitting there. Thinking. Maybe they were thinking about if they were going to make friends. Wait, they probably have friends and I’m the only one who’s talking to myself like this. I take out my schedule trying to look busy.  I never really had to make friends all my life, until this day. I grew up with the same people and everyone was friendly. Social skills: I have them but being in a new environment and new people, I get self aware of how I speak and how I look.

“Class! Welcome to your CAP class you’ll be having this class for your four years in high school…” My mind drifts, “Four years, I wonder if there’s anyone here who I’ll end up hanging with. That’s if I’m not scared to start a conversation.” The teacher interrupts my thoughts, “Okay, we’re going to head to the gym where we’re going to have an assembly with the sophomores.” 

As I walk into the gym with my class, there are tons of people. I squirm my way unto the bleachers people left and right bumping me and conversation is all I hear. I sit in the minimal ventilated room and listen to my thoughts. I have to start a conversation. I look to the right to me and there’s a girl next to me, I remember she’s my CAP. She was on her phone or something. I have to do something that I’ve never done before. “Just say hi, my goodness.” But all at once all my thoughts and fears come down on me. What if she thinks I’m weird? What if I can’t carry on the conversation? What if there’s something on my face? I wipe my face. “Just do it Adara, no big deal. You’ll regret it if you don’t”. “Hi, you’re in my CAP right? I’m Adara.” The girl stares at me blankly, and then turns into a smile. “Hey! I’m Alex.” I finally did it! “Cool.” …Now what? “So, what school did you come from?” I think quickly. Very smart, she probably went to Salt Lake. “Actually I’m from Aiea and I went to Aliamanu.” “So how’d you get your G.E.?” I ask eagerly. I was actually getting somewhere. “I’m in this thing called meneMAC.” A light bulb lights up. I start to get excited. “Really?! Me too!” And the rest was history.

From this event on forward I started to develop into a different and better kind of person. I started to slowly become comfortable and confident with myself. I can introduce and talk to new people. I came a more independent person because I was alone. I learned that if you put away your doubts and worries and go for the things you want, you will far. 

Blog Revision Thoughts

My freshman blog, and my Sophomore blog have completely distinguished each other as two blogs that have been manned by different people. As you can see, although the blog has changed in design the blog now and the blog before were similarly simple. My Sophomore blog I can say has more color and life into it, just like I am now. I used to be shy and quiet in my freshman year always self conscious about my actions when in reality, the littlest actions did not matter. I'd also like to point out the parallel between my past and current blog titles. My freshman title was "Deliberated Thoughts", this showed that in my Freshman year all my thoughts were thought out really well and hard. In essence, I wanted perfection, what others define "well thought of". I was hesitant in expressing my thoughts on a different level. Now my title says quietly but boldly, "Thoughts Expressed". This means that now my thoughts from now on are expressed, unfiltered, and raw. Of course though, it will be written well. These are my thoughts on my blog revision.