Interludes on a musical album serve a number of purposes, but one of their more significant purposes is to provide a cushion to listeners as they transfer from one idea in their album to the next. It's meant to give provide a cohesive experience, but never forget; it's a change in ideals. Semester 1 of my sophomore year is an interlude in both my educational career and my life. It's where much of what I think and much of how I perceive a lot of things in life are radically changing, with new perspectives and new ideas. This portfolio details the various significant developments I've made, both educationally and personally. Please enjoy going through my first semester sophomore year portfolio.

Portfolio




IMPORTANT NOTE: Make sure parents answer as a comment to this post. Please label at the top of comment Student name and Parent(s) name.


Parent(s) will answer the questions below:
What piece of writing did you like best in my portfolio and why?
What did you like about my portfolio and sharing and what would you like to see me improve on?
Which of the writing traits (ideas, organization, voice, word choice) do you feel was most successful for me?
Which of the traits of writing would you like me to improve on in the coming semester?

Be sure to let your parents/guardians know that this post serves two purposes
It is an opportunity for them to comment on your learning and growth.
Your sharing of the portfolio should enable your parents/guardians to reflect and respond to the four questions above.

UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television (University of California Los Angeles)

Although not technically an ivy league school, it’s still arguably one of the best in the state and perhaps among the top 25 at least, in the country. Going here for the education alone isn’t my intention, though. Many prosperous and recognized individuals in various industries were alumni from this school; alumni from this area. Countless people that I look up to that are very talented in film or television have gone to this school or have lived near the area. Meeting people who have the same intentions that you do in terms of what you want to do in life is no hard task, as there’s millions that would want to pursue the same passions you are pursuing.

Prompt

2. Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.
Things to consider: What does creativity mean to you? Do you have a creative skill that is important to you? What have you been able to do with that skill? If you used creativity to solve a problem, what was your solution? What are the steps you took to solve the problem?

How does your creativity influence your decisions inside or outside the classroom? Does your creativity relate to your major or a future career?

UCLA Prompt

Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.

UCS College of Arts and Letters (University of California Sacramento)

California is where I was born. I want to go back to truly experience what life is like in the golden state, because from what I understand from the various anecdotes I was given, there’s endless opportunities and millions of people to meet. I do believe that a little bit of city life is great, but I don’t think I could handle an intense lifestyle in somewhere like Los Angeles. Sacramento offers that balance.

Prompt
4. Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.

Things to consider: An educational opportunity can be anything that has added value to your educational experience and better prepared you for college. For example, participation in an honors or academic enrichment program, or enrollment in an academy that’s geared toward an occupation or a major, or taking advanced courses that interest you — just to name a few.

The Los Angeles Film School

3 out of the 5 colleges I selected were located in California. There’s no denying that California is one of the major centers for film/digital media. Hollywood is close to the school, and Los Angeles city life offers the bustle that Honolulu has, but amplified. I know I stated that I probably couldn’t handle Los Angeles lifestyles, but I can’t say that it’s hard without experiencing it.

UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television (University of California Los Angeles)

Although not technically an ivy league school, it’s still arguably one of the best in the state and perhaps among the top 25 at least, in the country. Going here for the education alone isn’t my intention, though. Many prosperous and recognized individuals in various industries were alumni from this school; alumni from this area. Countless people that I look up to that are very talented in film or television have gone to this school or have lived near the area. Meeting people who have the same intentions that you do in terms of what you want to do in life is no hard task, as there’s millions that would want to pursue the same passions you are pursuing.

Prompt
2. Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.

Things to consider: What does creativity mean to you? Do you have a creative skill that is important to you? What have you been able to do with that skill? If you used creativity to solve a problem, what was your solution? What are the steps you took to solve the problem?

How does your creativity influence your decisions inside or outside the classroom? Does your creativity relate to your major or a future career?

RHSD (Rhode Island School of Design)

Trying something new and simply not sticking to whatever I've done before is usually my most effective way of changing. Rhode Island is across the entire USA. Being next to Maryland, and the school being known as one of the more proficient schools that teach design, I think you can't really go wrong if I choose to pursue a career that starts in the state.

Prompt
The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

UHM Department of Art & Art History (University of Hawaii Manoa)

The closest to home. Honestly, if going to another place in the world would prove to be too difficult for me due to being so homesick or being too scared to venture, UH is not a bad college to consider. I can support my parents from here without suffering from racking up too much debt, while being able to get into the industry of design at the same time.

KCC Digital Media Arts Program (Kauai Community College)

This island is sleepy, yet, the most beautiful place I’ve visited. If Oahu was Hawaii’s New York, then Kauai is Hawaii's Montana, in a way. It can get boring, with what feels like just one road that goes throughout the entire coast of the island, but it’s the kind of place where you can really get attached to because everything just feels so perfect. The college itself is very affordable, the industry of digital media in the island is primitive with minimal competition (which may make career-finding easier), and my father lives somewhat close to the college.

    It’s just the three of us. We were the only children in this tiny village of ours in Congo. We knew the Republic was one to take children to employ as soldiers. We didn’t know that they’d find us. Our parents told us to stay hidden. Not a sound, not a peek. The sound of the wheels stopping and braking directly outside our household and the households of all the other families in our village. The commanders demanding the same thing over and over; “Your children”. They had a gun to our father’s head. We’d already lost our mother, and I didn’t want our only parent left to leave us. So I went. I was the oldest of the three; 5 years, in fact. They couldn’t possibly have taken our other two. Too young to wield a gun. So I made a request; take me, but not my brothers. I told the middle child in our family to hold our youngest back, should he chase after me. He understood, but he still cried. It was the most I’ve seen them cry. It wasn’t rain that shed from their eyes; it was a river. We drove off. It’s likely the last time I will see them.



    Maroon and white. Every school in our district instantly recognized our school’s colors. Not because we had star players or that our mascot was dope; it was because we were the worst team in the district. Like, 0-12 for the past three seasons. It was ridiculous. But somehow, something changed. We weren’t the top team, but we made playoffs. Then we climbed, and climbed, and all of a sudden; we’re against the top team. First seed. We had one plan that night; to play our hearts out. We broke the curse of losing, so why not gain our first championship? And that’s exactly what we did. We threw our arms in the air, shouting “Colorado!” The trophy in our hands, shining ever so bright in the face of all the hardship we’d already been through. All these players; it was a pleasure to coach them.

Coming of Age, in essence, is supposed to mean the transition from one's adolescence to adulthood. With this poster, I tried going with the "yin-yang" approach. The left half is corrupted, it's flowers blue; it's theme generally quite dark. The right is pure, it's flowers true colors are presented, and it's theme is a lighter and "happier" than it's counterpart.

It isn't fortitude, it's stubbornness

    Hatred is a strong motivator. Perhaps, even the strongest. Like all other adolescents, I was stubborn. One to hold on to what I believe in, no matter what. I did things the way that I preferred them to be done because it was what I knew; what I was most accustomed to, even if it might not have been the best or wasn’t the most efficient. It was the kind of stubbornness where if you tell me the sky is blue and I thought otherwise, I’ll forever believe the sky is not blue. One might say that I had too much freedom to garner such an attitude, or that my parents didn’t raise me very well if I had such a mentality. In some ways, they’re both true. See; I grew up without a father for a majority of my life so far. The only reason why that I know of was for his company. We were a burden, and that burden prevented him from getting his company off the ground. After all, he was raising two children at the time; my brother, who was born before my father met my mother, and me. At the time, it was the only one that I could live with. It was the idea that my grandmother and mother had taught me, even if I knew there had to be something more to it than that.

    For the three teenage girls, it was a miraculous experience to witness what was going on. Winning tickets from Ellen DeGeneres to fly out to California was one thing. It was another to be able to attend the Jeff Bernat concert was another. Every time their singer; their idol hit a high note, tears flowed down from their eyes. JoAnn, with her admission strip tightly strapped to her arm and her visibly distinctive blue shirt, reached out in hopes of grabbing Bernat’s attention. As for Martha and Samantha, however, it was too overwhelming for them to even fathom how close they were to their favorite artist. To say that this day was something they’ll remember is an understatement, for this was an event that will remain imprinted within their minds for their lifetime.


    Grandma Esther was never one to live out what could possibly be her last several years in the comfort of her own home. But she couldn’t walk or stand for long periods of time, so a lot of the things that she wanted to do on her bucket list had to be brought to her. Esther wanted wield a gun, just to see how it felt like. We brought her an empty revolver. She gripped it with such ridiculous form; with one hand cupped under the other in which gripped the handle. Being the critical gun owners that we are, we lightly expressed our concern for why she held it that way. She merely laughed it off with a big smile on her face; the kind that makes your eyes seem closed. It was the last of her years, and she wanted to spend them without a care in the world.


    1 year, 2 months, 4 days, and 13 hours. That’s how long I’ve waited to see my children. They’ve grown so much, but they remember their father; something that not a lot of men in the military can experience when they’re deployed after their children have only known them for such a small amount of time. But they recognized me immediately. I embraced my daughters; Susan, the older of the two, clinging on to my right arm as Julie; the little one, took up the right side of me as I knelt down. My children, my wife, and my large American-type house welcomed me home. If this isn’t the American dream for a man in the military, I don’t know what is.

It isn't fortitude, it's stubbornness

    Hatred is a strong motivator. Perhaps, even the strongest. Like all other adolescents, I was stubborn. One to hold on to what I believe in, no matter what. I did things the way that I preferred them to be done because it was what I knew; what I was most accustomed to. One might say that I had too much freedom to garner such an attitude, or that my parents didn’t raise me very well if I had such a mentality. In some ways, they’re both true. See; I grew up without a father for a majority of my life so far. The only reason why that I know of was for his company. We were a burden, and that burden prevented him from getting his company off the ground. After all, he was raising two children at the time; my brother, who was born before my father met my mother, and me. At the time, it was the only one that I could live with. It was the idea that my grandmother and mother had taught me, even if I knew there had to be something more to it than that.

    That was the start of what I consider to be a mistake. To listen to one side and ignore the other. To hold an irrational grudge based off how the “cover of the book” looked. But such hate couldn’t be any more fueled than the day where I learned that I had a younger step brother. So I thought; “How? I mean, how could it be that he couldn’t have told me directly, rather than for me to learn about it through my mother?” The more I thought about it, the more negativity I invited to poison my perception of my father. He left but stayed in touch every so often. He knew where I lived and how I was doing. His company had been growing exponentially in success. He even created another child. Yet he was unable to even financially compensate for leaving us; the least that he could do for all the damage he caused. Because of that, my mother had to sacrifice some time with her children for a promotion, for a raise; for an extra climb up the corporate ladder in order to make us--my brother, my grandparents, and myself--”happy”. So not only did I miss out on having a father-figure, I lost a bit of what it’s like to have a mother that’s always present.

    And for all that time that I had to amass all that anger, I decided to meet this child. He was my step-brother after all. He may not understand anything that I was going to tell him, but I know that any child could understand emotion. Rage. But when I met him, all of that infuriating emotion that I had for my dad’s side of the family simply ceased to exist in that moment. It was just a sudden realization of how my anger would simply be a displeasure for him, and would have damaged the relationship that he and his father had so far. I realized that this grudge that I’ve held for so long; it was stupid. So irritation wasn’t an emotion I wanted to have on my face as this young step-brother of mine met me for the first time. I simply interacted with him, like an older brother. All that I showed him was the enjoyable side of me. No spite, no malicious remarks; just sibling to sibling interaction.

    In retrospect, I knew that I still had to talk to my father about everything that’s happened and why he wasn’t involved. Though the reasons he had weren’t entirely justifiable, it was understandable. It made me realize that although all that hate can easily cloud one’s judgement, both sides have to be looked at and given a fair chance before any real conclusion can be drawn. Yes; I still had some anger for him, but that child and his current state of obliviousness made me despise the use of hatred to motivate myself. Not only would it have made it harder to move forward, it simply wouldn’t have enabled me to transition out of my adolescent mindset. The kid should know, eventually. When he has matured, I know that both me and my father will talk to him about why I don’t live with him, yet I’m his brother, and all of the other complications that a child of his age wouldn’t be able to comprehend. For now though, I have to show to him, as an older brother that he looks up to, that clinging on to one’s ideals and refusing to change in face of contradicting evidence isn’t fortitude; it’s stubbornness.

1235 Ala Kapuna Street
Honolulu, HI, 96819
September 26, 2016

Department of Education
1390 Miller Street
Honolulu, HI 96813

1235 Ala Kapuna Street
Honolulu, HI, 96819
September 15, 2016

Department of Education
1390 Miller Street
Honolulu, HI 96813


Dear Hawaii’s Department of Education administration,

As a student, I am directly affected by the changes in which you make to the schooling system in Hawaii. The schools themselves definitely have a part in terms of how well they can educate their students, but the DOE is the centerpoint in which every school here must base their standards and curriculum around.

I’m thoroughly pleased with the standards that you set for students in Hawaii schools, as well as the accommodation that you have for every student. However, I question that claim, as a left-handed student. Over the course of my entire high school and middle school education, I’ve experienced having to use right-biased desks very frequently. It has been growing increasingly frustrating, as students such as myself who use them face a wide variety of the difficulties that come along with right-biased desks. When having to take notes, write, or perform really anything on the desk that requires use of specifically my left hand, my wrist must form into a “hook” due to right-biased arm rest. This “motion” requires me to twist my entire body in such a way that results in very poor and awkward posture. The shoulder and neck are especially victims of this, though, the back may also experience some pain if severe enough. Poor posture, when paired with an educational environment whose time is very limited, can definitely hinder left-handed individuals and their ability to perform well on tests or any written assignment that’s timed.

Speaking of tests, although I have never been accused of cheating on an exam or anything of the likes, I can definitely see that being a problem with left handed students using right-biased desks. The adjustment that left-handed students have to make in order to write can definitely seem as if they are turning to observe another student’s paper.

A proposal could be including left-handed desks in schools. However, the problem there is the fact that there aren’t many individuals who possess this trait, so it wouldn’t make sense to have desks that serve a small fraction of a school. Instead, non-biased desks or even simply tables and chairs would serve as a solution to the difficulties that left-handed students experience.

It’s a pleasure to have you folks at the DOE as the leaders of education in our state, but I find that this nonsensical aspect of the educational experience should be addressed in the future.

Sincerely,



Coby Shimabukuro-Sanchez

The Blind Gray Matter of Today’s Generations

    Generations all have some kind of unique quirk, issue, or event that is related to them. Today, that “quirk” is acceptance into society through the medium that is social media. The most recent generations (chronologically called the “Millennials” and “Generation Z”), were ones that have been raised in the new age of technology. With it, comes the ability to essentially transform, say, or do whatever they seek. But as revolutionary as it sounds, social media has already developed to a point where it cultivates envious mindsets. Although the concept of “acceptance into society” on social media can bring some positive aspects out of humanity (specifically it’s teen demographic), it’s detrimental to teens as it will often times cause a loss of self-esteem and motivation, obsessions over virtual “points” (likes, comments) and overall promotes an envious attitude, and will often times decrease a person’s authenticity.

    Social media acts as a double-edged sword. While being able to connect everything and everyone together, means that so many things are intensified. Everyone can see everything. Thus, even the “severity” of reactions are increased. When teens view posts of other individuals, they put their self-esteem at risk every time they check social media. If there is an absence of any feedback on a post on Instagram or a status update on Facebook, teens will especially feel ignored, resulting in a decrease in their self-worth. As Dr. Archibald and Sylvia Hart state in their book “The Digital Invasion” about how technology is shaping people around the world, social media can easily turn into an environment where “success to feel diminished and failures amplified.” (Plett). A loss in self-esteem and depression are often related to social media usage. Thus, this “snowball” can keep rolling and can lead to a whole onset of other negative emotions.

    However, this can take a different path; it can turn into a competition. Teens œcan obsess over virtual “points” and unreasonably catering to them; a “1-up”-ing type of environment. In a survey done by Pew Internet of 600 Facebook users, 30% of respondents described to have a negative emotional state after browsing due to having jealousy of others more lavish lifestyle in relation to them--a clear display of how life satisfaction decreases as envy for others increases (Lenhart). To solve this, teens will comply with and cater their profiles and accounts towards what’s performing best. According to the same survey done by the above organization, about 40% of teens felt pressured to preserve posts that will be popular and makes oneself appear good to others. This is measured in the amount of likes, the type of feedback, or even the rate at which they are getting them. Teens are sacrificing individuality and heeding to what they believe will get them “accepted”.

    Unfortunately, that sacrifice will in turn decreases the a teen’s authenticity--to fit the standard that they want to be accepted into. Most individuals, however, don’t necessarily realize that. As the book “Authenticity and How We Fake It” by Aaron Duplantier puts it: Someone who seems to have a life on the exterior through posting about it daily will appear authentic, but only to viewers (Duplantier 71). It’s no doubt that social media can do many amazing things. However, that includes being able to curate another version of oneself. According to Pew Internet (who in which has conducted quite a lot of polls on the subject matter), about ¾ of teens that use social media believe that there is indeed a divide between what their peers’ online and offline personality in terms of authenticity (Lenhart). Another poll says that half of teens see posts about events that another individual weren’t invited to, further sharpening the line between what’s true and what’s not. Their seeking to be accepted creates a contrast that arguably nothing other than social media has imposed upon teens of today.

    However, one cannot deny that the concept of acceptance on social media and the internet in general has provided both adolescents and adults with new capabilities; the main benefit being that it allows people of shared interests to connect and interact with each other. In the professional environment, it can serve very well for teens in their future. As journalist Kelsey DeGideo points out on her article titled “Social Media: New Form of Acceptance?”, “Self promotion is something that is essentially required in this time for young people who are graduating and entering the workforce” (DeGideo). She personally has been asked by employers provide social media accounts for her employers to check through so that they get an idea of what DiGideo would be aside from how they would typically do before social media. Reach Out, an organization designated to help the mental health of young people, describes it as a way of “delivering educational outcomes; facilitating supportive relationships; identity formation; and, promoting a sense of belonging and self-esteem” (ReachOut). In some cases, the above is true in it’s ability to potentially develop the minds of teens.

    Yet, given its potential benefits, the concept of being “accepted” on social media is much more easily capable of being a detriment to teens rather than a blessing. It can promote, breed, and enrich the connection between teens and their ability to thinking, working, and acting together, as well as potentially improve their ability to transition into the workforce. However, it has a lot of potential to cause teens to lose their self-esteem, become consumed over the pressure to have a certain amount of internet “points”, and lose their authenticity All not in the best interest of parents or teens (the latter of which may not realize what they are doing). Social media and the internet has only been around for an extremely small portion of humanity’s existence, so the sample size current analysis are being done on is still quite minimal. However, it’s effects thus far will likely permeate well into the current and future generations; both its benefits and detriments.

Channel BLUE

    Generations all have some kind of unique quirk, issue, or event that is related to them. Today, that “quirk” is acceptance into society through the medium that is social media. The most recent generations (chronologically called the “Millennials” and “Generation Z”), were ones that have been raised in the new age of technology. With it, comes the ability to essentially transform, say, or do whatever they seek. But as revolutionary as it sounds, social media has already developed to a point where it cultivates envious mindsets. Although the concept of “acceptance into society” on social media can bring some positive aspects out of humanity (specifically it’s teen demographic), it’s detrimental to teens as it will often times cause a loss of self-esteem and motivation, obsessions over virtual “points” (likes, comments) and overall promotes an envious attitude, and will often times decrease a person’s authenticity.

    Social media acts as a double-edged sword. While being able to connect everything and everyone together, means that so many things are intensified. Everyone can see everything. Thus, even the “severity” of reactions are increased. When teens view posts of other individuals, they put their self-esteem at risk every time they check social media. If there is an absence of any feedback on a post on Instagram or a status update on Facebook, teens will especially feel ignored, resulting in a decrease in their self-worth. As Dr. Archibald and Sylvia Hart state in their book “The Digital Invasion” about how technology is shaping people around the world, social media can easily turn into an environment where “success to feel diminished and failures amplified.” A loss in self-esteem and depression are often related to social media usage. Thus, this “snowball” can keep rolling and can lead to a whole onset of other negative emotions.

    However, this can take a different path; it can turn into a competition. Teens can obsess over virtual “points” and unreasonably catering to them; a “1-up”-ing type of environment. In a survey done by Pew Internet of 600 Facebook users, 30% of respondents described to have a negative emotional state after browsing due to having jealousy of others more lavish lifestyle in relation to them--a clear display of how life satisfaction decreases as envy for others increases. To solve this, teens will comply with and cater their profiles and accounts towards what’s performing best. According to the same survey done by the above organization, about 40% of teens felt pressured to preserve posts that will be popular and makes oneself appear good to others. This is measured in the amount of likes, the type of feedback, or even the rate at which they are getting them. Teens are sacrificing individuality and heeding to what they believe will get them “accepted”.

    Unfortunately, that sacrifice will in turn decreases the a teen’s authenticity--to fit the standard that they want to be accepted into. Most individuals, however, don’t necessarily realize that. As the book “Authenticity and How We Fake It” by Aaron Duplantier puts it (paraphrasing here): Someone who seems to have a life on the exterior through posting about it daily will appear authentic, but only to viewers. It’s no doubt that social media can do many amazing things. However, that includes being able to curate another version of oneself. According to Pew Internet (who in which has conducted quite a lot of polls on the subject matter), about ¾ of teens that use social media believe that there is indeed a divide between what their peers’ online and offline personality in terms of authenticity. Another poll says that half of teens see posts about events that another individual weren’t invited to, further sharpening the line between what’s true and what’s not. Their seeking to be accepted creates a contrast that arguably nothing other than social media has imposed upon teens of today.

    However, one cannot deny that the concept of acceptance on social media and the internet in general has provided both adolescents and adults with new capabilities; the main benefit being that it allows people of shared interests to connect and interact with each other. In the professional environment, it can serve very well for teens in their future. As journalist Kelsey DiGideo points out on her article titled “Social Media: New Form of Acceptance?”, “Self promotion is something that is essentially required in this time for young people who are graduating and entering the workforce”. She personally has been asked by employers provide social media accounts for her employers to check through so that they get an idea of what DiGideo would be aside from how they would typically do before social media. Reach Out, an organization designated to help the mental health of young people, describes it as a way of “delivering educational outcomes; facilitating supportive relationships; identity formation; and, promoting a sense of belonging and self-esteem.” In some cases, the above is true in it’s ability to potentially develop the minds of teens.

    Yet, given its potential benefits, the concept of being “accepted” on social media is much more easily capable of being a detriment to teens rather than a blessing. It can promote, breed, and enrich the connection between teens and their ability to thinking, working, and acting together, as well as potentially improve their ability to transition into the workforce. However, it has a lot of potential to cause teens to lose their self-esteem, become consumed over the pressure to have a certain amount of internet “points”, and lose their authenticity All not in the best interest of parents or teens (the latter of which may not realize what they are doing). Social media and the internet has only been around for an extremely small portion of humanity’s existence, so the sample size current analysis are being done on is still quite minimal. However, it’s effects thus far will likely permeate well into the current and future generations; both its benefits and detriments.

"Late Night in Kauai" by Childish Gambino, Jaden Smith

I don't think this track is simply a song. It feels like a lot more than that. Spoken word. A poem. Two of them as verses by Smith and Fam, with some light rapping by Glover.

It's incredibly... compatible. It's hard to describe. See; anything related to music and poetry, in my opinion, should be able to connect with the person listening to the song in someway. Communicate something through the instruments, through the lyrics, through the inflection. See; I've been to Kauai (the album title and part of this song's title). It's beautiful in it's own aspects. Separate from the other main islands. There's a reason Oahu is called the Gathering Isle; it's home to Honolulu. Most populated place in the islands. Kauai is called the Garden Isle. It feel secluded from everywhere else.

That seclusion makes you contemplate on a lot of shit because it just has this feeling of loneliness, y'know, coming from what can be considered a city-life. But it's not loneliness in a dark corner of the world. It's loneliness in subtle lushness. The Telegraph Ave music video perfectly grasps how it can feel.

And so it establishes the setting in the first verse.

Smith opens the track talking about being on a beach in the night. Just stargazing. The verse is what I'd expect from someone like Smith. As dumb as he can sound through his unfortunate and consistent pairing of capital letters with every single fucking word (and some of his tweets if taken literally), his lyrics hereby goes against that. His descriptions make me picture this beautiful image of Kauai at night, sitting in a car that drove up on the beach just to look at the stars and disconnect from society on a lonely beach with a couple friends. One of which, sounds like a special someone to Smith, who plays "The Boy" in this album. He's just... appreciating her. Without regard for anything else in that very moment. Talkin' bout "...you shouldn't be my wife you should just be with me on this beautiful night" yet following that up a few lines down with "It's just for tonight, and we hope it doesn't end". He's cherishing that piece of time they're havin' together because it's not a forever. Only problem I have with "hope it doesn't end" is that if forever existed, it'd be impossible to give value to a moment.

Next verse is almost like a freestyle by Gambino whose purpose I can somewhat pinpoint. I understand it's talkin' about Gambino as verified by the various references to him, but the one thing I can take from this part of the track is "We are becoming god". I think it's just an egotistical way of tellin' himself he's on top of the world.

That last and final verse is another insightful spoken word by Famuel Rothstein. I don't know much about him as a musician, but based of this poem; it's lyrics, I can see how real he is. This final verse of the song paints a lot of shit that's wrong with modern social media and how susceptible and oblivious one can be based off of what famous person A says. People in today's society not only follow what they say no matter what; they follow it knowing that they have the power of preference. There's this book by Ayn Rand called Anthem; dystopian novel. It's an extreme, but it's pretty accurate in establishing what would happen if everyone's individuality were stripped from them and raised calling preference a transgression. It's what's happening now. Sure, some shit in this world are objective. But Art is the most prevalent thing there is, and yet, there's always a bandwagon onto a certain type of music, a certain genre, a certain product, a certain brand because the masses like it. Just because the masses like it don't mean you always gotta comply with em'. The person Rothestein is talkin' about near the end of the verse is  presumably Jaden Smith, since he is referenced previously in the verse. He asks the question "So does it even matter?" And to a certain degree, I think he's asking if it even matters to separate and establish oneself. Separate oneself from the norm; not because you wanna be "different" or you wanna be known for creating something, but because of genuine preference.

I think that this track is tryin' to embody three different perceptions. The perception from a celebrity. The perception of a celebrity from it's viewers/fans/etc. And the perception that the "real" people want them (what Rothstein calls sheep) to really feel and think. Which is to think with individuality. To remove their skewed perceptions and look at artists and their art with genuine partiality. By embodying those perceptions, it makes listeners hear out and break free from their cuffs whose keys are within their grasp.

nostalgia, ULTRA

nostalgia, ULTRA

Reminisce on the memories of your adolescence and realize the extremities of reality.

Changes to the blog:

• Renamed from "Write Before Defeat" to "nostalgia, ULTRA" to fit the theme "Coming of Age" for sophomore year
• Smooth scrolling (from what I can tell, only works on Chrome)
• Banner is now a gif instead of a plain image
• Comprehensive, organized assignment list
• Updated profile picture
• Removed social media sharing options
• Removed side-bar

Succeeding the previous portfolio, this second semester builds upon all that I have learned and more; not only through Language Arts, but also through the entirety of MeneMAC. This porfolio intends to visualize my progress throughout this program. Creating films and PSA's, designing graphics, writing essays, they have all taught me the values in which the general learner outcomes (GLOs) have set in school. These assignments are the exemplary of my freshman year in this program. They are the natural selection in life; as it is always looking to improve itself in every way possible through the most effective methods. Please enjoy going through my second semester freshman year portfolio.

Portfolio

10 Ultimate Laws

• Income is taxed monthly and cannot be avoided. 
• The minimum wage is determined by the nation’s overall revenue.
• People may choose to live in any region in which they choose called provinces. Each province is under the federal power, but are allowed to create their own laws.
• Taxes are directly based on an individual’s salary. 
• Each province cannot deny an individual their right to vote for their provinces representative.
• College, universities, and school tuition are all free. 
• Every single purchase is to be recorded and submitted to the government. One’s credit score is based on these purchases.
• Credit scores allow one to, for example, purchase a house. A lower range reduces one’s chance of acquiring said house. The same applies with all large purchases.
• Upon reaching the age of 5, individuals must register to get a barcode branded onto their wrist.
• Individuals can only work at the age of 16 and above.
• All income is to be transferred into the same database that records their barcode. Here, income, purchases, etc. are recorded and backed up every hour. No physical currency exists.

    Promises are made constantly throughout one's life. This concept is often not realized, because it goes by a different name; trust. It means having certainty and confidence; reliable of the truthfulness of an individual. However, trust is almost never in a perpetual state; it fluctuates. It changes constantly. Though, the basis on which it changes is something in which people make everyday; decisions. Some of which, have bigger impacts than others, as some can show one’s true measure of reliability and trust. In the Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare, this very concept plays a considerable role throughout the play. It follows a Christian merchant in the 1600s named Antonio who has made a deal with moneylender and Jewish man Shylock. Despite their (religious) hatred for each other, they make a deal. A personal deal in which Antonio is held to if not fulfilled. As the play progresses, various characters are introduced throughout the play; their interactions plentiful. Such interactions would either strengthen trust or weaken it between the individuals involved all due a single factor. The play “Merchant of Venice” by William Shakespeare has shown that trust can only be based on the decisions that they make.

    Promises are made constantly throughout one's life. This concept is often not realized, because it goes by a different name; trust. It means having certainty and confidence; reliable of the truthfulness of an individual. However, trust is almost never in a perpetual state; it fluctuates. As such, it begs the question; why must it fluctuate, and how does one trust another individual? In the Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare, this very concept plays a considerable role throughout the play. It follows a Christian merchant in the 1600s named Antonio who has made a deal with moneylender and Jewish man Shylock. Despite their (religious) hatred for each other, they make a deal. A personal deal in which Antonio is held to if not fulfilled. However, as the play progresses, various characters are introduced throughout the play; their interactions plentiful as their confidence in one another changes either for the better or for worse. The play “Merchant of Venice” by William Shakespeare has shown that trust can only be based on the decisions that they make.
    In order to even begin trusting an individual, one can only observe from their current decisions that play a role or relate to oneself. The play opens with a friend of Antonio--Bassanio--requesting a sum of money to appear to wealthy; to impress a wealthy woman she is attracted to who goes by the name of Portia. Bassanio says “Her fair hair is the Golden Fleece that attracts many Jasons to the Belmont shore. Oh, Antonio - I feel convinced I’d be successful if only I had the money to make myself a rival!” (1.1.170-176) Antonio, being the generous and trusting friend that he is to Bassanio, goes to a Jewish moneylender Shylock for a loan. However, as previously explained, the two despise each other. But Shylock sees something that he can get out of it. Out of all the mockery Antonio has for Shylock, he can bind him to the money that Antonio is asking Shylock for. Shylock knows of the fact that his money could potentially go down as his wealth is with merchant ships at sea (a potential risk). Thus, Shylock agrees to loan him money with the consequence of suffering immense physical pain if his money is not returned. And yet, with the situation at hand, Antonio still agrees to the bond. Bassanio and Antonio discuss; “You mustn’t sign such a bond for me. I’d rather manage without. / Oh don’t worry, man! I won’t forfeit it. Within two months - that’s a month before this bond expires - I’m expecting the return of nine times what the bond is worth.” (1.3.149-152) This very motion of generosity exhibits the amount of trust that Antonio and Bassanio share; the types of decisions in which Bassanio have presumably made in the past as well as the great friendship and loyalty they have for each other. Antonio’s reassurance proves this.
    Though, as trust builds, the level/degree of tasks that are inadvertently required to further prove it grow larger. As the play progresses, Bassanio is able to be with and impress his love Portia, even though it may seem like a very short amount of time has passed for them to simply just be engaged right off the spot. No trust has really been tested quite yet. This, though will very soon change, as Antonio sends a message to Bassanio that all of his ships did not survive and will be facing in court against Shylock. Portia sees an opening as Portia and Bassanio discuss; “How much does he owe the Jew? / On my behalf, three thousand ducats. / No more? Pay him six thousand, and reclaim the bond. Twice six thousand. Three times that. No friend of that description shall lose a hair of his head through the fault of Bassanio.” Both loyalty and trust is definitely something that is shown here. Portia is already using this opportunity to be of great assistance to Bassanio, who is essentially giving back to the friend who gave him so much. Even though Antonio is “accepting” of his fate against Shylock, Bassanio knows how indebted he is to his friend. Things all follow for the better, though; Bassanio is able to defend his beloved friend in court alongside a lawyer. However, what he doesn’t know is Portia’s involvement. She disguises as a lawyer in this court and ensures that Antonio doesn’t suffer anything Shylock has planned. As a way to test Bassanio’s loyalty to her and how trusting she should be of him, she requests his marriage ring as a “fee” in a way. Things are being put to the test. His answer to the test was a mixed one; “This ring has more importance than its value. I’ll give you the most expensive ring in Venice and advertise for it. With respect, you must pardon me on this one.” (4.1.430-433) The audience can see a lot of hesitance coming out from Bassanio here. He risks a lot of his credibility through giving up this ring. The thing is, though; he does. The result of this exchange when Bassanio returns to Portia alongside his friends, though, is a bit more on the comical side. It appears as if Portia is briefly angry at Bassanio, but soon forgives him; like a “second chance” in some aspects. However, this decision of Bassanio and his poor choice to discredit his loyalty could have easily swayed in a different direction.
    So, trust is not one that can so easily be earned at times. Whether it’d be between Portia and Bassanio’s young relationship or Antonio and Bassanio’s long-time friendship, the trust in them were born out of one thing that they both make and what Shakespeare repeats throughout the story. The fact that trust is based solely on decisions that the individuals make. Making negatively impacting choices will obviously damage choices sometimes to a greater extent than Bassanio and Portia, or yield positive and greater trust and dedication similar to Bassanio and Antonio.

1. What is the setting of the story? What are people like, the culture, etc.?
1. The setting of the story is in Venice (obviously), but the first two scenes take place in a more noble/rich area of Venice as the characters that are first introduced appear to be rich.
2. We meet Antonio in the first scene, who exactly is he and what is his worries that he faces early on?
1. Antonio is a sad man whose sadness is owed to an unknown thing. Technically, he is someone who has money and has loaned them to certain people such as Bassanio. From a technical point of view, Antonio worries about the money that he invested as a merchant. If that money is not returned, he will lose a lot of money. From a figurative perspective, he worries about what is making him feel sad.
3. We also meet Bassanio a friend of Antonio, what does he ask of Antonio? Explain.
1. Bassanio asks of Antonio for a loan; money. Bassanio wants to appear rich for Portia.
4. Portia worries about finding a husband, so what does she decide to do that she thinks will be best solution to her problem? Explain.
1. Portia thinks that Bassanio is the best solution to solving the problem of finding a husband because he is the man that she desires and vice-versa. They both like the attributes each other possess.

1. Revisiting the Portia situation, why is the choosing of a man suitable for her out of her hands?
1. His father’s dead will was for Portia to choose a man suitable for her but only from a select group of candidates. Bassanio, the man she desires, is not within this pool.
2. Who is Shylock? What is his importance in the story thus far?
1. Shylock appears to be a wealthy businessman who lends money and profits from loaning said money through interest. It’s quite important so far in the story to Bassanio in particular because of the fact that he is in need of three thousand gold coins over the course of three months. It gets Antonio involved too, because he is essentially the “insurance” to Bassanio’s lavish request.
3. What is the agreement Shylock and Antonio come to terms with?
1. Shylock and Antonio came to agree upon Shylock lending Antonio three thousand gold coins whose amount will be paid back within three months time.
4. Why is Shylock so hesitant of this agreement with Antonio?
1. Shylock is hesitant to agree with Antonio because of Antonio’s current state. Being a merchant, he has various ships at sea and as such, they all can be subjected to the dangers of the world; pirates looting their ship, nature’s tyranny through storms, etc. But what also appears to be a very major divide between the two is religion. Antonio is Christian, while Shylock is Hebrew/Jewish.
5. Would you trust Antonio? Why or why not.
1. Despite Antonio’s best intentions, I do not like the risk in which he is taking. If this wealth is at risk or being lost, that’s just bad decision-making; putting all eggs into one basket. Sure, it can bring back a substantial amount of wealth back, but I feel the risk is too great. In addition to this, Antonio despises Jews such as Shylock through mockery and disrespect, and although it doesn’t relate to trust very much, I wouldn’t prefer to be affiliated with individuals that condone such hatred.