Allusion Draft

Eyes as dark as night
A nose unbelievably flat that people wonder if you can smell
No wonder they don't talk to me
I'm the the epitome of weird

But nevertheless, I'm strong willed on the inside
A family who has my back whenever I need them
Yet sometimes I think to myself it's not enough
I just want to be like everybody else
Normal

The ability to blend in would be nice
I mean, I can blend in alright
Into a background
Because that's what I'm good at
Hiding, running away so I don't have to face my problems altogether

Here and there, you would here them go 'where is your sister'
Where all introverts stay as their way to blocking out society
He suggests her room
And I give her props for stretching all the way just to check on me
Literally stretching
As if saving the world with her sidekick at her side wasn't tiring enough

But here I am
Back in my room
Wondering what to do next
Shall I turn invisible seeing that being socially withdrawn is my forte
Or
Should I just create a force field around me to continue to face the world alone

Greeks on Madison Avenue

Tiffany is bomb at photoshop.

Six Traits Portfolio

chelsaayye.webs.com

Argument Essay Final

84-822a Lahaina St.
Waianae, HI, 96792
December 10, 2013

The Cab Hawaii
738 Kaheka Street Suite 201
Honolulu, Hawaii 96814

Dear Cab Hawaii,

You are well known to the island of Oahu for providing a mode of transportation to not just only the residents of the island, but to the tourists who take the time to choose to enjoy their time here. You make it an easier way for the people to get from one destination to another faster than the bus.

Despite all of this, the routes I've have been taken to get to many of my destinations have been brought to my attention. About a month or two ago, I had a very important assignment to complete for school which was located at Pearlridge Shopping Center. My current location to get to Pearlridge was Waikele Premium Outlets so I could make it more convenient for my cab driver to pick me up from instead of my residential street. I somewhat remember that I got picked up within the time restraint given to me over the phone 
when calling for a cab. I do, however, clearly remember the route I was taken to get to my destination. And I was not very impressed with the route nor the ride.

Once I got into the cab, My driver confirmed and my name and destination in a pleasant way. But once we hit our first road while leaving, I noticed that I may given off my impression as a non-resident who wasn’t familiar with the island because he didn’t go straight to the freeway where we were aware of no traffic whatsoever, according to the radio. No, he went down Paiwa St. and kept going, passing the exit to the freeway and going straight to Kamehameha Highway. I was slowly feeling agitated because every time we were close to a stoplight, he would unusually slow down until the light turned yellow then red. And every time that happened, the price of my ride, located on the dashboard, kept rising. And all I could think about was the fact that he could’ve continued to actually go the speed limit he was always at.

So we arrived at Pearlridge within 25-30 minutes because he had "thought" I had said Uptown rather than Downtown when I clearly stated Downtown before we left Waikele. According to Google Maps, the longest a ride would ever have to take that was relative to my current location and destination was 15 to 20 minutes.

You may say that it is up to the cabdriver as to which route should be taken, but it should be automatic logic to take the quickest way to the destination. It is estimated that at least 87% percent of people would rather agree with the term, “the sooner the better’ or “the earlier the better”. It resembles the phrase, better safe than sorry. You’d rather be safe and be early rather than being sorry because you were late. Whether the situation varies from long routes to their destination or shipping of the items they order. What’s the point in taking a cab when the length of the ride would be as long as taking the bus? You’re taking the same long amount of time as a bus but paying more. I mean, you might as well take the bus right? Since it’s cheaper and the length of the ride would be the same as taking a cab. People see the cab more as an express bus. But it’s faster. Sure it may be more costly, but you’re getting there faster.
I understand economy nowadays is tough and being a working teenager I can say a lot. But cab drivers earn a lot considering their benefits. Not only do they get paid for their whole trip each time they drive their customer, they also receive tips. As well as being an employee; you also obtain a weekly or monthly salary while being employed at the CabHawaii.

I hope my letter not only thought of you to make slight changes to informing your employees about taking shorter routes, but understanding the fact that not only should you advise your drivers on taking shorter routes for residents, but for those who don't reside on the island as well. Tourism is one of Hawaii's biggest investments and it would be a shame for them to go back home and explain to their family that the rides they used to travel was long and expensive for them. Because then that would slowly but surely take away money from the state as well as turn customers away from using your company as a mode of transportation. Which no one would ever want for their company.

I hope that my letter had shed some light on an issue that occasionally happens to not just me, but to others also. And urges you to make immediate changes by some form of great action to keep your company in business.


Sincerely,
        Chelsea Matanguihan

Risky Business Final Essay

Did you know that suicide is the third leading cause of death among children, teens and young adults?  Every year almost 125,000 children are brought to emergency rooms to receive treatment for injuries inflicted while attempting suicide. Girls think about and attempt suicide about twice as often as boys, and tend to attempt suicide by overdosing on drugs or cutting themselves. Yet boys die by suicide about four times as often girls, perhaps because they tend to use more lethal methods, such as firearms, hanging, or jumping from heights. The rates of teen suicide increases by the minute due to many issues such as family related issues, mood disorders and even bullying; which needs to be taken into consideration without delay.

There are a variety of reasons as to why teens feel need to commit or attempt suicide. According to Dr. Robert Wallace from creators.com, family factors are the most commonly cited cause; whether there had been a death, or divorce, or even financial problems, it slowly but surely makes a teens life turn a 180 within a matter of time. Being a teenager to have to deal with those problems in life is difficult to cope with; yet no teen should feel the need of having to resort to suicide. They feel as if dying is the only way of coping with their issue instead of dealing with it while being alive. Having a family related issue that leaves you in the need of committing suicide branches out from not just being only you, but to others who have the same problem and think that they should consider it as well.

Mood disorders is just another term for being bipolar and not only is it a symptom leading to depression, but it’s also a risk factor leading teens into attempting suicide. Mood disorders are reported to be the most common psychiatric illnesses in children and adolescents who attempt or commit suicide. Us teens may say that being bipolar is a normal disorder any teen will come across, but it’s not, it’s a condition that hints out to others that surround the teen to show that they are dealing with a certain crisis. It’s a silent universal sign from them that something is wrong and needed to be said in words rather than kept in their mind. Knowing that mood disorders is a common sign within teens who consider suicide, it shows that people everywhere need to take serious note of the symptom and contribute into preventing those who aren’t or are affected.

Being bullied doesn’t just give a student a hard time in focusing in school or at home, but majorly affects their intuition on living. Back in September, 12 year-old Rebecca Sedwick committed suicide due to bullying; both verbal-bullying and cyber-bullying. Being the personal punching bag on a bully brings out insecurities in one that can slowly be less tolerable than before; which what probably happened to Sedwick. Bullying is one of the vilest thing a person could do to one, and not caring about their life sentence; whether considering suicide or not; just brings it to an all-time low. Knowing that bullying causes some teens death, or if not more, doesn’t matter, what matters is the fact that their willing to put their life at risk without even completing at least 25% of their life span to explore other options that the world had to offer; only because they cut themselves short by someone who hadn’t given them an ounce of care to feel empathetic because their too pathetic themselves to even care.

Teen suicide is an issue that needs to be taken underway without delay so we can stop the increasing population if it. It’s the third leading cause of death among young adults, resulting in 4,400 deaths each year. And if it’s just the third leading cause, what is it going to take for us to make a change? Wait until it reaches the top of the scale and moving to the first leading cause? There are different ways to approach the issue to slowly solve it, whether it’s to build and spread more common hotlines within the nation, or setting up multiple classes within a state for teens to push themselves or be pushed to join and get help. But it’s up to us as bystanders to take an action and make the first move. That way the common causes, family factors, mood disorders, and bullying, would be dead to the world. And the only way to close off the issue is to take it one step at a time slowly but surely to lessen the suicides each year.

Risky Business Final Essay

Did you know that suicide is the third leading cause of death among children, teens and young adults?  Every year almost 125,000 children are brought to emergency rooms to receive treatment for injuries inflicted while attempting suicide. Girls think about and attempt suicide about twice as often as boys, and tend to attempt suicide by overdosing on drugs or cutting themselves. Yet boys die by suicide about four times as often girls, perhaps because they tend to use more lethal methods, such as firearms, hanging, or jumping from heights. The rates of teen suicide increases by the minute due to many issues such as family related issues, mood disorders and even bullying; which needs to be taken into consideration without delay.

There are a variety of reasons as to why teens feel need to commit or attempt suicide. According to Dr. Robert Wallace from creators.com, family factors are the most commonly cited cause; whether there had been a death, or divorce, or even financial problems, it slowly but surely makes a teens life turn a 180 within a matter of time. Being a teenager to have to deal with those problems in life is difficult to cope with; yet no teen should feel the need of having to resort to suicide. They feel as if dying is the only way of coping with their issue instead of dealing with it while being alive. Having a family related issue that leaves you in the need of committing suicide branches out from not just being only you, but to others who have the same problem and think that they should consider it as well.

Mood disorders is just another term for being bipolar and not only is it a symptom leading to depression, but it’s also a risk factor leading teens into attempting suicide. Mood disorders are reported to be the most common psychiatric illnesses in children and adolescents who attempt or commit suicide. Us teens may say that being bipolar is a normal disorder any teen will come across, but it’s not, it’s a condition that hints out to others that surround the teen to show that they are dealing with a certain crisis. It’s a silent universal sign from them that something is wrong and needed to be said in words rather than kept in their mind. Knowing that mood disorders is a common sign within teens who consider suicide, it shows that people everywhere need to take serious note of the symptom and contribute into preventing those who aren’t or are affected.

Being bullied doesn’t just give a student a hard time in focusing in school or at home, but majorly affects their intuition on living. Back in September, 12 year-old Rebecca Sedwick committed suicide due to bullying; both verbal-bullying and cyber-bullying. Being the personal punching bag on a bully brings out insecurities in one that can slowly be less tolerable than before; which what probably happened to Sedwick. Bullying is one of the vilest thing a person could do to one, and not caring about their life sentence; whether considering suicide or not; just brings it to an all-time low. Knowing that bullying causes some teens death, or if not more, doesn’t matter, what matters is the fact that their willing to put their life at risk without even completing at least 25% of their life span to explore other options that the world had to offer; only because they cut themselves short by someone who hadn’t given them an ounce of care to feel empathetic because their too pathetic themselves to even care.

Teen suicide is an issue that needs to be taken underway without delay so we can stop the increasing population if it. It’s the third leading cause of death among young adults, resulting in 4,400 deaths each year. And if it’s just the third leading cause, what is it going to take for us to make a change? Wait until it reaches the top of the scale and moving to the first leading cause? There are different ways to approach the issue to slowly solve it, whether it’s to build and spread more common hotlines within the nation, or setting up multiple classes within a state for teens to push themselves or be pushed to join and get help. But it’s up to us as bystanders to take an action and make the first move. That way the common causes, family factors, mood disorders, and bullying, would be dead to the world. And the only way to close off the issue is to take it one step at a time slowly but surely to lessen the suicides each year.

Argument Essay

Dear Cab Hawaii,

You are well known to the island of Oahu for providing a mode of transportation to not just only the residents of the island, but to the tourists who take the time to choose to enjoy their time here. You make it an easier way for the people to get from one destination to another faster than the bus.

Despite all of this, the routes I've have been taken to get to many of my destinations have been brought to my attention. About a month or two ago, I had a very important assignment to complete for school which was located at Pearlridge Shopping Center. My current location to get to Pearlridge was Waikele Premium Outlets so I could make it more convenient for my cab driver to pick me up from instead of my residential street. I somewhat remember that I got picked up within the time restraint given to me over the phone when calling for a cab. I do, however, clearly remember the route I was taken to get to my destination. And I was not very impressed with the route nor the ride.

Once I got into the cab, My driver confirmed and my name and destination in a pleasant way. But once we hit our first road while leaving, I noticed that I may given off my impression as a non-resident who wasn’t familiar with the island because he didn’t go straight to the freeway where we were aware of no traffic whatsoever, according to the radio. No, he went down Paiwa St. and kept going, passing the exit to the freeway and going straight to Kamehameha Highway. I was slowly feeling agitated because every time we were close to a stoplight, he would unusually slow down until the light turned yellow then red. And every time that happened, the price of my ride located on the dashboard kept rising. And all I could think about was the fact that he could’ve continued to actually going the speed limit he was always at.

So we arrived at Pearlridge within 25-30 minutes because he had "thought" I had said Uptown rather than Downtown when I clearly stated Downtown before we left Waikele. According to Google Maps, the longest a ride would ever have to take that was relative to my current location and destination was 15 to 20 minutes.

I understand economy nowadays is tough and being a working teenager I can say a lot. But cab drivers earn a lot considering their benefits. Not only do they get paid for their whole trip each time they drive their customer, they also receive tips. As well as being an employee; you also obtain a weekly or monthly salary while being employed at the CabHawaii.

I hope my letter not only thought of you to make slight changes to informing your employees about taking shorter routes, but understanding the fact that not only should you advise your drivers on taking shorter routes for residents, but for those who don't reside I the island also. Tourism is one of Hawaii's biggest investments and it would be a shame for them to go back home and explain to their family that the rides they used to travel was long and expensive for them. Because then that would slowly but surely take away money from the state as well as turn customers away from using your company as a mode of transportation. Which no one would ever want for their company.

I hope that my letter had shed some light on an issue that occasionally happens to not just me, but to others away. And urges you to make immediate changes by some form of great action to keep your company in business but addressing your address to the other side of your helpful solution.


Sincerely,
        Chelsea Matanguihan

Risky Business Rough Draft

Did you know that suicide is the third leading cause of death among children, teens and young adults?  Every year almost 125,000 children are brought to emergency rooms to receive treatment for injuries inflicted while attempting suicide. Girls think about and attempt suicide about twice as often as boys, and tend to attempt suicide by overdosing on drugs or cutting themselves. Yet boys die by suicide about four times as often girls, perhaps because they tend to use more lethal methods, such as firearms, hanging, or jumping from heights. The rates of teen suicide increases by the minute due to many issues such as depression, mood disorders (bipolar disorders) and even bullying; which needs to be taken into consideration without delay.

There are a variety of reasons as to why teens feel depressed enough to commit or attempt suicide. According to Helpguide.org, depression can destroy the very character of a teenager’s personality, causing an overwhelming sense of worthlessness, sadness, or neglection. The sources to the start of a teens depression varies from family or friend problems to personal obstacles essentially related to peer pressure. Having a low tolerance of depression automatically sends teens into a state of either acting out with drugs, alcohol, theft etc., to killing themselves. As you can see, depression is one of the main causes as to why teens commit suicide.

Mood disorders is just another term for being bipolar and not only is it a symptom leading to depression, but its also a risk factor leading teens into attempting suicide. Mood disorders are reported to be the most common psychiatric illnesses in children and adolescents who attempt or commit suicide. Some introductions for teens who have mood disorders that consider suicide being an option are either family, friends, or general bullying related problems. All three options lead into the interpretation of mood disorders because it creates stress on the teen that makes it difficult for him/her to handle. Knowing that mood disorders is a common sign within teens who consider suicide, it shows that people everywhere need to contribute into preventing those who aren’t yet affected and aid help to those who are affected.

And lastly, bullying is one of the main reasons as to why the teen population decreases across the nation. Back in September, 12 year-old Rebecca Sedwick committed suicide due to bullying. Rebecca gave up on life due to the high amounts of bullying she received while still alive. An they only easy she thought that would end all the bullying was to end her life herself so she can escape from the pain. Losing your child to not just bullying, but anything that could harm them or get them killed is an unbearable feeling; and this is only going to continue if we don’t take immediate action.

Teen suicide is an issue that needs to be taken underway without delay so we can stop the increasing population if it. It’s the third leading cause of death among young adults, resulting in 4,400 deaths each year. There are different ways to come about it and the most common ones in the nation are depression, the suffering of mood disorders, and bullying. And the only way to close off the issue is to take it one step at a time slowly but surely to actually lessen the suicides each year.

Not So Fast There

Never mind the fact that my athleticism isn't as perfect as the next person in the room. I can barely run a mile in under eleven minutes. What makes my PE teacher think I can do it in under ten?! And making it part of my grade was even worse than knowing that I have to run it because more pressure was put on my shoulders. So I asked him, "what makes you think I can run a mile in under ten minutes when I barely can do it at eleven?" I pretty much asked him in a panicked manner because with worry like this, who wouldn't? 

My anxiety at the moment were probably  three times higher than my IQ.  But with my teachers wise words of wisdom, "Don't worry about it. You can do it. Just try your best." Which made me panic even more. I mean, I bet he said that to all of his students. It was my grade on the line here. And coming from a typical Asian family, they expect me to not get any lower than a B. 

So get this. Your grades+Overbearing parents=Stress you can't even imagine. They're so caught up with me having the best grades that sometimes I think that sometimes they forget that I'm their child and just their one way ticket to achieving their hopes and dreams instead of mines. 

So as I was standing waiting for the whistle to blow to signal us to start running, I had nothing to think about. So I thought about my teachers words, to not worry and do my best. Because doing my best and putting in the best of my abilities to achieve something is the best person I could possibly be. And that's when it clicked. It's not just some words that assure his students to do great, but it's the actual meaning behind them. I was thinking too much of what others expected me to do that I didn't really think about myself. So I did what I was suppose to do. I finally thought of myself and did the best I could and ran that mile.......And finished it in 10 minutes and 43 seconds.

Although I didn't necessarily finish it within the time restraints, I felt pretty awesome. I even remember what it felt like to run. The wind through my hair, cooling me down from the scorching sun above, and the  people running past me when I took short walks. But it's okay, I wasn't doing the run for them, I was doing it for me and how it was going to benefit me in the future. 

COA Poster Final

Put Your Mind Over Matter (College Essay Rough Draft)

     "Hakuna Matata." A saying I learned as a kid while growing up and lived by ever since. It means no worries, in Swahili. I learned it from a 1994 Disney movie, "The Lion King". And so far, it's brought me really far in life. Whenever someone I do or don't know looks like they're having a rough day, I would always say it in an ecstatic and merry voice to them. And what do I say when they ask what it means? Exactly what it means. No worries. Why? Because life is too short for you to live and have fun. Every second you spend worrying about something is a second wasted on. I remember back in freshman year cringing at the course 'Physical Education' as I wasn't physically active back then. Right when I saw those two words, the only thing I could think about was running, running, and more running.

     It was one day where the whole class was going to be tested on the mile run. Which was supposed to be ran under a maximum of ten minutes. And being me, I was internally crying and bawling my non-existent tears out because it was part of our grade. But as the saying goes, the show must go on. So I stood there, behind the line that I’m supposed to cross four times in order to pass the activity, or as I like to call it, torture. The only thing  that crossed my mind at that time were hopes of my PE teacher believing that I miraculously got diagnosed with exercise induced anaphylaxis before he yelled ‘GO’.  But it didn't happen.

    So when he started the timer and yelled ‘GO’, I immediately tuned out everything. My surroundings, my negative thoughts, the people in front of me, everything. Then I started running. I mean yeah, I noticed everyone was at least ten yards ahead of me, but I didn't think about it. The only thing I didn’t tune out was the saying. Hakuna Matata. I kept repeating it over and over in my head because I came to realize that it’s not how fast or how slow you go to complete the test. It’s the amount of effort you put in the exercise. I finally grasped onto the idea that it wasn’t just a game to see who was the fastest; it was a way of promoting physical fitness throughout the US. So what was there to be worried about?

    So I managed to finish the mile in ten minutes and forty three seconds. And other than being glad about just finishing the activity itself, I was beaming at the thought that made and helped me get through it. The thought that is tattooed to my skull to not worry about a thing.

    As you can see, I'm one to learn through experiences to show my character and what I can do for myself. I always try to think of the up sides of things so I don't have to worry about the small things because of the saying that I live by. Not my endurance in athletics. And now my record of mile runs hang on my wall. It shows to me that I shouldn't think of the bad sides that make me worry a lot, it's the amount of effort that's needed for the game.

College Prompts (3)

University of Washington

A. Personal Statement (Required)

The Personal Statement is our best means of getting to know you and your best means of creating a context for your academic performance. When you write your personal statement, tell us about those aspects of your life that are not apparent from your academic record. Tell us about the experiences that don’t show up on your transcript:

• a character-defining moment,
• the cultural awareness you’ve developed,
• a challenge faced,
• a personal hardship or barrier overcome.

Directions

Choose either A or B. Please do not exceed 650 words.

A. Discuss how your family’s experience or cultural history enriched you or presented you with opportunities or challenges in pursuing your educational goals.

OR

B. Tell us a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it.

Tips

• Some of the best statements are written as personal stories. We welcome your imaginative interpretation.
• You may define experience broadly. For example, in option B, experience could be a meeting with an influential person, a news story that spurred you to action, a family event, or something that might be insignificant to someone else that had particular meaning for you. If you don’t think that any one experience shaped your character, don’t worry. Simply choose an experience that tells us something about you.

California State University, Fullerton

UNIVERSITY HONORS PROGRAM APPLICATION
for Transfer Students
Please provide typed responses for sections B – D below.
B. Educational and Career Goals
Describe your short term and long term educational and career goals. What do you intend to accomplish during your time at CSUF? What educational and career goals do you intend to pursue after you graduate from CSUF?
C. Essays
Please respond to one of the essay prompts below:

• Provide an essay of your most significant academic or personal achievement.
  
• What idea or concept introduced in a college-level course have you found to be the most intellectually stimulating? Briefly describe the idea or concept and explain how and why it has influenced you.
  
• What book or other creative work has made the greatest impact on your intellectual development? D. Letters of Reference
  Provide the name, title and school and/or organization of the persons providing your two 
• reference letters.
• E. Transcripts
  Include copies of transcripts from all post-secondary institutions and Titan Degree Audit. (Unofficial transcripts will be accepted.)
  Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please send all application materials to University Honors Program, California State University, Fullerton, PO Box 6830, Fullerton, CA. 92834-6830.
  APPLICATION CHECKLIST Please submit all required materials together
  General information (page 1)
  College coursework (Section A)
  Typed responses (Section B-D)
  2 Reference Letters (Section D)
  High school transcript & Titan Degree Audit (Section E) 

University of California, Los Angeles

Prompt #1
Describe the world you come from — for example, your family, community or school — and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations.
Prompt #2
Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are?
Following the personal statement, there’s a section called Additional Comments. Use this space — up to 550 words — to tell us anything you want us to know about you that you don’t have the opportunity to describe elsewhere in the application. 

Coming Of Age Poster Draft

Coming Of Age Final

I was always that girl that got picked last in groups. The one who was classified as the “silent one” as you would put it. Who would do things by herself because she was too scared to know what other people thought. Good or bad. The one who always tried to stay out of people’s way so she wouldn’t be the center of attention. Matter of fact, I was the complete opposite of being social, I was the reserved one.

My life was basically a boring library book. One that would be looked at then looked away from to be put back on a library shelf. I would go to class, learn some stuff, then leave to my next class and do the same. For recess and lunch you ask? I dreaded those periods. I would occasionally ask myself if the BOE put those two periods up just to torture me. I never really had anywhere to go except to classrooms that were open. And if they weren’t, I would go to the library. But what would happen if the library was closed as well? My last resort was the lonely tree at the end of the field. And this one afternoon was where it all started as I started to slowly break out of my lonely turtle shell that shielded out the world for me.

                  It was one afternoon when all my safe havens were closed and I had to resort to the tree in the field. It gave me a nice view of people playing, socializing, and even dancing on the very large field of grass basking in the suns warmth. And while I sat there, I realized the fun in what the other people were doing and comparing them to my thing and what I do mostly everyday. The difference? They were having fun. I wasn’t. I was bored out of my mind solving for "X" and reasons why Max bought 23 apples and insisted on sharing half with his buddy, Jorge, so they were equal. So I thought to myself, why am I like this? This wasn’t a lifestyle; it was a choice a choice I made that I wanted to change. I was tired of having the same schedule every day. Wake up. Go to school. Come home. Homework. Sleep by ten. And do it all over again the next day.  Which was why I packed my stuff in my bag, got out of my tree shade, and joined a group of girls from my advisory class and socialized.

                  At first, it wasn’t easy being that I was new at socializing with people I don’t normally talk to on a daily basis. So it took a while. And after weeks, I kind of got used to their presence. They would include me in everything they did. Whether it was to one of their houses or just some after school hangouts, they changed my social habits. I got used to standing or presenting in my classes whenever asked, greeted people I knew from my other classes who also returned the favor, and even participated in events the school organized.

                  After a couple months I realized I wasn’t that shy lonely girl anymore. That day made me realize that being lonely isn’t the only way to be content and satisfied with your life. Expanding your knowledge to limits you never explored before feels better than incredible. And I remembered that day that I developed an amazing characteristic that I believe everyone should have and cherish forever. And that was faith and trust in others. The only reason I remained soft-spoken and reserved was because I didn’t trust and have faith in anyone because I cared about what they thought and their opinions on me. But ever since then, I’ve had an indifference towards their opinions directed to me only because I can’t be judged by someone else. The only person who can judge me is me. Some people, even teachers, asked me what happened to me. Why I am the way I am now. Or what made me do it. The only answer I could really give them was pretty simple. I wanted a change that I would be happy about. And I don’t regret it one bit.

Coming Of Age Draft

I was always that girl that got picked last in groups. The one who was classified as the “silent one” as you would put it. Who would do things by herself because she was too scared to know what other people thought. Good or bad. The one who always tried to stay out of people’s way so she wouldn’t be the center of attention. Matter of fact, I was the complete opposite of being social, I was the reserved one.

My life was basically a boring library book. One that would be looked at then looked away from to be put back on a library shelf. I would go to class, learn some stuff, then leave to my next class and do the same. For recess and lunch you ask? I dreaded those periods. I would occasionally ask myself if the BOE put those two periods up just to torture me. I never really had anywhere to go except to classrooms that were open. And if they weren’t, I would go to the library. But what would happen if the library was closed as well? My last resort was the lonely tree at the end of the field nobody would go to because it was so far away. People would probably think I was breaking one of the schools rules to be soliciting in a non designated area. Though according to the school rules in the planner, it was only behind buildings. And this one afternoon was where it all started as I started to slowly break out of my lonely turtle shell that shielded out the world for me.

            It was one afternoon when all my safe havens were closed and I had to resort to the tree in the field. It gave me a nice view of people playing, socializing, and even dancing on the very large field of grass basking in the suns warmth. While I just sat there on the newly mowed grass doing my usual thing. Reading and getting started on assignments that are due next class. And while I sat there, I realized the fun in what the other people were doing and comparing them to my thing and what I do mostly everyday. The difference? They were having fun. I wasn’t. I was bored out of my mind solving for "X" and reasons why Max bought 23 apples and insisted on sharing half with his buddy, Jorge, so they were equal. So I thought to myself, why am I like this? This wasn’t a lifestyle, it was a choice. A choice that I made. And a choice that could be changed. Which was why I packed my stuff in my bag, got out of my tree shade, and joined a group of girls from my advisory class and socialized.

            At first, it wasn’t easy being that I was new at socializing with people I don’t normally talk to on a daily basis. So it took a while. And after  weeks, I kind of got used to their presence. They would include me in everything they did. Whether it was to one of their houses or just some after school chilling, they changed my social habits. I got used to standing or presenting in my classes whenever asked, greeted people I knew from my other classes who also returned the favor, and even participated in events the school organized.

            After a couple months I realized, I wasn’t that shy lonely girl anymore. Instead of being known as the quiet one in my classes, I was pretty much the loudest one in most. I would socialize so much I would even get busted for it. Some people, even teachers, asked me what happened to me. Why I am the way I am now. Or what made me do it. The only answer I could really give them was pretty simple. I wanted a change that I would be happy about. And I don’t regret it one bit.

Mini Essay

     Many individuals common sense nowadays has gone out the window. They don't think before they do which leads to common incidents or deaths.  For example, there has been many fatalities while hiking on the islands of Hawaii. While either playing or having fun on the site to just a mere accidental incident. There are only two outcomes to who is at fault, which are either the state, or the tourist.

     Numerous accidents happen to tourists while going on hikes which either the state or tourist being at fault. For example, in 2003, 41 year-old Kevin Oakley drowned after rescuing his 7 year-old son at Maui's Pools of Oheo who had been swept away by a strong current. And in this case, the one at most fault is Oakley being that he should've patrolled or guarded his focus on his son. He even should have been more aware of his surroundings or done previous research to take precautionary actions. So in other words, instead of the state being at fault for this incident, it is mainly the tourist.

     During incidents like these, it would always either be the state or the tourist at fault. It's would be the state at fault because there were no  to warn the tourists of the dangers that may occur, or the state seems to not enforce safety so that tourist can have an enjoyable but yet safe vacation, or even create legal boundaries which should be used for the safety of the tourists. But the tourist could be at fault as well because the lack I common sense they use when they incidents occur, the lack of knowledge and awareness in their surroundings, and the precautionary actions taken when on sites to prevent injuries and deaths.

Arguable Viewpoint

-TOURIST AT FAULT

Tourist are the ones to be at fault because of the lack of common sense when the incidents occurred. When tourist are in areas with high risk, tourist should be aware of their surroundings. Also tourist should also act more carefully when on sites, to prevent injuries and deaths. 

-STATE AT FAULT

The State is at fault since there are no signs to warn tourist of the dangers that may occur. The State seems to not enforce safety so that tourist can have an enjoyable but yet safe vacation. Creating legal boundaries should be used for the safety of the tourist. 

Blog Post

As I was redesigning my blog, I already had something I wanted to do in mind. I wanted a local theme with an easier time for people to look for certain blogs and a way to entertain themselves while on my blog. Which was why i added a search bar at the very top of my blog as well as a fish pond on the side for them to feed it. I also left my blog archive but renamed it to my freshmen and sophomore year together. 

My new header shows my skill in Graphic designing by my collage of faces put together and a text at the front of everything. 

I basically organized my blog archive by displaying it in months and labeling them as my freshman and sophomore year.

GLO URL

www.chelsayye.webs.com

Of Mice and Men Photoshop