S1 Portfolio

This is my Semester 1 Writing Standards Portfolio. Enjoy :)
http://tairaguzman808.wix.com/wss1p

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?

Movie Review: American Meth

  I think this meth documentary was fairly good because of the real-life stories told from former meth addicts. I also rated this documentary "fairly good" because it would get boring at some parts of the film because at some points it would catch my attention, then lose it, then catch it again. This movie was in a way disturbing as well because of the image shown in the film, which was an unpleasant site. 
  
  American Meth took place in 2008 in New Mexico, Montana, Portland and Wyoming. Justin Hunt was the Director/Producer of this documentary, and people who starred in this video was Justin Hunt, Val Kilmer, workers from Rock Springs, WY, Director of the Montana Meth Project, a family who lived a devastating life, and more. Director Justin Hunt focused on these people to show the world their knowledge of the effects meth has on a person.

  This documentary is basically about former meth addicts telling their story about how meth made them feel good at first, but brought sadness and depression afterwards. This movie is also about what police officers and meth project directors try to do to stop this drug of destruction.

  All in all, if I were to rate this movie out of 10, I would rate it about 5-6 because the stories provided throughout this movie were really touching. However, most interviews got boring and wasn't capable of being watched.

English Letter RD

Taira Guzman
(My Address)
November 13, 2012

Costco Wholesale 

94-1231 Ka Uka Blvd
Honolulu, Hawaii 96797

Dear Costco Administration,

My family and I have been satisfied customers for many years. You have reasonable prices for each item, you have enough employees to give great customer service.

However, we have noticed some issues between some workers and customers. About a month ago, my family and I went to Costco to load up our pantries. Me and my siblings yearned for the succulent, scrumptious and appetizing samples. But, when I took about 4 cups of samples, the lady scolded me and said, "you are not allowed to come back and take more".  Not only did I get taken aback by her actions, other families that were around me were surprised on how she acted. As an employee at Costco Wholesale, you should let customers take as much samples that satisfies them. I understand that the employees want everyone else to get a chance to eat/drink the sample. Although, I haven't seen a sign nor heard of a policy stating how much samples a customer can take.

In addition to "sample problems", Aidells Sausage Company was at Costco giving out samples. But, one of the workers said, "you need to bring your parent in order to get a sample". Her words affected me slightly because I do not look like a 5 year old and if I was allergic to any ingredients in the sausages, I wouldn't be there in the first place. I understand that Aidells needs to keep an eye on the customers and follow any rules that needed to be followed. However, Aidells and other vendors should post signs so that children won't get lost while looking for their parents, or teens like me don't have to pull our parents away from doing what they need to do.

Even though most of the employees were very kind and polite. Some employees were rude and obnoxious about "sample situations". With all the hard-working employees need to do to insure a good trip to the store for their customers, my parents truly understands that the workers should be more lenient towards customers since they've been working at Costco for about 15 years. 

I have nothing against how you run your company since there are decent prices for the products you sale but I feel that you should do a better job in advertising which sample booth needs parent approval.

Sincerely,

Taira Guzman

Risky Business RD

  The amount of meth users have decreased but, is still a big problem in our society. 

  Statistics show that meth use has decreased during 2007-08’, so most people start to avoid the problem. However, indicators of meth use in local meth labs, admissions to emergency rooms and treatment centers show that meth use has incresed in 2009-10’. According to citizens, majority think that meth is not an important topic because of the lack of news about the substance.

  On the other hand, our society is still in danger of the substance. Gangs have increased about 40-65% since the 1990s according to the Caldwell School District. Since gangs have increased to an enormous amount throughout the states/countries, kids or teens will have more access to the drug. Gangs have influenced about 24% of teens under the age of 18 to use the drug, according to a survey done in 2000.

  In addition, methamphetamine is still a big problem in our society according to 'The Meth Project". Teens think meth is a substance that can fix their insecurities or problems. In 1007, NBC news states that one in four teens say their are benefits to using meth, 24% say it makes you feel very happy and 22% said it will help you lose weight. The Portland Police Bureau states that athletes and students sometimes begin using meth because of the initial heightened physical and mental performance the drug produces.

  Although, statistics show that  meth users have decreased, meth is still a well known problem to our society. 

Vocab Brainy Pix

College Essay Draft

  The years my life has been at it's worst, the school years I want to forget about, my elementary years. I was starting my preschool year and I was put into a special preschool class because my speech wasn't good. I was always bullied because of my speech disorder, I wasn't affected by it until second grade came. That was the year when my bad habits started to begin. I barely did my work, played around during class, put my feet up on the desk and eat, I would hear people talking about me in negative ways and I would walk right up to them and confront them, I would end up getting in trouble by my teacher or some other staff member however. 

  Days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and months turned into years, and it was my last day of elementary and I was very enthusiastic and ecstatic that I wouldn't have to deal with such ignorant people. But, I spoke to soon, in the year 2011, I attended Word Of Life Academy, for my seventh grade year. I thought 'Hey, I don't have to worry about any bullys. This is a christian school, what could go wrong?' The first few weeks of school passed and I already had names like 'Bunny  Girl' or 'Beaver'. As soon as I thought the name calling will end, it became worse every minute of the day. The only option I thought i had was to defend myself by putting up a 'bad' attitude. I kept that attitude all through my 8th grade year at Moanalua as well. I was able to choose some good people to hang out with and make the right decisions. However, I still managed to chose the wrong people to hang out with and the wrong decisions.

  But, the year 2011-2012 was came and I was 'Fresh-Meat'. Although, before I started the school year, I had to change my attitude towards people because I knew that if I stayed the same, I would get into a lot of trouble. So, my freshmen year started and it was going good until the second week of school, my best friend was having drama and I always had to get involved in it. First and second quarter passed, me and a group of my friends were sick and tired of dealing with her unnecessary drama, and she was my best friend for about 2 years but, she doesn't know how to be respectful, or keep her mouth shut. I moved on and i felt drama free for the first time of my life! She tried to try get us back into her little 'clique' but we always denied her requests in an instant.

  Her I am, at the age of 14 going on 15, Sophomore at Moanalua High School. I've changed so much and I'm proud of that. I take care of my own problems, I don't get into any of my friends drama. Sometimes, I go to Waikiki or Ala Moana beach and I would preach the word of God to some of the homeless people out there and they may not accept it but, it was always worth a shot. I was able to save some families who were homeless. For example, my friends and I were on our way to Waikiki beach until I seen a homeless couple and the lady was 6 months pregnant. I decided to be strong and go up to the couple and ask them if I could pray for them and surprisingly they went on their knees and begged. So, I prayed for the lady to give birth safely and to have a happy and healthy family relationship. After I finished, they thanked me so much and they both had tears of joy. One month later, I go to Waikiki for a paddling race and I witness the same couple but, with a baby in their arms, walking the strip with new, clean clothes, and shopping bags. There are no words I can use to describe how I was feeling at that unforgettable moment.

 Overall, my childhood had some positive and negative events. But, I've managed to become a better person towards others and I'm more responsible for my actions and I take on new challenges that come my way.

Word Choice Assignment

The middle aged woman struggles to hit the tennis ball across the court. She takes one big leap to swing the ball back.

College Topics/Links

Q: What obstacles have you overcome?

CSUN (California State University Northridge) - http://www.csun.edu/

UCI (University of California Irvine) - http://www.uci.edu/index.php

UW (University of Washington) - http://www.washington.edu/

COA Graphic (Rough Draft)

I will add more when doing the final just to let you know. . . .

Rough Draft (COA)

  There I was in the corner of the classroom in 2003, while all the other first graders talked to each other, laughing and smiling. Me, Taira Guzman out of all people was a very very shy person. I didn't like to converse with other people. I would always go to class by myself, eat lunch by myself, and did group projects alone. I always had a mind set that no one liked me but, I wasn't for sure why. With that in mind, I distanced myself from people and sometimes teachers as well. The year 2007, was the year that everything changed.

  I arrived bright and early for the first day of school. It was humid yet windy. As soon as I walked around the corner, a small mob of people came towards me and I panicked. My head went blank and I felt as if I was trapped in a block of ice. They crashed into me and hugged me like there was no tomorrow. "Taira I missed you!" "How was your summer?! I missed you soo much!" "Wow, you changed a lot!" I could hear them yelling all these words as if I was a celebrity. Although, I stood there as if no one was there but me.

  The bell rang and everyone ran to class yet, I was still standing there like a statue. That was until the principal shook me and asked me if everything was okay and to get to class. "RING. . RING!! OK, class we are going to do a..." *The metal door slams wide open and everyone turns around to look at the door* There I stood with wide eyes and a red face. "Sorry I'm late! I just got caught up with some stuff" I said. As I sat down in my seat, one of my classmates from my first grade year spoke to me and said, "It's okay Taira. Everyone has their moments". From that point on, I became more social with people.

  The year 2009, my 7th grade year I attended a private school called Word Of Life Academy (WOLA). I talked to anyone and everyone that was either in my class or friends with my sister. I was able to be comfortable with being myself around people, well my friends for that matter. 

  Now that I'm 14 going on 15, I've grown up and realized that it's good to step out of your comfort zone so that you can experience new things. Just like how I became more sociable with other people. I've also realized that when your in a world of loneliness, you don't have that friend to comfort you through your agonizing pain.

  

Position Statement

  Due to the similar, numerous deaths. The state should be held responsible for all of them. There is a lack of signs at tourist attractions. The death of 29-year-old Paula Ramirez and 35-year-old Elizabeth Brem at Opaekaa Falls that occurred in 2006 was one of the deaths that was caused because no sign was posted. One reason why the state is held liable for this is because they did not place a sign that addressed the right side of the trail and did not warn them of other signage on right side. The state only placed a sign on the left side of the trail advising people to keep out.

  In 2002, 18-year-old Daniel Dick from Sylmar, California died when he straddled the explosive water spout at the Halon Blowhole. He was lifted three to five feet into the air and dropped head first on a rocky crevice. This accident is the states fault as well because the only warning sign that was posted was located at the blowhole parking lot. However, Dick had walked to the blowhole site along the shoreline from Sandy Beach, which was not equipped with signage. 

  In Hawaii, we have a lot of beautiful sites that tourist want to go to. Although, due to the lack of warning signs. Tourist lost their loved ones.

Revision Process

Q: What changes did you make and how does the new header show your skill in graphic design? How did you organize your blog archive?
I made a photoshop image to replace my title and changed the design of my blog to something simple. I also changed the background, text and link colors so that it will match with each other. I had to chose carefully because I didn't want a plain nor a 'crazy' colored blog. I organized my blog archive from oldest posts to newest posts. So on my blog, it shows 2011 and 2012. Each one has a list of months and whatever month appears under that certain year is when i created my posts. It also shows the amount of posts I've made during that month.

Invitation for Glo Portfolio

Hi Dad. I invite you to check out my GLO portfolio. This portfolio would show some of the work that I've enjoyed doing throughout this year.  Please listen and enjoy because at the end, I would like you to take your time on commenting about how you felt about the presentation, your opinions in how I'm doing, lastly your thoughts in general. Thanks!
www.wix.com/tairaguzman808/gloportfolio

Reflective Essay

  The three poems and the two songs contain an emotion like disspointment, sadness, etc. and that relates to my theme which is sorrow. In the poem "Divine Device" I honestly think that the poem is about having pain is a good thing because if it weren't for pain, you wouldn't learn your leason.
  The poem 'If I had Known" is mostly about what could of, should of and would of happened other than what had happened. The poem also shows regret because how the author structured the poem. In "Life Is Hard To Face" the author explained how there might be negative things that come your way. But, you can always fix it by having positive things overcome it.
  I really like the song "Someone Like You" because it is the type of song that can relate to a lot of problems people are getting into. This song also really relates to my theme because it shows a lot of despair or depression yet there are some positiv thoughts that try to overcome those negative feelings.      
  Lastly, in the second song "Somebody That I Used To Know" shows how he lost someone that was very important to him and he was happy about it but was sad about the loss of being able to be her friend at least and is classified as a stranger.
 

Poetry Website

www.wix.com/tairaguzman808/PoetrySite

Poems.

Divine Device by Robert William Service

Would it be loss or gain

To hapless human-kind

If we could feel no pain

Of body or of mind?

Would it be for our good

If we were calloused so,

And God in mercy should

End all our woe?

I wonder and I doubt:

It is my bright belief

We should be poor without

The gift of grief.

For suffering may be

A blessing, not a bane,

And though we sorrow we

Should praise for Pain.

Aye, it's my brave belief

That grateful we should be,

Since in the heart of grief

Is love and sympathy,

We do not weep in vain,

So let us kiss the rod,

And see in purging Pain

The Grace of God.

-First Impression: My first impression of this peom was surprised because I realized how much this poem relates to me. I also felt confused at first because I couldn't quite comprehend what the poem was talking about.
-Evocative Language: The evocative language I see in this poem is belief and pain because the author compaired the two as his belief in how you can be in pain yet, still be strong.
-Figurative Language: Robert William Service is compairing how pain doesn't stop you from succeding in something you want to do.
-Structure: Stanzas and different scenarios bnut all about the same topic.
-The big idea: To be brave and keeping your head up high even in doubt. Also, having pain is good because you can learn your lesson.

If I Had Known

Author: Mary Carolyn Davies

If I had known the trouble you were bearing;

what griefs were in the silence of your face;

I would have been more gentle and more caring;

And tried to give you space.

I would have brought more warmth to the place,

If I had known.

If I had known what thoughts despairing drew you; 

why do we never try to understand?)

I would have lent a little friendship to you.

And slipped my hand withing your hand, 

And made your stay more pleasant in the land,

If I had known.

-First Impression: My first impressions of this poem was sad and depressing because of the scenarios  she used threw out the poem.
-Evocative Language: The evocative language I see in this poem is how the author compaired things the person would have done.
-Figurative Language: Mary Carolyn Davis is basicly stating what could of happened if she knew what was wrong before. Just like the quote "Could of, Should of, Would of".
-Structure: The structure of this poem is to show the opposite persons view.
-The big idea: The big idea of this peom is a persons regrets what happened and shows what they could of done.

Life is hard to face

Author: Crystallynn Barringer

In tears we saw you sinking and fading far far from us

You suffered way to much

You fought hard for your life to stay

You faced your taskes in life with great courage

You felt your hope fading and decending from us

But you still keep on fighting till the very end of your journy

God saw you were getting tired and weak when there was no cure

God saw you sleeping far from your pain 

So he took all of your pain away

We could not wish you back to suffer to much

-First Impression: My first impression of this poem was sad because of all the pain the person went threw ended up being lifted up again.
-Evocative Language: The author compaired how much pain one has gone threw.
-Figurative Language: She is stating how one person could be soo hurt yet be lifted up and still be okay.
-Structure: The author structured this poem to show readers how you should keep on going till you reach what you want.
-The big idea: There are some positives and negatives in reality.