Hero Project Reflection

1. A hero becomes a hero by performing a heroic act. For example, a fire fighter can be considered a hero simply because he/she saves people from fire. Another way a hero becomes a hero is by having a heroic trait like wisdom, bravery, thoughtfulness, etc. Basically, a hero is a person who makes an impact on another persons life.

2. This project was

3. The hero in my eyes project started out as just a simple task. We were first asked to make a body sculpture of what we thought was a hero. Then, we had to choose someone in our life that we considered a hero and interview them. That was when Charlotte asked us the question 'What makes someone a hero?". In class, we read a couple of character sketches and we were required to create our own character sketches. The character sketch consisted of a description of why our hero is considered a hero to us, and two photos. After that, we posted the character sketch on our blog, and made a template of it.

4. Of course by the interview, I learned a lot about my dad and his life in the military along with other things like what his thoughts, feelings, and experiences were. But beside that, I also learned a whole new meaning of the word 'hero'. At the beginning of this project, when we were asked to make a body sculpture, I first thought that a hero was a person with super powers, or local firefighters, police, navy men, etc. But a hero can also be a normal day to day person who you look up to, or impacted your life in any way.

5. One of the habits of mind that I used in this project was innovation. Innovation is a new way of doing something. I used innovation in my project because I usually just ask my dad about his experiences in the Navy to get information, but I've never interviewed him or had a list of questions.

If you click here, the link will lead you to my hero sketch.

This is it

“This is it.” He thought. “This is my chance for a better life.” It was 1987 and Elpidio was a short, 35 year old man. His hair was as black as night, and when he smiled, his eyes seemed to squint. He, along with his parents and brothers, had just migrated from the polluted atmosphere of Catablan, Philippines to the fresh air of Vallejo, California.
A variety of feelings mixed inside of him, but mainly, feelings of excitement and happiness. The new environment gave him the strong sentiment of wanting to make something out of himself. He thought about the loved ones he was leaving behind, the poverty he was escaping, and the many opportunities America can offer. Things were completely different for Elpidio. The tall people, the big buildings, the many cars, the good roads, and the cool climate weren’t familiar to him.
Although living in what seems to be a whole different world, he felt that as long as he followed the law, he would do alright.
Staying in the United States, he grew a sudden passion for politics and patriotism. He thought, “What can I do for my country to defend and protect what we believe is right, mandated by our constitution for the welfare and security for all mankind.” He then decided to join the Navy and serve the country.
Elpidio enjoyed his job as a chef for the USS Pearl Harbor. He served the Navy for 20 years and is now a retired veteran at the age of 56.
It’s truly amazing how one can come from a small town full of poverty, to a large land filled with opportunity. Starting off with nothing, and making it something. Elpidio never lost hope, and that gives me the pride, determination and motivation I hold today. He gave me the sense that anything is possible if you put your mind and heart to it. I am proud to call Elpidio my father.

Origin of zero

Humanities Story

Catching the signal from one of her friends, Angela brushed her skirt, took a deep breath and walked towards where he was sitting.
"Hey," she uttered nervously.
"Hi," he said in reply.
Her hands began to shake rapidly as he turned to face her. His eyes were like diamonds, twinkling in the light, and his laugh was a loud roar that no one can miss.
"So, would you like to go to the dance with me?" She asked eagerly.
"Sure!" He shouted with glee.
She tiptoed back to her friends with joy and said, "That was a piece of cake!"

PARTY IN THE U.S.A.! :)

This was at Saint Augustine's Homecoming 2009. My friends are crazy :)

Vignette; Memories of my Uncle

It was a warm, tranquil afternoon. The loud sound of church bells ringing filled my ears. My sister, boyfriend and I were all crammed together on a padded, dark green pew. I was laying my head on the firm shoulder of my boyfriend, as he had his arm tight around my waist trying to comfort me. “Manang, are you okay?” my younger sister whispered, trying not to disturb the mass. I curled my lips tightly into my mouth, and stroke my eyes against my soft, powder blue long sleeve cardigan. I glanced at her and didn’t respond. She reached out for my arm, and gently embraced it.

My eyes had been swollen red from crying for so long. I tried so hard to hold my tears back. I had a rough feeling in my neck as if there was a gigantic stone in my throat, and I was choking on it, trying to prevent tears from coming out. But somehow, they managed to force themselves out.

Just two days before, I found out my uncle and his son were dead. No one really had the story straight, but my family and family friends believed they committed suicide. I didn’t want to accept or believe it. The thought of it was just unbearable. It was as if my heart was shattered and broken into a million pieces, and the damage was unable to be repaired.

Sitting on the pew, I’d reminisce and think back about how he would always come to visit me and my family. Whenever he came out of his car, he had a huge contagious grin on his face that just made you want to smile. He wore dark shaded glasses, and had wrinkles the size of a single finger that covered every area on his face. His daily attire was an array of collared polo shirts tucked in dress pants, and dress shoes. Whenever we saw him, he would always greet my brother, sister and I with, “Hi, kids!”, then pat our shoulders or give us a hug, and smile.

I’d always remember him saying, “Do well in school, kids! Be good to your parents.” These were the words that replayed over and over again in my mind. The deaths of him and his son were my personal motivation to get good grades, and stop disobeying my parents. I related myself to someone who has lost a parent before, and I learned that you truly don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone.

As I was lost in the memory of my uncle, I woke up to the fact that I was in church. I glanced at the lit up altar with a giant crucifix of Jesus. Below that crucifix, was where the pastor was giving his sermon, and I listened closely. “We pray for the dead that they rest in God’s arms.” were what I remembered him saying.

I never could understand why a man who showed so much joy would ever want to die. In church that day, I’d pray for my uncle, hoping that he would have a place in heaven, in Jesus’ loving arms.



Listen to this song & it's lyrics. :)

Sensory Detail: Sound

Click for sound





It starts off with tune that makes you want to tap your feet. It sounds like an electric piano, then sudden clapping and snapping. The sound slowly fades away as random sounds of what seems to be urinating or waterfalls come in. The tune comes back in and out throughout the whole sound clip, and the dynamics change.

Locker Problem Final

Locker Problem : Third Draft

After testing it out, I've concluded that there will be 31 lockers open in the end. The reason for that is simply because there are 31 perfect squares from 1 - 1,000. Why are the lockers who have perfect squares open? Well, the perfect square lockers have been touched an odd number of times because there is an odd amount of factors for each perfect square (See diagram 1). For example; the factors of 9 are 1, 3, and 9. Compare that to 24, whose factors are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 24. Each number has the factors of 1, and itself. Meaning, each locker was touched by student number one, and the student with the same number as the locker number. So, each locker was touched at least an even amount of times. Since each locker was initially open, in order for it to be open again, it must be touched an odd number of times. For example; for locker number 4, its factors are 1, 2, and 4. It would be touched by students 1, 2, and 4. Student one opens it, student two closes it, and student four opens it. Since there are no more factors of four, it will remain opened.

Diagram 1:

Lockers	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
State	o	ox	ox	oxo	ox	oxox	ox	oxox	oxo	oxox

How did I get the answer 31? Well, my strategy was, once I’ve noticed the ‘perfect squares pattern’, I tried to figure out the perfect square closest to 1,000. (See diagram 2).

Diagram 2:

These are the perfect squares that if they are to the second power, they are equal to a number from 1 – 1,000.

12 = 1	72 =49	132 =169	192 =361	252 =625	312 =961
22 = 4	82 =64	142 =196	202 =400	262 =676	322 =1024
32 = 9	92 =81	152 =225	212 =441	272 =729
42 =16	102 =100	162 =256	222 =484	282 =784
52 =25	112 =121	172 =289	232 =529	292 =841
62 =26	122 =144	182 =324	242 =576	302 =900

As you can see in the diagram above, 31 is the greatest square root or perfect square that does not exceed the 1 – 1,000 range. 32 is shown in the diagram above to show that it goes over 1,000.

What I did over the weekend. SLOB

Locker Problem 2nd Draft

After testing it out, I've concluded that there will be 31 lockers open in the end. The reason for that is simply because there are 31 perfect squares from 1 - 1,000. Why are the lockers who have perfect squares open? Well, the perfect square lockers have been touched an odd number of times because there is an odd amount of factors for each perfect square. For example; the factors of 9 are 1, 3, and 9. Since each locker was initially open, in order for it to be open again, it must be touched an odd number of times.

Having a bad day?

Haha, I will never ever look at Joe Jonas the same ever again. O_O

Order of Operations

1. ( 8 + 3 ) - 2^2 + 9
2. ( 4 + 2 ) + 3^2 - 8
3. 8 x 9 ÷ 12 x 8 = 48

Daphne Loves Derby

"Even when the world is breaking down,I know I have you, and it's all I need."
- Daphne Loves Derby
(Simple, Starving to be Safe)

Bible Verse

Love Never Fails.
1 corinthians 13:8

Favorite Fictional Hero

My favorite fictional hero is Lawliet, otherwise known as L. He is one of the main characters in the Japanese Manga, Death Note. His character portrays a detective who leads the Police Investigation Team on the Kira case, which is a series of mass murder.

L is one of my favorite fictional heroes because he is very intellectual and cunning. He is also very unique and different from any other character I've ever read about. He was an orphan who came from an orphanage for gifted people. He has a strong inclination towards candy and sweets, and he dislikes socks.

This character is special to me because he is very enigmatic or mysterious, just like I am. He reminds me of myself because of his clever, quirky personality.

What is Math? What is Physics?

What is Math?

In my perspective, math can be many things. We use math for our daily necessities such as shopping, bills, measurements, etc. It is involved in basically everything we do. Math is used throughout the world as an essential tool in many fields. Without math, this world would not function properly.

What is Physics?

Physics to me is simply the physical properties of an object. Physics gives scientific methods to understand the basic rules or laws of nature. It is the study of the interaction of matter and energy. This energy can take the form of most things. Like motion, gravity, electricity, etc.

30 Things You Don't Know About Me

1. I play the clarinet, piano, and guitar.
2. I love sushi, pandas, green, and the number 8.
3. I don't like bad grammar or the mall.
   
4. I eat in a lot, and I don't like it when people watch me eat. ._.
   
5. I listen to almost all types of music.
   
6. I only drink bottled water.
7. I am Filipino and a little Spanish.
   
8. I am deathly afraid of needles.
9. My favorite song is "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz.
10. I absolutely dislike liars and germs.
11. I'm sensitive.
12. I have two piercings and I want a tattoo of a cross (it's symbolic that Christ is always with me.) :)
    
13. I'm highly ticklish.
14. I like my eggs scrambled. >:]
    
15. I have a very weak bladder. D=
    
16. I look around when I'm nervous.
17. Give rather than receive, forgive but don't forget kind of person.
    
18. I straighten my hair almost every time I go out.
19. I have short-term memory.
20. I used to have Pneumonia, and I've never had asthma.
    
21. I have an annoying sock tan. -_-
22. I'm usually the last person to finish taking a test or eating something.
23. I'm slow and I like to take my time. Yet, sometimes, I'm impatient.
24. I fix my hair, day dream, and space out a lot.
25. I'm very picky.
26. Shy/Quiet people scare me and make me feel awkward O_O
27. I scream whenever I see something crawl before examining what it is[x
28. My mom intended my name to be pronounced KaiTHlyn.
29. I hate being alone or ignored.
30. I hate peanuts and chocolate.