Reflection on Portfolio.

First and second quarter has really went by quickly. From these two quarters i have learned how to make webpages using HTML coding. Now i can put all my work i have done on the webpages to show what i have been doing in those classes. The webpages are part of my assessment of the general learning outcome #5, "Effective Communicator."

This a great opportunity to comment on my learning. When commenting please answer these following questions :

1. What did you like best about my portfolio and portfolio conference? What would you like to see me improve on in my portfolio?
2. From your point of view, which of my attainments of the 4 traits of writing is of most value? Please explain why you feel it is important and what about my documentation of it impresses you.
   
3. Which of the traits of writing would you like me to focus on in the coming semester?

Here's the link to my Webpages : www2.k12.hi.us/~kcaguillo/HomePage.html

Interdependence and Empathy (DRAFT)

Interdependence, a word meaning to rely or depend on one another, is something everyone around the world experiences in their daily lives. We may not notice it, but everything tends to depend on each other each and everyday. We create great bonds with people, which we learn to understand their situations. We gain the same emotions of the person and empathize for them. Whether we learn to depend on each other or to understand each other's feelings, it makes each and everyone of us, realize how we value each other's lives and feelings. In my media class, we created a photoshop image that deals with both interdependence and empathy, which are our class theme. From there on I understood the meaning of these two words. Before, i came to high school, i didn't even know what these two words even meant.

Interdependence takes a big role to get assignments done. To me, it keeps the world going because we all depend on each other. Whether it's at work, school, home, or the store, interdependence is there. At school, interdependence is the "key" to projects. We all have roles in a group project and to get the job done, we need to rely on each other to do their share.

To feel true empathy, you have to have gone through the same situation as the person. For me, it's easy to relate to a friend or family member's situation. Empathy is one of the emotions everyone should experience in life.

In 7th and 8th grade, i played for my school's volleyball team. We had confidence in ourselves during practices and games. Our main strategy was to use teamwork and rely on each other to do whatever that was necessary to get the ball over the net. We lost most of our games in the tournament, but managed to win the consolation game. Everybody on the team was so blissful, but seeing how depressed the other team was made us empathize for them. It was easy to relate to how they feel because we knew exactly how it felt to loose a game.

As a Menemac student, our projects is where interdependence fits in the most. In english class, we our working on our KC3 project. Interdependence is very effective in this project because everyone in the group has their own subtopic and jobs. We had to make a powerpoint, website, video, survey and script. We all relied on each other to their part of the project because without any of the jobs done, the project wouldn't be complete.

Interdependence is what makes the world keep going. Without it, probably no tasks would be finished. Interdependence happens everyday and it's what creates amity. Empathy is when you gain and understand the other person's feelings. True empathy only happens if you been through the same situation as the person and can only happen if we listen considerately.

KC3 Thesis Statement

Topic : Invasive Alien Species
Suptopic : Invasive alien insects

Thesis :

"Invasive alien insects is a problem in Hawaii because they damage some vegetation, harm some animals, and disturb Hawaii's natural environment. "

KC3 critique draft

Invasive alien insects is a problem in Hawaii because they damage some vegetation, harm some animals, and disturb Hawaii's natural environment. However, there are some invasive insects that are harmless and are becoming rare to find in Hawaii, like the Hawaiian flightless weevil. Fire ants and fruit flies are non-native to Hawaii. They arrived through a shipment of native plants in the island of Kauai around 1999. The yellow faced bee, an important pollinator to Hawaii, are native to Hawaii and becoming increasingly rare. The yellow faced bee was found in 1900 near a coastal area on one of Oahu's offshore islets.

Hawaii's environment, plants, and animals are slowly being affected by these invasive insects. For example, the Big headed ant and Fire ants are attacking birds like the seabird chick. In addition these insects are eating the native plants and killing other native insects.

In Hawaii, the ripening fruits and vegetables are slowly being spoiled or infected by the fruit flies. The Fruit fly pumps her eggs into the fruit, when the eggs hatch the fruit becomes spoiled, making it a big disgusting mess.

However, the Hawaiian flightless weevil and the Yellow faced bee are just two of the invasive insects in Hawaii that are becoming hard to find. They are becoming rare due to habitat loss or destruction and the presence of alien ants and other insects. The Yellow faced bee is an important pollinator in Oahu's offshore islets. If there are a loss of the remaining yellow faced bees it well affect the native plants that depend on it for pollination.

ARS researchers created a integrated pest management program to target these troublesome Fruit flies. The goal of this program is to give Hawaii's farmers science based and environmental strategies for reducing crop losses. The researchers believe this will stop the fruit fly problem in Hawaii and will be practical and affordable.

However, the Big headed ant and the Fire ant doesn't have a program stopping the damage they are doing to Hawaii's environment, but there are some people trying to stop them from spreading to other areas. They are being studied to see if they can be effectively eradicated from offshore islets. For example, the Nature Conservancy Partners and scientist are one of the many people trying to stop these ants.

Invasive alien insects are slowly damaging Hawaii's environment. Also, they are becoming increasingly rare. In addition, more programs should be made to help out to protect our environment and the invasive insects that live in Hawaii.

Querencia Essay [draft]

My room is the best room in the house because it has everything i could need and is the coolest room in the house. I guess you could say my room is unique because of the memories i have in it. From sleepovers, to all those awful and blissful moments.

Looking back from 6 years ago, when we first moved into this house, I decided that this room would be mine from the moment i saw it. Although it's smaller compared to all the other rooms in the house, it has a few advantages. Like how my room is the coolest room in the house and how i have a partial view of pearl harbor and waikiki.

Entering my room, the first thing i would notice is how the brown paint in the wall have dents from the way my bed and all my furniture always hits it. Putting my bag and books down and as i relax on my bed, i suddenly jerk from the random and delightful smell that flew under my nostrils as the automatic air freshener sprayed it's mist. I look outside the window to see that the tall tree was swaying as if it were dancing with the wind. As the powerful wind blows against my face, i hear the sound of the poster that was hanging up on my wall make a crumpling sound as it falls to the ground.

My room is a place where i go when i'm feeling depressed, mad, or excited. I like how my room is always tidy, not messy. It makes me feel like i'm in my own world because i can basically do anything i want. Looking out my window at night, i see my partial view of pearl harbor and waikiki. The lights from a far distance, let's me reflect on what i did that day and makes me picture my favorite place to be "Las Vegas".

Journal #9

Wild Meat and the Bully Burgers.

This book relates to culture because it includes Hawaiian Pidgin.

Lovey Nariyoshi, a typical girl, living with her japanese family in Hilo, Hawaii, is trying to find her identity. Lovey wants to be like haole, she wants to dress and act like a haole.

Lovey even wants a haole last name.

Journal # 8

My Room.

- i can feel the cool breeze through my windows. (my room is the coldest room in the house)

- i can listen to music and watch t.v.

- it's where i go when i'm disappointed, sad or mad.

- it's where i can just laydown and just relax.

Cassava Bibingka [Rough Draft]

Cassava Bibingka

Waking up on a bright and sunny Saturday morning, the sweet aroma of something baking in the oven downstairs lingered in the air. Taking a big whiff, the smell started to make my mouth water. Making my way down stairs and peeking my curious head into the kitchen, i see a pan of a desirable dessert underneath the hot oven light. "Mom, is that what i think it is?" i asked in a investigative way. She just glanced at me and smiled while mixing another batch of her cassava bibingka.
Watching my mom grate the cassava into thin short pieces, made me pop questions into my head like "Who taught her how to make it" or "How does she make it so delicious and perfect?".
Observing her techniques of mixing the liquid ingredients first separately from the dry ingredients made me realize that maybe that's why her recipe is "ma sarap"(Filipino word for good/delicious) I watched in awe as my mother stirred liquid and dry concoctions into a beautiful light yellow blend. She then poured the mixture into the pan and set it beside the first batch in the oven. "MOM, this agonizing! I can't wait anymore." i told her. Patiently waiting for the oven timer to reach zero, i try to do my homework to distract me from that mouth watering sensation sitting in the oven. "Beep, beep, beep!" Finally it's done! As my mom takes it out of the oven, she tells me to leave it alone till it cools down. Secretly when she walks away, i cut a piece out and eat it. I only had one word in my head to describe this wonderful dessert, " ma sarap! ".

Interview Transcript.

Interview Transcript.

who taught you how to make this food?
- I learned how to make this food from my dad.

What memories do you have with this food?
-My memories with making the cassava bibingka was the fun of dipping my hands in the flour when i was a kid.

Is it easy to make?
- yes, it is pretty simple to make.

Is it a family tradition?
- yes it is because we have it every time it's someones birthday.

Is it your favorite thing to cook?
- yes it is my favorite thing to cook.

Did you enjoy this food as a child?
-Ever since i was a child, i enjoyed eating and making it.

Do you have any stories that you have about this food?
- When i tried to make it by myself, the Bibinkga was overcooked/burnt and it was too sweet...

Ingredients!
- Mochiko
-eggs
-sugar
-butter
-coconut milk
-vanilla syrup
-grated cassava

Journal post #5
A MeneMac student is a person who is a responsible because they turn in their homework/projects on time. They are also reasonable because they always say "YES!" and they always have a positive attitude. They are also honest because they tell the truth when they loose or break equipment.
3 traits that can describe a MeneMac student are:

• reponsible
• reasonable
• honest

Journal Post #2

-Name of the food you have chosen and several specific details about your experience with it?
1. I have chosen my mom's Cassava Bibingka! My first experience with this food is when my mom made it for my 1st birthday party, ever since then it's my favorite desert.
-Make your appointment to interview your family member who can share the recipe and stories about the food and family and include that person's name and your interview date.
2. Interview Date: August 29 or 30
I will be interviewing my mom and others in my family who also enjoy this food.
-Questions for your interview.
Who taught you how to make this food?
What memories do you have with this food?
Is it easy to make?
What are the ingredients?
Is a family tradition?
Is it your favorite thing to cook?
Did you enjoy this food when you were a child?
Why do you like making it?
Are there more than one way to make it?
Are there any stories that remind you about it?

Hello, My name is Kevin. My experiences with writing basically revolves around poetry and creative writing. I like creative writing because it helps me to express myself through my imagination. Me, as a poet, i like to write about the mood i am in that day. My writing goals is to expand my vocabulary and to make well structured sentences.