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I don't even know why I'm getting in trouble. How is my outfit inappropriate. Because the rule says no rips allowed? Or because you can see my shoulders? No disrespect but that rule is stupid. I mean like why does it even matter if my jeans has rips in them or not. And if my shirt is off my shoulder. Last time I checked this was highschool with people all older than 14. I don't understand how a shoulder and a knee gets me sent to the principal's office. Anybody who is 14 years or older should be able to control themselves if they see a shoulder or knee right? So you are making me miss the whole school day because of my outfit. I don't understand who I'm hurting by my knees and shoulder being out. Can I call my mom? I need her to hear the reason why I'm getting sent home by you. Unwanted attention? As a young female in today's world I get unwanted attention for everything I do. You have no idea what it feels like to have clothes that you want to wear but don't feel comfortable in them because other people will stare. Or because people don't wear the same things as you , you aren't accepted. We live in a place where girls are told what to wear and how to wear it and if there is too much showing they are called out of their name, or are viewed as less than.  Why should I be defined by the clothes I wear. If I like something I should be able to wear it right? Just because I wear my legs out doesn't make me less of a person right? I go to school, get good grades, help around my house, don't cause trouble and still somehow things don't seem to work in my favor. Yes I’ve read the rule book so maybe it is my fault. If I didn't want the attention I should cover up. You’re right. I understand what I did was wrong and I understand that sending me home is what you have to do.

I know what type of world I live in so I should just learn how to deal with it so I can be accepted. Being accepted is all I really want out of life. I don't want to be looked at as the weird girl or the outcast anymore. If I follow the rules and the norms of society I will be accepted. Even though the norms aren't me I still want to be accepted so I'm going to do all that I can. Maybe instead of adjusting myself to the norms, I can change the norms. In schools teach the students to stop judging people before they know them. And that it is okay not to be accepted by people who don't matter. As a school principal I think teaching your students that they should feel comfortable to wear their skin out if they want to is vital to preparing them for the world. I get sent to school to learn things that I am going to need in the real world. Am I wrong to think that self confidence is something that I will need in the real world? In school you teach us math, reading, science and history but what about self-care?

I chose this format for many reasons. I feel like the fading red contrasts perfectly with the pictures I picked. I put the surfing in the middle because that is the most unique picture out of all of them. Also, I wanted to make the picture stand out. The CrossFit picture is incorporated because it is one of my favorite hobbies and that was my heaviest lift at the time. The basketball picture is there because it is my favorite sport and it is practically half of my life. It is an intention that you can’t see my face in the shot because it is supposed to show mystery so the observer can imagine what they think my face looks like. I put the wind designs in the bottom corners to add a smooth feeling in the picture and to fill up space so there is no emptiness.

To create this presentation, I started with the background (which is based of most of my video game avatars), which I believe adds to the theme of the presentation, and also has many shades of contrast. I also tried to make the name really big to draw attention towards it. I also made the main (blue) text somewhat big itself, but not so big it disoriented the presentation. After making that, I realized I could go into more detail, so I made the sub (orange) text. The presentation itself works somewhat with the Rule of the Thirds, but I think it’s not too orderly (or else it wouldn’t work with the theme in my opinion) and not too disorderly (or else it would be incomprehensible).

I choose to make my slide look this way to showcase my personal interests. I love astrology, and I am very interested in how the planets impact your personality. I am a leo sun, which is the sign most people know, and I included the symbol for leos. However, I am also a Cancer in my moon. I decided to include both because I think both equally impact my personality. Since my name is multicolored I made the symbol black so that the eye is drawn to the color in the picture. I added the flower, which’s stem bleeds off the page. I also decided to add the bee to compare the yellow in the slide. Finally, I added the color background because while it is still a pastel, it adds color to the slide and makes it more interesting.

Amani Harb

November 21,2017

Band C

Final Countdown

Takes place on bed

*It’s the final countdown. The final countdown. Oh….* ← ( song playing in the background)

I remember when Cora and I…. Ughh whenever I hear this song I think of her. We were laying on my bed and… ha it was pretty funny because I stubbed my toe while the song was playing and I was wimping around but then the chorus came on and I started singing anyway and we started cracking up. Oh uh well now that I look back at it, it’s not that funny (laughs a little bit)… She was my best friend for 9 years. We met on the first day of kindergarten she had short blonde hair and glasses.

“Hi my name is Cora what’s your name?” I remember she said this in such an excited voice.

All I could say was, “Anna.” God, I was so nervous to talk with her!

For nine years we shared secrets. For 9 years I asked her for advice. In the fifth grade, she told me about a boy she had a crush on. In sixth grade, we worked together to get all A’s in each class for all four marking periods. In eighth grade we wrote the valedictorian speech together and presented it on stage during graduation. *sigh*

I guess it was the summer of 8th grade that I realized things weren’t the same. Cora became more and more distant. She started to hang out with Sara. Sara transferred to the elementary/middle school that we went to in 7th grade. Sara the girl with the perfect long blonde hair and bright blue eyes. I felt so left out (says in a hurt voice). They started wearing the same clothes like we used to do. Even their voices became intertwined they sounded the same….Cora didn’t need me anymore from there everything was always about Sara. It was Sara this, Sara that I even asked her if she liked Sara better than me, and she would say

(says in a snobby voice) “What kind of a ridiculous question is that? Anna we have been friends forever”

She said that yet she started to hang out more with Sara rather than me. I guess she lied straight to my face. What did I do wrong? Did I annoy her at some point? Was it because of Brandon, ‘our’ crush? Was Sara prettier than I was? Or more popular? I always try to go back to times where I did Cora wrong, but there were very little. One time we hung out and she asked if her hair was a mess and of course I answered honestly and said that yeah she looked like she just woke up, did that do it for her? Is that why she won’t talk to me anymore? You know what I don't even care about Cora anymore. I have other people in my life right? I have all of my other friends, I guess i’m not as close with them but we are still friends. I will survive. This is all just part of life. I don’t think that we will ever be the same again, even if we talk about everything that has happened. It has just been too long without her and the trust between us is gone. Cora doesn’t care about me, so I shouldn’t care about her. Like I’ve tried to fix things but she is just not willing to change. I miss her but she doesn’t seem to miss me. Maybe she has changed too much from the girl I met in Kindergarten.

*I guess there is no one to blame. We're leaving ground (leaving ground). Will things ever be the same again? It’s the final countdown* (song plays in the background and slowly gets quieter)

Ughhh, why is the sun so bright? Someone close the shades!

Oh, my god, the tables are turned around facing the front of the classroom, you already know what that means, test day.

This room is so empty and stale, it gives me chills. And what's taking everyone so long to come in. I want to get this test over with!

“Quiet down everyone, Have a pencil and scratch paper be the only things on your desk."(Mocking the teacher) Yes. Yes, we know.

“ I hate math. I hate math.” (Crumble some scratch paper). Okay,  got my scratch paper. Oh, a pencil. I need a pencil! (Scurry through my book bag pockets), nope no pencil here.

Well Hey there Jimmy, buddy let me get that pencil. Uhmm, don’t roll your eyes at me! Gimme that jawn.

Ew, why when the teacher walk around they (exaggerate) have to lick their finger between each distribution of the papers, it’s so nasty. (My leg begins to tap followed by the tip of the pencil). Why does he always approach me with a big sour grin. (I snatch the paper in the mid-air). Honestly, I️ never understood why we got tests? And especially for math? Like how do you study for a math test? For a vocab test, I don't know, you can make flash cards and get your friends to test you? For a history test, you can study the dates and events, But study equations? First of all, I Know the teachers know that I know. So, why are they still making me do this over and over?

 Hmm, let me look at this. Wait, wait hold on there. You can’t be serious. (Hand in the air) Why is it that everytime I ask a question he drags himself over like he has better things to do. So, like uhm are you sure we learned this? (I️ say  peeking up at him with my head tucked between my shoulders.) (Chuckle) Imma takes that as a yes. (Drops pencil.)

Oh yeah, see this kid next to me? His name is Jordan. I’m pretty sure he knows what he’s doing! He hasn’t picked his head up from the paper yet! Watch this. I’m going to sneak up on him and get a good look at the test. Oh no, no! Abort! Abort! He’s looking at me! Imma just look back at my test and act like i’m thinking really hard.

Aye, yeah my pencil dropped. What are you looking at me like that for? Are you trying to copy jordan? Yeah yeah, you better look back on your paper.

That usually works. Oh well, let me just look around the room and hope there's a poster up or something that has the directions on how to do this. (Sigh) Nope, nothing at all.

(tiss)You know what? I’m just not going to do this. Math isn’t my thing. (stutter) I just don’t like math. I liked math in elementary school. You know, when it was all numbers no alphabet. But now it’s just a hot mess. They just said no, numbers aren’t enough so let’s add letters too.

Honestly, i knew i was going to fail this class anyways. The teacher doesn’t like me. I think it’s because I’m the only one that actually has common sense in this class. Everyone is just so vulnerable. They follow all the directions, do all their homework, finish all the class work.

Woah 7 mins left? (I️ pick up the pencil and looked at question one.) Let me actually attempt. It won't hurt i guess.  (I️ stood in shock) I know all of this? Oh my god, I know all of this.

I finished with one minute left. This was so easy. Why did I doubt myself ? I’m good at this. I’m good at math.

I feel like...i'm slowly falling apart

And you think you understand?

She´s Gone!

And all I have left to think about is

her laugh, her smile, her touch, her kisses

It’s been a year!

Sitting with her in the hospital, talking to her while she’s under… nevermind

“I'm tired of being in this hospital, take me home,” is what she said, and it made her realize she's getting tired of nurses that attempt to help her. .

But I knew when she goes home she won't be there for long.

I still hear her say to me, “Hey sweetheart, how you feeling?”

¨I know its hard but you will get threw it because you are a strong independent young lady, and i know you won't let nothing change that¨.

My mom told me when gram knew it was her time to go, she squished her hand tightly and looked her in the eyes and smiled.

My gram died from cancer, and I wasn't there when she passed

Walking into the room I seen everyone crying and my mom taking off her mask

I was Saying to myself ¨ This isn't real, please come back, I need you.

Remembering the first time when she feel out of bed and was rushed to the hospital

Her sitting in bed, getting sick as the days pass.

Do you understand now?

The stuffed nose, the redness in your eyes, the screams in the pillow

Did you know I cried myself to sleep every night.

And nobody, nobody understand the pain I'm going through.

Everytime I see an elder they  slightly resembles my grandmother.

I swear it's her… alive, here in front of me.

And you still say you understand?!

No, no you don´t,

I really miss her, my mom says she´s in a better place.

In a beautiful place called heaven.

Hey Gram,

I know your looking down on me.

Can you see me?

Me and mom try to make your delicious chicken and dumpling, but we can never get it and it makes mom sad because she wishes you were with her so you can teach her the recipe.

Can you hear me?

I need for you to hear me when I cry at night and tell me it's going to be ok, and you are always here with me.

I really really miss you

And I try not to be sad and I'm trying not to cry but it hurts and it's so hard

You feel my pain? You feel my pain?

Huh, Ridiculous…

People only notice someone when they are happy,having fun but never notice when they’re upset or scared.

And it hurts.

It hurts when you realize your tears aren't as important as your smile.The desire to cry, the desire of feeling sadness for someone who is no longer here

Is linked to emotional stress

But the most difficult thing is to stay moving on in life

But the easiest part is acting like everything is ok and pretending to wear a smile.

I’ma just stop explaining myself because i just realized all I needed was for someone to listen to me. So moving on, tomorrow i will continue to work on my improvements of moving on in life,But still having that section in my heart for my grandma.

Laugh!!!

Im so glad you understand me at the end.

So now you are willing to help me strive for excellent for my future goal and career.

Thank you so much!!

I started off the slide by choosing the background. It was a simple bright red to contrast the white / grey “Me Magazine” text and to emphasize it more. I then decided in my head to choose a theme. This would be silhouettes that generalized the most important aspects of the Me Magazine. I found a black martial arts silhouette and placed it right below the text on the slide. I made it the biggest silhouette to draw attention towards it because it was my passion and the highlight of my life. I then found a black silhouette of a man taking a picture / video to represent the event in my life that released my creativity. I made it the smallest and put it in the corners of the screen because it isn’t as important as the other aspects. The last silhouette was a school boy and I place him between both of the other silhouettes. It was the middle height because it wasn’t as important as my passion and it was more important than the event. I lastly reflected both across the slide to provide repetition. I lastly placed two wind gust silhouettes beside the text to emphasize it more. My slide was very simplistic so that people could look at it for a very short amount of time and understand the message of the slide.

I chose this design because I like beaches and seashells. The spirals remind me of waves and seashells. I wrote who I am as a person. Don't judge me that I have autism and ADHD because it's hard to learn sometimes. And sometimes I get distracted which is bad because I lose focus and be so silly that it is hard for others to concentrate on their work.

I don’t want to be here right now. Not now and not ever. This is the 7th sleepover I’ve been invited to. I had a way out every other time, until now. (She says with frustration). I still got my list of excuses: a family member died, early doctor’s appointment tomorrow, I’m sick, dog died, and my favorite: throwing mom under the bus and saying she’s making me finish all my homework. But my good old mother just had to rat me out this time. (Sighs and laughs.) She told Lucy’s mom I was free tonight! (Shakes head.) And now I’m stuck here and I can’t even have fun. I want to, I really do. But it’s just eating away at me.

It’s midnight. (Looks towards window.) It’s really dark out. They already watched movies, chugged gatorades, and they just finished the final round of truth or dare. One of them just curled up on the couch with a blanket! Soon they’ll be sleeping. First one will drift off, then the next. I’m not worried about a sharpie mustache on my face. No. I can’t sleep. I just can’t fall asleep. If I do, my friendships will all be ruined. They’ll know, the secret will be out. That I’m a freak. A weirdo who wakes up almost every night in tears, unable to breath, shaking, sometimes screaming. It’s the terrors, the night terrors.

They started a year ago. Every night, it’s the same god damn thing. The same image, the same person haunting me. It’s a never ending nightmare, but worse. I just can’t fall asleep. Lucy, Olivia, Emma--they all won’t like me anymore. They won’t know what to do with me, or how to help. (Tone switches to hopeful.) I mean maybe, maybe if they see me like that, maybe I won’t get another invite. Then I’ll be in the clear! (Frowns.) But, no. They’ll still know. I mean, I’ve dealt with it long enough. None of my friends know, I’ve kept it to myself. If people know they’ll just ask too many questions. (Shakily.) I’m tired of all the questions. (Sighs and tears up.)

He hit me. He beat me. He made me feel so worthless. My mom’s boyfriend. (Screams) He hurt me. (In a more exhausted tone.) And I’ll never forget it. He’ll never let me forget it. He’s gone now; he’s been gone since I told my mom. But now, look what I have to deal with. Every night he’s there. In the darkness he comes. I don’t know how to make him leave. I just want my life back, I want to be normal. I want to go to sleepovers, I want to sleep a full night through. I just want it to be over!

So for my me magazine I talk a lot about my passion with cars especially drifting and rally driving. So what I decided to have in my slide design is to have a visual of a car drifting because The Presentation Zen stated that we humans notice compelling images and also we can easily remember visuals. What Presentation Zen also taught me is to have only one point because if you put too much information, the reader gets bored of reading it and just pass. Also the audience wouldn’t be able to remember it all in less than 5 seconds because there’s too many words and we humans can remember things visually better than reading. So I decided to keep it short, a way for the audience to remember, understand that I am a very passion about cars, and make is humorous. I decided to use the word skrt skrt because it a common slang term for cars that is drifting on the road which is a perfect thing on my slide. I also play with the moment of my two words. I decided to have the word follow that car path so I organize the font in a way to make the words lead up to the car. What I also play around with the words is the font size and the color. For size, I wanted to have like a sort of noise effect like the closer the word is to the car, the more loud it is which I demonstrated by increasing the size of the word near the car. Then vice versa for the word father away from the car because the sound is now softer. I wanted the word to stand out from the light brown dirt from my background image of the car so the reader can easily see the word and also have this contrast of warm and cool colors. While doing further research, I found about the wheel of color which was a helpful tool to help find the right colors. To make my text stand out from the light brown, I use complementary colors which are colors that are directly opposite from each other and are useful when you want to make colors stand out. So I use the wheel of colors to find out the complementary color of light brown which is light blue. Finally, the light brown is a warm color and the light blue is a cool color to make a good contrast.