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Cyndi Lynn Sheridan                                                                                                English – E

January 5, 2011

                                                A Trip of Language Chaos

 

“May I have a soda please?”

“Excuse me? What would you like?”

“A soda please.”

(The cashier just gazed at me with a blank stare.)

I tried to organize my thoughts before I was embarrassed even further. I felt my cheeks turning red as if my face was burning up. Then, I thought to myself and realized that maybe the residents of Pittsburgh pronounced or had different words for certain products as compared to how residents of Philadelphia may call them. I just arrived here no more than two days ago for just a simple doctor’s appointment, and I’ve have already been faced with an obstacle involving language. Despite the fact that I was thirteen, I still had trouble grasping languages from around the world. With one more hopeful try, I asked once more but with similar words in which I was trying to portray the first time.

“May I have something to drink?”

“Oh yes, what would you like? We have ‘pop’ if that’s okay.”

Without causing more confusion, I just agreed with what the cashier said. She handed me a bottle of Coca Cola soda bottle. Exactly what I was asking for from the beginning.

“Is that all?” she asked.

“Yes, thank you.”

Walking towards the car, I hilariously shared my experience with my parents. At first, they giggled a little but then just stared at me wondering why things were so different between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh even though they are located in the same state. After explaining what just happened to me, they burst into obnoxious laughter. They tempted to make an effort and describe how certain things conflict with language, environment being one of them. For example, since I was raised in the South Philadelphia region my accent is different then most because I pronounce water by saying “wudder”. Their words of wisdom reminded me of an essay I read in which my view on language was effected.

            In the essay How to Tame a Wild Tongue by Gloria Anzaldía, the main character creates a language to suit her identity as well as the environment she lives in. The girl is experiencing difficulty deciding between speaking one language; therefore she develops a language that correlates between her personality and her opinions. Although I only speak English, sometimes I do the same exact thing depending on where I am. Also, my beliefs on language are quite similar to the author when she states, “ A language, which they can connect their identity to, one capable of communicating the realities and values are true to themselves.”

This shows that a language is spoken and used to appeal one’s characteristics as well as to portray the aspect of a person’s life. Identity clarifies the inner beauty of someone by many actions, language being one of them. This is relevant to me because when I socialize with my friends I usually say things that express how I feel and what I am all about. On occasions, I speak to authority figures with proper vocabulary and a respectful tone in order to show my appreciation, but it still shows who I am despite the community I am involved with.

            After several experiences of being in the state of embarrassment on either the words I used for something or how I pronounced something, I’ve came to realize that there are always struggles you are bound to face throughout life but you have to approach them differently. This means that everyone is unique in their own type of way especially when relating to language, so you just have to keep your head held high and overcome this obstacle without being self-conscientious about yourself. I’ve gained a large amount of knowledge by experiencing faults with my language, but now I have a clear understanding on how to connect with people from different backgrounds.   Acceptance is a main goal that you must be able to accomplish in order to actively engage within a community because then a positive attitude is being conveyed. Also, it allows people to use their language in whichever form they feel comfortable with. Clearly, language reflects upon strength, dignity, power, and beliefs because it either builds or breaks you through your identity.

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This is my letter to Senator Scott Brown (R-MA). He is against the DREAM Act because he feels as if it is a "backdoor amnesty." With my letter I am hoping to convince him to vote for the DREAM Act. Though many students and people have tried to convince him and fail, giving up is not an option. 

Dear Senator Brown,
            My name is Caroline AbdulBaki and I am a senior at Science Leadership Academy.  This year, applying to colleges is an incredibly huge part of my life and filing for financial aid. While fighting to accomplish this overwhelming process,  I tend to ask my friends to see the kinds of steps they are taking. All or most of them would say their process is complicated, easy, and or done, but not all of them mean it. Some of my friends would not be applying to colleges or for financial aid because they are illegal immigrants. They know that financial aid will not be given at any cost, and in some situations, they are declined from going to any college.
            The DREAM Act gives these hard working students an opportunity to be leveled as an incredible student. These students that you are now depriving from college have been attending your school districts since Pre-school. They should not be punished for a mistake their parents committed and the child takes all the sufferings. . These children may not be American on paper, but they are at heart. I understand the pros and cons of the DREAM Act, however “the children are our future” should be a huge reason why you should vote for the DREAM Act. These children work hard to receive an education and achieve in life in order to help make OUR country a better place to live. It is important for those who help represent the country their entire lives to be given a chance.  They work hard to accomplish DREAMS they have had for a long time but not to be crushed by a system that limits their education. If you are not a favor of the wordingm try to change it, make it reasonable but I ask you to not take this opportunity away from these earning children.
            Take a minute and put yourself in their shoes. Put your children in their shoes imagine if they were to suffer from a mistake that you had made in your past. It is a frustrating proccess that any parent or child would be willing to fight.  We want to legalizing immigrants and why not help those who deserve it. Take a second Mr. Brown and truly think about these children by helping to make the right choice for these children.

Sincerely,
Caroline AbdulBaki

 

My art comes from inspiration. My inspiration for painting the lotus flower came from the lack of me not knowing how to draw a flower and the lack of me never seeing a lotus flower in person. I started with just a one-on-one drawing session with Ms. Hull, where she showed me how to illustrate the basic design of a flower and how it should be drawn. Once I got the basic "how to draw a flower" down pack, I decided to sketch more and more and practice each class how I want my drawing to be. My favorite thing about my work is knowing that I tried something I've never done before and it came out as a masterpiece. I knew my work was going well once my sketch was not only  what I pictured it but even better.

The decision in how to correctly illustrate my final project is what hindered me the most in this project. I knew I wanted to paint because I've yet to paint a canvas for my final art project yet. Once I knew I wanted to paint, I bought 2 canvases (1 extra in case I mess up). After I purchased the canvas, I came to Ms Hull in excitement ready to learn the fundamentals of painting and export a dazzling final project. Ms Hull taught me various techniques on how to paint including shadowing and manipulating dark and light colors.

The final product consisted of a lotus flower in the water with floating lilly pads around them and a sunset that consisted of the many colors that catch my mind when I look at a sunset. The hardest part of the project was making a sunset. Since I already pictured in my head what I wanted the sunset to look like, there was no way that it could turn out another way. With the correct usage of water and paint, to give it a soft look, the sunset turned out to be as wonderful as I depicted in my head.

I knew my canvas was finished once I put the finishing touches of the lotus flower. The usage of the dark and light colors and the hard, dark stroke around the stems of the lotus flower, really put a finishing touch to the project. I also knew my canvas was done when I looked at the canvas and said "This is what I pictured in my mind."

*I would like to give a special thanks to Ms. Hull this quarter because she truly helped me through developing the final product that I pictured. Her patience was truly a blessing to my art piece.*

Here is the Paper sketch of the flower


Here is the canvas sketch of the lotus flower



Here is the final product

Overview: 

For the second quarter, "freedom" was like my middle name. For I was able to discover things about myself through poetry and improve my skills as a writer. I decided that I always wanted a journal, but am too busy to write in one. Therefore, I created one by recycling a shoe box. Then, I printed and 10 of my poems onto the cardboard box. Throughout the quarter, I have written over 20 poems. That would be a lot to include, so I provided a sample. Writing poetry was sometimes difficult, with the occasional "Writer's Block", however I pushed myself through them all. Below is a picture of the final product, as well as one of my best poems I wrote throughout the quarter. 


"The Seed" 

I am the analytical epitome of proximity 

the exemplary identity of a leader 

trapped behind a glorious mask

I throw ash in the faces of those in the traces 

trying to reveal the veil that entrances 

these simple minded people and I to equals 

trying to make sense of the world  

now thou say all is forgotten 

funny how we reminisce on time while they plotting 

creating scenes of the future stemming from our dreams 

turning the desirable fate into clear reality 

crisp as the wrinkles that river your uniform pants 

I keep the haters on their feet, 

while I move to the task like ants 

that's why their faces dance 

like a million of me in their pants and 

I bet they wish it was them instead of me on the thrown 

I like the sweet taste of victory, so I take it home 

where I reside back to this contraption and desolate transaction 

pressing keys along this board to express my letters 

form meaning into art and poetry all together 

combine us like a mixed breed 

I'm calling to the Seed

and I try to conquer all of the negative energy 

transform it into my inner chi 

I would love to see you try to defeat the optimism 

for I balance yin and yang so you will see no change 

when the mask of the peoples try to phase me 

I let it roll of my back and suffix your self esteem 

I am the prefix that can changes your being 

within all of the drama I am the hierarchy you are seeing 

you should try to make sense of the puzzle pieces you are missing… 

I enjoyed the second quarter, because there was more freedom in what could be done. I decided to do some sketches, because its just what I was more comfortable with.  I used a sketch book and a couple of pencils. I wasn't sure of what I wanted to do at first, so I just used the first things I saw and sketched them. I started off with some that were simpler and moved on to ones with more detail. Before this project, I hadn't sketched anything in a long time.  As I started to get used to sketching again, things became easier.  One thing that was challenging for me was keeping things proportional, especially ears and eyes.  The last sketch I made is a self portrait from a side view.

I chose to sketch Murdoc, 2-D, and Noodle from the Gorillaz. I left out the fourth member, and did a drawing of myself instead. The album artwork is what lead me to make the self portrait, even though I had originally intended on drawing the fourth member (Russel). I was in the process of drawing Russel when the sketch started to remind me of myself so I decided to turn it into a self portrait.

This is before I darkened the hair.

The final sketch.

For the quarter 2 project in my art class we were told to create somethings that meant something to us. I decided to draw a picture of the symbol of hope which is a dove. I wanted to draw something with hope because there are so many things and people out there that need it so bad. So while I was drawling the dove I started to doodle a little more and just decided to add more things. It was a picture that progressed from day to day. 
I started with a dove and then drew a tree. A tree that represents life and bearing of things. I wanted the tree to symbolize the fact that the dove was bringing hope to the tree and the tree was going to distribute hope to different disasters or things that need it. It was a big enough tree that the dove was just going to sit in the tree and just give out hope to everyone. 
Then as the picture progressed I began to draw different disasters or things that I felt need hope. I drew about 5 different things a broken heart, a hurricane, a fire, massive winds, and a crash. These things are most common in disasters and things people go through almost everyday in different environments and places. Also on the other side of the paper is a laugh now cry later mask that I chose to draw reverse. I chose to draw a cry now laugh later mask because during the bad things you cry but then when you receive hope you feel better about things and you can smile and laugh. It is going to drop behind that end of the dove and not be as bold as everything else but still seen. I chose this because I don't want it to be the main thing in the picture I just want it to be seen.
I really enjoyed drawing this because it was fun and it actually came out looking like something. I'm not the greatest artist I like to say that I can't draw but when I drew this picture it was really encouraging and it gave me hope that I might have a hidden talent. 

This is when I started the project and got the shape of the igloo. After building it for awhile it just wouldn't look like a dome. 






Since the igloo did not work out as I planed because the Elmer's glue started to degrade the sugar cube, I decided to draw pokémon instead. I drew pikachu and togepi. 

PIKACHU









TOGEPI







I learned that things are hard then they seem but if you take it step by step it becomes a lot easier. I enjoyed this quarter project and I am determined to work harder on my next couple projects to come. 

 

Sierra Dinvil

Gold English

January 6, 2011

Language Essay

 

“And what would you like to order?” the waitress asked as she patiently stood over our table.  

“Can I have a Chicken Quesadilla with –“ I paused, taking my eyes from the Menu to look at her.   She looked back at me with a puzzled look on her face, holding her hand up to her ear, and leaning further in towards the table.  

“She’ll take a chicken quesadilla with no guacamole sauce,” my dad said quickly before I could even repeat myself.

“You need to learn to speak up,” my dad said sternly.   The waitress, and everyone else let out a quick giggle, but I didn’t find anything funny.   As she continued to take my table’s order, I thought about what my dad said.   This isn’t the first time that he’s told me this.    It actually happens every time we go out to eat, or any time we’re out in public.   I used to think that this was a simply a problem that I had in restaurants, but I eventually realized this problem occurred everywhere.

After we left the restaurant, I became more self-conscious of my speech.   When I got home, I went straight to my room to practice making my voice projection louder.   After about an hour I stopped, and was very proud of the progress I thought I was making.   I then started to go downstairs to talk to my mom.

“Do you know where my navy blue pants are?” I asked as I slowly began to walk down the steps.

“What?” she yelled back at me.

“My jeans! Do you know where my jeans are?” I said with an attitude.   It made me a little upset that she couldn’t hear me the first time.

“I can’t hear you,” she yelled back again.

“Either walk all the way downstairs or talk louder!”  I couldn’t believe it.   All that time I wasted in front of a mirror and still showed no signs of progress.   I went back to my room and sat on my bed.   I couldn’t understand how even when I yelled my voice wasn’t loud enough.   Richard Rodriguez once said, “Linguistic difficulties have no serious consequences” insinuating that even if you have a hard time with your speech it is unlikely that you will be penalized for it. My life at the time was proof against his theory.

I had been dealing with this problem for years, and couldn’t figure out an effective way to fix it.   As a result of being so self-conscience of my speech I refrained from speaking in public.   I started to think about this effected not only my personal but life but my school life as well.   I began to think back to my latest report card.   Teachers would constantly give me B’s and C’s in the participation portion of my grade because I would hardly ever contribute to classroom discussions.   However, whenever I did grow the courage to raise my hand to answer a question or contribute to the class, they would ask me to repeat myself or cut me off mid-sentence to tell me to talk louder.   I hated that.   It started to become annoyed after a while, which made me stop participating altogether.   Another result of my poor projection was that I would receive low scores when presenting something orally.   Oral presentations were the one part of school I hated the most.   As soon as I would start presenting, I could immediately tell no one could hear anything I was saying.   Some would look at me with puzzled faces, some would break off into conversation, and others would just find something else to do.   Throughout the presentation I would constantly try to raise my voice but I would never have any luck.   This caused me to think further into my future, would people not listen to me because I couldn’t speak loud enough?   Would they be able to respect me and take me seriously?   No one really listens to someone who has a soft voice.  

So much power is given to the force behind a voice.   It’s lets people know that your serious about what your saying, and they need to listen.   Have you ever heard of some one robbing a bank saying, ”Excuse me… but can you give me all your money” in a soft voice?    I don’t think anyone would take him seriously and a few people may even laugh at him, but If he came busting through the door yelling

“GIVE ME ALL YOUR MONEY!” then he would get more of the response he was looking for, he would be taken seriously.  

Knowing this, I also want the ability to put meaningful force not only behind what I say, but how I say.   I want people to take me seriously, and not to ask me to repeat myself several times before they can clearly hear me.   Projection is a skill, and a lot more then how you speak.   Since then, I have been working on my voice projection, making sure that everyone can hear what I have to say.   I’ve found a way to put power behind my voice and I wont give up until I have perfected the skill.

 

            

For the second marking period we had the option to create whatever kind of artwork we wanted. Personally I liked this. It gave me the freedom to do some of the things I'm particularly good at without really any limitations. This is different from the last marking period because we were basically given an idea that we had to work with opposed to what were doing this quarter. Looking at some of the projects that are already posted you can see how versatile our projects are from comics to sketches. This marking period is personally my favorite.
For my artwork I chose to expand on a skill that I previously learned in my Freshman year. As a freshman I learned how to print a drawing on a linoleum block, and also carve the drawing out to resemble a stamp. I chose to sketch out an "S" because it's the first letter of my name. I wanted to make sure it was something more challenging and time consuming to sketch so I chose to draw a fancy looking "S" with a lot of detail. I then painted over the linoleum and printed on sheets of paper to make 1 collage of different colors. 
If I were to do this project differently I would definitely be more consistent and work on using my time more wisely. However I am proud of the work I am putting up, but I know that if my time was used more efficiently I probably would have had more prints to chose from. Another problem I experienced was not using the same kind of paper for each of my prints which effected the quality of my artwork when I was picking prints to choose from. A lot of them were on different textured construction papers and wouldn't give my art work the effect I wanted them to have.
Overall I am really proud of the piece I produced, and I hope that you like it too.

Sketch:

 

Outline on Linoleum: 



(It's backwards on purpose)

Marks for cuts:



Final Cut:




Final Pieces:

Directed by : 

Blase Biello
Anwar Abdul-Qawi
Ryan Francis