Taina Rosario- Cover Page

My mentors for my capstone were Srta. Manuel, and my grandmother Señora Iris. I chose Srta. Manuel because of her connection to the Hispanic community through her Spanish classes, and because of her bright energetic mood that pushed me to do my best. My second mentor was chosen was because my grandmother is an inspirational woman who made learning to cook not only a learning experience but enjoyable as well.

 My Capstone was about learning to cook. I decided to learn how to recreate recipes that have been passed down through the generations of my family. In this project, I hoped to enhance my cultural awareness by surrounding myself with facts about my heritage. The main idea of my project was for me to learn how to recreate older recipes and in the future pass them down to the next generations. Also this gave me the chance that I’ve needed to learn how to cook in general

My Capstone was a deeper look into Puerto Rican Cuisine I spent the time that we were given for our capstone on learning recipes from my grandmother that have been passed down the generational lines. For my capstone I spent every week working on my capstone with my out-of-school mentor, I edited my photos that documented the process, and even recorded interviews with Latinas of my generation. To showcase my project I create a website that become the home for my process. 

Annotative Bibliography:

Primary-

1) These are all photos I took while cooking, they are ingredients, processes, and products of my learning. The photos were taken over the span of three months. Many of the hands in these photos are of my mentor, or my own. These will be used on my website as proof of my process. The reason they are so important is because these are primary sources that do not give away the recipes of my family.

Canned Ingredients, Kitchen. Personal photograph by author. 2012.

Organic Ingredients, Kitchen. Personal photograph by author. 2012.

Frying Nanicletas, Kitchen. Personal photograph by author. 2012.

Displayed Nanicletas, Kitchen. Personal photograph by author. 2012.

Handmade Sofrito, Kitchen. Personal photograph by author. 2012.

Measuring Rice, Kitchen. Personal photograph by author. 2012.

Beans and Sofrito, Kitchen. Personal photograph by author. 2012.

Mixing Rice, Beans, and Sofrito, Kitchen. Personal photograph by author. 2012.

Guineos, Kitchen. Personal photograph by author. 2012.

Yautia, Kitchen. Personal photograph by author. 2012.

Calabaza y Yautia, Kitchen. Personal photograph by author. 2012.

Guineos without peels, Kitchen. Personal photograph by author. 2012.

Red peppers, Onions, and Sofrito , Kitchen. Personal photograph by author. 2012.

Red peppers, Onions, and Sofrito 2, Kitchen. Personal photograph by author. 2012.

Mixing ingredients, Kitchen. Personal photograph by author. 2012.

Calabaza y Guineos , Kitchen. Personal photograph by author. 2012.

Cutting Olives, Kitchen. Personal photograph by author. 2012.

Base/Masa, Kitchen. Personal photograph by author. 2012.

Pork Stew, Kitchen. Personal photograph by author. 2012.

Rice Cooking, Kitchen. Personal photograph by author. 2012.

Unwrapped Pastele, Kitchen. Personal photograph by author. 2012.

Masa, and Pork, Kitchen. Personal photograph by author. 2012.

Wrapped Juntas, Kitchen. Personal photograph by author. 2012.

Inside a Pastele, Kitchen. Personal photograph by author. 2012.

Diced Calabaza, Kitchen. Personal photograph by author. 2012.

Mashed Cooked Calabaza, Kitchen. Personal photograph by author. 2012.

Adding Flour to the Calabaza, Kitchen. Personal photograph by author. 2012.

Adding Flour to the Calabaza 2, Kitchen. Personal photograph by author. 2012.

Mixing Calabaza and Flour, Kitchen. Personal photograph by author. 2012.

Mixing Calabaza and Flour 2, Kitchen. Personal photograph by author. 2012.

Frying Tortitas de Calabaza, Kitchen. Personal photograph by author. 2012.

Drying the Tortitas, Kitchen. Personal photograph by author. 2012.

Rice Ingredients, Kitchen. Personal photograph by author. 2013.

Oil and Sazon, Kitchen. Personal photograph by author. 2013.

Beans before rice adding, Kitchen. Personal photograph by author. 2013.

Coming to a boil, Kitchen. Personal photograph by author. 2013.

2) This book was found in the Library of Philadelphia. This book was chosen because within it I found a section about Puerto Rican Culture. This source is useful because not only is it primary, but it also had a good amount of information about the Puerto Rican culture. I will be using this to understand further about the food and why there are certain ingredients.

Ember, Carol R. "Puerto Rico." Countries and Their Cultures. By Melvin Ember. Vol. 3. N.p.: Macmillan Reference, 2001. N. pag. Print.

3) This book was found in the Library of Philadelphia. This book was chosen because within it I found a section about Puerto Rican Culture. This source is useful because not only is it primary, but it also explained in high detail about why certain traditions and lifestyles are only in Puerto Rico. I will be using this to understand further about the food, and to learn amount more traditional meals.

Gall, Timothy L. "Puerto Rico." Worldmark Encyclopedia of Culture and Daily Life. Vol. 2. N.p.: Cengage Gale, 1997. N. pag. Print.

4) This book was given to me by my mentor. The book is about the indigenous people of Puerto Rico and how they came to be colonized and the culture. I used this book to understand parts of the culture I had yet to dig into deeply.

Rouse, Irving. The Tainos: Rise and Decline of the People Who Greeted Columbus. London: Yale UP, n.d. Print.

5) This book was also given to me by my mentor. The book is about the original culture of the indigenous people of Puerto Rico and how they came to be colonized. This book was used in my development of understanding my original culture and why some traditions are still in place now.

Bercht, Fatima, Estrellita Brodsky, John A. Farmer, and Dicey Taylor, eds. Taino: Pre-Columbian Art and Culture from the Caribbean. New York: Monacelli, 1998. Print.

Secondary-

1) This source is a web page/blog that a woman has created to explain Puerto Rican Culture. Within this site, I found a page that is dedicated to traditional food and drinks. I will be using the information from this site as inquiry to understand further the Traditional dishes of Puerto Rican culture.

Rivera, Magaly. "Food and Drinks." Puerto Rico Culture:. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Feb. 2013.

2) This source is a web page/ Journal on Fox News Latino. Within it there is an explanation of how multicultural children, or children raised in a different culture are less exposed to the primary culture. I used this to understand why I was never taught how to cook spanish food, or highly immersed in my culture.

Edwards, Melanie. "5 Traditional Puerto Rican Foods I Wish My Daughter Ate."Lifestyle (n.d.): n. pag. Fox News Latino. 29 May 2012. Web. 01 Feb. 2013.

3) The source below is a online snippet of a Magazine, El Boriqua. The article that this leads to is about all different types of recipes from Puerto Rican Culture. I used this site as an idea creature for some of the many recipes I later began to learn.

Figueroa, Ivonne. "Recipes." El Boricua, Un Poquito De Todo. El Boricua, n.d. Web. 01 Feb. 2013.

4) This source is a total synopsis of the Puerto Rican Culture. They touch on the Ethics, Geography, Settlement, and even food. This source is useful because it has a lot of information that I needed to understand my culture further. I used this source in furthering my understanding of the Island, the culture, and even why some foods are seasonal.

"Countries and Their Cultures." Culture of Puerto Rico. Advameg, Inc., n.d. Web. 01 Feb. 2013.

5) This website has an interactive chart that shows certain festivals that are still celebrates in Puerto Rico. Also on the site is information about traditions, and cultures which food is a part of. This information is used to understand when, why, and where certain dishes are served.

"About Puerto Rico." Puerto Rico Culture:Visiting Puerto Rico|Puerto Rico Festivals|Puerto Rico Music. Puerto Rico Tourism Company, n.d. Web. 03 Feb. 2013.

6) This site explained many of the cultures that have influenced the Puerto Rican Culture and Cooking. The site shows a photos and explains one of the dishes I learned now to create. I used this information to dig deeply into the cultures that create the melting pot that is the Puerto Rican Kitchen.

Figueroa, Ivonne. "History of Puerto Rican Cooking." History of Puerto Rican Cooking. Marknet Group Inc, n.d. Web. 03 Feb. 2013.

7) This page of a bigger site is about the seasonings, and main components of Puerto Rican dishes. This page has information about Sazon, Sofrito, and even Adobo. Many of the seasonings on this page were used at least once during my span of learning. I used the information on this page to also learn about seasoning that I had not used yet.

Jones, Sarah. "Ingredients for Your Traditional Puerto Rican Meal." Ingredients for Your Traditional Puerto Rican Meal. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Feb. 2013.

8) This article on the New York Times website is highly insightful, yet a bite snide as well. While it explains the cultural mixing that lead to the Puerto Rican Cocina Criolla, it also looks down on the now trending Latino-Asian food mixing that has been seen in some restaurants. I used this sight to understand some of the views on Puerto Rican dishes.

Apply, R. W., Jr. "On Puerto Rico, a History of Tastes." New York Times: Travel. The New York Times Company, 23 Feb. 2005. Web. 3 Feb. 2013.

9) This article is all about Puerto Rican foods. The site explains how the three main cultures in Puerto Rico influences and created the diversity in the cuisine. This site was helpful because it not only had information about the other cultures that influenced Puerto Rico, but also the Indigenous aspects that Puerto Rico was rooted.

Meléndez-Klinger, Sylvia. "Country Cuisine Profile -€“ Puerto Rico." Hispanic Nutrition. Wordpress, 21 Sep. 2009. Web. 03 Feb. 2013.

10) This site has information about the musical aspect of the Puerto Rican culture. On this page, much like my other sites, there is an explanation of the cultural mixes that lead to Puerto Rico’s diversity. I used this site to help with understanding other aspects of the culture, and for finding music for my webpage.

"Arts: History of Puerto Rican Music." Puerto Rico Encyclopedia. Fundación Puertorriqueña De Las Humanidades, 2012. Web. 03 Feb. 2013.

Introduction:

For my capstone I decided to learn the recipes of my native culture. I did this by having my out-of-school mentor be my grandmother, who on countless times has offered her assistance in teaching me those recipes. There are many reasons as to why I chose cooking for my capstone. My first reason was to enhance my cultural awareness. My second reasoning was to conquer my uneasy feelings towards cooking. My last reason for learning about my heritage was to be able to pass it down to my future children, while learning from and spending time with my Grandmother. When it comes to the SLA core values I believe that simply wishing to broaden my understanding of Puerto Rican cuisines I has shown inquiry. I have shown research and collaboration through speaking with and learning from my grandmother, but also by interviewing other Latinas of my generation. My presentation and reflections were visible though the amount of work I have put in this project as well as the finished product I have created.

Process:

For this capstone I conversed with both of my mentors to understand what I would need to accomplish for this project. I took the time to figure out what kind of schedule I would need and what exactly my process over the months would look like. I also received some point from my advisor as to what would be more visually appealing while still showcasing all of the information I had gathered. The last person, but also one of the most important in my process was my mother. My mother never let me skip out on meetings with my mentor, nor did she let down her expectations of my work. Every week, like clockwork, she would ask me about my project, how far I was, and what I had to do next. My only obstacles was having all of the ingredients at the time, and weekly having our meetings rather than leaving it to chance. My main resources were my grandmother, some books on Puerto Rican heritage, and a few websites that I found useful. Since every family changed the recipe there were not many outside resources that I could have used unless I was trying to understand the basics.

Reflection:

Through out this whole project I can say that I am most proud of the fact that I actually took the time to learn certain recipes and that after being put in an uncomfortable situation I am now more adjusted to cooking. I have even become accustomed to making things from a recipe that is written, and adding in my own decisions. Through this project I have learned that it takes time to become even moderate at any task. I have also learned that some of the best memories are the ones were you are sharing stories with your love ones over food. If I could do this project over again I would want to show how much fun, I had with my family as I learned to make the recipes that have stuck with them through the years. My feelings towards SLA, as my school, have changed only a little over the years. At first when I was asked how SLA would be made a better place by my presence I thought that I would be the one changing more than the school. At this moment in time, after four full years here, I feel that SLA was a better place by my presence because I made friends and filled the building with the laugher and passion that drives us all. I never knew that I could be so close to people until I experience what its like to be looked up to and seen as an equal by my peers.

Taina and Jamelia discussing chapters 4-6

We basically give overviews of what we think the chapters are trying to teach us. There wasn't any arguing since we took each others opinions into consideration. One of out questions was, if we understand that some statistics lies how can we find out about the ones that are telling the truth? 

One change made by one individual can change the lives of many. If Columbus hadn’t colonized Puerto Rico, then there would be no Spanish on the island of many skins.

I believed that if Columbus had not discovered the Caribbean Islands then others during the time would have. For example, it the alternate past I made, John Cabot, and English sailor, would have gone in a similar direction. John Cabot was the explorer that I had put toward finding Puerto Rico. This would lead to Puerto Rico being an English colonized settlement. Since Englishmen would have discovered Puerto Rico, the name that was given would have been in English and the main language learned would have been also been English. Some of the most significant points would have been Puerto Rico being named St. John’s Island after Saint John the Baptist. _­

My favorite part was researching and learning new facts that I didn’t know, such as John Cabot’s expeditions. Also I enjoyed creating Primary Source documents. The hardest part was finding Primary Sources about such old topics, many were websites announced that the documents had disappeared or been ruined.

The most interesting facts I researched were the reasoning behind why Puerto Rico wasn’t a state, and about the Spanish- American War. During the Spanish American war Puerto Rico was used as a military base for the Spanish and French. If Englishmen had colonized Puerto Rico it would have been used as a beneficial military base for America due to its position in-between North and South America. This would have lead to Puerto Rico being acknowledge at a higher priority rather than a territory of America, similar to the situation with Hawaii. In this alternate past, Puerto Rico or St John’s Island would have become a state because of recognition of its position during the war.

To improve this project I would have enjoyed turning this into a television interview. I could have asked questions about how Puerto Ricans thought that the change would have affected their land, and staged actors talking about the alternative past and future. I would have used both videos and shown how life would have been different for both cultures. 

Cyndi Lynn:

Bienvenida a mi programa de televisión, me llamo es Coca y yo soy veinta y uno años. Yo estoy muy contenta hoy, y quiero ayudar personas con sus problemas. Yo voy a dar tú con mi asesoramiento mejor. Espero que yo pueda tú!

Dime sobre una vez cuando tu pareja hico algo dulce para ti.

Katherine:

Mi novio alquiló un barco para nuestro aniversario, y nosotros vimos la puesta del sol. Él cocinó un filete con puré de papas. También, nosotros compartimos un sundae con crema batida y una cereza. Durante el noche,s ha propuesto a mi, eso fui un sueño real.

Cyndi: ¿Cómo fuiste su pareja le pedirá que baile?

Allison: Hola Coco, mi novio hace lo dulce que me pido que baile. Él hace una pizza y escribió vas a ir al baile conmigo en el queso! Era tan dulce. Mi novio es el más dulce niño. Cuando vamos al baile juntos, él está recibiendo una limo. Mi baile es el 13 de abril. Me preocupa que no voy a estar listo. Además, digo que la chica que llamó antes de mí tiene un novio bueno también. Sin embargo, creo que podía haber cocinado una cena mejor. No debería haber llevado en un barco. Barcos oler. Tendría que haber dado a sus flores. Mi novio es bueno a la compra de flores.

Cyndi Lynn:

Fue un tiempo cuando tu pareja engañó en tú. ¡Escribas!

Taina:

Un tiempo, fui a la colegio de mi novia. Yo quieré soprender a ella. Cuando llegé a su dormitorio, golpe la puerta, y un chico con pelo rubio respondio. Cuando lo miré me sienti enfogonado con ella. Yo quieré a mí novia, pero cuando yo ve ella, yo lo dijé a ella que nosotros fuemos terminado.

Cyndi Lynn:

Aqui es Coco’s reflexión final.

Es importante que todos los persones traten sus parejas bien. Una relación perfecta es con dos personas que son honradas, respetuosas, intimidades, y únicas. Sine los cualidades, la relación no función bien. Es necesario que tú encuentres una pareja quien es comete a tú. Recuerda que tú eres hermosa.

Two sentences of you answer to the questions:

My answer was that the individual during certain decades had the main say in bills that were passed, but now it takes many other steps to get the idea of change to be considered. 

What questions do you still have about Business in America?

I would like to know what the process of change is like in other countries and why our system of change was ratified. 

From then on it was my dad and I. He on the other hand was quiet, to him self, and had a stern look that could make a MMA fighter wet himself. With my dad you were better off not talking to him unless you were bleeding to death. Two years later my dad married again, to a woman named Demetra. She, like my dad, could be quite intimidating.

Piling on the fun, Demetra had a son named Richard. He was my age and had a sour face. As I grew in this dysfunctional family he became known as ‘Dick’ to my friend David and me. Believe me the name fit. Dick tortured and bullied me all through out middle school up until high school.

“What’s up Luis-And-Clark?” David popped into my room in the front of the second floor.

“Nothing much my werewolf compadré.” That was my friend David Lucian, hence the werewolf nickname. He was kind of short, and weird, but he was my best friend.

“So have you talked to Rora yet?” David elbowed me as I sat at my desk doing math homework.

“Nah, she wouldn’t want to talk to me.” I shrugged it off. Aurora Lynn was a popular girl in our school who I used to be friends with until her jock boyfriend and his boys threatened me.

“That’s right dork. She is way outta your league.” Queue the annoying and abusive stepbrother from hell. “But I totally wouldn’t mind hittin that fine piece of –“

“Don’t talk about her like that!” I yelled. She was the girl of my dreams, beautiful respectable and brilliant. Yet he talked about her as if she were one of the other girls. With in seconds of my outburst was a fist aimed at my lower stomach. As I doubled over from the blow I felt the mop of dark brown hair on my head being pulled upwards.

“Listen here Nerd-Turd, I’ll do what ever the hell I want, and you wont do a damn thing. Got it?” Vigorously I nodded my head as well as I could. “That’s what I thought douche bag.” As he walked out of my room David came and helped me up. I never looked at him for help since he was shorted than me, and just as scared of Richard.

“No . . . more.  David. No more. I can’t take this. Its time for a change.” As if fire was running through my veins I dashed to the door, locked it, and back to my computer. Fingers like lightening I typed the only way I knew how to beat Dick.  I was going to find something using the almighty Internet.

~One Month later~

How did it turn out like this? All I wanted was a normal life. One where I was cool, had fun, and could be with the girl of my dreams. I never should have gone to that website. I can still remember the words it said.

Youth, Strength, and Agility

Have all you’ve ever dreamed and more.

The elixir of the gods.

I never thought that when they meant youth, that I would stay 18 forever. That ‘special’ elixir they were selling was vampire blood, and it came with a price; Eternal Damnation.

A week after receiving and drinking the elixir, I started to change. My hair, once stringy and almost black, turned full and grew golden tints. My brown eyes, turned completely black, my naturally tan skin slightly paled. I didn’t know what was happening, but it felt good. I felt stronger, looked it too since I was no longer lanky but filling out my skin. There should have been a damn warning on the bottle.

-WARNING! Don’t drink this unless you never want to see the sun again. -

Yeah that would have been good since my first day as a vampire I ended up getting a huge burn on my arm from the light coming though my blinds.

I’m not proud of my choices in life. I never thought I would kill people, or scare the only girl I cared about.

A week after my change I went to a school party that was, thankfully, after sundown. The only one who knew about the ‘new me’ was David. He didn’t take it too bad. He was scared of me at first but soon realized that I was still the same person. So we went to the party, and I tried to keep a low profile. I didn’t buy into the idea of the animalistic cravings for blood, but I didn’t want too many people asking questions that I didn’t have answers too.

Then I saw something that made my, nonexistent, blood boil. Richard was holding Aurora in his arms, but she obviously didn’t want him to, since her arms where bracing herself, and pushing away. He gripped her butt, sucked her neck, and I was seeing red, specifically the veins in his neck and arms. I couldn’t help my self. I lunged, flying past people so fast that there was only a dark blur, and gripped him by the shirt. He was frightened at first since I had appeared from nowhere. Then after he realized it was just me a cocky smirk was on his face as if I posed no type of threat. He was painstakingly wrong.

I dug my hand into his neck as I walked to an empty room. He started to turn pink, then red, and almost purple from my vice grip. Now I’m going to spare the gruesome details, and just say he didn’t stay purple too long before there was crimson liquid covering the beige walls. I killed him out of fury never expecting that the love of my life was close behind me and saw the entire thing. I turned around when I heard the door knock into the wall. Aurora in all her golden hewed glory stood staring at me, but never running away. Out of shame I opened a near by window, jumped landing in a crouched position and ran for ever-lasting life.

I ran, ran away, ran to make distance, and ran for almost an eternity, simply to make a space between my past and me. I stopped only to land in Canada, in a forest, surrounded by trees. I found a cabin, which had been vacant for a long time, based on the lack of electric work and abundance in dust and cobwebs. This would be my home; I would feed off of animals, keep a low profile, and distance my self from the world.

Hopefully

Why I write ?

I write because

What is in a NAME?

A destiny, a person

A truth about whom

You will become

Is it the red of

Rose petals falling

Gently on

The green grass

As the wind caresses

The skin of a new

Born child

Who is called . . .

By a NAME

Is it the life lived?

By and by scrapping

To prosper yet falling

Failing not reaching the

Top of the pyramid of

Success, but in return

Dying at the bottom of

The abyss, that cold

Breath that touches you

Just as you live your last

Heart beat, and

How your family

And friends mourn . . .

The personality

Behind a

NAME

A NAME is

Merely letters in

An order

Its has

A singular purpose

It was given at

Birth

And reused after

Death

Common yet

Original to you

So a NAME is only

A NAME

It is important how, you,

Make people remember it

But I also write because

I wish . . . 

I wish I could call you

To tell you how I feel

To speak you name in whispers

And let my love be real

I wish that you would hold me

And tell me all is right

To hold me close in warm embrace

With in your arms all night

I wish that I could love you

And tell you all about me

But some things are meant for secrets

And our love just isn’t to be

I wish that you would love me

And say my name with care

And sit by me as the sun goes down

As I play in your hair

I wish that there were no boundaries

Between both you and I

And that your love could life me up

Until I reached the sky

I wish that I could tell you this

With out a care our doubt

But as it is this little voice

Stays in me with out a shout

I wish the little voice would scream

“I love you more and more”

But it has been hurt many times

In the past before

I wish you knew how I felt for you

And would tell me that you’re the same

Because my heart is waiting for you

With a fire that can’t be tamed 

So I wish that love could prevail

And could set us all free

But honestly, I wish that your love

Was mostly, meant for only me

I write because I love poetry 

I bare all of my soul

It helps explain me

And have my story told

I write because no one listens

To the story of my life

So instead I create a story

Of another welding a knife

I write because it let me live

Through the characters I create

And then the life I wish I had 

Is now fully sedate.

Art, creativity, imagination, are the cornerstones of life. With out imagination where would we be? Everything we have is the spawn of imagination and creativity. Things that we use everyday are works of art. Think about it! Our clothes, for example, why else would there be fashion industries if this were not a form of art?

When most people think of an English course they suspect boring books, long essays, and tedious hours of reading. This was not true for this year’s English class, we were encouraged to dig deeply into our minds and tap into a corner of our psyche that is not used in many classes.

With in our English class we were inspired to make art constantly. When we had to make scenes out of our past, like artist, we used our five senses to make people imagine what we saw, with out being there. This is recurring in book all the time. Or when we had our poetry section, poetry is one of the most famous forms of written art. All of the students realized their individuality when they started to type of put pens to paper. There were so many different forms and styles of poetry we were free to pick. This gave life to our creativity.

Now many people would debate that when they think of English classes, there is an amount of creativity needed to absorb the messages of certain writers, for instance the hidden meaning writing of Shakespeare. But would there necessarily be a reason to have art in a history class? No- that is what most would say. Yet there was in our class. We had a chance to stretch our writing skill by creating monologues and scenes to be made into plays. Since when is play-writing criteria of a history class? The main reason for that was to get into the main idea of a historical event of our choosing.

Mr. Block brought us out of comfort zones by involving us in the ‘Art In The Open’ festival. Most of the students in his class were reluctant to ‘make a fool out of there selves’, I being one of them, but in the end many were left with pride from breaking down a barrier and viewing the world through a different light. I found myself asking ‘what did dancing have to do with English or History?’ But in the end I realized that Mr. Block wanted us to make history instead of read about it. How many teenage kids got to be in a festival and get a grade for it?

I believe, though many of my classmates where reluctant to use such types of creativity, that if more schools were to use this form of teaching, more students would enjoy learning. This was an experience that was unexpected, but greatly benefited from. Art is necessary, without art where would the world go? There would be no change, nor a future. I believe that what we learned in these two classes will help us make decisions for the future. I am grateful that Mr. Block made our grades based on the art we had to make, or else many people wouldn’t had learn that they were artist from the start. Art is in everyone, you just need to dig a little deeper. 

Stage Directions: One a corner wait for your next client when your boss [pimp] walk up and ask for his money.

(you are talking to a client) Hi Handsome what would you like to do with me today....Oh i got to go sorry come back next time...Hi Mr.Smith...Do i have your money?....no im not stalling...i have it...well only 1,000, i promise i will have the other 500 in two days i promise boss please....no please sir it will never be late again...(the boss grabs her by her arm, slaps her and now she is crying)...im sorry...the men aren’t really coming around...i men they are but they aren’t interested...How ?...yes sir...In two days boss i promise...yes i like my life..no please don’t hurt my daughter PLEASE !!!...I will i promise just don’t hurt her...Yes Sir...(goes back to pulling cars) Hi Handsome what would (5 second pause)...what would you like to do to me tonight ?

Monologue :

Stage directions: 

watches your dad walk out the door after he hands you his dirty dish then walk to the kitchen to start washing the dishes from the day. [your name is maria]

(in her own head while washing the dishes) My dad so nasty, how can he just go over there and fool around with these young girls, let alone my friends may, she i the same age as me, she is only 16, how can you look at a child and want to do that to her, and then for them to be forced and not even get paid for what they are doing to them, Thailand is a horrible place for girls, i can’t believe what people do for money, my mother was a sex worker, oooooo i wish a guy would put his hands on me,...i would have....i would....i would give in, i don’t know why im standing here lying to myself. i wouldn’t do a damn thing to stop him from rapping me, he would kill me with one shot to the head for refusing, ha a girl like me has no place or high demand in these streets, i am just a toy, someones get off, no ones daughter, i am just a girl waiting for her turn to be put up for sale, the next one to be kidnapped....(father calls her)....Yes Father !

I don’t know where your wallet is...Yes Sir !....Her you go father....Okay, Breakfast will be ready in the morning when you get back father....(thinks to herself)...another girls life while be changed ! 

Monologue :

Stage directions: [ standing outside your building with a maria’s father kevin talking about what girl her wants] [ your name is Sean aka boss]

• This is Shi. she is 17 and untouched, what do you think....of course i have younger ones...what is the ages you like....i only have three 16 yeas old and two 15 years olds in right now.....okay...Mike go get them...we have Nancy, Kim, May.....Okay May do your thing...Don’t put any brews on her....no she is a virgin...okay you can bite...Okay Have Fun !

Monolodgue : [in a green room with paint coming of the walls talking to your friend maria’s dad kevin. you have a nervous look on your face and you are standing by the bed]

• Please sir don’t do this...but im only 16 years old please....im sorry...do you have a daughter?....then why are you doing this?...i know your daughter..Maria !..how can you come in here and have sex with someone the same age as your daughter...please just turn around and walk out the room, don’t do this sir...KEVIN PLEASE !!!....[he slaps you and you fall to the ground facing the audience. he bends over your and start speaking to you {this is where they switch of on to Kevin’s monologue}]

Jade Jewels

By Taina M. Rosario

Ty-lee Siang- is a Japanese girl, age 16. Has black long hair, green eyes and curvy (causing men to want her). Her parents were poor. She sings like and angel and her Best friend is Matsuri.

Older Ty-lee- grey haired, cane, but still graceful

Mameo- runner of the Okiya, older woman, with a pipe, grey hair, but still fiery

Matsuri Khan- is a Japanese girl, age 18. She has short black hair, brown eyes, and an athletic build.

Hikuro Dashai- a young Japanese doctor, who falls for Ty-lee, but is betroth to Metsuki. Age 22

Sora Bien- friend and colleague of Hikuro, who does not like Ty-lee, loves Hikaru (like a brother), but wants Metsuki. Age 23

Anamora Kyuu- a geisha, who is in love with a woman. Is an enemy of Ty-lee at first but things change. Age 26

Mr. Fujioka- a lawyer, father of Metsuki, lust after Ty-lee. Age 45

Metsuki Fujioka- Daughter of Mr. Fujioka, Betroth to Hikuro, Hates Ty-lee, Small and not curvy, average looking. Age 18

Act 1, Scene 1

--- An older Ty-lee sits in a chair with a desk in front of her as she writes onto a stack of papers. She reads the story out loud as she writes along  ---

OLDER TY-LEE

My name is Ty-lee Siang and I shall tell you the story of my long past, so that you may know how proud I am to say that I am here. When I was about nine years of age, my mother died of a sickness unknown to my father and myself. Once my mother had died my father fell ill. There were no others in my family that could work, so we fell into dept. One day as I tried to cook a meal for us a horse and carriage pulled down the road stopping in front of our house. My father went out to meet the man that hopped off the drivers seat.

(Slight pause, deep breath)

I could not hear their conversation but saw their lips moving. My father pointed into the house and called my name. As I walked out the man . . .

(voice filled with distaste)

gripped my arm within his grisly and filthy hand. He pulled me towards him, moved my disorganized hair to get a better look at my face. He looked at my father with a crooked smile as he said that I would be perfect.

(Desperate emotion)

I screamed for my fathers help

(Exasperated sigh)

but he simply collected the money he had sold his only daughter for. I yelled and kicked, trying to fight my way from the man, but I was . . . Not. Even. A. Threat to his massive form. As he threw me roughly into the back of the carriage I watched my life slip away.

(Strained voice)

I didn’t know if I would ever see my home again. What would become of me? Where was I to go? Or why my father would do this to me?

(The woman places her head in her propped up hands as she sobs softly)

Act 1, Scene 2

--- A teenage Ty-lee lies on her stomach on a Japanese floor bed as she scribbles into a notebook. She talks to herself as she writes furiously ---

TY-LEE

I cannot stand this place.

(Sucks teeth)

It’s horrible here. ‘Mother’ does not let me leave the Okiya, the house in which she keeps me and the other girls. The only person I have is Matsuri Khan she so sweet and quiet. She has been here longer than I have, almost since birth, while that

(spits the word)

man brought me here five years ago when I was nine. I never expected that I was going to be sold into being a Geisha’s slave. (Anger)

It’s not fair they force me to care for Anamora Kyuu, she is the leading geisha yet she has the worst attitude.

(Stands up and paces back and forth while writing, hisses with the idea)

I should tell ‘Mother’ I know that Anamora has been sneaking around to see a woman. If only ‘Mother’ knew, Anamora would be punished.

(Matter-of-factly)

Not only are geisha forbidden to fall in love but also how would it look if a geisha fell in love with a woman.

(lies back down, no longer writing, day-dreaming face, wrings ands together)

 Maybe I should tell her? ‘Mother’ would certainly promise to let me study to be a geisha, and then I could pay back my fathers dept and leave this horrid place.

(Head perks up as if name called)

(Rolls eyes, groans)

I’ll be right there Anamora

(unhappily stands, sighs, and hurriedly hides notebook, then rushes out of the room.)

Act 1, Scene 3

--- Hikuro Dashai paces back and forth in front of his colleague and friend. ---

HIKURO

When I was walking down in the market I saw the most beautiful girl.

(Pauses, then annoyed voice, looks over at Sora)

Sora don’t Hikuro me, she was amazing.

(Calms down)

I looked at her face; it was snow white with dark red lips. With in this one glance I looked up into her eyes.

(Sighs contently, runs hands through hair)

They were unlike any ones I’ve ever seen. They were green like jade beads. She was stunning. I must meet her.

(pauses, rolls eyes, turns away)

Tsk I don’t care if she can’t fall back in love with me.

(turns back)

What makes you think she is a geisha?

(pauses, angered face)

 So . . . that makes no difference to me.

(pauses, Slumped shoulders, Pleading)

 Sora come on you did not see her. You did not here her laugh. (Day dreaming sigh)

She was gorgeous.

(Pause)

Well no, but I,

(interrupted pause, hands turn upwards while near face)

But it

(interrupted pause throws arms downward in anger)

Damn it Sora just listen to me. I don’t care. Even if she is!

(pause, sits down listening, disappointed)

I know that I am supposed to marry Metsuki, but this was the kind of girl you could grow old with.

(puts head in hand while resting them on knee, pause)

Ok maybe I am a bit love stuck but who know what could happen?

(pause Stands up quickly)

Yeah I might not see her again

(crosses fingers behind back, slings other arm around Sora, and leaves the room)

Act 1, Scene 4

--- Mr. Fujioka, with his acquaintance as they sit and drink in the company of Anamora, Ty-lee, and Mameo---

MR. FUJIOKA

My dear ladies

(the three women come around and serve them saki)

How are you this evening.

(pauses, Looks directly at Ty-lee)

Mameo who is this delicate young flower in my presence?

(Pauses for Mameo’s response)

Ty-lee you say? I would enjoy in hearing her play the shamisen. She must be a wonder at that.

(Waits as Ty-lee goes up, Whispers to Mameo as Ty-lee starts to play)

She is most phenomenal, with those green eyes. She has a lot of earth in her soul. Has she completed her training yet?

(Pauses, face saddens)

I see she is still in training

(Forced pause a smile mixed with realization spreads across his face)

Ah, she has a mere two moons left. Will you be having a coming out Gala for her?

(Pauses as he takes a swig of his saki while gaining a response)

Please add me to the invitation list.

(medium length pause, Sits in awe as Ty-lee sings to herself yet is heard)

My, my, the earth in her soul has blessed her with the voice of an angel.

(Pause, he is tapped on his shoulder leans towards his acquaintance, listens to his aquaintance)

I understand

(stands up on his way to leave)

My dears I am disappointed to say that it is time for us to be leaving

(Walks over to Ty-lee, who stands up and bows, he bows in return talking her hand, smooth soft voice, almost sultry)

I will see you again soon, Ms. Ty-lee

(kisses her hand puts on his hat, and over-coat)

(walks out of the room while whispering to his acquaintance with determinacy)

I will have her. 

Act 1, Scene 5

--- Metsuki sits in her room, in front of the vanity as she brushes her hair --- 

METSUKI

(knock is heard)

Come in

(looks towards the door pause)

Ooh Hikuro, what a pleasant surprise.

(walks over, switching, and seductively wraps arms around Hikuro, pause)

But I don’t want to let go.

(pouts as her arms are removed, pauses)

So did you come to visit me or is there

(lies on her side on the bed)

something you want?

(Sits up quickly, pauses)

Well then, what is the big thing that you need for us to talk about?

(Crosses arms over chest, as she looks at Hikuro with judgmental eyes, pauses)

(Speaks with annoyance)

Very funny Hikuro,

(walks over to vanity short pause, asks softly)

Now what was it you really came for?

(Pausings while listening, Starts to brush hair again as she grows angrier)

(Turns towards him as she sit in her chair)

What do you mean you aren’t joking. You have to marry me! We have already told all of our families. You are not leaving me.

(pause, Starts to cry)

How dare you, try to make me feel better.

(Throws brush at him)

Get out, get out now. There will be a marriage.

(Hikuro quickly walks out avoiding other miscellaneous objects, Metsuki - deep breath from being furious)

Even if I have to drag you there my self you will marry me Hikuro Dashai.

(Pause, yells very loudly)

DADDY!!!!!

(Throws more stuff, knocks over her vanity, causing the mirror to break.)

(Yells again, while crying)

AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!

(throws herself on to the bed, as her father walks in. He sits on the bed with her)

(muffled sobs, Looks up with a tear stained and make-up ruined face)

Daddy it isn’t fair, it isn’t fair

(Pauses)

Hikuro is what happened.

(Pauses)

He doesn’t want to marry me Daddy.

(Angrily)

You promised me that I could marry him.

(Pauses, Tantrum, points a finger at her father)

Give me what I want or I’ll tell mother about you going out with you friends to see geishas, when you should be going to meetings for work.

(Pauses, as her father starts to leave)

You had better try Damn it.

(Places her head back down on her bed.)

Act 1, Scene 6

--- Mameo sits in her offices, with a pipe in her mouth, sifting through paperwork ---

MAMEO

(a knock is heard, Mameo does not look up, but mutters)

Come in

(pause to listen while still looking through papers, looks up, removes pipe from mouth)

What do you want Matsuri?

(places pipe in listens, takes pipe out interrupts with a loud voice)

Speak up girl I can barely hear you.

(places pipe back in, pause to listen, takes pipe out, aggravated)

Grief child, that is all you bring, give me the damned letter.

(snatches the letter that Matsuri has in her outstretched hand as she bows, speaks around the pipe)

Now leave me. Wait

(takes the pipe out, stands up reads the front of the letter)

Send Ty-lee here.

(Matsuri leaves, Mameo opens and skims the letter as she holds the pipe in one hand and a shocked look spreads across her face. Ty-lee walks in and bows)

(Soft loving voice)

My sweet girl, there has been a bid for your precious young flower.

(pause, Laughs softly)

Your virginity my dear.

(Pauses while listening)

Why Mr. Fujioka, he was the highest bidder. You must go to him tomorrow,

(puts pipe on the table, excited, rant as she looks through a dresser)

I will let you wear my most sacred Kimono. It is white with a soft sakura bud design flowing across.

(Interrupted pause, disbelieving soft laughing while saying)

What do you mean you do not want to give him your virginity?

(Pause, listens, face grows hard and cold)

How dare you, you insolate little girl. He is a patron and is paying for this?

(Furious anger, as she grips Ty-lee by the arm)

What would you rather GIVE

(shakes Ty-lee vigorously)

your virginity away to some poor fish market worker who is not worthy of you?

(Throws Ty-lee to the floor, then points at her)

You will go to him tomorrow. Now leave my sight before I punish you for your disrespect.

(Sits in her chair with a slump position, as if from the stress, places pipe back in, takes a puff and lets out a long sigh)

How could she repay me like this, I made her the geisha she is today. Just another ungrateful girl just like Anamora

(sighs to herself as she goes back the looking at the paperwork)

Act 1, Scene 7

--- Ty-Lee sits at her desk as she writes a letter ---

TY-LEE

Dear

(scribbles the word, throws the quill onto the table)

Ugh, no I cannot do it. I cannot tell Hikuro what is to become of me. He will surely hate me forever.

(Places face in her hands as she sobs softly)

(Matsuri comes in, and Ty-lee looks up)

Matsuri, I cannot tell Hikuro that I have to give my self to Mr. Fujioka. What would he think of me? Surely he would not longer desire my company after I am no longer pure.

(Listens, a sad smile spreads across her face, soft voice) 

But he cannot love me so there is no chance that he does.

(Listens again)

Fine I will write to him but what should I tell him. If I was to say I love him, it would be improper

(interrupted, listening with wide eyes as she is stood up. Matsuri hugs Ty-lee)

(Ty-lee starts to pace back and forth as Matsuri sits on her bed.)

But what consequences would await me if I did tell him. I could end up like Anamora, alone on the street with nothing and no one. I could never risk

(interrupted again listening slight angered tone)

Of course Hikuro means a lot to me but

(interrupted, listens)

Fine I will right him, but I need you to help me tell him. What should I right?

(Listens intently as she sits at the desk again)

Fine, lets see

(picks up quill, and starts to write)

My dear Hikuro

(looks back at Matsuri, who nods her head, Ty-lee takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly)

Although we have only spent a mere few outings together, I feel that I know you.

(Dreamy and dazed voice)

As if I am capable of tell you everything about myself. I truly believe I am falling in love with you. I know that it seems crazy, inconsiderate, maybe even unbelievable, but it is true. When I sing at the bars I feel as if I am singing for you to hear me. Maybe even for you to find me and take me away.

looks up and out of the window as if imagining a different life,

(then looks down as tear well up)

But sadly I must inform you that the life I lead does not allow my love to be freed. By the time you receive this letter, I will no longer be the same girl you once knew. My last shred of hope has been sold away, for I am to meet with Mr. Fujioka in three days time and lose my purity.

(Sobs, as tears stain the paper, she gently tries to wipe away the tears with the tips of her fingers)

I apologize if the time I spent with you now feels wasted, but I can tell you that they were the happiest moments of my life. I promise that I will never forget you. Sealed with in this letter is my love – Ty-lee Siang

(she rolls the letter into a scroll and tries it also sliding in a small branch from a cherry blossom tree, that he had once given her)

Here Matsuri

(breaths hard as the tears roll down her cheeks and outstretches her arm to give Matsuri the scroll)

I need you to give that to him for me.

(she hands it over then places her head on the table as she cries more. Matsuri leaves)

(whispers to herself softly)

My sweet Hikuro, I am sorry

If children are our future, why do we not listen to them? There are so many children in the world that do not speak out because they are afraid, or even taught, that adults will not listen. The majority of child victims do not tell anyone what was done to them. This leaves the rapist safe, when in reality they should be punished by law. When a child is raped they have a certain amount of time to tell. If they wait too long then the evidence of the incident will be lost.

After a victim gains the ability to voice their assault, it takes time and many methods to heal the battered soul. Many people never fully recover. In a statistic from ‘Rape, Victims, Survivors, and What We Can Do’, ‘Thirty percent of rape victims will contemplate suicide.  Slightly more will seek therapy.  Slightly less will invest in some form of self-defense.  The overwhelming majority, 82%, will tell you that their lives have been permanently changed.’ When it is the case of women many have said ‘The way they view men will be permanently changed as well.’

The percentage of males that are raped in America is three percent. Males tend to be the least likely to report an assault. People’s opinion of the reason differs. Some say it is because they are emasculated. Others feel that men can get over it more quickly, since they are supposed to have a tough way of living. But no matter the gender of the victim or the assailant, this is still a crime worth punishing.

When it comes to rape, the punishment should be harsh. Not only are Rapists taking something precious from a humans being, they are also changing the person. Rape needs to end, people need to speak up against it. Suspected rapist should not be let out on bail, until proved innocent. That gives them a chance to hide, or strike again.

To all the people who have been abused, you are not alone. Every two minutes another female is being sexually assaulted. I tell you this hoping that you will have learned that rape is a major issue in America and listening to a victim, especially children, makes all the difference. Lend a helping hand by lending an open ear. 

Art is creativity on display. Art can show you the mental working of the artist, and their way of expression. Art can be in multiple forms, such as performance, written, or hand designed. That is why art is individual and unique. No peace of art is the same as another.

I chose to start from scratch, literally. I took newspaper and recycled it into canvas. This process consisted of turning twelve newspapers into strips, then using a blender and some water turning the strips into pulp. After the put was made, I used a picture frame and a thin cloth to fish out the paper and strain it. Once the pulp was strained it needed to dry, so it was placed between two towels and I used a rolling pin to squeeze the water out.