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This whole class flew by quite quickly, and I gotta say this last essay was quite fun! And in a way--easy. It seems like we just started class last week, and now we are on our last essay requirement. I've learned a lot in just a short amount of time, and this essay has all the lessons put together, and hopefully, I did well! For me none of these essays were necessarily "hard," but they each did have their level of difficulty. For instance, on our first essay topic "Advertisement Analysis" we were able to choose what kind of ad or commercial to analyze. The difficulty in that particular essay was the fact that I didn't know how to properly structure my writing nor write a great thesis. Now coming up on our final essay, I was able to put out a properly functioning thesis, and PIE structure with a great "flow" to it. In all, this class was really enjoyable! I learned how to make a thesis, properly structure my writings, and indent my citations. The great part about this class was that we were basically able to personalize each of our essays, add our own opinions to it, and choose our topics. In high school, they don't really teach you about "personalization"; they only teach you how to "write according to the instructions." This class was an amazing experience, and has given me skills that I will for sure use in my future!

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As a kid, I never really paid attention to the way I looked, or how I dressed. The only thing that mattered to me was candy and screen time. When I entered middle-school though, I was getting bullied on a whole different level. Boys would follow me around call me names like ugly, worthless, train tracks (I had braces), you know the usual heartbreaking stuff. It hurt so much, and I just never recovered. It was only until recently when I started to realize that I'm actually an amazing, beautiful person, that is totally worth it! Of course, I'm still going to have major downfalls on my "getting rid of insecurities" journey, but I am prepared for whatever obstacle falls on top of my path. I am on a mission to reclaim my "self-love", and it's about time I get that done! My advice for those who don't love themselves, or see themselves as "ugly"--lemme tell you right now "you are an amazing, beautiful/handsome human being and there is no one else like you out there"

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Things I've done during the stay-at-home order

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Things I've done during the stay-at-home order

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Throughout the stay-at-home order, my parents drilled into me the importance of being resilient, being strong mind & body, and hard work always pays off. Not only did my parents teach me valuable life-lessons, but they also demonstrated them in a few home improvements. With our normal busy schedule, these enhancements wouldn’t have been able to take place. During the COVID-19, we spent quite a bit of time together-- it wasn’t always easy, but seeing all the work completed, is entirely rewarding. I wouldn’t have been able to create wonderful memories with my family while constructing some life-changing projects around our property without the COVID-19.

Building anything takes a lot of hard work and determination. During this time at home, we started and completed our fence for our dog, installed gates, and built a garden. Building a keawe wood posts fence around our acre yard can’t be that hard--well it was. My dad, who is a “do it yourself kind of guy” along with my sister, mom, younger brother, and I would go out, dig & pound Keawe wood posts into the ground. It was an everyday routine, wake up, eat, dig, pound, grab the fence, make it tight, adhere it to the posts, repeat. No matter the weather we were outside continuing the fence--ponchos, and everything. Thankfully my dad was able to go back to work, and that routine was no more--until the weekend rolled around. Long story short, 1 month later we were finally able to sit back, relax, and enjoy our acre fenced in yard. This fence process taught me to not only push through hard times but to appreciate the grueling work and effort you put into something, in order for you to persevere in the end. Being able to undergo that harsh task together was a great bonding experience--one that will not be forgotten.

Before the COVID-19 came to be, we were also able to build a garden. We included many vegetables like eggplant, lettuce, bok choy, kale, carrots, beets, arugula, tomatoes, and many more. My mom is now able to cook wondrous meals with the freshest ingredients. Fashioning the garden was one of the easier tasks, but it also had its difficult moments. One of those moments had to be getting the dirt for the planters. Yes, the dirt was lighter than Keawe wood but it was also heavier than me and my sister combined. Every task has its hardships, but you must go through them to fully appreciate the result.

Though these tasks took a little more time & effort, in the long run, it was all worthwhile. Undergoing a few painful trials can either make or break you. These chores have left there mark on me and changed me for the better. They proved to me that I can withstand any obstacle that I may face in the future, that I am stronger than I give myself credit for. These tasks also “shined a light” on the fact that I couldn’t have gained these valuable lessons without the guidance of my family. If this whole pandemic has given me anything, it is time with my family, and lessons I couldn’t have acquired without them.

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Graduation, prom, senior dinner are things that the class of 2020, unfortunately, couldn't make memories of. Now those moments are clouded with news channels filled with COVID-19 updates & cases. The most disappointing thing that we missed out on is graduation. Being surrounded and lei'd by family and friends--going out and celebrating that fulfillment. It was very hard to comprehend that. I gotta say I was pretty upset--I mean come on COVID! You ruined the lives of so many people! You trashed millions of jobs, weddings, dates, beach days, proms, graduations etc. This whole pandemic experience (though it ruined my life and others) has in a way made me stronger, mentally, physically, and emotionally.  I mean no way in a thousand years would I have wanted this pandemic to happen but now I have endured/ learned so much about myself because of it. However, thanks to COVID-19 I am stuck at home (as are so many other people) with a pile of chores to do. Though I did I learn that I'm stronger than I look mentally & physically, and that no matter what obstacles fall onto my path I will be able to overcome them.

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Everyone has their own opinions and values about things--especially about college. In my opinion, you can gain a lot of skills, and knowledge from going to college. College can give you experiences that you could not find anywhere else. For instance, in college you get to choose all your classes--yes choose all your classes. No one is going to tell you what you can and can't take--college is there for you to customize. I am glad I'm taking advantage of this chance to expand my knowledge, and life skills. Though it's not in the way I hoped--virtually, it's still a shot I would love to take. Honestly, I never thought I'd be on my way to my first fall semester in college! It's both terrifying and exciting!

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Are my parents putting pressure on me to go to college?

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Are my parents putting pressure on me to go to college?

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Parents always want whats best for their children. Whether it be the best school, the best friends, food, clothes, etc. For me, my parents taught me to be resilient and that not everything will be handed to you on a silver plater. They knew the many hardships that I would have to face, therefore, that's why they were so hard on me.
When it came to "life after graduation" they left that decision up to me. I could either go back to school or get a job. I'm a knowledge seeker--so I chose college. I wasn't entirely certain as to what major I would choose. I thought I was just going to go to "University of Maui College" for my liberals then transfer to another University for who knows what. However, that was until my mom told me "why don't you just do baking? you already love that" I was like "mom you're a genius". Now I am going to the University of Maui College for Culinary Arts:Baking, and I would also love to take up Hawaiian Studies &  ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi. I love baking, and I LOVE learning more about Hawaiian culture, the language, and the history. I am Hawaiian I feel that it is my responsibility to learn ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi and be able to teach and pass it down. College is definitely going to be exciting, and nerve-wracking at the same time, but I am SO ready for this next chapter of my life!

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We had our first Think-Write this week, and Iʻm absolutely, positively sure that I flunked it. How do I know that? Well I just have a gut feeling that I did, and my gut has never steered me wrong... yet. However, I didnʻt actually check it to see what grade I got. Truth is Iʻm way to scared and nervous to see my big huge 0% in bold writing. Iʻm probably way overthinking this whole situation but itʻs kind of my thing to overreact, worry, and panic. I mean for goodness sakes this is a College English class! I should check it though.
(checking it)
Oh. My. Gosh. I actually passed! Woah...that came as a total shock to me, and Mr.Kubota said...and this is quoted "Strong, if this were treated as some form of rhetorical quiz, you'd pass.  The broader, big PIE paragraph structure you crafted was also strong." Like whaaat!? I was stressing myself out for nothing! Well I learned my lesson, donʻt overreact until you know all the facts.

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Iʻm very nervous about the first main project...advertising. I mean picking an ad is the easy part, and the writing is not too bad, itʻs just the whole "main project" shabang that scares me. I have this whole idea that if I fail this first main project that it wonʻt set me up very well for the rest of the semester. Itʻs the real first impression of my writing skills, of course Iʻm nervous about it.

The first thing I will need to get done is figure out what kind of ad I will be writing these 4 pages on. Mr.Kubota said "choose something that your passionate about now", though Iʻm not exactly sure what that could be. Iʻm passionate about many things, but choosing only 1 is kind of hard. Here are a few things that Iʻm passionate about: skincare, Avatar: the Last Airbender (series), baking, bodyboarding, volleyball, paddling, reading, dogs, dancing, and working out. Itʻs quite a list, but I think out of all of them I would choose clear/glowing skin because having clear skin has been a struggle for me for the past few years, and there are quite a lot of companies who are advertising new skin products. Iʻve tried everything from oils, to trying a drugstore facial cleanser, to Proactive, to Curology, wearing sunscreen, to using a drying lotion. None have truly worked for my skin. Literally hundreds of dollars flushed down the drain. I feel that if I try researching ads on skincare, maybe Iʻll find a new product worth trying because at this point I will do anything to help my clear my skin.

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I knew there was a certain structure to follow when writing something, and I do follow one. What I didnʻt know was that the structure that I tend to stick to is called a "High-School structure". Which consists of "first I will talk about, then I will go into, information, then conclusion". Which usually doesnʻt cut it when you enter college, and I was a little embarrassed when Mr.Kubota said that. Though I knew that that certain structure style was a bit childish, I didnʻt know any other structure to follow. The only thing that High-School actually taught me about writing is that having proper grammar & spelling is the most important aspect of any perfect essay. Yeah, it wasnʻt all about the content, it was about making sure your words/grammar was pristine & perfect. Thatʻs all my teachers ever commented on when it came to my essays. I didnʻt think this class would be any different, until Mr.Kubota explained that "yes grammar is somewhat important, but having a passion for the content that you are writing is far more valuable/ important".  I gotta say though my teachers drilled into me that grammar is very important, Iʻm not exactly great at it. The one thing I struggle with is punctuation. Obviously, Mr.Kubota thinks so too. However, I am prepared to take up another writing structure that will allow me to create amazing essays & writings throughout my college/life career, and learn the proper ways to use punctuation marks.

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Which one do you relate to Explore, Excite, Examine or Execute?

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Which one do you relate to Explore, Excite, Examine or Execute?

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Honestly I probably relate to all of them, though I am more on the examine side. I always want everything to be perfect, and my left brain is usually in control. I mostly have a hard time with drafts/ prewriting. For me the 1st draft has to always be perfect despite the fact that itʻs a draft.  Patience is definitely a skill I need to acquire when it comes to writing. Though I do have to disagree with the whole "examine is not creative" part. I am very creative when it comes to my writing it just has to be on a topic that Iʻm passionate about.
I am also a little bit of explore because at times my brain is all over the place. For example, I could be in the middle of writing an essay and my brain starts thinking about what Iʻm gonna do this weekend, or what am I gonna eat, or why my hair is all over the place, or why Iʻm still single...you get the point. I am usually focused at the task at hand but I have no control on my wandering brain.
I also relate to excite. Though Iʻm not a social butterfly, when my work is good like for instance if I have an amazing speech written Iʻm obviously going to brag about it. Even if you donʻt wanna hear it. I mean come on, who doesnʻt want to hear about my work? Itʻs not like I brag all the time.
Last but certainly not least, execute. When something is assigned I just want to bang it out in one night and call it day. Itʻs definitely a trait I struggle with. When something is due next week, my brain tells me its due tomorrow. Sometimes it sucks because I end up stressing over something for no reason. In a way though all of these aspects really make up the person I am today, and I wouldnʻt change any of it.