Portfolio Link:
GLO PORTFOLIO
http://www.wix.com/melisponce/mellax3
Q: What did you learn about your child's achievements and experiences in MeneMAC this past year?
A: Well, first of all, I've learned how much she's grown into a young lady and how she's matured and this includes the work she does. I feel that that she really does exemplify the General Learner Outcomes, by the looks of it. Comparing to her portfolio last year, I can tell that she's improved a lot. What I did like, though was her essays. I remember when she used to write those baby essays, but now, she's writing at a college level. It amazes me so much. She really makes us proud. Her blog, in my opinion, is very creative. Other than that, keep up the good work!
Love, mom
(Macrina Ponce)
Monday, May 21, 2012
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
An Unforgettable Angel
We all know that best friends aren't like any ordinary friends. They're the ones who are there for you in the brightest of times and even in the darkest of times, who share tons of laughs with you, the one who you create billions of memories with, and the one who reassures you that everything is going to be okay. But how would you feel if the one who was there for you, laughed with you, and shared memories with you... left? It was April 20th of 2006. That was the day I lost my best friend.
The first day of 4th grade, not to mention that I've always loathed the first day of school because they were always the most scariest. Those days were the usual 'Who's my teacher this year?' or 'Who's in my class this time?' It's not much of a big deal, unless you got the worst teacher who yelled at you for making those very slight mistakes in that 'oh so difficult' math problem. Recess came and all of us rushed out carelessly to the playground. Giselle and I were just sitting down on the bench looking at all the returning 4th graders. Someone was missing. "Gess, where's Sam?" I asked. Giselle replied, "My mom was talking to her mom and remember how Sam was diagnosed with brain cancer? Well she got worse and it's gonna be hard for her to come back to school." My heart dropped and I was nothing but speechless.
Fortunately, Sam came to school as much as she could. But every time she walked into the classroom, I could see the pain in her eyes, not because of what the cancer was doing to her but because she was afraid of what's coming her way. I remember back in the 2nd grade when she was first diagnosed with cancer, I asked her gently if she was afraid to die. She simply said, "No". And that was it. Just a simple no. As days went by, she stopped coming to school because the doctor restricted her from going back. Every morning, we'd wait till the PA system came on to update us about Sam's condition and everybody would all pray together for her.
One day, our teacher told us that Sam will be in school but she won't be attending class with us because it's become a burden for her to walk up the stairs and instead, she'll be downstairs in another class. Giselle and I looked at each other, not sure whether to be happy or to be worried at the thought. We would visit Sam almost every lunch to eat with her. She was happy and it seemed as though she felt no pain and that brought me a sense of relief till one morning, when the PA system came on. They had told us that Sam was put into the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Queen's Medical Center last night. The class grew silent. I walked over to Giselle's desk and we both gave each other a hug filled with so much pain. We couldn't fight the tears that were already running down our face and onto each other's uniform.
I visited her almost everyday at the hospital, but every time I did, she was sound asleep. Each time I looked at her, I couldn't bring myself to say anything because I knew I needed to stay strong for the both of us, even though the only thing I felt was the sorrow and grief that was driven through me. At school one morning, I found out that she was brought home from the hospital so I visited her there. She was sitting on the floor in her favorite purple princess sleep gown. Her face lit up when I walked through the door. She tried getting up but I saw that she was struggling so I just sat next to her. I brought her a precious moments snowglobe. I watched as she shook the globe and she gave out a light smile.
When I got to school, everyone was asking me how she was doing. I assured everyone that she was doing well. The PA system came on and told us that Sam was put back into the ICU, this time on life support. I visited her again at the hospital. Once again, she was fast asleep. "Hi Sam. This is Mel," hoping that she could hear me. She did. She grabbed my hand slowly and held onto it as tight as she could but kept her eyes closed. "I just want you to know that I'm here and that everything is going to be okay. Keep in mind that God will always be with you." I rested my hand on the railing next to her bedside, still holding her hand.
It was August 20th of 2006, we all had been informed that Sam's mom had pulled the plug on her life support because her brain was already dead and the machine was only helping her to breathe.
The first day of 4th grade, not to mention that I've always loathed the first day of school because they were always the most scariest. Those days were the usual 'Who's my teacher this year?' or 'Who's in my class this time?' It's not much of a big deal, unless you got the worst teacher who yelled at you for making those very slight mistakes in that 'oh so difficult' math problem. Recess came and all of us rushed out carelessly to the playground. Giselle and I were just sitting down on the bench looking at all the returning 4th graders. Someone was missing. "Gess, where's Sam?" I asked. Giselle replied, "My mom was talking to her mom and remember how Sam was diagnosed with brain cancer? Well she got worse and it's gonna be hard for her to come back to school." My heart dropped and I was nothing but speechless.
Fortunately, Sam came to school as much as she could. But every time she walked into the classroom, I could see the pain in her eyes, not because of what the cancer was doing to her but because she was afraid of what's coming her way. I remember back in the 2nd grade when she was first diagnosed with cancer, I asked her gently if she was afraid to die. She simply said, "No". And that was it. Just a simple no. As days went by, she stopped coming to school because the doctor restricted her from going back. Every morning, we'd wait till the PA system came on to update us about Sam's condition and everybody would all pray together for her.
One day, our teacher told us that Sam will be in school but she won't be attending class with us because it's become a burden for her to walk up the stairs and instead, she'll be downstairs in another class. Giselle and I looked at each other, not sure whether to be happy or to be worried at the thought. We would visit Sam almost every lunch to eat with her. She was happy and it seemed as though she felt no pain and that brought me a sense of relief till one morning, when the PA system came on. They had told us that Sam was put into the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Queen's Medical Center last night. The class grew silent. I walked over to Giselle's desk and we both gave each other a hug filled with so much pain. We couldn't fight the tears that were already running down our face and onto each other's uniform.
I visited her almost everyday at the hospital, but every time I did, she was sound asleep. Each time I looked at her, I couldn't bring myself to say anything because I knew I needed to stay strong for the both of us, even though the only thing I felt was the sorrow and grief that was driven through me. At school one morning, I found out that she was brought home from the hospital so I visited her there. She was sitting on the floor in her favorite purple princess sleep gown. Her face lit up when I walked through the door. She tried getting up but I saw that she was struggling so I just sat next to her. I brought her a precious moments snowglobe. I watched as she shook the globe and she gave out a light smile.
When I got to school, everyone was asking me how she was doing. I assured everyone that she was doing well. The PA system came on and told us that Sam was put back into the ICU, this time on life support. I visited her again at the hospital. Once again, she was fast asleep. "Hi Sam. This is Mel," hoping that she could hear me. She did. She grabbed my hand slowly and held onto it as tight as she could but kept her eyes closed. "I just want you to know that I'm here and that everything is going to be okay. Keep in mind that God will always be with you." I rested my hand on the railing next to her bedside, still holding her hand.
It was August 20th of 2006, we all had been informed that Sam's mom had pulled the plug on her life support because her brain was already dead and the machine was only helping her to breathe.
For a long time, after Sam's passing, my faith and trust in God completely diminished and all I did was question his acts and why he did the things he did. I couldn't help but wonder why he took my best friend away. Letting go was never the easy part. But making new friends, especially after losing one was probably one of the hardest things I had to do because I was afraid of having to deal with the hurt of losing another one. I knew in my heart that no one could ever replace Sam's spot in my life, but it was because of her that I am who I am today.
Sammi was an inspiration to many, especially me. She simply said no because what she was afraid of was not being able to see her friends anymore. When she learned that she first was diagnosed with cancer, the doctor had told her that she had only a couple weeks to live. She answered back with a stern reply, "Do not tell me how much time I have left. Only God can. He's the only one who can say when I'm leaving." The belief and the love she had in God brought her to live 2 more years here on earth, instead of 2 weeks. Samantha came to school even though the cancer was bringing her nothing but pain in order to learn all that she could on earth before she left to go to Heaven and to spend every lasting second with her friends.
Sam and I have always shared one dream together and that was singing. Before she past, she made me promise her to never stop chasing my dream and to continue this dream for the both of us. Over the years, I've grown from my past and I owe it to my best friend to live my life the way she wanted me to live it and that is to be happy. It was because of her that giving up was never the option for me because she taught me how to remain strong no matter what negativity comes shooting right at me. She’s the reason I believe that miracles exist, but happen in mysterious ways. Till this very day, no matter what obstacle or whatever it is that brings me down, I think of what Sam said to that doctor. I know that she's still with me and still watching over me. She will forever be my best friend and my unforgettable angel and for this, I believe.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
An Unforgettable Angel
We all know that best friends aren't like any ordinary friends. They're the ones who are there for you in the brightest of times and even in the darkest of times, who share tons of laughs with you, the one who you create billions of memories with, and the one who reassures you that everything is going to be okay. But how would you feel if the one who was there for you, laughed with you, and shared memories with you... left? It was April 20th of 2006. That was the day I lost my best friend.
The first day of 4th grade, not to mention that I've always loathed the first day of school because they were always the most scariest. Those days were the usual 'Who's my teacher this year?' or 'Who's in my class this time?' It's not much of a big deal, unless you got the worst teacher who yelled at you for making those very slight mistakes in that 'oh so difficult' math problem. Recess came and all of us rushed out carelessly to the playground. Giselle and I were just sitting down on the bench looking at all the returning 4th graders. Someone was missing. "Gess, where's Sam?" I asked. Giselle replied, "My mom was talking to her mom and remember how Sam was diagnosed with brain cancer? Well she got worse and it's gonna be hard for her to come back to school." My heart dropped and I was nothing but speechless.
Fortunately, Sam came to school as much as she could. But every time she walked into the classroom, I could see the pain in her eyes, not because of what the cancer was doing to her but because she was afraid of what's coming her way. I remember back in the 2nd grade when she was first diagnosed with cancer, I asked her gently if she was afraid to die. She simply said, "No". And that was it. Just a simple no. As days went by, she stopped coming to school because the doctor restricted her from going back. Every morning, we'd wait till the PA system came on to update us about Sam's condition and everybody would all pray together for her.
One day, our teacher told us that Sam will be in school but she won't be attending class with us because it's become a burden for her to walk up the stairs and instead, she'll be downstairs in another class. Giselle and I looked at each other, not sure whether to be happy or to be worried at the thought. We would visit Sam almost every lunch to eat with her. She was happy and it seemed as though she felt no pain and that brought me a sense of relief till one morning, when the PA system came on. They had told us that Sam was put into the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Queen's Medical Center last night. The class grew silent. I walked over to Giselle's desk and we both gave each other a hug filled with so much pain. We couldn't fight the tears that were already running down our face and onto each other's uniform.
I visited her almost everyday at the hospital, but every time I did, she was sound asleep. Each time I looked at her, I couldn't bring myself to say anything because I knew I needed to stay strong for the both of us, even though the only thing I felt was the sorrow and grief that was driven through me. At school one morning, I found out that she was brought home from the hospital so I visited her there. She was sitting on the floor in her favorite purple princess sleep gown. Her face lit up when I walked through the door. She tried getting up but I saw that she was struggling so I just sat next to her. I brought her a precious moments snowglobe. I watched as she shook the globe and she gave out a light smile.
When I got to school, everyone was asking me how she was doing. I assured everyone that she was doing well. The PA system came on and told us that Sam was put back into the ICU, this time on life support. Every one looked at me and asked, "Why did you lie?" I yelled back with dreaded fear going down my face, "I didn't lie! She was fine last night!" I visited her again at the hospital. Once again, she was fast asleep. "Hi Sam. This is Mel," hoping that she could hear me. She did. She grabbed my hand slowly and held onto it as tight as she could but kept her eyes closed. "I just want you to know that I'm here and that everything is going to be okay. Keep in mind that God will always be with you." I rested my hand on the railing next to her bedside, still holding her hand.
It was August 20th of 2006, we all had been informed that Sam's mom had pulled the plug on her life support because her brain was already dead and the machine was only helping her to breathe.
Sammi was an inspiration to many, especially me. She simply said no because what she was afraid of was not being able to see her friends anymore. When she learned that she first was diagnosed with cancer, the doctor had told her that she had only a couple weeks to live. She answered back with a stern reply, "Do not tell me how much time I have left. Only God can. He's the only one who can say when I'm leaving." The belief and the love she had in God brought her to live 2 more years here on earth, instead of 2 weeks. Samantha came to school even though the cancer was bringing her nothing but pain in order to learn all that she could on earth before she left to go to Heaven and to spend every lasting second with her friends.
Till this very day, no matter what obstacle or whatever it is that brings me down, I think of what Sam said to that doctor. I know that she's still with me and still watching over me. She will forever be my best friend and my unforgettable angel.
The first day of 4th grade, not to mention that I've always loathed the first day of school because they were always the most scariest. Those days were the usual 'Who's my teacher this year?' or 'Who's in my class this time?' It's not much of a big deal, unless you got the worst teacher who yelled at you for making those very slight mistakes in that 'oh so difficult' math problem. Recess came and all of us rushed out carelessly to the playground. Giselle and I were just sitting down on the bench looking at all the returning 4th graders. Someone was missing. "Gess, where's Sam?" I asked. Giselle replied, "My mom was talking to her mom and remember how Sam was diagnosed with brain cancer? Well she got worse and it's gonna be hard for her to come back to school." My heart dropped and I was nothing but speechless.
Fortunately, Sam came to school as much as she could. But every time she walked into the classroom, I could see the pain in her eyes, not because of what the cancer was doing to her but because she was afraid of what's coming her way. I remember back in the 2nd grade when she was first diagnosed with cancer, I asked her gently if she was afraid to die. She simply said, "No". And that was it. Just a simple no. As days went by, she stopped coming to school because the doctor restricted her from going back. Every morning, we'd wait till the PA system came on to update us about Sam's condition and everybody would all pray together for her.
One day, our teacher told us that Sam will be in school but she won't be attending class with us because it's become a burden for her to walk up the stairs and instead, she'll be downstairs in another class. Giselle and I looked at each other, not sure whether to be happy or to be worried at the thought. We would visit Sam almost every lunch to eat with her. She was happy and it seemed as though she felt no pain and that brought me a sense of relief till one morning, when the PA system came on. They had told us that Sam was put into the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Queen's Medical Center last night. The class grew silent. I walked over to Giselle's desk and we both gave each other a hug filled with so much pain. We couldn't fight the tears that were already running down our face and onto each other's uniform.
I visited her almost everyday at the hospital, but every time I did, she was sound asleep. Each time I looked at her, I couldn't bring myself to say anything because I knew I needed to stay strong for the both of us, even though the only thing I felt was the sorrow and grief that was driven through me. At school one morning, I found out that she was brought home from the hospital so I visited her there. She was sitting on the floor in her favorite purple princess sleep gown. Her face lit up when I walked through the door. She tried getting up but I saw that she was struggling so I just sat next to her. I brought her a precious moments snowglobe. I watched as she shook the globe and she gave out a light smile.
When I got to school, everyone was asking me how she was doing. I assured everyone that she was doing well. The PA system came on and told us that Sam was put back into the ICU, this time on life support. Every one looked at me and asked, "Why did you lie?" I yelled back with dreaded fear going down my face, "I didn't lie! She was fine last night!" I visited her again at the hospital. Once again, she was fast asleep. "Hi Sam. This is Mel," hoping that she could hear me. She did. She grabbed my hand slowly and held onto it as tight as she could but kept her eyes closed. "I just want you to know that I'm here and that everything is going to be okay. Keep in mind that God will always be with you." I rested my hand on the railing next to her bedside, still holding her hand.
It was August 20th of 2006, we all had been informed that Sam's mom had pulled the plug on her life support because her brain was already dead and the machine was only helping her to breathe.
Sammi was an inspiration to many, especially me. She simply said no because what she was afraid of was not being able to see her friends anymore. When she learned that she first was diagnosed with cancer, the doctor had told her that she had only a couple weeks to live. She answered back with a stern reply, "Do not tell me how much time I have left. Only God can. He's the only one who can say when I'm leaving." The belief and the love she had in God brought her to live 2 more years here on earth, instead of 2 weeks. Samantha came to school even though the cancer was bringing her nothing but pain in order to learn all that she could on earth before she left to go to Heaven and to spend every lasting second with her friends.
Till this very day, no matter what obstacle or whatever it is that brings me down, I think of what Sam said to that doctor. I know that she's still with me and still watching over me. She will forever be my best friend and my unforgettable angel.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Journal 4: Process Paper: How you shaped and produced the "impact activity"
For my impact activity, I am going to sing my original song in front of the class using the skills and research that I've learned about songwriting and singing itself. However, before doing so, I need to practice my song a whole lot to make it sound at least close to perfect. I'd need to review all my lyrics and make sure that it makes sense and that it shoots out a meaning to the audience. That way, it'll show that I've went beyond my skills and that I clearly understand the techniques that I didn't know before. I want to be able to be a motivation to others and teach them through my song that no matter how difficult the task is, if you push past the obstacles that go with it, I promise you that you'll be rewarded in the end. I want to be able to prove to the audience that I've worked hard and that I didn't put pieces of junk together.
The process of coming up with this impact activity wasn't really difficult. At first, I was thinking of just making a video of me singing, but I thought to myself that it would have much meaning to it if I did. So in that case, I decided to sing it in front of the class because I want to be able to see the reactions and emotions.
The process of coming up with this impact activity wasn't really difficult. At first, I was thinking of just making a video of me singing, but I thought to myself that it would have much meaning to it if I did. So in that case, I decided to sing it in front of the class because I want to be able to see the reactions and emotions.
Journal #3: Reflective Journal: Response to your learning
Since I was a little girl, I've always been passionate about singing and music, in general. Singing became a huge part of my life since the day I could actually hold a mic. And ever since then, I knew that I wanted to improve more and more as I go along, whether it be through my music teachers or even myself. Singing, in my opinion is another way of being creative and expressing yourself. It's like reading a poem, but with melodies and rhythms. When singing a song, you are able to add in and create your own styles to your liking or however way you're more comfortable, whether it be an R&B style or something slow and simple; the way I like my music. This project taught me to think beyond just singing the usual Celine Dion or Mariah Carey songs. It allowed me to let my creative juices flow in order to compose a song all on my own. Although it took a lot of hard work, time, and dedication, it turned out to be something I'm definitely proud of. I have to say, though, that it wasn't easy. It took a lot of papers in the trash and a lot of listening to music to gain inspiration. What motivated me the most were the old poems that I used to write back when I was in elementary school, along with the poems that I've gotten from my friends over the years. Whenever I look at them, I reassure myself that writing a song is just like writing a poem and that the only difference is that you need to create a melody to go along with it. The different techniques about singing, rhythms, pitches, etc I've learned were a big benefit to me when creating this song because without knowing rhythms, my beat would be all over the place and it wouldn't sound too great. Aside from that, the other research that I did on how to write a song helped me a lot because without the tips on songwriting, composing a song would be much harder than I thought it would be. And let's not forget the tips and tricks I got from other people who's had the experience. Overall, this project was another way for me to just be myself and pour my feelings that I don't really share with everyone out on paper. School is very essential to our lives because without it, we'd have no knowledge with not only the basic subjects we learn everyday, but with life. School teaches you to do everything to the best of your ability and push past your limits and it teaches you a lot about yourself, especially when it comes to your strengths and weaknesses. Without school, we wouldn't know what to improve because we honestly wouldn't know how or know what we need to improve on. Project Icarus inspired me to go beyond my talents and capabilities and just take it to the next level. I'm inspired each and everyday by the people I love to continue chasing my dreams and to never stop believing in myself because I never know where life might take me one day.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Journal 1: Learning and Research Process
Topic
- Music
Passion and Stretch
- Started singing since I was 4 and I still do.
- I started taking voice lessons at the age of 8 and I started taking guitar lessons at the age of 12, but stopped just recently because my guitar teacher left to continue with school
- I was a member of the concert choir at my old school from grades 3-8 and and I'm currently a member of the music ministry for my church.
- I sang for numerous recitals, talent shows, parties, and many solos back when I was in concert choir.
- I want to be able to create my own song with my own lyrics and melody.
- I pretty much know the basics, but for some reason, my lyrics can never match the rhythm to what I play on my guitar and I always leave it unfinished.
- This time, I want to be able to compose my own song and be able to finish it with success.
Resources and Research
- Vocal Coach (William Daquiaog) --- I see him every Sunday for practice
- Old music teacher (Mrs. Bernie) --- I'm able to visit her anytime at my old school
- Music ministry teacher (Mama Fay) --- I see her every Sunday morning/evening for Church
- Cheesa Laureta (The Voice Semi Finalist) --- She's currently in Hawaii but will be leaving to go back to California on Saturday, but I'm able to contact her via Facebook, text/call.
- Youtube videos (Albert Posis, Mark Mejia, Melissa Polinar, and all those other youtube famous people) -- for inspiration
Process and Product
- Continue to sing and play the guitar on my own.
- Practice new chord progressions and plucking on the guitar to master my weakness.
- Start off with writing a chorus, then add in the verses. From there, create a memorable title.
- For the final product, put the lyrics together with the guitar and sing it on front of the class and possibly make a youtube video of my original song.
Questions
- What does it take to compose a whole original song?
- What skills do I need?
- What are the basic elements to composing a song?
- How much time does it really take?
- What's the easiest way or trick I can use?
- Any advice?
Friday, April 13, 2012
White, Black, and Shades of Gray
Looking at this chart, I've never really reflected heavily on what I've done in my lifetime and that's just a very few. This assignment taught me about my morals and what I consider is morally right, along with what's wrong. This timeline ranges from what good I've made of myself; however, along with the mistakes I've made in my past and even present. It's amazing to think about the things that we consider 'wrong' (lying, cheating, stealing, etc) but can be associated with the right. I've always been taught that the past makes us, however the present shapes us. I never really understood that saying, till now.
This assignment taught me a lot about myself as an individual and how much I've grown since I was a little girl. I've definitely made mistakes that I'm not very proud of, but I've learned to accept them and move on with my life. As our lives change and as we grow older, we begin to realize what really is important and what we become of ourselves. We may not be the perfect human beings, but we are human and we're still in the process of learning the difference between what's right and what's wrong. And this leads me back to the quote: "The past makes us, however the present shapes us". This is the time to make mistakes but there's no need to dwell on what was then and let what happened define who we are. The past will always be there, but it's up to us whether or not we want to grow from it.
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