Better Together (Script)

Scene 1. EXT – HALLS HIGH - MORNING

SERIES OF SHOTS:

A) Students are walking into the school.

B) There is a poster that says “Final Exam Day.”

C) In one side of the school, fashionable girls are hanging out with hot guys.

GIRL 1
Isn’t that guy so cute?

GIRL 2
Definitely!

D) On the other side, all the “nerd-looking” students are holding up their study guides and are studying for the exam.

GIRL 3
Hey, do you get this Algebra problem?

BOY 1
Yeah.
You draw a line here, and…

E) The bell rings and everybody runs into the building.


Scene 2. INT - Classroom of Halls High - MORNING
The teacher announces the start of the exam. Some students are caught cheating and are sent to the office. Tylia is first viewed on the screen. She is really concentrated on her exam, and she turns in the test, last. She is confident of the result, so happily, she heads back home.


Scene 3. INT - Few days later at Halls High - DAY
The next day, she receives the report card of the year. Again, she had the highest GPA in her grade as usual. Everyone at the school is really jealous of her. Envying, people come to compare Tylia’s test paper with their own, since she got the most questions correct. Some students ask her questions.


Scene 4. INT – TYLIA’S HOME - AFTERNOON

TYLIA AVRIL, runs into the house, shouting

TYLIA
Mom, dad! Look at my report card!
(holds up her hand)
Look at this! I got the highest GPA again!

Her mom takes a glimpse and continues reading newspaper, unsurprised.

MOM
Well done, my girl.
Now go clean your room.
(gestures toward her bedroom)

Tylia frowns to her mother when she takes off her backpack.


TYLIA
Don’t you want to check this out?
I mean, you don’t want to say anything about this?


Her father gives her a weird look and turns off the TV he was watching

DAD
Look now, Tylia. We know what it looks like, well enough.
It’s not a thing to be so excited about!

TYLIA
You will never be able to imagine how hard it is, to actually get this grade!

Father gives her a stern look.

DAD
Never mind that.
I have something important to tell you anyways.

TYLIA
What is it?
Is it more important than “this?”
(She shakes her paper again)

DAD
Of course!
We are moving to a new city!

Tylia is too shocked to say anything. Her face turns red with anger. Her mouth drops down, open.

TYLIA
But you never mentioned that before!!!
How can you just… just…

Her father interrupts

DAD
I just decided it today!
Now go to your room just as your mother said, and clean your room.

Tylia runs into her bedroom angrily. Then, she throws the report card in the trashcan.



Scene 5. INT- In Tylia’s bedroom - NIGHT
Tylia starts crying. She goes over all the pictures she took over past 15 years. She sees all the awards she got and reviews all her accomplishments. She just cannot stop crying. Changing schools during high school year is a very serious thin because then, it takes time for you to adjust to the school, and it might lower your grades. Her parents come into the room and say that it’s good because she can now study harder without knowing anyone in the new school.





Scene 6. EXT - On the street OF Tylia’s house - MORNING
It is the day that Tylia has to move. All of her friends came to say good-bye and they cry a lot. She thinks that she’d rather die to leave everything behind. As the car drives away, she cannot bear the sorrow and tries to get off the car, but it is locked.


Scene 7. INT - Hide High - DAY
Tylia goes to her new school; however, she isn’t part of the community. She is just left out in every single thing they did at the school because nobody knows her, and nobody actually dares knowing her. Weird looks pass by, and sometimes, curious stares sicken her badly.


Scene 8. INT - Few days later in the classroom of Hide High - DAY
She isn’t the smartest girl in the school. No one comes to her to ask question as they did from the other school. People pass by her, not caring. She receives “B” for her report paper. She wrinkles and throws her paper away.


Scene 9. INT - Tylia’s bedroom - NIGHT
She pulls out her diary. She would just start writing and writing. She cries and she laughs like crazy at the same time. Her diary is her only friend. Tylia is in despair, but her parents don’t even recognize this because they were too busy doing their own stuff. Tylia feels lonelier and lonelier as time passes by.

Scene 10. INT - Speech class - Day

MS. SPARK, the speech class teacher enters the room.

MS. SPARK
Now, class!
I have a very important thing to tell you today.

She hits a desk to draw attention. A student wakes up looking tired.

MS. SPARK (CONT’D)
As a part of your mid-term exam grade,
(emphasizes “exam”)
you all have to make a speech in front of the whole school!

Students give shocking looks and groan.

STUDENTS (ALL TOGETHER)
Oh… no….

Recognizing this, Ms. Spark speaks again.

MS. SPARK
Listen girls and boys!
For those who have low grades in this class, it will be a great chance for you to make up your grades!!

Students’ reaction change dramatically. Everyone is now interested.

STUDENT 1
What is the speech going to be on?

MS. SPARK
Anything you choose!
It is a free topic.
Am I not so nice?

Students’ face hardens as if they got stuck by a lightening.

STUDENTS (ALL TOGETHER)
Oh not again….

Tylia just scribbles down something on the paper, mumbling.

TYLIA
So I say this…
…emphasize this….
…..and so….

The shot of the paper she is writing on is shown. She is scribbling down the ideas for her speech, and next to it, there is the calculations of her grade.


Scene 11. INT - In the restroom at Tylia’s house - Night

TYLIA is standing in front of a restroom mirror.

TYLIA
Ladies and gentleman!
No... no... It’s too weird!

Tylia shakes her head, and then starts again.
TYLIA
It is a pleasure to stand in front of you today.
Now, I believe, that each and every….

Then she recognizes something important. She wasn’t doing any of the eye contacts.

TYLIA
Eye contact… Eye contact…
Oh no… I can’t do it!!!

She is too embarrassed at her self to make any of the eye contact. Just then, her parents rush in to the restroom.

DAD
Tylia, do you know what time it is? It is the middle of the night!
Would you please allow me to sleep?

TYLIA
I know dad… But….

DAD
There are no buts!
Don’t be so rude to your father!

Mom interrupts.

MOM
Your father is right, Tylia.
We weren’t able to sleep for a week now. You should stop it this very moment.
Parents exit the room, pointing at the clock. Tylia cannot say anything because of anger. She stares at the parents back.

She rips her speech paper, gets out of the restroom, turns the light off, and closes the door shut.


Scene 12. INT - Auditorium of Hide High - DAY
It is the speech day, and it is not the same as she expected it to be. She slowly walks up the stage, nervous and unprepared. She is scared and cannot begin. Everybody seems to criticize her and laugh at her in her eyes. She runs off the stage, crying.


Scene 13. EXT - Road between Tylia’s school and home - DAY
Tylia runs as fast as she can to her house. People stare at her weirdly, and a policeman blows whistle to her to be careful, but she doesn’t care. She just runs and that is all she does.


Scene 14. INT - Hide High - MORNING
Tylia is so famous in her school. Everybody now knows her, but it is far worse than before because they are all laughing at her.


Scene 15. INT - Speech class - DAY
In the speech class, she receives a failing grade of an “F” for the first time in her life. Tylia now thinks that her life is really over. She decides not to come to school from the following day.


Scene 16. INT - Tylia’s home - NIGHT
That night, Ms. Spark, the teacher calls her home. Ms. Spark had a similar experience when she was in high school, so she guesses what was going on, correctly, by looking at her grades from the previous school. They talk with open-mind. The teacher tells Tylia a way that she can make up her grade: joining the forensics team and winning a prize. Tylia accepts it since it is her last chance.


Scene 17. INT - Forensics meeting - DAY
At the first meeting of forensics that Ms. Spark took Tylia, she figures that only smart people were there. The teacher encourages her and gains confidence.


Scene 18. INT - Locker area of the Hyde High – DAY

Tylia is organizing her locker. A boy comes to her.

JOHN
Hi, nice to meet you!

TYLIA
Nice to meet you…
I’m sorry but who are you?

The boy is a little astonished, that she doesn’t actually knows him.

JOHN
My name is John.
I’m in the forensics team…
I am fairly surprised that you don’t actually know me!

TYLIA
Well, I never talk to anyone in school…

John suddenly interrupts.

JOHN
You know, I’m kind of busy.
Just came by to ask you if you want to be my partner in forensics.

TYLIA
Me??
You are joking, aren’t you?

JOHN
Why would I make up such a joke?
I just could see your enthusiasm at the meeting.
So I thought maybe if we become partners, we can win!

Tylia smiles, but tries to hide it.

TYLIA
Well, yeah I want to win, but…

John interrupts again.

JOHN
So, yes or no?
Just tell me that.

Tylia hesitates for a moment, but finally answers.

TYLIA
Ok. I’ll do it.


Scene 19. INT - Hallway of the Hyde High - DAY
From then on, everyone is so jealous of Tylia to be a forensics partner with John. Girls say, “How can you such stupido be a partner with hotty hot John?” Some girls talk at her back, but contrastingly, some girls want to be friend with her. However, Tylia refuses because she knew that she isn’t the one who they like, but John, her partner.


Scene 20. INT - At the school cafeteria - DAY
A cheerleader named Kelly approaches in her life gradually and she is the one that Tylia cannot ignore. Kelly trips Tylia in the cafeteria and throws ice-cream at her. She tries to make John unable to practice with Tylia constantly, by asking him out on a date. But this never works because John is enthusiastic enough about forensics to ignore all this. John tells Tylia to meet him at the park on Sunday morning.


Scene 21. EXT - At the park in Cupertino – MORNING

John and Tylia meet at the park. John starts talking.

JOHN
Hey, Tylia.
I just had some things to tell you.


TYLIA
Oh, hi.
What is it that you want to tell me about?

John pauses for a second, sighs, and calmly starts talking.

JOHN
Tylia, I… I like you…
Would you go out with me?

Tylia looks shocked from unexpected news.

TYLIA
O…Oh… Well… The thing is…
Like…
I can’t believe you, John…
I know you have gone out with a lot of girls…

JOHN
But this time, it’s real!
I like you with all my heart.

Tylia isn’t convinced.

TYLIA
I am sorry, John…
I just… can’t…

JOHN
Will I never be allowed?
Can’t you just give me one more chance?

Tylia thinks for a moment and responds.

TYLIA
Well…
You know, maybe…
I mean… can we talk about this again after the competition?
Maybe then, I will be able to trust you…

John sighs but still agrees.

JOHN
OK… Tylia…
Let’s do that.
But don’t forget.
I like you with all my heart.


Scene 22. INT - John’s house - AFTERNOON
Tylia comes over to John’s house to practice forensics. John’s mother comes in with juice for them to drink, so they take a little break. They practice so hard that they cannot feel the fatigue. Both of them were really into this and both of them wanted to win prizes.


Scene 23. EXT - On the way to Tylia’s house - NIGHT
John brings Tylia home, saying that it is very dangerous for a girl to walk alone at night. They say good-bye in front of her house.




Scene 24-27 EXT&INT - Park, school, John and Tylia’s house - DAY&AFTERNOON
No dialogues pass by. The scenes of Tylia and John practicing are shown. Some parts of the forensics speech are heard, but not everything.


Scene 28. INT - Tylia’s house - NIGHT
Tylia comes home after the practice. She starts to fill the diary with wonderful experiences she has with John. She is so happy now that she forgot all the problems she had in the past.


Scene 29. INT - Tylia’s house few days later - DAY

Tylia’s parents are watching TV in the living room. Tylia picks up the remote control and turns the TV off.

MOTHER
(astonished)
Tylia! That is so rude!

TYLIA
Well, I have an important thing to ask you.

DAD
That cannot be an excuse my girl.
(pauses for a second)
But now, tell us what this is all about.

TYLIA
Well… You know that….

DAD
(interrupting)
No, I know nothing!!

TYLIA
Would you please listen?
I am competing at the national forensics competition tomorrow...
Do you think you guys can come?

MOM
What do you mean “we think”?
Don’t you know that we are busy?

DAD
Your mom is right.
We can’t go Tylia.
Plus, you are not thinking you can win, are you?

Tylia’s face blushed with anger.

TYLIA
I… I thought…
Maybe… this time…
You could go….
I was just…

DAD
Be logical, my girl.

Tears could be seen in Tylia’s eyes. She yells.

TYLIA
I know! I know!
I was just checking, OK?
I know what kind of parents you are! I hate you guys!
You don’t even love me, do you?
I wonder if I am your real daughter!!!!

Tylia starts running, crashes the door, and leaves the house. The parents look at each other with shocks.


Scene 30. EXT - At the park - NIGHT
Tylia sits on a bench at the park and stays overnight there.


Scene 31. EXT - At the park - MORNING

Tylia wakes up from the park bench. She rubs her eyes sleepily.

TYLIA
(yawning)
What time is it??

As she talks to herself, she looks at her watch.

TYLIA (CONT’D)
Seven… Seven… Oh yeah…
Today is the competition day…

As she sighs, she stares at the people passing by.

TYLIA (CONT’D)
Should I go to the competition or not?
..I don’t want to go... but John…
People stare at her as they pass by.

TYLIA (CONT’D)
(suddenly realizing)
Oh yeah…
T.R.U.S.T…. Trust…
John and I… Trust….

She looks at the clock again. She is astonished. The time has passed faster than she thought it would.

TYLIA (CONT’D)
Oh no..!! I’ll have to run!


Scene 32. INT – Auditorium - MORNING
John is waiting for Tylia. They are supposed to meet an hour early before the competition starts, to practice, but she doesn’t show up. John becomes very angry. He is very disappointed also, not knowing what was actually going on.

Scene 33. INT - Competition site - DAY
The turn of Tylia and John is coming up. John calls Tylia and she doesn’t answer. He also calls the parents of Tylia, anxious, but they don’t answer either. He repents. He thinks that he cannot trust on Tylia anymore.

Scene 34. EXT – Street - DAY
Tylia is waiting for the taxies to pass by, but no taxies actually do. She is full of intensity. She just decides to run. Panicking, she runs as hard as she can. She just has to be there, and it is a far distance. She is full of fatigue.

Scene 35. EXT – Street - DAY
A familiar car passes by. It was her parents going somewhere. She runs harder with anger toward her parents. The next moment, the car comes back. The door opens and her mother comes out. She hugs Tylia and starts to cry. She asks, “Why are you still here?” Tylia explains everything and they drive her to the competing place.

Scene 36. INT - Competition site - DAY

A GIRL AND A BOY
Thank you so much!

Judges nod and the audience claps. The judges call Tylia and John to perform.

JUDGE 1
Third team! Ms. Tylia and Mr. John! Please come forward, thank you.

John hesitates. Ms. Spark and John look at each other, not knowing what to do.

JUDGE 1 (CONT’D)
Number three? Are you here?

JOHN
Yes, sir.
But may I request something please?

JUDGE 2
Go ahead.


JOHN
My partner... Tylia... hasn’t arrived here yet.
I am confident that there is something going on, and I know that she will be here soon.
So can we…

The judge interrupts

JUDGE 3
No. You cannot do it later.
If it was important for her, she would have come no matter what.
She is not here.

Ms. Spark comes forward to the judges, as if to say something.

MS. SPARK
Judges...
I am their teacher...
I beseech you. Can you allow them to go next?

JUDGE 1
No, ma'am.

John and Ms. Spark return to their seats. They are in despair.


Scene 37. INT - Competition site - DAY

Just then, Tylia runs in with her parents. John yells.

JOHN
Why are you so late?
I thought you had given up!!

Tylia looks at him, full of tear. John sighs.

JOHN
Come on!
It’s our turn!
Let’s show them what we can do!

TYLIA
(mumbling)
Sorry John… and thank you…

They hold hands and walk up the stage. They look very confident.

JUDGE 2
You boy, you are lucky today.
Now, you may begin.

They make an eye contact and nods. They began their speech.

Their speech fades into the background.


Scene 38. INT - Award ceremony - AFTERNOON
John and Tylia receive the first prize. They now know that they can trust on each other and they can now understand each other very well. Tylia now also knows that her parents love her and feels really special. They all hold up the first place trophy.

Seeking Justice (Career Essay)

“It’s not necessarily about what career you pick. It’s about how you do what you do” (Doctorow). When we think about future careers, what are the most important factors to consider? Is it money, fame, or what? There are so many different kinds of jobs in the world. As a freshman in high school, I need to think about my future careers and decide on a brief area of subjects I want to study. “When I grow up, I want to become…” statement have changed a lot over time as I got to have a broader view of the world. In order to produce a higher quality of work, you have to be well-suited to it, so it is very important to choose the right career. Well, as I got to take aptitude tests from “The Occupation Finder “from Holland, and had researched the jobs that are at my priorities, I became confident that I was to become a lawyer.

Things that I am skilled at had dramatically affected my choice of future career. I do several activities such as forensics, where I have to overcome the fear of public speaking. I voice my opinions well, and can argue against people keenly. I have debated a lot with other students and had won several times, which tells me that I can do a good job at a court, since “…they represent one of the parties in criminal and civil trials by presenting evidence and arguing in court to support their client” (Lawyers). I am athletic to be able to play such many sports. This means that I wouldn’t be exhausted easily and can work for a really long time. “…Lawyers often work long hours, and of those who regularly work full time, about half work 50 hours or more per week” (Lawyers). The thing I am best at is being able to be comfortable with anyone so that I can discuss the case of the court without any problems. But, should I have chosen a job I enjoy but not that good at, or a job I don’t really enjoy but still good at?

I fit to be a lawyer because I am a person who always fights for justice. Wherever I see actions of immorality or hear about the news of crimes, I cannot hide my anger. I also love to help my friends who need help. Since I can be comfortable with anyone, no matter who they are, I can be a great help. “…even among strangers (on an airplane, in line at the grocery store, in a doctor’s waiting room), they will strike up a conversation and chat pleasantly about any concrete topic that comes to mind” (Keirsey 6). People say that I am the one to talk to and smile whenever they are depressed. I really like to write reports and present them to class, which means that I will report the result of a certain case or what had been going on well, when I become a lawyer. I want to be a perfectionist and want to be able to show it off. However, if I turn out to have many flaws, I would never speak about it again due to shamefulness.

When I am choosing a job, there are the three priorities and they are really important to me; lawyer fit them all. First, I have to feel good about myself. I want to enjoy and have fun for what I am doing also. When I protect an innocent person at the court, or send a crucial criminal to jail, I would really feel good about myself. “… I feel really good about myself and sometimes blessed when I win a case at a court…” (Shin). Next, I have to be successful. To fit into a society and be with respectful people, I, myself, need to be as successful as them. Everything follows after success. Last, I want to make a good amount of money, and the “…highest salaries of lawyers 9 months after graduation from law school is $126,250” (Lawyers). With money, I can do anything I want to do and get to have more life-time opportunities.

Becoming a lawyer is a difficult decision because it is a pretty harsh path for me to walk on in the near future. To become a lawyer, I need to study really hard, and memorize many things since you need to know the laws clearly. Also, it takes a long time to become a lawyer because you need to study at colleges or universities for many years. “… It took me ten years to finish all the studies I had to do before I became one of the lawyers…” (Shin). Plus, there is a final test for me to take before I can be a professionally qualified lawyer. “All States require that applicants for admission to the bar pass a written bar examination; most States also require applicants to pass a separate written ethics examination. To qualify for the bar examination in most States, an applicant usually must earn a college degree and a graduate from a law school accredited by the American bas Association or the proper state authorities. ABA accreditation signifies that the law school-particularly its library and faculty-meets certain standards developed to promote quality legal education” (Lawyers).

I will be a lawyer although I am not really sure if this is a job for me. I don’t like to memorize and am not good at it either, but I just love justice. I can work connected to criminals, and can work with laws. I can also help people who need my help but have no money. The only thing I am worried about is that I have weak emotional feelings. “They can be crushed by personal criticism, and will function effectively only when appreciated both for themselves and for the abundant services they give to others” (Keirsey 7). I would have to overcome this to become a good lawyer. To find the greatest job for me, I will not stop here. I will keep on researching for my future possible careers, and I am confident that one day, I will be happy for what I am doing as an individual adult, working for myself and the society’s justice.

Citations:
Doctorow, Cory. Someone Comes To Town, Someone Leaves Town. U.S.A.: Penguin Books Company, 2005.
Holland, John L. The Occupation Finder. Lutz: Psychological Assessment Resources, Inc., 2000
Holland, John L. Assessment Booklet: A Guide to Educational and Career Planning. Lutz: Psychological Assessment Resources, Inc., 1994.
Keirsey, David. Please Understand Me II. Del Mar, CA: Prometheus Nemesis Book Company, 1998
"Lawyers." Occupational Outlook Handbook. August 4, 2006. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 6 Mar 2007
Shin, Hyung-chul. E-mail interview. 17 Mar. 2007.

Character Goals

Character determines whether your friends, classmates and family members see you as a leader and respect you as a role model; I want to have the character that everyone would expect from their leader and practice the whole.

I will try to be responsible for all my promises and be accountable for my actions. Responsibility is one of the most important characters a person should carry. “Responsibility is the price of greatness (Thinkexist.com).” To become a leader or anything great, you have to have the responsibility. I will accept what I have done wrong and take consequences following so that I would never do the same thing the next time. Also, I will try to be careful when I make promises, make sure that it is possible for me to fulfill, and once promised, to practice it in any circumstances. By the end of the semester, I want to be self-confident that I am a person of responsibility.

Since the trust can’t be granted but only earned, I will try to earn the character of trustworthiness throughout this semester. “Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with the important matters (Thinkexist.com).” To be trustworthy, you have to be careful of every single little detail of truth. If you lie, or go around telling the fact that shouldn’t really be spreading, no one will get to trust you. I will try to deliver on my promises and to act honestly at every turn. Trustworthiness is the character I really want to have as a person.

Citations:

Churchill, Winston. "Quotes for Responsibility." Thinkexist.com. 31 Jan 2007..
Einstein, Albert. "Quotes for Trust." Thinkexist.com. 31 Jan 2007.

2007, A Beginning as a 15-year-old

Goal 1) I will use strategies to address writing to different audiences.
Method) I will try to write toward various audiences and differentiate them by using unlike voice, word choice, and organization. I will also try to approach my writing in several ways. Don’t just write one kind, but explore dissimilar kind of writings such as poems, short stories, research paper etc.

Goal 2) I will use precise and descriptive language that clarifies and enhances ideas and supports different purposes.
Method) Try not to drag my point, but be simple and my idea is clear. Use descriptive words to make my writing picturesque and readers be able to imagine what I write.

Goal 3) I will use commonly confused terms in written compositions.
Method) I am well confused with these words, so try to use them a lot in my writing so that I’d clearly know the difference. It’ll help me for the SAT too.

Goal 4) I will use a variety of primary sources to gather information for research topics.
Method) Since I had only used the internet encyclopedia, Wikipedia, which I had just learned that it isn’t reliable, I will try to use many other internet sites. Also, I will try to use the printed-copy sources in which I can get from our school library.

Goal 5) I will work on organization, so that by the end of the year, I will have improved.
Method) Instead of using similar structure or design of a writing piece, I will try to vary them. Organization is important and different looks drive readers into “wanting to read” mode, since they are not boring.

A Single Step toward the World (Poetry Portfolio)

To Michael Kwon,
wishing his recovery.

Preface
Since young, one of my favorite writing was poetry. However, it always seemed that I cannot get out of the structure of my childish poem. I didn’t have any chance to learn to write poetry, properly in class with a teacher before, so when I heard that we are going to write poetry, I couldn’t hide my joy. I waited and waited for the time to come, until I found out that we are not going to free-write our poems. “There were different ways to write poems?” that is exactly what I said. And at the same time, I liked the fresh challenge.
My best and most inspired work always came from my bedroom. Even though I try my best in the classroom to write something, all I can do for 70 minutes is to sit and write something unworthy. I always had to rewrite the things I wrote in class; not a single writing was left untouched. Bedroom is a place where my comforts are. I dream, I love, and I imagine the most beautiful things there. As I lie down, looking at the ceiling, I can think of all sorts of things without any worries. Maybe there is this idea-making-machine in my bed, the machine of ideas and dream.
Things that are mysterious, things that suddenly make me wonder, and things that give me unforgettable impressions inspire me the most. They make me think more deeply and see everything in different point of views, which leads to the creativity. For example, when I was in the bathroom, my friend and I were talking about how funny it is to stand in front of the door and listen to all those different sounds that are created, when I said, “This is it, for my sound poem!” The idea of the ‘Two Rooms’ narrative poem inspired me also. I was in an agony of choosing what I want to be when I grow up and what path I should walk on, when the poem compared two different things that were very contrasting. It came right into my heart, and I so wanted to compare two of my dreams this way.
I value the voice the most in the writing process. Every writer has one’s unique way of wording phrases and that could be the beauty of the person’s poem. The voice can decide who the poem is for, and the purpose of the poem. I am not really good at showing voice, and it is a category that I need to work on harder; however, I had tried my best. The most important thing I learned about writing poetry is the way to use all 6 traits of writing appropriately in different kinds of poems. I also learned how to describe something effectively. The poor description could kill the poem, so the word choices were really important, too. I hope as readers go through this portfolio, they could feel the beauty of poem. For those who don’t like poetry, I hope my poems can change their hatred into love.


Restroom

Audience: Elementary Children
Final draft
Sound Poem


“Bang! Bang!”
People beating the door.
“Me first! Me first!”
Shouts of people waiting

“Crash!”
The cry of the door
“Crash!”
The injury of the door

“Shhh~!” Listen!
There goes the flush!
As soon as the water sucks down,
People get ready for race.

“All done!” they say
With relief in their voices.
“Drip! Drip!”
The water drops are left
In their empty spaces.


Two Rooms of Dream

Audience: Young adults
Final draft
Narrative Poem


I live in a doorway
Between two rooms

In one room
I find my foot,
Tapping to the melody
My hand races down the string,
My arm dances in the air.
As I create my music,
I dream of the day
Finding myself on the stage
Being one of the greatest musicians

In another room
I find my hand,
Scribbling down the paper
My pencil starts to cry
My brain starts to beseech.
As I fill out each and every word
I dream of the day
Finding myself in court
Being one of the keenest prosecutors.


Lovely Fly

Audience: Young adults who hate flies.
Final draft
Process Poem


An angel,
With shining eyes
Staring at you with tears
Reflecting yourself
In a hundred points of view
Waiting for you to see itself
Landing on your food.

An angel,
With rainbow-colored wings
Flapping here and there
Searching for a place to land
A place to give you blessings
A blessing for you and me
A blessing of germs.

An angel,
With beautiful lips
Full of love for everyone
Kissing this and that
Finding for its true love
And, once it discovers you,
Kisses you with black lips.


Message is clear, focused, concise, and easy to summarize. It is very interesting to read the poem from the beginning because of the title. The readers get to think, "How can flies be lovely?" and start reading the poem. I compared the fly to an angel because I thought the angels were the most clean and beautiful thing there could ever be. I use pretty adjectives, that are usually used to make an object seem better and make the readers think of something in a positive point of view. However, as the fly is described more and more, it somehow makes the reader feel disgusted. The last line of every stanza is always a turn. Although it is the only line of the stanza that doesn't use pretty words, it makes the whole poem disgusting. Even I was disgusted by the idea of being kissed by a fly with a 'black lip.' This poem is not appropriate to read before reading, nor for the people who love flies, since their thoughts will change after reading the poem. One question that can come into mind is, "How can this be a process poem?" The answer is, as the readers have already felt, basically how to turn the positive point of view to negative toward the fly by reading the poem. The conventions are good, and the idea was really good. Even I was surprised at myself, how I could think of such topic!


The Very First Day

Audience: Young adults with experience of the first day of school.
Final draft
Pantoum


That day I was unprepared
The first step toward high school
Painful and harsh they declared
Armful of projects soaked with drool

The first step toward high school
Walking up and down the stairs
Armful of projects soaked with drool
Who cares about friend affairs?

Walking up and down the stairs
Everyone looks so worried and anxious,
Who cares about friend affairs?
Seeing teachers’ keen eyes checking who’s conscientious.

Everyone looks so worried and anxious
Painful and harsh they declared
Seeing teachers’ keen eyes checking who’s conscientious
That day I was unprepared.


Message is clear, focused, concise, and easy to summarize. This poem makes me think again of the first day of high school. Although time has passed, it makes me smile of the day. Adult readers, who have been in high school a long time ago, may have hard time to draw one's memoir out, but I am confident that it is a memory to enjoy thinking about. The description of the poem is done for the readers to enjoy, for example, the textbook soaked with drool makes you imagine when you were sleepy while studying. This poem contains my own experience, when I was really worried and anxious, hearing a senior say that it is a worst time of life to be in the high school. The readers could feel the tension of the first day. Your mind is full of thoughts of the tests that is coming up and how to prepare for the first test of the year. The grades you get from then go to college so no one is left behind. The conventions are good, and the word choices are well done. However, I think if the poem was longer, it could have been better. Overall, the Pantoum organization was in a good structure and was well written.

How to Bake Chocolate Chip Cookies (Process Essay)

What is your favorite snack? What is your favorite kind of cookies? Chocolate chip cookies are the most delectable. They just melt in your mouth like marshmallow and sweeten your mouth quickly. Once you start eating, you cannot stop. However, not all chocolate chip cookies are like that. That could be too hard to bite or too sweet to eat. Now I will share with you my secret home recipe. Be aware! You might become addicted very easily!

First, you should check if you have all the tools and ingredients. If not, you must go to the nearest grocery store and buy the highest-quality products. The tools you need to make the dough of the cookies are the bowl, mixer, and the measuring spoon. You need 200g of butter that melts well, and you can know this by the price, since in most of the cases the expensive butter melts better. The 50g sugar has to be sweet enough for you; but not too sweet. You also need 120g of brown sugar, and 1ts of salt. These ingredients are used often for other dishes, so you can just get whatever you use the most. 2 eggs are the best to buy the fresh ones because they are very sensitive. You might get sick if you use the old eggs as part of the ingredients. Plus, to add more taste to your cookie, you need 1ts of vanilla, 100g of walnut, and 300g of flour. Oh, and don’t forget 180g of chocolate chips for your chocolate chip cookies! It’s okay to use more chocolate chips if you want, but this is just the right amount for most of the people. Now you are ready to start.

The next thing you need to do is to melt the butter in the air-temperature. The air temperature is the state of being neither too cold nor hot; as it is worded, it is the normal temperature of the air. When the butter is ready, mix with sugar, brown sugar, and salt. You can recognize the ready butter by being able to blend it easily with other ingredients. Then, break two eggs in, making sure the shells don’t go in. You will have hard time taking them out even if a single fragment goes in. Mix the again with vanilla until it becomes creamy. It usually takes about 2 minutes to make it sufficient for the next step. Include flour, chocolate chips – the most important things – and walnut.

The last step is baking. Make the shape you want your cookies to be with the dough. However, limit the thickness to 2.5cm since they might not cook well if it is too thick. It’s also safe to make it round and help the cookies being baked well according to my own experience. Place it carefully on the cookie sheet, and be careful to leave spaces between the dough. When you bake them, the cookies expand and rise, so they may stick to each other. Put it into the oven and keep track of the time – 15 minutes.

Check the condition of the cookies. There are two kinds; the cookie can be crunchy or it could be soft and sweet. The conditions of minutes you spent to bake the cookies and the thickness of the cookies determines between the two kinds. If the cookie is cooked just as much as you wanted them to be, it is time for you to enjoy! It will be the best chocolate chip cookie you have ever tasted~! Wasn’t it easy? Why don’t you try it yourself and carry them around with you as snacks? Again I warn you, aware of the addictiveness!

Forgiveness (Definition Essay)

Many religions have different views on one subject; same with forgiveness. As all religion treats forgiveness as one of the major topics, it is very important. When you ask a group of people, “What is forgiveness?” everyone will have a different point of views. As a Christian, the forgiveness of others is amongst the spiritual duties. “God is generally considered to be the original source of all forgiveness, which is made possible through the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus, and is freely available to the repentant believer.” (“Forgiveness”)

The forgiveness in Christianity came from God. The Bible states, “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your father may forgive you your sins.” (Mark 11:25) God has sent Jesus, his only son, to forgive human beings to forgive us. Jesus has suffered the worst things a mankind could ever suffer, and had died for our sins. Since then, we are able to be forgiven from God through Jesus. God was the first one to ever forgive human beings and is still forgiving us everyday and lead us to the bright side of the world.

What if there isn’t anything such as forgiveness? Forgiveness is needed to call forgiveness, so you would never be able to form relationships with anyone. There is no perfect person in the world that had not had a single sin, except for Jesus Christ. Without forgiveness, all human beings would never be able to go to heaven. The word ‘heaven’ would never exist in the first place.

Forgiveness… One might ask, “Friends forgive each other, but it’s not really through Jesus. Then why do we need to believe in Christianity and why do we have to be forgiven by God?” The big difference there is that people can forgive each other once at a time about a single thing. But it is too little compared to the amount of sins you made. Plus, it is almost certain that you would not be able to go to every single person you sinned against and be forgiven by them. However, God can forgive you in everything, no matter how much there are and how serious they are. He is the great God.

Forgiveness means a lot to people around the world. There is no one who doesn’t want to be forgiven after all the bad things they’ve done. It gives people comfort as much as it is treated importantly in religions. Without the word ‘forgiveness,’ there would have been no purpose of God and the religion named Christianity. There would have never been such a word as Christ and heaven. Also without forgiveness, people will never be able to bear the weight of the sins they had made by themselves throughout their lives.