Saturday, February 28, 2015

Weekly Journal 1

I began my second twenty percent time project a week earlier than most. On February 21, I began by learning the basic mechanics of how to play the guitar. For example, I practiced finger placement and rhythm control. I also learned how to read a chord chart. I learned the following notes: E minor, E, G3, C3, and D. I am currently struggling with learning how to play the D note and I am also struggling a bit with the transitioning of note to note. It is important to learn all of these things because they are the basics to learning how to play the guitar and I mean, everyone has to start from somewhere, right? I will use this all again every time I play the guitar! I also noticed a pattern or two when counting the strings and frets- simply the order that they go in. Today, on February 28, I BOUGHT MY OWN GUITAR! I could not be more excited! I went with my mom and my friend who is teaching me, to Guitar Center and both a beautiful acoustic guitar. Also today, I practiced the D note along with the C and E note. I believe that these past two weeks have been very productive for me and I feel that I have done pretty well! Next, I will continue practicing the same notes, and perhaps even learn how to transition between them in a more smooth way.

Reflection 1

This week I have researched the origin of yoga, the history, and the essence. The word basically means uniting, and what you are uniting is the spirit with Cosmic Consciousness. Yoga helps you in that bond by making you conscious of everything around you. I have found out that there have been many categories of yoga that all dealt with similar yet slightly different things such as yoga that deals more with sacrifice or yoga that deals with the liberation of the spirit.
I think this semester 20% project is going to be way more interesting than last marking periods. I like that the fact that there's so much to learn about yoga, and so much background about it. Yoga isn't just about poses and stretches, like most people think today, it's about really feeling everything around you, meditating and liberating yourself from all the negative energy. I'm very excited to learn more and start as soon as possible with the actual techniques. First, I want to educate myself so I know the most that I possibly can.

Reflection 1

In class on Thursday, I spent most of my time finding YouTube videos of basic ballet steps. I've decided that I'm going to spend the 2 weeks researching each of my four dance styles, and the remainder of the semester on choreography and filming. 

I worked on the basic steps at home and familiarized myself with the vocabulary of ballet steps. One obstacle I did not foresee is my lack of equipment. I don't have a ballet bar, I don't have ballet shoes, and I don't have a mirrored room for dancing. Luckily, the APA dance room is open during co, so next week, I will practice there.  

Friday, February 27, 2015

Reflection 1

For the first 20% percent time of the second semester, I started out by researching the first style that I plan on learning: cornrows. My first instinct was to turn to YouTube for video tutorials on how to do them. The videos were pretty helpful, however, I didn't get through too much of them because a lot of them were pretty long. They showed the basics on how to cornrows and shared tips on how to make sure they last long, aren't lumpy, etc. I think after watching those videos, I got the basic gist of how to braid cornrows but I still haven't decided how I am going to practice doing them. For now, I'm just going to try practicing on my own hair unless that gets too inconvenient, then maybe I'll switch over to a mannequin head. As for what I learned today, I learned that it's good to get a strong foundation in the basic skills before moving on to the more complicated stuff.

Reflection I



Progress

This week (and a couple of weeks before it I guess) I made a significant amount of progress with my comic book. As you can see above, I drew out a template page for the boxes that I’ll be using throughout the whole project. I had to be efficient with space so measurements were necessary and precise. Besides, this is the template from which all my other pages will be built on – it had to be good. Besides that, I have about five “screens of notes” on my phone that outline the entire plot. There’s still room for more but I put down a lot. I was actually having trouble figuring out how to begin the story. I knew how I wanted it to begin, but I didn't know how to begin it (if that makes sense). However, I figured that out in 20% time so I believe I can actually start drawing very soon. I also drew the cover page but I’ll save that for next week. The title is “Out For Milk” – I’m feeling pretty proud of this one.

Reflection 1

This week Mickey and I will most likely not be able to meet and bake due to his (last!) tournament. So in class i looked up recipes we could try out and/or build from. They are mostly desserts (a few side dishes). I got them from healthfulpursuit.com, which is a health blog I had never heard of. I really like it, though, because they have many different categories of foods. I was under "Low-Carb Paleo Recipes." I liked these recipes because they were truly paleo and low carb. I can't wait to try them!

Reflection 1

During the week I have done some research on work out schedules.  I figured out that working during co in school would be best for me since I can't go to a gym after school.  With exercising during co, I will run outside when I have the time at home.  Even though I have less than an hour in the co/lunch period it is still enough time to do what I want to do.  I plan to run 3/5 days of the week, and workout my muscles 2/5 days.  I haven't worked on my meal plan yet but I will soon.  Right now I am just trying to cut out the junk food and replacing them with healthier options.  Unfortunately I was unable to start exercising this week due to the messed up schedule for PARCC.  This will be going on for the next few weeks, so I will try my best to get to the fitness center on non-testing days and run as much as I can when I have free time at home.

S2 Reflection 1

So this is the official beginning of the second twenty percent project. I've already started doing a bit a research for my project and have come up with a game plan. I am going to:

  1. write lyrics
  2. compose music for said lyrics
  3. record song
  4. begin mapping out a story
  5. obtain equipment
  6. cast actors
  7. film
  8. edit
  9. publish
It's a lot but I think if I really put my mind to it and spend a lot of time working on it I could accomplish it.

Please click the read more to get more information.

Reflection I

This week for 20% time I have just gotten started with coding. To start I went through a quick program on Khan Academy. It was suppose to take an hour but I went through it in about half that time. Luckily, that isn't the only thing on Khan Academy, just the beginner course. So, my intention now is to start the other, longer, program that they have. All I really learned from the beginner thing was a few basics. Making shapes appear, changing the color, and moving things around. My final goal is to hopefully be able to make an animation. That is really all for now, I will hopefully have more information and things to say later.

Thursday, February 26, 2015

Reflection 1

     So this week, I officially began my twenty percent project of the second semester, to create an animated short/film. I had already been researching and experimenting for the past few weeks.

About 2 weeks ago I was searching for software to make my from and I came across one that was used professionally called Source Film Maker. I downloaded the software from steam and I began researching different ways I could use Source Film Maker although the free vrrsion is only a beta. For the game setting, I chose the game world of Team Fortress 2. I chose this specific game for my movie because its simple and easier for beginners to play around with while still having great content.

     I began looking at online tutorials and videos on how to use it and I have already seen over 2 hours of tutorials. I also looked at films others have made using the software and it was impressive. Using some of the skills I learned I began practicing with the film maker and its incredibly challenging at first. Each movement or item in the movie must be created and than placed into the movie,movement  by movement which is incredibly time consuming to begginers.

For the next week I plan to keep practicing with the film maker, hopefully getting better, and improving my time management. I also hope to begin brainstorming my plot, which I have no idea as of now. I need something not too complex for an animation, but still comical and interesting to be applied to Team Fortress 2's world. Until next time!

reflection 1

This week, my goal is to get all the supplies that I am going to need for my project. This weekend I will stop by AC Moore to buy a sketch book and drawing pencils. I am going to use my 20% time this week to find websites that can help me improve when I actually start drawing. In addition, I'm going to watch a few YouTube videos to see how I can get started. I'm excited to see the outcomes of this project. I plan to have my first drawing done by next week.

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Second 20% Time Proposal

For my second 20% time project I want to try and do what my first project was. My goal is that I want to successfully juggle 3 balls in the air. Also I want to try a trick or two which could be a 4th ball or something like that. I want to do this again because honestly it sucked not accomplishing my goal. I had a whole semester to do something that shouldn't have been so hard for me to do and I could not get it. So this semester I will be trying a lot harder to get this goal and perfect it. Doing this again certainly will teach me to stay humble because I thought juggling would be so easy for me because of football. This 20% project will be very rewarding for me when I finally conquer it.

20% Proposal (Semester 2)

Instead of continuing my baking project, I decided to pursue something that I am more interested in and have a bit more experience with, which is exercise. In particular, this semester I want to be able to increase my max bench press weight from 190 pounds to 215 if I am lucky enough to make it that far. I want to be able to do at least one repetition on the bench press with 215 pounds (or more) by the end of the semester. Along with exercising, I will be eating healthier (or trying to at the very least) and will be researching about different exercises and meals that I may utilize to maximize the amount of muscle that I will build throughout this relatively short time. I chose this for my next focus because I have delved slightly into the world of physical fitness before and have trained with friends to become stronger and to lose weight but until recently, I have neglected my fitness for quite sometime and I believe that along with learning new things, this will give me an opportunity to gain back my former (sort of) fit self. This project will be beneficial for me both physically and mentally because along with the strength gain, I will also obtain knowledge about how to work different parts of the body and will know various exercises to help me to become even stronger in the future.

Monday, February 23, 2015

20 Percent Proposal- Semester 2

My twenty percent project is going to be becoming healthier with a combination of eating healthier and working out. My final goals and accomplishments will be a clearer face because I will have stayed away from the greasy foods and sugar filled beverages, as well as a toned body due to excercising. In order for this project to be successful, I need to do workouts that are effective. There are several different ways to workout. I have to be patient because results do not come over night. It takes around 2-3 months to get in shape, and I have to be dedicated. This entire project will be difficult because working out is not only a physical challenge, it is also mental. Your mind has to tell your body to keep going even when it is tired, and I really have to push myself. The most difficult part of this project is getting back into to shape, and cutting unhealthy foods out of my diet. This project will be done both in and out of class. I am going to use my 20 percent time to do a lot of research. I will research different workout routines, and healthy smoothies to drink throughout the week. Outside of class is where I will be doing the excercising portion.

20% Time (second semester) Proposal

My 20 Time Project is going to be to learn about food from different cultures and make paleo recipes to suit  how our paleolithic predecessors would have eaten in different regions. My final product/goal/accomplishment will be baking something without a recipe (creating my own recipe) in addition to continuing my Instagram. Eating the healthy food I make and taking photos/videos to post on social media.

Learning how to alter recipes to fit it and still taste good.
most of this project will be done outside of class. In class we will research recipes and plan for the weeks' work. .

20% Time Proposal

My 20 Time Project is going to be making paleo desserts. My final product/goal/accomplishment will be to be able to make a desert without the help of phoebes mom or any particular recipe.What I need to know about my topic to be successful are fundamental elements of baking and how to substitute ingredients in order to make them paleo. What will be easy about this project will be gathering the ingredients and measurements. What will be difficult about this project will be making the deserts without recipes. Most of this project will be done outside of class. What I will be doing in class will be researching the recipes and baking techniques.

Second Semester 20% Time Proposal

My 20% time project for the second semester is becoming a better drawer. I say "becoming a better drawer"  rather than "learning how to draw" because anyone who can hold a pencil can draw, but I want to become a decent drawer. At the end of the year, I will redraw the first illustration I attempt at the beginning of the semester and compare the two. I will need to learn a lot of different basic techniques because as of right now, my skills are pretty much limited to doodling cats and Christmas trees in the margins of my notebooks. It will be easy to acquire materials for this project and to practice it anywhere and anytime, but actually improving my skills might prove to be a challenge. I will be able to complete the majority of this project in school, but I can work on it anywhere.

Sunday, February 22, 2015

2nd Semester 20% Time Project

For the second semester I will be learning and mastering the art of tattoos. The tattoos will be temporary tattoos similar to Henna. However I want the tattoos to be black so I will be using Jagua Ink instead. This project is a combination of learning how to draw and learning a new art medium. Because of this I will focus the first couple of weeks on solely learning designs; these include tribal, floral, and geometric designs. The last couple of weeks I will be learning the correct techniques for applying the ink. I have already asked a few people if they would be willing to let me apply my final designs on them. The intricacy of the design will determine where most of the work will be done, simple designs could be made in my free time, while more complex ones will be done during the class time allotted.

Friday, February 20, 2015

2nd semester 20% project proposal

For my second semester 20% project, I've decided that I am going to learn how to braid hair. Particularly, I want to learn different styles of braiding hair. I plan on learning at least 4 styles: cornrows, single braids, box braids, and twists. I will accomplish this by acquiring a mannequin head that I will use to practice these styles on. I will also be using video tutorials and written tutorials on how to do these styles and what is required in order to do them. Luckily, I already know how to do a simple braid so there won't be much trouble in terms of the actual braiding part. The difficulty of this project will depend on how hard it will be for me to learn and actually attempt a certain style. However, I have faith that with a little determination and patience, I will be able to pick the skills. Due to the nature of this project, most of my work will have to be done outside of school, but during 20% time, I will using that time to study the different styles and also practicing on the mannequin head whenever I bring it to school.

20% Proposal

My 20 Time Project is going to be my attempt at running a marathon
My final product/goal/accomplishment will be completing a 26.2 mile marathon.

What do I need to know about my topic to be successful?
Breathing techniques, meal planning, and time management

What will be easy about this project?
Finding a place to run will be easy because I live near a park that is about 2 miles around.

What will be difficult about this project?
Dealing with the weather, time management, motivation, and stamina will all be problems.

Will most of this project be in class or outside of class?
The project will be outside.

If outside, what will I do during the class 20 Time?
Practice breathing techniques and reading about how other marathon runners dealt with problems that they faced.

2nd Semester 20% Time Proposal

My project for the second half of the year is to improve my overall health. Within this general statement, I have many goals. For the fitness half, I really want to improve my upper body strength, including core, arms and back. Also I want to work on my cardiovascular strength and improve my long distance endurance. For the diet art, I want to eat clean based on what I learned in Nutrition last year. I will be doing this project alone but I oftentimes run/work out with other people. This project is worthwhile because I have learned how to be healthy and now I want to implement it. Also I've been meaning to get in shape for a while and my 16th birthday is close to the end of the year so it would be a good time. At the end of the year, I will have a healthier and hopefully stronger me. I will show comparisons of my progress. The expenses in this project will include a gym membership fee and maybe pricier organic food. I've had and used a gym membership for a while, so that is not a problem. For the food, my parents won't mind because they also try to healthy. Nearly all equipment I need can be found at the gym, and I already have the other things like clothes and sneakers. My routine will include going to gym 3-4 times a week, alternating muscle groups. Hopefully, I have some good results by the end of the year!

Proposal

I'm still going to continue going to the gym. However this time I'll be working on mini goals like being able to do 20 push-ups, pull-ups, and using a greater weight on the machines. For example, for the leg press machine I want to be able to work with my weight or even more. This project will help me put my free time to use and help me become a healthier person if I follow through. I'm going to start going to the gym again at least four days a week.

20 percent Time Project Proposal

My 20 percent project is going to be the creation of an application. I'm not sure what the contents of the application will be, but it well be centered around entertainment so it can be considered a game. My final project is to have an application complete and hopefully have it uploaded within the app store.  To be succesful I am going to need to learn the basics of coding and programming because I have no clue how to do either. The easy part is getting the ideas and building the story line of the application because I am a creative person, but the hard part will be putting them into play and getting the final product to what I want it to be. Most of this project will be done on my laptop at home, but in school class time I can use to learn coding and programming.

Proposal: Let's Rock.

For my second 20% Time project, I'll be learning how to play guitar. My final goal is to be able to play three or four songs as well as perform a song created by myself. I've decided to make videos of my progress for each song, sort of like a vlog. I need no prior knowledge or skill to do this project. I have plenty of resources online, specifically my subscription to Center Stage Guitar Academy and Youtube. The easy part of this project is its simplicity. Playing an instrument is just practice. Unlike my last project, I know exactly what I'll be doing this time. Also, this will be easier to fit in my everyday schedule. The difficult part of this project will be the memorization. Most of this project will be done out of class, considering my electric acoustic is a bit large. However, I will still practice in class by studying notes and chords or be busy learning how to compose my own song, lyrics, etc. I think I'll do well on this one!

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Proposal, the Second Coming

For the remaining time of the year, I would like to work on something that was in my backlog for a very long time--writing a story that was in my mind for a couple of years. My finished product will be a short story, which is as long as 7,500 words (but this may change along the way). This would not only be my goal for completing a story, but to improve my writing skills. For this project, I'll have to research many things, such as constructing characters, world, and such. The easy part of this project is probably writing the story out. However, there would be difficulties, such as editing, fleshing out the characters, and the prewriting in general. Most of this project can be done both in class and outside of class. Anyways, I wish everyone good luck!

Second Semester Proposal

For my second twenty percent project, I want to learn how to dance. I'd like to do this by watching YouTube videos and having my friends teach me what they know. My goal is to learn how to dance in 4 different styles: ballet, ballroom, jazz, and modern, and put them all together in a music video. Some challenges I will face include ability and perseverance. No matter how hard I try, I might not be physically capable of conforming my body to dance correctly. One thing I do have going for me is my enthusiasm for this topic! As someone who loves acting, dancing should come easily in the sense that I won't be afraid to be on stage. As for my skill level, that is something I look forward to exploring this semester!

Second Semester Proposal


My 20 Time Project is going to be to learn the mechanics behind video editing and song writing
. I've always been very passionate about music, and I would honestly love to be able to get into the business of it in some way shape or form. And what better way to do that than to create my own music, with my own video to it to tell my own story.
My final product/goal/accomplishment will be an original music video with an original song, hopefully posted to youtube for various people to see.

What do I need to know about my topic to be successful? Honestly all I really need to know is the process behind song writing and how to fit various pieces of film together in order to properly convey a story. There will be nothing easy about this project. Each moment is going to require a lot of time and dedication. Writing a song isn't an easy process; it requires a lot of thought and emotion. Same with coming up with a story and making the video in the first place. A lot of this project will end up being done outside because I'll need garage band and various actors to play this. During actual twenty percent time in class, I will be researching popular videos, to see what sells and what doesn't. I will look at various songs type, and work on trying to write lyrics and video plot points. I hope this turns out well.

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Proposal 2

For my 2nd twenty percent time project, I want to spend more time making art. I plan to hone my drawing skills while also exploring new types of art. I'd like to experiment with oil pastels, colored pencils, possibly paints, sculpture, and multimedia art. My goals are to make nice art pieces, and learn more about new kinds of art I haven't tried before. I've always loved to draw and do fun projects, but since my time at UCVTS I have not really had many chances to pursue my passion. I will carry around a sketchbook with me all the times and work on drawing figures, objects, and appendages; and on the weekends I'll try different types of art projects so I can have time to go to AC Moore if necessary. There might be some costs involved for different projects, but hopefully they will be minimized since I already have a lot of art supplies. I plan to use YouTube and other online resources to get ideas and learn new techniques. I think this project will turn out better and be easier than my first one because I'm really interested in making art, whereas my other one was a bit more forced. I also loved all the final products of people who did art related projects. Some challenges I might encounter include running out of ideas and money, not being able to obtain certain supplies, and not having clear goals. I just hope to have a lot of fun with this one!

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Semester 2- Reflection: 1

This semester I'm teaching myself how to knit. My main goal is to create multiple little things and to learn more than 1 stitch. Last week I did my research on knitting for beginners and bought all of my supplies. I practiced everyday for hours until I felt comfortable enough to start a project. Finally I started working on a winter headband. Took me about 3 days to complete and I dropped about 5 stitches, which means there's 5 holes in my headband :(. It was a good start and now I started working on a different headband style with a different type of stitch.

Monday, February 16, 2015

Twenty Percent Proposal - 2.0

Though things didn't go well for my last 20% time project, I will not let it dampen my hopes and goals for this 20% time project for second semester.

For this 20% project I will be learning to use Photoshop for a variety of different things like my friend Alexis did for his project last semester. Though I won't be doing the same exact projects as him, I will be learning to do different things than he did. Though if things pick up and I get ahead of schedule I may try and do some of the things he did like putting an animal in a glass and other stuff that he might have not gotten a chance to do.
Some things that I intend to do include:

1. Coloring black and white photos:
This can include actual black and white photos or pictures that just don't have color like manga pages.
   A. I might try and color a few of my own drawing or try and draw some stuff in the application itself.

2. Taking a normal picture and make it into something completely different:
This can include taking a picture of the outside and changing it's season or taking a picture of someone and change the background in a way that makes it look as if they were actually there.

3. Creating my own picture:
I want to maybe take something completely from scratch and then make a photo out of it in some way that makes it look like an actual photograph.

For all of these projects I want the things I make to look real and not as of they were "photoshopped". I want to make these different things and maybe other projects appear real.

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Twenty Percent Proposal


This semester I want to learn to write Hindi. I always wanted to learn different languages and after learning Kannada, I wanted to continue learning languages from India. This will further connect me to India. I love watching Bollywood movies, but I could never understand what the actors were saying, so this way I could understand better. Though I want to learn how to write Hindi, I will learn some conversational skills as well in the process. I could use this when I go to India and when watching Hindi movies. I am really excited to learn something that I never had the chance to, but really wanted to, Hindi.

Twenty Percent Time MP2

This marking period I would like to involve myself in a heavy workout schedule.  I've always loved to exercise and go to the gym, but recently I have not.  Last year I went to the gym in school almost everyday during co.  Now this year has been a bit busier and I haven't had the time.  I'm going to use this 20 Percent Project as a reason to start again.
My goals will be mostly cardio based, with some muscle training.  I'm not going to focus on lifting weights too much though, as I want to increase my running performance.  My main goal is to run 2 miles under 13.5 minutes.  Right now my mile time is 7.5 minutes, so I must improve my mile time as well as working on my endurance.  With running I will incorporate some body resistance training, such as push-ups, pull-ups, and crunches.  My secondary goal is to do at least 60 push-ups with no rest.  Right now I am able to do 40 push-ups with no rest.
Doing this will be a hard task, but as long as I have the dedication and motivation, it will be done.

Saturday, February 14, 2015

Twenty Percent Time Proposal

For the second half of the semester, I have chosen to try to improve my drawing skills. Although i have drawing for a while know, my drawing skills are mediocre at best. I want to to improve my skills to above average throughout this semester. The benefits of this projects are it's versatility, and the plethora of support material that is available. After dong it for thousands of years, we humans have become pretty good at drawing. I plan on focusing on poses and proportions of humans, and maybe then work on humans interacting with stuff. And if I am able to get pretty good at that, faces and hands. These goals are level based, so I plan to master, or become pretty good at one, then move on to the next.

Friday, February 13, 2015

Twenty Percent Time Propo$al

    My 20% Time Project is going to be learning how to curve a soccer ball from the free kick position perfectly. I will (hopefully) have the ability to to place the soccer ball wherever I want in the goal at free will, which can be surprisingly difficult. Curving a soccer ball is something that requires a technique that is obtained through consistent practice and repetition.
    My goal is a physical goal, so all there is nothing I need to know. Getting to a park to practice will be relatively easy for me so that I can take shots whenever the weather is permitting. A difficulty that may arise with this project besides learning the perfect technique is having someone assist me in goalkeeping while I take shots. Shooting without a goalkeeper is much easier than shooting with a goalkeeper, and in a real game there will always be a goalkeeper in the net.  After all, in doing this project I want to perfect my free kicks for next soccer season. I haven't played soccer for a team in quite a while, and I want to begin again this year. Free kicks are a great way to start.
    Most of my project will be done outside of class. However, during class I can watch tutorial videos to further my proficiency in curving the ball. I will also reflect during class.

Twenty Percent Proposal

My 20 Time Project is going to be to practice my soccer skills and tricks in order to improve myself in soccer. My final goal will be to learn at least 3 tricks and 3 skill moves before the end of this project. To be successful for my topic there is not much research needed but I have to watch tutorials on YouTube and understand it will take a lot of time so patience is needed. Finding a place to practice would be fairly simple for this project since all I need is a soccer ball and a small amount of open space. Perfecting any of these tricks will be the most difficult since they take the most time and skill. Most of this project will be done outside of class since I cannot practice with a soccer a ball in school but I during class time I can still watch videos on YouTube or go online to learn and find any tips that may help. I am really looking forward to this 20 percent time project because just like my last one it will help me to become an overall better soccer player.

Second Twenty Percent Time Proposal

For a long time now I have been longing to do something more than simply studying and watching television. In fact, I have been wanting to play an instrument that I feel will bring me nothing but joy and laughter. It is for this particular reason that for the second semester of twenty percent time I wish to learn how to play the guitar. The guitar is a classic and it is something that I have secretly always wanted to learn. My goal would be to learn the basics of the guitar and to be able to at least play two songs.   

I would achieve my goal by watching videos at least 2-3 times a week and practicing whenever I can. In order to be successful, I need to learn each chord, how to read a few basic notes and get used to particular hand techniques. I would need help from one of my friends that has agreed to meet with me at least once every week. I would also get help from videos online. I will face many difficulties while trying to learn how to play the guitar due to the fact that the last time I tried learning how to play an instrument, it did not work out so well. What will be particularly difficult about learning how to play will be learning how to finger. For some bizarre reason, it has always been a challenge for me to use my hands to do anything. For example, it takes me longer than the average person to get a hold of the very simply rhythm that goes on when clapping with a crowd. Also from a previous experience playing the clarinet, I simply seem to struggle a great deal whenever my hands are involved. Overall, I believe that this entire 20% Time project will definitely be a challenging one. I can work on this in class every week by watching videos, taking notes, and learning how to read music. Outside of class, which is where this project will mainly take place, I will be putting my knowledge to the test and actually practice with my friend. I can't wait to start this twenty percent time project because it is both something new and engaging!

second semester 20% time proposal


My twenty percent time project is to learn how to draw realistic figures like human bodies and faces. I will be working on this independently. My audience will be the class. This project will be worthwhile because I've always loved drawing and since entering high school, the opportunity of having art classes was taken away. In the end, I will have improved on a skill that I have left behind. I expect to learn how to stay dedicated to something and how to be patient. At the end of the year, I will have a slideshow of all my drawings to present to the class. I will have to go out and get supplies at AC Moore, including a new sketchbook and drawing pencils, which shouldn't be too expensive. I plan to work on a different aspect of the face/ body every week or so, then combine everything I worked on to make a full portrait or human body. Since this is something I really want to do, it will be easy to keep myself dedicated to working on this project consistently. The only hard part will be keeping my patience during times when I feel like I can’t get things right. I will work on this project both inside and out of school.  

Twenty Percent Proposal 2.0 (2nd Semester)

          My 20% time project will be making a comic book. It'll be fairly long (I have like 4 months) and be in black in white. Not that i'm lazy, I just personally like them better in black and white. I used to make alot of comics when i was younger but i stopped because i just dont have time anymore - but now there's 20% time. All i'll need for this project is a pencil, some paper, and my imagination so that'll be easy. The only obstacle i can forsee is being "bored". Not necesaarily with the project, but with doing it. I tend to plan out the entire story in my head before i finish the first page and it becomes boring doing what i thought of 20 days ago (an exaggeration, sort of). As a matter of fact, I've already thought up an outline for, what i believe to be, 80% of the story. I'll try to take my time on the planning stage so I can make it with no regrets then i'll spend the rest of my twenty percent time drawing out what i planned. That's what my twenty percent time in and out of school will consist of. That's it.

Second Semester 20% Proposal: And so it begins anew

   For this semester's 20% Project, I am going to try to create a video game. Nothing fancy, mind you; I am not expecting to make anything of AAA-company quality, or even anything that can measure up to other indie games in terms of complexity. The game in question will be based on espionage, as there are very few games that fall under that genre, and will be largely text-based. By the end of this project, I would like to have a fully-functional prototype of the game in a largely playable state.
   To succeed, I will need to learn about programming and basic script-writing (script as in programming, not as in plays or the like) in order to construct the game itself. I will also need to learn how players will react to certain situations in the game, such as morality choices or risk-vs-reward scenarios, and how to manipulate these instances to create an enjoyable experiences for players. The easy portion of this project will probably be the writing and storyline construction; while it will not be easy by any means, it is less difficult than the other aspects of this endeavor. Said "other aspects" are, of course, the programming itself; where to learn how to do it, what language to code in, and where to begin are all pressing questions, none of which I have the answers to. Most of this project, due to the amount of time it will take to complete it and the heavy reliance on my own laptop, will take place outside of class. If outside of class or physically outside during 20% Time, I can bring my laptop to school for programming or write the branching storylines of the game itself.

20% Proposal: 2nd semester

This semester for 20% I would like to learn more about something I have been interested in for a while, coding. I already have a plan of how to go through with this as well. I plan to use an online program that is on Khan Academy. The program takes you through many steps with their being an actual coding exercise every couple of lessons. The program will allow me to learn the basics of coding while also testing my skill at it. My goal by the end of the semester is to have programed a basic game. If I finish it, then I will also be able to present other creations. This program is completely free of charge so I do not expect to have used any money on this project in the end. My in class 20% time will most likely just be continuing the steps depending on how fast the computers work with this program. In addition, I will add the specifics (as in what type of code) in the first reflection. So, thats really all for now, I'm excited to get this chance to learn more about coding.

Thursday, February 12, 2015

2nd Semester Proposal

My 20 % Time Project is going to be making wire jewelry. When I went to Colombia I met a lot of people who made their living off of selling their handmade jewelry made of wires, stones, and beads which really inspired me try and so the same. My final goal/accomplishment will be to learn how to make different intricate  styled pendants, bracelets, and rings.  To be successful this semester I'm going to have to do a huge amount of research on the specific materials and tools I'll need. I also am going to have to constantly practice the different techniques and designs of how to manipulate the wires which will be the most difficult part of my project. However, I'm sure it's going to be easy finding information and tutorials all over the internet that can teach me. My project can be done both in and outside of the classroom because my materials can be brought to and from school easily.

2nd Semester 20% Proposal

My 20% Time Project is going to be to learn how to cook delicious and healthy dishes. My final product/goal/accomplishment will be to create a three-course meal which tastes fantastic and is good for me. I've definitely been noticing that I am not the healthiest eater, so being able to eat dishes that are better for me can only be a good thing. Also, I will be spending the next four years of my life in college, so knowing how to cook nutritious meals (especially with all the food temptations that college life has to offer) will be crucial in saving money and not gaining weight. I will need to know a variety of recipes, and what exactly constitutes a healthy meal. Some links to healthy dishes that I might attempt to create are attached. The easy part about this project will be researching and discovering healthy meal options. I shouldn't have too much difficulty actually finding great dishes. The difficult part about this project will be to make each dish. I need to carve out enough time to give each dish my undivided attention, and then I need to actually follow the recipe exactly to produce the best dish possible. It won’t be easy to cook, but with enough practice I should get a knack for it. Most of this project will be done outside of class, seeing as I need materials and supplies that I can only utilize at home. In other words, the actual cooking must be done at home. During the class 20% time, I will research recipes and go over the successes and failures of last week’s dish (meaning that I will consult the internet to determine if I made common errors). Once I find a recipe, I will take it home to make the actual dish. I can't wait to lay the foundations for a healthier lifestyle, while still enjoying the food I eat. This 20% project is shaping up to be a great one! Until next time!

Sample Recipes

2nd Semester 20% Proposal

For this new semester, I've decided to create a song using the music production program FL Studio. I got the program as a gift for my Birthday/Christmas. I've fooled around a little bit with it for the past month or so, getting used to the menu layouts and listening to the instrument assets included with my version. The main goal is to create a 1 minute song using what is given to me on FL Studio. I'm at a strong advantage with this project since I've been playing the piano for a decade, and can easily use my knowledge of music theory in the creation of this song. My main enemy is procrastination, the passive inhibitor for any long-term project.

I still haven't decided what genre of music I will be making, but it will most likely be within the Electronica genre. I plan on learning how to use modulation to make the wubby, wavy sound that you can hear in many Electronica pieces. I also would like to incorporate some Synth clips to had a melody in the song.

So much WIP. In the meantime, Alex out.

2nd Semester Twenty Percent Proposal

              With a brand new semester brings a brand new 20% project. My original plan for this 20% project was to create an another movie, this time really influenced by complex plot and special effects. My other idea that I was passionate about was to draw, and really improve my art skills. I currently think I am a an adept drawer but I still have so much room to improve upon. But it was still in the back of my head that I was not doing something original enough. I had already created 1 film, or at least started it. Would it really be a good idea to create an another one? And with drawing, so many other people had done it, and I felt like I was ripping off on their original ideas. So than I thought of something that would combine both ideas and it would still be something I enjoyed: ANIMATION

           I have loved animation since I was a little kid and especially classic cartoons. These included Scooby doo, the Flintstones, the Jetsons and my all time favorite Ed Edd n Eddy. Cartoons still interest me and i still enjoy watching reruns of my favirote TV shows whenever they are shown. And this project will also incorporate my love of film making as well. I'll get to draw/animate and put it all together into a cohesive story. I also think I will be able to improve my art capabilities while also experiencing new filmmaking techniques.

           I have already begun researching animation as well and I have found how to start off. First I need to create my story just like I did with my Hall Monitor movie. This will be one of the hardest parts because it needs to be perfect before I can move on at all. After creating my story, I need to create basic story boards. These resemble comic book pages. They are to outline the most important points and motions within the film. After that I must create character models to have a display of which my character details will be based off. Additionally basic landscape sketches will need to be created to outline the setting. Lastly I will have to create motion capture pages to outline the basic character movements so I won't be lost when creating the animation. And this all occurs BEFORE the actual animations begin.

I have also found different kinds of animation I can use:

   I can do the traditional cartoon pieced together on Photoshop

   I can create a flip book

   I can create computer generated animations in both 2d and 3d styles

   I can create a Machinima which uses already created character models from video games and make a film.

I am very interested in both the traditional and machinima and I think I will try out machinima first to see how it does and go from there.

This project will by no means be easy. In normal animation on tv, shows have a dozen animators just for a 20 minute show. And that's not even counting experience. The dificult parts will be starting animations and getting a base as well as ofcourse, the movies plot. Easy parts hopefully will be the drawing, for I think I am somewhat good at it, and piecing it together for I have good software on my laptop. This project will take place both inside and outside of class. During class i will be researching and drawing and at home i will be putting it all together on my computer. Hopefully this works out, wish me luck!

Second Semester 20% Time Proposal

      After serious thought, I have decided that my 20% Time Project will be to start creating a healthier lifestyle for myself. I have been interested in improving my health for a while now, but I didn't have the drive to actually start putting in effort. I hope to use this project as a motivation for me to reach this goal. I plan on preparing a nutritious meal at least twice a week for my family and also following a workout schedule that will push me to exercise almost every day. Now, while that is my overall goal, I also hope to complete smaller achievements. For instance, I want to improve my time management and organization skills. I also want to participate more in family life and help my mother out around the house. I also want to inspire the rest of my family to lead a healthier lifestyle.
        There are many things I need to know to be successful, such as what workouts should I do to work a certain muscle group or the nutrition facts of different ingredients, but I plan on only learning the basics of everything for this project. I want to focus on just getting into the rhythm of things so that it will be easier for me to continue this in the summer. Right now, I will simply find websites such as www.juliasalbum.com , www.enjoyeverybite.org , and www.foodiecrush.com and use the recipes to cook for my family. I will also ask my cousin, who is a cook and workout enthusiast, to send me some of her recipes and workout routines. I will also ask my fitness teacher for tips and use the school fitness center as much as possible. Finally, I want to buy a mat to keep at my house to be able to work out there. This, however, is the easy part.  One of the more challenging tasks will be to force myself to find the time to go out and buy the ingredients necessary for my next meal. Also, I will have to create a new workout schedule every week, which might be a bit tedious in the long run. Keeping up my motivation will be the hardest part of it all, however I am confident that this is something I want to do for myself.
         Most of this project will take place outside of class, but I will not waste my class time. While I realize I cannot cook or workout during the school time allowed to work on our 20% Time Project, I have found a solution that might help with my organization and time management skills. During class I will find two recipes to use during the week, most likely for Saturday lunch and Monday dinner. If time allows, I will also start on my workout schedule for the next week. The cooking and working out I will do at home. This way, I can give myself more time to workout at home, or simply to not have too much work to bring home after school. This project is something that I really want to be able to complete, not only for the sense of satisfaction I will receive, but for the long term benefits it will provide me. Hopefully, I'll be able to stay on schedule and lead a healthier lifestyle by the end of this second semester.

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

20% Proposal 2nd Semester

This semester I have decided that my 20 Time Project will be yoga. I've always been intrigued when it came to yoga, because it's something I've heard a lot of people talk about, but never really learned about it myself. I think it's appropriate to learn yoga for this project, because it's not only interesting, but beneficial. My final goal/accomplishment will be to have decent knowledge about the techniques, benefits, and origin/history. I need to research all these things to be successful when learning yoga, and knowing a decent amount about it so I can explain it to others. The easiest part about this project will probably be the research. However, the hardest part will probably be actually doing yoga. I'm not very flexible so I'll definitely have to work on that. This project can be worked on inside and outside of class equally, because of all the research that will have to go into this. I could research both at home and at school, and actually do yoga at home. In class, I plan to research about how it helps with stress, and health overall. I think I can really relate it somehow to health and wellness, since I plan to go into that field after high school. It would be helpful to learn about it, so maybe sometime later on in life I could apply it as well.
I believe this whole website will be a great tool because it includes so much information about the history and origin, benefits, yoga for beginners, and so much more.

http://www.medindia.net/yoga-lifestyle/yoga-orgin.htm

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Twenty Percent Project Proposal

Second semester, my twenty percent project will be to develop an exercising routine for the week and working out in those allotted times. I've always been interested in fitness, and I used to belong to a gym, but due to the intense school work from previous years, I've had no time to go to the gym. However, now, with my license, a job, and a second semester senior status, I can pay for my own membership and go to the gym. Yay! For me, the goal is to develop a healthy heart and create a routine and desire that will be sustained throughout my entire life. There is so much research describing the benefits of exercise, and I hope to acquire those benefits! But working out is much more research than you think. At first glance, it seems like all you have to do is go to gym and you work out. But when I used to do this (when I was younger), I had no idea what I was doing. What workouts do I do? What machines do I use? How fast do I run on the treadmill? How long? So many questions, so little answers. In this 20 percent time project, I will keep a record of all the workouts I plan to do for the following week, and write little comments my improvement. That way, I can modify workouts very often, steal workouts from past weeks, etc. I will need to perfect technique for different exercises, and try to balance all the aspects of fitness! Finding motivation for this project won't be hard because I've already gotten a membership at the gym, and I find it really enjoyable. I've already started keeping a record too!
Although it seems like I should be setting physical, numerical goals for myself, that's not really the goal of this project, to me. For me, it's more about learning about the many, different exercises and applying them to my life. Maybe I can even influence my household to be healthier too!

Thursday, February 5, 2015

20% Brainstorming Guide

Please complete this for next 20% (Wednesday/Thursday). Your proposal should be complete for that time, based on your brainstorm.

REMINDER, if your reflection posts are not tagged, they will not be considered submitted.