Introduction
My name is Thomas Lau. I was born and raised in San Diego, CA. Currently, I am a sophomore student at High Tech High Chula Vista. I enjoy drawing, reading, running, watching movies, playing games, and practicing martial arts such as Kung Fu, kickboxing, and submission grappling. High school is - and has been - an amazing experience full of good memories - as well as moments of growth. In the future, I hope to continue to learn new things and live life as it should be lived: With courage, happiness, and strong intent.
My name is Thomas Lau. I was born and raised in San Diego, CA. Currently, I am a sophomore student at High Tech High Chula Vista. I enjoy drawing, reading, running, watching movies, playing games, and practicing martial arts such as Kung Fu, kickboxing, and submission grappling. High school is - and has been - an amazing experience full of good memories - as well as moments of growth. In the future, I hope to continue to learn new things and live life as it should be lived: With courage, happiness, and strong intent.
"I sing to you" Poem and Art Piece
One of our first assignments in Spanish class was to write a poem for one of our classmates. The type of poem that we were to write was called an "I Sing to You" poem. Our "I Sing to You "poems followed a template that Ms. Soler gave to us. First, we had our poem partners chosen for us. Then, we interviewed our partners to get to know them. This is the "I Sing to You" poem that I wrote to my partner:
I sing to you of Jackie.
Runner of track,
player of family games,
drinker of boba,
spender of time at the beach.
Traveler of tropical places,
player of all sports.
"Jack Attack" to coaches,
"Jackie Chan" to childhood friends,
"Bad Speller" to teachers.
Jackie, lover of music and food.
Jackie, who is a perfectionist.
Jackie, who is very sociable.
Jackie, who puts on a smile,
is someone who I appreciate to have in my life.
One of our first assignments in Spanish class was to write a poem for one of our classmates. The type of poem that we were to write was called an "I Sing to You" poem. Our "I Sing to You "poems followed a template that Ms. Soler gave to us. First, we had our poem partners chosen for us. Then, we interviewed our partners to get to know them. This is the "I Sing to You" poem that I wrote to my partner:
I sing to you of Jackie.
Runner of track,
player of family games,
drinker of boba,
spender of time at the beach.
Traveler of tropical places,
player of all sports.
"Jack Attack" to coaches,
"Jackie Chan" to childhood friends,
"Bad Speller" to teachers.
Jackie, lover of music and food.
Jackie, who is a perfectionist.
Jackie, who is very sociable.
Jackie, who puts on a smile,
is someone who I appreciate to have in my life.
Chicano Park Field Trip
In March, our class visited Chicano Park to learn about and experience Mexican-American history and culture. I had never visited Chicano Park prior to this field trip.
I found all the murals to be very beautiful. My favorite mural was "The Atlas of Chicano Park". The mural depicts a muscular man with long, flowing hair, who is bent over under the weight of the highway pillar above him. Despite the weight, there is a deep, captivating calmness in the man's eyes. His skin is a yellow-orange color, with tints of red. The background of the mural is like a night sky just before dawn - solid black with bright stars.
I liked this mural not only because of the painting itself, but also because it connects with it's environment like no other painting at Chicano Park does, as the man in the painting appears to be holding-up the actual highway pillar.
In March, our class visited Chicano Park to learn about and experience Mexican-American history and culture. I had never visited Chicano Park prior to this field trip.
I found all the murals to be very beautiful. My favorite mural was "The Atlas of Chicano Park". The mural depicts a muscular man with long, flowing hair, who is bent over under the weight of the highway pillar above him. Despite the weight, there is a deep, captivating calmness in the man's eyes. His skin is a yellow-orange color, with tints of red. The background of the mural is like a night sky just before dawn - solid black with bright stars.
I liked this mural not only because of the painting itself, but also because it connects with it's environment like no other painting at Chicano Park does, as the man in the painting appears to be holding-up the actual highway pillar.
"The Atlas of Chicano Park"
Some other murals that I liked include: "Quetzalcoatl", "The Historical Mural", "Founding of Mexico City", and "Sueno Serpiente".
"Quetzalcoatl"
"Historical Mural"
"The Founding of Mexico City"
"Sueno Serpiente"
Our project this year was called "Borderline Cases". The goal was to artistically represent various aspects of Central American immigration.
My answers to the 5 essential questions:
1. Why do people immigrate to other countries?
-People immigrate to other countries in search of a better life, or to escape danger at home.
2. What are the challenges they might face when entering a new country?
-Immigrants face challenges such as gang oppression, hunger, loneliness, and discrimination.
3. What is the difference between acculturation and assimilation?
4. What things are essential or necessary to achieve success in the US?
-To succeed in the US, it is essential that you work hard
5. Is there an American dream? Is it for everyone?
My essential question was: "What is the differences between acculturation and assimilation?"
My answers to the 5 essential questions:
1. Why do people immigrate to other countries?
-People immigrate to other countries in search of a better life, or to escape danger at home.
2. What are the challenges they might face when entering a new country?
-Immigrants face challenges such as gang oppression, hunger, loneliness, and discrimination.
3. What is the difference between acculturation and assimilation?
4. What things are essential or necessary to achieve success in the US?
-To succeed in the US, it is essential that you work hard
5. Is there an American dream? Is it for everyone?
My essential question was: "What is the differences between acculturation and assimilation?"
Reflection
This project was pretty good because making our art pieces was fun. Also Mr. Joshua taught us colored pencil techniques and we got to include them into our final piece.
This project was pretty good because making our art pieces was fun. Also Mr. Joshua taught us colored pencil techniques and we got to include them into our final piece.