Portfolio Questions

1. What piece of writing did you like best in my portfolio and why? 
The blog discussing the homeless situation in Oahu. 

2. What did you like about my portfolio and sharing and what would you like to see me improve on? 
Writing from the heart is a valuable trait and I can see that in Kael's writing. 
As a media arts student, I think Kael needs to work on presentation and correcting grammar. 

3. Which of the writing traits (ideas, organization, voice, word choice) do you feel was most successful for me? 
Voice 

4. Which of the traits of writing would you like me to improve on in the coming semester? Organization.

Writing Standards Portfolio

This is my Writing Standards Portfolio for semester 1:
http://kaelhoughtby.wix.com/yay-portfolios

Kc3 Homelessness Essay

Hawaii is a great attraction for many tourists due to its luscious environment, in fact so much, there is little to no space in hawaii for many people. Now because of rising population on a island as small as hawaii, homelessness also increases dramatically. Because so many tourists come to hawaii, even stay there, housing becomes more and more expensive. Because of this, many people cannot afford housing, so they tend to become homeless. But since there are so many homeless, they have almost nowhere to go, since the government keeps making laws, preventing them from being in crowded places where most tourists usually are. They disrupt the tourism, making tourists uncomfortable and affecting the economy for tourism. And that’s why Hawaiian government made laws likes the sit-lie ban, ensure they have absolute control over what the homeless can do in certain areas, and to basically kick them out of those populated areas in Waikiki. Homelessness is a growing problem in the islands, so housing should be a priority instead of banning them from certain areas.





Many people dislike the sit-lie ban, because it’s “not us”, and due to this, many people believe that housing should be a main for focus when solving for homelessness. “To urge government officials to do more to get people into housing, scrap homeless camp sweeps and half expansion of the city’s ‘sit-lie’ ban” (Paragraph 2) Now people despise the sit-lie ban is because it does not help the situation get any better for homelessness, and so, people believed that it is a good idea to house homeless people, instead of just kicking them out of certain areas. And thanks to the sit-lie ban, homeless people can’t be in one area, making having to move somewhere else, but this causes a problem at that other area that they won’t be welcome to. “Groups representing social service agencies... came together under the Housing Now Coalition and hand-delivered letters to Gov. David Ige… urging them to make affordable housing their top priority.” (Paragraph 6) The government, isn’t putting effort in housing despise the fact that people are urging them to do so. If by chance the government put thought into housing homelessness, and that would help a lot, because the homeless has a place to go, instead of wandering streets, causing problems for tourists and many other people.





It's just overflowing with homeless people and people are trying their best to support them. “People lined king street waving signs that read ‘Homelessness is not a crime’ ‘where's the aloha for homeless?’ and ‘repeal sit-lie ban now’” (Paragraph 3) The public is doing actions to support the homeless like sending the government letters to make better housing or donating things like Canned food for them. It is good for citizens of Hawaii to be making an effort, because they see the homeless as another person who was just struck down by the harsh truth of reality, So helping them is a priority. “The sit lie ban...is not us” (Paragraph ) Lots and lots of people are against the sit-lie ban, and are doing actions like rallying or sending letters to government to focus on housing instead. It's better to do housing instead of sit-lie, is because it discourages and basically bans them from certain areas? Forcing them to go somewhere else, causing yet more problems there. So therefore, people believe they should support the homeless instead of kicking them out,





Have anyone really stopped to think, “How does being homeless feel like”? “Dave Cannell, 62, explained how he and his wife and son went from a ‘middle class family’ in Kailua’ to homelessness ten years ago.” It's not good feeling, how Cannell describes his times spent homeless were awful and as if living as an outcast. One big issue he got wrapped up in possibly the economy of housing, because the prices of houses just keep rising, making it extremely difficult to get a home to permanently live in. “If you want to get your stuff stolen, go to a homeless shelter,... there wasn’t a night when there weren’t fights.” Most homeless shelters aren’t always the way they are supposed to be, since we have a bunch of homeless people just bunched up in one crowded area. That’s why housing is better, they have a better chance to have a place in society, since they could have an actual place to live than a run down warehouse they call a “shelter”




Since homelessness is increasing, housing should be a focus. And because of economic issues like housing, it makes more and more homeless people and the government making more and more useless bans like the sit-lie ban. Many who support for the homeless try to persuade the government into making housing a priority, so the homeless problem will get better instead of just kicking them out of certain areas of the island, for them to cause problems there. So therefore, homelessness is not a problem to turn a blind eye to, in this island, tourism is its main source of money nowadays. If however homelessness keep growing, it will be overpopulated with the homeless in the islands, mainly because housing and other necessities are expensive in the islands. If however, we make affordable housing and make everyone have a place to live, the result will be different, and lesser people will become homeless. It’s a problem we cannot throw away, but to face ourselves, we as humans need to learn that in order to rid of any problems we may have on our shoulders.

My Querencia Graphic

Picture Frame Paragraphs

       I couldn't sleep with the anticipation of tomorrow. The excitement of being able to rush downstairs and open the colorfully wrapped presents just kept me awake. After what seemed like a couple of hours, my eyes felt heavier and heavier. Although I felt I could stay awake for days on, yet my eyes felt as if it had sandbags. As soon as I regained my senses, it was already the next day, Christmas Day.

   The excitement could not be held. I put my blanket aside and dash through the house to see the dazzling lights of the Christmas tree is the only thing I focused on. I see the rainbows of colored presents and I feel nothing but pure joy. The smell of pine filled the air in the room as a looked at all there was to offer for me and my family. As I call for everyone, they crawl out of their rooms as if they had something heavy on their shoulder. After a few minutes, everyone is in the state of happiness. The whole house is filled with laughter and happiness. It is finally Christmas. 

Querencia Final Draft

       There were always those days where, there is just so much homework, and things aren't going the way I want to. I needed a place to cool down, and to abandon the anxiety of school work. And it came. One day, when I was walking to my friend's house after school, and I saw my soon-to-be friends all just hanging around in the shade of an unfamiliar area, under a tree whilst having youthful conversations.I never knew about the place, and even if I passed by it before, I've never decided to go and visit that place, but then after I hanged out with my friends and gone there more and more, I realized that the place is a great place Tt was an on a bridge crossing over a golf course, and halfway through, a magnificent tree, surrounded by stone benches in front of a golf course. Every time school ended, me and my friends always went to the place. Its convenient, because it was close to our homes, and it has a beautiful view. Revisitation can never too old, because its somewhere we can relax for once in a while when we don't want to just go home, and do homework.

       Honestly, I'm glad I have this to sit around at. School is very hard, and my parents expect a lot from me since I'm the oldest in the family. So having a rendezvous just makes all the stress leave me me. I can't feel negative emotions whenever I visit that place. When I'm there, it is as if the wind just picks up all my stress, and blows it away making me have time to think about many things without a worry in the world, even death just feels like nothing. I can look at the sunset over the golf course and smile at the setting orange of the sun, and the clouds who mimic the color. The lakes shimmer with the reflection of the afternoon sun and the grass sways in rhythm. I feel time would stop, so I can enjoy these precious moments separately from any other moment I've experienced, because I have nothing but time to myself, no worries. Even if my emotions doesn't change right away, it still is a good feeling.


      I am the one guy who prefers peace, and some isolation once in a while. My mixed feelings of an growing teenager makes stress of school any many more problems i have to deal with more and more frustrating. I need that isolation from people and any problems, so that I don't have to be as frustrated. So that's why I go to the golf course, because I feel nothing. All I feel is the cold hard stone benches cooling off my skin on my body, I hear nothing but the wind and the occasional car passing by. I see the beautiful art drawn before me, as the orange sun paints over the clouds and hides behind the mountains in the distance, I smell the oak from the giant tree in the middle of the area. These things makes my mind clear, and free of stress. I cannot feel pain nor stress when these things is all I see or feel.

      I will, and always will go here. I do not visit often, but I want to soon. The feeling is great, and the sights are amazing. I can bring my friends, or my dog even to enjoy the place. Or I can go there by myself and get time for myself. To feel, to think, and not feel stress from whatever I experience in my life. I love the place to my very heart, and I need to thank my friends for introducing to the place, even if they don't go there anymore. Why this place? Well Im not too sure myself, I've been to many breath taking sights before, and yet, I don't feel as relaxed as I do here at the golf course. Maybe because it is isolated from a lot of people, and the fact that I have time to think to myself. The fact that I can just slow down, relax, and just stare off at the distance, instead of walking around and looking at something big for two minutes. Instead can feel peaceful for an hour or even longer. I do prefer the feeling of peace anyway. Hopefully, the sooner I have less homework to stress about, the more and more I can visit that place, feel at peace, and have time to myself. My querencia may be simple, but I believe that the feeling is magnificent.

Words From Heart Graphic

Querencia draft

      There were always those days where, there is just so much homework, and things aren't going the way I want to, I needed a place to cool down. I always had to anxiously walk home, knowing I won't have freedom to myself when I enter the doors to my own home, not until my friend introduced me to somewhere that I never would've considered before.

       I was walking with my friend to his house, since he lives in the opposite direction as me, I have to walk extra in the how pacific sun. After we walked for a while, we stopped in the middle of the street, at a big tree next to a golf course. There me, my friend, and the other soon-to-be friends were there having fun, or relaxing. I always finish school, with the excitement of going there, knowing that all of my friends are there enjoying the same structure and field we all see.

        It was a beautiful spot to be at. It was a magnificent tree surrounded smooth stone bench like structure, with the field of the gold course, and the mountain in the background. Other times, I like to visit there when there is a sunset, and see the orange sun paint over the clouds to a bright orange color too. It just became a regularity to constantly go there, with my friends, to go walk my dog, or even just go there for the sake of sight seeing. The nice cool breeze just blows away all my fears, all my anxiety of life, and all there is really to focus on is the sunset that's just setting and the shining reflection of the lakes.

       I am glad I have put this place into consideration, because it is a nice place. Even if I'm by myself, I never feel lonely, because I know that I just have this sanctuary that I can refreshed and clean. The isolation helps, its a place that people just most likely just walk by, making it where its almost just me and my friend's territory. Of course I love to have my friends around, but the isolation helps me think about life more, I never have to worry about anything when I'm here. This is my Querencia.

Childlike Name (final draft)

       "おにたま" (onitama) is a phrase that my mother always called me whenever she needs help with something or to just get my attention. This is a weird phrase to use because its very similar to the word, "おにさん" (oniisan), which means older brother. But how my mom uses it is a more cuter, childlike way. "Onii" comes from older brother, but the "tan" part is cute part. What "tan" means, is that its not an actual word, but its a word that enhances a word. Meaning if I added "tan" to "onii", it makes it into a cuter term. The reason why my mother calls me this is because of my kind and caring personality, and I agree, I like to help others and be kind to many people as possible.

       I remember that my mother started calling me "Oniitama" around 7th or 8th grade, and she used it frequently back then, compared to now. I'm looking back to this word now, I kind of find it silly, but  I didn't mind being called that one bit, because it reminds me so much of my childhood and my relationship between my mother. Whenever I came home from school or I want something to eat, my mother is always there for me and my siblings, whenever my father isn't home, and I loved this fact. I never had to feel alone, I never had to go home knowing that no one will be home waiting for me, because there is someone waiting for me. I get to see my parents everyday, and enjoy delicious dinner with them everyday, and thinking back to that is one of my many great childhood memories.

     My mother started getting cancer around my 7th grade year, it was scary. The thought of possibly losing my mother was a terrifying thought for me, but I helped her whenever she needed help, and whenever she had a hard time with something, I tried my hardest to help her with her troubles. Maybe that's why she started calling me "oniitama" because how much help I was and always is to her. I'm glad she is still fine, but of course I would still be worried about her, she is the very person who helped shape my childhood in a proper shape that is now who you call Kael. That's why I always try to help her even today with any troubles she runs into, that she would have difficulty because of her medical problem.


    As I started getting into high school, the term "oniitama" started to die down, and to be honest, I miss it. My mother was the only person in the entire family to say it, and it was special. I knew that deep down, this term was specially made for the relationship between me and my mother. It makes me feel unique from my entire family, knowing that i'm pretty much the only one who has a nickname, and its used for a special purpose. I'm not sure she intentionally or unintentionally started to call me this, but i'm glad she called me "oniitama" either way.


    Overall It's nostalgic for me, and I love anything that's nostalgic, because I mostly have good memories. It's a great feeling that this one word can bring back so many good feelings of my great and well spent childhood. And the more I think of the meaning behind "oniitama", the more I realized the true definition between my relationships between not only my mother, but my father, my siblings, even my dog, they're all family to me. "Oniitama" is probably a word I wont use to my children because I not a fan of using child like names, but I will cherish this phrase forever.

CNN Paragragh

        A massacre on a high speed train has been prevented on Friday, August 21st. Early in the article, three men are responsible for the prevention of an massacre, "The three men -- a member of the Air Force, an inactive National Guard member and a civilian -- responded quickly, possibly preventing a deadly attack on the high-speed Thalys train." (Direct quote of paragraph 2) I think that was a share of great bravery and the want to protect their people was an honorable thing of the guys, and they should be rewarded of their bravery. Also if it were't for them, there would be so many civilian causalities in the train, and each life is precious to one another. A man emerged from the bathroom of an speeding train, equipped with probably an AK47 slung over his shoulder (Paraphrase of paragraph 1)  I truly don't understand the motives of most terrorists in this world, but i'm sure they're not good ones. What do you get by taking innocent peoples lives? I don't like how we have the ability to choose differently sometimes, because it leads to terrible outcomes to happen sometimes. Overall I'm glad the these three men were able to stop the terrorist attack before there were any casualties getting out of hand.

Childish names

         "Onitama". It's a very childish way to call me for how old I am. It's a phrase used only by my mom, and she uses the phrase whenever she needs help with something, or just calling me to go to her in general. According to her, the phrase "onitama" to her means the oldest son of the family, or older brother. That is something I could agree with. The part that sounds childish is the "tama" part. How she explains why she says it in a childish way is because of my kind, caring, and sunao (honest) personality. It makes sense, I have a gentle attitude.

         

         Though to be honest, I'm not very fond of the use of the childish word, or even be called childish in general. My dad doesn't call me anything like that, he just calls me by my name. I guess I like that better because of my laid back attitude, but even then, being pretty much the only family member to be called something childish, more childish than my younger brother thats like two years old! I guess my mother kind of has a tendency to do that with me, I don't remember any other phrases she used, but I know that "onitama" is the most used one she uses around me.

       No matter how childish, I guess I can't deny it. I first thought it was weird, calling me "onitama" when I was around 13-years-old. I started to accept it around 8th grade. I guess that when I think it over, I think about my childhood, and how touching it is to myself. It's vague, but I remember going to many places as a child while my dad was still in the navy. According to my parents, we went to places like Guam, Maui, Florida, Japan, Illinois, and many other places too. I remember the amount of attention I constantly got as a child, from my parents, my grandparents, even my various friends that I had back then. What's touching to me is the fact that I got that much attention, even when there were times when my parents struggled though life. I guess I can say that the word is very nostalgic for me.

     When I was around five years old, we moved to Oahu. My Japanese mother wanted to move here, since it's always a Japanese dream to come and at least visit these pacific islands. My dad struggled, but made it though college and got his doctoral degree in pharmacy. Years as I grower up, my dad was a mere pharmacist at a local longs drugs, as my mother always watched the apartment, and made sure i get to school safely. As the year came by, and my father's role as a pharmacist grew, he got a job at kaiser hospital, and became a pharmacist there. We moved to a much bigger home at Ewa beach, where I spent my 2nd grade year, all the way to now in high school. My dad is always at work, so he isn't always home during the weekdays, so during that time, I always came home into the arms of my mother. She always watched the house, always made sure me and my sister got to school, and even made us appetizing dinner every night. I guess I made a closer relationship with my mother, even if I enjoy my father's company more.

     I truly do enjoy my family's company, we work together to make this entire family stand on it's feet. Due to my parents hard work and patience, is what allowed me, my younger sister, and my younger brother to have a great life we have now. I truly thank them. At first, I wasn't really a fan of being called "onitama", but when I really look at the details, It makes me eternal thankful for my family. The love gave, the time and effort we made to make what we have today. I can't imagine what would happen if my parents gave up. 

Hello, my name is Kael Houghtby, and this very blog shall be known as, "If you can't erase the past, write out your future". The reason I chose this saying is because I believe I want people to know that no matter how hard it may have been before, you must keep moving on to a brighter future. I also chose the overall design of the blog is because I want to make it simple, but appealing to people. That's why I made the background animated so that it looks cool, and that people wont get bored easily by the simplicity of the blogsite. I know where everything is, while I can see pretty lights moving around on my blog page every time I open it up.

The world I come from, is a world where I can never be satisfied on the constant look for hobbies. I like to play video games, but even then I can get bored of that, so on my free time I go swimming practices, or even volunteer at humane society every now and then when I'm available. I like to explore, see whats new for me. I like to explore what I can see around me, within nature or the vast ocean, I constantly want to see something new in my life. Maybe that's why I am so attached to the ocean or the vast galaxy, because there is always so much out there that I have yet to see. And because I love to constantly see or feel something new, I hate to see repetitiveness, ever. That's why most games I finish until completion, then I lose interest, same goes for anything really. I can lose my appetite eating food after a while, I tend to get really tired of following the same procedure of waking up to school, even sitting still wont cut it. That's why I love to explore, to see whats new, to see what I can discover in this very, small world.