Reflection of Online Portfolio

Wow! This semester came and went quickly. I have produced lots of quality work and have created a online portfolio website to display it. I actually can't believe I have completed making my own website! It was made from HTML coding, and it takes a while to get the hang of it.

If your wondering how this aligns with the D.O.E. standards, it is part of GLO (General Learner Outcomes) #5- 'Being An Effective Communicator'. This is also a great opportunity to comment on my learning.

While commenting below, it would help me if you included answers to the following questions:

1. What did you like best about my portfolio and portfolio conference? What would you like to see me improve on in my portfolio?
   
2. From your point of view, which of my attainments of the 4 traits of writing is of most value? Please explain why you feel it is important and what about my documentation of it impresses you.
   
3. Which of the traits of writing would you like me to focus on in the coming semester?

So what are you waiting for? :) Click on the link here http://www2.k12.hi.us/~klum/HomePage.html to go!

Thank you!

Korie

The Window War

It’s no fun to get sick. It seems as if everyone around you is affected somehow, either spending time to take care of you- or staying away trying not to catch what ever you came down with. What if this sickness would never go away?

Alzheimer’s disease affects a person’s brain. It is a common form of dementia that cannot be cured, although there are several drugs that will help to slow down the symptoms. I’ve remembered seeing commercials on TV: “This medication will help to slow down Alzheimer’s! Alzheimer’s isn’t waiting, neither should you, act today!” To me those ads made no sense, so of course I didn’t pay much attention. It had not much relevance to me, until I started to see a difference of behavior in my Popo.

My room is my querencia, a place I can be myself. It was a little taste of freedom, the first step of independence- after moving out of a room that I shared with my younger brother. Because my family lives in Hawaii, it can become fairly hot and humid. We are the type of family who believes in using the “Hawaiian Air Conditioner” (also known as the local breeze). So, as I’m working in my room, usually my Popo will come in.

“Korie, close your windows. You don’t want other people looking in on you. Plus it’s breezy now. Close them up.”

“Alright Popo...”

Before this is how she used to do it, but more recently she’s been climbing on my bed to shut them herself. I don’t mind really, because I usually have a fan going in my room to keep me cool. Normally, a while after my Popo leaves, my dad comes in.

“How many times have I told you to keep your windows open? It’s hot in here, and windows were made to let the cool air in!”

“Uh huh. Yeah, okay sure dad. Thanks.”

My dad as well, has started to open the windows on his own. I haven’t minded this either. I just do my work, leaving them open and close the windows as they pleased. Although within the past six months, the back and forth of the windows have became more frequent. While in my room, I’ll get “visits” from Popo and dad every 15 minutes, having one person check what the other did last to my windows. Back and forth, back and forth, like a kid on a swing set. Dad has often speaks his mind to Popo constantly reminding her to leave the windows alone. This situation hasn’t been the only difference in behavior we’ve seen in her. Little things that add up, like putting away dirty dishes to various places in our kitchen. They are harmless actions, yet they cause us to spend more time retracing our steps to correct them.

Living with my Popo has really taught me a thing or two. I have realized that I am not the one only who has to put up with most of the behaviors of my Popo. Even more than I recognize, my parents are the ones to sternly remind her on what not to do. Only recently have I realized that my Goong Goong has to live and watch over Popo almost every second of the day. Having to live with Popo, as one of her grandchildren is inspirational to me. I know that it is a lot of work for Goong Goong to make sure Popo is safe, although he has not yet admitted that Popo has Alzheimer’s disease. I can relate to his frustration and impatience because I have felt the feeling before. I love living with my Popo and my Goong Goong, even if it means adjusting my lifestyle a little differently, to make my Goong Goong's job of taking care of us easier.

Notes:

Popo---- Grandma

Goong Goong---- Grandpa

KC3 Rough Draft: Undersea Intruders

The Hawaiian Islands are basically several volcanic rocks, isolated in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. This fact may have people questioning why anyone want to visit, much less live there. With our humid, subtropical year-round weather, one of the first places locals and tourists alike head to are the many beaches. Unlike man-made pools, taking a dip in the ocean is swimming in Mother Nature's aquarium. For those lucky enough to snorkel in a Hawaiian beach, or at least watch a documentary on Hawaii's reefs, you've probably seen schools of bright, colorful fish. Many people, including residents here, assume that all the marine animals are native. As hard as it is to believe, Hawaii, as much as anywhere else, has invasive animals intruding and altering the underwater ecosystem.

Currently, a rising concern of invasive marine species have been the ta'ape (blue-lined snapper), the to'au (black-tailed snapper), and the roi (blue-spotted grouper/peacock grouper). All three fish were introduced to the islands in 1950. Ta'ape, to'au, and roi were caught around the reefs of Tahiti, and released in Hawaiian waters intentionally, as a game fish, in hopes of boosting the declining local fish stocks. In these fishes' native habitats, their population is lower in numbers, as they have natural predators. Yet, in Hawaii, they thrive.

Hawaii's sub-tropical waters is a great place to breed ta'ape, to'au, and roi, being that there are no natural predators to control these invasive species' population. To survive, they eat smaller fish, such as parrotfish and surgeonfish. The Honolulu Advertiser quoted, "A University of Hawaii (UH) study estimated that in a three-square-mile area off the Kona Coast, roi eat 99 tons of reef fish annually- the equivalent of 8.2 million fish." The same article also stated that roi consumes about 146 reef fish per year. In the beginning years of these three fish being introduced, scientists did not see these alien species as a problem. "Roi seems to be filling a [food chain] role opened up by humans," said scientist Jan Dierking, of UH. Now people are starting to agree that invasive fish, especially ta'ape, to'au, and roi, are populating too much. One reason why roi's population is continuing to grow is answered by marine biologist, Norton Chan, at the Waikiki Aquarium. He explained that invasive species introduced to a foreign habitat do not have immediate natural predators. One way to control the over population of these fish is for humans to catch them. However, we don't usually eat them. "It [roi] has a stigma for the likelihood of ciguatera toxins," comments Chan.

Communities in Hawaii actually have begun to realize that invasive species, like ta'ape, to'au, and roi are depleting the reef of native and local fish. Darrel Tanaka, an avid diver from Maui, is one of them. "We wanted to make a tournament [for divers], but we didn't want to deplete the reefs, so we made it for invasive species," he stated. "Maui doesn't have the fish it used to have 10 to 20 years ago. This is a way to give back to the reefs." Maui's idea of 'Roi-Round-Ups' have recently spread to other islands, including Oahu.

Bibliography

"CDNN :: Mutant Aliens Attack Hawaii." Scuba Diving News :: CDNN - Cyber Diver News Network. 26 Jan. 2005. Web. 19 Oct. 2009. .

Chan, Norton. "KC3 Invasive and Alien Aquatic Animals/Plants." Personal interview. 23 Oct. 2009.

Harris, Jason. "KC3 Invasive and Alien Land Animals/Plants." Personal interview. 23 Oct. 2009.

Rayson, Ann. Modern history of Hawai'i. Honolulu: Bess, 2004. Print.

"Species found at O?ahu-Hanauma Bay RA." Bishop Museum. Web. 6 Nov. 2009. .

Walsh, W.J. "Fact Sheet: Hawaii's Reef Fishes Are in Steep Decline." Web. 28 Oct. 2009. .

Wilson, Christie. "Divers Target Invasive Species." Web. 6 Oct. 2009.

Zoo-to-You- Island Invaders: Don't let aliens invade Hawaii. Honolulu: Honolulu Zoo Society, 2006. Print.

Journal #14: Thesis of KC3 Cause and Effect Project

My thesis for the KC3 project is on the cause and effect of the invasive marine animals in Hawaii's underwater environment.

Thesis: If various marine species are introduced to a different ecosystem, it will cause imbalance within the function of the affected habitat.

KC3 Project Planning

1. Shaneika Aguilar, Madelynne Nguyen, Jorjiane Guasch, Rebekah Morales, Korie Lum, and Kevin Caguillo

2. Invasive alien species and biodiversity

3. Starting off small (subtopics):

Shaneika Aguilar - Invasive alien land species and its effects

Korie Lum - invasive alien marine animals and its effects

Rebekah Morales - Research on our local biodiversity and why it must be preserved

Madelynne Nguyen - invasive alien marine plants and their effects

Jordie Guasch - Invasive alien land plants and their effects on the environment

Kevin Caguillo - invasive alien insects/pests and its effects

Other Plans:

(Those who are in charge, but the whole group is still involved)

Shaneika Aguilar: Visiting and documenting a place on Oahu.

Madelynne Nguyen: Conduct a survey on Survey Monkey that will provide data from other students in different states/countries about the environmental issues you are researching.

Korie Lum: Find and interview an "authority" on your topic. The interview and appropriate B-roll or still pictures will be part of our documentary video.

*Everyone must remember to write down the bibliography and credit the places and sites of where they received their information for this project.


Additional Information (Group Portion)
Shaneika and Korie: Video - Storyboard and edit and present the video documentary of your topic.

Maddie: Interactive Portion - Plan and present an activity that will get your audience to think and interact with us - something challenging and engaging. Create, post, and analyze team survey on Survey Monkey.

Shaneika and Kevin: Create the powerpoint that will highlight the main points of your research and present it in the videoconference

Jordie and Rebekah: Pre-conference website and activity -(Jordie) Create the website and the (Rebekah) pre-conference online activity that will introduce your topic and will help to "hook" and focus your audience.

Jordie: Scripting - Write the script for the presentation. Serve as "host" the videoconference.

Important Notice:

Each team member is required to print 3 articles that are related to our topic.

Every person needs come up with their own thesis statement.

Each team member will compose a well-written essay based on our topic.

*Everyone must remember to write down the bibliography and credit the places and sites of where they received their information for this project.

Inside My Scrapbook

Honestly I cannot begin to tell you how much time I have spent in my room. My room, the one part of the house filled with valuables, junk, and valuable junk. Both my parents wonder how I survive in a place so littered and scattered with lengths of computer wires, last year's old school assignments, and wrinkled teenage girl clothes strewn about. It's been that way ever since I moved into my room about two years ago, when I first started the 7th grade.

It just so happened that the room I was allowed to move into was a cramped, enclosed cardboard box. Okay, so it wasn't that extreme. Originally the room was used as an office for my Goong Goong (grandpa), since he lives with us. Most people would think something along the lines of, "What? For real now? You want me to live and sleep in there?" I too would be one of these people, if not the fact that I wanted so badly not to share a place with my younger brother. Getting my own room meant my first step of independence, a taste of growing up. There were boxes stacked against the windows added to a distinct musty smell I just couldn't. Dust and cobwebs happily multiplied, not only in the corners and small openings but created an even blanket over the stacked papers and piled boxes. One false move, and I could accidentally lean on a thin layer of dust bunnies causing a million specks of it to fly up to my face. Nasty.

After a month of cleaning and rearranging, my room consisted of a bed, desk, drawer, closet, and several of my Goong Goong's cardboard filing boxes (stacked in the corner). Dust was no longer welcome in my place. Aside from some stray storage boxes, old people clothes, and canned goods in the closet, the room was all mine! Who cared if the room still contained the musty humid feeling? So what if the room was a little cramped? I sure didn't. It was mine, my room to keep.

Which brings us to the present day.

Today, even as I am writing this, my room isn't perfect. It's not my favorite place to be, on account on how messes seem to just keep "growing" on my desk, floor, and in my dresser. Although I keep complaining about how all my belongings are mixed up with my "stuff" and my "things", it is definitely somewhere I go often. Coming to my room, for me, is for much more than just getting a good night’s sleep, or running into grab my school books.

In my room, I am in full control. Not only about what goes on inside my bedroom, but also what goes on inside of me. I can be myself. I am myself in my room. If someone was to take a peek in, what they saw would be a scrapbook of my life- "Here and Now." Pictures fill the walls, right underneath the smooth wooden window still. Memos, drawing, “Calvin & Hobbes” comics, and newspaper articles randomly pinned up to my faded green bulletin board. All this reflects who I am. What may seem like trash, are the very object that capture my memories, thoughts, or feelings.

In my bedroom, is where I do some of my best thinking. The environment is just right to inspire me with new creative ideas. Walking into my room, dodging the various items on the floor, inhaling the scent of my flowery-citrus body mist, are some parts that help me to create new views on a subject. Sometimes being in my room means to do nothing but to lie down and listen to music for a while.

Even though I may not say much about how I am feeling, someone would probably be able to see it through the actions and events that go on, at times, in my room. I am myself in my room, and no one can stop me. I am free to feel my true emotions toward anything, and I will share them with the world, if I choose.

Finding Identity: Wild Meat and the Bully Burgers (Journal #9)

The story Wild Meat and the Bully Burgers is a novel by Lois-Ann Yamanaka. This story is about the life of Lovey Nariyoshi, a Japanese-American living in Hawaii. Lovey's tale is like a cultural roots and identity story. I think this because the story is from a first person point of view. She tells her life how it is, and it seems very authentic (how it is written) as the language Lovey (and her family and friends) uses is pidgin english. One example from the book:
"I wanna be Lovey Beth Cole. Mrs. Michael Cole. Wanna marry you, Dennis. Be a Cole. Be a haole. A Japanee with a haole last name."
From her statement, it shows her desires, or at least what she wishes for. Through out the book, Lovey shares, first-hand, about her everyday encounters, wheither it be playing with barbies with Jerry, to wanting to be in a rich haole family, or "growing up girl problems".

Brainstorm: Favorite places (Journal # 8)

Here are a list of places I enjoy going to, and listed under those places are why I like to go there:

1. My Backyard

- It is green with plants and grass, overlooking the valley below (to get into palasades)

- There is a bench-swing that just misses the direct rays of the sun, so that I can sit in the shade, while being warmed

- This place is serene and is ideal for reading a book or sleeping outside

2. Kung Kung's House

- There is always a stock of ice pops and ice cream in the freezer that Kung Kung buys especially for my cousin, brother, and me.

- Kung Kung takes pride in his backyard, there are different patterns in the grass (creative)

- there is always an "open door" for when we visit (lower pearl city)

3. Washington (state)

- smelling the sharp spring/fall air

- visiting family-friends

- going to different places every time my family travels to WA (always somewhere new to visit, and going back to places we've already been)

Welcoming the New Year (revised)

New Year's celebration is a time for my family to get together and catch up on what's been happening in each other's lives. Its a time to jabber to eachother while chowing down from the various home-made foods. All moms and auntys kept themselves busy by going on about what has happened in work last month, or how all their kids are doing in school. Meanwhile, the uncles and cousins, myself included, are itching for nine o'clock to roll around. The amazing display of neon-colored fireworks are nearly the best part of welcoming in the new year.

When the clock strikes midnight you would hear "Happy New Year!" constantly from everyone, followed by many smothering hugs. But that isn't the best part of our new year's celebration. As everyone is congratulating the newly arrived year, a final, but long-lasting roar of the remaining fireworks grows louder and louder, until all you can do is run to the window and watch with awe, because you can't hear yourself speak any longer. But that isn't the best part either. After the popping and cracking of the fireworks have burned down to a small glow, the inside of the house is buzzing with excitement. My Aunty Mingie sets many sweets on the kitchen counter. A steady stream of people go up to that counter to indulge in the sugary treats. When I get up there, I look around at all the different desserts. In the middle of all of them, there are several eight inch wide circular tin filled four inched deep with brown-sugar colored creamy-like, sticky cake; my favorite food. In the kitchen I can just see my aunty cutting through the steamy, gooey gao scattered with mouthwatering toasted sesame seeds, finished off with a hoong jow (red date), about the size of my thumb, placed in the middle of it all. This is the kind of food that can't helped but to savor the flavor. After taking a bite, I can feel the sugary-steamed mixture sticking to the roof of my mouth. I take bite after bite, until the piece I was eating has disappeared. This is the best part of new years. Not only is it a great dessert, it also signifies the end of the past year, and the beginning of the new.

"In sticking with the Chinese tradition, my mother told us we are not to eat the gao until after Chinese New Year (according to the lunar calendar). But now we are so anxious to eat it that we don't wait," said my Aunty Mingie.

Just before the new year, Aunty Mingie makes the traditional gao by steaming the mixture of mochiko flour, brown sugar, oil, and water for at least six hours. Every two to three hours, she would have to check on the water quantity. Immediately after the steamed gao is finished, a hoong jow and sesame seeds are put into the gao.This must be done when the gao is warm, or else it will not stick.

Aunty Mingie remembers when she first started making traditional gao for her family.

"My mom used to make gao ever Chinese New Year, and after she died in 1972, my dad and I volunteered to cook it for the family. A couple of days before Chinese New Year, I took all the ingredients out and I waited for him to start. I later found out that he was waiting for me to start. We both said we thought the other person knew what to do. As the years went by, we got better because of our first cooking experience."

As for me, I haven't been able to take part in helping to steam and prepare the traditional gao yet. I hope I will be able to soon, maybe to welcome in the year 2010 perhaps. Aunty Mingie is not the only person in my family who cooks this dish, however, my dad knows how to make this dish from an easier, yet non-traditional microwave recipe- handed down from my mom's mom. I have helped my dad in making this, but I think it will bring me to understand my full Chinese heritage more to participate in the original way to prepare gao, making my New Year's celebration even sweeter.

Welcoming the New Year (Draft 1)

New Year's celebration is a time for my family to get together and catch up on what's been happening in each other's lives. Its a time to jabber to eachother while chowing down from the various home-made foods. All moms and auntys kept themselves busy by going on about what has happened in work last month, or how all their kids are doing in school. Meanwhile, the uncles and cousins, myself included, are itching for nine o'clock to roll around. The amazing display of neon-colored fireworks are nearly the best part of welcoming in the new year. So, you may be thinking, "What is her favorite part of new years?"

When the clock strikes midnight you would hear "Happy New Year!" constantly from everyone, followed by many smothering hugs. But that isn't the best part. As everyone is congratulating the newly arrived year, a final, but long-lasting roar of the remaining fireworks grows louder and louder, until all you can do is run to the window and watch with awe, because you can't hear yourself speak any longer. But that isn't the best part either. After the popping and cracking of the fireworks have burned down to a small glow, the inside of the house is buzzing with excitement. My Aunty Mingie sets many sweets on the kitchen counter. A steady stream of people go up to that counter to indulge in the sugary treats. When I get up there, I look around at all the different desserts. In the middle of all of them, there are several eight inch wide circular tin filled four inched deep with brown-sugar colored creamy-like, sticky cake; my favorite food inside. This is the best part of new years. Not only is it a great dessert, it also signifies the end of the past year, and the beginning of the new.

"In sticking with the Chinese tradition, my mother told us we are not to eat the gao until after Chinese New Year (according to the lunar calendar). But now we are so anxious to eat it that we don't wait," said my Aunty Mingie.

Just before the new year, Aunty Mingie makes the traditional gao by steaming the mixture of mochiko flour, brown sugar, oil, and water for at least six hours. Every two to three hours, she would have to check on the water quantity. Immediately after the steamed gao is finished, a hoong jow (red date) and sesame seeds are put into the gao. This must be done when the gao is warm, or else it will not stick.

Aunty Mingie remembers when she first started making traditional gao for her family.

"My mom used to make gao ever Chinese New Year, and after she died in 1972, my dad and I volunteered to cook it for the family. A couple of days before Chinese New Year, I took all the ingredients out and I waited for him to start. I later found out that he was waiting for me to start. We both said we thought the other person knew what to do. As the years went by, we got better because of our first cooking experience."

As for me, I haven't been able to take part in helping to steam and prepare the traditional gao yet. I hope I will be able to soon, maybe to welcome in the year 2010 perhaps. Aunty Mingie is not the only person in my family that cooks this dish, however, my dad knows how to make the dish from an easier, yet not traditional, microwave recipe- handed down from my mom's mom. I have helped my dad in making this, but I think it will bring me to understand my full Chinese heritage more to participate in the original way to prepare gao, making my New Year's celebration even sweeter.

Transcript of Roots & Recipes Interview

Interview with Luann (Mingie) Fong

August 29, 2009

Where did you get the recipe for gao?

I got the recipe from my mom. She was the one who made it every year for Chinese new year.

Is this food a tradition in the family?

Yes, like my mom, I make a pan for each sibling, one to serve at my Chinese New Year's dinner and extras are given to other family members.

Are there any memories that were because of making or eating gao?

My mom used to make gao every new years, and after she died in 1972, my dad and I said we would do it. A couple days before Chinese New Year, I took all the ingredients out and I waited for him to start. He was waiting for me to start. We both said we thought the other person knew what to do. As the years went by we got better because of the experience.

Does it have any symbolic meaning to the chinese culture?

- red hoong jow (red dates) = good luck

- sesame seeds = big family (many children)

- stickiness = family stays ("sticks") together

- red paper wrap and/or ti leaves = prosperity (wealth)

What does gao mean to our family?

Gao is a traditional chinese food at new years time. I make a pan for each [of my] sibling, and extras to serve and share. In sticking with the Chinese tradition, my mother told us to not eat the gao until after Chinese New Year. But now we are so anxious to eat it that we don't wait.

Ingredients?

- Mochiko or Gluten Flour

- (Chinese) brown sugar

- Water

- Wesson Oil

- Sesame Seeds

- Dried red Jujube {red date} (Hoong Jow)

- (OPTIONAL) Grated coconut

- (OPTIONAL) Coconut milk

Did you ever try to add an extra ingredient that wasn't in the recipe, maybe just to try it out?

mixed grated coconut; also, any left over gao can be sliced and dipped in a raw egg and fried or just fried by itself until crispy on the outside and soft throughout.

How do you make it? (recipe)

Round steaming container (8" wide and 4" deep) OR (8" wide and 1" deep)

1 lb. box of Mochiko or Gluten Flour

Liquid: 1 lb. of Chinese brown sugar (comes in blocks)

Boil in 2 cups of water. Cool and watch for any debris before adding.

Optional: You may add grated coconut or substitue half the liquid with coconut milk

Mix above and add 1/4 cup Wesson Oil. Mix well.

Fill pan until 1/8 from the top. It will rise during steaming and shrink back when cooled.

Steam for 6 to 8 hours for the 4" deep pan OR 2 hours for the 1" deep pan.

Journal #5: What makes a Menemac Student?

Through the first month of being in this program, I have learned what it means to actually be considered a true Menemac student. When I started the first few days as a freshman, I was nervous to come to school, but as I was introduced to my class and teachers, I started to realize that high school might not be as bad as I made it out to be (and I've survived high school for nearly half a quarter already! Yay). While in the classes and talking to other current Menemac students, I have noticed that most of them have qualities such as creativity, respect, and communication skills, which have gotten them in to this program.

Creativity is being original and expressive in not only work, but in other things such as conversations or everyday tasks. In my Menemac media class we were recently assigned to make a Campus Story Video. My group brainstormed and threw out ideas, so we could pick the best ones to help make our story interesting, while having a point to it. Creativity, like effort, shows in work. Being creative to me is taking looks from different angles (literally and figuratively); also being inspiring and motivating is important to completing any project.

This trait has been taught to me even before I had started Pre-school. Respect. Respect your family. Respect your belongings. Respect others. Respect yourself. I have long learned that if you want someone to treat you nicely and respect you, all you have to do is respect them back as well. In Menemac this is how you will get somewhere (even anywhere) when you work with other people, or in teams.

Everyone communicates in one way or another. They may be different, or they may be similar; some are more effective than others. When I said earlier that a Menemac students have communication skill qualities, I forgot to mention that the skill needs to be effective, in order for others to understand. Communication lets people convey messages to eachother, and without it, nothing would be possible.

Journal #2: Brainstorming the food

1. I am thinking about describing gau.

2. Every year I have helped my dad make gau. Even though it is not the traditional way (by steaming), this recipe has been passed down from my grandmother (Popo).

3. To really make this piece of writing "real", I would describe the sweet stickiness the gau leaves in your mouth, as well as the sesame seed taste that lingers, causing you to want to eat more gau.

4. I will interview my dad and my aunty (my Popo who used to make this has already passed away).

Journal #3: Plans for the Project

1. The food that is special to my family is gau. Gau is a type of sugary-sticky dessert. It is, in some ways, a chinese version of mochi. Usually it is made for special occasions such as (Chinese) New Years. Although gau is traditionally made by steaming ingredients together, my dad uses a passed down recipe to make gau by microwave.

2. To learn more about how to make gau and why it has significance to my family, I am planning to interview my dad and my aunty. I will interview both my dad and my aunty sometime between August 27th and 30th.

3. The following will be among some of the questions I will ask during my interview:

- Does it have any symbolic meaning to the chinese culture?

- What does gau mean to our family?

- What is the history of this chinese dessert?

- Where did you get the recipe for gau?

- Is this food a tradition in the family?

- How do you make it?

- What are the ingredients?

- Did your parents make gau for you when you were young?

- Ask to define certain words... (e.g. what does "gau" mean in Chinese, ect.)

- Is there any memories that were because of making or eating gau?

- Do you have your own opinions about the recipe, or even the dish itself?

- Did you ever try to add and extra ingredient that wasn't on the recipe, maybe just to try it out?

My experience and goals in writing

My experiences in writing are mostly for school projects and assignments. Recently I have been keeping somewhat of a journal for my church youth group. In there, we can write anything about our lives, and what it's like to be with God. In writing, I would like to improve my voice and clarity of my message.