College Readiness

In class, we talked about college readiness and our own thoughts about it. One thing I don't think should even be part of the college readiness concept is the SAT.

When I got into high school, the one thing all my friends and teachers stressed the most were the SAT's. I did not know what that was. I thought it was a funny way of saying Saturday and how it's the only good day in the week. I didn't know I had to take a test to get into college. I thought the only thing important was getting good grades and filling out college applications on time. I know in Japan, you have to take an entrance exam just to get into the specific university. Japanese students spend all their summer preparing for these exams, that's cut throat! I did not want to do that.

I already knew I was going to UNC Charlotte, so I decided to look up the average SAT scores for the undergraduates. The average scores were between 1300 and 1600. After I got my scores back from my first test, I was super happy. I got a 1500, so I was a sure in for UNCC. However, most of my friends didn't think so!

They told me it's best to take the test again for a better score...I did not want to do that! But after so many peer pressure, I took the test again. Before my scores came in, I got an acceptance letter from UNCC. After that, my scores came in...I got a 1610. I was so piss! Not because of my score, but the fact that I paid $45 for a test that was not even part of my application to UNCC. I knew that low, crappy score I got was good enough! I even bought a stupid study book for the second test. This turn out to be more of a rant than a blog I believe.

Anime Life

Otaku - japanese term that refer to people who are obsessed with anime and manga

I've been taught that being an Otaku was a bad thing. Even my best friend told me to never become one. They are viewed as creepy by many, even I find them creepy.When I think of an Otaku, I think of a guy who stays in his room all day doing everything that can be related to manga/anime such as cosplaying and sleeping with a human pillow.

On one of my blog responses, I replied to Mimi Ito's post on her new book, "Fandom Unbound". I thought her thoughts about the Otaku World were interesting. She discussed about their impact in culture. I didn't really think about how they can have a positive influence on the world. One of our assignments for class is to choose a novel to read for the semester, I didn't think about this book, since it wasn't really a novel. However, Prof. Lacy suggested that I read the book. I guess I'll be spending the rest of my semester learning about the ways of an Otaku.

Do the dancing

So I did not know what to post that was part of our English class work or homework...so I'll just talk about one of my hobbies that can be applied to HOMAGO. On my spare spare times, I like to learn dances to my favorite songs. It is a lot of fun learning all the different  moves. It is more fun to learn 'em with friends.

Learning these dance moves involves participation, public networks and peer based learning. Obviously if you're going to learn the dance moves, you got to participate. Just watching 'em won't guarantee that you;ll know how to perform 'em. I'm not afraid to participate because I'm surrounded by my friends. Even if they laugh, I won't take it in a bad way. I can connect with my friends through Facebook if I need any opinions on how to do a certain move. I can also learn from my friends while practicing. If they see that I'm doing something wrong, they'll help me out. It's good to have someone to learn from because you can't learn the moves so well if you don't have an example. The best part is when you got the whole dance down and can dance, with no mistake, till the song is over. The hardest part is to get everyone to dance in sync, but once everyone perform at the same time, it looks great.

So far, I learned nothing but dances from Korean groups...like a typical Asian. They are fun to watch...and a lot more fun to perform. We definitely won't make it on ABDC and win like Poreotics and Super Crew. We just do it for the fun. Here's a couple of examples of the dances I know: I'll be back - 2PM, Neverland - U-Kiss and Crazy - TeepTop

Cloud of words

I really enjoy working on Wednesday's homework. The reading part not so much, but the word cloud was fun. I really love how the words shape out the design you pick. They offer so many options. It was a bit hard to pick which one I wanted to print out.

I went with the cloud because it was in the name! Buttt I will be messing around with the website now, seeing how much fun it is to mess with the words. The one I like the most is the star, look so the nice!

Gaming in class?

When I was told to bring a game to class to play or let others play, I was kind of mind blown. Have you ever heard a teacher tell you that before? I had to replay the video a couple of times before I could believe what my homework was. I couldn't think of any games to bring to class that did not involve bringing a huge a** game system. But then I remember she said we can bring an "app" as well, so I played my favorite app, Pocket God. Pocket God is a game that allows you to control 6 to 8 islanders. You are their god, and you can do whatever you want to them. You can make 'em sleep, eat, drown, etc.

This game follows a couple of Gee's Ideas. You assume a new identity, "God". Nothing really happens until you do something, interaction. If an islander dies, he can be revive, so player can take risks whenever they want. Players can customize the game; there are customization packs available for players to change the setting however they want. The game have these side missions the revolves around different episodes or updates. These missions are quite challenging if you do not understand the riddles given.

Pocket God has access to the internet, so people can compete against one another in one of the game's mini game. They can learn techniques from one another or go on forums for help. This is a good peer based learning. 

so the hungry!

Rather than working on my day-book in class during the workshop, I decided to work on it at home. I got out of work and had nothing to do at home. I work at a Japanese restaurant, so I reeked of  fried rice and eggroll. Every Sunday night, I go out to eat with my family since we don't eat together on weeknights.  Because of those two factors, I was starvinggg!! >_<

I get home from work at 5 o'clock, and we don't go out to eat until 8 o'clock. Since I had nothing else to do, I grabbed some magazines and started cutting. Since I had 2ish hours to work on it, I made sure to do a good job on it...well my definition of a good job is that it ain't crappy looking. By the time I finish the front cover, I didn't realize what I had done. There was nothing but food all over!

Seeing how I duct taped half the cover already, I added the word "delicious" to top it off. I then got out one of my old drawings, cut out a background and slapped 'em on the back cover. I have to say, the character's expression goes well with the theme.

I'm quite satisfied with my day-book. Had a fun time working on it!