- Why did you choose to refine this particular assignment?

I choose to refine the flashblack because it was the final project and I wanted it to look very nice.

- What did you like the most about this assignment?

What I liked the most about the assignment was that we were creating something that would be used to teach someone else, so it wasn’t about us. It was meant to help others, the way media should be used.

- What did you want to improve most about this assignment?

What I wanted to improve most about this assignment was that I wanted to add animation and sound to make it more interesting.

- How did you go about improving your work and what steps did you take?

First of all, I worked on getting it to look polished so that all the text could be seen and pictures were added. Once I had it looking the way I wanted it to look, I began to add a bit of animation by having the buttons change colors if you moused over them. Then I added a sound to each button which was heard either if you moused over it or clicked on it. Then I added a song to play throughout the flash presentation. After, I decided to add a button that would cause the music to stop and a button to make it start up again. And that is what my presentation looks like now.

- How do you feel about this project now that you’ve improved it?

I like my project so much better now because it is legible, colorful, entertaining, and full of information. I really am proud of it, even if it is simple because I put a lot of hard work into the way it looks.

- What else would you still like to add to this project?

I would like to add some transitioning animation so that it looks a bit more interesting and a bit more professional too.

- How could you use this type of project (or the related skills) to change the world around you?

I could use this kind of project to teach people about the dangers in the world, or the effects of careless actions. I could create some kind of presentation such as the one Al Gore created to teach people about global warming. Also, I could create more ‘how to’ s to help people use the instruments of media, such as Flash, Photoshop, and Powerpoint.

This is my flash presentation as is right at this moment.

There is definitely room for improvement

Choose an assignment that you liked most or one where you feel you performed especially well. Assess the current state of this assignment, identify the areas where you could improve it (including any possible corrections), and post your choice and your thoughts to the blog. This blog post will be very important as you will be graded on how well you react to your assessment.

I choose to polish my flash presentation because it is the one that I want to look the best. I plan to add animation and sounds to make it more interesting. In addition, I want to include more pictures to visually represent what I am talking about. I should also go through and make sure what I say is clear, concise, and grammatically correct. I need to change the image size so that it fits correctly.I also need to edit the text to make it visible and pleasing to the sight.

How Has SMASH Affected You?

This podcast was cast specifically towards one first year, one second year, one third year, baby staff, junior staff, and two RAs. This podcast is as simple as it gets. We asked one question, and they gave various answers, and as you may have guessed we asked, “How has SMASH affected you?”

Living in the Dorms at SMASH

• What to pack:
  • • So, you are moving in to live at the foothill dorms for the SMASH Academy, what should you bring with you?
  • Clothes:
    • • Well, of course you need to pack clothes, but the question is what should you take? Now, taking into consideration the rules, no wife beaters, spaghetti strap, short shorts, bagging, or anything else of that kind. Then, think of bay area weather. It is the summer, so don’t forget some shorts, capris and skirts for the ladies. Then you should have some t-shirts, and regular jeans in case of cold weather. Always have some kind of jacket ready for use because of unpredictability. In addition, pack athletic clothing, that includes sweats, old t-shirts, basketball/soccer shorts, and don’t forget tennis shoes. Tennis shoes are important, you will be walking up and down hills to get to classes, so don’t forget comfortable shoes. One more thing, don’t forget to pack at least five changes of clothing in addition to at least two sets of formal wear for presentations, this would include slacks and a nice blouse or collared shirt, pajamas, slippers, flip-flops, and sports clothing.
    • From dirty to clean
      • In addition to bringing clothes, don’t forget to consider how you are going to get them clean. If you are going to take them home and wash them there every weekend or have decided to wash here, always be prepared to make changes. A small bottle of detergent, some extra change, and some softener would be good things to keep handy along with some kind of basket or bag to transport the clothes.
  • Food
    • While at SMASH, students are fed, and that is through the dining commons at the Stern, but the food there becomes very repetitive. I suggest packing some Cup Noodles, bottles of water, maybe some juice, fruit, chips, candy, popcorn, along with other foods such as sushi or food from home. I personally enjoy bringing Mexican bread, granola bars, goldfish, cheese nips, cereal, and various other snacks of similar nature. They come in handy, especially on those nights when you stay up late and get hungry for a late night snack.
  • Toiletries
    • We all take showers (hopefully), so don’t forget to pack shampoo, conditioner if necessary, soap, razors, and sponge. Basically, whatever you need for your daily showering habits. In addition, don’t forget lotion, sun block for days at the beach or park, body spray to smell good, brush, comb, hairdryer, rubber bands, scrunchies, any make-up, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, flossing tools, your retainer, anything needed to clean your braces, contact lens case and solution if you wear contacts (don’t forget extra contacts just in case), glasses if you need them, their case, and their cleaning cloth. In addition, don’t forget any jewelry you like to wear: earrings, rings, necklaces, anklets, the list can be endless.
  • Appliances
    • Now, don’t forget the essentials to making all of this happen. You will, at one point need an iron, so try to have one handy. You should try to have a cell phone stocked up with everybody’s numbers, a microwave to heat up water or any other food, a small fridge to keep food cool and prevent the spoiling of food.
  • Cleaning Supplies
    • In addition to what you will need to wash your clothes, it would be a good idea to bring a small rag for any necessary cleaning, air deodorizer, and paper towels. Make sure that you know where to find a vacuum because you will need it eventually.
  • School supplies
    • The SMASH program does provide its students with school supplies, but you never know what or when you will receive them. It would be a good idea to bring your own graphing or scientific calculators, pencils, pens, stapler, paper, notebooks, a binder, a backpack, a highlighter, and anything else you would think is essential to the learning process. Don’t forget to bring printing paper because it will be a rare occasion when the public printer will have paper.
  • Time
    • I suggestion you don’t forget to bring something that will tell you the time. This will come in handy when you want to know at what time to leave your dorms to eat, to meetings, or to classes. In addition, an alarm clock is essential so that you will wake up, not necessarily get up, at the time intended.
• Getting There:
  • • Alright, you are at the foothill dorms now, what should you do? First of all, pick up your keys, meal card, and lanyard. Once you have done that, have your parents sign you in. at that point you are in the hands of the SMASH Staff. Now, find your room and unpack.
  • Unpacking
    • • Once you find your room, make your bed. Once you have done that you can decide whether or not you will want to bring in your own sheets, comforter, and the likes, or if you will just use what is provided. In addition to this, you will be given three towels about twice a week. You may choose to use them or bring your own. Unpack the day you arrive because once classes start, life will get hectic and your room will become crazy. Make sure you remember where you put everything.
    • Connections
      • You will need to learn where you will be able to connect your Ethernet cord. Find the electrical outlet, and make sure that your room phone is working. The Ethernet cord is usually located below the windows and under the heater. The electrical outlet is found on the same wall as the windows, one on the far left another on the far right. If your phone is not functioning, please be sure to visit the technical difficulties page.
• Sleeping with a stranger”
  • • I’m sorry to say but your dreams of having your own room are now crushed because you may have up to three roommates. How nice no?
  • Getting to know your roommate
    • Although having a roommate might be tough, getting to know them is the most important thing you can do because this is the person that will see you when you look good and not so good, so you should build some kind of trust bond. Start out with salutations; introduce yourself to your roommate and their parents. Get to know what they are like. Play games, such as speed or any other interactive games so that you get to know them better. Figure out how you will organize your rooms so that you accommodate to each other. If one person brings a fridge, then the other roommate should try to bring the microwave. Be sure to share in all aspects of the word, that includes food, appliances, toiletries if necessary, clothes, and supplies.
  • Sweet Suite
    • • Getting to know your roommate is only the beginning. You should remember that everyone that lives in your suite has now become your family because it is almost as if you are all living in the same house under the same rules.
    • Getting to know the people in your suite
      • • You should definitely work to get to know your suitemates. Make it a point to know their names and faces by the first wake, if possible the first two days. Create some kind of activity in which you all participate together, interacting. Something fun would be decorating your suite creatively, make it an art project. You could also find some game or activity in which you work together with your suite and then challenge another suite.
      • RA?
        • You will have an RA that is responsible for you when you are in your dorms. That person is in charge of the rules and how they choose to interpret them and have the inhabitants of the suite follow them. If your cool then they usually are too, so don’t worry too much.
        • Rules
          • Curfews
            • We do have curfews, you must be in your suite before 10:00 pm and inside your room with the main light turned off by 11:00pm.
          • Signing in & out
            • Whenever you are leaving your suite don’t forget to sign out, writing down specifically where you are going and at what time you leave, and once you come back, don’t forget to sign in.
• The Attack of the bathroom
  • Showers
    • Showers have their defects. Some showerheads won’t work, some showers will take the water 15 minutes just to get warm. In addition, when you go in, there might be hair all over the place or someone might have forgotten something in the stalls. You will need to learn how to deal with these situations. One thing is, have a suite meeting and make sure everyone understands the need for clean showers and for them to remember to take their things. You should plan ahead of time in case of situations when the water won’t get warm, have some plan. For example, wait until after someone takes a shower for you to take one.
  • Toilet
    • One major rule, don’t forget to flush. Other than that, the toilets are good. Also, try not to leave a mess on the sinks because you are not the only one using them and don’t leave your things on the countertop either.
• Technical Difficulties
  • • If for some reason your lamp isn’t working, the light bulb doesn’t work, you can’t receive calls on the room phone, you don’t receive internet access, or any other difficulties, contact your RA or Tyrone and tell them about any problems. They will usually be more than happy to help you.
• Going Home
  • • Take advantage of when you go home. Instead of washing at the dorms, take your clothes home and wash there. Don’t forget to bring anything that you ran out of during the week, especially food or water. Also, if there was anything you needed throughout the week, try to get it during the weekend so that you have it available for the next week.
  • Till Next Summer
    • The weekend before the last week of SMASH try to take as much home as you can so that there isn’t that huge hassle the last day.

Title: How has SMASH affected You?

INTERVIEWEES: 1 new RA

1 old RA

Fallon

Freddy

Taz & Jose (Twinkie)

1st year

2nd year

3rd year

Ms. St. Roseman

OUTLINE:

Karina Diaz, yep, that’s my name. What does it mean? I didn’t know at first, so I looked it up. Karina, my first name, supposedly has origins in the Greek, Polish, Swedish, and German languages. It means both pure and dear, beloved one, which I really am, at least I think so. My last name, now that’s different, it is a very common Hispanic last name that’s Jewish and its Latin origins say “dies” meaning days. I am not Jewish and barely even a Catholic, but that’s ok with me.

If you look to the middle left of the montage, you will see a picture of Carmen Diaz and one of Porfirio Diaz. Those are the two most common people that usually come to mind when someone hears my name, how wonderful. Carmen is a very famous actress with whom I have nothing alike except for my last name and Porfirio lead a dictatorship in Mexico for many years. Neither of those people represent who I am, yet they are still part of my name.

There are two pictures included in my montage that I took, one of them is of my three sisters on a purple dragon like thing, the other is of my aunt. I enjoy photography, and those pictures are part of me, but in addition, they hold a more personal touch. My sisters seem to be a younger version of who I am, people often mistake them for me or vice versa. The lady is my aunt, she is the only “aunt” I have that is close to me. I see her very often, so often that she is almost part of my immediate family.

Now, I have also included pictures of a basket ball and a soccer ball. These two represent my love for sports, especially the two sports that they identify because they are my favorites.

I included a white lily and the white winged horse as a representation of beautiful innocence, purity, and that of dearly beloved one because, for some reason, people think that I am, and I might be at times, while others I am not.

The Mona Lisa was put in just because it made a good background. No, I’m kidding, it has a purpose. First of all, it represents one of my most favorite books, the DaVinci Code, and it also represents a woman, famous for what she is, no matter what she looks like. In addition, I love books. I love to read, and am often reading more than two books at one time.

The last thing, is my puppy, who isn’t really a puppy, pictured at the top in the middle. He just turned two years old, and we’ve had him for two years. He is the cutest thing, and represents for me the many pets I have come to own, especially the dogs I had before him. Animals represent a big part of somebody’s life, and he does so for me, especially because of the love he has for the whole family.

So far I have one cousin with which I share both my first and last name, but she does have a middle name while I don’t. It does get confusing, but you get used to it.

What I like is who I am, I try not to pretend to like something I don’t, and I usually don’t do things I don’t like. It’s in my nature and it really shows how plain is good.

My favorite color is blue, yep, just like jeans and the sky. I don’t care what blue, anything blue is wonderful. I believe it goes right along with who I am, because blue can be a plain color just like my name, and my nickname, Kari, but they can also represent something deeper and more beautiful. Kari could be interpreted as caring, and blue as the open sky or vast oceans.

Take a good look at my name, and you will find that it says nothing about who I am or what I am like, except for maybe that I am a Latina. I like this about my name, because they then can’t associate it with anything, and it is left up to me to show them what Karina Diaz really means.

Hey, this is what I could muster. What do you think? Does it look like me?

Thanks

Karina

Now I have to answer the questions!

1. How did your avatar’s initial appearance compare to your own?

The initial appearance was totally different because she was a Caucasian female, and I am Latina.
2. Which features did you begin editing first, and why?

I believe I started editing the head first, and I did this because it was the first thing on the list of things to edit, and I decided to go in order.

3. Which features were easiest to replicate?

I think that my ears, my body, and torso were the easiest.

4. Which features were most difficult to replicate?

I think that the features that were most difficult to replicate were my face in general and my hair.

5. Why do you think it was difficult to replicate those features?

I think it was difficult because, with your hair, any move you made affected future and previous moves as well. If you weren’t careful you could end up with bald spots. Also, my face was hard because it is what shows mostly what you look like, so you try to make it seem more like you, but it really is hard.

6. Approximately how many attributes did you modify for your avatar?

I definitely tried to modify every attribute, but once it got to the clothing it was very hard to modify because I couldn’t find different shoes, shirt, or pants.

7. What would need to be required to fully replicate your appearance?

I believe that the best way to replicate my appearance would be by scanning in a picture and putting that side by side with the virtual version of me to compare and adjust to.

8. Does your avatar’s appearance remind you of anyone, if so, why?

I really don’t think it reminds me of anyone, not even myself, but there is some kind of likeness.

Why did I pick these pictures, well they’re what came to mind, they just popped in like pop-ups. Really. The background was my first picture, representing soccer, a sport I play, even though I don’t play very well. Next, I thought, well I have a field, but no ball, so the picture I got for it looks like a ball, but it really isn’t, it’s actually a rim that looks like a soccer ball. Then, since I play the violin, I added the doodle playing the violin. Then I thought, my school is a big part of my community so i added the Capuchino mustang. I also added the panther to include animals in general because they are a big part in general of my community along with the panthers being the Parkside Intermediate mascot. The books are on there for the library and the new IB program at my high school. Starbucks, although I have only been there about 5 times in my whole life, is a big part of my community because I see people with their products almost everyday, but that’s ok.

All the things that I put in my montage mean community to me. Community is when many people that live in around the same area come together because of their interests or what they do, and they work together to build up.

Our class blog is like a community because we all know each other and we are coming together to do something that we like and we are helping each other build up to what we want to be and then go even farther.

I was born November 20, 1991 at the Stanford Hospital, and from that moment on, the media was a big part of my life. One of the first forms of media I ever saw was an advertisement. If you take a look around whatever place you’re at right now, you probably can see some form of advertisement. As I grew up I began to watch TV. Once you start, you can’t stop. The television was a big part in my life as a young child. That is where I sat and waited anxiously for the commercials so that I could tell my mom what new toy I wanted, or show her that one pretty dress I wanted Santa to bring me, and when it wasn’t commercial time I was watching my good old shows: Barney, and the Reading Rainbow, and Rugrats, and Sesame Street. These proved to be both bun and educational. Also, as soon as we got into the car, I would always ask my dad to turn on that radio. I’ve always loved music, and often listen to it in two different languages – Spanish and English. As I grew older I began to watch the Disney Channel, I began to do research on the computer, especially that first time on my state report (New Hampshire). That computer of mine became a new best friend. I learned to use it on my own. I began with just the games; minesweeper, pinball, solitaire, but being a little young (8) I was not interested in reading the instructions or rules, so it took me a few years to understand how to win a game in minesweeper. Now a days, I use what you call the Internet for so many things besides research. It has become my source of communication with my friends from school during the summer. I check my email often and usually like to go on AIM to talk to my friends. Also, I can now check my homework online in addition to check out what my school is doing through out the year, even if they are two separate web pages. In the summer of my seventh grade I was introduced to online shopping, so far I haven’t used it very much, but it has come in handy when I need to buy books or things for my violin, especially strings. Also, as soon as I heard of SMASH, I was on their website trying to figure out how to get in, and now that I am in, making sure I am at the right meetings to keep myself in. I’ve been playing soccer for almost four years, I’m not very good, but I keep at it. I usually try to go on their website to check the times for my games, or when I’m going to ref, or how the other teams in my league are doing. It does come in handy. I’ve also recently started to watch videos on You Tube. The first video I remember having watched on You Tube was probably the Trunk Monkey commercials. Those are really funny. Now tell me, who in their lives has never need to look up directions? I am no exception, and Mapquest has helped me out quite a bit. Also, when it comes to planning a nice tropical vacation, Travelocity has done that job well for me as well. Now we must not forget about the ever present music. I often use media player to burn my CDs at home and use iTunes to download music onto my iPod. Hey, music is a big part of my life, and that includes all kinds, both played (including my violin) and heard.

Well now I have talked about how the media has influenced me, how about how I use it to influence others? Well, I have created a video for the Center for Youth as a Youth Action Committee member. I used the camera, recorded, used the microphone, and even appeared inside the video giving my own opinions and advocating for the creation of an actual center in the San Bruno area. I know that at this beginning point it might not have a great effect on the world, but I know that what I portrayed in that video, which is beginning to be shown more and more, will hopefully achieve the goals for which it was created – to motivate and advocate the creation of a youth center in the San Bruno area. So far that is one of the most major things i have done to express myself through media, and that is how the media has affected me.