AE Project

Funny/Artistic

by

Hannah Van Arsdale


My theme is funny and artistic. To show this, I am using acrylic paints and a cat fixed on to my button. I want my box to be fun and interesting, also adding something quirky. I am going to paint my box so it will look like a starry nighttime landscape, and I’ll also add eleven lights in various places, in place of a painted star. All the lights are connected in a circuit, turned on with a switch. The button is connected with the lights on a different circuit. For example, the button is external, connected in a circuit to all eleven lights, which is connected to a battery. This battery then links back to the button, creating one full circuit. I love art, so I used acrylic paints to show that. I also like how you can control something so small as a light bulb, so I included eleven instead of the minimum of five. I also wanted to have my box look sleek and precise, so I painted most of it black. I chose a cat to put on my button because it comes from one of my favorite stores and I've had it for a long time. I used acryllic paints because that is the medium I usually use in art, and in my middle school we did many projects using these paints, so it has sentimental value. My box includes a few components that show how I am funny and artistic in a simple way.

Hero Project Reflection

http://hannahsamazingblog.blogspot.com/2009/11/true-role-model.html
1. How does a hero become a hero?
I believe a hero becomes a hero when they do something memorable. This can be good or bad. The hero is a role model to someone and usually stands up for them.

2. Project Description: In this project we worked with our personal hero, giving interviews with them, taking pictures of them, and really bonding with them to learn more about what makes them a hero, helping us answer the essential question: How does a hero become a hero? We revised our character sketches many times, and the peer reviews from the other class helped a lot.

3. Process: What steps did you take to get to the final product?
I met the deadlines, I think(haha), and keeping my drafts separate helped a lot. One date that I missed was actually finishing the template. I was sick most of that week, so I had an extension, but I still missed my extended deadline. I went to office hours and made it up, with the help of my friends.

4. Reflection: What did you learn? What challenges did you encounter? What would you do the same or different? How will this help you later?
From this I learned how much I love my sister. She really is amazing. And I couldn't have done this without her, so thanks Courtney. When publishing my template I had a lot of trouble, but during MAC News I managed to finish it, but only with the help of Jack Marschke. Diego and Mele helped me out in office hours, so I knew what I had to do. Next time I'll learn to ask for help sooner.

5. Habits of Mind: For this project, I used perspective. When doing one of the peer critiques, we hand over our paper to another student, and have them look at our paper, and vice versa. Well when I got my paper back, I was surprised to see that this student had read my paper and seen it in a different way. From then on I considered the reader's perspective a lot m,ore.

The Origin of Zero

The articles I read really sparked something inside me. I never even thought that zero hadn't existed before. I just thought that it made thought up when all the other numbers were. But really it was invented by people as a place holder. And the people who invented it didn't really know what it was either.

I'm really not sure who invented the number '0'. Though both of the articles say that different people made it up, I think that you can never be sure. I mean, how do we know what people were thinking? We don't know what they knew, and if another civilization came up with the idea first.

I'm not sure how the whole world got the memo to agree to use the number '0', but I guess they did. Also, they originally came up with the idea as just a placeholder. It wasn't meant to be a number, actually. Which seems crazy to me, because I've only thought of it as a number.

A True Role Model

"I fear failure and being less than I can be." We sat on the striped green couch as a movie played out on the screen. Her round face radiated happiness. "It's like if I don't finish or at least try I'm letting my whole life up to this point down." Her words sang in my head. We doused our toes in nail polish remover, watched a cheesy movie, ate popcorn, and tried to stop the next day from coming. Our dad had left and we were left alone to hang out before Courtney had to go back to North Carolina. This was the worst part; the bittersweet evening. It was like we knew what was coming but we couldn't stop it; tomorrow would come and she would catch a plane up to Kernersville.
I had so much fun, though my brother wasn't here to enjoy it. Courtney and Casey had always had a sibling rivalry. "We had a system worked out where he always messed up and I always did the right thing." It wasn't always easy having to take care of a little brother like a child, but Courtney seemed to get through it. She had perseverance. And she still looks out for me. Thinking back, I can't remember a time when she didn't love me. Ever.
"So when are you coming back?" I asked, already knowing the answer. I shifted on the couch uncomfortably in my pajamas. Her feet moved across the carpet, sore and calloused from dancing.
"Christmas time, every six months I come back to SD. I'm going to miss you so much Bean," she said as she slathered on another layer of orange nail polish like she was frosting a cake, not bothering to look up from her work. Her brown hair floated down, glowing from the dim lights inside our house. I sighed, then looked up to the T.V screen, seeing Zac Efron. Oh Zac, I said, why can't she stay longer? Please don't make it end. I mused, then looked over to see my sister's smiling face.
She was always so brave, being the first one in my immediate family to go to college, or becoming something other than a small town waitress, or even just being there for me when I needed it. Courtney truly has a good life; being smart, being loved for who you are, not relying on alcohol or drugs to have an awesome day, and most importantly, being herself. I looked up from my sister's loving gaze to the movie. The credits rolled like slow like a snail, prolonging the sadness, a cue for the night to end. My sister leaned down and hugged me, signaling bedtime. She stood about my height, 5’5 over me, her short brown hair falling past her eyes. They sparkled blue under her glasses, a telltale sign of a Van Arsdale. She hugged tighter, and I didn’t feel like letting go. I hugged back, feeling warm like the hot cocoa from our mugs. This is who I should be like, I thought. We finished our hug, then I dashed up the creaky stairs and into the dark.

Literary Devices

Catching the signal from one of her friends, Angela brushed her skirt, took a deep breath and walked towards where he was sitting. His hand stopped waving and moved over to his backpack. From there, he took out a strangely shaped object, and it looked like it might be dangerous. Little did she know that this would be the end of her. her hair bounced, as if in slow motion. Angela skipped over, plopping down on the shady, moss covered concrete. Her skirt danced, becoming a butterfly, fluttering about.
"Hey," he said, pulling the small thing away from Angela.
"Uh hi... What is that thing you're hiding from me?" she said with a smile. She reached around him, meeting his hand, then she pulled at the object.
"Why, you got me a puppy!" she exclaimed, pulling the boy towards her, hugging him firmly.
"That's not, uh-" he squeaked, his voice masked by her grip.
"It's okay, I know what you mean. You were planning on surprising me, but I am just too sneaky for you!" Angela yipped, releasing him from her grip, and taking the small animal into her arms.
"Now lets get a look at-" she stopped mid-sentence. A blood curdling cry seeped from her lips, moving out to the city streets, where it was unheard, aside from a flock of crows who fled from the terrible noise. She puppy, once seemingly innocent, had morphed into a huge dog, collossal in comparison to the large buildings in Down Town San Diego. The puppy had devoured Angela whole, tromping down the crowded highways to wreak havoc among the tireless city. The boy was left alone, for he was the one who had raised the strange pup, and now picked up his bag, and left the scene.

Jumping for Joy

My eyes blinked open. Sore from sleeping on the ground, I looked up to see my two friends, Betsy and Monica. The little room was warm, quite contrary to the cold November weather outside. Betsy asked if we wanted to go outside on the trampoline. Excited, Monica and I jumped up to accept.


At that moment, I had forgotten all the things that my Mom had told me. Forgotten how dangerous trampolines were. Forgotten how they were especially dangerous if the trampoline didn’t have a net. Forgotten how I could easily break something. Forgotten all the long talks we had, the promises I had made, my agreements to how it would be stupid to go on a trampoline without a net. If I were to break something, that would be devastating. I flashed at what was to come. I saw myself crying, asking why me, why now? Pain seized my left arm- now in a sling- and I had to sob. It was not a pretty sight, to see myself lose control. But at that moment, none of it mattered. I looked up from my haze, seeing my two friends rush out the door. I quickly pulled myself up, slightly limp from sleep, and stumbled out with them.


The rickety screen door flung open, and we bounded across the front lawn. Betsy’s Mom was gone, and her sisters were still asleep. We jumped for several minutes, the girls doing flips and jumps off of the swing set, but me, being a newcomer to trampolines, just jumped. What happened next seemed to be happening in slow motion. I stepped back, a little too close to the edge, and couldn’t stop myself. I fell backwards on my back, and lay there in shock for a few seconds. Betsy and Monica came rushing over, checking to see if I was okay. “I think I’m okay, my arm just hurts. I think I pulled a muscle.” I said, wondering why my arm hurt, when I had clearly fallen on my back.


While Betsy went to get me ice and to wake her sisters for help, Monica stayed by my side to comfort me. Legs bent, head on the crunchy pine needles, I was motionless except for my legs. It was cold, and my pajamas were getting dirty from the frost bitten ground. The morning was growing old, and the surrounding trees looked so pretty. Tears streamed down my eyes. Embarrassed about my outburst, I rubbed at my eyes and tried to hide the fact that I was slowly unraveling in front of my friend. But somehow I knew it was okay. It would all be okay, someway or another.

Sensory Detail: Sound

this is the link to margaret's blog:
http://margaretnoble.net/blog/

and this is the link to the noise I listened to:
http://margaretnoble.net/blog/monte-gordo-beach-portugal/

Tiny gurgles awaken the sea. The trickling water cascades down, turning swiftly. It rushes down, plunging over and over. The seas churn, constantly bringing the fresh, salty, life sustaining water to the famished creatures below. In and out goes the current, many times over. There is a lull, then comes the water rushing back. Bubbles run to the surface, foam overlapping in the briny sea. The fresh smell fills the air, but only for a moment. Again and again comes the persistent motion of the tireless wave. Suddenly, we are plunged into the water. Tiny bubbles float to the surface, the only things able to escape the oceans salty grasp. A calming moment graces the landscape, but yet again the water plunges into the indentations among the rocks. The slippery mountains are pounded against, wearing away at the beautiful green hue that plagues the rocks. Tiny whispers and gurgles speak of danger. A great wave pounds the surface of the water to the caves, then returns to the seas once more. A sweet calm is welcomed back again. But the wrath of the sea is never forgotten.

The Locker Problem

Hannah Van Arsdale
Penguinz
9/27/09

The Locker Problem
In total, 31lockers were opened and 961 were closed. The ones that were left open were perfect squares. This happened because the amount of their factors were uneven. As an example, locker 16 was left open because it is a perfect square. Students 1,2,4,8, and 16 touched it because these are all factors of 16. Ex: 1x1=16, 8x2=16, and 4x4=16. However, because 4x4=16, you only show one 4, making the number of factors odd. So if you used the locker 18 as an example, the students 1,2,3,6,9, and 18 would touch this locker. This would make an even amount of factors, having the locker stay closed.

S.L.O.B Character- What I did This Weekend

The Character I chose is Lily, and I'm going to write about her exciting weekend.


My eyes blinked open. I moaned, realizing it was Saturday, meaning I had loads of chores. I shook one leg out of the covers, feeling for the floor. The other one jutted out of the comforter and I dragged myself to my feet. I pulled on a tank top and jeans, then went to the bathroom to brush my teeth. I emerged from the bathroom, then went down the hall to the kitchen.
There i saw May and Rosaleen hunched over a cookbook, apparently making a honey and chocolate pie. I then looked over to the piano, and saw June playing a lovely song. Peering out the window, I found August in her bee keeping outfit, tending to her precious bees. A lovely sight, I thought, so glad that I left T-Ray. If only I could keep up this charade for a little while longer, learn more about my mom, then tell the the truth. Just a little while longer, that's all.
I snuck out to meet August, making sure not to disturb the peace of the quirky pink house. "Er, hey." I managed to squeak out. She looked so in her element that I didn't want to disturb her, but I knew my chores had to be done. "Good Morning, sleepy head. You slept late!" She exclaimed, tossing me my netting and my long sleeve shirt. "Ready for a day of work?" She smiled. "Yeah August, let's go."

Order of Operations

1. (6/2) +9-4
2. (4^2 - 6) /5 + 1
3. 8-2 / 2 + 5= 8
   

What is math? What is physics?

To me, math is numbers. It is a place inside your brain where there is a desk and you work out problems. To me, math is a state of mind. Math is not my favorite, but I enjoy solving problems. Math is a very interesting concept, because it is both concrete and intangible. To me it is unexplainable, endless, and unimaginable. Yet sometimes, it is the only thing that makes sense. this profound subject is very hard to define, yet I am attempting to do just that. though I have explained my idea, I think that math, for me, will never be defined.
Physics, now that is a bit easier. To me, physics is the force that moves nature, the principal that controls life. It is so powerful over our every day action, yet most of us are unaware of this. It is described by Newton in his Laws of Physics, yet you can make up new principals with each discovery. Physics covers a wide range of scientific discovery, and Newton's Laws of Physics gives a direct summary of it.
Though I am not sure about either of these subjects, I have somewhat of a clear understanding, and I am ready to learn more.

My Favorite Fictional Hero

My favorite fictional character has to be Dominic. The book "Dominic" is written by William Steig, telling the story of a wandering dog. Although he writes children stories, they are written exceptionally well, with great plots and characters. Another of Steig's books is "Abel's Island". Yet again, a great book.
Dominic is a free thinker. He travels around and goes wherever destiny takes him. He only has a sack of clothes and food, and lives off whatever he finds. He travels many paths, ultimately taking him home. Dominic is very easy going, which makes his long journey much easier. He also encounters many interesting folks along the way.

The people, or rather, animals, that Dominic meets are very different. First, he meets an old alligator. Later he meets an old boar, a mother goose and her goslings, and other different characters. All of these characters eventually meet up at a fancy party, where Dominic saves the day! A fire erupts in the main dinning room, and Dominic is there to put it out. Dominic is the classic selfless hero, but he IS a dog.
I love Dominic because he is selfless and easy going. He doesn't care about what happens as long as it's good and he meets good people. I wish I was like Dominic, free flowing and saying yes to life. That's what I would love to do in life, say yes. And that is exactly what Dominic does. That is why Dominic is my favorite fictional hero.

30 Things You Didn't Know About Me

1. I like to surf
2. I collect gnomes
3. I'm learning to play the guitar
4. I've dyed my hair a lot
5. My real hair color is blonde
6. I like alternative and heavy metal rock
7. My favorite animals are:
8. The bearcat
9. The pygmy marmoset
10. And the pygmy mouse deer (?)
11. I love polyvore
    
12. My middle name is Marie
13. I've been to Bali and Italy
14. I want to go to Brazil
15. I like to paint my nails like watermelons
16. When I was a baby I had minor ear surgery
17. I love to wear shorts
18. I hate watermelons (bad experience)
19. I hate mushrooms
20. I crave sugar
21. I used to do karate and tennis
22. I have never been late to class, until today
23. I know how to say "Your mom is a pigdog" in German
24. I'm pretty stupid when it comes to computers
25. I'm good at writing
26. I went to a private school with the same people for nine years
27. I've been friends with my budestest buddy for twelve years
28. I randomly break into song and dance at home
29. I love San Diego
30. I have blue eyes that can't see much

the open room by ♥hannah-boo♥ featuring Juicy Couture accessories