Cultural Event Two: Miss Fort Dorchester High School Pageant
About:
The Miss FDHS Pageant was held on a Saturday afternoon in the school’s auditorium. There were representatives from all classes—Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior—who were competing for the crown. Last year’s Miss FDHS was there to pass on her crown. Other queens were there as well, like Miss Relay For Life and Miss South Carolina (I think). There were three rounds: Casual Wear, Talent Competition, and Evening Wear. Many performed song and dance and a few others chose to be different. There was a winner from each class and an overall winner who won the title Miss FDHS. That person just happened to be Caitlin Oenbrink.
Analysis:
Overall, I thought the whole thing was a complete waste of time. The majority of the girls—if not all—had the most fake smiles I have ever seen. They were really pretty though. A good number of them, though, wore way too much make-up. When each contestant went to introduce themselves in the beginning of the pageant I thought it was crazy how stiff most of them walked. Except for a select couple, the rest of them could NOT walk in heels. You are supposed to go heel to toe, but they all went flat and that caused them to look stiff, nervous and unprofessional. And again, the smiles as they were making were ridiculous. I wanted to laugh at a few but I thought that would be too mean and I did not want to get jumped.
Anyways, the Casual Wear round was okay. But, there were some clothes that did not go together and some shoes that did not match the clothing either. But a lot of them were pretty well matched.
The Talent Competition was the worst round of the three. I’m sorry, but if you’re going to try to sing but end up talking the words to only one side of the auditorium, and on top of that have a horrible voice, you might as well get off the stage because there are more people out there than the people who are cheering for you. As usual, there were a few talents who performed “dance” but only moved their hands to the beat (boring!).
There were a couple acts, however, that I actually liked. There was a contestant who dressed up in camouflage and recited a poem that she wrote with a drum beating in the background as if it were wartimes. I thought that was pretty cool. There was also a girl who had a slideshow of some pretty awesome photographs she had taken for her talent. It was definitely something you wouldn’t think would be someone’s talent at a pageant, but the pictures were gorgeous.
Last came the Formal Wear round. This was my favorite round because I like to feel as if I’m at an auction looking for a prom dress or something. Almost all of the dresses were beautiful. The only part I did not like about this round was the fact that each contestant was told to walk around the stage in one small circle and then one big circle and it felt like FOREVER. Each contestant circled the stage for like three minutes and then the next contestant would go and it lasted soooo long. Argh!
If it wasn’t for Cindy Tang calling me up asking, “Wanna go to the Pageant?” I would not have gone if I knew what I was in store for. It was long. There were long pauses, long intermissions, and long walks. If it was not for my good nature, I would have gone crazy.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Cultural Event: Student Choreography Concert
Cultural Event 1: 2008 Student Choreography Concert
About:
The 2008 Student Choreography Concert was held on Saturday, March 18소, 2008. This showcase was held for the students in Dance Class who created their own dance routines to a song of their choice. There were seventeen acts and many of the dancers performed more than once. Basically, each person or group chose the color of their background scene and had two minutes or so to perform their routine and then the next act would go next and so on and so forth.
Analysis:
I didn’t enjoy the Choreography Concert as much as I would have liked. There were not too many people in the auditorium to watch but there was still enough to consider it a crowd. I don’t remember if the Girl’s Step Team performed or not but I remember seeing Aisha there, so maybe. The first couple or routines were really good. Well, I actually think I liked the songs better than I did the dance routine. I caught myself writing down the song lyrics and remember going home to go download them. Anyways, the second act with Sydney Polluta and Heather Thompson was my favorite. It might have been the song that won me over, but their choreography was beautiful and I could tell that they put their heart and soul into the moves and I really appreciated that. True talent!
After the first couple acts, it kind of got repetitive. The choreography seemed to remain the same. Almost every group or solo had the same choreography incorporated into their routine which kind of made the rest of the two hours boring. However, some of the music choices were good so I enjoyed the hearing pleasure.
Almost halfway through the concert, a lady near the back of the auditorium collapsed. I’m not quite sure what exactly happened, but I think the lady might have had a heart attack. The dance teacher—or someone—called 911 and the ambulance came to the rescue. To my knowledge, the lady is alright.
On a nice note, I was happy to hear the Caitlin Hunt and Audrey Heldreth composed a dance to Imogen Heap’s “Hide and Seek.” And, I loved every moment of it.
The last thing I did not like about the concert were the people who did not even “dance.” All they did was move their hands and smile. I swear, it annoyed me so much. I could not stand it at all.
Overall, the only reason why I’m glad I went was because of the music that was played. Except for a couple of acts, I was not pleased with the dancing I saw that night. If it was not for the music selections, I would go back in time and tell myself not to go.
About:
The 2008 Student Choreography Concert was held on Saturday, March 18소, 2008. This showcase was held for the students in Dance Class who created their own dance routines to a song of their choice. There were seventeen acts and many of the dancers performed more than once. Basically, each person or group chose the color of their background scene and had two minutes or so to perform their routine and then the next act would go next and so on and so forth.
Analysis:
I didn’t enjoy the Choreography Concert as much as I would have liked. There were not too many people in the auditorium to watch but there was still enough to consider it a crowd. I don’t remember if the Girl’s Step Team performed or not but I remember seeing Aisha there, so maybe. The first couple or routines were really good. Well, I actually think I liked the songs better than I did the dance routine. I caught myself writing down the song lyrics and remember going home to go download them. Anyways, the second act with Sydney Polluta and Heather Thompson was my favorite. It might have been the song that won me over, but their choreography was beautiful and I could tell that they put their heart and soul into the moves and I really appreciated that. True talent!
After the first couple acts, it kind of got repetitive. The choreography seemed to remain the same. Almost every group or solo had the same choreography incorporated into their routine which kind of made the rest of the two hours boring. However, some of the music choices were good so I enjoyed the hearing pleasure.
Almost halfway through the concert, a lady near the back of the auditorium collapsed. I’m not quite sure what exactly happened, but I think the lady might have had a heart attack. The dance teacher—or someone—called 911 and the ambulance came to the rescue. To my knowledge, the lady is alright.
On a nice note, I was happy to hear the Caitlin Hunt and Audrey Heldreth composed a dance to Imogen Heap’s “Hide and Seek.” And, I loved every moment of it.
The last thing I did not like about the concert were the people who did not even “dance.” All they did was move their hands and smile. I swear, it annoyed me so much. I could not stand it at all.
Overall, the only reason why I’m glad I went was because of the music that was played. Except for a couple of acts, I was not pleased with the dancing I saw that night. If it was not for the music selections, I would go back in time and tell myself not to go.
Original Poem: You And Me
You And Me
I remember that day when you said it was meant to be
My heart could not believe it; I was so happy
I remember those hours we would stay on the phone
Sometimes we’d be silent, but we knew we weren’t alone
I remember those trips we would take on holidays
Driving cross-country and breathing in the sunrays
I remember those nights we would spend on the lawn
We would lie there all night and not rise until dawn
I remember those restaurants you’d take me to eat
And the movies afterwards that made the night complete
I remember those songs you’d perform for me
I loved every single one of them, I can really guarantee
I remember those years that flew by so fast
With every moment we shared, it was so clear it would last
I remember that night when we shared our last moment
When we’d say our farewells and reminisce on our life spent
Even though you’re still down there and I’m up above
We both know that nothing could ever tear apart this love
I remember that day when you said it was meant to be
My heart could not believe it; I was so happy
I remember those hours we would stay on the phone
Sometimes we’d be silent, but we knew we weren’t alone
I remember those trips we would take on holidays
Driving cross-country and breathing in the sunrays
I remember those nights we would spend on the lawn
We would lie there all night and not rise until dawn
I remember those restaurants you’d take me to eat
And the movies afterwards that made the night complete
I remember those songs you’d perform for me
I loved every single one of them, I can really guarantee
I remember those years that flew by so fast
With every moment we shared, it was so clear it would last
I remember that night when we shared our last moment
When we’d say our farewells and reminisce on our life spent
Even though you’re still down there and I’m up above
We both know that nothing could ever tear apart this love
Original Poem: You Are My Life
You Are My Life
You’re everywhere within my life
A knife, my clothes, that bottle of wine
Many don’t understand how important you are
Of course, they just have not learned
With you existing, everything’s like a puzzle
All things just seem to fit together
Humanity can’t see you, but some of us know you’re there
And how we couldn’t live without you
It may sound strange to some
Being unable to see you individually
We realize how much you impact our world
Plus actually bring us into existence
It’s hard to tell whether or not it’s true
If we take the time to look around
We touch ourselves and the surroundings
Still, unable to feel you move
To imagine our society bound together by you
Is a thought some people can’t fathom
Some cannot believe that an invisible thing
Can create the earth where they live and breathe
Persuasive Analysis: Orbit Gum
This picture of an ad was taken off the internet in a search for editorials and ads/commercials for the portfolio. This advertisement for Orbit chewing gum is an example of the fallacy Appeal to Crowd. The huge number of people in the world desire to have bright and shiny teeth. This ad shows light bulbs in the shape of teeth. The light bulbs are really bright and really white, which goes along with the tag line, “For bright, white teeth.” This advertisement would appeal to many because it shows the desirable outcome of shiny, white teeth if you decide to buy and chew Orbit gum.
Song Interpretation: Diamonds
Peppertones - Diamonds
lyrics:
blurry daydreams singing solace to me
distant callings soothing voices i hear
today's the day, all those in the way are gone
step out to the road, and you will recover the beauty,
all the spice of your life
look up to the sky, and you will discover
infinity, is way up there so definitely
cosmic visions flashing shining truly
breezy, windy, sunshine tenderly
TODAY
step out to the road, and you will recover the beauty,
all the spice of your life
look up to the sky, and you will discover
infinity, is way up there so definitely
Peppertones is actually a Korean indie band. However, a lot of their songs are sung in English therefore making it usable for this song analysis part of the portfolio!
“Diamonds” is a song written and sung by the Peppertones. The story behind the song is about letting go of all hardships and just living freely without any worries.
Peppertones uses personification in the first stanza. The first line reads, “Blurry daydreams singing solace to me.” This line gives the inanimate object “daydreams” the ability to sing cheerfully to someone. The first stanza is all about the narrator’s surroundings becoming less worrisome and that the world is becoming brighter. The speaker states, “Today’s the day all those in the way are gone.” The line basically means what it says. Everything that held the speaker back from fulfilling a completely free life has been conquered and now he can do what he wants without having to worry about what would be affected if he did.
The chorus of the song tells the audience that if you just take those steps in achieving your goal, you will get their eventually and realize that there is no limit to happiness and living with no worries.
The diction of “Diamonds” feels very vibrant. The words Peppertones chose sound very cheerful and have an uplifting tone. Words such as “soothing,” “sunshine,” and “shining” are all words that sound pleasing to the ears and have happy meanings. These words have a direct impact on the entire song’s meaning about reaching complete freedom and living with no worries.
The lines, “Look up to the sky, and you will discover infinity is way up there so definitely,” means that there are no limits to achieving anything. No matter what you want to accomplish, all you have to do is wear a smile on your face and chase after your dream.
lyrics:
blurry daydreams singing solace to me
distant callings soothing voices i hear
today's the day, all those in the way are gone
step out to the road, and you will recover the beauty,
all the spice of your life
look up to the sky, and you will discover
infinity, is way up there so definitely
cosmic visions flashing shining truly
breezy, windy, sunshine tenderly
TODAY
step out to the road, and you will recover the beauty,
all the spice of your life
look up to the sky, and you will discover
infinity, is way up there so definitely
Peppertones is actually a Korean indie band. However, a lot of their songs are sung in English therefore making it usable for this song analysis part of the portfolio!
“Diamonds” is a song written and sung by the Peppertones. The story behind the song is about letting go of all hardships and just living freely without any worries.
Peppertones uses personification in the first stanza. The first line reads, “Blurry daydreams singing solace to me.” This line gives the inanimate object “daydreams” the ability to sing cheerfully to someone. The first stanza is all about the narrator’s surroundings becoming less worrisome and that the world is becoming brighter. The speaker states, “Today’s the day all those in the way are gone.” The line basically means what it says. Everything that held the speaker back from fulfilling a completely free life has been conquered and now he can do what he wants without having to worry about what would be affected if he did.
The chorus of the song tells the audience that if you just take those steps in achieving your goal, you will get their eventually and realize that there is no limit to happiness and living with no worries.
The diction of “Diamonds” feels very vibrant. The words Peppertones chose sound very cheerful and have an uplifting tone. Words such as “soothing,” “sunshine,” and “shining” are all words that sound pleasing to the ears and have happy meanings. These words have a direct impact on the entire song’s meaning about reaching complete freedom and living with no worries.
The lines, “Look up to the sky, and you will discover infinity is way up there so definitely,” means that there are no limits to achieving anything. No matter what you want to accomplish, all you have to do is wear a smile on your face and chase after your dream.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Original Poem: If Only...
If Only...
If I could only be your rockstar
I would drain out all your fears
Whenever you feel that hidden ache
My music would dry those tears
If I could only be your scientist
I would find that impossible cure
And in the night when it’s hard to fight
It would make you superior
If I could only be your instructor
I would teach you the way to live
I’d give you hints to forget the unimportant
And more of what I can give
If I could only be your mother
I could just tell you it’s alright
That your dad didn’t mean to do it
And that the future ahead is bright
-Nikki
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