Open topic #5: Writing

 An open topic I've decided today: writing.

(Picture from pinterest) 

Hyperlink to grammarly-- always helpful to look over your essay or any writing

Types of writing 

There are so many types of writing in the world. Those could be free writing (freely writing about whatever you're interested in), narrative writing (like books telling stories), persuasive/argumentative writing (convincing or persuade readers to agree to a certain perspective or action),  school writing (the times in middle school and high school writing those essays-- introduction, body paragraph one, body paragraph two, body paragraph three, (and more each body paragraph as CUE (Context, Use of evidence/quote, Explain and elaborate) with transition to next body paragraphs), and finally conclusion), poetry (that has rhythm, rhyme, metaphor, imagery, abstract ideas, unique, interesting, etc), and more. Blogging could also be considered as writing, as it's a form of online writing that organizes, creates, and publishes stuff on there. It could be any topic, and have different styles of writing. 

Effects it has on us

Besides speaking, writing is another way to communicate with others. It allows you to express and reflect thoughts, ideas, emotions, and more to self/others. To educate and interpret information yourself-- whether it's real or fiction-- it'll leave you to imagine, understand, and/or wonder about what the writer wrote about. Creates a sense of community, as others may have the same opinion or thoughts as you, or one may be unsure or uncertain about something but seeing a writing piece-- it'll give certainty to their confusion. Relaxing, free, inspired, less stressed, and more.

Mine

I write because I love to rant and vent about anything I’m dealing with or am interested in. I feel like I’m able to express myself better this way than speaking. As English is my third language, sometimes words do not come as easily– but on the bright side, I can go in detail/be descriptive about something I’m not sure how to word on paper than speaking. When I speak, I have a brief moment of silence just to think about how to say something or form my thoughts correctly to say it correctly. It’s the same as writing– but when I write, I can visually see my thoughts and revise it. It’s quite enjoyable to revise– but that’s only if I have time. Sometimes it’s really stressful to revise when I have no time. I also love to read comments or write pieces that had some similar perspectives or ideas as me– or finding new perspectives or ideas to grow from. Additionally, it’s enjoyable to look back at my old pieces of writing, see how I slowly improve my writing and how I’m able to express my thoughts and ideas throughout my writing life.

Open topic #4: Scrapbook

 An open topic I've decided today: Scrapbook.

(a picture of a page of my scrapbook)

The Basics

   Scrapbooking may seem easy, as it just needs some paper, stickers, tape, pictures printed and assembled together– but the final product might not be how you imagined. Yes, some paper, stickers, tape, and pictures printed are a part of scrapbooking, but you must also consider the theme, type of tape (most preferred is double-sided tape), pictures,photographs, pens, markers, color pencils, extra deigned or colored papers, stickers, ribbons, and more. Those are some of the materials you'd consider. Now you must consider the layout design, color, organization, cropping and adjusting, what's being layered, creativity and personal touches. Considering these factors, the page won't look like a mess and will look aesthetic (and memorable mostly to ourselves) to you and others who might see a page of your scrapbook! Here's a link to a YouTube link for a scrapbook ideas! And here's a link to a beginner guide to scrapbook article! 

Memories

   Once you got down a theme, materials, layout figured out-- start assembling it! Scrapbooking is like keeping  memories onto a page and being creative and personal of how it's being designed. Adding notes and pictures makes it more personal and memorable. Adding decorations and any mini details makes it look more visually appealing. I also use interactive stuff for my scrapbook. For example, a flip-up, an envelope, a pocket, and/or pull-out tab. I mostly use the envelope option to put more pictures or notes inside. Enjoy the process of making the page, it’s relaxing and more enjoyable than just rushing to finish it and seeing the final product. Though finishing it and looking at the overall work, it feels great to start a new one. 

Effects it has on us

   Scrapbooking is a way to relax and enjoy the process. It's a place to keep memories and personal history, add personal and creativity into it, improve organization skills, and  improve problem-solving because you're figuring out solution(s) when layering or adding details. Additionally, we can pay attention to details, it can be emotionally healing, bring happiness, and connections with others when you share your scrapbook page. It’s nice to ourselves, but we can also give them as a gift to our friends and family. We also can continue learning different techniques and ways to decorate the pages.  

Open topic #3: Dance

 An open topic I've decided today: Dance.

(a picture of me in a dance room-- sitting on a big bouncy ball taking a mini break at YMCA)

Types of dancing styles

   There are so many types of dance styles in the world. I'll just list a few examples: ballet, hip-hop, k-pop, tap dance, salsa, tango, just dance, line dance, and more. I think every country's dance style is unique and beautiful. It shows their history, cultural expressions, music, evolving, creativity, entertainment and enjoyment, for special occasions, etc. 

Effects dancing has on us 

   Dancing can impact one's physical and mental well-being. It can be used as a workout, social connection, reduce stress, express yourself, boost confidence, improve cognitive function and memory, coordination, creativity, joy, emotions released, and many more. I use dancing as a workout, making connections with others, joy, fun, and improving memory and coordination. 

Mine

   I don’t dance for a team or a group, but dancing is just a hobby of mine. I really enjoy it, as it’s a time to de-stress, not think about anything– just pour my soul and feelings into the music and dance. It’s like a two in one deal– it’s a workout for me, as well as it is a mental and emotional briefing moment to just have me. I listen to pop and k-pop songs, and I usually dance to k-pop ones often because they have choreographs. And occasionally to 1MILLION Dance Studio on YouTube. I also usually go on Instagram and YouTube, looking at reels/shorts of mini dances, so sometimes I’d watch it, learn, and master it. 

Open Topic #2: Music

 An open topic I've decided today: Music.

(Picture from Pintrest)

Mini music history.   

   Starting off with a mini history of music genre, trends, and culture. Around the time of the 18th century, classical music was invented. It was full of orchestras and composers, and famous people from then like Mozart and Beethoven. Then in the early 20th century and sometime in the 1900s-- jazz and rock'n roll. It had rhythm and beat to music. Some famous people back then like Elvis Presley changed the symphony orchestras to electric guitars and rock performances. Around the late 20th century, hip-hop came into the music world-- lots of rapping, DJ, break dancing, etc. During this time period, hip-hop was a time for self-expression and expressing issues of inequality, urban life, and more. Pop music also came into the world in the 1950s, bopping and catchy beats to artists like Michael Jackson, The Beatles, and more. With today's present time, K-pop, Indie and other kinds of music are more popular. K-pop (Korean pop music) is known for its catchy tunes, and choreography, indies and other kinds for mini artists or non-mainstream music genres. Some (k-pop) groups are BTS, Blackpink, etc, and (Indie and others) Radiohead, Nirvana, etc. 

Where I use music 

  All I need are my earbuds and my phone with me. Pop and K-pop are my main genres, but I do listen to other genres (using Spotify or YouTube Music). I use music for school, home, and really anywhere I go. For school, I use the pomodoro method (that’s having a fixed set amount of time to do homework and/or study, and a fixed set amount of time for break. An example is 25-5, 25 minutes for studying/homework, and 5 minute break). Also have music to write or get some work (whether it’s for doing some stats/math problems, writing a paper for english/writing class, work on my psychology busting myths journal assignments, etc) done at the library with music as the background sound. At home, it’s pretty similar to when I’m at school— I use the pomodoro method to do my work– sometimes I just blast my music and just work for hours without a break. I get distracted easily and need to focus and get my work all in one sitting most of the time. When I’m not studying/doing homework, I would have a mini karaoke session in my room and just sing away! A way to relax. I also dance while I sing sometimes. Other times I use music in the car, jamming out with my friends while getting to our destination, my sister and I jamming out in the kitchen, on a walk in my neighborhood with earbuds and music on, and wherever else I go, dancing as my workout, going to an actual karaoke place and sing away, and more. 

Effects of music on us 

   Music has so many effects on us! It could create certain moods, relieve stress/depression/pain, bring or make memories, motivation and concentration, understanding us, helping us sleep, connections with others similar taste in music, and just overall a positive effect on everyone's well-being. I relate with everything I listed, because music just understands us and creates happiness and understanding that we, ourselves, might not be able to realize or understand.