allusion photoshop DRAFT

so what i was trying to get with this picture was a 'leave your own print onto the world' kinda thing, but uh ya no

Allusion Poem Draft

new faces, places
ignite foundational sparks of thought
   for what Oh Captain My Captain fought

words collected, crafted
they'd go on for what's longer than what we'd ever lasted
   but still we'd have the favorable time to tell of our encountered sensations

summer wind, whim
how the fragments of our minds carry on, and i'd pray that the days be far less grim
   the day'd be ours with our declared Carpe Diem!

to live, thrive
does the language of passion allow us to pursue, allow us to everlastingly woo
   and so we'd use this as we'd suck all of we could out of great life

individual notion, thought
shouldn't be so easily bought, isn't just a mere smear of old tattered brain gear
   this was all shared as well as found in our cave underground

only ours, exclusively
in no other's could you find what's going through my own mind
   like Todd we'd all have our thoughts odd

opened doors, so much more
does the art of words provide
   this kind of freedom Neil would try to strive

"O me, O life of the questions of these recurring. Of the endless trains of the faithless. Of cities filled with the foolish. What good amid these, O me, O life? Answer: that you are here. That life exists and identity. That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse."

Standards Portfolio

http://briannuhmartin.wix.com/wrtingstandardsyo#!about1/cxde 

Angry Letter Final

120 21st Street

Honolulu, HI 96818

December 2, 2013

Hickam Communities Earheart Center

210 Kokomalei Street

Honolulu, HI 96818

Dear Hickam Communities,

I can honestly say that I have the great privilege of living in a community that is, overall, well kept and pleasurable. Living on base housing, I have the benefit of having a company look over the well-being of my community-- which is not something that a lot of people have the pleasure of receiving. 

Though grateful for this service, the housing maintenance department of the company doesn’t always meet the satisfaction and needs of residents. My family has personally had an experience with the maintenance department not doing their job right. 

A couple weeks ago, our water heater broke, leaving us with no hot water. Showering in the morning with freezing cold water wasn't something we enjoyed, so my father decided to call maintenance to get the problem fixed. When he called, he was told it wasn't an emergency, but they'd come to us in the hours between 1-5 pm. This was fine with my dad; as long as we had hot water for the next day, we were good. But help didn't arrive until 6:13. My dad took off of work early to make sure he was there when the maintenance guys arrived, but he might as well've stayed the day at work considering how late they were. However, their late arrival was not a mistake on their part. They were rushed out at last minute by their superiors, they were supposed to have the rest of the day off but instead they got this "last minute job". Fixing a water heater is not a quick and easy job- the maintenance workers were busy repairing the heater until 10 o'clock at night. Going past the great inconvenience this was to my family; this was also very unfair to the workers themselves. They deserve to be told in advance of the things they need to do, so they can do it properly. 

With my understanding there are about 15-20 maintenance workers operating within your facilities. With plenty of workers to get the job done, if scheduled properly, the issues residents have with maintenance could be resolved. On your website, it lists leakages as one of the top emergencies to be attended to by maintenance. Our water heater wasn’t working due to a leakage in the machine. If you all claim that leaks are in the top priority of maintenance, you should commit and attend to those you told were in priority.

Throughout this whole time, the workers themselves were cooperating well. Together they worked for hours in the back of my family's Lanai trying to complete a task they had little to no notice about. They apologized for being late and explained their supervisor's act of telling them on the spot.

I really do appreciate everything your company does for me, but I feel that communication amongst those in your work staff is something that should be improved. My community depends on your company for many of their residential needs- how your company functions as a whole has an enormous effect on the lives of the residents themselves.

Thanks for your time,

Brianna M. Martin-Ortega

Angry Letter

120 21st Street

Honolulu, HI 96818

December 2, 2013

Hickam Communities Earheart Center

210 Kokomalei Street

Honolulu, HI 96818

Dear Hickam Communities,

I can honestly say that I have the great privilege of living in a community that is, overall, well kept and pleasurable. Living on base housing, I have the benefit of having a company look over the well-being of my community-- which is not something that a lot of people have the pleasure of receiving. 

Though grateful for this service, the housing maintenance department of the company doesn’t always meet the satisfaction and needs of residents. My family has personally had an experience with the maintenance department not doing their job right. 

A couple weeks ago, our water heater broke, leaving us with no hot water. Showering in the morning with freezing cold water wasn't something we enjoyed, so my father decided to call maintenance to get the problem fixed. When he called, he was told it wasn't an emergency, but they'd come to us in the hours between 1-5 pm. This was fine with my dad; as long as we had hot water for the next day, we were good. But help didn't arrive until 6:13. My dad took off of work early to make sure he was there when the maintenance guys arrived, but he might as well've stayed the day at work considering how late they were. However, their late arrival was not a mistake on their part. They were rushed out at last minute by their superiors, they were supposed to have the rest of the day off but instead they got this "last minute job". Fixing a water heater is not a quick and easy job- the maintenance workers were busy repairing the heater until 10 o'clock at night. Going past the great inconvenience this was to my family; this was also very unfair to the workers themselves. They deserve to be told in advance of the things they need to do, so they can do it properly.

Throughout this whole time, the workers themselves were cooperating well. Together they worked for hours in the back of my family's Lanai trying to complete a task they had little to no notice about. They apologized for being late and explained their supervisor's act of telling them on the spot.

I really do appreciate everything your company does for me, but I feel that communication amongst those in your work staff is something that should be improved. My community depends on your company for many of their residential needs- how your company functions as a whole has an enormous effect on the lives of the residents themselves.

Thanks for your time,

Brianna M. Martin-Ortega

Risky Business Final

  As children grow older and enter a new stage of adolescents, they are faced with new kinds of trials and challenges. Some teenagers go through these years with ease; little worry and thrill filled days. But others find these years more difficult, and have a harder time getting past their hardships. For those who face more difficult times and seek an escape, all options seem viable- including permanent ones, like suicide. Though some believe teen suicide isn’t a major problem in the US, the facts show it is rapidly increasing and things should be done to increase awareness and prevent suicide.

      Suicide, though very real and very tragic, isn't always acknowledged as the real problem it is. According to a recent government study on suicide, between the years of 1990- 2001, suicide amongst teens decreased by 4 percent. That is the most significant decrease in suicide we've seen within the last 20 years. Since then, unfortunately, the numbers on suicide have only gone up with the amount of lives being taken. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention reveals to us that over the past 10 years, the rate of suicide generally increased and by 2010 stood at 12.1 deaths per 100,000. These most recent numbers are the ones that most accurately represent the current issue of teen suicide. It's when you see these numbers that you grasp the realization of suicide amongst teens.
      Though some try to argue against the significance and true issue of teen suicide, the facts reveal the truth about the issue and reality of teen suicide. According to an article published by the New York Times, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death- 3rd leading cause amongst teens specifically.This proves the severity and recurrence of suicide in general, and especially in teens. Because teens are still developing and are particularly vulnerable, they should be made aware of the support they have and should be aware of what they can do, and the help they have access to when in difficult situations.

     Suicide is a problem, and like many other problems, solutions can be found. According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness, over 90 percent of people who commit suicide have been diagnosed with mental illness. Along with increased awareness, studies show that interventions have been used successfully to treat illnesses known to be associated with suicide. If looking to solve the travesty of suicide, and most suicide incidents are caused by the drag of mental illness, common logical thought would be to start with those burdened by mental illnesses. Though suicide isn't something that can be completely eradicated; helping the mentally ill to find another way out would most definitely transform the situation of suicide and the situation of many people's lives.
      Suicide is something that no one likes to acknowledge, and why would you? Its a terribly inconsolable thing that has nothing positive to offer in anyone’s life, and a dejected way to end a life. But suicide is a problem- a problem that continues to worsen day by day. A problem we can take a stand on once we decide to acknowledge it and work towards preventing it.