Survival Manual

This is the unit 3 Action Project for my Endurance course. This is the third humanities course in the senior Global Vision series. Unit 3 was titled Apotheosis, which means becoming divine, and focused on investigating the endurance of survivors. We utilized their experiences as inspiration for our personal missions. The unit was guided by the survivors stories. We examined how survival changes ones mind and heart. After clearly determining my mission in unit one and working on it in unit two, I needed to figure out how my mission is going to survive. The action project for the unit called upon students to create a survival manual for their mission with the hope of guiding themselves in addition to inspiring others. I really enjoyed this unit as it exposed a lot of the challenges in a mission. This unit emphasized the reality that life is hard and in order to succeed you need to have a clear vision and work towards it. This course has helped further develop my perception of self. The action project allowed me to dive deeper into my mission and think about how it'll unfold in time. I really appreciated the individuality and practically of this project. I think that this was a wonderful way to conclude the unit and move into the next stage of my life!

Autobiography

This is the unit 1 Action Project for my Endurance course. This course is the third and final humanities course in the senior Global Vision series. The course focussed on how to find your journey in life and live it. We examined historical examples of people who refused to lose or give up. We pushed ourselves in the course physically and mentally through a variety of exercises. We learned endurance through enduring. Unit 1 of was titled Morpheus and focused on the dream or mission one will pursue in life. This unit allowed me to further understand and explore where I want to be in life. A variety of readings, class discussions, and FE's made this unit run wonderfully. The action project asked students to put themselves in the future and write an autobiography about their life. I really enjoyed the creative aspect of this project and believed it wrapped up the unit very nicely. After completing my autobiography chapter, I reconfirmed my life's aspirations as well as paid homage to how I got there. Overall, I really enjoyed this unit and it's AP.

Chapter 1

A life Being Lived

MS, Warp of Life, 2017

It all began on Tuesday, August 18th, 1998 when a newly married couple decided to go for breakfast. The restaurant of choice was the original Mitchell’s on Clybourn Ave, which was a favorite spot of theirs but has been closed for many years now. Their food as well as the space was consistent but there was a unique vibe present in the atmosphere. It was a warm summer morning and the two lovers were eagerly awaiting their entrance into parenthood. Following breakfast, the couple continued to enjoy the beautiful day by going for a walk. What started as simple stroll soon shifted into a life changing moment. Intense and consistent contractions signalled to the couple that I, their first creation, was finally ready to come out into the world. While at Prentice Women’s Hospital, I continued to internally notify my mother that It was time for me to be free. At 9:02 PM, I made my entrance into the world. The cutting of the umbilical cord, the physical connector between my mother and me, left me as an individual for the first time. My first solo breathe signalled the start to a never ending personal journey.

My early years were spent bonding with my parents as well as learning about myself and the world through my experiences. My connection to my parents, particularly my mother, was very strong. Our similarities as well her unconditional love for me made it difficult for us to split. I remember hysterically crying when she left me at two hour daycare and not stopping until she picked me up. This deeply rooted connection as well as the emotions it produced evolved over time. When I was around five years old my mother went on a short getaway with her friend. At that point in my life, I was able to leave her with ease for short periods of time but hadn’t experienced prolonged separation. Her departure produced a feeling I’d never felt before. The mental sadness that often came with our separation wasn’t present. A physical sensation reminiscent of not being able to breathe took over my mind and body. The uncertainty of the situation landed me in the emergency room at Children’s Memorial hospital. The intensity of my emotions kept me from fully processing the situation. My father arrived and spoke with various staff members. What was initially believed to be a breathing problem turned out to be my separation anxiety manifesting physically. My father was pleased to hear it was an emotional issue as it allowed him to bring me home and have a plan for combating it. When my mother came back, my parents took me into the front of the house and sat me down to chat. They told me I was going to start seeing a feelings doctor who I could play and talk with. Their salesmanship was stellar, I instantly bought into it. The next week I went to meet him and have our first appointment. I played with toys, screamed, swore and even cried. Unknowingly at the time, I was beginning to embark on my life’s mission of consistent self progression.

I became fully immersed in the psychoanalytic process, attending sessions four days a week. Each session produced new answers along with new questions. The process brought a plethora of my internal issues to the surface. I thought I entered psychoanalysis for one reason but it turned out to be for several. Coming to this understanding was initially very discouraging as It left me believing I had moved backwards. It took me a lot of time to realize that uncovering and working through the issues was a necessary step in effectively moving forward. Once I wholeheartedly embraced the process of problem solving, psychoanalysis became my favorite thing in life. It allowed me to explore myself and my ideas in ways I never imagined possible. I gained tremendous confidence and excitement which directly translated to my creative business ventures. Learning how to problem solve and plan on a personal level was extremely beneficial in the creation of several businesses throughout my life. Seeing the impact of psychoanalysis in my life allowed me to become consciously aware of it being my central mission. I was seeing it, therefore I was believing it.

Psychoanalysis helped engrain my mission of self progression into my mind, body, and soul. The years of my engagement in the process gave me the ability to recognize that traditional schooling wasn’t my fit. I was able to speak up and change my situation for the better. Being able to recognize where you fit in is key but it must be followed by action. Knowing that I wanted to endlessly work on bettering myself, I explored for the best outlet to do so. For my whole life I had been a creative spirit who enjoyed to doodle and make a mess. Out of pure curiosity and spontaneity, I began to make doodles again. These doodles quickly turned into paintings and each painting became progressively larger. I was slowly working my way towards the mirror to my soul. The large scale artwork provided me with a type of emotional outlet I’d never experienced. I was able to translate every emotion, energy, desire, thought into something permanent. I started using the canvas as a mental playground with no rules or expectations. Painting has taught me to be in the moment. The pieces I created were direct translations of my inner world. I was finally finding the gratification and contentment I was after.

The paintings got bigger and the vision progressed. I utilized my increasing self awareness to recognize the current moment and react to it artistically. Just like life, my art became a compilation of my emotions and energies. I admitted my ignorance along with my desire to grow and set off for NYC. I left all that I had known but that was alright because I was going towards what I believed I wanted. I was responding to the ebb and flow of life. Preparation was essential, but nothing could effectively prepare me for the transition. It was scary because it was brand new. There were no expectations, only possibilities. My life long vision was coming into fruition. Things were occurring as I imagined them in my head. The focuss became centered and the purpose was clear. I was to make as much honest artwork as possible in order to be happy. I had found my key to the now, my access to myself.

Sitting all alone in a spacious and well lit room, I think of my past. I know the past is gone forever and the future is just out of reach. My breathe allows me to feel everything, my entire universe, while only being present in the here and now. How and why did I get to where I am? How did my journey unfold? I continuously question myself, but often never find the answers. All I can do is pay tribute to those who’ve undeniably played a role in my life. My grandpa, my father's father, was born in NYC during the great depression. His entire life was defined by overcoming adversity and making the most of every situation. His experiences in life have been super important in instilling ideas of patients, respect, and awareness in me. His subtle way of speaking inspired me to become a better communicator. Such a large part of why I create is to communicate. I want to work in a medium that has no boundaries. I want my artwork to cross all walks of life and the earth. I’ve seen the direct impact of working on myself and want to share the experience being in touch with one's inner self through art. My goal in life has and will continue to be providing people with the keys to unlock their own doors of perception.

My Big Audacious Goal

This is the only Action Project for my elective course M.A.G.I.C. which stands for mentoring achievement of goals and inspiring champions. The purpose of the course was for students to identify a guiding light and analyze their life in order to better understand themselves and live out their dreams. The course allowed students to get inspired, state a goal, create a plan, and put it all into action. Success and failure was a common theme in the course. Quantitative and qualitative data was used throughout the course. A variety of guest speakers came into class to inspire us and answer our questions. M.A.G.I.C. utilized significant figures from throughout history as the educational foundation for teaching students about their life. This class was constantly exciting and deeply impactful. Overall, I was very pleased with the entirety of the course as well as my AP.

Future Of Equality

This is the unit two Action Project for my humanities course Equality. Unit two was titled Herstory and investigated what the future of equality will look like. We studied modern issues involving gender, race, and class. We learned about the feminist movement of 1970's and how it helped to shape certain fights for equality today. The class discussed about how one hears the voices of the marginalized. The action project asked students to look one hundred years into the future and create a time capsule. The time capsule contains various documents which shed light on a specific event relating to equality. I really liked this unit as it allowed me to question a lot of my prior ideas. I like how herstory contradicts some of the fundamental ideas of history. This unit was wonderful and I believe the AP was a creative and engaging way to finish it up.

America’s Destiny:A Futuristic New-Source 

February 24, 2117 

Bridge To Be Built Between The US And Mexico!

   The beginning of the 2100’s has brought a plethora of significant advancements and achievements in equality for all. The United States has recently been focusing their efforts on unifying Americans and Mexicans with a revolutionary border bridge. 

   Various unification efforts have been underway for the past few decades. Currently, there lacks systems and policies that effectively reflect the Mexican majority present here in America.      

Conversations regarding the construction of a border bridge began taking place in Washington, DC last year. An official proposal for the bridge was presented to congress yesterday. 

   The bill received bipartisan support because of it’s potential to produce a substantial cultural and economic impact. Congress’s session prioritized the formulation a budget and timeline. A major component of the proposition is creating a bridge that can be properly utilized across the entirety of the US and Mexico border. The people traveling between the two countries need entry points several times along the border in order for the program and structure to work as intended.
   Another fundamental component is that Mexico will participate in the financing and construction of the bridge. The significant time and monetary investment required for the construction and maintenance should be shared amongst the two countries. History has shown us what racism and xenophobia can do to our nation’s values, progress, and relationships. The intention of the bridge is to recognize our borders as doors rather than walls.
   The bridge is intended to stretch across the whole US - Mexico border and include access points in California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Both US and Mexican citizens will be able to travel back and forth between the two countries from any of the access points. The accessibility of the entries is intended to increase the flow of people crossing. The United States and Mexico share the mutual belief that the bridge will generate economic and cultural prosperity.
   Construction is set to begin before the end of the year and is expected to take just under two years. The old days of “build that wall” are gone and the new days of a connected US - Mexico is approaching!

America’s Destiny:A Futuristic Newsource 

February 24, 2117 

Op-Ed

My name is Julio Sanchez and I’m a Mexican American. My parents made the bold decision to cross the border and have me here in the US. Their lives were secure back in Mexico. They had their friends and family. Both of them had a good job and they shared a nice home. Their decision to come here was made solely for me, their unborn son. Shortly after arriving in Texas they had me and we began our brand new life. They began new jobs but struggled to maintain them due to the language barrier as well as their legal status. We made it through the hard times and now hearing that there’s a strong possibility that our home land might unite with the US via bridge I am overwhelmed with emotion. So much of my history and identity was formed by that border. It acted as a wall both physically and psychologically. We couldn’t go back to our homeland. We were denied the ability to be with our family and culture. The new bill that would begin the construction on a border bridge is the most exciting policies i’ve seen come about in a long time. It recognizes the vast number of Mexicans in the US and their connection to home. It creates a legal framework for going back and forth between the two countries. The economic possibilities for both countries is endless. The transfer of culture and ethnic backgrounds will occur like never before. It really redefines prior notions of countries and borders. Instead of there being an impenetrable wall there is a bridge with has doors in it. For the first time my family will be able to go back where they came from. This act of removing the wall and turning into a bridge is a testament to the unified future we’re heading in.

Bill

An Act

The United States Of America will begin the construction of a border bridge along the entirety of the US - Mexico border. The US will be splitting the finances, construction, and maintenance with Mexico. Both countries hope to strengthen their economies and cultures. The design process officially begins on March 1 and construction will begin in July. The US and Mexico will work vigorously constructing the bridge. The United States and Mexico’s unified efforts towards the bridge will last roughly three years until construction is complete and then many years afterwards allowing the flow of people in and out for the betterment of both countries. 

Unity Puzzle

Come Unlock Your Mind!

Unity Puzzle, MS, 2017

This is a unity puzzle. The theme of the puzzle is turning walls into doors. It’s intended to subliminally inspire players to be more open minded. This game was created because acceptance and unity need to be more widely implemented and puzzle are timeless. A large part of the game is spent building the surrounding wall. After completion, the player realizes that through the wall lays a door to the other side. The hope for the game is to have players break down their walls and start recognizing the doors.