Final Reflection

I gotta be honest, I love this class! It was very different from any writing class I've ever taken. It was fun! I loved the fact that we made the things that we wrote about. We actually got to experience them, which meant we were able to tell a true and honest story in our writings. I was excited to actually try something I've never done before and everything that we did in this class were all new things. I liked that I actually got to make something from scratch and turned in into something pretty cool. When I first signed up for the class, I really didn't know what to expect. It sounded interesting but I was nervous because I didn't know what I know what to expect besides writing papers. Turns out, it is actually really fun to "hack" into a community and observed them, make a cute little aid for a cute little dog, make my own first piece of art out of strings, or appreciating that we are all makers and that we just simply didn't recognized it before. I also think that Dr. Reitmeyer should continue to teach this class in the future. Its Exciting!

Yay for break! Happy Holidays!


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Final Reflection

This class way unlike any class I have ever taken. I have never been a huge writer. Writing was never really my thing. I like doing physical things with my hands. Making, manipulating, hacking anything that I could get my hands on. That is why this class was so interesting. When I realized I was going to have to take a writing class I was not too happy, but it was not something that I could change so I can to terms with its and started looking at what I could take. When I say this class I was intrigued. The thought that went through my head was that if I was going to have to write, it might as well be about something that I like doing in the first place. 

I have learned a lot from this class, both about making and about writing. I still would not call myself a great writer, but I would say that my writing has definitely improved. Most of what I have had to write in the past was essays on books, and research papers that very concrete, but this class was a lot different. It allowed for a lot of creativity, while still maintaining the structure necessary for school learning environment. 

My favorite part of this class was definitely the final make project. I this project we were told to make something. When I first say it I couldn't believe that making something was out final. So I kept in in the back of my head for the majority of the semester, and come time to decide what I was going to make, I had a pretty good idea. It was a little over ambitious, but wheres the fun and safe and easy. I end up completing a huge chunk of what I wanted to do and was very happy about it. This class encouraged me to think about my making process and to try to reflect on and improve it.

Making process

Making the model of Master Shake was pretty difficult. When creating a 3D model you are constantly changing views of the model, because the line you just drew might look correct in one view but then it will be going in the complete opposite direction you thought it was going. I started off by making the body which was the most complex part of the model. After the body was created I made the hands. Having to free draw the hands on a laptop mouse pad was extremely difficult. Finally I made Master Shakes straw. The next step was for me to start printing out the parts of Master Shake. The first day I tried to print the body the printer would not even lay down the melted plastic. All it did was create little coils and clumps of plastic it did this ten times. The second time we fixed the clumping problem, but then I found a flaw in my model. I made Master Shake hollow so it would take as much material and for some reason it made him without a lid. I found this problem when I was previewing the print and looking at all the layers I noticed it had no top. So then I went back and fixed the model. After fixing the model and finally getting the printer to work it was time to start printing the body. I set up the printer and started printing the body. Everything was going good up until around 85% when the model started to move around on the 3D printers tray. That’s when I had to cancel the print because it lost its position. I tried printing it multiple more times even in different sizes to see if that would change anything, but the model kept coming loose at different times. The only things I was able to successfully print where the hands.

The Last Hurrah

Let's see, how do I start this blog post? <-- Like that. Haha no. I suppose that I would start off by saying that I actually enjoyed learning under Prof. Reitmeyer. I should be focusing on the class, but technically, talking about the teacher is the best way to talk about the class itself.
There is a lot to say about Prof. Reitmeyer, but what I enjoyed most about her was her upbeat attitude and enthusiasm to teach. I believe it is stated in my blog about learning back at the beginning of the year that I did not like school, so having a teacher that is so excited for it has been... interesting to say the least. I find it comforting to know that I do not always need to be excited to learn, because the Prof. will most definitely express it for me, and a probably a few others as well. That wasn't a lot, but that is enough of the kumu (teacher). Smooth Transition.
Just like with the Prof., I enjoyed the class. Maker's Space has been very insightful to my knowledge on the making game, and also, surprisingly, quite inspirational in, well, making me make. Or rather want to make; everyone in the class knows I cannot actually make. With all of the projects we received in the class, I have been well trained in preparing for future makes. That is another thing; the projects that we were assigned, the amount that we had; there was not a lot of them. Wow I appreciated that. I know that I should not actually be grateful for the number because they were big projects that required a lot of time, but I am looking at the bigger picture. Thank goodness we did not have a lot of projects and even smaller assignments for the class. I guess that is all I have to say about the class. Last Smooth Transition for the semester.
Thank you, Prof., for a good and easy time.


Take it easy,

Keola Pascua

^^Look at me ending this thing like a letter. Where did that come from?

Last Week of School! ... For now

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Blog 13: Last Blog Post

This class over the past semester has been interesting to say the least. I remember coming to class and being super intimidated while also being annoyed by the fact that I had to take a writing class. I hated writing. Ever since high school I had been told that I was a failure at writing, and what's funny is that no one teacher could ever tell me why. They'd just write marks on my paper saying unclear and fix this while all the while it would seem like they favored other writing styles and papers over mine every time. The thing I hated about this was that no one could ever guide me. I never learned anything new about writing. I just wrote how I'd always written.
In Writing Analytically though, I feel like I've learned to like writing more and more and I've learned how to write in better ways. It seemed as though the textbook we had and the papers posted online, and all the classes full of discussions about writing really helped (at leastt I hope this is refelcted in my writing). I've learned to look at writing in a different light, and that when I'm writing I need to choose an angle that I prefer or else it can be not so fun to type something up.  It feels that I can finally look at a writing prompt and not think "Oh hey, this is gonna suck." I can actually think about what I'm going to do, sit down and type something out, come back to it, and get it done instead of dreading writing the entire way through.

Thanks for this Dr. Reitmeyer! Your class has been a pretty great one.

The Last Maker Blog

     When I first read that our last blog was supposed to be one that wrapped up what we have learned in the Maker class I had no clue what to write about. I have learned so much and have so many take away's from this class, how could I possibly include them all into a 500 word blog? But, I still have to write something, and therefore here is some, but most definitely not all, of the things I've learned and will take away for Dr. Reitmeyer's class.
     The first thing I learned in the Maker class is that everyone, yes everyone, is a maker. Whether it be an essay or space shuttle, we all make something because we all have the desire to make. It took me some time to actually believe this one but once I did, it was as if a whole world of possibility opened up to me.
     Another thing I learned in this class is that nobody does most anything perfect, or even near perfect, on the first try. Perfection takes practice and time, but this is no reason to give up. What's that old saying, if you fall off the horse, get up and back on the sattle again? I can't tell you how many "shitty first drafts" or awful proto-types I have made, but now I know that these things are just the process in which we someday receive a better version.
    The last thing I've learned through this class, or at least the last thing I'm going to talk about learning, is that everything can be, and is connected. Whether it be your writing class and your math class, or your speech class and your science class, everything connects. And, if everything connects, it's important to explore all aspects of life (different classes than just what you degree needs not like murder or something) so that you get a better understanding of life as a whole and become a much more rounded person.
    The last thing I would like to say in this blog is a big THANK YOU to Dr. Reitmeyer and all of her awesomeness and even more towards the awesomeness of her teachings.

Making and Manifesto

     When I began my project of making, my Manifesto was to make for someone else. It was to use my making skills for the greater good. This was because, in doing so, I would have a greater purpose in making and therefore every struggle, every time I wanted to give up, and every tedious hour spent on creating my make, it could remind myself of the purpose of it all. Therefore I decided to make a baby mobile for my boss.
     When I was creating my mobile, I can remember so many times during the process when I wanted to give up. After my horrible proto-type, after burning myself about forty times while making my sheep, and most defiantly when I had to try to make my clouds hold together after the third time gluing them together, but in each instance I would go back to my Manifesto.
     "Your doing this for the greater good of those around you. Your doing this for Cindy." I would tell this to myself over and over and over again, get myself back together, and go about making all over again.
In the end I was left with a beautiful piece of art work and was extremely joyed when I saw the look on Cindy's face when she received my gift. That's what made this project worth all the pain. The look on Cindy's face.
I end this blog with one of my favorite quotes:

Making Process

My experience with my making process was fun and exciting. I had never made something completely on my own and finished it all the way, so when I had done that I was very pleased with myself. The research at the beginning of this project was very stressful because I felt like I didn't have enough sources to make my paper complete. I didn't exactly know what to research on my mason jar organizer and that was the hardest part. When I finally got to start making my project, I was so excited. It was a great feeling making my project for my older sister because she's done so much for me. Making this organizer for my sister definitely connects to my maker manifesto because one of my main points in my manifesto is building close relationships and strengthening the bonds I have with people I'm already close with. I also really liked finishing my Imake by presenting it to the class. I think this is a great way to display our work and show the class how hard we worked on this project. I had a lot of fun during my making process and hope I can do something like this on my own in the future.

The Process of Making, In the Project and Life

I didn't really have a process in mind when I started making my lamps. It was a very haphazardy, and I didn't really ever have a plan. It was me looking at pictures and trying to create these lamps and I feel like that is how I go through life. I don't have a plan, for anything really, and I just go with the flow. I feel like that is what you're supposed to do. It is really boring to have a plan!

The research for my make came last, and the building process came before anything else. I seem to always dive in first to projects and not worry about the guidelines until after I am done with the biggest part. I always go back and read the rubric after I am done and fill in the missing parts, if there are any.

I also always seem to say things before I think of them. I often don't think, I just do. That is how I react with all of my projects, papers, relationships and sometimes it has come to bite me in the butt. Often times though, it has worked, and I will stay with my philosophy.

Melanie's Making Process

Through this course we have all gained insight regarding our making processes. Thanks to this class, we continue on our college journeys, with a better understanding of our individuality and how to express ourselves.  I’ve learned a lot about myself throughout the semester. I not only discovered how to better articulate myself through my writing but also how to effectively “make” things. I can honestly say that the skills that I have gained through this course will no doubt help me in my future endeavors, and I’m sure many of my classmates would agree with that statement, as well. 

In regards to my making process, I have discovered that curiosity is so important and that it kick starts the creative process. I also have found that I need a solid outline/plan prior to creating or making anything. Otherwise, I end up with a final product that I’m not proud of. I need organization to efficiently create something, whether that be in regards to my academic projects or my art projects. I’ve also accepted the fact that making mistakes is inevitable and that mistakes will give me knowledge and wisdom, in the end. I have also established that it’s essential that I share my creativity, because what’s the point in creating anything if it’s not shared? 

Ultimately, I would encourage my classmates to continue to be creative and to contribute their perspectives to the world, because we all have something to say, and what we have to say matters.

Here is what I left our class with. My TOMS may not be perfect, but I’m beyond proud of them, because they represent who I am as a person :) 

Research for My Make

The research for this make was difficult to begin. The history of lamps is not a thrilling topic, and everyone else seems to be on the same page with that. Books on the other hand, have a very interesting history. Books have been made out of very weird and strange things, and the oldest book in the world was just discovered a few months ago. That is definitely pretty cool! 

This project can integrate research in multiple ways, and research can be taken from multiple sources, that you wouldn't think of for a normal research project. I was able to get research from YouTube videos, Inscrutables, and also just pictures. The research has also been fun too. It is interesting to see how much books and lamps have changed overtime. The things humans used to do really surprise me, such as making lamps out of birds. 

Another cool thing that I discovered is that a lot of different food can conduct electricity. Oranges and potatoes and any animal with a nervous system can conduct electricity too. Like frogs!

I like this project, and I really think that there is cool history. 

I-Make a Book Lamp

I want to make a book lamp because I thought of the idea as fun, artistic and different. I have never known that such things existed, and I felt as though the idea was different enough, and could be somewhat interesting and surprising to the people who would watch me created it. 

I have most of the materials, and I have an account on Esty and Tumblr and Pinterest, all wonderful sites that would help me tremendously, I have books, and besides a light bulb, that is pretty much all you need. 

I love reading, and I love books, and I want to create something that I would enjoy and also something is cool in general. It won't take that long to complete, and there is already interesting research that is popping up and creating even more incentive for me to want to do this. 

I really think that I am going to enjoy this project and I hope it turns out as neat as it looks. There are many different versions of book lamps and I plan on making several. I hope they turn out to be something that I can be proud of. 

My Manifesto in Regards to Regis

Regis University has definitely pushed met to me my best, just as my writing analytically class has. I am definitely in love with exploring, and Regis promotes exploring and I am in love with writing and Regis supports that too! I want to make myself, the best self I can be and Regis has let me know that I can do that.

I have always dreamed of helping people, and with the help of Regis and my psychology degree, I really hope that is what happens. I want to make novels, and songs, and more wax art, and I want to make with love and passion. Life is so immensely beautiful and we can make it more beautiful and that's what I want to do.

Regis opens so many doors, and I can pick from which ones I want to go through. I can make my future, and I can make good things happen. There is an inspirational sign that I pass everyday on the way to writing and it says that good things come to those who make them happen. I want to be good, and fun, and intelligent and I want to make a difference. Or make people listen, or make them know that I am here and that I matter.

I have always had a fear of never contributing things to the world. That I will be forgotten, and become a nameless face in the masses. I don't want fame, but I want to make a life where people love me and where people know that I was here. I want them to know I matter and Regis will help me tell others that they matter too.

My Making Process

For my I-make project, I made a 1920's inspired canvas, in which I spray painted with blue glitter spray paint, and incorporated a quote from F. Scott Fitzgerald from his novel The Great Gatsby.  Overall, my making process for my canvas project was both interesting and difficult, although it was fun as well.  The most challenging part of doing this project for me, was the research itself.  In the beginning of my research process, I found it incredibly difficult to even find any articles regarding canvases, and I felt somewhat defeated because of it.  Once I finally decided to incorporate a quote from F. Scott Fitzgerald, my research suddenly became much easier, and I discovered many unique facts and historical customs from the era of the 1920's.  Even though the research was very hard to find at first, I realize my failure to find anything eventually led me to a research topic which was not only more broad, but even more interesting to me.  When physically trying to make my actual I-make project, I had a lot of fun, because I enjoy art and making things very much, however, I did experience some problems with making it as well.  Once I began to make my project, I realized that I had forgotten glue when I had purchased my supplies, and I also realized that I did not buy enough letters to complete my selected quote on my canvas.  Although I did have problems during the making phase, it ended up turning out very nice, and I feel glad to have done this project.  By doing this entire project in general, including the research and the making of the art, I learned that patience and a willingness to learn are required when testing new artistic capabilities, or when researching unknown facts or ideas.  The wonderful thing about art is the background that stands behind the person who created it, and without research, human beings simply would not be as diverse or as interesting as individuals.  The research helps to influence the person, and the person creates the art.