For week three of my 20% project, I finished making two multicolor heart friendship bracelets. The first bracelet was purple and white. The second bracelet was dark pink and light pink. I liked my first one better because the colors contrasted more. This bracelet was one of the easier bracelets I have made.

I didn’t have any struggles this week because this bracelet only required two types of rows: a special row and a normal row. The diamond bracelet was much more complex than the heart bracelet because I had to remember more complicated rows for the different directions. 

Since I didn’t have any struggles, I didn’t have to make many adjustments. I figured out that using a clipboard to keep the bracelet in place instead of tape or a binder clip is more convenient.

I am making good progress on my friendship bracelet-making journey. Next week, I look forward to creating the ultimate letter friendship bracelet.

This week, for my 20% project, I finished a multicolor diamond friendship bracelet. This bracelet was made up of five colors: blue, purple, red, turquoise, and white. It took longer to make than the chevron bracelet from last week since it was more complicated. 

I had a few struggles this week including messing up the order of the colors and getting confused while finishing the last knot of the color before moving on to the next color. When knotting the last two knots of the color, I didn’t know whether I was supposed to tie two forward knots, two backward knots, or one of each. I realized that the book I used, Charm Love: Friendship Bracelets, and the YouTube tutorial I was watching were demonstrating two different ways to create the diamond friendship bracelet, which led to more complications. Because of the complexity of following two different methods, I had to undo several knots before continuing on the right path. 

After several trials and errors, I learned that it was most effective to use the book to figure out the appropriate color pattern. On the other hand, following the video made learning the right kind of knot to use easier. I also learned that preparing to go in the opposite direction meant making one forward knot and one backward knot when going left and vice versa for going right. 

With the completion of the diamond friendship bracelet and the experience gained from week two, my eight-week plan is right on track. For week three, I look forward to learning a brand new pattern and creating a heart friendship bracelet.

There are so many people I would like to invite to dinner. My top three choices are my maternal grandmother, the computer scientist, Margaret Hamilton, and a polyglot named Powell Janulus.

First, I would like to invite my maternal grandmother who passed away two months before I was born. I would love to learn more about her, her life and her interests. I would be grateful to get some life advice to help me through my struggles and hardships in life.

Another dinner guest of mine would be Margaret Hamilton, the famous American computer scientist, who helped NASA develop the Apollo missions’ guidance system. If I invited her to dinner, I would learn more about opportunities in the math and science field.

Finally, I would like to put Powell Janulus on my invitation list. He is a Canadian polyglot who is fluent in 42 languages. I enjoy traveling and exploring new places. If I could learn more languages, I would be able to communicate better and be immersed in the local culture and traditions.

For my 20% Project, I will be improving my friendship bracelet-making skills which will allow me to create unique bracelet designs. Not only will I be able to share them with friends and family, but I will also be able to inspire others to create new crafts of their own. 

This week, I was able to accomplish two Chevron friendship bracelets based on Charm Love: Friendship Bracelets and YouTube tutorials. One of them is made using a combination of different neon colors, and the other one is made using blue threads with different gradients of blue. 

This week went smoothly. However, some of the knots were too loose because they were either not tight enough or knotted incorrectly. 

So, I learned that pulling harder on the knots would make them cleaner. I also learned that I need to focus more to prevent the knots. 

Next time, I will be creating the Diamond Friendship Bracelet, a new type of friendship bracelet. 

If I could select any job in the world, I would choose to become a sports medicine doctor. Ideally, I’d have the option to work in a hospital in my community and occasionally travel to sport games to support the events. 

I have always been passionate about helping people, whether at school, summer camp or in my community. By diagnosing patients, prescribing treatment and working with other medical staff, I will be able to help patients and athletes recover. Having seen how doctors help people in emergency rooms or advise people during physical exams, I know doctors can make a great impact on people’s lives. 

Secondly, I love playing sports and staying active. In fact, sports have always been a significant part of my life. I understand how important it is that people lead healthy and active lives. For that reason, I can relate to patients and their needs and help them get ready to play or compete. 

Finally, a sports medicine doctor is a well paid job. According to statistics, sports medicine doctors earn an above average salary with a strong career outlook. As the population ages and people seek to maintain active lifestyles, there will always be a need for medical professionals in the sports medicine field. Therefore, sport medicine doctors cannot be replaced by robots.

This month, I read A Taste For Love by Jennifer Yen. This 322-page romance novel that takes place in Houston, Texas is about Liza Yang a high school senior who has a “perfect” older sister and a mom who is the owner of Yin and Yang Bakery. Liza and her mom don’t always have the same idea of what is best for her. Liza helps her mom out with an annual baking competition at the bakery. What she doesn’t know is that her mom is “tricking” her into finding the perfect someone for Liza. 

I loved this book because it was a combination of baking, love, and competition. My mouth was watering the whole time simply from reading about the delicious jelly cake and scrumptious Hokkaido milk bread. The vivid imagery makes me imagine tasting the heavenly goodness!

My favorite character is the main character and narrator, Liza. She is an incredible baker and is never afraid to be challenged. The character trait I chose was loyal. When Ben broke up with Liza’s best friend, Grace because of an accusation, Liza came to comfort her right away. When she arrived, she found Grace in her bed looking heartbroken ‘“Nothing. You’ve done nothing wrong, Grace…You’re going to relax and get some sleep. I’ll take care of this.”’ This proves Lisa’s loyalty in the way she cared for Grace and went to help her by getting her boba, making her feel better, and figuring out what caused the breakup.

My favorite line from the book was when Liza told James that he had falsely accused Grace. ‘“What you saw was Nathan taking Grace by surprise and kissing her. You missed the part where she told him off.(278)”’ This proves that not everything is exactly what it seems. It is important to take a chance and see other people’s points of view before judging them or making accusations. 

In March, I also read a 515-page novel, Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. This book takes place during and after the American Civil War. It is about the lives of the four March sisters: Margaret(Meg), Josephine(Jo), Elizabeth(Beth), and Amy. This book takes you through all the sisters’ decade-long journey from their childhood to womanhood.

I loved the way the book showed the four sisters started growing up and the way it covered such a long period of time. I especially enjoy when the story focuses on important events such as receiving letters from relatives, weddings, the birth of children, and relocation. I enjoy how those events propel the story forward to create anticipation and excitement. 

My favorite character from the book is Jo or Josephine. Jo is brave. To bring her father back home, she made her own contribution to providing money to make that happen. As the family gathers to discuss how to gather resources, “As she spoke, Jo took off her bonnet, and a general outcry arose, for all her abundant hair was cut short. (169)” Jo has sold her hair to earn money to bring her father back. This shows that Jo is willing to make sacrifices to keep her family safe and healthy. Cutting off most of her is very brave, Jo is not worried about her outside image especially when she does it to bring her father back home from the war, which is a worthwhile cause

My favorite quote is on page 18. The March sisters and their mom went out of their way and gave up their own food so that another poor family can have a warm meal to overcome hunger and the cold winter. After visiting their neighbors and delivering them breakfast, “…though they didn’t get any of it; and when they went away, leaving comfort behind, I think there were not in all of the city four merrier people than the hungry little girls who gave their breakfasts and contented themselves with bread and milk on Christmas morning.” Even though they were not well off themselves, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy all went to provide warmth and food for those in need. This just shows instead of solely focusing on ourselves, generosity towards others can be very rewarding in its own special way.