Its almost the end of the year and im sitting here looking at the graduating seniors wishing i was them. Starring out the glass window that separates me from complete freedom. I mean, I already have a good job and all the education i need. So why can i not just go to Automotive technical school and get my certificates to show i can do work on cars. I mean, I have all the skills i need, I just need the certificate to say I actually do. At this point i just want to get everything over and done with and get out of high school. Sure some of the stuff they teach us is worth learning and it does keep us doing something five days a week, but to me some of its just a big waste of time. I could be doing a lot more productive things than learning about atoms and quadratic roots and whatnot. Kids should be able to pick what they want and not have to take useless classes about stuff they dont really need to know about. I want to lean more about engines and the mathematics needed for transmissions and differential gear ratios. or the size bolts needed for certain parts for the headers and exhaust and the amount of stress each size bolt can take before breaking.
Most Senioritis is caused by the feelings they get because they finally get to go out and party in college without parental restriction. I obviously want to do the same but im eager to leave because im ready to work my ass off to be a successful auto mechanic and have my own shop. I want to go out and live my dream and the earlier you start to learn, the better. I want to have my own cars that i can say "I built that from the ground up, literally". I want to pass down my knowledge to younger kin and fortunate people ready to wirk on cars just as hard as me. I want to be known as the car oracle. The guru of all things with engines. I just want to be happy and thats what would just about do it.
Many others may not be ready yet. Some may be nervous, as am I to make it big in the world of millions of people. I just feel that if i were to leave now and get all the knowledge i could that i could excel much greater tan someone who were to wait few years to get started because of the sheer amount of knowledge i can gain in the earlier years. I'm ready to graduate because i have a plan, not because i want to party. I have a chance at making my own future bright because there is no real model for me to pave the way or to send me off to a million dollar college and that makes me want to be better than anyone else could with all the money at their finger tips. It makes me want to be that great role model for other great mechanics in the making. It causes my severe case of Junioritis.
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Dream Do Come True
Have you ever had dream that you never thought could come true? Well, I had a dream that I never thought could come true, and it did. Let me tell you more.
About a year and a half ago, the school consolers were coming into our humanities classes to educate us on the big, sometimes daunting, journey for the college. I began early with searches and made impressive lists of all the qualities and values I wanted in my future educators.
I found that I expected much more than the average Joe college could offer me. As I made appointments to tour schools and attend college fairs, I realized I wanted a professional and well organized liberal arts school where I could excel in the subjects I was strong in. I also discovered that physical surroundings of nature, beauty, and peace were also important to me. I needed a college that was not too close, but not too far, not too rich and not too poor. Not too big, but not too small. Not too smart, and not too dumb. I needed a school where I could grow, learn, develop, and enjoy. And so, the search for the impossible, perfect college began.
My Mom and I started in Maine, right on a beautiful lake. We had five colleges and universities lined up from Maine to Rhode Island, and they all looked pretty hopeful. St. Josephs College in Maine was the first one. It was everything I could've dreamed and hoped for, but I didn't like it. Don't know why, I'm not sure. My Mom started to understand that, after that first college, if it didn't feel right, it was a no go. I am sometimes a complicated person, and if it didn't fit right and I couldn't see myself enjoying college there, it wasn't the school for me.
So we visited another in Maine that left the same impression, so off to RI we went. There was one school in particular that I was excited about, Salve Regina University. It was a beautiful, Catholic school right on the ocean, and I was very hopeful. And so, our next day rolled around and we strolled through New Port, RI to Salve Regina. Guess what happened? Yep, I didn't feel it. So far we had seen three out of five, and I didn't like any of them! I started to worry and my Mom had gotten used continuing on, so we cramped in a swing look at a school 20 minutes away.
It was the kinda school that just appeared on my list. It wasn't one I had my sights on, I had never really heard of it. So, Roger Williams University we stopped at and now guess what? I LOVED IT. Crazy for me. We had a scheduled tour the following morning and we proceeded with much excitement. I loved everything about it, the size, the distance, the quality, the location, the campus, the academics, EVERYTHING. But, everything that seems like a dream, and a little too good to be true, was. This school costed money that I didn't have.
Applying season came around and I had three schools, one was Roger Williams. I applied to two, in such hope that I would qualify for enough financial assistance so I could attend. When I was accepted, I didn't receive as much money as I was hoping, but it's okay. I never thought I could go anyway. So, for the last five months, I've been weighing my options. And some how, some way, my dream came true. I will be attending Roger Williams University this 2014-2015 academic season as a freshman, class of 2018. Dreams really do come true.
About a year and a half ago, the school consolers were coming into our humanities classes to educate us on the big, sometimes daunting, journey for the college. I began early with searches and made impressive lists of all the qualities and values I wanted in my future educators.
I found that I expected much more than the average Joe college could offer me. As I made appointments to tour schools and attend college fairs, I realized I wanted a professional and well organized liberal arts school where I could excel in the subjects I was strong in. I also discovered that physical surroundings of nature, beauty, and peace were also important to me. I needed a college that was not too close, but not too far, not too rich and not too poor. Not too big, but not too small. Not too smart, and not too dumb. I needed a school where I could grow, learn, develop, and enjoy. And so, the search for the impossible, perfect college began.
My Mom and I started in Maine, right on a beautiful lake. We had five colleges and universities lined up from Maine to Rhode Island, and they all looked pretty hopeful. St. Josephs College in Maine was the first one. It was everything I could've dreamed and hoped for, but I didn't like it. Don't know why, I'm not sure. My Mom started to understand that, after that first college, if it didn't feel right, it was a no go. I am sometimes a complicated person, and if it didn't fit right and I couldn't see myself enjoying college there, it wasn't the school for me.
So we visited another in Maine that left the same impression, so off to RI we went. There was one school in particular that I was excited about, Salve Regina University. It was a beautiful, Catholic school right on the ocean, and I was very hopeful. And so, our next day rolled around and we strolled through New Port, RI to Salve Regina. Guess what happened? Yep, I didn't feel it. So far we had seen three out of five, and I didn't like any of them! I started to worry and my Mom had gotten used continuing on, so we cramped in a swing look at a school 20 minutes away.
It was the kinda school that just appeared on my list. It wasn't one I had my sights on, I had never really heard of it. So, Roger Williams University we stopped at and now guess what? I LOVED IT. Crazy for me. We had a scheduled tour the following morning and we proceeded with much excitement. I loved everything about it, the size, the distance, the quality, the location, the campus, the academics, EVERYTHING. But, everything that seems like a dream, and a little too good to be true, was. This school costed money that I didn't have.
Applying season came around and I had three schools, one was Roger Williams. I applied to two, in such hope that I would qualify for enough financial assistance so I could attend. When I was accepted, I didn't receive as much money as I was hoping, but it's okay. I never thought I could go anyway. So, for the last five months, I've been weighing my options. And some how, some way, my dream came true. I will be attending Roger Williams University this 2014-2015 academic season as a freshman, class of 2018. Dreams really do come true.
First World Problems
To be honest, I have plenty of them. I have lots of large projects to complete, a Senior Project to finish, a graduation party to plan, a summer pre-calculus to sign up for, and a once dislocated and now healing knee that needs to be drained of whatever gross fluids accumulate after a dislocation injury. Ugh.
I think the one thing I hate more than having all of these problems in the first place is the fact that I have myself riled up over them. I am certain that I am a lot better off than almost anyone living in a third world country, and better off than at least half of the people living in first world countries. Nonetheless, this fact really doesn't make me feel any better.
Even though I certainly feel like all of these things are a pain, deep down I know these are simple and even silly things. Sure, senior projects are stressful, but graduation parties are supposed to be fun. Signing up for a pre-calc class shouldn't be too difficult and my knee will definitely heal with some rest and rigorous physical therapy. What I am trying to say is that there is a far greater reason as to why I am stressed out over such trivial things.
My reasoning behind this kind of anxiety and fatigue is that with great success there comes expectations. Why on earth am I talking about this? Because I believe that everything I get done in the present greatly effects how my future plays out. If I don't finish my senior project, I will most certainly fail, and then I won't graduate, which means I wouldn't be able to go to an amazing college this fall, which would be incredibly embarrassing. When you are as well off as I am (and you want to remain well off), you can't afford to be an embarrassment. If I don't help my mom plan that graduation party, she would be upset with me and the party wouldn't be any fun for me, which would suck because you only get one high school graduation party. With all of the stress you feel every single day during school, you need a nice party to blow off steam. If I don't sign up for a pre-calc class, I won't be taking a pre-calc class, so I would be very much behind when I get to college, which means I might be set back by a whole semester, which would make for a very stressful 4 years of my life. Another four years of stressful catch up and high demands would be terrible. As for my knee, it's just a complete pain. No one likes to dislocate anything.
I know it sound like I'm saying "it's hard being smart and fortunate," but no matter where you are in life, there will always be challenges to overcome and plenty of stress. I do recognize that the fact that I have a lot to be thankful for and a lot of perks with my situation, but sometimes life gets a little overwhelming and you just want to let out a cry of frustration.
I guess what I'm saying is that I have a right to complain about my first world problems and at the same time, I don't. We all do, all of us first-world natives. I guess the best we can do is go easy on ourselves and try to be thankful for what we have. Life is stressful and fun.
Cheers to life in a first-world country!
I think the one thing I hate more than having all of these problems in the first place is the fact that I have myself riled up over them. I am certain that I am a lot better off than almost anyone living in a third world country, and better off than at least half of the people living in first world countries. Nonetheless, this fact really doesn't make me feel any better.
Even though I certainly feel like all of these things are a pain, deep down I know these are simple and even silly things. Sure, senior projects are stressful, but graduation parties are supposed to be fun. Signing up for a pre-calc class shouldn't be too difficult and my knee will definitely heal with some rest and rigorous physical therapy. What I am trying to say is that there is a far greater reason as to why I am stressed out over such trivial things.
My reasoning behind this kind of anxiety and fatigue is that with great success there comes expectations. Why on earth am I talking about this? Because I believe that everything I get done in the present greatly effects how my future plays out. If I don't finish my senior project, I will most certainly fail, and then I won't graduate, which means I wouldn't be able to go to an amazing college this fall, which would be incredibly embarrassing. When you are as well off as I am (and you want to remain well off), you can't afford to be an embarrassment. If I don't help my mom plan that graduation party, she would be upset with me and the party wouldn't be any fun for me, which would suck because you only get one high school graduation party. With all of the stress you feel every single day during school, you need a nice party to blow off steam. If I don't sign up for a pre-calc class, I won't be taking a pre-calc class, so I would be very much behind when I get to college, which means I might be set back by a whole semester, which would make for a very stressful 4 years of my life. Another four years of stressful catch up and high demands would be terrible. As for my knee, it's just a complete pain. No one likes to dislocate anything.
I know it sound like I'm saying "it's hard being smart and fortunate," but no matter where you are in life, there will always be challenges to overcome and plenty of stress. I do recognize that the fact that I have a lot to be thankful for and a lot of perks with my situation, but sometimes life gets a little overwhelming and you just want to let out a cry of frustration.
I guess what I'm saying is that I have a right to complain about my first world problems and at the same time, I don't. We all do, all of us first-world natives. I guess the best we can do is go easy on ourselves and try to be thankful for what we have. Life is stressful and fun.
Cheers to life in a first-world country!
The Day Before I, Sweeney Todd, Take the Stage
"It's time. It's time." A comment spoken by Sweeney Todd after he gets his new barber chair and is invigorated to get back on his goal of revenge. Those two words are spoken by me as an actor, but as a human I currently feel a similar way about this comment. It has been four months of intense practicing to get to this point; the day before my performance. Four months of pushing my voice to the limit and beyond because I knew that I could do it. Four months of memorization alongside school work because I accepted the challenge and I knew that in the end I would succeed at both.
Though I've come so far, it's still frightening when I think about messing up. for the past two weeks the only thing on my mind has been the fear of forgetting a line or falling flat on a note. It's like a pin is being pressed through my belly-button through to my spine and my throat throbs as though I have an air bubble stuck that I can't quit burp up. Even with this fear I still know, I know that when I take to that stage my nerves will calm and the routine of going over lines and repeatedly singing the songs will carry me through the show. With the pin finally removed I know I'll feel steady, instead of feeling as though my legs decided to fall asleep.
I know everyone has worked very hard on this, and I have too. This is one of the few things that I can feel completely proud of myself for carrying through to the end and trying every step of the way. I'm amazed when I think back and realize that I have never gone to rehearsals bummed out or tired of doing what I do; entertaining.
With my throat cleared and my diaphragm clenched I will sing out to the world my achievement: "I have done it! I have conquered a goal, no, a DREAM of mine! I have risen above my fears!" I have risen above my own walls to take destiny by her soft, forgiving hands and look into her eyes to thank her for all the help and chances she has given.
I will remember this for the rest of my life, it will motivate me to do better as well as remind me that I do have the ability. I CAN DO IT!!!
Though I've come so far, it's still frightening when I think about messing up. for the past two weeks the only thing on my mind has been the fear of forgetting a line or falling flat on a note. It's like a pin is being pressed through my belly-button through to my spine and my throat throbs as though I have an air bubble stuck that I can't quit burp up. Even with this fear I still know, I know that when I take to that stage my nerves will calm and the routine of going over lines and repeatedly singing the songs will carry me through the show. With the pin finally removed I know I'll feel steady, instead of feeling as though my legs decided to fall asleep.
I know everyone has worked very hard on this, and I have too. This is one of the few things that I can feel completely proud of myself for carrying through to the end and trying every step of the way. I'm amazed when I think back and realize that I have never gone to rehearsals bummed out or tired of doing what I do; entertaining.
With my throat cleared and my diaphragm clenched I will sing out to the world my achievement: "I have done it! I have conquered a goal, no, a DREAM of mine! I have risen above my fears!" I have risen above my own walls to take destiny by her soft, forgiving hands and look into her eyes to thank her for all the help and chances she has given.
I will remember this for the rest of my life, it will motivate me to do better as well as remind me that I do have the ability. I CAN DO IT!!!
NCAA Tournament
Its the march madness season and for me it's the most exciting national sports event. In my opinion, college athletics is much better than that of professional sports for one reason. College athletes do not get paid which means they have a lot more to play for than that of professionals. They are playing their hardest all the time and the game is never slow because of it. The up beat pace throughout, the constant roars from the crowd, players diving for loose balls, consistent hustle plays and seeing the fire of all the players true competitive nature come out and it really has you out of your seat for the entirety of the games. The NBA can't match the intensity of a the NCAA for the simple reason that they have it all. They have so much money they could pay college athletes on a salary and still have millions for themselves. The excitement the March Madness tournament gives me and millions of americans is not to be compared with. Yes, there are millions of devoted and enthusiastic NBA fans but without question the Nation Basketball League has changed significantly from it's glory days. There is more money in the NBA and the players have a salary, a hefty one at that. These college kids are striving for that paycheck at the professional level, therefore they have a lot more to play for and it certainly shows. Post- Jordan era the NBA has become a flashy league and the intensity has deflated. But the level of college sports has heightened and athletes are getting better. The level of competition has heated up because there is more which translates to more of higher level of play. March Madness is the essential time of the year where all eyes are on these young kids determined to fulfill there dreams of the next level. During this period of the tournament two of the great things that happen and that you can watch are players making a name for themselves and schools making their names heard. You find yourself wrapped up in these games rooting for these kids and these schools, maybe they're underdogs, maybe they;re the favorites but regardless the thrill that you receive from cheering them on is unlike any other sporting spectacle. Yes, these things can happen for a lot of sports and the NBA but knowing that these kids are working their way to make it, like actually make it, makes it all the better. Things like the upsets from the underdogs, scrums for the ball and buzzer-beaters are just some of the elements that make March Madness truly, mad.
Graduation
Walking the halls of BHS the past few days has been bittersweet. I really can't wait to get out of here, don't get me wrong, but it is crazy how time flies. I'm finally graduating after what feels like an eternity. I'll never have to go to Mr. Dempsey's office again, and that is a great feeling. I feel like I have been waiting for this forever, and now that it's finally here it doesn't feel real. I will miss a lot of the teaching staff here at BHS for certain, but I will not miss the administration. I also feel like I didn't exactly get the classic high school experience. I feel like BHS is a school thats different than most high schools. The education I got here was valuable for the most part, and I got to partake in many classes that really interested me, that I know other school's do not offer. I will definitely remember all the good and bad times I have had here. I've laughed really hard, and cried really hard, and hopefully, I'm prepared enough for college next year.
Bob Marley:The Legend
Bob Marley and the Wailers' album Exodus is an inspirational album for the people of Jamaica. On December 3, 1976 Bob Marley was struck by a bullet in his arm. This was an attempted assassination which grazed his chest causing him to survive this incident. After this incident Bob left Jamaica and was exiled to London where he recorded Exodus. Him leaving Jamaica is Why I think the album is named Exodus. This was one of the first albums that propelled Bob Marley and the Wailers to international stardom. One of Bob's most inspirational song form the album is Exodus. This was Bob's response to the ongoing elections that were occurring in Jamaica during this time. “Open your eyes and look within, are you satisfied with the life you’re living?" He was telling the people to not forget their roots and were they came from. After the release of Exodus the album Exodus peaked at number 20 on the Billboard 200 and at number 15 on the Black Album chart, as well as remaining in the UK charts for 56 consecutive weeks, where it peaked at number 8. Today Bob has passed and the Wailers are still touring to share their music with others. Last summer my friend Eric and I went to The Wailers concert at the Casino Ballroom at Hampton beach. As the may have aged their music still sounds young!
Long Distance Relationships
Sometimes things aren't meant to work out. Sometimes distance kills love. Sometimes long distance relationships just don't work. For a little over a year I have been in a long distance relationship with a college freshman. For about a year everything was extraordinarily good, we never had any issues, never a fight, and nothing I could truly complain about. During this last home stretch however, we have been separated for two and a half months and the distance started eating away at both of us. I had a bad combination of many things, friends telling me it isn't worth it, sports and school consuming most of my time, finals and school controlling her time. Overall we were on a highway to relationship hell and we couldn't find the exit. What I realized is, if it is truly meant to be then we have to MAKE the time, we have to work together in order to make everything fall into place. Next year I am attending a college 40 minutes from her school and we will be much closer, not to mention, she comes home 3 days from the time I am writing this. Long Distance Relationships are hard, they are time consuming, but they can be worth it. If you trust, love, and work then the rumors of terror that comes with long distance can be put to rest and happiness can be put forth. Overall I am proud of what I have accomplished, staying in a relationship separated by hundreds and hundreds of miles because not many people can. If you truly commit to the relationship then it will work. Hopefully if your struggling with a relationship right now, you read this, and you realize that it can be done because I promise, it only gets better from the bottom up.
Taking AP Exam
On the 14th of May I had the misfortune of taking the AP European History official AP exam. Throughout my entire academic career, I would have to say that was the worst exam I have ever had the pleasure of taking. It was about 4 hours long, and throughout the entire duration of the exam, we had a total of ten minutes for a break. The room the test was taking place in was a little room that had three cameras all pointed at the students, two windows, and wooden desks that had for what ever reason a wooden plank at the bottom making it rather difficult to sit comfortably. All of these three factors were hard enough, now adding the content of the test made it about thirty times worse.
The exam had a lot of questions that were extremely detailed. Asking what a quote means from a passage that my class read at the beginning of the year was a question that I simply was not ready for. Not to mention their were other multiple choice questions asking me who painted this piece of art and the next question that I was always so eager to answer would ask: who is being painted. Now we had some tough questions on exams we took in class, but not a single one of them were able to compete with these. These types of questions would go on sixty more time before I had the pleasure of writing one DBQ and two essay questions. Anyone in that room could feel how eager all the students including myself were, to leaving.
I do think that I did alright on writing the DBQ and the two essay questions I had to respond to. It just became more and more difficult to write each word as time progressed. Finding myself losing motivation as I realized that I had to write five more paragraphs. I can not say that I am upset with the length of the exam. The AP test givers must do what they have to in order to ensure the student earns their grade, and must fight through thick and thin to earn the college credit. I personally believe that I passed my own personal test to see if I could sit through about five hours of nothing but large amounts of questions pertaining to history. As I said earlier, I got through it, and as a result I left that exam room with my head held high.
The exam had a lot of questions that were extremely detailed. Asking what a quote means from a passage that my class read at the beginning of the year was a question that I simply was not ready for. Not to mention their were other multiple choice questions asking me who painted this piece of art and the next question that I was always so eager to answer would ask: who is being painted. Now we had some tough questions on exams we took in class, but not a single one of them were able to compete with these. These types of questions would go on sixty more time before I had the pleasure of writing one DBQ and two essay questions. Anyone in that room could feel how eager all the students including myself were, to leaving.
I do think that I did alright on writing the DBQ and the two essay questions I had to respond to. It just became more and more difficult to write each word as time progressed. Finding myself losing motivation as I realized that I had to write five more paragraphs. I can not say that I am upset with the length of the exam. The AP test givers must do what they have to in order to ensure the student earns their grade, and must fight through thick and thin to earn the college credit. I personally believe that I passed my own personal test to see if I could sit through about five hours of nothing but large amounts of questions pertaining to history. As I said earlier, I got through it, and as a result I left that exam room with my head held high.
Characteristics I Love About Fordham University
Characteristics I Love About Fordham University
This Spring break, I made the decision to deposit at Fordham University for the upcoming Fall semester. I narrowed down my decision between Villanova University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Fordham University in the Bronx, New York. Although Villanova may garner a more academically rigorous reputation, I chose Fordham for reasons that I found more appealing. However, Fordham is duly prestigious, being known as the "Jesuit University of New York" and ranks amongst other Jesuit institutions, such as Georgetown and Boston College.
I first found out about Fordham from my father, who attended the university three times, as he likes to refer to himself as a "Triple Ram." I used to visit Fordham when I was little, and although I do remember enjoying the beautiful campus, I never even questioned going there for my undergraduate degree while growing up. Like buying a new house or a new car, the first model that you look at is usually not the one you purchase. However, during my college searches these past two years, I discovered a lot of attributes that I fell in love with about Fordham University that transcended this theory.
Of course, attending the school that my father, as well as my older brother and best friend, also attended gives me an advanced insight for the school in general. With this, having my best friend there is a really joyful convenience as well. However, I feel that I must make the effort to clarify that those are not the underlying group of reasons why I want to attend Fordham over an institution such as Villanova. Thus, not having a friend or family basis at a school is not a "deal-breaker," but it is rather an extra bonus on the already wonderful experience that embodies Fordham University.
For instance, one of these favorite ideals that I love about Fordham University is the unique aspect of being able to utilize direct transportation from the Bronx to Manhattan via the school's famous "Ram Van." In addition, I could take the New York City Subway, which runs all throughout the city and can be accessed just a block from Fordham itself.
While visiting my friend, Nicole, at Fordham last weekend, I was able to take the Subway from the Bronx to Times Square in Manhattan, and see Breaking Bad's Bryan Cranston in "All the Way." At Villanova, I would probably be able to attend a show in Philadelphia; however, it would most likely not be the capacity of star power and acting ability that Broadway has to offer. In my personal opinion, I value this cultural experience higher than Villanova's prestigious academic reputation.
Since my parents are native New Yorkers, it will finally be interesting to be given the opportunity to live there. Having lived in Illinois, Connecticut, Wisconsin, and New Hampshire, I have already trudged through the many cultural backgrounds of each state has to offer. Although much of my family resides in New York, since I never technically lived in New York, I am extremely enthused to finally draw connections to the experiences similar to my parents.
Overall, I'm glad that I selected to attend a school that was duly academically challenging and culturally engaging. Because of this, I am excited to channel my inlet at Fordham University for a place to discover my home.
This Spring break, I made the decision to deposit at Fordham University for the upcoming Fall semester. I narrowed down my decision between Villanova University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Fordham University in the Bronx, New York. Although Villanova may garner a more academically rigorous reputation, I chose Fordham for reasons that I found more appealing. However, Fordham is duly prestigious, being known as the "Jesuit University of New York" and ranks amongst other Jesuit institutions, such as Georgetown and Boston College.
I first found out about Fordham from my father, who attended the university three times, as he likes to refer to himself as a "Triple Ram." I used to visit Fordham when I was little, and although I do remember enjoying the beautiful campus, I never even questioned going there for my undergraduate degree while growing up. Like buying a new house or a new car, the first model that you look at is usually not the one you purchase. However, during my college searches these past two years, I discovered a lot of attributes that I fell in love with about Fordham University that transcended this theory.
Of course, attending the school that my father, as well as my older brother and best friend, also attended gives me an advanced insight for the school in general. With this, having my best friend there is a really joyful convenience as well. However, I feel that I must make the effort to clarify that those are not the underlying group of reasons why I want to attend Fordham over an institution such as Villanova. Thus, not having a friend or family basis at a school is not a "deal-breaker," but it is rather an extra bonus on the already wonderful experience that embodies Fordham University.
For instance, one of these favorite ideals that I love about Fordham University is the unique aspect of being able to utilize direct transportation from the Bronx to Manhattan via the school's famous "Ram Van." In addition, I could take the New York City Subway, which runs all throughout the city and can be accessed just a block from Fordham itself.
While visiting my friend, Nicole, at Fordham last weekend, I was able to take the Subway from the Bronx to Times Square in Manhattan, and see Breaking Bad's Bryan Cranston in "All the Way." At Villanova, I would probably be able to attend a show in Philadelphia; however, it would most likely not be the capacity of star power and acting ability that Broadway has to offer. In my personal opinion, I value this cultural experience higher than Villanova's prestigious academic reputation.
Since my parents are native New Yorkers, it will finally be interesting to be given the opportunity to live there. Having lived in Illinois, Connecticut, Wisconsin, and New Hampshire, I have already trudged through the many cultural backgrounds of each state has to offer. Although much of my family resides in New York, since I never technically lived in New York, I am extremely enthused to finally draw connections to the experiences similar to my parents.
Overall, I'm glad that I selected to attend a school that was duly academically challenging and culturally engaging. Because of this, I am excited to channel my inlet at Fordham University for a place to discover my home.
Work
I've had a job since I was 11. When I moved here to New Hampshire, I decided that I wanted to make some money and I decided to mow lawns. I had caught the money making bug. This mowing business that I created has continued to grow to this day. I started with 4 clients and now I have grown that to have 14 clients, keeping me very busy. Since then I can't remember a summer I spent not working. As I have gotten older I have reached out into other fields of interest. I got a job last year working at one of the local bike shops. Since then I have added 30 hours a week to my schedule.
It seems to be a juggling act, 30 hours of class, 30 hours of work, and almost 20 hours of mowing each week. The summer never seems to come up fast enough.
The best and worst part about having all this work and responsibility is that it keeps me busy. I know that I always have something to do. Usually the tough days aren't the ones that I worked 12 hours, they are the ones that I didn't do anything. What good is a day that you spent not doing anything!
Mowing is an interesting job, it seems like such a simple task that it often gets overlooked. I am in charge of cutting every blade of grass at a uniform height, using a mower thats only 4 feet wide, in an area thats upwards of 5 acres, as fast as I can. Its kinda meditative, if you can look past the extreme noise, to go back and forth.
My job at the bike shop is always interesting and new. I have the title of a sales guy but its only a little part of what I do. As a member of a small business it is vital to assume the role of sales, cleaning, organizing, basic mechanic, and customer service. I have to do what ever is needed to make sure that the small business can stay afloat. The best part about the job that makes it all worthwhile is working with a customer that is excited about bikes. Its cool to work with customers because I know that every person that walks through that door, is interested in bikes. Its like meeting a new friend every day because you share the same passion.
It takes a lot of time to keep these things in the air, but its worth every minute to see that lawn freshly cut and that customer riding the bike of their dreams.
Word Count: 430
It seems to be a juggling act, 30 hours of class, 30 hours of work, and almost 20 hours of mowing each week. The summer never seems to come up fast enough.
The best and worst part about having all this work and responsibility is that it keeps me busy. I know that I always have something to do. Usually the tough days aren't the ones that I worked 12 hours, they are the ones that I didn't do anything. What good is a day that you spent not doing anything!
Mowing is an interesting job, it seems like such a simple task that it often gets overlooked. I am in charge of cutting every blade of grass at a uniform height, using a mower thats only 4 feet wide, in an area thats upwards of 5 acres, as fast as I can. Its kinda meditative, if you can look past the extreme noise, to go back and forth.
My job at the bike shop is always interesting and new. I have the title of a sales guy but its only a little part of what I do. As a member of a small business it is vital to assume the role of sales, cleaning, organizing, basic mechanic, and customer service. I have to do what ever is needed to make sure that the small business can stay afloat. The best part about the job that makes it all worthwhile is working with a customer that is excited about bikes. Its cool to work with customers because I know that every person that walks through that door, is interested in bikes. Its like meeting a new friend every day because you share the same passion.
It takes a lot of time to keep these things in the air, but its worth every minute to see that lawn freshly cut and that customer riding the bike of their dreams.
Word Count: 430
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Feelin them Lake Winni Blues
For almost the entirety of my life my family has owned a little cottage up in the Braun Bay region of Lake Winnipesaukee. It is my family's own little slice of heaven and my favorite place to spend my summers. Ever since I was 4 years old I have met some of my closest friends up there for a summer full of adventure and fun. Whether its playing "Cracken Tag" at the dock or being dragged at what feels like 400 miles per hour in a tube behind my dad's speed boat, my friends and I always seem to have a good time.
Some of my favorite memories I have, have been formulated at my lake house. I remember all the times that my friends and I would go into town and just goof around. When we were little we bought plastic light sabers and pretended that we were jedis and sith masters, I was always a jedi. We would go on my canoe out into the middle of the lake and fish for large mouth bass and perch, bringing back alll that we had caught and having a fish fry with it all. Running around on the beach playing tag, hide and go seek, capture the flag, wiffleball, and football all were on my long to do list while I was enjoying my time at my lake house.
Sadly though these good times are coming to an end. All of my friends, including myself are getting into college and working to pay for college. Because of this there is no time to go to the lake. My lake house will lie dormant along with the soft, sandy beach. My time of having fun at the lake is almost over and I need to accept this. I am growing up. My friends are growing up. We have so much more to do then we have ever had before. No more time for the lake. A piece of my childhood is fading away with my age and I wish that I could still walk along the long, dirt path down to the lake as a 4 year old and jump into the water head first, much to my mother's dismay. I wish I could still swim through the refreshing water with my friends, when my only worries are what am I having for lunch and whose house are we having the bonfire at tonight? But now those times are over and it is time to go back to reality.
Even though not much time will be spent there though, I know that all of the time there will be amazing. Possibly even better then ever before. I know now that my time up at my beloved lake house is limited. So now more then ever I need to go out with a bang. I need to have more fun this year then I ever have had, create more memories that I can share with friends and family and possibly in the future my children. No one can fully understand the significance my lake house holds to me. The best thing I can do to remember it now is to have the best summer of my life up there and hopefully by the end of the summer I won't be feeling them Lake Winni blues.
Some of my favorite memories I have, have been formulated at my lake house. I remember all the times that my friends and I would go into town and just goof around. When we were little we bought plastic light sabers and pretended that we were jedis and sith masters, I was always a jedi. We would go on my canoe out into the middle of the lake and fish for large mouth bass and perch, bringing back alll that we had caught and having a fish fry with it all. Running around on the beach playing tag, hide and go seek, capture the flag, wiffleball, and football all were on my long to do list while I was enjoying my time at my lake house.
Sadly though these good times are coming to an end. All of my friends, including myself are getting into college and working to pay for college. Because of this there is no time to go to the lake. My lake house will lie dormant along with the soft, sandy beach. My time of having fun at the lake is almost over and I need to accept this. I am growing up. My friends are growing up. We have so much more to do then we have ever had before. No more time for the lake. A piece of my childhood is fading away with my age and I wish that I could still walk along the long, dirt path down to the lake as a 4 year old and jump into the water head first, much to my mother's dismay. I wish I could still swim through the refreshing water with my friends, when my only worries are what am I having for lunch and whose house are we having the bonfire at tonight? But now those times are over and it is time to go back to reality.
Even though not much time will be spent there though, I know that all of the time there will be amazing. Possibly even better then ever before. I know now that my time up at my beloved lake house is limited. So now more then ever I need to go out with a bang. I need to have more fun this year then I ever have had, create more memories that I can share with friends and family and possibly in the future my children. No one can fully understand the significance my lake house holds to me. The best thing I can do to remember it now is to have the best summer of my life up there and hopefully by the end of the summer I won't be feeling them Lake Winni blues.
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Organized Thoughts
It's very hard to blog when you have a lot on your mind; like school, relationships, just to name a few things. Those aren't what I'm distracted by, no of course not. I was only saying... Now, when you're you're distracted by, whatever, your mind doesn't want to change focuses. Well, by "mind" I mean "you"; YOU don't want to think about something else. It's hard to get through something only to see that the rest of the path ahead is even longer than what you've already walked. I'm already tired of walking. Oh and by "I" I of course mean "you". When YOU are tired of walking, the last thing you wish to see is more walking ahead. Oh, sorry, I'm going off topic, this was supposed to be about blogging while distracted. Maybe some things should be changed, turned around... Maybe they were right, about you. No, you're fine. Now get back to it! But hey, do you see what I mean now? When you blog you need a topic in mind, and if you're flopping all over the place with ideas. It's ridiculous to ask someone to jump when they've been leaping, so why would you... Never mind, that's something completely off topic. Even more off topic than writing a blog about blogging while thinking about something else when you are, in fact, thinking about something else. All well, the situations we find ourselves in are always resolved; keep your conscious clear and your karma in balance and you should never have to be on the worse end of the resolution. I guess that was the point of this blog. To clear my mind and to give you advice. Though, I'm sure that you've heard it all before. So sorry to have run a tangent with no benefit to you.
Getting Ready for College
Its that time of year again, but this time it is completely different. This year I will be getting ready for college and to be honest I don't know how I feel about the whole thing. I am excited yet worried, happy yet sad, and ready yet not. Im excited to go to a new school and meet new people but I am worried that I may not maintain my other friendships. Friendships that I have had for many years if not my whole life. I am happy that I am beginning a future that is more independent then it has ever been for me, but sad because I have to take care of myself now and it means leaving a lot of people that I love and cherish. I am ready for college because I have payed attention in school and I have the academic and social skills I feel are needed to thrive in a college lifestyle, but I am not mature enough and I am worried that will be reflected upon me if my grade slip or if I become antisocial.
Another thing is, as much as it pains me to say it, I will definitely miss high school. When people tell you to cherish your 4 years of high school listen to them because I wish I had cherished it more then I actually had. I will definitely miss the friendships that I have grown with, the sports teams that I have played on, and lastly the area that I have lived in.
I am sad because I will maintain a lot of friendships that I have right now but not all of them. Many of my friends are going to different schools then I am and I know that it will be hard for me to remain in contact with them, while on the other hand there are a lot of my friends going to the same school as me making this whole thing a little bit easier. I worry though that the friends I have that have chosen different career paths then I have will fade away. To look on the bright side though I am social enough that it won't be too hard to find more friends and possibly build better friendships then any other friendships I have ever had.
Enough of me being such a pessimist about the whole college experience though. I may be worried and sad about a lot of things but I am also looking forward to many other things. First of all I get to focus on learning about things that I want to learn about. I get to major in Biology which is my favorite class and now I will be studying it for the entirety of my college career. Not only that but I will be starting my life as an adult. What I mean by this is that I will be becoming a self sufficient member of society that can take care of itself and not need the support of parents to thrive anymore.
Another thing is, as much as it pains me to say it, I will definitely miss high school. When people tell you to cherish your 4 years of high school listen to them because I wish I had cherished it more then I actually had. I will definitely miss the friendships that I have grown with, the sports teams that I have played on, and lastly the area that I have lived in.
I am sad because I will maintain a lot of friendships that I have right now but not all of them. Many of my friends are going to different schools then I am and I know that it will be hard for me to remain in contact with them, while on the other hand there are a lot of my friends going to the same school as me making this whole thing a little bit easier. I worry though that the friends I have that have chosen different career paths then I have will fade away. To look on the bright side though I am social enough that it won't be too hard to find more friends and possibly build better friendships then any other friendships I have ever had.
Enough of me being such a pessimist about the whole college experience though. I may be worried and sad about a lot of things but I am also looking forward to many other things. First of all I get to focus on learning about things that I want to learn about. I get to major in Biology which is my favorite class and now I will be studying it for the entirety of my college career. Not only that but I will be starting my life as an adult. What I mean by this is that I will be becoming a self sufficient member of society that can take care of itself and not need the support of parents to thrive anymore.
LeBron James
Currently the Eastern Semifinals are finished with the Miami Heat winning in 6 games, but their is still much speculation concerning LeBron. As well, the Miami Heat and there solidifying win in the East Semifinal series, and clinching there spot in the Conference Finals, as they continue to move on through the 2014 NBA Playoffs. I feel LeBron James has carried this Miami team all year and past years. As well, he is an outstanding player but I feel his abilities attract too much attention, which causes the announcers to just talk about him, taking away from the team playing atmosphere of the NBA Playoffs. I feel the NBA has forgot what team playing is all about and until they establish winning as an entire team contributions and not just one player, the NBA will continue to be impossible to watch. The Miami Heat are now currently tied in the series versus the Indiana Pacers, 1 to 1. The series is now 3-2 lead by the Miami Heat. LeBron James has been going off this entire playoffs, especially this series. As well, Paul George for the Indiana Pacers went off last night scoring 31 points in just the 2nd half, George finished with a total of 37 points, 6 steals, and 10 rebounds. With the series shifting back to Indiana I honestly believe the Pacers will continue their streak and beat the Heat at home. Game 7 I feel, will be a different story, it will be played in Miami against the raining world champions. In conclusion it will be a tough game if game 7 is an option for the Pacers, but overall, King James has proven himself once again in this series. It will be interesting who wraps up this series and continues to the Championship. We will find out soon, stay tuned.
Monday, May 5, 2014
Flying Away on a Zeppelin of Lead
Lately I've been listening to a lot of Led Zeppelin. Unhealthily so. I haven't obsessively listened an album since eighth grade when I discovered Pearl Jam's music. I listened to their album Alive hundreds of times and I felt this tingle in my stomach, a sort of lifting, even longing, for something else; I'm still unsure of the exact feeling. But now I'm listening to Led Zeppelin, they're a different tone, but I get that same feeling and I lie on my bed with my eyes closed and blast the music in my ears, drowning out everything else. I feel the longing, but now it's different, I know what I want now, I want to do better, to break down my walls and do what I know I can. I'm always stopping myself when I want to do something big because I'm afraid that It won't make it, that it'll fall into mediocrity and I'll be a sham. But I need to stop being afraid of taking the fall, I need to take a leap of faith and just do what I set out to. This is the same for assignments at school. I don't do them in because I feel like they're not 100%, they need to be perfect for me to turn it in. So I do it a little and don't turn it in: sometimes I turn them in late and rushed which makes no sense because then they're definitely less than one hundred percent!
Anyways, back to the point... I've been listening to Led Zeppelin and I have been getting the same feeling in my gut, but now it turns into anger at myself. I have no idea why I don't do these things, but I need to just do them! I'm already too late to make up past mistakes, but I seriously need to stop myself from not graduating high school just because I was unmotivated to change my habits!
Anyways, back to the point... I've been listening to Led Zeppelin and I have been getting the same feeling in my gut, but now it turns into anger at myself. I have no idea why I don't do these things, but I need to just do them! I'm already too late to make up past mistakes, but I seriously need to stop myself from not graduating high school just because I was unmotivated to change my habits!
Intersession Reflection
First off, my intersession was not very good and especially not worth the 200 dollars I paid to join. It was extremely cold and windy pretty much through the entire 3 days and it got consistently worse each day. It was really boring and I feel like it was not planned out very well by the high school, considering every place we went was surrounded by 5-7 year olds. It was really frustrating and the bus rides were the worst, everyone was screaming like idiots and acting like 2 year olds. I am glad intersession is over with and I will not ever have to do it again.
Boston Marathon
This blog talks about the Boston Marathon and last years tragedy. As well as a brief description of this years race and who will be running it and the expectations that go along with running this race. Next, it discusses the new regulations on what you're allowed to bring to the race this year based on the events that occurred last April. Also, this goes over the race route this year, based on last years tragedy, they have decided to make a some what different route this year going a different direction but finishing in the same place Boylston Street. Next, considering this event is widely known and is very popular in the sports world, I feel I have gained some important information from this event. This years race will include many more public officials but at the same time trying to keep the same competitive traditional atmosphere without the feeling of being inside a military base. It will be hard to keep an equal running atmosphere and balance security, but I feel that it will be done in the best possible fashion. Finally, the fact that some man was arrested for having a hoax device in a backpack is so disrespectful considering and was so idiotic and honestly ridiculous. Overall, this has made me aware of some of this years race regulations and new rules based on last years tragic events, as well as more security protocol will be involved. Finally, I feel this years race is a huge event for people and those who were affected by last years bombing. Lastly, this race is more than a race to everyone running it, especially for those who could not finish last year. In conclusion, the Boston Marathon this year I feel, will be a success in the eyes of everyone. Boston Strong!
Honor Code:
I pledge my honor that I have not violated the honor code during the completion of this work. X_____________________.
Honor Code:
I pledge my honor that I have not violated the honor code during the completion of this work. X_____________________.
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