Let me just start off by saying that the love of my life…is my dog, and the best dog at that! His name is Wally and he is a Cavalier King Charles spaniel.
My family and I adopted Wally when he was just three months old from a shelter in Westchester. Before Wally, I had never had a pet before. Because I am an only child, it is nice to have around another life in the house to keep both my parents and I occupied.
The reason I say Wally is my best friend and the love of my life is because he is always around, always there when I need him. When I am upset about something, he will always cuddle with me and make me feel ten times better.
Since I am away at school, my parents get really lonely. It is nice to know they have someone else there to look after them and make them feel loved. After having a dog, I can’t imagine not owning one.
Unfortunately this spring, Wally was diagnosed with a heart murmur, a disease common within the breed. The doctors informed us that he wouldn’t be around for much longer. The thought of this is entirely heart breaking. Although it might seem weird to many people, this dog is like a brother to me.
It is my hope that Wally will make it through the summer. I feel so blessed to have had him in my life and encourage anyone looking to get a dog, to consider the breed of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. I promise you won’t be disappointed!
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
The Evolution of the Gangster
I am currently in the process of preparing my senior thesis for next year, my senior year. As a communications major, it is required that all students have a developed thesis statement and an idea as to what form their project is going to take.
For my paper, I hope to prove that the portrayal of the iconic mobster in film and television has gradually evolved over time to reflect the changing values of American society. Being that I love the HBO television series The Sopranos so much, I felt this topic would be very enjoyable for me to research.
I plan on studying/analyzing a variety of mobster features dating back to the 1930s, such as Public Enemy, The Godfather (parts I, II, and III), Scarface (both the original and re-make) and of course Goodfellas!
So far, I have found a substantial amount of research that proves the mobster has transformed over time. For example, in Public Enemy, the issue of prohibition leads protagonist Tommy into a life of crime. Gangsters of the 1930s –1940s are characterized by aggression, violence, mental instability and alienation from mainstream society. Thus they represent the conflicted values of postwar America.
Years later, in The Godfather, a new trend in gangster cinema was created. Its Director, Francis Ford Coppola, incorporated the style of the 1970s into the film and the evolution of the gangster. During a time in American society when the power of the “individual” was being replaced by the power of the “corporation”, the main family in the film, the Corleone’s replaced the individual gangster, Tommy (Public Enemy).
These are just a few examples of what I hope to demonstrate within my thesis.
For my paper, I hope to prove that the portrayal of the iconic mobster in film and television has gradually evolved over time to reflect the changing values of American society. Being that I love the HBO television series The Sopranos so much, I felt this topic would be very enjoyable for me to research.
I plan on studying/analyzing a variety of mobster features dating back to the 1930s, such as Public Enemy, The Godfather (parts I, II, and III), Scarface (both the original and re-make) and of course Goodfellas!
So far, I have found a substantial amount of research that proves the mobster has transformed over time. For example, in Public Enemy, the issue of prohibition leads protagonist Tommy into a life of crime. Gangsters of the 1930s –1940s are characterized by aggression, violence, mental instability and alienation from mainstream society. Thus they represent the conflicted values of postwar America.
Years later, in The Godfather, a new trend in gangster cinema was created. Its Director, Francis Ford Coppola, incorporated the style of the 1970s into the film and the evolution of the gangster. During a time in American society when the power of the “individual” was being replaced by the power of the “corporation”, the main family in the film, the Corleone’s replaced the individual gangster, Tommy (Public Enemy).
These are just a few examples of what I hope to demonstrate within my thesis.
How To Succeed in College
So I am taking this course which some of you might have heard of called Interpersonal/Intercultural Communication. Throughout the semester we talked about the various ways people communicate with one another as well as how to prepare for certain instances dealing with communication. One of those instances was how to succeed in college.
According to my professor, “ aside from your intelligence, ability, talent or looks, it is your attitude toward people that will eventually determine your success or failure.” (Abne Eisenberg Ph.D.) I really appreciate this outlook because in many instances students who enter college seem to be clueless as to the appropriateness of their actions. There have been many times in which one of my peers will act so out of line in class, it seems as though they belong in the third grade!
Far too many people are convinced that the bottom line for success in college is performance. This might be true for getting a good grade in a course, but it is my belief that in order to receive a well-rounded college experience, you should pay attention to more things than just performance.
For example, the interaction you have with your peers is a prime way to better your overall experience. Making friends and being social, will not only make you feel better about yourself, it will give you memories to look back on.
Having a good relationship with your professor is important as well. The more familiar they are with you and your work, the better your chances are at succeeding. Also, if a professor is familiar with you and you are struggling with something relating to the course, it is much easier too seek help, considering they are more familiar with your background.
These are just a few pointers my professor demonstrated in his lecture on how to succeed in college. I hope some of these tips are as useful to you are they were for me!
According to my professor, “ aside from your intelligence, ability, talent or looks, it is your attitude toward people that will eventually determine your success or failure.” (Abne Eisenberg Ph.D.) I really appreciate this outlook because in many instances students who enter college seem to be clueless as to the appropriateness of their actions. There have been many times in which one of my peers will act so out of line in class, it seems as though they belong in the third grade!
Far too many people are convinced that the bottom line for success in college is performance. This might be true for getting a good grade in a course, but it is my belief that in order to receive a well-rounded college experience, you should pay attention to more things than just performance.
For example, the interaction you have with your peers is a prime way to better your overall experience. Making friends and being social, will not only make you feel better about yourself, it will give you memories to look back on.
Having a good relationship with your professor is important as well. The more familiar they are with you and your work, the better your chances are at succeeding. Also, if a professor is familiar with you and you are struggling with something relating to the course, it is much easier too seek help, considering they are more familiar with your background.
These are just a few pointers my professor demonstrated in his lecture on how to succeed in college. I hope some of these tips are as useful to you are they were for me!
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
What does it take to get a good internship?
What does it take to get a good internship? I have been asking myself this question for the past three years of my college career.
It has been said many times, especially in the marketing/advertising business world, that you have to know someone to prosper and get your foot in the door. Thinking this discouraged me a great deal and only added to the extreme pressure I felt to attain the “perfect internship”.
Friends of mine, who have had an internship before, warned me that the majority of my time would be spent fetching people coffee and filing paper work. I was determined to find an internship where that was not the case.
A colleague of my fathers told me to look at smaller companies where employees will be more willing to teach you and get to know you. He explained that starting off at a larger company would look great on a resume but the likelihood of anyone remembering my face would not be good. Keeping this in mind, I applied to smaller companies.
Last summer I was fortunate enough to get an internship in the city at a small communications firm. I was assigned various tasks within the office and took a specific liking to the sales area of marketing. I was very surprised at how much responsibility I was given and how many areas I was allowed to work within.
This summer, I feel more confident in finding an internship and knowing what to look for. My advice to anyone who is looking for an internship would be to start small and work your way up. That is the only way to build contacts and gain experience in a field of your liking.
It has been said many times, especially in the marketing/advertising business world, that you have to know someone to prosper and get your foot in the door. Thinking this discouraged me a great deal and only added to the extreme pressure I felt to attain the “perfect internship”.
Friends of mine, who have had an internship before, warned me that the majority of my time would be spent fetching people coffee and filing paper work. I was determined to find an internship where that was not the case.
A colleague of my fathers told me to look at smaller companies where employees will be more willing to teach you and get to know you. He explained that starting off at a larger company would look great on a resume but the likelihood of anyone remembering my face would not be good. Keeping this in mind, I applied to smaller companies.
Last summer I was fortunate enough to get an internship in the city at a small communications firm. I was assigned various tasks within the office and took a specific liking to the sales area of marketing. I was very surprised at how much responsibility I was given and how many areas I was allowed to work within.
This summer, I feel more confident in finding an internship and knowing what to look for. My advice to anyone who is looking for an internship would be to start small and work your way up. That is the only way to build contacts and gain experience in a field of your liking.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Spring Break Fever!
This past week I traveled with two of my girlfriends to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. I had the most amazing week I could have hoped for. The temperature was warm, the sun was out…and so were the boys!
Arriving in Punta Cana, I assumed it would be like every other tropical vacation I had been on. To my surprise, it was not. I guess after traveling throughout Europe this past semester and venturing to different countries just for the weekend, I have become more aware of the vast cultural differences in the world. This time, I was able to appreciate such things as the fine cuisine, language barrier, and general differences in behavior, something I never did before.
I noticed that other students my age were not as willing to adjust to these differences. Rather, they made it known that they were the typical “American Spring Breaker”. It kind of annoyed me that we, as Americans were in someone else’s country and yet treat them (the Dominicans) like they were the foreigners.
I understood that it was the type of vacation where people just wanted to kick back, drink some margaritas and relax. That was totally understandable. But the question that still lingered in my mind was, why act up to the stereotype the rest of the world already has about Americans? A very controversial question I know. I just feel that the more and more Americans ignore the other cultures in the world, the harder and harder it will be to change some of the many flaws we as a country already possess.
On a different note, I encourage anyone who has time to visit Punta Cana. It is a beautiful and exotic place that comes to life once you arrive. I cannot wait to return sometime soon!
Arriving in Punta Cana, I assumed it would be like every other tropical vacation I had been on. To my surprise, it was not. I guess after traveling throughout Europe this past semester and venturing to different countries just for the weekend, I have become more aware of the vast cultural differences in the world. This time, I was able to appreciate such things as the fine cuisine, language barrier, and general differences in behavior, something I never did before.
I noticed that other students my age were not as willing to adjust to these differences. Rather, they made it known that they were the typical “American Spring Breaker”. It kind of annoyed me that we, as Americans were in someone else’s country and yet treat them (the Dominicans) like they were the foreigners.
I understood that it was the type of vacation where people just wanted to kick back, drink some margaritas and relax. That was totally understandable. But the question that still lingered in my mind was, why act up to the stereotype the rest of the world already has about Americans? A very controversial question I know. I just feel that the more and more Americans ignore the other cultures in the world, the harder and harder it will be to change some of the many flaws we as a country already possess.
On a different note, I encourage anyone who has time to visit Punta Cana. It is a beautiful and exotic place that comes to life once you arrive. I cannot wait to return sometime soon!
Saturday, March 3, 2007
A Time for Remembrance
I will never forget June 22nd, 2003. This day changed the lives of many people around me and changed myself as well. This day, or I should say night was when my good friend Kieron passed away in a tragic car accident.
I have never been a firm believer in reincarnation or the period of transcendence from the mortal to immortal realm. However, one late night about a year and a half after Kieron’s death, my opinions on these beliefs changed drastically.
I was taking a walk with my friend up the street from my house. I had never before told him the story of Kieron’s death nor had expressed such emotion talking about the devastating time. It was then we noticed a small black cat that proceeded to follow us around the block and all the way back to my house. I knew all of my neighbors and was sure that none of them owned this cat.
An hour and a half after returning to my home that evening, I looked out my front door window, only to find the same cat still perched on my front lawn. It was then I realized that no matter what form Kieron had taken after his death, the mere recollection of his presence on earth would bring his spirit to me.
I have never been a firm believer in reincarnation or the period of transcendence from the mortal to immortal realm. However, one late night about a year and a half after Kieron’s death, my opinions on these beliefs changed drastically.
I was taking a walk with my friend up the street from my house. I had never before told him the story of Kieron’s death nor had expressed such emotion talking about the devastating time. It was then we noticed a small black cat that proceeded to follow us around the block and all the way back to my house. I knew all of my neighbors and was sure that none of them owned this cat.
An hour and a half after returning to my home that evening, I looked out my front door window, only to find the same cat still perched on my front lawn. It was then I realized that no matter what form Kieron had taken after his death, the mere recollection of his presence on earth would bring his spirit to me.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
A Must See Film!
It was two weeks ago, on one of the coldest winter nights in New York City; I stumbled upon this small movie theater called The Sunshine. The name of the theater appealed to me (because of course it was so cold) and I entered. I had no idea that the movie I was about to watch would become one of my favorite movies of all time. The experience of the feature proved to me that sometimes when you do things that are spontaneous, the outcome is much sweeter.
The movie was called Pan’s Labyrinth, created by Guillermo del Toro. The emotions I experienced throughout the film were unlike anything I had felt before. For the first time, I truly felt for the characters in the film as if they were real. Despite the language barrier (the film was in Spanish with English subtitles) and the little knowledge I had of the time period (1944, Spanish Civil War) the main character, Ophelia’s eyes became mine and her journey, my own.
Pan’s Labyrinth encapsulated the life of Ophelia, whose imagination took precedence over the reality she was faced with. Despite the loss of a mother and abuse of an evil stepfather, she was faced with the decision of a lifetime, the decision between the life of a mortal and immortal.
I don’t want to ruin the ending, so I will only say this much. Think of an Alice in Wonderland made for adults, except this time what the audience expects to happen, I promise will not. The film itself can be at times disturbing but the message it sends out to its viewers is one you best not miss.
The movie was called Pan’s Labyrinth, created by Guillermo del Toro. The emotions I experienced throughout the film were unlike anything I had felt before. For the first time, I truly felt for the characters in the film as if they were real. Despite the language barrier (the film was in Spanish with English subtitles) and the little knowledge I had of the time period (1944, Spanish Civil War) the main character, Ophelia’s eyes became mine and her journey, my own.
Pan’s Labyrinth encapsulated the life of Ophelia, whose imagination took precedence over the reality she was faced with. Despite the loss of a mother and abuse of an evil stepfather, she was faced with the decision of a lifetime, the decision between the life of a mortal and immortal.
I don’t want to ruin the ending, so I will only say this much. Think of an Alice in Wonderland made for adults, except this time what the audience expects to happen, I promise will not. The film itself can be at times disturbing but the message it sends out to its viewers is one you best not miss.
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