WE MADE IT!!!!

AHHH!!! Can you believe this is our last blog? Tomorrow is our last day. Think back 24 days ago, it was our first class, did you imagine bridge would be like this. Do you think this has really helped you as a student and are you ready for the fall semester? What were your favorite memories about the last few weeks? Overall how was your experience and can you believe we made it!

BB4L<3

Bridge Survey

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VSYL7R6

Treasures

Benson, one of the boys from They Poured Fire On Us From The Sky talks about a pair of red shorts his father got him and how much he loves and cherishes them. Is there a specific article of clothing or object that you absolutely adore maybe because it was given to you by a significant someone or simply because it's your favorite? Explain what that article is and the meaning behind it.

BB4L's Creation (:

-One Million Bones

Relationships

In the book, They Poured Fire on Us From the Sky, the teachers said, "You can get lost in the drinking and you can get lost flirting with girls. All of you are young men, so we are not saying don't have a relationship. Have a relationship in a good, appropriate way. The most important thing is that you keep up your goals in school" (Pg. 292)

Personally, I was raised to not have a boyfriend until I finished school. The reason being was because my grandma always thought that boyfriends cause drama, and that it would be a huge distraction for school and my goals.

So, let's say you and your bf/gf go to the same school. Or maybe just a cute fella in your class that you have the biggest crush on. Do you personally think that by being in the same place as them can keep you from focusing in your academics or reaching your goals at school? Do you think of them as huge distraction? Why or why not.

(:

ZEST

Living and being from the south, everytime me or my siblings or any other person(child) says a bad word or mouth off to an adult n o matter whom it was, we we're always made to wash our mouth out with ACTUAL SOAP..lol me being myself and YOU ALL KNOW I HAVE A BIG MOUTH, i was the one who always had to wash it out with soap growing up, like literally my mom would stand in the bathroom with me and watch me wash out my mouth with soap....NOW.... doing that for years i have grown to actually LIIKE the taste of soap. theres nothihng like the smell of irish springs bar of soap or licking a bar of <<ZEST>>..mmm mm good! I think im obsessed with soap actually, but none of my family would ever know this. when Im home i wash my hands just to lick the soap. hahaha there done suckkkaaaazzzzmg where are we earting luch today! HAROLDS????

What's Your Guilty Pleasure?

After reading Take the Cannoli by Sarah Vowell, Sarah mentions she has a deep guilty and shameful pleasure for The Godfather. What is something you take pleasure in, but would never admit to others you enjoy it? I would never say this out loud, but mines would be Glee. I talked about the show one time in high school and was ripped to pieces. So never again did I bring it up around others. But believe I tuned in every Tuesday night at 8pm!

Culture?!

When most people think about culture they think about a tradition or a ritual. I'm my book Take the Connoli, Sarah had a ritual of always going out of town and visiting places that she may or my not have every been. Do you consider going different places a ritual or a tradition? And also think back way back to when your "Culture" first began do you think you would be able to have lived in that generation of the beginning of your new founded culture? Explain! :)

Was it really worth it?$$$

In the book Lost in Place mark puts so much money towards his hobby which ended up being a failure since his family didn't actually approve of it, yet he really enjoyed it while he had the chance! Was there ever a time in your life where you spent basically all your money to get something which you couldn't keep or enjoy anymore because someone ruined it for you? Try to think of a situation like this or similar and comment! ( btw yes its extremely late at night i know! i told yall Walgreens Tsk tsk tsk)

Beyonce

When Beyonce comes to mind the first word I think of is empowerment. Since I can remember she has always promoted female empowerment. When Beyonce filmed her movie Cadillac Records, she visited the Phoenix House for drug and alcohol rehabilitation organization. She went to prepare for her role, and after speaking with the women and hearing their stories, she donated her whole salary to the organization. A year later after that Beyonce decided the women there needed something positive to do with their spare time. So she had them built a cosmetology building, where they could earn a cosmetology license. Fact is she didn’t have to do what she did for them, but she did and she wanted them to do something positive with their life. One thing I didn’t know about Beyonce is she attended Alief Elsik High School for the Performing and Visual Art. But due to her raising career she left to be home schooled.

Role Models

Do some online research on your role model - find something NEW you did not know about them.  Thinking about your word to describe them, write a short paragraph demonstrating why you chose this word.  How does the new information you found add to this description?  What else does it make you think about?  Write the name of your role model in the title of your post.

HELLO MY NAME IS MIKE DAVIS.....nice to meet you nicki.chacon

GROWING UP I always thought that i was one of the best singers in the world, I swear i thought that if me and Usher had a sing off, i would hands down win, I was so into my voice and music that it led me to feel the music more and start to become more of an artist, that's when i started to dance, My sisters danced in dance companies when they we're young but me, i wanted to grow into my talents, i didn't want people to tell me how to do the things i wanted to do, i wanted everything MY WAY...MIKES WAY YA DIGGG!! So I basically trained myself to be the person i am today, but what got into performing in when i was in Middle school (8th grade) me and my 4 other buddies we're like the guys who sand and danced so we all got together and decided to be THE JACKSON 5 for a week that led up to the schools talent show which is the most popular thing that took place at my school we did a medley of Jackson 5 songs and we WON  1st place (of course) ha, but from that point on i started to be in more talent shows and just performing to get more comfortable onstage and infront of people, Just the feeling of people looking at me and knowing that i have a gift is awesome! i love my passion! i cant do anything, like PICTURE THIS Mike Davis asking you "Hi may I assist you today with your bank transactions" ....uhhhhh NOOOO what the H. E >double hockey sticks.NO IM A DAMN ENTERTAINERRRRRRRRR

Marylin

When I was younger, I had a blog spot of my own. I wrote everything that I felt.
I basically wrote my every day life without caring if I put too much info or not on it. I posted every now and then, and sometimes i would post the link on MySpace (back when it was cool) so that people could read what i would write. Getting feedback from my friends whether it was good or bad, gave me the motivation and the passion to continue to express myself through writing. My writing got deeper and deeper as i continued to post.
Then, i started to have problems in my life. Unfortunately, instead of taking it out on the keyboard and writing about how i felt, i completely stopped writing. I didn't care for it and i just simply did not want to do it anymore. My thoughts were wandering off and then my mind went fully blank. I simply did not know how to express myself at all anymore.
I am a very abstruse person. If i didn't have writing, who else could understand me? I sure didn't.
Then, my last year in high school, one friend asked, "Do you still blog?" I answered, "Nope. Not anymore..." They replied, "Why? You were so good at it!"
When i was told that, something had just clicked.
I realized that I had stopped writing because i started to have problems in life. Pfft, PATHETIC!
Truth is, EVERYONE has problems, and just because we have problems, doesn't mean that we have to give up on what we truly love.
So, as time went on, I decided i wanted to continue and finish what i had once started and take it to the next level. I want to improve in my writing; I want to make it 100 times better. I want people to love what i write. To read what i have to say.
Coming to Columbia to major in Journalism is a big step for me. I feel like this school will prepare me for whatever i would like to accomplish in life.

So, am i ready to take this big step to further what i love to do? Absolutely!

Dominick Cavaiani

My major is audio arts and acoustics. I fell in love with it when I volunteered at my local church running the sound board and i just absolutely loved it. I have been doing the sound for a couple years and i will start up again this season. I always wanted to learn more about it and eventually do it for a profession. I have always wanted to go to Columbia for some type of music incorporated major, so after talking to my lesson teacher, who played another huge role in what i want to do. He being a musician we always talked about music and once i told him about being an audio major, he helped me out by discovering a part of me that i did not know i had, and that helped me decide on audio. I also go to a lot of concerts and as im sitting at these concerts, i dont just watch the performer but i also see the people in the tent controlling the sound, and how they react was an inspiration to me. I knew this is what I wanted to do and this is the school I want to go to. I always wanted to do something with music. I started playing an instrument back in elementary school but I never thought any of it, but in middle school I had a teacher called Mr. Worth, and he was a huge influence on me wanting to go into music. Then getting into high school my influences consisted of teachers and peers. All that put together created my passion for audio and ya. So music is my passion and audio is what I want to pursue really bad!

Brandon

We always have a drive and passion for our majors because we always want to succeed at it and become better then the other person is who trying to get the same job. Without having any type of encouragement or something that's making you drive then you wont end up being as good as you want to at your major. I felt this emotion after i realized that i have to help a company create prestigious games which has to compete against other games all over the world because i wouldn't want to release a game or ship it out knowing that the public would like it at all!

The only person i had to influence me to get a major in video games was myself. After i realized that i really enjoyed playing video games i came to a conclusion and said: "why shouldn't i create my own video games which everyone in the world would like even myself!"Then I realized over time that video games would begin to get dull so since its a hobby that i like i could destroy my own hypothesis and come to a conclusion that we would have video games for another one hundred years.

IDance!- Britney aka Brit-Brat

I have been dancing ever since i could point my toes! I never took dance classes but i have always been in different dance groups. From church to the streets dancing hasn't ever left my body. One day when i was a child i went to church and there were a group of girls on stage dancing. I was so excited it gave my chills. Ever since that day i have been apart of Extensions of Christ dance ministry.Ive always did plays at mine and other peoples church that consist of me dancing. One day this lady name Mrs. Cynthia told me when i go away to school i should consider going to Columbia because my dance skills are very anointed. She also told me that there dance center is the best and its getting better and better each year. She graduated from Columbia a while ago and is no longer living, but everyday i come to bridge i think about what she told me and the reason why I'm here and why i have to make it. when i was 5th grade i tried out for all the dance groups and the private school i was in. I got into ever group that i tried out for. All throughout 6th-8th grade i was in every theater dance and street dance groups possible. I danced in different parades like the Bud Billikon for an example. When i entered high school i was the captain over the majorette dance team and the leader over several dance groups. I also did parades with the band in high school. Dancing has always been apart of my that's one of the reasons why i wouldn't mind making it my career. why not get paid for doing something you love and have a great passion for? I wont leave it if i could!

Stacia Dockins

AS a child I always wanted to become an actress I liked getting attention. This emotion made me want to achieve this goal any way possible. That is why I am trying to become a student at Columbia college. A major influence to me is Denzel Washington as a child I watched a lot of his movies. I noticed a pattern with him as an actor. No matter what role he played he always put a hundred percent in what he did and that is why he was so successful. Denzel received an oscar for the movie Training Day and he stated that it was the easiest part he ever played. The first acting experience I had was my freshmen year of high school. I performed my first monologue in theater class. I felt such a rush being in front of people performing my emotions with words and body. This feeling I had stayed with me and probably will until I achieve my dream as a professional actress.

My Way

I was first introduced into gaming when I was 3 years old. I saw my brother playing video games so I grabbed a controller and played along with him. Ever since that day, I got addicted to playing games. It was mainly, my brother that got me into games--like he got me into death metal and rock--and I wanted to do nothing else but play video games every time I get home. I would rant all day about different games if one of my friends wanted to talk about video games. My interests are games like Gears of War, Halo, Devil May Cry, Assassin's Creed, Sonic, Mario, and such. I'm pretty open-minded about games. You'll lose me if you start talk about boring games like Farmville or some other kid games that talks about how to raise a cat or a dog or something along those lines.

Throughout my school years, I wanted to get the next new game that catches my interest. Sure, I wanted to do other things but gaming was my number 1 thing. On my junior year in highschool, I knew that I wanted to be a game designer. I wanted to stick with something I love and knew my whole life. Nothing else has crossed my mind at that point. Besides writing though, since I am writing a story of my own that I'll turn into a video game later.I used to wanted to be a police officer or a firefighter when I was a kid. But video games came out of my mind more than anything else.

I was originally going to Flashpoint but I didn't because of money issues and my brother didn't really like their design and how they do things so he recommended going to Columbia and so did, my uncle and my friend, that still goes here.I am taking a leap of faith to see where my desire would lead me. All I have to do is keep my hopes on my dreams and make the best out of it

Why why why.

Well seeing that I have no talent whatsoever. Well non that I have discovered YET. I knew that I wanted to manage the talent. I'm self motivated and I like getting tasks completed. So back to when I found this inspiration. I knew since I was a lad that I wanted to pursue a career in the music field but like i said above, i don't play an instrument or sing for that matter (well i sing, but nothing good. that's just me though) So I found myself going to the local library and getting literature on the music business side of things. That's when it came to me, I want to scope out the new talent and make it my goal to get them known. When I was 14 I met my friend Bojan who is currently a Music Agent for The Windish Agency here in Chicago. He was already into the whole managing and promoting of local bands from DeKalb at The House Cafe and other venues around NIU. His managing/business skills turned me on even more to becoming a talent manager. The way he dealt with business and the strive he had to promote whoever it was was very admirable, still is actually. He took me under his wing and would allow me to come with to talk to the owners of venues. That way I could see for myself how he presented the portfolio and demo cd about the band he was trying to book. So all this made the anticipate for my chance to mange someone. That's when my best friend Logan created a band and gave me the opportunity to take care of them. I was in charge of promoting them, making sure demos were being processed as well as shirts and pins. Talking to Jan (the owner of The House Cafe) to see when we could fit The Patience in (that was the bands name) As well as talking to a friend of mine who was working for the Norther Star (NIU student paper) to show up and publicize them even more. Unfortunately 2 out of the 3 girls ended up moving to Chicago and the band split up. Which led to the end of my managing experience. FOR NOW.

That one project in 4th grade..

In the fourth grade I was required to do a project on Quincy Jones. When I was given his name I had no idea who he was and what he did. As I did the research he basically did everything the music industry can offer. He was a prodcuer, singer, songwriter, manager, creating his own record label, and so much more. During his life he had a brain aneuysm and he recovered and still continued managing and writing. Ever since then I became more involoved with music. I want to accomplish as much as he did for my future, but I have been put down by my parents so many times in other occassions, such as my grades in highschool. My parents expect so much more from me because I am an only child and I should learn to do things on my own, yet again when they grew up with older brothers and sisters they had help; I only have me, myself and I. I wasnt the perfect student in highschool so my parents think I will never change. They do not agree on what I want as a career, but mainly they do not think I am capable of the work my career has to offer. My parents do not know me as well as they think, but what they have said has only made me stronger and to go against their decisions for my life and take a risk for it. I decided to go with music buisness management as a challenge for myself; a new beginning. I am open to risks and challenges because you never know what the outcome would be, but you learn from it. Quincy Jones did not let the brain aneursym tramuatize him, he still continued and prived to others he can go on.My drive and passion toward my major is not to prove others what I can accomplish, but to prove myself I can do it all on my own reguardless of the people who support me or not. With opportunities I feel it in my heart that Columbia can lead me to the right direction, but its up to me to succeed.

Jodeci

I'm 5 years old with my plastic guitar strapped over my shoulder . I'm on my stage (my mothers fireplace) I cue my mom to play my music. Prince "The Beautiful Ones starts" starts to play, and I go into full performance mode. Atfer my grand performance (which was awesome), I realized my voice was not the business. My mom lied and told me it was but, she was just being nice. Plus I think she enjoyed me making a fool of myself. Growing up I've always liked music and everything about it. My mom got me EVERY Disney soundtrack tape there was out. I would know all the words to the tapes when my mom played them in the car. As I got older she started to play more of the music she listen to in her younger days. Outside of my Disney soundtrack, my mom played Prince Purple Rain. Ever since then I was hooked. I dropped my Disney tapes and cartoons. I couldn't believe how much music I've been missing. So I wanted to be a singer when I was little. But the older I got and my voice matured, I still couldn't singer. You know when your younger it's cute. But when your pushing 12 it's time to call it a rap. I had so much passion for music but couldn't express it the way I wanted. Then one day I was watching this show about Whitney Houston, and they were talking about this guy Clive Davis. So I looked him up and realized this guy is AMAZING. After reading all the talent he signed and made into mega starts, I wanted to be just like him. I was so pumped they had job for the unfortunate folks who couldn't singe, dance, or play a instrument. Since then I always told my family I'm going to be an A&R one day just like Clive Davis. So here I am now in school hoping one day to achieve that dream job.

Amanda

Why do I want to work in PR?
I love working with people and I'm told very often that I'm good with people. I want to work with people or companies and make them more appealing. Celebrities and high profile people lately have been acting very careless with their lives. Many getting arrested or involved in a scandal. I would try to make their image better. Everyone goes through rough patches in there life and I'm here to help. I mainly want to work with sports teams and also do their events. I love planning parties, I love how everyone gets together and has a good time. I want to be the reason everyone is having a good time by throwing an amazing party. My aunt introduced me party planning/ pr. She has been in the business for over 20 years and is a very successful woman. She worked at Rock Bottom as the top event coordinator and would throw parties for all the football teams that would come into Chicago to play the bears. I went to work with her when I was 7 years old and instantly fell in love. I loved how she had a vision and I loved seeing how it came to life and how everyone was enjoying themselves. She has worked for Harry Carry's, Martini Park, Donald Trump even asked contacted her for a position when he was building trump towers. (she was pregnant so she had to decline) I love planning events and getting everything all organized and seeing an idea come to life. I have friends who promote clubs downtown and throw events, they set everything up and get to enjoy their work and have fun, on top of that they get paid. I think its so cool how I get to work with so many people and bring them together for a fun occasion.

...hmmm...Why..?

In most of our essays and some discussions in class we all talk about this drive and passion we have for our majors, but why? When did you feel that emotion? How did you know that emotion would lead to where you are now? Talk about when you first came incontact to what your passionate about. Did something or someone influence you? Did you try something out when you were young and it stuck with you? Explain, What, How, and Why you have that strong passion or drive for your major.

Being Unique

Today I want you to use your imagination it's ok I will wait some of you might have trouble finding it. I want you to imagine that you are in a jungle with nothing but the clothes on your back no food, cellphone, or ipod. With thousands of other people that you didnt even know. No family or friends to confide in. Having to find and hunt for your own food, In my book They Poured Fire on Us From the Sky the young boys were going through worse conditions. Walking from one village to another without even having on shoes and hardly any clothes. Do you think that you would be able to survive in the jungle for two weeks under the same type of conditions? Explain why or why not.

BB4L

WHAT ACTIONS ARE WE GOING TO TAKE TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN OUR FUTURE, AND WHAT ARE YOU WILLING TO DO TO GET WHAT YOU WANT!!!

for example, waking up early, staying in on weekdays/ weekends and giving up a party to study for a test.

Group Walgreen's

Do you think in order for you to accomplish your goal you would have to take action in your life? Or is it more of who and what you know? Explain

Influence

Mark's mom and dad 5told him that he shouldn't do the things he was doing anymore. Mark loves the things he's been doing. He wanted to be a Zen Master. Should you let others tell you what you should be or tell them to "SCREW YOU I'M BEING WHAT I WANT TO BE!"?

Dominick Cavaiani

What are you looking at?

In my book Take the Cannoli, Sarah Vowell explains new york as your looking at it, and she says, " to your left is the world trade center, the Empire State building, and all the other big shot towers bable assembled in a united front of taunting: what are you looking at."

when you look at a painting, building, person, etc... what do you look at? you can describe what you look for, what do you look at specifically, how do you look at it? etc etc...

ok... I put this picture, and I could not delete it :( so just pretend this is New York :/

High Schools to go CLEAR?

 We have all heard the stories, gave our opinions but what can be done? Violence and suicides in high schools have increased much since 2008. More and more school districts are requiring their students to carry see-through backpacks or clear backpacks to decrease Violence and suicides, but mainly just to be aware and cautious.

Do you Think the Violence and such can be decreased by requiring students to carry clear backpacks or do you think its invading a students privacy? Do you think high schools should take on this also? why or why not?

*Mike Davis*

Dominick

It all started in a place not to far from where I live now. I first started out in a town called Des Plaines, but i did not live there for long. after a couple of years hanging out at the town lake and going to shows which I have now learned that they are called concerts. after a couple of years my family decided to get a house in Arlington Heights/ Mount Prospect, we are like on the border!!! anyways i have done most of my growing up here.

I am someone who enjoys going out and having a chill hang out over sitting at home playing video games. If I had to choose a video game I would choose guitar hero. i love music and playing the guitar, you kno with me and my friends I am one to bring my Ciera everywhere. p.s. Ciera is the name of my acoustic guitar. but getting back to my story, i bring my Ciera everywhere and me and my friends have mini jam sessions you. we all just sing and have a good time. I can not sing to save my life and even though my family makes fun of me all the time, my friends dont care.

I am a very outgoing person, put me in a room with random strangers, give me five minutes and we all friends. A lot of that comes from my dad. wherever we go with the family, my dad is able to just crack a joke and start conversation with anyone, he is not afraid to do anything. I am not afraid to do anything. One time me and a group of friends went to the Art Institute of Chicago and i randomly just asked a security guard if i could I dont know, like if i could touch or sit on a sculpture! after that we stood there for ten minutes just joking about punishments. I feel like life shouldnt be all about being embarrased and being quiet. Before i went to high school i was that quiet kid that did not do much. i went to high school, joined the band and it really helped me become the person i am today.

Mike Davis

Look at me!! I'll start by saying that I am a personality. I treat people with attention and understanding. I love people. I have a unique understanding of people and their hopes and dreams.  By my nature I am well balanced, even - tempered man but down to earth goody. I have a lot of dreams, and I want everyone to become a part of my world. I enjoy life and want to find a person to enjoy life with. I believe in myself 100%. coming from a large family of non motivating people all my life I had to be self motivated. I was adopted by my aunt at a young age so parents were never a option to come to and talk about my issues or problems, Ive grown up learning how to deal with things on my own and being a believer I never gave up on anything I've ever wanted to do. I've come a long way and I'm very proud of my accomplishments. I'm going to rock out this life and enjoy it the best way I can. I motivate myself to be the best. One day you will see me Accepting awards on TV. MARK MY WORDS. Im on my way.

My Life is not a Rehearsal, the Camera is always Rolling

 

Brandon C.

Hello everyone my names brandon as you can see in the title. Im currently a service clerk for company called Walgreens. So if you was ever curious as to why i wear a blue polo most of the days and slacks thats why! I even met Dr.Martin luther king jrs son on the job hes a pretty big guy...but back to the subject. So far ive been working there for 8 months getting 30 hours and more a week! it can become very tireing especially now that ima going to attend college. But to be honest i enjoy it i met alot of co-workers who are now some of my greatest friends; i feel that everyone there is my family becuase we treat eachother with some of greatest respect, and always share good stories. But i would rather enjoy being home playing my video games,drums and listening to heavy metal music. But this job so far has been teaching me how to extremly multitask working a job,having hobbies,friends/family AND attenting college at the same time are difficult to manage.

Stacia Dockins

When I was young I always watched the tv show Americas Next Top Model and wanted to be on it. I still watch the show Tyra Banks inspired me to become a model. Shes always open to something different. Love her talk show to !
I only been modeling for two months its something that I always wanted to do. Im starting to see that its not that easy to get into the business. Just recently a guy inboxed me on facebook telling me that he wanted to take pictures for my profolio. We scheduled a day for me to come out to Chicago to do it. I kind of had a feeling that something was wrong. He was very excited about me coming . The week of the appointment he kept texting me to make sure I was coming. So when the day came I packed up my clothes that I wanted to wear and asked my brother and miother to come along. When we got off the train I called him to get the adress. He offered to pick me up I then asked did he have room in his car because I had my brother with me. He hurried me off the phone and when I tried to call back he didnt pick up. The phone kept going to voicemail no matter how many times I called. Now I know to always bring someone with me to a photoshoot and becoming a model won't be easy.

Miguel

I was raised in a rural town of IL named Sycamore. It's about 60 miles west of Chicago. The town's population was around 10,00 when I was a kid. I grew up in a fairly large family. I'm 1 of 8 actually. I loved having this big family when I was younger because there was always something going on and keeping my attention for my 7yr old self. If I got mad or upset at one of them there was always 6 more siblings I could go to for support or comedy. As the years went by the house that was once a circus is now nothing but a study hall setting. All my sisters and one brother now have their own thing going on. Their own house, kids, and craziness that we at times don't appreciate. Because honestly...as I'm sitting here reminiscing about my childhood I really am missing the GOOD havoc that my life once had.

Cameron

I am raised and born in Chicago, IL. My passion is video games, paintball, and drawing. I'm really really not a morning person and a very care-free person. I always do everything in the afternoon or at night. Sometimes I play do nothing but play games and use facebook. Most times, I hang with my friends and have fun at their house. I'm the "do without second thought" kind of person. I can get myself hurt on some situations but I always laugh about it later. I always use sense of humor to get myself through the day. I used to be what people would call a "playa" since I flirt with different women outside. Now and days, I search for the perfect one that I know that I will spend the rest of my life with.

I draw to keep myself awake or drink a lot of pepsi, sprite, coca-cola, etc. I do dangerous things to be a rebel and to be funny. The expression of "It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt" doesn't exist to me. To me, it's all laughs unless I really do get a broken bone or really get a serious injury. Like, I was playing games with my friends, in a rainy day, and we were joking around until I slipped and sprang my arm. Sadly, it was my writing and my drawing arm too. It only took two days to heal so it wasn't that bad of a injury.

I always start my fights with my brother, just to annoy him. I act differently outside of my family. Outside, I'm a fun, crazy dude that'll do anything to make people laugh. Inside my family, is me being a good guy that plays his video games and share some information with them. I follow my Grandpa's advice, "Never back down and be a man of your choice and no one else."

Amanda

I believe that i am defined by all the struggle and obstacles i have been through in my life. I feel like as a younger child i had a very privleged life, I went on many vacations and pretty much had everything i wanted, little did i know what was ahead for me. When i was in middle school i found out my dad had a serious drug problem and it left us broke. A few years later my grandmother who pretty much raised me passed away and my grandfather as well in a matter of 4 days. That alone made me grow up very quick, I had to take on a lot of responsibility that many 12 year olds dont have to. I had to be strong for my family and I pretty much became like the rock and support system for my family. My mother got diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer when i was a freshman. She battled for 2 1/2 years and during that time I had to pretty much become my own person so that i could know i could survive without her. She passed away when i was 17 , I wasnt the rock anymore that my whole family saw me as being. I myself developed a horrible drinking problem and drug addiction. I got a DUI and that changed my life. I started to focus and get on the path to remembering who i was and who i wanted to be. I got a job, started going to school really getting my act together. With all these obstacles I am proud of myself that i didnt continue what i was doing. I am again the rock and support system that everyone goes to with every problem. I still believe i have a lot more to discover about myself but i do see myself as a very strong person that can come out on top after any situation. After all the negative situations I feel like the tables have turned, I am earning a living and providing myself with everything i need. I have been through a lot and love helping others in similar situations and tell them my experience and how i overcame it. I believe in the saying everything happens for a reason, I think all these things happened to me so I can help others.

Nicolette...Nicki?

"Hey Nicki can you to take the dog a bath, clean the washroom, and vacum the house before you make plans, I'm leaving to work in a few,"my mom tells me. Four hours later I have not done anything and I made plans to go to the mall with my friends. I leave to go out before she comes home from work thinking she'll let me slide by. I come home from the mall and the first thing I here when I come through the door, a loud yell of my name, "NICOLETTE!", I already knew my punishment.

When things are needed for a serious situation I go by the name Nicolette, as when my mom is mad at me, or when I am in school, otherwise everyone calls me Nicki. I rather be called Nicki most of the time instead of Nicolette because I feel my name is something I have to own up to. Nicki is different in a way were I can be outgoing and be the person I am. You can look at it as I have two different attiudes with my name, surprisingly thats how I was raised. My parents wanted me to grow up responisble and respectable, yet not boring and serious. Whenever some one calls me Nicolette the scenario would be at school, at work, or in other cases where I'm in trouble. Whenever some one calls me Nicki matters would be with friends, family, or people I know on a personal level.

I dont mind being called Nicolette from people who don't know me well, but speaking about who I am now, just call me Nicki. Names are important because thats how some people are defined and a name is a person, or whatever the case may be. Whether someone calls me Nicolette or Nicki, I have no choice but to respond, its who I am. Reguardless of where I am and someone decides to call me Nicki in school, and Nicolette at a party, I will still act serious at school and I will have fun at that party. Everyday can be a fun day, I learned to appricate both of my names in any occassion (haha that sounds werid). Since you only live once, I like to follow the saying James Dean once said,

"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today."

Brit Brat

Who am i? Well i know who i am. I am a bright, educated young lady. that is also out going and spoken. I love to speak my mind and stay positive about everything. Im the girl that you go around when you are having a bad day and you just need some one to not just talk to but to cheer you up. I never tell you what you want to hear but what you need to know. And if i dont know the answer i would be honest with you and tell you well i dont know.

Growning as a young girl i wanted to do it all. I wanted to dance, and build. No one could ever tell me i couldnt because i always had self movtiviation. I remember one point of time i wanted to build a plane and go to space. My parents told me that i could be whatever do what every i put my heart to and be anything postive that i want to be, but as i grow my mind changed. Now im into more mature things like going to school and dance. I really love to dance no matter what time of day i will hit the floor! My mom supported my dancing. She would find diierent plays and dance groups for me to be apart of and would be like the teams mom. I get all of my postive thoughts, movtiation and out going character from my mom. And out going, out spoking part from my dad. I truly appreciate them beign my back bone, supporters, and my #1 fans. Hopefully when i get my BFA i will be able to build my dance studio instead of a plane.

Marylin

Before I started to re-write this blog once again, I had been sitting in front of the screen for quite some time trying to figure out what to say about myself. When you are put on the spot it is hard to define who you are. It is hard to sit and say, "this is who I am."
Well, I grew up in five different homes and two different states. When i was about three years old, my dad left my mom and at that point my mother had to figure out our lives and what to do with them. Being raised by a single mother has shaped who I am as a person in a way. Yes, I was born here, then moved to Texas. While I was in Texas I felt so lost, because I did not have any family and it was hard for me being the "new girl." The whole environment was so different compared to Chicago's. My very first day of school everyone looked at me as if they had never seen a girl. They seemed to be so shocked that I was from the "windy city" coming to a very hot weather state. The same routines every day, track running, square dancing in gym class, but as the time passed by I had to let my mom know that Texas wasn't for me. I graduated from fifth grade and returned to Chicago as soon as possible.

When I got to high school I realized I needed more distractions, so I joined my high schools Pom Squad. Whenever i would get up on that stage and dance, it was as if nothing mattered. All my fears, all my problems, everything seemed to disappear. I danced all my four years, and I will take that experience with me forever. Being on that team also made me grow as a person. It showed me the true meaning of teamwork.

So, why didn't I major in dance? I still ask myself that question all the time. As you can tell I am a very abstruse person. (I don't even get myself sometimes.) I figured, maybe I need to try something new in my life; I want to find something that defines me. So, i went with Journalism.

I hope to one day make it big. Coming to Columbia will definitely be a challenge that i am willing to take. Along the road soon I hope to find myself as a person, make wise decisions, and continue learning.

Jodeci

Being in Chicago feels much different then Ohio. Not really use to this city life compared to Ohio, which our downtown consist of 7 buildings. But I’m actually glad I decided to come out here to Chicago. For some reason I have always been very hesitate towards change. It’s that not knowing what’s going to happen to me which gets me nerves.

That might be because I have never really been anywhere else other then Ohio. I guess you can say theirs not much I have experience yet. Originally I planned to attend college back home. But my mother told me I should have a real college experience. My mother believes I should start putting myself in situations I normally wouldn’t. She thinks it will help me grow, mature, and learn to adapt.

I guess she’s right because I like to do things on the safe side of things. So I decided to take her advice and I applied to Columbia. I wasn’t at first mainly because I don’t know anyone outside of Ohio. So being on my own feels unreal to me because, I’ve always depended on my mother to help get things done for me. So now I’m hear and I realized things aren’t bad like I thought they would be.

So I really plan on working hard these next four weeks. I feel like Columbia would be a great fit for me. Mainly because I have always wanted to attend an art school, since I was in elementary. Music was constantly a top priority in life since I was young. So finding a school that catered to that was important to me.

But sadly, this kid right here was not born with an ounce of a musically bone in her body. Yes I know its unfortunate right? It’s a crime if you ask me, but I’m just overacting right now. Luckily I like to say have an “ear for music”, yes cliché but I feel its true. Which is why I applied to Columbia, they had a program that fitted me perfectly.

I don’t have a plan B in life, which is fine with me. It makes me want to work that much harder to avoid failure. Though I am fully aware that success doesn’t happen when you want it to. So I’m excited for this coming fall, I can finally work towards having a career and establishing myself.

Ryan

At the end of this month, I will have been in Chicago for one year.

I flew here late last summer with just two suitcases jammed with clothes, a few pairs of shoes, and a couple books. I had never been to Chicago, but had struggled all season to save up enough cash for a plane ticket and a deposit on an apartment, and as the tires touched down on O'Hare's tarmac, I tallied the trade-off. Things left behind: friends, family, the beach, a few crates of books, a dismal career as a gigging musician. Things awaiting me on the other side of a three-hour flight: a job tutoring, teaching, three years of graduate school, a manuscript.

But there was more to the trade than just things. Leaving North Carolina and moving to Chicago felt like a start and a finish, like saying goodbye and hello at the same time. But that's just the nature of moving, and the nature of school. School is strange like that: on one hand, you feel like you're putting the final touches on your education, wrapping up what began when you were only five or six, and on the other hand, you feel like you're only at the beginning of something else – a career, a journey, a life.

The college is liminal space, really – an in-between, threshold kind of place that thrives on mixing and remixing itself: a mix of that crazy thing we call “real life” and that crazier thing we call “the academy”; a mix of students and professionals and professional students; a mix of urbanite and suburbanite, rural and international; a mix of past and future.

And if any of this sounds overly romanticized: it is. There is absolutely something romantic about the idea of self-betterment and education that we associate with greatness and drive and all those other college brochure words. We should feel that way about it, shouldn't we?

The simple answer: I'd like to think so, or at least I hope so. After all, I'm here in Chicago, at Columbia (as a student and a teacher) for a similar reason to anyone else: I wasn't done learning. I like to think that's a good enough reason to jump time zones, and I'm sure I'll be wherever I am in five or ten years because, even by then, I still won't be finished, and will have swapped Chicago out for some other set of things to gain. And that's perfectly OK with me.