Section BPR2D

For this workshop, I went to watch a play called Einstein’s Dreams on the 18th of November. This play was held in the Bernie West Theater in 23rd bldg. The play was based on a novel by Alan Lightman. I had no clue on how the play would be like in such a small theater, but the performers were so good, it didn’t matter how big the theater was. Each one of them had such powerful voices and performed with such full of energy. The play was about the relationship each human being has to time. It was a great play that made me filled with thoughts.

This was the first workshop I had attended throughout my first semester. The Club Fair was held in the gym at 24th of September, almost 2 months ago, and I remember how the large space was packed with people. I was able to learn what kind of clubs there were at Baruch, and even got free candies. I did find a lot of interesting clubs, but wasn’t able to join any of them for some reason. I promised myself that next year I’ll join at least two more clubs, other than KSA.

I went to the Basic Interviewing Techniques workshop on the 29th of October. My personal thought was that I’d be more goofing around than actually learning something, but I found this workshop very useful. It was a preparation for my near future, for when I begin to find a job. Before the interview, we must research the corporation/organization, review our resume, practice answering potential interview questions and even prepare a list of questions for the employer. On the day of the interview, we must dress and adjust our attitude for success, and manage our time effectively. During the interview, we must follow the lead of the interview and determine the net step. Last but not least, after the interview, we must analyze the interview and follow up. There was even a student guide given to us, so it was even more helpful as we would be able to review and remember what we had learned. It was a great experience for me, but I only wish it hadn’t been so long.

For this workshop, I went to the Blood Drive on the 7th of October. When I received an e-mail that there would be a blood drive, I was slightly interested as I had never donated blood. At first, I didn’t know this would count as a workshop too, and as I found out about it, I was most certain to go. It was more complicated than I thought: what I had in mind was to simply give blood, but I was told to read something beforehand, write a form and wait. And so I did. As I was waiting in line, I realized the room was divided in half: the inner room was where the actual “donating blood process” was going on and the other (where I was waiting in) was where each of us were being tested of whether or not we are eligible to donate blood. My turn came, and a doctor asked of which countries I had been to before I came to the U.S., what my blood type was, placed something beneath my tongue and took a bit of my blood. What he then said was that I wouldn’t be able to participate because I didn’t have enough iron in my blood. I couldn’t understand at first, but I soon did, and what came in my mind was relief. Relief that I won’t be having to stick a giant needle in my arm and take out what seemed like a liter of my blood. And then I realized, that if I had donated blood with that kind of thought in my mind, it wouldn’t qualify as doing any good on my part. It wouldn’t have been any different as to being dragged by someone and forced to give blood. As I started eating the bag of nuts people had given me before I left (for the sake of increasing the amount of iron in my blood), I promised myself that the next time I make a decision like this, I will be doing it with a more determined mind.

Last month, we all gave an oral presentation on the person that we admire the most. At first, this was a very difficult task for me because I had never thought of it before and I had no idea who to talk about. Finally, I decided on talking about my grandmother and how her optimism has inspired me to be the best that I can be. Moments before the presentation, I was very nervous and all the confidence I had before that day, soon disappeared. When I stood in front of the class, with my index cards in my hands, I began my speech. I noticed myself looking down a lot and not making any eye contact with the audience. I also noticed I was skipping many parts of my speech because two minutes just wasn’t enough. After I got my speech over with, I felt confident that I did pretty well.

My meeting with Sue was really helpful. She asked me how I thought my speech went, and at that point, I told her everything I knew I did wrong. I told her that I felt I didn’t make any eye contact and I wasn’t speaking loud enough. Sue told me that my speech was good but since I only have two minutes, I should try and fit the most important things in those two minutes. I noticed, after watching the video, that I spoke in a general way and didn’t include many details. This is mostly because I skipped over the detailed parts because I was worried that I was going to go over the two minutes. Next time I make a speech, I will try to fit all the important parts ahead of time and practice my speech a lot in order to stay within the time limit. Overall, this presentation and feedback session was very helpful to me because I learned how to improve myself and become a better presenter.

On the 3rd of November I went to a gallery to fulfill the arts at Baruch workshop requirement.  The location of it was in the Sidney Mishkin building. I thought I was going to be late since had a group meeting for a project and I even got lost trying to find the location of the building. Even though I was thirty minutes late, there was still a long queue of students waiting to go inside. Apparently, there was a limitation to 20 students per visit. Before long it was my turn. The Paintings that were on displayed were done by Mercedes Matter. The oil paintings were abstract and colorful. Some are huge while others small. Though abstract, there is some realism in her art. Like the fact that all the fruits are visible, on one of the paintings, if you look really closely. But from far, it appears to be abstract. My favorite painting was a small portrait that she drew when she was nine years old. It was simple and pretty and I was simply attracted to it. I like some of them. The paintings she did as a professional were abstract but it was revolutionary. By the end of the tour, we were allowed to take a couple of cards with one of her painting in black and white. I sent it to a friend of mine and she told me that she really like the art.

I attended the art gallery in the 23rd st. building for this fulfillment. We were shown an array of black and white images that were used to depict nature. Every picture had its own perspective, the way the photographer viewed the world. It was very interesting to see the different perspectives that people have on the world and its nature. I highly recomend this workshop to others.

I went to this workshop on the 29th of October. I had no idea that there is such a workshop until a friend told me. Then I quickly registered for it online because I was told that there are a lot of people. When I go to the workshop, I was given a thick booklet. The workshop was about the process of interviewing. In here, I learnt about what the environment of an interview will be like. The professor who gave the speech tells us what sort of questions that will be expected to show and what are the right answers for them. We are also informed of how to be properly dressed for an interview, how to stand in the right posture and etc. What I like most about this workshop is how detailed the information really are and that the professor also tell us about her own experience. We even got the chance to do a mock interview with our friends. Though the workshop is the longest workshop that I have attended, I was really fascinated about it so the time spent didn’t feel long at all. I really learn a lot from this interview because I have never been to one before and I’m sure that I would be really nervous if I didn’t know what to expect of it. So, this workshop has really helped me to overcome that nervousness that I usually have, especially for a future interview.

I found this session to be very productive. The workshop I attended was called Small Talk. In a nutshell, it was a session where we learned how to speak to others and how to carry out a conversation in a business like environment. We were taught how to properly eat in front of others, as well. I found it very interesting and definitely feel that having this skill is a must in life. I recommend you attend this workshop if offered again.

Unfortunately, at the time of the blood drive  I wasn’t able to give blood for the blood drive. I was on strong antibiotics to clear my sinus congestion.  I normally look forward to giving blood because it makes me feel like I am giving back to the community. I hope to give blood in the next drive.