LC 20

On the 26 of October the complete freshman class attended the The Bitter Sea panel discussion in the mason hall. I didn’t know really what to expect when i first heard of it but since it was mandatory i had no choice but  figured it would be fun since the author Charles Lee would be there. So when i arrived the whole LC 20 sat together like always and listened to the panel discussion that included the author Charles Lee and other panelist that really related to the book. I thought that Charles would be very grumpy and mean but he was very nice he talked as if nothing ever bothered him which i really did like. Also the author took some questions from the audience which i enjoyed the most hearing what he had to say about life, the book and other things such as his teaching career. This event was very informative and gave us an inside look of the book adn the author himself which i found interesting.

We went to the Mason Hall on this Tuesday to watch a panel discussion between Professor Stan Altman, Tashi Chodron, Katrin Hansing, Bruce Payne, as well as the author of The Bitter Sea, Charles N. Li. In their discussion they discussed past experience that led them to who they are today. They discussed certain situations they encountered that helped shape their identity. This actually got me thinking about what experiences shaped my identity and comparing them to the ones mentioned by the panelists. I thought this workshop helped me begin to think deeply about my identity in the same way the panelists did. I also enjoyed this workshop as I got to enjoy my time with my LC class mates and at the same time I was able to listen to a discussion about identity that was very interesting. I also got to see Charles N. Li the author of the freshman reading assignment that I read this summer. I got to see the way Charles N. Li handles himself and how he speaks. I thought the question asking segment at the end was great as students were able to ask Li any question they had for him. I learned certain new things that about Charles N. Li’s perspective on certain things that related to the book based on this question and answer segment. Overall, I viewed this workshop as a new nice experience.

On October 26th, I went to Mason Hall with the rest of LC 20. We witnessed a panel discussion that was considered a mandatory  Academic Enrichment Workshop. When I came in, there were four empty chairs on stage; none were occupied. I sat calmly, cracking a few jokes with a couple of friends from LC 20 as I awaited the arrival of Charles N. Li. When he entered, he seemed older than I expected, but then I realized that he was born in 1940, which meant that he is approximately 70 years of age. He definitely does not look as old as he is. He is in pretty good shape compared to most 70 year old men.

Before Mr. Li was  given the opportunity to talk about his identity and his experience in college, we heard from others including Professor Stan Altman of the School of Public Affairs, Tashi Chodron, Katrin Hansing, as well as bruce Payne. Each spokesperson introduced themselves and spoke about their college experiences and their processes that they underwent in their lives to be where there currently are. It was interesting because I learned from other people’s perspectives and we can all agree that college is the beginning of our free and independent lives. I’m curious as to see what my college career beholds for me and I am eager to take on any challenges and experiences that may await me.

To finish off the event, there was a really short Question & Answer Session with the author of the Bitter Sea, Charles N. Li. He answered any questions that some freshmen had. I found most of the questions to be silly; some regarded his age as well as the purpose of the book which he wrote in the beginning of the book. Some questions were fairly intellectual as they pertained to Mr. Li’s life. It was a good experience to see him; well from a distance. It seemed unreal because after all he wrote in the book, I would never think to see him in person.

-Robi Baazashvili

Almost the whole LC 20 decided to go to the art gallery together. When we went I figured that it will be the same old styled pics. But when we arrived I saw the pictures and I was surprised that they were pieces I was interested and haven’t seen . The pieces really did make me think about groups and how people associate themselves and others. The director talked through the photos  and explained some of  the good groups like a club and the bad one like a war slave. I thought the exhibition was really cool I don’t really like going to see arts because its usually something that cant be related,weird or even a piece that you dont really understand or know what really it is.  I thought the exhibition at the Mishkin art gallery was really cool and the pieces did make me think about social groups. I really enjoyed going there especially with the whole Lc20

Yesterday, all the freshman were required to attend a workshop called ‘East — West Identity: Journeys & Transformations’. We had the honor to meet the author of our freshman text Charles Li Ni. In addition to meeting Charles, we were also given the opportunity to meet other panelists and listen to their stories. It was such great experience and a lot of fun with other members in our LC during the workshop.

After all the panelists were finished telling us about their stories, we were given an opportunity to ask Charles any questions we may have had for him about the book, his life or anything in between. Overall I really appreciated this once in a lifetime opportunity we were given.

There are three things that are important to me. First  thing is happiness which includes  which includes the happiness of my family, close friends and happiness. Usually if they are happy and feel good then i am happy. Another thing is love with that warm feeling between each other in family and friends is very important. without this it makes everything complete. And the last things might sound cheesy but it feels good to have peace between family and friends. without peace the arguments make the environment we have better and more comfortable.

“It isn’t where you come from, its where you are going that counts.” Why is this building called the vertical campus? Isn’t the 23rd street building vertical as well? Aren’t all buildings built vertically? Thats weird. College is weird. The people in college are even weirder. Now that i think of it, high school was weird. You know what else is weird? Me.

My name is Eldan Akerman and college is going pretty well. My biggest challenges in college right now are English and Philosophy classes. English is very boring and I am actually falling asleep. Also, it is kind of hard because there are many essays and a research paper due in mid-November. But philosophy is worse because the class is boring and I do not understand what is going on in the class and in the homework. But I do enjoy business class, because the professor has a sense of humor and makes the material interesting.

What I like best in life is playing sports with my friends and hanging out with them. I feel free, with no worries, when I do those activities. I like playing basketball and volleyball. I like the least to stay home and do nothing. When it happen, and for long period of times, I feel that I am wasting part of my life. So that is why when I am home, I help my mom by cleaning the dishes and throwing out the thrash. Also, since I got my license I became the driver of the house.

A moment that I felt embarrassed was in ninth grade. I just arrived to the United States from Israel, and did not know much English. Actually, that whole year I felt embarrassed. If people wanted my notes, it did not make sense to them. Also, I could not speak clearly so people did not understand what I was saying. That whole year I was quite in all of my classes and did not communicate, because I felt embarrassed to talk. That played against me, because by being quite you cannot make new friends.

Hey guys, my name is Alex. Recently, what I’m afraid of is not taking school seriously enough and in effect not doing so well. With everything that’s been going on recently, unless it’s the weekend, the only thing that makes me happy is my bed and my pillow and days off from school.  On weekends, seeing my girlfriend and my friends is really what my life is all about. My grades and my education is what’s important to me right now and it’s even more important now then before because I actually have to pay for it now. College is definitely very different from High School and College is not easy. The teachers aren’t too bad but I have to study and do my work every single day and rarely ever get a break. I don’t even remember the last time I had a normal night of sleep. I basically live my life for the weekends because other then that it’s the same thing every single day and it’s not that fun, it’s a lot of work. The thing I’m actually enjoying most about college is my business class. I find it to be very interesting and economics really seemed to be a good focus for me. So far I would say this is the only class that is helping me decide what I want to do with my life in the Business field. My biggest challenge in school would have to be Philosophy class. Its actually the easiest class I have, there are no tests or quizzes, but I have no idea how he will actually grade us or what will be my final grade. Now I will move on to a time in my life that I felt empowered. By far, the moment I felt most empowered was when I got driver’s license and then my car. These two things just open up a whole new level of freedoms and I was very excited when I first got them and even now driving and everything that has to do with it excites me and might even cheer me up when I’m down.  As for my motto is really is a simple one.  I believe that everybody has a certain potential and that potential is different for everybody because some people really are much smarter than others and some people are much better at doing certain things then others.  So to me its all about trying my best to do what I can because there is no such thing as perfection and then the rest is really not up to me anymore, I did my part I did everything I can, the rest is to be played out by life and we just have to play along.  I try to be a good person and a good student. I try not to start things with people unless they really do something stupid.  I always work hard for my grades and I try to get the best grades I possibly can. My family is very important to me and so is my girlfriend. My family consists of the only people that I can actually be fully relaxed around and although my girlfriend isn’t actually part of my family but it feels like she is. That concludes my monologue.

I went to a career workshop at star in room 2-190. I was nervous at first since there was many other students outside our LC, including some sophmores, juniors and seniors. I had never been to a career exploration workshop so I didnt know what to expect. This workshop was from 12:30 – 2:30 and I didnt know what we were going to do for two hours. Our workshop leader was named June and was very nice. At first we signed in and filled out a worksheet with several questions about people that are important in our lives. It was very awkward at first and I was pretty nervous because there were so many new people in the room.

The first activity, managed to make me lose that nervousness. June seperated us into groups that related us with each other such as the boroughs we were from, our age, our favorite ice cream, and we would introduce ourselves to others within our groups so we would get to know each other. After this activity I began to become comfortable as I managed to exchange names with several people in the room.

June then began lecturing us about networking and how important it is. It turned out that networking is the way a lot of people get their jobs. I was surprised to learn about how important marketing actually was. June explained to us several ways of networking, such at certain business parties. She also told us about LINKEDIN a website like facebook, but for business networking. I thought this website would be helpful for future purposes.

Later, we did another introduction activity in which we would share information about ourselves and if someone shared a similarity they would say me too and you would hold one end of the piece of yarn and toss the other to that person and then they would share information about themselves and this would go on and on until everyone in the class shared something about themself. This activity was to show the connection between all of us and how many of us shared similar interests.

June then continued to lecture and explained to us the importance of business cards. She showed us how to accept business cards and to not put them in our pockets but hold on to them as a sign of respect. I thought this was helpful because this was never told to me before.

By the end of the workshop I was surprised about how helpful it actually was. I learned many things I will need for the future. I may actually decide to go to more of this workshops and utilize the information I learn in them and apply them into my life when looking for a job. I honestly enjoyed going to this workshop.