Author Archives: adrain.gonzales

I did not attend light the night but I volunteer my time at a nursing home sometimes. At the nursing time I intrigue myself with several senior citizens: reading the paper, playing games and interacting with them. It has proven to be an incredible experience both for me and them.

Voices four had its ups and downs. Some of the monologues were heart felt and others were enjoyable. Some were just very boring and didn’t belong. In my opinion the monologues that were read during the convocation ceremony were superior to those read a voices four. However, I did enjoy attending voices four. Though I did not know which freshman wrote which piece I learned that a several of them were exceptional writers.

I had no interest in any of the pieces at the Rubin Museum until I saw the Buddha shrine on the second floor. The donated shrine was majestic and displayed several of the aspects of Buddhism; including the seven bowls of rice and water. The bowls of rice and water symbolize a sacrifice to the Buddhas. While at the museum, I learned that not only is the shrine a piece in the museum but it is also a shrine in which individuals come to pray and show worship to.

I’ve been to any workshops on money management; this one was no different than the others. It was a presenter in front of a large audience attempting to grasp their attention with subliminal (not funny) jokes. Nonetheless, the presenter had some very decent points that will help every college student. I have a problem with  money; I hate spending it. I think managing money isn’t my issue. Understanding that you must spend money to earn money sometimes is something that somebody needs to help me with. In the end I hope I do not have to ever attend another money managing workshop.

What do you think when you look at me? Probably that I’m stuck up and don’t like talking to anybody. That’s funny.  I’m from far rock. Yeah it’s the hood. Whatever that may mean. Do I fall under the stereo types that have been labeled on me since prehistoric times? What do you think? Black male? Yeah. Father not in my life? Yeah. Living with a single parent? Yeah. Got a part time job trying to help momma out? Yeah. Dropped out of High school? Hmmm I don’t think so. Though there are many stereotypes that have been placed on me since birth, I tend to stray from the norm. I am a black male, head strong, sarcastic, nonchalant introvert, and son of a no college degree single Trinidadian immigrant turn nursing home director mother who has instilled her workaholic traits inside of me. That’s a lot to take in, aint it? I honestly do not want to be here and when I say here I do not necessarily mean Baruch. I mean I no longer want to be bound by the strains that the “hood” has put on me. Living in Far Rockaway though I’m accustomed to it often becomes a fight for survival. Whomever said this is a dog eat dog world wasn’t lying. It’s rough out here. These days there isn’t much for kids to do but fight, sling drugs or go to jail. I mean since when is getting chased by the cops fun. SMH! For me there’s only one solution, dribbling a basketball. That’s the only way I can relieve my anxiety of wanting to escape. Some may call it an obsession that I stress on the small things and constantly blame myself for every mistake when playing the game. But it goes deeper than the game. The game only symbolizes relaxation and comfort. My only pathway to sanity. There’s honestly nothing else in Far Rock for me. So you may wonder why I’m so quiet and to myself. I don’t have anything against anybody. This is just me. I’m just thinking. I’m wondering what else is out there for me. But for Far Rock let’s just say, I made my mark, I left my stamp. Now it’s time to move on.

It is evident that the framer’s pessimistic ideals in the survival of the American “Republic” were not to no avail. The American republic, due to to the natural nature of humans, has  in the past faltered  because of the lack of participation from the people in order to preserve it. However, in modern day society as the confidence in government hits the bottom; service to the government has began to rise. Personally, I find this typically interesting. Since 9/11community service has become an epic part of the government. In my high school, a graduation requirement was that each student should acquire 40 hours of community service per year.  Moreover, young adults have become more involved in government by way of community service. They believe that if they serve the country more than the country will provide more, hence raising confidence in the government. Universal National service that is of interest to the people is the most reasonable and liberal method of preserving the “republic”.