Author: Jason Ioffe

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Community Service

If people within a society don’t help each other in need, then they may as well be savages. Community service may seem like a nuisance to some, but the positive impacts are enjoyed by all. At Baruch there have been many events to help raise support for several noble causes, including cancer research; that’s a cause in particular that touches home for me.

I hope to participate in many community service events in the future during my scholastic career at Baruch. Light the night seemed like an interesting idea in particular. I would prefer walks during less cold and windy weather, but a good cause is worth it.

Reflection on my first semester at Baruch

It’s hard to believe how many months it’s been since I first walked through the doors of Baruch, but we’re already coming to the last stretch of the semester. It’s definitely been a humbling and educational experience. I learned so much more about myself; I gained more insight into my faults and strengths. I met some great friends, and felt good to have something to wake up to every morning. All in all, my future was no worse for starting my educational career anew at Baruch. I really hope to further refine my skills and discover new ones to not only help me in the business world, but to make life worth living. I feel a bit like I’m discovering a normal life that I missed out on when I was younger.

Draft of The Story of Foofles

(Subject to change, intended as notes for a verbal presentation rather than as academic writing…)

My heart raced and my hands shook. All sense of motion around me ceased to be; only silence perpetuated. My hands would decide the fate of millions. And so I carved a world, one level at a time. A LittleBigPlanet. Working on that game was the height of my career. Life was good. All those years ago, I thought I would never need college. Boy, was I wrong!
Over the years, it only got harder to get by. My family fell apart, and it was up to me take care of everything. It was time to man up and go to college.
At first I was completely indifferent, but then I started getting excited. “Think of all the people I’ll meet!” “Think of how fun it is to go out into the city!”. Yeah!
Finally, the day is here. The first day of college! Yes! Out of the train and into the big city! It feels so large… and oppressive. Like a fat nun! To hell with it, I’m going to college!
None of the ungodly odors swirling through my nostrils can douse the burning drive in my heart! I notice one thing about Baruch right away – There are beautiful girls everywhere. I approach one of my fellow students and say…
“Hello!” [Slap] “I have a boyfriend!” “I just wanted to know where the 23rd building is!” [Slap] “It’s that way!” “Thank you!”
Barely a college student for 10 minutes and I’m already socializing! Yeah!

After many years, I’m a student again. I don’t know what the future holds, or if going to college was the right decision. But so far, I’m making good friends and experiencing a completely new part of life. I’m going to see this road to the end and make my family proud.

The man, the student, the Foof

Hello college!

It makes me very proud to be able to say that. I have traded stocks and real estate, ran a store, and have been handling household expenses since I was 16 years old. I had no choice, it was just my mom and I making our way in the world, alone, without any aid or family. I have been witnessed some of the worst qualities of humanity, but I have also been blessed in many ways. One such blessing was the chance to work on a commercial video game project : LittleBigPlanet. Here’s a youtube clip a kind member of the community recorded from my interview that shipped on the Special Edition of LittleBigPlanet: Foofles LBP GOTY Interview

Foofles is a name that I’ve used for a decade. It’s as much a a part of me as the blood in my veins. But now I’ve accepted a new element in my life – Baruch College. Years ago, as I was taking my GED exam in Kingsborough College, I fell in love with the college atmosphere. Unfortunately, my mother convinced me not to go to college and pursue business with her. Years later I realized this was a horrible mistake.

My dreams were always crushed by lack of a college education. Including becoming a police officer. Our businesses fell to ruin due to horrible circumstances and I realized that it’s time to go to college. At first I was a little apathetic, but now I’m excited. I’ve met some amazing people here and it’s only been a couple of weeks! I’m 23 years old and picking up from where I should’ve been when I was 17. Best of luck to everyone else, feel free to ask me about anything.