FRO12 DWD

My favorite workshop that we attended this semester with our freshman seminar class was the LGBTQIA workshop. I am personally very accepting in al senses. I am friends with people of all sexualities, races, religions, etc. After this workshop though I realized that some things I say as jokes are actually offensive. Of course I do not mean them in an offensive way but my works can be hurtful still. I don’t want to make anyone uncomfortable or feel like I am judging them. The workshop made me realize that I really need to be careful of my words even if I am just joking and also to stand up for people if someone else is making comments, jokingly or intentionally.

Growing up in Long Island, I have always been very curious as to how life is living in the city. However, while growing up, I have not really been exposed to life in the city. I do commute every day back and forth from Long Island to the city, but I consider the city my home because that’s where I spend majority of my time. I have quickly begun to love the city life but on the other hand it’s always a great feeling leaving the crowded New York scene and going back to sleep in the quiet town that in which I live in. The streets in the city are always crowded and can be a little overwhelming at times. At the end of the day, in my opinion, the positives of living in the city definitely outweigh the negatives.

I have been in baruch for almost one full semester already, and although I haven’t had the chance yet to go around and check out different clubs, I was able to attend a fascinating workshop. The workshop I attended taught me many ways to react to different situations. Although I have already learned these methods in the past, it was definitely a good feeling to hear these good morals again. They taught us ways to react to different situations such as situations where a person makes a racial comment. This workshop really opened my mind to different things. I am pleased that baruch college has made such workshops available to students.

http://www.google.com/imgres?num=10&hl=en&tbo=d&tbm=isch&tbnid=zR7kKBWSAiE_hM:&imgrefurl=http://flipsideflorida.wordpress.com/2011/02/20/the-coit-tower-murals/&docid=LIyEOHkEExLDoM&imgurl=http//flipsideflorida.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/chicago-interior.jpg&w=500&h=416&ei=y-

Artwork: Chicago Interior ,by J. Theodore Johnson

This painting above, reminds me of baruch because that is what I end up doing when I have free time.  I feel comfortable here. The independence and solitude is quite refresing. I think the social circle here at baruch is next to nothing. Who could blame the students ? The workload must be a great deal, and thus students here tend to be compeitive. The first few months here were normal, it could be better. I blame no one but myself for this. I know change is difficult but if it is something I learned here, it would be that one should learn to be happy with their company.

I loved all the workshops that we attended in Freshmen Seminar class. It opened my eyes, to whole new level. The workshop That I enjoyed the most was the last one. When the all the freshmen decided had to attend the monologue readings. I really liked the actors on the stage, they brought these monologues to life. I really liked the funny Monologue about bacon. It made me happy. I realized that maybe baruch might not be that much of pretentious school as I had thought originally. I decided that I might join the the performing arts center, if I manage to pass. I am in no way close to talented as those actors that performed, however they inspired me to be more like them. I think I won’t hesistate be my wierd self, who cares if I scare people ? I will find others like me .

It’s pretty easy for me to find a picture that represents my first few months here at Baruch. Looking back at the first semester, all I see is volleyball. This is a picture taken seconds after we won the championship on November 2nd, against our rival school, Hunter. This picture describes my experience at Baruch, because being a part of the volleyball team made my transition into college so much easier. Coming across the country, into a new city, where I didn’t know anybody could have ended very badly. It can be really hard to meet people and do things in situations like that. But coming into a team before school even started, ensured that I already had 14 automatic friends and about 15 from the boys’ team. If I wasn’t playing volleyball at Baruch, not only would the transition have been hard, but I actually wouldn’t have ended up here. There is no possible way I could have survived this semester and the semesters to come without volleyball.

My greatest accomplishment was the time when I finished third of a race of 4^th graders. We were about 50 kids running and it was tough. Baruch is a really challenging school, so far everything going pretty well, but I got to spend more time studying for math. I didn’t know that managing my time was going to be so hard. College is not the heaven I expected. The best thing about college is to meet peers and to discuss with them. I can’t wait for this term to be over so I can do more things I like, reading books and comics, sleep and wake very late. However I must not forget that I’m still a student, I came from nowhere to get where I am right now. I have to keep pushing. Thankfully my family is always there to support me. Sometimes I remember embarrassing and great memories. I remember that time I won a reading contest in middle school; I felt empowered. The song I like to listen to the most is the Second Coming by Juelz Santana and Just Blaze. I listen to that song to sheer myself up. I am afraid of many things like death and dogs. I am really happy whenever I read a good book. If I have to state one thing important to me I will definitely choose my room. It is often messy but I just love it. In general even though college is pretty challenging, it is still fun.

My name is Maritza Grace Desroches.  I was born on February 19 1994 which makes me 18 years old. I’m from Uniondale, Long island. Both of my parents are of Haitian descent. I grew up in a very strict traditional Christian household where the only three places I was allowed to go was home, church, and school. Excelling in my studies was a major emphasis it wasn’t often spoken however it was simply an expectation that I didn’t have the option to disregard. My father is an electrical engineer and pastor and my mother is a former nurse. They have been married for over 20 years. I have three older siblings, 2 sisters and a brother. My brother graduated from Five Towns College with a degree in Music Education and my oldest sister graduated from Sophie Davis and is a medical student at Downstate, my other sister is studying to be an educator.

As a child I was extremely shy and sensitive and often teased. When I told my parents they advised me to speak to the principal but I knew that wouldn’t work and I didn’t have the courage to stand up for myself. Once I got to middle school I told myself that I would no longer allow people to make me feel inferior. I became more outspoken, more confident, and more social. Music also helped me become more outgoing. I performed at talent shows and became very likeable throughout middle school and high school. In High school I was involved in numerous activities I was president  of DECA, National Honor Society historian, President of Junior Class, Gospel Choir, Rites of Passage Co-Captain of Flag Team. I travel in business competitions and even won some of them, our music department starred in festivals in Boston, Canada, D.C, and Virginia Beach. I sang solos in many concerts, had lead roles in school plays, worked on community outreach projects and truly enjoyed every ounce of High school. I also had some very amazing friends and unforgettable memories with them.

My dream school was Howard University it had everything that I wanted from an amazing school of business, to the culture, extra circulars, and Greek life.  About two weeks before when I was packed and ready to go my parents told me that I couldn’t go and that they weren’t paying 42,000. I was livid and heart broken. But I couldn’t focus on that major disappointment because I needed to find another option and made a decision to come to Baruch. I don’t have much friends here, I’m not as social, I’m not involved in any extra activity, I haven’t done one musical thing since I’ve been here but I’m optimistic for my future here at Baruch.  I know that everything happens for a reason and I trust that I’m here for a good reason.  I’m doing well in my classes and I know that in due time things will get better and I’ll still be successful regardless of my circumstance.  Outside of school I am a very strong, fun, positive, caring, and virtuous person who enjoys the gift of life. Here is just the beginning and I know that I will take my education here at Baruch and make a major difference in this world someday.

Something about me is just different from everyone else.

I dont mean to be arrogant or anything but my life just seems like its all over the place.

Growing up in the Streets of Beijing, I thought I would settle.

But my parents decided to travel to different parts of china like ShangHai and GuangZhou.

Then somehow I ended up in New York.

Okay this time I am gonna settle here for a little while.

After 18 years of being my silly self, I realized I have been through a lot.

From the day I met my bestfriend to the day when we depart ways for college.

From being excited about enter high school to the day when I was finally tired of high school drama.

From the day when I was still a high school clown to now.

But hey its just life.

Like the song lyrics ” When it knocks you down, just get back up”

Well at least I learned how to appreciate the things I have now.

Right now I am just chasing my dreams.

Being a dreamer always feels good but I know it will feel even better when I am there.

It seems like a new beginning for me when I entered Baruch College.

Lexington Avenue seems like a friendly neighborhood to me and it feels like home.

I am exactly where I am suppose to be.

This is me, A freshmen in College who is trying to chase for his dreams.

Hi, my name is Ariel. Coming from a private high school that was very lenient, the adjustment to college has been difficult. Although the transition has been difficult, I have begun getting used to college life and am starting to enjoy it. I live in long island, which makes the commute to school every day very annoying. Sometimes, when I don’t feel like going back home after school, especially when I end classes late at night, I sleep over at my brothers apartment which is located just a few blocks away from Baruch. This makes my life a lot easier because I can get an extra hour of sleep in which allows me to focus more in my classes. In my opinion, the major difference between college and high school is that in high school teachers care about students and care if they do well, but in college, professors wont hesitate to fail a student if they don’t earn good grades on tests.

During my free time, I like to go to the gym and work out. My favorite sports to play are basketball and football. I played these sports frequently during high school but during college I have had less time on my hands to make time to play. My favorite football team is the New York Giants, while my favorite basketball team is the New York Knicks.

For those of you that took the time to read this, I am sorry.