Monthly Archives: September 2012

I was born and raised in Moscow, Russia, so I chose a picture of Saint Basil’s Cathedral located in downtown area of the city (1). My school was located near that area and I used to spend a lot of time with friends shopping, dining, and just hanging out near Red Square. Four years ago I moved to Miami, Florida (2). It’s an amazing city where people don’t do much, but tan all day and go out at night. So that is exactly the reason I decided to move to New York (3). I always loved visiting New York, but living here is a complete different experience. I enjoy travelling and take advantage of every opportunity I get. One of my favorite cities to visit is Paris (4). The architecture and just overall beauty of the city is truly amazing. I don’t think anyone can ever get bored of Paris because there are so many different things to do. I really hope to get a chance do a semester abroad in Paris, learn the language, and just enjoy life in France. I also like art, especially the impressionist paintings and contemporary art. I like Edouard Manet’s paintings, as well as many others (5). I enjoy visitng different galleries and museums, such as MoMA and Gagosian Gallery in New York or Garage Gallery in Moscow (6)… I’m thinking of majoring in finance or economics, that’s the reason I decided to come to Baruch College (7). And lastly, my favorite time of the year is fall, especially in the city (8).

 fresh1

Daniel’s 10 song Mixpod Playlist

Create a playlist at MixPod.com

These songs… they’re not particularly special, but they give you a little look into what I find interesting, I guess. Now for a little introduction. Online, most call me Gamehero91 or DanielDGamehero… But who do I think I am?

I… (Ok, I’ll try it THIS way…)

Ok, my full name’s Udochukwu Daniel Nkemakolam. Just italicized the Daniel juuust because it’s what people usually call me here. Just to make it easy on you if we actually do meet in real life (not that there’s much chance of that happening… unless you go to Baruch and happen to arrange a meeting). I was born in Staten Island, NY. Both of my parents are Nigerian, and after 8th Grade, my parents took me and my two brothers, Chinedum and Obioma, to Nigeria to continue schooling as well as learn our culture. In early August of 2012, I arrived back in the US for college. As of now, I’m the only one of us 3 in the US.All right, moving on!

Now, my interests… well, I’m someone who likes trying new things, but I guess I’m interested in Japanese culture, anime/manga, gaming and meeting new people as well as seeing the world.  I have other interests as well… I’ll just sort them out, so they’re easier to read.

First, sports. I like playing tennis, I guess. I played it a lot while I was in school, and I consider myself ok as a player. I’ve done some long distamce runs too. Now, music… when it comes to music, I like a mix… I’m not really sure where I belong. Check out my playlist, and you’ll see what I mean. And as for hobbies? There are several, I suppose. Sometimes I train myself in various hacking skills, other times I just surf the web. My main hobby is… video games. Started out in the days of the N64, and diversified to whatever I could find or afford. I’ve been everywhere from PC games to MMORPGs.

Now for food. When it comes to food, as in life, I’m not afraid to try new things I might like. As for my regular diet, I don’t really have one. I eat pizza, ramen (and I mean REAL ramen, not the instant kind), burgers, ugh, the list goes on and on. I’m also a dab hand at cooking myself. My mom taught me how to make traditional Nigerian dishes as well as regular American food, and I’d like to learn how to cook new dishes. It’s just so hard to find the time sometimes though…

I’m Christian, but not the kind that shoves his faith down your throat. I mean, I do my best to follow Christian standards. I’m pretty tolerant.

Almost done… hmm, what to say here… still single. I’m open. I especially love female anime fans. They get real into it, while the guys are usually just so casual, to keep from looking like fanboys.  Heh, that’s it. Hope you enjoyed it.

Link to slide show: http://www.flickr.com/photos/87671354@N06/8034494987/in/photostream

This is a short slide show of eight pictures about what represents and shapes who I am.The first picture is of the symbol of Aquarius. Not only being my astrological sign, it also plays a deep role in who I am. Aquarians are usually described as free spirited and open minded, dedicated and a unique individual. I love to try new things because experience is the best teacher; being closed to ideas only closes you to what the world has to offer. I’m also a bit of a rebel, I hate  hiding in a crowd. It’s always better for me to walk to your own beat and making sure people see you for you. The second slide is of my silhouette dancing. I’d like to think of myself as an artist: modelling is one form of art I enjoy. You can represent a message in your way. The third slide is of my different cultures. I’m a  mixed child with family members of many nationalities, but I chose the three that describe my more immediate family. I’m proud of each one, loving how it fits me into more than one culture group and enjoy what each has to offer. The third slide shows part one of very important people who helped make me who I am: my brothers. I have three older brothers who watch over me like hawks. It might be annoying, but they are also the only ones I have and they take up a lot of my love. Right after are my friends on the next slide. They supported me, helped me grow and showed me the many faces of life: the bad, the good, and everything else. After that one is the picture of my Dance Group’s very first flyer. I’m very compassionate about dancing, to the point of wanting to take it more than just a hobby and make it into a successful career. I’m not one to sit aside and my groups involvement in shows and competitions proves that. Right now, it serves as a motivation for me to not just do good in dancing, but anything I do, because success is reached with hard work and motive. The seventh slide is a drawing I did myself back in my Sophomore year in high school. Drawing was a form of relief  for me. I love it about as much as I love dancing. I live to improve, looking back at my past work to see how far I’ve gotten. I’m dedicated to it and to me shows how dedicated I can be towards anything once I put all my heart behind it. It’s also a show of my creativity, because I can do little doodles like this or make great pictures with a simple idea. The last slide is of the city that hold my heart: New York City. Born and raised, this city has made me into the girl I am. The beautiful people, the wonderful sights, the great mentors to the great examples. It’s a huge cultural mixing pot that makes the perfect home for a mixed up person like me.

Aaaand that’s about it. 😉

1. Mil Horas-La Sonora Dinamita (Ecuadorian Cumbia)

2. Soy Inconditional- Prince Royce (Bachata)

3. Te Juro Que Te Amo- Alacranes Musical

4. Seize the day-Avenged Sevenfold (Rock)

5. Oro Solido – Maria Se Fue (Meregue)

I chose songs above pictures or a video because music plays a special role in my life. No matter where I go or where I may stand I must always have music with me. Music calm me down and keep me focus on everything I might do. I am Hispanic and this means that us Hispanics have a wide range of music we can possible hear in our life time. I am Ecuadorian and as such I try to demonstrate my culture with pride. One of the music I chosen among the five is Ecuadorian cumbia. I was introduced to Ecuadorian cumbia since a very young age, as well as Balladas but I not so fond of that genre so much.  Ecuadorian cumbia are quiet simple to dance to and the songs tend to always hold a meaning which make them valuable in my culture; it is also one of the type of music that are played at parties. Another type of music is batchata, I simply love hearing batchata and dancing bachata. It is the first type of music I actually learned how to dance to. Another type of music that is a part of me is Mexican music. The reason why it plays a role in my life is because most of the closest friends I have are Mexican and since I am very close to them they have introduced me to their culture just like I have introduced my culture to them.  Another I have chosen is Rock. Although at first I wasn’t so fond of it, I grew to like this type of music especially since it was introduced to me by someone close and special to me. Meregue define or make up who I am because I tend to dance this a lot in parties especially family parties. I love dancing Meregue but isn’t as fond of just listening to this type of music. These are all the type of music that make up who I am. They are many more that make up who I am but these are the top 5. As for the songs, those are five of my favorites, one for each genre. Although there are many other songs I could have chosen for this assignment, I feel these are the best to demonstrated what type of person I am and to demonstrate how large of a influence Hispanic music have on me and my life.

songs playlist.

1. RHCP – Californication
2. Maroon 5 – She will be loved
3. Okean Elzu – Я їду додому (ukrainian band singing about coming home from a long time stay away from it)
4. Skriabin – місця щасливих людей (ukrainian singer singing about the places where he felt happy)
5. RHCP – Road trippin’

1.I might sound cheesy putting Californication on my songs list but it is the song that every single friend of mine associates with me because I’ve been listening to it almost all the time since I turned twelve. I feel like the lyrics have the hidden meaning and it totally depicts my prospective on the modern society. It talks about people being hypnotised by the Hollywood standards, fake feelings, plastic surgeries, modern technology and a lack of originality since everyone wants to be plastic-barbie-movie-stars. Anything is done only when it’s found to be fashionable even if it’s not what one likes and no one does what they like when it’s found to be not “cool” by the surrounding. That’s what the songwriter hates about our world nowadays and so do I.

2. The second song is quite well-known too but it is special for me even though you can hear it playing on the radio in every second cafe. The lyrics depict the situation that i had and currently experience with one of the people who takes the major room in my heart and probably describes our behaviour towards each other from the moment we met to the present day except one line, I guess.

3. I’v never been a home sick person because I’m used to travelling a lot. I never liked Ukrainian music. I never thought I would ever miss my country with all its traditions, mentality and local colour before moving to the USA. Everything changed since then so now my playlist is stuffed with all of the most authentic ukrainian bands and this song is one of their creations. It describes my feelings every time I’m struggling through a 13 hour flight back home to a different continent. “I’m going home, I’m going to my home where eyes are so familiar and always belong to me…”, which is a metaphor meaning that someone is always waiting there for me.

4.The lyrics of this particular piece name all of the places where the singer felt the strongest heart beating being near his loved ones, family and friends and by the weird coincidence I visited all of those places and did the same things as he did as well as felt the same feelings.

5. “Road trippin’ with my two favorite allies. Fully loaded we got snacks and supplies. It’s time to leave this town. It’s time to steal away.Let’s go get lost anywhere in the U.S.A.”. This is what i always wanted to do – all of a sudden without booking any hotels or making any plans go on the trip by car across the country with somebody whom I can really enjoy the time with. I always wanted to runaway from everything that’s surrounding me and just go get lost…

For my first blog, I decided to pick eight images that I think describes who I am as a person.  The first picture that I have selected is a picture of a smiley face that says “Don’t worry, be happy”.  I decided to select this picture because I am not much of a worrier. I have always maintained a very calm approach to life, so when things go wrong, I don’t panic.  I always know that everything will work out eventually, and there is never a need to worry.  For my second picture, I chose a picture of the part of the constitution that says “We the People”.  The reason I chose this picture was that I am a firm people in individual rights and in the idea that people should all have the same individual freedoms.  I also believe that people have the right to believe what they want without the judgment of others, and I believe that this picture depicts this idea perfectly.  For my third picture, I chose a picture of the American flag because I am an incredibly patriotic person.  I personally believe that while America might not be perfect, I still think that America is the best country on earth.  I without a doubt would like to live nowhere else besides the United States of America.  For my fourth picture, I decide to go with a picture of a Torah with the Star of David in the background.  I chose this picture because Judaism has played a significant role in my life, from childhood now to young adulthood.  My religion has been one of the most consistent aspects of my life, and it has most certainly shaped who I am as a person today.  For my fifth picture, I chose the logo from the camp which I consider to be my second home.  I started going to that camp when I was twelve years old, and I have been going there for six summers now, and this upcoming summer will be my seventh.  At this camp, I have made some of the best friends of my life, and have had summers that I will never forget.  My sixth picture is a logo from a Jewish teen organization for which I was on the New York Area Region’s regional board.  The organization is called NFTY, which stands for “North American Federation of Temple Youth”.  The experience I had serving on this regional board was incredible, and has definitely given me an incredible work ethic that I did not have before.  My seventh picture is a picture that says “Family First”.  I chose this picture because I believe in strong family values.  I believe that one’s core should begin with a strong and supportive family.  For my final picture, I selected a picture of Ferris Bueller from “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” that has one of my favorite quotes written on it.  The quote is, “Life moves by pretty fast.  If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you might miss it.”  I love this quote because I love to appreciate the little things, and I think that this quote really exemplifies that idea.

Slide one explains my love for my family. In this slide are pictures of my paternal cousins, and immediate family. They are a big part of my life. I grew up nearby all my cousins and saw them frequently. Most of my childhood memories include all of us at my grandparent’s house causing havoc. One year my cousin Jonathon microwaved a pencil that I had gotten for Halloween and as a result, it exploded and started a huge fire. There was no real damage done, but I will forever have that image in my head of my grandmother running with paper plate in flames like a chicken with its head cut off. I still am close to them today and although we do not see each other as often I still always feel like I can talk to them whenever I have a problem. My immediate family (my sister, brothers, dad and mom) is also an important aspect of my life.  They are my support system and no matter what I know they will always be there for me and vice versa. The Second Slide is about my dog, Teddy. I bought teddy during a bad period in my life and he helped to bring me out of it. I bring Teddy everywhere, as I feel a bit empty without him. Teddy is loyal and very affectionate, maybe to a fault, but whenever I’m down I can count on him brightening my day. The third slide is about my friends. I have remained close to most of my friends since high school. They are always down for a good time and when the whole crew gets together you know it’s going to be one crazy fun night. While they all have a crazy side, my friends are also supering responsible, motivated and smart. They always have great advice to give me and we all often get into really intense conversations discussing various topics. The fourth slide is about my love for doodling. I love drawing in class, as it calms me and helps me to concentrate. In particular the designs in the image are those that I have been working on since high school. Slide five also describes my love for art, in particular photography. I love to take pictures of everything especially landscapes. I really appreciate the beauty of an area that is completely untouched by developers and technology. When traveling I love to bring my camera and take pictures while in a moving car. Slide six is about my love of traveling. Recently my family and I went to Barbados, Hawaii, Thailand and Bermuda. I love going to a new place and learn about it history and customs. It is always interesting to see how different people around the world live. The last slide about my New York pride. I grew up in New York and I think it is the best city in the world.

It’s hard to sum up my life in only 8 images. When I think about who I am, the first thing that comes to mind is that I’m a Christian. Two and a half years ago I made the best decision of my life by becoming a disciple, or follower of Christ. Everyday I strive to live a righteous life like Jesus did, and to have the love that he possessed within him. To me, Christianity isnt just a religion, it’s a LIFESTYLE. My first image says “LIVE IT: Taking the bible out of the box” and i firmly believe in having a personal, inimate relationship with God.  Music is BIG part of my life. The only thing I’ve been doing since I was born other than breathing was listening to music. My second image is a picture of a piece of paper that says Music = Life. From the time I was little, I was exposing myself to different kinds of music, artists, and genres. My friends don’t call me ‘The Jukebox’ for no reason!! The place I feel most comfortable is onstage, behind a microphone, singing my heart out. If you cant tell already, I LOVE to sing. I’ve been singing since I was five years old. I consider it my art, so I make sure I practice it all the time. Its something I’m utterly determined to develop even more than I already have. My third slide includes two pictures, one of me singing, and a vintage microphone, to show my love for the music of yesteryear, as well as new contemporary styles. My fourth slide includes many pictures of a very diverse group of people. This is my church family, my brothers and sisters, my BLOOD. I love these people with every fiber of my being, with all my heart and soul. Some of these people ive known since I was baby, some ive only known for a month. But the most consistent thing about all these people is one thing. LOVE. I’m so grateful to have these people in my life! My fifth slide icludes pictures of my immediate family. My mom Claudye James(top left), my Brother Patrick Charlier (middle), My stepfather (top right) Randoplh James, and my grandmother Georgette Daniel (bottom right). These people know the best and worst parts of me, and I love them so much for that. My sixth slide includes pictures of two hobbies I love to do other than singing; photography and playing guitar. I’m an amateur at best, but im continuing to work on them and get much better. My seventh slide inlcudes pictures of books. I LOVE to read. I’ve been reading since I was one. My love for books started with my mom, who used to read to my brother and I every night before bed. From then on, my love for knowledge and books has grown ever since. I also love school, learning, the whole nine. Even though sometimes I don’t seem like it, I enjoy it very much. My last slide includes pictures of my favorite articles of clothing. Converses, Cardigans, Infinity Scarves, and Big Purses you can put EVERYTHING in. These are my four favorite items of clothing, and they will always be. Thank You 🙂

I have created a slideshow showing eight images that represent who I am as a person. The first picture of my slideshow is the “I love New York” logo. I chose to include this picture because I love everything about living in New York, I also chose to stay home and commute to college partly because I didn’t want to leave New York. The second picture in my slideshow is showing an American flag with an Irish flag. I included this picture because both of my parents are from Ireland, and I was brought up in an Irish household. I lived in Ireland from 4th to 7th grade, however I missed living in New York. This picture shows that I am proud to be an Irish American.
The third picture in my slideshow portrays the Catholic faith. Being raised in an Irish Catholic family, the Catholic faith has been a big part of my life. Up until college I always went to Catholic school, and my family always stressed the importance of the Catholic faith throughout my childhood. The fourth picture is an image of a family. I didn’t want to post pictures of my actual family members, but the image in the presentation symbolizes that my family is important to me. My parents have been divorced throughout my entire childhood, I have always been closer with my mom but I still keep in contact with my father. I have one older sister named Jackie, who I am very close with. My immediate family members and other family members have always been very supportive and caring.
The fifth picture is an image that symbolizes friendship. Once again, I chose to use a symbolic image rather than use a picture of my actual friends. Most of my closest friends have been friends of mine for over ten years and I’m only seventeen. I believe a person’s friends really have a big influence on a person’s life. I am lucky enough to have a group of friends who have had a positive influence on my life. The sixth picture on the presentation shows the logos of all of my favorite sports teams. I have always been a sports fan, so I felt it was necessary for one of the slides to be sports related. My favorite sports are soccer, football, basketball, and baseball in that order. My favorite soccer team is Manchester United, my favorite American football team is the Jets, my favorite basketball team is the Knicks and my favorite baseball team is the Yankees.
The seventh slide of the presentation shows the technology that I regularly use. Even though I’m in college now, I still occasionally feel the urge to go on xbox and play a game. I watch movies on Netflix and use my Mac laptop on a daily basis. Also, I find myself watching videos on YouTube on a regular basis. The last slide of the presentation is a picture of two cars. I have always been fascinated with cars, so I felt a need to include a cars related slide. I chose to use a picture of a 2007 Grand Jeep Cherokee because that is the car that I bought myself last Christmas. The second car is my dream car, a Lamborghini Gallardo. Hopefully one day I will have that car. Those are the eight images that I have chosen to represent who I am as a person.