To be honest, I don’t like working in groups because I never know if I can rely on the other members. Many times in my life I just ended up doing the whole work by myself.

The New York Times project was different. First, we decided who would write about which type of article. Later we used the facebook group chat to communicate and to make sure that everyone is working on his/her summary.

It was a good experience to work with people I hadn’t talked to before. (Or at least not often.)

By the way, my group consisted of Peter, Colodero, Shobhit, and Tony.

Linh

I enjoyed working on the New York Times group project. When I had first heard about the project, I had thought that it would be boring. I had misunderstood the project because initially I had thought that we were to write articles similar to New York Times articles. This misconception was cleared quickly when we first started to talk about the assignment in class. I enjoyed writing summaries about the articles I read. I found my group’s topic, food, to be quite interesting. It was amazing to see how many different types of articles the New York Times had about food concerning local, nation, and international regions dating back to a couple of centuries ago! I wrote two summaries for this project, one local and one international. I learned many things I hadn’t known before so I did benefit from this assignment. I enjoyed working with my group. The members in my group were Devanshi, Jeffrey, and Pedrag. Everyone did what they were supposed to do and there weren’t any problems. Before this project, I never really liked working on group projects because it was usually the case that one or two people would work and the others wouldn’t. During my high school years, I used to think of group projects as stressful because people often wouldn’t do their share of work but luckily this wasn’t a problem for this assignment. We all got along and everything went well. One thing I liked about this assignment being a group project was that I got to know my peers.

I am not quite sure if we’re supposed to write about our volunteer project or our group project for the New York Times Front Page articles, so I’ll write about both.

For my New York Times Volunteer Project, I went to a library at 67th street and helped seniors for roughly an hour. The seniors at the library were relatively new to the technological advancements that we have taken for granted and I decided to commit roughly an hour to helping the older folks with computer problems. Some needed help with e-mail problems, others just went on Facebook and scrolled through their family member’s pictures. Either way, I enjoyed my time helping the elderly with deleting emails and conversing about their grandchildren.

Coincidentally, for my New York Times Front Page assignment, my group and I focused our analysis on technology. We each did separate work for each of the categories: local, national, and international. Although one group member did shine and get us through our lazy slump, we each tried to summarize articles about technology to the best of our abilities. I specifically focused my attention on an international article about technology. I found an article about international spamming and Ddosing and found interesting theories of the state of our future with technology.

I found these two projects very interesting and helpful mostly because I believe that we need to focus our attention on technology for others, as it is the future.

I must admit that the New York Times project was an interesting and fun project to work on. I am actually a daily reader of the New York Times and any free time, whether it be on the subway or waiting in between classes, I read the Sports and Business sections mainly. I sometimes glance at Front Page stories, as well as The Arts and Sciences sections when they are available and contain something interesting. So I had no problem finding an article that was related to our topic: food. I also must admit that I am not a fan of group work. When I was in high school, what would usually happen when a group project was assigned, a member of the group would do little to no work. This is why when any group project is assigned I tend to take most of the burden and sometimes finish the project myself in advanced because I know I am satisfied with the work I can produce. However, this project was not like all my other group projects. I could get a sense that my group members were not those kinds of people (the procrastinators). They were of course my friends and I knew that they, as much as I, wanted to get this project done as quickly and efficiently as possible. This reason alone is why we were able to come up with a topic very quickly. We also knew that having one another’s contacts would be essentially to stay on task and being productive, which is why one of the first things we did after choosing a topic was give each other contact information. Knowing that my group members were determined individuals, I knew right from the beginning that I could focus solely on my responsibility to the project. It wasn’t difficult at all finding an article that I wanted to write about because as I mention before, being a daily reader was part of my routine already. When I found an article on both food and technology (two of my favorite categories of things in the world I might add), it was a no brainer that I would write my summary and report on this piece. That writing process was not at all difficult as I found my interest in the piece made me want to write for the sake of writing, rather than writing for the sake of completing the project. In the end, being able to present our work to the rest of our Freshman Orientation class was fun and it was quite interesting to see the other topics that other groups selected.

Predrag Vulicevic

Your assignment is to write a brief, appropriate (cyber-decent) email to a professor using one of these sample scenarios:

1. You are having difficulty figuring out a specific homework exercise.

2. You received a semester grade of B- in one of your classes but based on your records, you think you earned an A.

3. You missed the midterm due to an illness.

Please chose one scenario and post your mock email in our blog here, including subject line and body.

Slideshow

Someone asked me, “Would you rather be blind or deaf?” I’d like to believe that if I ever had to make the choice that I’d choose to be deaf. I’d enjoy the silence but I cannot be without sight. Knowing my environment comforts me and forces me to question not just the physical foundation of society but the intrinsic will to create.

The first picture is a picture of my brother. Despite our differences we connect and depend on each other for different things, most times for emotional support. Next is a picture of central park. I guess the general gist of this picture is that I enjoy being somewhere different and it connects with my third picture, a quote from a book! I enjoy reading as well in these different areas. Then, the picture of the morning because I like waking up and enjoying alone time. It allows me to feel unhindered by another individual or by time pressures. Finally, the smaller less obvious things. The chrysanthemum drink represents tea. I enjoy drinking tea more than I like drinking coffee because it brings me to a sense of belonging. When I was younger I would only drink tea with my family on weekends. The picture of the squirrel just represents the things overlooked in life. I also have one friendship that is heavily weighed on squirrels. And the bracelet. A close friend and mentor of mine gave me the bracelet as a sign of clarity after graduating high school. It may seem small but this individual possibly saved my life and still went out of her way to inspire. Finally, a picture of the creepy Hello Kitty on a bench. Sometimes we just need something to make us question.

My Favorite Songs that represent me

1. Radioactive by Imagine Dragons- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktvTqknDobU

2. Hall Of Fame by The Script ft. Will.I.Am – http://www.youtube.co/watch?v=mk48xRzuNvA

3. Roar by Katy Perry- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CevxZvSJLk8

4. Don’t You Worry Child by Swedish House Mafia- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1y6smkh6c-0 m

5. Chasing the Sun by The Wanted- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFS5N_yAGTo

6. Live While We’re Young by One Direction- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbPED9bisSc

7. Young, Wild and Free by Wiz Khalifa- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wa5B22KAkEk

8. Not Afraid by Eminem- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5-yKhDd64s

9. Quott Ghoshian Da by Imran Khan- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAWiRICfrb0

Lyrics with English Translation- http://www.allthelyrics.com/forum/indo-aryan-languages-lyrics-translation/123716-qott-ghusian-da.html

10. Lakshya by Shankar Mahadevan- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIh22QDN8MY

Lyrics with English Translation- http://realityviews.blogspot.com/2009/07/lakshya-lyrics-with-translation-in_19.html

Hi my name is Shobhit Ratan and I went to Jericho High School before coming to Baruch. Music has played an important role in my life and it is one thing which I cannot live without.  I moved here when I was in 5th grade from India and music was something which helped me adjust quickly to my new surroundings. Eventhough, my father was a Commander in the Indian Navy and I had lived in metropolitan environments throughout my life it took me a little time to get adjusted to my new life. These 10 songs that I have picked have all been inspirational songs for me. Especially, the last one which is a hindi song called Lakshya sends a message that one should not give up and follow his dreams no matter what the complications and obstacles that may come in between. I realize that most of the people don’t speak hindi however, I strongly recommend that they listen to this song and also read the english translation. Whenever my chips are down in life I listen to this song and it inspires me to get up and keep working hard to achieve my dreams and goals. Another song thats close to my heart is called Quott Ghoshian Da which sends a strong message that all humans are equal and that

Stairway to Heaven-Led Zepellin http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JK_DOJa99oo

Thieves in the Night- Blackstar http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjxtRehIz2Y

Concrete Schoolyard- Jurassic 5 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeN9c2GYJkk

Caught in the Middle- Dio http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-W1j2NKtgY

Gimme the Loot- Notorious B.I.G. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzvL4O3uomg

You are Everything-Marvin Gaye and Diana Ross http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLLWblogt2M

All Along the Watchtower- Jimi Hendrix http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLV4_xaYynY

Just my Imagination- The Temptations http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNgcYKNoE3I

Now or Never- Big L http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6128cYv9JU

Ms. Jackson- Outkast http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYxAiK6VnXw

Masters of the Universe- Binary Star http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8IzlbDTgNM

This is a varied assortment and represents my love for music from a few genres. Many of these songs have become my favorites because they were suggested in the past by my close friends. Enjoy listening to my playlist and I hope you like a few of the beats here too.

Instead of making a playlist and going down the line explaining what each song means to me, I’ve decided to show you what this music says about me as an individual.

1) Wild for the Night – ASAP Rocky ft. Skrillex

2) Beyond the Sea – Bobby Darin

3) Everyday – Buddy Holly

4) Cello Suite No.1 i-Prelude – Johann Sebastian Bach

5) Dreams and Nightmares – Meek Mill

6) Soldier Side – System of a Down

7) Can’t Help Falling in Love – Elvis Presley

8) Dirt Road Anthem – Jason Aldean

9) Killin’ It – Krewella

10) I Hate College – Sam Adams

This is just a small collection of some of my favorite songs. As you may be able to tell, Most of these songs belong in completely different genres of music. Country, rap, rock, dubstep, and even classical. It shows that I definitely have preferences, though I try to stay open to everything and keep an open mind. Sometimes I like to enjoy the romantic, easy pace of the oldies or the acoustic guitar from the countryside. I can listen to artists like Bobby Darin, Buddy Holly, or Frank Sinatra all day. The feeling of relaxation and carelessness is great when i want to just kick back and not worry about anything around me. On some occasions, I may be feeling a bit more sentimental. Without sounding too femanine, the romantic flow of these songs makes me feel more in touch with my emotion. Other times, I listen to harder and upbeat music such as dubstep or rap. It gives me a completely different mindset. The harsh, almost angry tone that emits from this style of music gives me a sense of power or superiority that everyone loves to feel. Having this music blast in your headphones makes you feel intimidating. Classical music is another mysterious genre that I use to open my mind. The way the cello, violin, flute, piano, or any other classical instrument strikes my ear makes me question my surroundings and helps me cope with issues I may be stressing about at the time. Classical music comes in all shapes and sizes. From serenity to destruction, I find a purpose in each and every song. My rock background goes back to when I was just a child. I fell in love with the band System of a Down. To this day I constantly listen to their albums and follow their activity. Rock music such as this and others created by such bands as Blink 182, Sum 41, Linkin Park, and others gives me a casual feel. There is no extreme that I feel when listening to this music. It is simple. It doesn’t make me angry, or relaxed, or intimidating, or careless. It almost just serves as a mindless distraction that I can enjoy on my way to school or riding the bus or walking down the street. The reason I try to listen to as many genres of music as I can, is because I feel each has a separate feeling to offer that I may benefit from in one way or another.

Hi, my name is Nishat Mahfuz Chowdhury and I was born and raised here in New York City. The thing that is most important to me is my family. I’m the oldest of four children. It can be annoying being the oldest sibling at times and sometimes we do get into arguments, but at the end of the day I’m grateful that I have such a wonderful, loving family. I can’t imagine not having them around me all the time. I guess this is one of the reasons why I decided to go to college in the city. Besides my parents and siblings, there is another member in my family who’s very special to me and that is our cat, Minnie. We brought Minnie home when I was in seventh grade and we consider him as the seventh member of our family. I love to hang out with my friends. My closest friends are all from high school. Although we’ve all separated our ways, we all still keep in touch.  The fifth photo on this slideshow is of an event which took place earlier this year. The photo is of some of the members of my high school Muslim Student Association, or StuyMSA for short. This group played a huge role in my life and still continues to do so. This is the group where I met some of my closest friends. StuyMSA has shaped me as who I am and has a special place in my heart. The photo after this one is of the bridge to my old high school. I decided to include this photograph because although I struggled at Stuyvesant High School, I am grateful to all the staff and students who helped me get to where I am. The seventh photo on this slideshow is a photograph I took for a photography class. I love to take photos of almost anything. I wouldn’t consider myself as an expert or anything but I just enjoy capturing moments. Finally, the last photograph is of Baruch College as you all probably recognize. I included this photograph and made it the last one on this slideshow because this is where I am today. I hope to achieve my goals and make my dreams come true with the help of this college.

This is the link to my slideshow:

http://www.photosnack.com/FDBEB86BDC9/pdnqxwg4