Freshman Seminar Motherblog – Spring 2013

1. Macklemore – Thrift Shop

2. Macklemore x Ryan Lewis – Wing$

3. Bruno Mars – When I Was Your Man

4. Nas – NY State of Mind

5. Eminem – Lose Yourself

6. 50 Cent – Patiently Waiting ft. Eminem

7. Sara Bareilles – Gonna Get Over You

8.Kanye West – Heard ‘Em Say ft. Adam Levine

9. Eminem – Till I Collapse

10. One Direction – Little Things

I honestly can’t empathize any of my classmates and say what they think of me, but I can definitely tell them more about me.  I do think that most of my classmates wouldn’t expect me to like Rap music, but that is actually my favorite genre of music.  As you can see from my playlist, the songs I listed are predominately rap music.  A few of them actually relate to me.  For instance, “Thrift Shop” relates to me because I love to shop at thrift stores.  The outfit I’m wearing now while typing this was actually purchased from thrift stores.  Before I heard this song, I was actually about to write a rap pertaining to thrift shops.  Then I heard Macklemore’s song, and I think he perfectly described thrift shopping.  “Wing$” is another song written by Macklemore, and this song definitely relates to me because I’m a sneakerhead although it is not suspected.  Sneakers consumed most of my life and had such a great influence on me.  Even though I love it as art, a hobby, and just a passion, it has affected my negatively because it was an obsession.  Just like Macklemore, I’m still trying to take my Jordans off.  “Gonna Get Over You” is in my playlist because it is in my store’s playlist.  That is the only song at work that I enjoy and look forward to listening to.  “NY State of Mind” is all about where I was born and still being raised in.  “Till I Collapse” is my favorite song, and it makes me motived whenever I listen to it.  I listen to this song in particular when working out, and it honestly gives me more energy than usual.  The other songs on my playlist are just really enjoyable to listen to.  They either get me to a better mood or look back at my entire life.  There are plenty of other songs that can describe me, but these stood out the most.

https://picasaweb.google.com/104646665245476235276/MePictureBlog?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCPK3ruHY9t3pDA&feat=directlink

When it comes down to individuals explaining who they are to other people its usually harder than it looks. I chose to create the slideshow of images to describe who I am because I genuinely believe in the theory that a picture says a thousand words. none the less I still have to write about what it means to me and how it describes me so here goes…

The first imagine i chose was of my first grade picture. The reason why this picture means a lot to me was because I started my education in Ukraine in an all Jewish private school. When I was little I lived in different parts of Europe from Russia to Ukraine and even to Italy for a tiny bit. Each individual place left a small foot print on my childhood from the different cultures and life styles to the different family and friends I had around me. Of course a lot of it I don’t remember because I was really small but that’s why pictures really help. As time passed by I got to experience another new environment and way of life. that was when I moved to New York. This stubble’s upon my next picture which is the Verrazano Bridge. While living in New York I was able to see most of the sides of New York City and see the different environments of the Burroughs. Although some may think that the boroughs are all alike I beg to differ. I’ve lived in Brooklyn and in Staten Island and I went to school in both boroughs. In addition I was also working in the city. You really are able to differentiate so much from the Burroughs even though the only separation they all have is just one bridge. Growing up I feel really lucky that I lived in so many different places and was able to be a part of different societies. This inspired me to slowly get to know the world around me and travel as much as I possibly can. My ideal goal now is to go to a different place each year and get to know the culture and history of it, as well as have fun exploring. That was the reason why I chose the picture of the world. Specifically I chose the picture of where a person is holding the world, symbolizing that the world is in your hands and that most people should go out and see all that it really has to offer.

Throughout all of these journeys of course I had my mom by my side no matter what. In a crazy way she was always more of a best friend to me than an actual mom. Because of that I was defiantly a difficult and crazy daughter to deal with. However, no matter what mess I got myself into she let me learn from it and grow on my own without interfering or telling me exactly what to do like most parents. Thanks to her I became the person I am today. my mom always told me to do whatever I wanted to do, sounds odd I know most parents are pretty strict, but as long as I told my mom about what came to my mind and how I wanted to peruse it she supported me 100%. so when I wanted to become a dancer when I was younger she was all for it and so through the years I got to enjoy my passion for dance and to this day it’s something that will always make me happy.

Aside from my biological family I’ve also had my amazing friends who were getting themselves in the same crazy troubles that I was. The memories that we shared are ones for the books. The amounts of insane things that we all experienced and got away with are unbelievable. When I say unbelievable I really do mean it when we actually talk about half of our memories not many people can imagine something like that happening. For my friends imp fortunate to giving me these story book memories and the support that they always gave me no matter what I wanted to do or where I wanted to go.

Finally the other pictures are just basic hobbies and interests. I chose the dogs playing poker because I’m a huge gambler even though I know it’s not the greatest thing to be proud of but it is what it is. Plus the fact that it’s actually dogs playing is perfect because aside from the fact that I love to play poker I absolutely adore dogs and puppies. Growing up I had a Rottweiler all my life and since I didn’t have siblings I had my dog as my best friend. Kind of cliché I know. I’m also a big sports fan everything except soccer and majority of my teams are New York teams. giants, Yankees, Knicks, Rangers, and well Lakers might not fit but they do have Kobe (: last but not least in m y future I really hope to be a corporate lawyer so I chose the law picture I’ve been studying it since middle school and my aunt has always been my inspiration. since the first grade picture of when I realized what I wanted my profession to be to this present day nothing has ever interested me as much as law has.

Maybe I was wrong this wasn’t so hard to write after all. I guess that’s something that describes me as an individual but like for most its only a smallish summarization

~anna movchan

Playlist

I find a very unique type of solace in music. For two to ten minutes I can expel all problems in my life and escape into a world of synchronized noise. And then, almost immediately after taking off my headphones, I can dive back into any type of shit-storm I may be up against and face it with a clear mind and a smile on my face. For me, music is the only type of escape that truly empowers me and doesn’t just distract me from my life. That is why I have chosen to create a playlist that “represents me”. I put that in quotes because it isn’t necessarily the full message of the songs in the playlist that represent me but rather, there is a piece of each of these songs that I can relate to.

I chose to start off the playlist with the song ‘(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction’ by the Rolling Stones. One of the first lines howled by Mic Jagger speaks of a man on the radio feeding him some useless information and I identify with that line very strongly. I tend to get very frustrated while listening or reading any type of mainstream news media today because of their obvious lack of intelligence. There are far too many stupid people with microphones in this nation and it frustrates me beyond belief.

The next song on the playlist, ‘Travelin’ Band’ by CCR, is another upbeat song and although the lyrics really have no relation to me, the tone and atmosphere of the song always get me out of whatever funk I may be in. The same goes for the next two songs, ‘Goldie’ by A$AP Rocky and ‘Trouble on My Mind’ by Pusha T and Tyler, the Creator. Those last two songs also help me invasion my self as a ruthless thug that has a lot of money. And really, who doesn’t want to imagine themselves as such a being?

‘I am the Walrus’ by the Beatles is next on the playlist. This song by John Lennon was written as a joke to confuse all people trying to find genuine meaning in Beatles songs. I think its funny and I think I can be funny at times too, just like the Beatles.

Walrus is followed by ‘Bad Moon Rising’ by CCR. I chose this song to follow ‘Walrus’ because it hints that every good thing is followed by something dark. I feel that that is an idea that everyone can relate to.

‘The Instrumental’ by Lupe Fiasco is about a kid trapped inside a metaphorical box and he can’t find his way out because the “man” in charge won’t allow him to think outside of it. This song is similar to ‘Trapped In My Mind’ by Kid Cudi but in the latter, Cudi seems to enjoy it. I am a fairly introverted person and I too enjoy being alone sometimes. ‘Efflictem’ by Kid Cudi is another dark song but this one speaks of what legacy one leaves behind once they have passed away. I chose this song because I hope to one day do something great and be remembered not for who I was but what I was able to accomplish for others.

Finally, I chose the song ‘Mr. Tambourine Man’ by the honorable Bob Dylan simply because it is the greatest song ever recorded.

I apologize for going over 500 hundred words. I deleted half this post to get it down to 590 words and still feel there is so much more to say. Oh well, enjoy.

Frida’s Playlist

I don’t know why, but this wasn’t as easy as i thought it would be. I kept putting my favorite songs in my playlist, but the assignment was to choose 10 songs that speak who you are, so my final product was my best attempt at completing this task. Enjoyyyy

Anywayssss, the first two songs describe my current social lifestyle, and what I consider to be good music. I LOVE HOUSE MUSIC. I go to raves and music festivals from time to time because I enjoy the vibe from the crowd, how everybody seems so carefree and just has a good time. If you’ve heard the term “PLUR” – it means: Peace, Love, Unity and Respect; and that’s what all raveheads live by and I feel like that’s the best way to describe MY way of life.

The next two songs are songs that make me wanna get up and do a happy dance (: . I could just be in my room by myself and dance, jump, sway, lip sing, or be in public with friends and do the same thing, not caring, because these songs just make me happy. When I’m comfortable with people I could be really goofy and these songs help me bring that out . . . so watch out.

Michael Jackson is one of the best artists of all time, no doubt about that, he is not my idol but he definitely was the gateway path that made me love pop music. I grew up listening to this guy, and his songs never get old, I guess this just shows you guys that I still appreciate music that’s not my from time, that I am open minded to many things. I will always give an idea or thought a chance because a close minded person never gets too far in my opinion.

I love New York City, it has made me who I am and this city will always have a special place in my heart. Yes, sometimes I feel like punching people in the face for being so rude, or wonder how life is in other cities, but then I remember that this is one of the greatest cities in the world, where dreams become reality, where buildings touch the skies, where diverse cultures live together. I feel like “Marry the Night” by Lady Gaga is a perfect representation of how I feel about the Concrete Jungle., and I have to say that it is a really big part of me.

The rest of the playlist are songs that just calm me down; songs that I listen to while I reminisce when I’m at Starbucks, songs that reflect my present life, songs that make me think of the future.

I am PLUR. I tend to be goofy. I have an open-mind. I love NYC. I cherish memories that were made, are being made and will be made. That is Frida Montanez.

Toodles <3