About two months back, I was walking home from work; I was helping a friend at an after school. I saw these kids running around making a lot of noise. I didn’t really pay attention to it until i walked closer and saw what they were doing. The six kids were harassing two children and their mother. The kids made fun of the family’s accent and threw ice chunks at the mother. I was not used to seeing such small children disrespecting an adult. Not sure how to respond, I moved closer to the family and the children backed off a bit. They followed along as I walked with the family back to their home. I still do not know what i should have done, but I have gotten over it.

This image shows how I see myself. I am not sure what kind of person I am and have never really thought about it. Even now after 18 years of life I am not sure how to describe my personality. These random scribbles represent my inability to explain to others who I am and how I am like.

Most people question whether ghosts are real or not. Throughout my life, I have had some interesting run-ins that I assumed were some type of ghost being. When I was 6 I had a jewelry box from my great grandmother who died a few years earlier. The jewelry box was heavy and large and it was never moved off my desk. One day I had a friend over and /i noticed my jewelry box was missing. I asked everyone in my family and everyone said they hadn’t touched it. Later that day I found the box under a bunch of clothes in my closet. Deciding it was a ghost who moved it  I began to question the existence of ghosts. A few years later I heard my mother having a conversation on the phone about how some weird things were happening to her and she blamed it on ghosts as well which furthered my belief.

Ain’t that the way it always starts! (Hail to the amazing Dave Grohl) Friends part after being together for years. People miss each other. It’s sad to leave but you have to go. The plane landed. Oh no, it’s cold… It’s zero degree…

I come to New York for college so how does my school like? Let’s go to class. The first lesson is the History lesson. I still don’t how to pronounce her last name today. Anyway, History is quite easy. Let’s go to the German lesson. Opps! I mean music lesson. Then, it’s the math class! Wait! Where is the professor? Hey, you mean that skater boy is my professor? I know it’s the season for snowboarding, but… Whatever. Everything is going well until afternoon. First, it’s the damn English lesson taught by a crazy cat lady. You know, sitting in such a hot and boring atmosphere makes me feel sleepy after having lunch. But sometimes, the best is yet to come. That accent and that handwriting, that is the sociology professor! Please kill me. In conclusion, male professors are way better than female! ALWAYS!

Let’s talk about the campus. Actually, it’s awesome to go to school at the middle of the city. At least you don’t need to get drunk everyday like the students in upstate. You have fun around you. Do you know what’s great about having a small campus? You don’t need to use 15 minutes to walk and locate your classroom. Um… Maybe! Baruch’s room numbering system is dumb and so wrong.

After all, everything is settled. Everything is nice and done. Let’s think of what am I going to be! Everyone urged me! You little dumbass! Go to study accounting! You have to be an accountant. For what? Why? That’s what they can’t answer me. Anyway, in the whole world, I only give a shit to my parents. Because it’s my parent assigning me this honorable missionary, I have to get it done! I will shut their mouth!

However, you know what? I don’t want to trap myself in a cage for my entire life! Yes! Let’s laugh at me! It’s childish. It’s naïve. College helps us to find our path. At the same time, it helps us to get lost too. We need dedications to find our way. Your time will come if you work hard! Be responsible to yourself. Do all the things you don’t feel like to do. Do that homework. Go revision. Wake up early. Bear that pain. Because sometimes it’s not about you want to do it or not! It’s about you had to do it and how to do it! You must get he job done so one day you can do whatever you want to do after these sorrows.

This is not a picture representing myself but I love this picture. The drummer of Avenged Sevenfold died at 28. (R.I.P. the Rev) You will never know when will you die so seize the day. It is your responsibility to live your life without regrets. There are tons of people want a chance to live like you. Also, I remind myself to stay calm a lot since there are so many times I screw things up because of anger. So keep calm and seize the day.

monologue

I have been in this school for 2 months. and attended this course for many many times.

to be honest, it is a very nice and sweet program especially to me. As it is my first time to go to school in America and everything is still kind of new and strange to me. So I always feel confused about something thing like school policies. And at this point, when I have some questions, I can email to friends or tutors or professors.

And also, I really appreciate that this class dosen’t have homework and it is great.

And, actually, I think if we can watch some movies in class, that will be perfect.

I have been here for almost one year. But until now I am still suffering kind of culture shock.

My English is still not very good, but much better than when I just came here. Now and i can understand general conversation, but still confused about the slangs. It is pleasant to go to college because you guys do help me with some pronunciations like dead and dad. and my favorite now is “ i am cool with it.”

When I came here, I found that i had a new hobby that is to listen to others. and i like repeat some interesting things to me. When i talk to Chinese, i just talk and don’t really listen to the charming part of the language, but now i feel i am a 4 years old baby again and learn something from the beginning again. That’s so nice.

And also some cultural difference like, god bless you. I am still confused about when to say it. i have seen people sneeze, 啊欠，then people say god bless you. but i mean if the people choked can i also say god bless you.

When I came here, i was so surprised that people are very different from what i think.

Before i came here, i tried to watch some American series to get used to here.

I have been to many places in new york and outside since I came here. I have been to many museums, restaurants and bala bala. I think my favorite museum is the cloister museum. And it is awesome.

thank you. xie xie.

I was born in Soviet Union and grew up in Russia. At the age of 17, I’ve visited 14 countries, so I saw the world a little bit. I finished a high school when I was 17 in the small city of Kirov in Central part of Russia. It was a time for me to decide who I wanted to become. When my relative invited me to study in US, I thought it could be a great opportunity for me.

When I moved to the US, I had some problems with my visa, so I couldn’t study for 5 years. Also, I couldn’t go back to Russia and didn’t see my family and friends, but I got through this. So here I am right now at Baruch trying to achieve my goals.

About 2 years ago, i had the pleasure of spending 2 weeks in a psychiatric facility after a severe depressive episode. While there I encountered many characters. There was the pervy old guy who farted in my face, sweet kid named Malik who liked to frighten the nurses and a bipolar pothead named Charles who was severely in denial about his diagnosis. My favorite, however was a guy called Lil Nate. Lil Nate was this homeless guy who looked like a tiny , black, toothless Santa Claus. He was about 5’2″ and spoke like a tornado. He never bathed and always had this little wet spot on the front of his pants like he’d wet himself, which judging by the smell, he had. You never knew what you were going to get when you spoke to him. It could be really unnerving at times. Everyday he had a new identity for himself. My favorite was Sweetback. Sweetbackwas a badass who taught me how to disarm a gunman, then 2 minutes later Lil Nate was back, telling me that only the devil smiled all the time and that I should stop smiling at him. Then he told me he was father, Elijah Mohammed and things got a little weird. The next day he’d be back to normal, well as normal as he could be. Sometimes Nate was so lucid I wondered if the rest of it was an act. Maybe he just go off on making people squirm.Either way I grew to like the man a lot and apparently he liked me too. He got all misty eyed when he found out I was leaving, and told me I was a good kid and that I should be happy. It was pretty sound advice that I am trying to put into action. About 2 months ago I ran into Lil Nate outside of a store, he was pretty wasted and didn’t remember me, which bummed me out but whatever at least i still have my memories.

Hey guys, name’s John. I usually listen to Korean songs, but listing them would be such a pain, so I’ll give you a playlist I usually listen to when I’m gaming.

Or need motivation to do the laundry.

Also makes doing this blog so much more rewarding. And… well you can never have too much of awesome.

Audiomachine – Tree of Life
Sawano Hiroyuki – E.M.A
Two Steps From Hell – Archangel
Two Steps From Hell – Protector of the Earth
Sawano Hiroyuki – Guilty Crown
Audiomachine – Apollo’s Triumph
Mervin Mathew – Take Your Stand Against
Ivan Torrent – TH3 AWAK3N1NG
Position Music – Stand And Become Legendary (Jack Trammell)
Liquid Cinema – Martyr

Hey Guys it’s Elan. My playlist is very eclectic because I listen to all types of music. I like to think of myself as nice, outgoing and at times mildly entertaining. I love to chill with my friends and laugh with them for hours. Baruch has been great so far, and contrary to popular belief I actually enjoy FRO(this isn’t an attempt to kiss up to Donovan and (I forgot your name). I kind’ve love clothing even though that might be weird cus I’m a dude, but I like to look good, sue me. I’m a huge sports fan, playing and watching. If you don’t like the yankees were going to have some problems. Now i’ll give you my playlist.

1) Lover of the Light- Mumford and Sons

2) Suzy Greenberg- Phish

3) Good Morning- Kanye West

4) Pompeii- Bastille (I know it is a new song but its so damn good i can’t not put it in)

5) Blessed – Avicii ( Disclaimer: I liked him before he was on the radio)

6) Radio Nowhere- Bruce Springsteen

7) Only the Good Die Young- Billy Joel

8) Paradise- Coldplay

9) Maximal Crazy- Tiesto

10) Pursuit of Happiness- Kid Cudi ( Regular and Steve Aoki Remix both great)

http://open.spotify.com/user/1257620942/playlist/4muJ0hFrGWWF0zAt7TnshL

Careless Whisper – George Michael

Broken Hands – Lamb of God

Homeland & Hip Hop – Immortal Tech.

Pineal Gland – Ab Soul

Swimming Pools – Kendrick

White America – Eminem

Who Says – John Mayer

On The Backs of Angels – Dream Theater

Obzen – Meshuggah

Greyhound – Swedish House Mafia

Glory & Gore – Lorde

This playlist is appropriately named “Cheesecake” because my taste is clearly cheesy yet comforting and so delish. I think the music someone listens to says something about them, not necessary reflect them though. I listen to a lot of artists that come from different places and different perspectives. But yeah, George Michael had to be #1. Thanks for listening folks.