Freshman Seminar – Spring 2015, DTD

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It’s always interesting to see what you say about yourself. Arrogant, stupid, mean, fat, unorganized, or critical? Any of those sound familiar? Often times, we overlook so many of the amazing qualities we possess and look at every flaw that we can possibly imagine, and yet when we ask others about us, more often than expected, peoples say we are kind, considerate, friendly, approachable, understanding, even smart. So why is it that we identify ourselves with so many negative qualities?

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people will not feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” – Marianne Williamson.

How do I view myself and why does this picture depict me? The reason this photo represents me is because I am with others and not holding back who I am or what I can do. I am living my life to the fullest I can in this moment and giving permission for others to do so as well. People often define themselves based on what they have or what they do, but those things are always changing. You may job for one day and call yourself a banker, but the next lose that job. Would you still call yourself a banker? Who you are comes from the people you surround yourself with and what you emulate. Who I am? Just ask the people around me.

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What has Baruch been like for me? Baruch College offers new opportunities for students to excel in their studies and become professionally recognized in a specified career just like any other college. This, of course, comes with a wide variety of experiences and challenges from the new classroom setting to the upbeat and overly loud social events, both of these challenge us in our own way at any college one could or would attend, but what makes my experience at Baruch unique to me. Baruch, unlike many other schools, offers a huge diversity of cultures. From the Hispanic bankers club, the Korean Culture club, the Japanese anime club, to the Black American Society club, all of these offer a variety of social groups that almost anyone can fit in. One is never alone when attending Baruch. Though sometimes I feel, friends often divide amongst people of their own race and culture and create very tight cliques; overall I believe diversity is well respected around campus. This is something that has become very prevalent in my experience in Baruch College thus far.

Initially, my main reason for attending this school had been because of my inability to afford many of the so called, “better,” colleges I could have attended. I should have done this or taken that class came up a few times in my head, but much of that was washed away during my gap years prior to my start at Baruch. Two years of traveling all across the world helped me become tolerant, patient, and kind. Of course, college still poses a challenge and my lack of unacceptance and apathy affected my studies greatly during the first semester, but as I came to see how much this school had to offer me personally, I came to appreciate more of what Baruch is and even look to what it could be.                 I have struggled with acceptance a lot of my life being somewhat different from many of those around me. Much of my high school experience consisted of bullying and unfair treatment because of distinct difference. There were already very few minorities in my school, being a predominantly composed of wealthy white boys, but being both Hispanic and Asian, neither social structure really accepted me. Much of my high school experience led to many stupid decisions, but I come out stronger from them and that much the wiser. Often times, people say God put us here for a specific purpose, but I say God also puts us in place that can give us purpose. Baruch offers such a wide variety of cultures, making me feel very comfortable around so many different kinds of students. In the end, color is a simply a color and does not really distinguish us in any other way. We all grew up in this world with a wide wealth of experiences and Baruch College is a place in which I am offered the opportunity to share my experiences and create new ones with those around me. This picture represents more than just a few friends up to some late nigh shenanigans; it represents new experiences, new people, and a new me.C:\Users\Baruch_Student\Desktop\11164811_10153061450647745_6090355789868850354_n.jpg

A little bit…from me to you

Hi my full name is Chon-il Brandon Valentin, but you guys can call me Brandon. I am a bred New Yorker and unfortunately am a second hand smoker. I’ve lived here all my life, but my father is from Puerto Rico and my mother is from Japan, making me half Japanese and half Puerto Rican. Unfortunately, I do not know either language and can only understand and speak American English. Though many of these facts may hold great interest to you, I’m going to try my best to describe myself in reasonable, yet descriptive manner. All of this began the day I chose NOT to go to College.

I’ve had an interesting and good life so far that has had its fill of ups and downs, tears of joy and tears of sorrow, but through and through they have made me a better human being as a whole. After finishing high school I felt I was not ready or mature enough to handle all of the responsibilities that would be required of me in college. Wasn’t rich, so I would be working and studying, and of course having FUN, but I just felt like college wasn’t the right thing for me yet. College such huge opportunities for young people today to go in without some kind of understanding or preparation seems a bit wasteful , so I instead of going to school or just working, I volunteered on a gap year program known as Generation Peace Academy. It took me all across the USA and the globe and led me to people that have filled the many holes in my own heart.

So the very first image is me and one of my best friend’s Austin Hummel. He was one of the funniest and ridiculous people I know and has some of the weirdest habits in the world, but he is someone that has always made me laugh and put a smile on my face when it was difficult. The picture is an attempt of a ballroom move; Austin and I were trying to show off to a friend. Of course, she found it quite stupid.

The second image shows one of nearest and dearest friends of mine, Chung You. A wise and gentle person, who also has made me laugh many a time, but also realize how important it is to be yourself and not hold back who you are. I feel like no one really knows who they are, but expressing yourself is something so important and as Marianne Williamson said, “it is our light not our darkness that most frightens us…”

The third image is my first attempt at a proposal. I was walking onto a stage, intending on placing this small bracelet on this Filipino student’s hand, but instead tripped and fell onto my knees. I still have that bracelet.

The Fourth image is someone whom I consider like a sister. I’ve always loved this girl and she has changed a lot of things in my life due to the many challenges she has faced in her own.

The fifth image was taken on one of my last nights in the Philippines. Austin and I were committed to staying awake all night and spending time with so many of the Filipino kids and we did, but ended up knocking out around 4 or 5 in the morning.

The sixth image is of a boy named Shinji. I was serving overseas in the Dominican Republic for service work and this boy I had met on the second was so afraid of me in the beginning, but by the end, I couldn’t get away from him. He made practice taken more of a child’s perspective towards things.

The seventh image is of these two twins in the Dominican Republic who made me question and learn so much about what it means to be grateful. I am grateful for them both.

The 8 and yes, 9^th image are pictures of my family. They have been through a lot of shit with me and every moment that we have spent together is a moment to cherish.