Success is Personal

“If your success is not on your own terms, if it looks good to the world but does not feel good in your heart, it is not success at all.” – Anna Quindlen (1953 – )

Success is personal. According to Answers.com, success is the achievement of something desired, planned, or attempted. It comes in many forms; such as a long awaited promotion, getting your dream job, owning your own business, or maybe just being content and finding happiness in life. I believe there are two secrets to success. One, do something you love and two, think positive. To accomplish anything in life, one must have passion and excitement; negative feeling should be kept at bay. They should never come in the way of your dream. They should never detour your climb to success.

Obstacles hamper people’s desire for success. Especially now when the economy is so horrible, people may have to lower their ability to hold out for their dream job. They wind up settling with careers that are easily obtainable and available, but not necessarily personally satisfying. I believe that this is the worst possible way to deal with the economic depression, and definitely not a way to succeed in it. In my eyes, he or she will not thrive at that job, because accomplishment is a feeling, and an achievement one receives when a goal is reached. Thus, all those people who settled for the job they needed do not feel success, because that job was never their dream.

Work is much easier and satisfying when you are doing something you love. When you do something you love, effort is never sensed. Yes, you will need to work hard and overcome struggles, but this work will not be classified by the typical work definition of effort applied to produce a deliverable or accomplish a task. This work will be defined as extra time spent on an activity you love. As a result, doing something you love will only make this work easier.

“The positive thinker sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible.” –Unknown

I believe that the secret to life is positive thinking. I am an optimist, so I come from a world where anything can happen. I truly feel negative comments can stop success. When someone believes that they can accomplish their aspiration, they are that much closer to victory. On the other hand, a worker that continues to believe they will never get a raise, sure enough, will never really get a raise. Once a thought is perceived in your head, you tend to live by and believe in it. Thus, if you believe that you’ll succeed in your job and get that raise you-definitely will!

Positive thinking also deals with confidence in your ideas. You must have a belief in yourself that whatever you are doing will be triumphant. Sure you can have fears, and moments of doubt that your dream job may not actually exist, but those worries shouldn’t take up a minute more of your time. The greatest inventors and historians of our time have met defeat at least once on their journey towards success. But this defeat did not stop them from their dream. They had confidence that their goal would be met, and they didn’t give up. They were persistent, and believed in themselves and their dream.

It is not a wonder that people who are successful are drawn to New York. People perform to their ultimate ability when they have a desire to succeed. New York in itself is the ultimate. It is a measure of success in itself. Thus, success and New York are synonymous.

In conclusion, as stated on Wikipedia success is the level of social status. You could read all the quotes listed, hear accounts of successful stories in New York, and maybe even create your own. But, if you do not believe in yourself success is not attainable. Success is personal.

May 19, 2009 af093669

Snap Snap, Click Click

May 12, 2009

Essay #3

          I, like many other people around the world, am obsessed with celebrities. Any news about what is going on in their lives is fascinating to me. As a result, the paparazzi seem like gods to me. Well I wouldn’t go that far; maybe they’re a group of people I have idolized since I was able to read the tabloids at the check out counter in supermarkets. They can do the one thing that I will most likely never have the benefit of doing; stand in the presence of a famous celebrity. Since I can’t be a member of the paparazzi crew myself, I’ll settle for looking at their pictures and being a devoted follower of their work. Thus, bringing me to the blog of TMZ.   (http://www.tmz.com)

The term TMZ originated in the 1960’s, and stands for “Thirty Mile Zone”. “On location” shoots began to grow in the 1960’s. As a result, studios felt that they had to define what an on location shoot was, so they established a “thirty mile zone”. Once a shoot was outside the zone, the studio would consider it an on location shoot. The zone remains centered in Los Angeles around the old offices of The Association of Motion Pictures and Television Producers at Beverly and La Cienega Boulevards in California. It was often said that “Everything in entertainment happens in the ‘Thirty Mile Zone.'” So essentially, the “Thirty Mile Zone” represents the center of Hollywood. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TMZ.com)

The TMZ blog informs readers of the latest news involving the top Hollywood celebrities. I find it very enjoyable and addicting to read. There are many factors that draw me to this blog, such as design, cutting edge news, like-mindedness, helpfulness, and navigation.

I would first like to start with the design. The minute the browser opens up you are greeted with the TMZ logo, and just below that a huge headline and a picture follow. The background is simply white with black writing. I believe that has the best effect in appealing to visitors. No need for fancy fonts or bold colors for my tastes. The format is simple, with a headline, picture, and an article to follow. There are no surprises, and the articles are easy to read.

A new article is posted approximately every twenty minutes. Every article is different and focused on a new celebity. The TMZ blog is up to date with all the cutting edge news about celebrities. This is the most appealing part of the blog, because I love knowing all the newest celebrity gossip. These up to date articles make it easier for me to know all about the celebrities I love.

Since I adore the lives of celebrities, and so does TMZ I find it hard not to visit this blog everyday. We are both fascinated by Hollywood’s best, and are interested in every aspect of their lives. Other readers and myself, are interested in the idea that celebrities are just like them, and many of the articles found on the TMZ blog do just that. For example, they may post a picture of Jennifer Aniston shopping at her local super market, or Matt Damon pumping his own gas. Both of these actions show how human these celebrities really are.

The fourth factor is how helpful this blog site is, especially when you want information on a specific celebrity. For example, on the blog, if you scroll down a bit on your right hand side, there is a section labeled “Hot Celebrities”. In this section, there is a link that makes it easy to find articles on your favorite celebrites.  Once you click on the link, articles are listed and you can choose which one you would like to read. I specifically like this aspect of the blog, because every article posted on the TMZ site involving a certain celebrity can be found easily. This feature makes it easier to view a specific editorial that you are looking for when researching your favorite celebrity.

And lastly, the navigation on the blog is very helpful. There is a section on the right side of the blog labeled blogrolling. This section allows you to research other popular celebrity gossip blogs if you enjoyed the TMZ blog. It’s a relief to know that another gossip website is just a click away for all those celebrity gossip adicts out there.

I have just entered into the “blog world” and this is my favorite blog to view every day. The link is provided above, and I hope that you check it out!            

May 12, 2009 af093669

Cleaning up New York

I believe one way we can help New York is by throwing our garbage in the garbage cans, and not on the street. Littering is one of my pet peeves, and it ruins the environment. New York would look much cleaner if we all just threw our garbage away.

            As I walk from the F Train to school every day, I cannot help but notice all of the stray papers, and food remnants left behind from people who felt they were too busy to throw it out. I believe if you are going to eat something, you should clean up the mess you make after it has been finished. There are garbage cans kept on almost every corner that make throwing your garbage away so much easier. As a result, there is no excuse for it to be thrown on the ground.  

            When we throw away our litter, the streets are cleaner. It creates a more sanitary environment for the hundreds of people who are commuting in and out of the city on a daily basis. New Yorkers are living in a beautiful city, but when the streets are polluted it is not seen as so stunning. We need to pick up the trash, so the City will always remain clean and attractive to us, and the millions that visit New York, each year. Actually, according to Wikipedia, the City attracts over 44 million people around the world, and I would love for that statement to remain accurate for years to come. Consequently, throwing your garbage out can have that benefit.

4 comments May 5, 2009 af093669

New York’s Finest

Ashley Frangella
Professor Penaz
Draft for Essay #3
April 21, 2009

            On September 11, 2001, 343 members of the FDNY and 23 members of the NYPD died. Each and every one of them died on the job while protecting the people in their New York City.  These dedicated citizens, employed by the fire and police departments, have such a strong moral and work ethic that they risk their lives every day.  Although I was in 6^th grade, I will remember that day forever, because it hit so close to home, literally. I could see the smoke pouring out of the Twin Towers in the distance from my classroom window. Many of my former classmates had family members who worked in those buildings and a few who even died there. Despite the aftermath of hurt and devastation from that day, New York shined throughout, evident through the efforts of many heroes. The FDNY, NYPD, rescue workers, and volunteers banned together that day to save many lives. Those people work under grueling conditions day in and day out, and that day exemplified to the entire world just how devoted, trained and courageous they were to their jobs.

Firefighters and police officers have a moral obligation to save civilians in distress as part of their jobs. As men and women ran out of the burning buildings seeking safety on September 11, members of the fire department and police department ran back into those burning buildings intent on saving as many people as possible. They were police and firemen first, forgetting their own loved ones, who may have been at home wondering if they were safe, and try to save the hundreds of people trapped in those two buildings. The men and women of the fire and police department were selfless, and did not think of themselves once while running into the enflamed towers. They were not thinking of their spouses or perhaps children that would be left behind if their lives were lost, but of the innocent victims stuck in the crumbling buildings. The brave men and women that day were compelled by their job, and their responsibility to assist and save lives. It was their duty not only to help on that day, but each and every day continuously, 365 days a year.
            In regards to the service of those men and women on September 11, in November 2001, the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin stated:
            The FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin proudly recognizes the heroic actions of the many men and women in the public safety sector who unflinchingly carried out their duties in the face of the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Many of these individuals gave their lives to rescue those caught in the deadly attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. These courageous and valiant firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency service personnel, and other public safety employees persevered amidst an inconceivable landscape of death and devastation to act in the highest tradition of public service. [1]
            Many articles, like this one, have thanked the FDNY, NYPD, and many other federal institutions for their extraordinary service that day. Many of these honorable personnel see helping others, not only as a moral obligation, but also as their civic duty. They are members of the community, and help other inhabitants not because it’s their job, but because they believe it is a necessity for the community. Firefighters help put out our fires that ignite abruptly, while police officers solve the crimes and protect us from the criminals that perpetrate our city each day.

            The crime rate of New York has dropped tremendously, due to the efforts of the New York City Police Department. According to the Law Enforcement Agency Uniform Crime Reports, violent crime has gone from 98,022 in 2001 to 79,915 in 2007. These numbers showed that New York City has a lower rate of major crimes than all of the country’s 25 largest cities. The FBI ranked New York as safer than 227 other cities on a list of the country’s 241 cities with a population of 100,000 or more. [2]

            The decline of the crime rate alone shows the dedication of police officers when performing their jobs effectively. Each day, New York is kept safe because of the NYPD. The department has not taken a day off, and has kept our streets safe on a 24/7, minute to minute, hour to hour, watch. Police officers are sworn enforcers of the law. They are devoted to catching criminals, investigating crime and preserving the peace. It is their responsibilities to uphold the law and come to the aid of those in need. Police officers serve a vital function in society; they preserve law and order so everyone in the society can live in peace. Without police officers, criminals would prey on victims without fear of consequences.[3] New York City police officers are called to duty whenever a problem arises, and relied on to protect the public when in need. It could be a bank robbery, a violent situation that a civilian is placed in, or the unfortunate event of a homicide; police officers are always the first called. It takes a lot of effort to keep the peace in a city, and the NYPD do this undauntingly.

            In order, to have a strong work ethic you need to be committed, respectful, prepared, professional, and proficient. On a day to day basis, you find our law enforcement and firefighters displaying these qualities. For example, my father called Con Edison one day, because our carbon monoxide alarm went off. The Con Ed representative told my dad someone would be at the house within 20 minutes, because when you have the carbon monoxide alarm sound, it could be a serious situation. No more than five minutes had passed before the fire department arrived at my house. The men were all geared up and ready to do what they could to help my family. Although there was a minor gas leak, fortunately, it was not as serious as it could have been. But, those firefighters were prepared and equipped to help my family. And thankfully, a serious situation was averted.

On April 21^st, the FDNY rescued four victims trapped in an attic during a fire in Queens. The blaze broke out at the 144th St. home in South Jamaica just after 1 a.m. and was so destructive that when firefighters arrived, just three minutes later, the building was already engulfed in flames. “There was zero visibility up there,” said Sodano, who has been with the FDNY for eight years. “Once we found the first guy, we started giving him air right away,” said Sodano. “But then it came over the radio that more people were trapped up there.” Handing off the victim to another firefighter, Sodano ran back into the burning attic, knowing that time was running out for the men still inside. [4]

Anthony Sodano showed commitment and dedication to his job in this Queens fire. Although, the fire was getting progressively worse, Anthony went back inside to save the trapped victims. Many firefighters do exactly like Anthony, and remain loyal to their job.

On October 30, 2008, Commissioner Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly today honored 57 members and auxiliary members of the New York City Police Department whose actions helped save more than two dozen lives over the last four years and exemplify the use of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automatic External Defibrillators, or AEDs. The ceremony was the first of its’ kind to recognize the use of CPR, Automatic External Defibrillators in Life Saving Action by officers. [5] Marc Francois attended the NYPD First Responder Awards Ceremony to honor the detectives and police officer who revived him from a seizure while attending the New York Giants Parade of Champions in February.

Police officers and fire fighters alike take their job seriously and professionally. They are always ready for any situation that they may be put in, including saving a bystander’s life in the middle of a parade. The job of a police officer is very unpredictable, and as a result proficiency is a necessity that saves lives.

In conclusion, police officers and firefighters have a very tough day each day and every day. Through a strong moral and work ethic, they perform their job successfully. September 11, 2001 forced me to realize just how tough their jobs are, and how well they perform them. And for this I and millions of New Yorkers are thankful.

May 4, 2009 af093669

[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/ivjybzdXVmI" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

i thought this was soo cool!

April 24, 2009 af093669

My New York Hero

Ashley Frangella

Professor Penaz

April 24, 2009

Short Essay Assignment #1

When Rudolph Giuliani came into office as Mayor of New York in 1994 his main goal was to clean up . He wanted to reduce the crime rate, and turn New York back into the city it was, that is before all organized crime began. He had a very hard job when entering the office in 1994 and it grew only tougher when he had to rebuild the morale of New York in 2001, after the September 11 attacks. I think Rudy did a great job, and that is why he is my New York hero.

The day that Rudy Giuliani took office he adopted an aggressive enforcement-deterrent strategy based on James Q. Wilson‘s “Broken Windows” approach. This involved crackdowns on relatively minor offenses such as graffiti, turnstile jumping, and aggressive “squeegeemen”. Giuliani and Bill Bratton also instituted CompStat, a comparative statistical approach to mapping crime geographically and in terms of emerging criminal patterns, as well as charting officer performance by quantifying criminal apprehensions. As a result of these strategies and leadership, the crime rate dropped drastically.

I respect Giuliani for this drop in crime rate, because it made me feel safer as a citizen of New York. After his two terms in office, I felt more comfortable and secure when walking through the city. Since the drop in crime rate from Giuliani’s term, the rate continues to go down, and as a commuter I feel more protected when traveling to school.

As the mayor of New York, Rudolph Giuliani was just as shocked as the rest of the world by the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. But despite his shocked ness, he knew that at this essential time, it was his job as mayor to keep the citizens of New York joined together. He believed that in order to get through this upsetting event, we needed to lean on each other. Therefore, he went to Ground Zero and helped the FDNY, NYPD, EMT’s or any other volunteers that came to service that day.

When seeing all the news reports, I remember seeing Giuliani’s friendly face and listening to his words of comfort. I give him courage and strength for keeping New York together at that upsetting time. He handled his job with a grace and a passion that the City needed.

In conclusion, I think Mayor Giuliani did an amazing job in helping New York. He helped us reach the full potential that our city could reach. With the help of Rudy Giuliani, New York remained strong through dramatic events, and became a safer city to live in.

April 24, 2009 af093669

Individuality

           When I think about quintessential New York my mind immediately races to Times Square. The history, atmosphere, location, structures, and entertainment make this place a part of New York. The place many tourists go when finding a place to be completely awed is: Times Square. The atmosphere of Times Square compares to no other. I’m so glad that being a New Yorker has allowed me that great privilege.

            On April 8, 1904 the area once owned by John Morin Scott and John Jacob Astor was renamed “Times Square”. Just three weeks later, the first electrified advertisement appeared on a bank building located on 46^th Street and Broadway. As New York City kept growing and growing, so did Times Square. It became a cultural hub full of theaters, music halls and upscale hotels. Times Square quickly became New York’s agora, a place where people met to wait and celebrate good news. Between the 1910’s and the 1920’s, Times Square was nicknamed The Tenderloin, because it was looked at as being the most desirable location in Manhattan. But on the other hand, during that same time period it was deeply associated with illegal crime such as gambling and prostitution. The atmosphere of Times Square changed greatly during the Great Depression, where it was considered a dangerous neighborhood. It wasn’t until the 1980’s, when commercial buildings began to blossom, that Times Square got its name back. With the help of Mayor Giuliani in the 1990’s, The Tenderloin started to get cleaned up. In 1990, contributing to the restoring of Times Square, the state of New York took over six of the nine historic theaters on 42^nd Street. Some theatres were renovated into Broadway theatres, and helped create Times Square’s amazing entertainment center.[1] Times Square has been a part of New York since before the Revolution, and will always be. It has been through some rough patches, but it is now stronger than ever.     

From the moment you step off the stairs of the subway onto the streets of New York between W42nd and W47th Street, all you can do is look around in awe. You get a rush from the lights, the people, the enormous skyscrapers, the huge billboards, and the immeasurable amount of cars whizzing in and out of traffic. A person from a small town would be shell-shocked from this experience, but that’s what makes Times Square New York. Times Square show the culture of everyone, and the atmosphere is clearly felt. You can experience the fast-pace lifestyle, the excitement of people’s first visit to New York, and just how treasured this part of New York is. The atmosphere is one of excitement, liveliness, and energy. It causes about 44 million people around the world visit New York each year, and from that 44 million about 80% come to see the bright lights of Times Square. [2] Once you step into Times Square, your nasty mood that you were in a second ago on the E Train is suddenly gone. The words you were about to use to argue with your sister or brother have disappeared, and have been lost into the air. There is no other environment like that of Times Square.

            Also contributing to the environment of Times Square, are the enormous buildings. These buildings soar in heights that cannot be imagined. Some buildings located in Times Square are the New York Times Tower, Reuters Building, The Morgan Stanley Building, Ernst and Young National Headquarters, Paramount Building, and Times Square Tower. The architecture of these buildings is only found in New York, because they are so modern and unique. The buildings are not only soaring in heights, but core foundations of many businesses. Times Square continues to be the center of all in New York. It was the place where main business companies, such as Morgan Stanley, Ernst and Young, and Paramount, centered their businesses. Each composition of these buildings, allow for their own uniqueness when compared to other buildings. New York has a great sense of individuality when it comes to architecture, and buildings in Times Square broadly display that distinctiveness.

            The location of Times Square and all its buildings make it perfect for people to visit. It is located between Broadway and 7^th Avenue stretching from West 42^nd to West 47^th Street, in the heart of midtown Manhattan. This area is easy enough for people to take a train or subway to get to, and just big enough to hold all the excitement tourists need to experience. It is nicknamed “Crossroads of the World” by ABC News. This is a fitting nick-name seeing that Times Square is home to publishing giants, such as the New York Times and Conde Nast; the NASDAQ financial market; and the world’s most important theater district. Because it is located in the center of Manhattan it has blossomed into the most attractive area visited by tourists around the world. [3]

Also attracting the people to Times Square is Broadway. Broadway may actually be the first thing that pops into people’s minds when it comes to this wonderful area. The place anyone goes to find a musical, play, opera, and even a waxed version of their favorite celebrity is located in Times Square. Entertainment, such as this cannot be found in any other city, and I only hope it forever stays this way. The night-time of New York is the best time to visit Times Square. At that time, people can see how the city does not sleep. Young adults walk through the streets at 10 at night. It is pitched black, but because the lights of Times Square are so bright it still feels as if it is the afternoon. The nightlife of New York is the greatest in the world, and cannot compare to anywhere else.

            In conclusion, New York is one of a kind, in individuality and uniqueness, and Times Square supports that idea. Tourists visit it every year to gain a sense of New York, and it does just that. It captures the people, atmosphere, buildings and entertainment that could only be found in New York.

April 6, 2009 af093669

My New York

When I think about the quintessential thing in New York my mind immediately races to Times Square. The history, atmosphere, location, structures, and entertainment make this place a part of New York. The place many tourists go when finding a place to be completely awed is: Times Square. There’s nothing like it, and I’m so glad that being a New Yorker has allowed me that great privilege.

March 29, 2009 af093669

Contradiction at its Best

As a student at Baruch College, I joined the club that commutes in and out of the city each day. The wonderful F Train of the New York Subway System allowed me this great luxury. The train leaves me off at 23^rd Street and 6^th Ave. As I walked the blocks from 6^th to Lexington Ave, it has given me a view of New York at its finest. There are many qualities that set New York apart from other cities that fill the world. New York is contradictions, and a sense of being a part of a bigger culture.

As I walk this route everyday to school, the surroundings seem so familiar and comfortable now. That’s New York! It only takes one experience of seeing a girl’s blue hair, multi-colored tights, and black combat boots to realize that all those things are normal in New York. In no other city, would you be able to find that girl, waiting for the light to turn red in order to get to the other side, standing next to a man dressed in an Armani Exchange suit. This man, in New York, will not even glance twice at this woman standing next to him. This scene in a small town like Stilwell, Oklahoma, would create more, like a look of disgust. This is a contradiction, because two seemingly different people are walking side by side down the street together. Most mornings, I am barely awake, let alone observant enough, to realize the atmosphere and the people I walk those 4 or 5 blocks with. With my hectic schedule, I can barely find time to relax throughout the day, but as I walk in the City I am finally able to unwind. As a result, most accounts of my journey are barely remembered.

But this morning, I will note all experiences that fill my walk. New York starts the minute I get out of my seat and step onto the subway platform: Everyone waits patiently in line to get off the train. The doors open and it seems as if you are transported to a horse race: the gun shot is heard and “We’re off”. Everyone jets off the train to their intended destination. You may get a slight shove, but a mumbled “Sorry” is heard soon after and not a second thought is wasted. Only in New York, are the people always on the run, and moving at a pace faster than anyone in Oklahoma could ever move. We are all part of the hustle and bustle of New York, although we still hold onto our own daily lives. I go through the turnstile, and there is one man that wants to get ahead of the line, wants to cheat his way and go through the Emergency Door. In any other city, the sign DO NOT TOUCH EMERGENCY EXIT would mean just that and keep people away, but not in Manhattan. Those words just create a slight hesitation. The hesitation is soon suppressed by the idea of waiting on the long line to get through the turnstile, and knowing you are already running late.

My walk officially begins at the light on 6^th Ave. As I get out, the same African American man is handing out The Metro newspaper. I take one and in return, receive a smile. Today, I miss the light and have to wait at the light to cross the street. As I wait, more and more people surround me. In New York, personal space does not exist and more often than not it is invaded. It’s never intended, but since everyone is always in a rush, it can not be avoided. I hear the song playing on the man’s iPod next to me. It’s some Russian dance song, very enjoyable, and I find myself tapping my foot to the rhythm. That is New York too! In this city, everyone has his or her own culture and beliefs, but still they remain a New Yorker. New York is a culture within itself. 

The light turns green, and I walk across the street. I come across the homeless man I usually see, wrapped in his oversized brown jacket, and fur hat. He has a shopping cart filled with different types of garbage. “Arrgh”, the man grunts to himself, but no one seems to have heard or seems frightened by this man. This is a normal recurrence to all who are walking with me. Women and men, dressed in their business suits, are buying breakfast off a street vendor. Intelligent business people buying food off the street? Yes, that again is something that sets N.Y. apart from any other city. Again, another contradiction. The street cart doesn’t look clean, yet people, myself included, buy and eat the food held in that exact cart. Non-New Yorkers would call us crazy.

I am now on 23^rd Street and Madison Ave, and Madison Square Park is located on my left. The park benches are typically accompanied by one or two people smoking a cigarette, and venting about their lives. I hear “I can’t believe he said that…” from a woman in distress, talking to her girlfriend. I wonder what he actually said, and I laugh to myself at how nosy I am. The smell of manure is in the air; they must just have fertilized the plants in the park. I quicken my pace so I get off the block and away from that terrible aroma. Another contradiction about New York: passing the horrible smell of manure to the sweet air of the food carts to come.

I cross the street to Lexington Ave, and I immediately smell roasted peanuts. Now this is the best smell, and I can’t hold back my cravings so I buy some. Again, you see people on their cigarette breaks chatting about their crazy night before. It’s 10 o’clock in the morning, but that doesn’t stop the smoker. They need their cigarette no matter what. As I pass the Gramercy Theater, there’s a man advertising for the upcoming concert. I can’t resist taking a pamphlet, even though I will most likely not attend the concert. In New York, there is always some sort of entertainment offered to you. It could be a comedy show, a concert, a poetry reading, or an art gallery. New York is a place filled with the opportunity to be entertained. I round the corner and Baruch is now in sight. I almost walk into a woman as I turn; we’re both in a rush it seems, and nearly knock each other over. We each mumble an “Oh sorry, excuse me”, and continue walking.

My walk route to school is coming to an end, and as I walk through the Baruch doors I can only think: Man, I love the city. It’s the best place to live, and I’m not just saying that because I live here. It really is a place where you can be yourself, and receive no glaring looks in response. It’s open to anyone; doesn’t discriminate based on your skin color, nationality, sexual orientation, and gender. New York is one of a kind.

March 10, 2009 af093669

Hey! My name is Ashley Frangella and I am 18 years old. I live in Bellerose, NY and am the middle child in a family of five; two brother and two sisters. I am a freshmen at Baruch College. My intended major is in Accounting, but who knows what the future will bring!

February 22, 2009 af093669