Archives for July 2012

Since I enjoy computer science, I’ll talk about some computer languages. Computer languages are used to create programs that will do what the user tells it to do. There are many computer languages, but I will focus on two: Racket and Netlogo.

Formerly known as Scheme, Racket allows users to create programs to a variety of things. One can make a program that allows the user to do quick calculations. This can be useful for solving math problems. In Racket, there are ways in which one can create a basic program. One must define a function, and then use primitives, built-in constructs, to continue the function. Racket is a basic program though, when compared to more popular languages such as Java or C++.

Another language is Netlogo. This language allows a user to create programs as well, but the user can also use these programs to create models. These models can range from pictures to games and sometimes portray the complex events in nature more simplistically. In Netlogo, the user tells agents what to do, and the collective work will result in some result.

This time next year, I’ll be preparing myself for a new future. This time next year, I’ll know what college I’ll be attending for the next four years of my life. This time next year, all decisions will be made.

Today though, I can still dream. I tend to day dream a lot as a matter of fact. Usually dreams once they’re over are elusive and distant. Just a few days ago however, I had such a vivid dream, which came as a surprise, because I’ve been able to capture it and hold on to it.

In my dream I was one of the most recognized women in the music industry, I was owner and founder of Scratch Productions. I ran a network of women related businesses. I owned Scratch Records, which signed girl bands that would never get any attention for being too “whiny”. I owned Scratch Radio, which had a woman as its host. Lastly I owned Scratch Inc. which was just a TV. channel that showed women sports.

            Everything I dreamt about for some reason gave me hope. I think it’s because I realized that at one point in my life I had dreamed of being in a band, a music producer, a radio host, or a famous soccer player. I had given up on those dreams though a long time ago. This is because every time I shared my dreams with someone, I’d be told it wasn’t possible.

            Now however I see that my dreams have come back to remind me that something’s are possible. Maybe I won’t be able to be all these things that I once hoped to be, but it could be possible that one day, I may be the one to help young girls keep dreaming. I want to be a role model for others; I want to show many young girls that dreams can come true. 

                â€œThe Autobiography of Malcolm X” as told to Alex Haley, is about the life of the world renowned and somewhat controversial civil rights activist Malcolm X. It was co-written by Alex Haley who got his information from various interviews with Malcolm X. The book received numerous accolades and was named one of ten “required reading” non-fiction books by Time magazine.

                Malcolm X was born on May 19, 1925 and was named Malcolm Little. He grew up in Lansing, Michigan and lived with his mother, father and 6 siblings. When he was very young, his father was killed by white supremacists and as a result, his mother had a hard time taking care of the family. Social workers were constantly in the Little home. His mother had a nervous breakdown and was admitted into a mental hospital and as a result the kids were all sent to various foster homes.

                Malcolm excelled in middle school but dropped out once one of his teachers told him that his dream of becoming a lawyer was unrealistic for a person of color and advised him to instead, become a carpenter.

                At age 15 he moved in with his half-sister in Roxbury, Massachusetts and then spent a short time in Flint, Michigan. He would then move to Harlem where he lived a life of crime and engaged in various illegal activities like gambling, drug dealing and robbery. It was there that he got the nickname “Detroit Red.”

                Malcolm returned to Roxbury where he was arrested for robbery and convicted to 10 years in prison.

                While in prison he gained a thirst for knowledge and would spend most of his time reading. It was also in prison where he first learned about the Nation of Islam when one of his brothers told him about it on one of his visits. At the time, it was a new religion that preached black empowerment and self-reliance.

                Upon his release from prison, he would go on to become a prominent figure for the Nation of Islam. Malcolm would also go on to change his last name from Little to X, as did everyone else who was part of the Nation of Islam. They felt that the X represented the names of their ancestors who’s names and history were erased by the slave owners when they were brought to America.  He also recruited lots of new people throughout America and became the primary voice for the Nation of Islam.

                Unlike many other civil rights leaders, he believed in separation, instead of integration. He also wanted the black people to not be so dependent on the white people and instead build up their own businesses, schools and communities. He also differed from many civil rights advocates at the time because he didn’t believe in “turning the other cheek.” Although he didn’t promote violence, he did believe in retaliation. This was very controversial among the civil rights leaders of the time and led many people to refer to him as a demagogue.

                After Malcolm’s controversial “chickens coming home to roost” comments on President Kennedy’s death, he no longer had a voice for the Nation of Islam as they banned him from public speaking for 90 days. This led Malcolm X to leave the Nation of Islam and embark on a pilgrimage to Mecca.

                It was there where he would begin to experience a change of heart. A large part of this was because of all the different kinds of people that he met. He met Muslims of all colors and walks of life interacting as equals which led him to believe more in the idea of integration and unity. It was also in Mecca where he discovered that he was not practicing real Islam because it was really a religion of peace, love and unity. Malcolm created his own organization to spread this new message called the Muslim Mosque, Inc.

                His relationship with the Nation of Islam had gotten worse and he began to receive numerous death threats. On February 21, 1965 as he gave a speech in the Audubon Ballroom, he was assassinated by several members of the Nation of Islam. Malcolm X is remembered as one of the most influential and controversial leaders of the Civil Rights Movement.

                I really enjoyed reading this book. To me it was a story of self-redemption, determination and hard-work. Malcolm X went from being an uneducated criminal from Harlem to one of the most powerful and influential African Americans to ever live. It also showed how hard-work and determination can go a long way when one is determined to change their life for the good. Although, I don’t agree with all of his views on fixing the injustices that the African American community faced during the period of segregation, I admire his will to take a stance and fight for what he believed in. Just like he said “If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.”

This is now going to be a theme blog! Following last week’s article about subway art, will be other cool things I spot in the subway. As I said before I live in the Bronx. Specifically I live near the 231st street stop on the No. 1 Train. While there isn’t a large amount of subway art at the station, there are two panels of faceted glass that depict the subway and surrounding area, with an artistic twist. The artwork is titled Magic Realism in Kingsbridge by Felipe Galindo. Installed in 2008, the artwork is meant to make subway riders appreciate and see daily things in a new light. One panel is located on the uptown side, the other on the downtown side. 231^st street is an above ground platform, which allows riders to enjoy the faceted glass creations no matter which way they’re going. 

    Do you know what K-pop stands for? Well, if you don’t know, then you are probably one out of the 40 percent people who doesn’t listen to k-pop music. K-pop stands for Korean pop, which is a combination of electric, electro-pop and R&B. In New York City, I would estimate that majority of the younger generation are actually listening to Korean pop music. Korean music had been popular over the past years due to the inspiration of the style and fashion. Music Videos are often highly viewed on Youtube. The music is really stylish and can be great music for dance. In every song piece, they have a dance along with it. That’s why on Youtube, you will see a ton of teenagers/young adults posting videos of them imitating the dance moves for certain k-pop songs. 
    It amuses me to see how successful a country is with contributing music throughout the world. It is true that I have no idea what the lyrics is all about, however, the music and the rhythm is so attractive that you tend to forget about the lyrics.
    There are many different groups in this k-pop industry. The most popular entertainment company at this time is YG, JYP and SM. These are the most well-known company for Korean pop music. Each company produces their own girl groups or boy band. Some examples of successful groups are like 2Ne1, Super Junior, Girls Generation, Beast, Shinee, etc. 
     I actually don’t know when I started listening to k-pop, but it was just a trend during my generation. Whenever I have free time, I surf the web on youtube, looking for new music videos and updates. 
     If you don’t know what k-pop is, it won’t hurt to look up some on youtube and see if you will like the genre.

As mentioned in my last post, many New York City skate parks have recently closed due to a variety of reasons.

Remember the books from our childhood like Goosebumps, The Unfortunate Events or the Harry Potter. How about the book Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo a classic that every child should read. This book is about a unwanted suffering dog and a lonely girl Opal who lives with her preacher father. Opal desperately wants to know more about the mother who walked out on her and her father when she was just a baby except her father refuses to talk about her mother. But because of Winn-Dixie, Opal’s father told Opal 10 things about her absent mother, 1 thing for each year she has lived. Because of Winn-Dixie, Opal made friends for the first time. Because of Winn-Dixie, Opal learnes to get to know a person by judging their heart not their appearance. Because of Winn-Dixie, Opal doesn’t feel lonely anymore. “Opal spends all that sweet summer collecting stories about her new friends and thinking about her mother. But because of Winn-Dixie or perhaps because she has grown, Opal learns to let go, just a little, and that friendship–and forgiveness–can sneak up on you like a sudden summer storm.“

Most people think that the character Ruo Xi changes her attitude too quickly. But I think that she is the most deeply developed and has a more realistic mindset compared to other time travel characters in other novels and dramas. She is a modern day girl with modern day ideals. She struggled a bit in the beginning because she didn’t agree with historic cultures and traditions but she later adapted. Too keep her head on her neck; she had to change. If she continued to be reckless and insist on democracy and freedom of speech, Ruo Xi wouldn’t have been able to survive during the Qing Dynasty where the King creates rules. Unorthodox views of everyone is equal should not even be talked about at all. Those who resist would suffer a really horrible fate. The fact that Ruo Xi was able to keep her fun and charming personality even in front of the powerful royal family is quite interesting. Any modern day person who stumbles into the Qing Dynasty would turn out like Ruo Xi too.

Crumbs, Magnolia, Baked By Melissa, Sugar Sweet Sunshine are just a few of the famous bakeries that have taken New Yorkers into a sugar rush storm.

Why? No one really knows what has gotten into us.

It’s probably the bright colors of the frosting; maybe it’s the kaleidoscope-like sprinkles.  Or has everyone suddenly grown a sweet tooth?

My obsession started at Crumbs. I was looking for an oversized cupcake for a friend’s birthday. I was sure no bakery sold such a thing, but Google told me otherwise. This small shop off Wall St. was kind of hidden from the crowds of businessmen and women. As I walked into the burgundy and red themed bakery I felt a jolt of happiness. The array of colors incased in a glass display made my tummy fizzle. I had to try a classic, just to make sure the hype about this place was up to my expectations.

My expectations were not met, they were exceeded. A sugar bomb exploded in my mouth.

Ever since than I’ve been on a expedition to try every cupcake-oriented place in NYC.