Final Reflection/The Full Experience #2

Conclusion/Introduction: Controduction

 In conclusion of the first semester, it was quiet and experience. Not exactly the kind of experience you would consider pleasant, but it was most definitely a life changing experience. I almost feel as if I am a new man. I live my life differently, and maturely, if that makes any sense. I just overall have a different perception of life. I am more appreciative of life in general, not that I was ever not appreciative prior to the incident, but I thank God for every morning I wake up and I am alive. And what other ways do I feel alive? Seeing other people smile, seeing other people happy, because you just never know what someone might be going through. One move on your part can either greatly impact someone's life or it can lead to their demise; like in the case of bullying. But that's a whole other topic I would rather not get into. Plus what can you possibly lose from making a great impact in someone's life? Absolutely nothing.


Academic/Overall  Accomplishments:

 Second semester was academically a huge improvement. I Love Science, specifically Bio but I couldn't do Chemistry to save my life! Withdrawing from General Chem. with a C- after midterms, I was questioned; "But why did you leave? You should have stayed with it, it gets easier as you go..."Well....See..the problem is...I know myself pretty well and I know what I am capable of academically and there's no way that I could have survived Gen. Chem. I, II, Organic Chem. I and II, successfully. The word is successfully. Not a D- or a D or a C-, successful as in an A-, B or B+. I can no longer allow myself to be an average student; I just refuse to let that happen. Yeah I did not have the best grades in high school nor did I have the confidence. But guess what?  I see high school as "That was then, This is now!" One of my favorite books of all time by the way. Anyways, switching from Bio to Healthcare, I thought life was going to be a piece of cake! I wouldn't have to spend my whole entire college career in the Shields Science Center, not a lot of homework, and more socializing with friends. I did expect some reading and writing in Literature and Philosophy. Was I right? Of course I was! As for picking up a minor in Studio Art, I really had no expectations in terms of difficulty. I was just overjoyed to be able to get back into something I was absolutely born to do, especially at a college level. My intentions were to make it more of a stress relief factor, but that was actually not the case at all. Taking Portrait Workshop and Figure drawing back to back actually became more of a stressful activity, especially during finals time. Both professors were absolute experts in their fields and had expectations like no other. They truly introduced me to the world of getting out of my comfort zone as an upcoming Artist and feeling more comfortable and confident in challenging myself to that next level. The level didn't think existed. My overall GPA first semester wasn’t exactly what I expected it to be. I did not expect it to be my best, but I also did not see it being as low. So low I cannot publicize it.  Second semester was a complete turnaround for sure. A 3.43 from a low 2 GPA? That’s some serious improvement if you ask me! The dramatic improvement did bring up my overall GPA but not to where I wanted it to be. If I am not mistaken, my one of my major goals for the second semester was to bring my GPA up to a low 3, at least in the 3 range. I unfortunately came short of it for obvious reasons. It was extremely unrealistic, especially having a low of a GPA as I did. I mean it would have been realistic if I was a straight A’s student.  As much as I do not want to publicize my overall GPA, I will admit that as of now it’s at 2.88. Would it cross that 3.0 mark after my summer Stats class? I guess we’re just going to have to wait and see. Besides, I am not ashamed to publicize my GPA because it is only temporary. Aside from my lack of confidence coming into college, I did make a lot of mistakes in terms of time management and study strategy. But I did learn from my downfalls, I did discover what works for me and what doesn’t academically. And as for time management, ask anyone who knows me on a personal level. Like how the great Michael Jackson was the king of pop, I am the king of time. My whole entire life as of January 2012 has been about time. From the moment I wake in the morning until bed, time, time and TIME! And why is this relevant? Basically what I am saying is that I am not ashamed of publicizing my overall GPA because as of this moment, it is just going to increase. I know what it takes to become a successful student after all these years and I cannot wait to see how much more I am going to grow academically, and socially over the next three years.


Although I did not accomplish the goal of bringing my overall GPA up to a low 3, I was successful in everything else. My other goals going into the second semester were, apply for the ALANA-A Big Brother and Sister, the Peer Mentoring program and to participate in KRUP, the Katrina relief community service in New Orleans. Went through the whole interview process and was accepted into both programs. ALANA-A I felt like was more of a given because I was a part of the IEP family all year. And they knew me well and what I was capable of in terms of leadership. Peer mentor on the other hand was more of a, “leadership had been implanted into my head for the past eight years at the Burton Camp, so let me give it a try and see what happens”. It surely was worth the try because that is really where some of the realest people at Stonehill aside from my ABS family. People I can fully trust and depend on in difficult times. I cannot forget my Bible Study crew of course. Those dudes really keep me sane; talking about guys I can fully give my heart to. Talking about my Bible Study crew, KRUP was hands down the best experience I’ve had at Stonehill without being at Stonehill. Talking about NOLA, I recently made a comment to a coworker about not being like the others and she responded, “I know right? A kid from beaver, in college, full time”. Beaver being the “ghettoest” part of Framingham, where I guess everything goes down. This comment goes a long way because it reminded me of a quote by Pastor Burnside whom I met while in NOLA for Spring Break. It goes “Sanctification by association”; meaning making an impact on your surrounding and not letting your surrounding impact you. Like a close friend once said, “you’re hungry for success”. That explains it all. It’s been an awesome year and I cannot wait to see where Stonehill takes me in the next three years or so.

Final Reflection/The full experience #1

Introductin:

One statement about this past academic year? The Roller Coaster ride of a life time! From losing a friend almost directly in my own hands, to withdrawing from a class for being endanger of failing, to getting one of the best jobs on campus, to Spring break in NOLA, to becoming an ABS leader and a Peer mentor, to being awarded First Year Class Leadership Award, to just going all out and beasting academically this semester. This blog is basically the final reflection of my first year at Stonehill College; first and second semester.

First Semester:

I went in three weeks earlier as a Biology major through the Summer Bridge program and it was quite a wake up call for what was to come. From a load of reading to lots of writing, to four hour lab clases to hours and hours of lab reports. It was a pain to be in class three weeks earlier than the rest of campus on the nicest summer days, but it truly prepared me for the real stuff. It made the academic transitioning alot smoother than most incoming froshes. I felt like I had been on campus for years by the time everyone else got there. I knew alot of great people, had a couple friends, and I was known as the Brace kid because I was the Bridge kid who mostly hung with the ACE kids. Talking about ACE kids, I am actually living in trailer housing with six of them for the next couple semesters. My brother from another mother Austin Alfredson, Kevin Zuniga, John Lamb, Stephen Pike, Julian Ramos, Bobby Dickey, Tom Wood, and the newby George Farah. George wasn't apart of the ACE program but it's all good, he's still family.
 The overall first semester was a struggle, especially being a Bio major. Bio was a peace of work, I had no clue what was going on in Chemistry even tho I had one of the best professors on campus, and because both of those classes took so much of my time, I started slacking in the others. Between history and religion, I had an enormous amount of reading every night and I couldn't ever keep up with it because I was too busy doing Chem or Bio homework or lab reports. Yeah I had school work and all but that wasn't really the end of the story. I am no longer a varsity athlete and so I had no major commitment outside of academics. I am also not much of a person to sit around and study all day, never have been. So what was my alternative? I figured I'll occupy my time by getting involved in the Stonehill community. Hands down best decision I've ever made. One of the first clubs got involved in was the Good News club aka Bible study group. Through the club I met some of the realest group of guys on campus. I love the college life and I love to have fun and all but I went with the intention to not lose who I am, where I am from and how far I've come. As a Ron Burton scholarship recipient, I know I definitely can't  afford to screw up. It is the opportunity of a life time and the best I can do is take full advantage of it. I depended on the Bible study group to keep me in check at all times and that's exactly what it did. I got the opportunity to go on a couple retreats, something I never got a chance to do in high school. It surely was a blast from the past and I loved every minute of it. I was also involved in other clubs such as, Diversity Committee, MOSAIC, and the Holy Cross' E-Board as a Publicity Coordinator. Intramurals and working out was obviously in the picture because what can I do without sports and exercise? Not much as far as I know. I over all had some great experiences and met some really cool people, but it still was a struggle. In other words, the transitioning wasn't as smooth as I hoped.

 Tragity of a Life Time:

Reality truely checked in for me at the end of the semester when a hall mate/friend of mine committed suicide in his room. I have never really talked about this publically but here I go...It was about that time of the year, AKA finals were around the corner. It was the Wednesday before finals week to be exact. I spent the entire morning working on Bio note cards until another friend of mine hit me up to go work out at 2:00pm. While getting ready to head out, I heard alot of commotion outside. My first thought was, "its a typical day out in the hall". Well, it really exactly the typical day I expected because the comosion did not stop. I listened closer and heard "some one call the RA!" I ran out scared out of my mind and asked what had happened. Another hallmate shouted, "....hung himself!" My first thoughts? Ohhhh crap, I've never seen a dead body before. How did I know this individual was already dead? I didn't, it was fear of the worse. I stood in shock, and did not know how to react. I felt like I needed to do something but I could not find the courage to move until the RA's roommate ran into the room and requested for someone to help get the body down. I ran into the room not knowing that my life would never again be the same. My entire experience from that moment is something I can not publically discuss, for obvious reasons. What I can say is, that experience marked the begining of my life as a mature adult. I felt like it was almost my induction into man hood. Before this incident, I had never seen a body, nor did I ever go to a wake or a funeral and never did I anticipated on doing so. All that innocense was gone in a matter of seconds. In such situations a person usuallt questions.."Lord why me?" I couldn't do so because God definately placed me in that situation for a reason; I was literally seconds away from leaving to workout. What really hunted me for days was the gilt. Guilt of not being there on time, guilt of not being able to bring him back, and the gilt of facing his parents. I cried for hours and hours and hours, not because I knew the kid or because I was friends with him. I cried because of the guilt of not doing enough. Obviously it took me a while to fully forgive myself, but it was an experience I would never forget, even if I wanted to. I remember waking up two days after the incident at 5am and writing a journal. I am usually not the journal type and I hope to never again have to write a journal, but that's not the point. I havn't gained the courage to revisit the journal but what's in there are the questions that flows in my head once in awhile. Questions like; how bad can life possibly get in order for a person to take their own life? How can such a thin piece of metal hold up a 200 pound  kid? Did he even try to fight his way out? What were his last thoughts? These are all obviously profound questions that can not be ansewered. I guess only God really knows.
  .

It's about that time of the year!

Rando!

"First off I just wanted to give a shout out to my brother, Austin. Roomies next year in Sagamore, it's going down. Get it poppin! RB in the building!" I obviously did not write this quote, but nice try Austin, you got busted! Still love you though...we need to get started on that bucket list ASAP! Anyways, I have been slacking on updating my blog on time, no doubt. It's that time of the year, the time where academics take over your life completely.Yes, finals are officially around the corner. Lots to do and less time for bloging.

Academics:

Although I hate admitting to having easy academic weeks at Stonehill, I will say that last week was a little less stressful. Doesn't mean I did not have much to do last week, it just means I didn't stress as much. Because last week seems so long ago, it is best to just go down the line in order of days and make life easier for myself. Well, it is finals season and I am currently working on my portrait workshop and figure drawing finals. I think I did dicuss how complicated my portrait workshop final is a couple blogs ago. It has been about two full weeks going to three weeks since the project was assigned and I have not put in as much time as I should for a couple weeks worth of work. Apparently so did the rest of my class because the professor almost lost her mind last week in class. We presented the  working progress and lets just say, she was not too please about it. She got so angry she could no longer afford to see our slacking fases. Her solution was to send everyone home for the day to continue working on the final projects and submit it at 4:30pm the following day. Lets just say I have been working my ass off on the project since that incident.  For some reason I have been on a role in terms of grades over the past couple weeks. I got my literature paper back after like three weeks of Howe holding onto it, and I got a B+! The paper was about the use of  satire in Gulliver's travels. Although I did well in analyzing Swift's use of satire, I made the silliest mistakes to man-kind. I did not include a title and I forgot to cite my source. Thats about as silly of a mistake as it gets. I am not sure how it affected my grade but I surely am Glad about the B+, especially know how tough of a grader Howe is. Definately one of the toughest I've came accross by far. I also got a 90% on my healthcare quizes, well for the second week in a role. Since the first couple quizes, I always feel like I did terrible, because I am not studying as much, but yet I keep beasting on them.

 Favorite assignment of the week? My philosoply paper on beauty. Of all my options I chose to make a theory on beauty. No wonder I handed it in late, I couldn't think of anything to write about! When I finally got my act together, it came out very philosophical. The entire paper was basically about me indirectly rejecting Kant and Burk's theory of beauty as sublime. It went something like this; "My perspective is that beauty is not always sublime or cute and charming (Burke). It is not always overwhelming or some kind of mental obstacle that needs to be overcome, nor is it ever about fear and overcoming those mental fears (Kant). Beauty can be subjective; an idea, or  the act of something; or an objective, it is tangible or sight". Pretty bad thesis, but I always kill the arguments with my philosophical thoughts. I think I need to see the Thesis gods or something because I truly suck at writing it. Well, I just gonno have to wait and see what Velazquez thinks. I can not wait for my last bi-weekly paper. Now that's going to be a blast because I will be analyzing the biblical scene where Satan  manipulated Adam and Eve into eating the apple, in comparison to a stranger/rapist/creeper tricking a child with candy. Now that's exciting!

I unfortunately didn't get to creep on any applicant's college essay this past week because I didn't work. I was caught up in doing last minute school work and I had a Doctor's appointment on friday. Talking about Doctor's apointment, I actually barely made the appointment. I made it thirty second before the deadline. And as for the rest of the weekend? Well, it was Spring Weekend. That basically explains it all. What matters is that I am still here and ready to go hard in the books for the rest of the semester. Lots of plans going on this summer, I can not wait to blog about it!





Week Back From Easter!

Easter Break, The Benefit of a Catholic School

I had so many plans for staying ahead with work and catching up with rest during the easter break. Like usual, that plan went down the drain. I requested to be scheduled for work all week. From wednesday, the same day I left the Hill, until monday before returning to the Hill. I think I may be the craziest person I know but oh well, there's no such thing as rest for an individual who is hungry for success. Of course I did not work on Sunday, it was my only day of rest. Much like God who worked all six days, rested on the 7th day (Sunday), and nothing like Jesus Christ rose from the dead on Easter Sunday. Random connection but I just thought I would test my Biblical skills a little. The last thing I actually got to do all week was rest. I was literally hopping from place to place socializing with friends, and family. I did not once open a notebook to attempt catching up with school assignments. Well, atleast I taught about it a couple times? Just thinking about it definately did not  help me much coming back to school.

Academic Week 

It wasn't that bad of an academic week, suprisenly. Actually I lied, what I meant is I did not stress as much as I usually do, but it was still a challenging week. Major assignments; Reading Response for Literature, a Philosophy paper, usual Healthcare chapter assignments, a quiz and a Scenario. For the literature reading response, I had to write about an artlcle called SF and the Human Imagination. In the passage, the author basically questions; “Why do we so frequently put monsters at the edges of the maps, or under the bed and also_in some of its form_in stories of the adventure-romance type?” Such an interesting question. I Basically responded by admitting to never being aware of monsters being frequestly put at the end of maps. I also testified to only being aware of monsters only being associated with darkness and how they are usually known for living under beds and in closets. The passage then went into Utopia, Distopia, and all that good stuff. I personally love Philosophy because it always requires writing about cool topics and putting my Philosophical skills to the test. For my bi-weekly paper I chose to basically make my own theory about morality. My thesis went something like this; "Much like Burke, I believe that we as humans have similar morals on a basic level. On a complex level, we tend to have different views of life and develop different morals due to individuality". Looking back at it, it is somewhat of a weak thesis but I think he got the point cause I got a "B" on it. I didn't do as well as I expected because I guess I did not provide enough objective. Or atleast I did not gave a detailed enough objective. Besides getting a 90% on my last Healthcare quiz, my Scenario went pretty smooth. The task was, I'm an adult who recently moved into Chicago, Illinois. Because I am new into the environment, I am responsible for finding an Insurance, a Hospital, and a Primary Physician. I did a couple researches through google, came across a couple good government websites, but they weren't relevant to the info. I needed. So I called up an emergency plan, my cool friend Vikki aka Victoria Kane who is actually from Chicago. Well, she basically got on the phone with her mother and just like that, problem was solved. As for my art classes, my overall work from this semester will be publicized soon. Most likely on facebook. At this moment I am working on my final project for portrait workshop. It is pretty difficult to describe in words but it is definately going to be one of the sickest projects I have ever done! It's going to take three pages of 24X26" papers. Yes very big, very exciting, extremely creative, lots of time but very worth it!

General Taughts:

So once in a while I tend to creep on a couple applicant's college essays so I can find something interesting to write about. Last week while doing my usual job, I came across a kid who is basically living my dreams. Literally, this kid has the almost perfect life every adult wants, but he is living it at only 17 years of age. He was born in England, raised in Ireland, and currently an American citizen. He speaks three languages, English, Irish, and French. He also understands lating because he's been studying it for six years! What the hell? You would think, how the hell is this kid only 17? But thats not enough, it doesnt stop there.  He plays Scoccer, Lacross, Football, Rugby, and Tennis! What?! What is he, Superman? Well anyways, This kid is the official traveler everyone wants to be like when they grow up, and he's not even grown! Why? According to him, he has been to Asia, Europe, and obviously North America. Where in Asia? China, the Forbidden City, Terracitta worriors (not sure who they are), the Olympic stadium in Beijing, Walk on the great wall of China! Hong Kong, and Bairritz, France! This kid is seriously living the Dream. According to him Stonehill has a good rep. world wide. How exciting is that? That's how he found out about stonehill. Oh of course his Gand Uncle was a student here in the 1970s. Now thats some good facts. Well thats it for last week. I am loving this blogging stuff more and more every week, and it is getting longer and loger every week. Lets see how what this week holds. Spring Weekend coming up! Woop Woop! Lord have Mercy. 

My NOLA Experiences: The series V

Part V: The Story of Paster Robert Burnside

Direct/Meaningful Quotes:

"I Love People!"

"It's not about religion, it's about your personal relationship with Christ"

"Sanctification by association"- Making an impact on your sorrounding and not letting your sorrounding impact you...

The Story of Forgiveness:

The story of Paster Robert Burnside is one of the most inspiring stories I've ever heard, if not the most inspiring. Talking about an individual who has overcomed obstacles. Paster Burnside is the man behind the scene, the reason why most residence are gradually getting their life back in the community of the 9th ward in New Orleans. He has devoted his life to his community (the 9th-ward), by rebuilding houses as well as the lives of ressidence who never thought it was worth going back. Hint: the 9th-ward of New Orleans suffered most of hurricane Katrina. Paster B. himself was strongly affected by Hurricane Katrina. He unfortunately lost his mother in a nursing home. Him and the rest of his family left to Mississippi after being warned to evacuate the city. He left with the intentions that his mother was going to be transported to Mississippi. The person in charged was selective about who was to be transported and who was to stay. Unfortunately, the Paster's mother was one of those who was left behind. According to him, he never got to say goodbye to his mother, never got to open her casket or have a proper funeral. There were many questions that couldn't be answered. Now Paster Burnside lives an anger free life, with full unconditional love for the man who was responsible for his mother's death; while his sisters still live with anger and hate. Truely an inspiring story of forgiveness.

The Full Transformation:

 Paster B. was saved, AKA became a christian 19-years ago. Before discovering God, his life was a total roller-coaster. Long story short, Paster Burnside got caught up into the street life like most under privilege kids; robbing banks, dealing drugs and living the life of crime. Paster B now carries the burdon. As of today, four of his nephews are incarcerted because of his influence and introducing them into the drug game. In other words, he thought them everything they know. Paster Burnside was also an ex-convict, charged for second degree murder. The roller-coaster life continued for Paster B even when he became a paster. God truly had a purpose for his life because with the the kind of life style he lived, he probably shouldn't be alive right now. Paster B shared with us a couple shocking stories about his life as a christian. According to him, he once met a man who confessed to attempting to put a hit on him, AKA get him killed. "Man..I have been trying to kill you all along, but I just can't. I can never to seem find you". Well the quote is not exact, but it went somewhere along those lines. Point is, he truly had God looking over him because not too long after the confession, the same individual put a hit on someone else who got shot in the head in broad day-light. Paster Burnside also shared a story of a gang member he once knew name Chuky. According to him Chucky had 3-bodies; meaning Chucky was accused for killing three people, but not found gilty at that point. During the lowest point of his life, Chucky made the decision to turn to God. He was saved and became a christian. Unfortunately, Chucky was killed three days after he was saved. How insane is this story? Where did Chucky go? Heaven or hell? Guess we will never know...Couple things I took from Paster Burnside's story; If God says no, no one else can say yes. He is in control at all times, no matter how much others want you dead. Also, life is short, and you just don't whenyour time is up. Crazy stories like the ones Paster B. shared reminds me of the TV show, a 1000 Ways to Die. One second you're here, and the next you're gone..Such a crazy and cary taught, but that's just how life works. NOLA definately opened my eyes to all the realities of life. 

 

Truly A Week from Hell

General Thoughts/Academic

Two people read my mind extremely well this week. They mentioned exactly what was going through my head all week, "the week from hell". First person was my good friend/study buddy Ryleigh who's status stated, "This is the hell week of all hell weeks" Friday at work, I over heard one of the admission counselors saying "this is the week from hell". It is amazing how when you think you are alone, you realize that there are people who are going through the same struggles or possibly having it worse than you. There is no better feeling because it sucks having to be alone in any situation, not only through struggles. Where am I coming from with this? well, it really has been a sucky week. Academically, not so much socially. But then again, isn't every week sucky academically? True, but this week was by far the suckiest of all, if thats a word. Healthcare killed me this week like usually does. Switching from Bio, I didn't think I would have such a busy semester academically. Healthcare, Glavin and my Art classes definately proved me wrong. Had my usual 10 hours homework for Healthcare along with an article, summery and reflection of the next chapter,  on wednesday, two chapter quiz on friday, and a research paper that was originally scheduled for Sunday at 5:00pm. Thank the good Lord he porsponed it until Tuesday at 6:00pm  because it would have been an impossible task. Just when I thought the week couldn't get any worse, I found out last minute I had to have my Literature paper on Swift's use of satire in Gulliver's Travels, done by thursday for an in-class workshop. Life would have been even worse if it wasn't for Valazquez's late three day policy. Why? Because I also would have had to turn in a Philosophy paper! It makes me angry talking about it. All this madness doesn't even include my art projects for class. If I hadn't used my time wisely by skipping a couple unnecessary classes, I wouldn't have been able to turn in anything on-time this week. And of course after having such a sucky week you would think I would have all the time in the world to finally get some rest over the weekend. NOPE, I had an ABS Training from 9-5 on Saturday, and PM training from 12-2 on Sunday. Now it makes more sense why it would have been an impossible task to have my research completed by 5:00pm on Sunday huh? Mhm...Though it may sound like I am complaining, don't get me wrong though, I am not complaining. Well maybe academically, but I love the ABS and PM programs. This week just really got me thinking of my mentor Paul Burton's famous quote, "I wish..I had..more Time". Exactly what it is, can't explain any better.

ABS Training

One of the activities we did for the traing was to draw the idea Image of an ABS leader. Not going to get into details about it but one major charateristic my group's little ABS leader had was being open-minded. We literally drew him open-minded with symbols coming out of his head. A globe, a peace sign, a gay pride flag, and the cross and other religious symbols. The point is,  I have always been an opended peoson, but since I've been at Stonehill and involved with the Diversity program and ABS, my mind has been expanded. Well, mostly in a different way I can not explain. Being at stonehill definately made me realized not everyone come from the same walks of life. AkA not everyone grew up in a diverse environment, we all have different backgrounds. I am constantly reminding myself, mostly through Aristotle's philosophical theory of the identification of catharsis. AkA putting your  self in someone else's shoes and identifying with that person. This help me understand majority of the time where people are coming from when they are being ignorant. In other words, stay patient and keep my cool. Patient and cool is definately not what the high school Thomas would have done. The aggresive, homofobic, sometimes ignorant and unaware Thomas. The don't give a dam what you think or say about me Thomas. In other words, I thought I knew it all.   

My other favorite activity wasn't much of an activity, it was a movie called "The Walkout". It was basically a documentary about five students from East L.A who decided to make a difference. They stood up for their rights to a better and equal education against the school district. Persistence allowed them to continue to push on, despite the police brutality attempt to stop them. Despite all obsticles, they won over the school district and the public by starting a walkout. All it took was five brave and determained high school kids.

The gneral story reminds me of my own personal project, starting a wrestling club at Stonehill College. I currently have the support of Dean of Admissions Dan Monahan who is willing to coach, if everything go as planned. Unfortunately the Athletic Directors refused to get on board with us. Their excuse? "Budget cuts..Too many clubs, blah blah blahh..." Typical excuse they've given to students in the pass who attempted to start a program. Thanks to determination of those five students, I am not giving up anytime soon. I have three more years to make it happen! 

Does Anyone Deserve to Die Because of their attire?

Academics:

The past week was the week coming back from Spring break. The overall weather was a beautiful transition from NOLA to Mass. Academically, it absolutely sucked! I had a load of work that were meant to be done over the break, which I obviously didn't get to as a result of my exciting adventure to NOLA. Healthcare was a pain in my behind like usual. I had to do a movie writeup on a movie called Lorenzo's Oil. Lorenzo's Oil is documentary of two parents who refused to give into the deadly affects of Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD); an inherited disorder, usually from the mother; the X gene. It affects mostly males, from the ages of 5-10. All boys with ALD unfortunately dies within 2 years of diagnosis. It is insane how sometimes you have absolutely no control of what happens in life. Then of course I had my usual 40 page chapter reading for friday; 3 questions that take about 2 typed pages and a 2-3 paragraph response, AKA "Point to Pounder". Why do I have to end up with the hardest professor in Healthcare?! Wel, he is my academic advisor so I can't get raid of him even if I tried. As for Literature and Phisolophy? Bested on my Philosophy mid-term exam on thursday. I will be an extremely unhappy camper if I do endup with anything less than a 95.  Literature? It was quite an adventure. Talking about adventure, I had to read The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland in two days period. Well that was the original assignment atleast. All I can say is, Thank GOD for SPARK NOTES! I mean, I did tried and got through about 25% of it, just wasn't having it. Portrait workshop and Figure drawing always drains me of course. So time comsuming! But hey, it what I love to do, so I can't complain much. I actually came up with my best work, working with my favorite model by far in figure drawing.   

Random:

I don't often read people's essays when I am at work (Admission's office, Admission's assistant), but when I do finally decide to do so, I come across some really awsome ones. This past wednesday, I came cross one of those essays that get you really thinking about your priorities in life. In the essay, a kid from Barthel Mass (Gardner High School), talked about the experience which almost took his life. According to him, his apendix ruptured while away for boys state leadership program. He suffered from a severe infection and was transported to three different hospitals. What kept this poor kid going? Where was his motivation to survive? Visit from friends and families, text messages and phone calls. Simple things we take for granted everyday. "It is true, we do reap what we sow" AKA the power of being a good sincere, loving person. Anyways, What did he learn? Great amount of emotion and mental strength. "That it is not take anything in life or granted because everything could change in a split second". Such a smart kid. But you know what I find interesting about this situation? It takes a near death experience or some type of tragic event to come to this realization. I know I can surely testified to that, it hasn't been that long since my personal experience. Anyways, another leason he learned was; "work hard for things you want and never let someone tell you, 'you cant". Aman to that kid! Its a constant struggle, but its all about the mental toughness.

I also came accross another interesting story in my MOSAIC (Men of Service, Academia, Integrity, and Character) meeting this past sunday. The Story of young Treyvon Martin. Whay a sad story huh? I noticed all the publication on it through facebook but never was aware of the full story until sunday. My reaction? What kind of society we live in today, where a person as young and innocent as Treyvon can't look comfortable in public? Since when has it been a crime to wear hoodies at night, in a cold rainy weather? Since when is it ok to be followed, stalked by an adult who feels the need to be a neighborhood hero? Didn't we all learn as kids to runaway from strangers? It really is a shame how terrible the American society is at times. Why do we continue to live in hate, stereotypes, and discrimination? Talking about profound questions...

Anyways, I had quite an interesting interaction with my portrait workshop professor this past monday. well, the question is, how often do a professor leave her work to come examine your traps in the middle of class? As far as i know, it doesn't happen at all. Well, in my portrait workshop class, anything is possible. While helping out a partner who is was modeling for, she randomly goes; "Oh my gosh, Thomas, look at those traps! How often do you workout?" Not really taking her serious, I asked her maybe five seconds later, "is that a serious question?" And so I told her how I workout 3-days a week for about an hour each. Then comes the unexpected, "Oh woow now I feel like I have to touch you!" HUH? I laughed hysterically with the rest of the class, ignoring her comment. About a meeting later she gets up and start walking over. "I told you I have to touch you! Ladies don't be jealous". And so she comes over and starting examining my Traps and Delts. How do you possibly react to that?! I basically just sat there and laughed my butt off. And yaeah, of course it was the same professor who put me in a really awkward position o the first day of class, "OMG we should draw you! You have the greatest face!" Such an interesting class I have. Even better, What a professor! She brings light into my life, even when I am not in the mood to laugh.

Oh yeaaa of course, Shout out to my official study buddy, whose been on my back to include her in my blog! Ryleigh Failla, aka RyRy, aka RyRy-licious, aka partner in crime at the Shields Science Center, aka "Word to ur MAMA!"