West Indian music

I am a big fan of music and all different types of sounds and genres. My favorite type of music is reggae and Soca. When I listen to the radio and watch television, it is almost impossible to even see any west indian music broadcasted. I feel as though this type of music can add a lot to the music that most Americans are familiar with. It is almost as though we are missing out on a treasure that is very valuable. The artists that do reggae music are just as good as any other artist that may do rap or pop music. If the American public is more open to embrace this genre of music, then it would definitely change music in it's entirety. I am sure that there are other types of music that can be added into what Americans consider mainstream music, but reggae has shown potential and it should be incorporated within music today on a more wider scale.

Classes and Race

I am currently sitting in my dorm room, and I am watching the lakers play the Oklahoma City Thunder. The game was a complete display of heart and dedication by the Thunder. They are the eight seed; which is the last seed fit to play in the playoffs that were playing against the Lakers, which are the number one seed. It was a game that tested the Thunder's heart and determination and I really believe that Kevin Durant (player for the Thunder) will be one of the best players to ever play the game! I am not just saying that, because he is the youngest player to ever have the scoring title, but he is just a specimen of basketball that you probably would not find anywhere. He helped lift his team, which also played great in order to beat the defending champions tonight. I always love to see the underdog come up and win, but it is even better to watch a legend in the making operate and display his heart and fulfill the expectations that are set in front of him by his peers, and people like me that know he is a great player and person to call a roll model for the youth.

a step closer means becoming stronger

I feel as though there is so much stereotyping and grouping of people that goes on all around us and we do not even know it. It even occurs here on the grounds of Hofstra. This school seems to be very segregated in terms of the different races, especially between blacks and whites. I understand that the percentage of caucasian people and minorities are quite substantial, but there should be more attemps to integrate the students of Hofstra through more events that invite a variety of cultures and not just one particular group of people. A school should be a place of understanding of other cultures and customs, so how can this be achieved when people are not conversating with others that may diversify from our specific cultures and customs. I do not think that this is a problem, however, I do feel that people should try to become more comfortable with others around the school grounds, because it would be a step to becoming a closer more united school body.

Life from another spectrum

I did not spend too much time partying or drinking during my spring break. Instead I visited my cousin in Brookln that I do not get to see that frequently. Some places in Brooklyn can be intimidating or just plain unsafe at times. It was never out of the norm to see people selling drugs on the corner or fighting around my hometown.

My outlook on those things have changed, now that I live on campus and do not have to see people selling drugs or fighting on a regular basis. When I visited my cousin, it gave me one of the biggest reality checks in my life. The building was filled with crack smokers that we call "crackheads", I even saw a girl my age smoking crack with the others in the building. It was sad to see people live their life in ways that are so negative and harmful. It made me thank god for the family I am blessed with, along with my health and many other things.

I believe that something should be done to correct this problem. Too many people that live in low income areas end up following a trend that cast them as outcasts in their own environment. The issue is not these individuals personally, but the overall mentality in the environment, in which, they live in.

spring break

My spring break is going by pretty well. I just thought that if I write about it thus far it would be a good oppertunity to gain some extra points. The only thing that I did that can generate some interest was go to the movies. My father and my brother came along to watch repo men, not quite sure if it is a movie fit for a nine year old, but I just figured hey its America. Well the movie was pretty good and I enjoyed it more than my father and little brother. The plot was very interesting. I never knew that people actually take out organs that are not as vital and sell them to people that need it. Well I know that people donate, but this movie made me think about what actually happens when people are desperate to make money. If anyone has any free time I suggest that they go see repo men, or even the hot tub time machine. They are both really good.

The time of everyone's life

There is a time in everyone's life that truly defines who we are. It is more like a personal test that challenges us, more like a development crisis. Some people that are my age have already met some of their biggest challenges. Kids that lost their parents and relatives at a young age are some examples of tough challenges that are needed for adjustments in our lives. I have not yet met my personal challenge that would change me for good, but when that day comes I will try my hardest to make it worth while and life changing as well.

I believe that these life changing moments define us and molds us into successful people. Some of the biggest idols in America have faced adversity throughout their life. Therefore I believe that when the time comes for me to prove myself I must always stay positive and look forward to the future of where my defining moment takes me later on in the future. This message goes to everyone that will face that defining moment in their life. Take your time and never give up and keep positive people in your life and I believe strongly there will be progression in our lives.

Discovery paper

I thought that by writing the discovery paper it gave me a good oppurtunity to know what I was going to write about. I was able to formulate all of my thoughts in the proper procedures for making my argument in the paper. Everything from the questions asked in the assignment helped tremendously. My paper was clear and concise, because of the questions, and also I changed the angle of my paper a bit too. I incorporated more of the media, which is very important to the topic that I am writing about. I think in order to make my paper better I should do more interviews, as well.

Discovery paper

The video we watched in class

There is no doubt in my mind that sexism, violence, and unacceptable behavior is glorified in rap music and videos. It is something that can be mentioned or talked about, but most importantly, we must look at what influences these types of behavior. We must also shift gears and look at why this has become so popular amongst the American population as a whole.

The comparison is similar to a newly constructed building to me. The foundation of it begins with our national television networks and the regular advertisements we see on tv. It is also in the movies that we watch. Rap music is a reflection of what Americans are exposed to, so in order to complain about rap, the finger must be pointed in the direction of the main source, which is on television and advertisements.

Sometimes reading does not seem practical

Sometimes reading may not always seem practical if the subject matter does not intrigue me. Think about it, some professors ask you to read about twenty pages out of a textbook and expect you to understand it. This can seem unpractical in many ways to just read and understand. Really when they tell you to read the chapter, they are acutally saying read and take notes. That is the only way that I can actually pull information out of a textbook and actually understand it. After all, almost every textbook known to mankind uses the same formant and quite honestly it is repetetive and boring to the reader. bareley anyone is intrigued after reading a full chapter out of a textbook that is full of information that is just written in order. I guess all that I am trying to say is that the format for textbooks should be imporved in a way that is more beneficial to students and that will encourage them to read and stay focused for the following classes to come.

Video Games

A question that I would ask is, How old is too old to play video games? I anticipate that this question would have many different answers. My belief is that they are beneficial to any age group that knows how to use their time efficiently. I feel that saying people are too old to play video games is basically a denial of imagination. In other words, I feel that everyone is entitled to see new realms of reality that excite them, regardless of age. Games are more complex than action figures. I feel that often times these two get associated with each other and it may cause older people to be embarrassed about playing games. This should not be, because forms of video gaming are used to solve real world problems, or to create new inventions that are beneficial to the whole. For example, making new planes require virtual testing through the use of computers. Some people may differ from what I say, but before you say someone is too old to play video games, I propose that you give it just a little extra thought.

music being the tapping source to actual emotion

This may be random, but I really feel that music is one of the most important way to uplift yourself. The type of music can make you reflect or even make your mood a bit sad. It seems as though music can be one of the biggest inventions ever. The reason that I say that is because it partakes in our brain activity. Only our brain can change our thoughts and actions, but music can, as well. Think about it, when we hear music, we dance, or recite the actual song. There is not many things that are external that can dictate our actions. It may be the only thing on this earth that is an external pleasure, but it can tap into an internal source at will. It is simply powerful, because it brings people in time together as effectively as it can tear people apart. Ultimately, music reflects our inner souls and it is one of the only pure imprint of what reflects our views.

Useless phones

I feel as though the most useless phone in our day and age are sidekicks. The biggest consumers of these phones are usually around the teenage age range. It has the capabilities of just about every other phone, except for maybe the smart phones. However, the complications that the owner has to go through in the proccess of mainitaing this phone is absolutely ridiculous. I can speak about this in detail, because I use to have a sidekick until I experienced the random deleted contacts, and the phone shutting off in the middle of calls, and even the side pieces to the phone were not stable. Now that I have my blackberry I do not have to worry about all the problems that my old sidekick use to give me. I advise everyone else to get a new phone, if they do in fact own a sidekick.

About me

My name is Christopher Rodriguez and I am from Brooklyn, New York. Some of the activities that I enjoy are basketball, Track, and also skiing. I believe that keeping myself busy is essential to a healthy mind and body. My favorite author is John Grisham, because I find his books to be very thrilling, but yet informative of the legal system. There is much more to know about me, but these are some of the things about myself that can help my fellow classmates familiarize themselves with me more.