816.985.8021
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
GOOD LUCK!
Good luck on your first day, you little hoodlums! Let a brotha know if you need anything :)
Friday, August 26, 2011
Link to Nicoles embracing change dance.
http://youtu.be/w5du9F5fd8g
OR you to my YouTube channel and you will find it there.
http://www.youtube.com/user/2222nikki2222#p/u/1/w5du9F5fd8g
OR you to my YouTube channel and you will find it there.
http://www.youtube.com/user/2222nikki2222#p/u/1/w5du9F5fd8g
Thursday, August 25, 2011
PERRIN LOVES YOU
<3 you guys big time, and I'm super, SUPER proud of you. Really. People like you are the reason I teach. Facebook friend me and take down my email. I'm here for whatever!
perrin.carrell@gmail.com
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
I'm quite the insane idiot.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001477910213
if you feel like staying in touch that is.
if you feel like staying in touch that is.
Nicoles final blog.
In almost all of my blogs I am posting about how much I have changed during the Bridge Program and how much I have changed as a person. So this blog I want to switch it up a little bit. I want to expand on how all of these people I have met in Chicago and how this course impacted me
When I first came into the Bridge Program I was a little uneasy about meeting new people and even talking in class. I guess you can say I was the shy girl. But as the course went on I broke out of my shell. I started to get comfortable with my surroundings because I was around people who were passionate about art like I am. The teachers here are top notch and they have taught me so many things that I never learned in high school. They give creative assignments that make you push yourself as an artist. Also our field trips to the museums helped me think outside of the box and look at art in a different prospective. The workshops were great because it gave me the opportunity to get to know my classmates better. I heard their essays and got to know all of them on a different level. I have noticed a lot of improvements in both their writing and my writing.
Being in the bridge Program was an honor because I really feel that I have learned so much and I have learned how to adapt to the City and all of the different types of people. Some advices for next year’s Bridge students: stay focused, be creative, and push yourself. If you follow those three simple steps you will pass. At the end of this course you will see that it is all worth it.
Contact me! On Facebook and check out my YouTube channel.
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100000453267055
http://www.youtube.com/user/2222nikki2222
When I first came into the Bridge Program I was a little uneasy about meeting new people and even talking in class. I guess you can say I was the shy girl. But as the course went on I broke out of my shell. I started to get comfortable with my surroundings because I was around people who were passionate about art like I am. The teachers here are top notch and they have taught me so many things that I never learned in high school. They give creative assignments that make you push yourself as an artist. Also our field trips to the museums helped me think outside of the box and look at art in a different prospective. The workshops were great because it gave me the opportunity to get to know my classmates better. I heard their essays and got to know all of them on a different level. I have noticed a lot of improvements in both their writing and my writing.
Being in the bridge Program was an honor because I really feel that I have learned so much and I have learned how to adapt to the City and all of the different types of people. Some advices for next year’s Bridge students: stay focused, be creative, and push yourself. If you follow those three simple steps you will pass. At the end of this course you will see that it is all worth it.
Contact me! On Facebook and check out my YouTube channel.
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100000453267055
http://www.youtube.com/user/2222nikki2222
STAY CONNECTED WITH KEVIN!
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=1082321727 <<---- FACEBOOK
http://twitter.com/#!/kev_thebeliever <<----- TWITTER
kevinalan93 <<----- SKYPE
MrKBrown93 <<----- YOUTUBE
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Kevin-Brown/105179556249683 <<----- FAN PAGE
Lets stay connected (:
Last Blog
In the end I’m glad that I attended the Bridge Program. At first I really didn’t want to waste my last month of summer in this program, but I’m glad I did. If I wouldn’t have went to Bridge I would have had a hard time getting adjusted to college. Going straight from summer were I do nothing all day and then going back to a school that is completely new to me would of threw me off completely. It also helped me to get to know the city better and how to get around. I never went to the city before bridge so I would have been screwed trying to find my way around. I do have some friends attending this school, but getting to know all of these people in my class is going to make this experience a lot less foreign. It also made me a lot more confident about my writing. Before all this I thought I completely sucked at writing but I guess not. My math class didn’t really help too much though. We just reviewed a bunch of stuff I already learned in high school. It still helped to refresh my memory which is good because I can start college and not be completely lost. It’s nice I got to know all of you. It will be reassuring to see a lot of familiar faces when we start school. Our passion is what helped motivate all of us to make it all the way. We all had one thing on our mind the whole time we were here. Passing this program just furthermore proved that we were all meant to be some type of artist. I can say bye to the Bridge Program but I’ll probably see all of you around school so there’s no point of saying goodbye to all of you. I’ll say bye to Danielle and Perrin because I might not see you two, I don’t know. Thanks for everything. You guys made a pretty big impact on my life.
FINAL BLOG! | MARIO
(I'm cross eyed because the drink was so delicious...)
Reflecting on how I felt about the bridge program again?! I have no problem with that, being able to stay and complete the program for the full four weeks. I definitely have a lot to say about my experience in this program. As I said before, the bridge program helped me grow not only as a student but as a person as well. I came into the program thinking it was going to be easy for me and that I wouldn’t even have to stress about it. Little did I know that the bridge was no joke. The very first day Danielle scared the shit out of me. I had no clue that they weren’t messing around. If you messed up once, then you’re out. Actually, she even said that all the teachers are looking for a reason to kick the students out because they don’t want them to waste their money on college if they aren’t going to be able to complete the assignments that they give them over the four weeks.
I think the best part about the bridge program that I really like was the workshops. I had never had a workshop in my life. The whole criticizing on each of our paper was something that I really liked because who ever read their paper they were not able to talk back to the criticizer. Honestly, it helped me a lot on what to do so I would be able to improve my essays. Something that I equally liked about the program was that we had lectures. That also was something new to me that I never had in my life, Different topics every time. Some I liked, some I didn’t but regardless I always learned something new from the lectures.
I understand that Columbia is an art school and all, but I honestly hated all of the museums that we went to. Maybe it’s just me because I never liked museums since I was a kid. To be honest, I kind of liked the first one that we went to. Then everything felt like it was the same after a while and I lost interest. Maybe if we were able to go watch a different type of “art” rather than look at things framed and put up against a plain wall. I would have definitely liked it a lot more if we were able to go to some dance show or something then talk about what we liked about the dance or something related to that.
The best advice I have for the bridge students next year is…Do your shit, don’t slack until you have that damn Columbia box in your hands. You honestly never know who or when someone is going to get kicked out. Finish your homework and come to class early. Something that I noticed with bridge students is that some of them have bad attitudes. No matter how much you dislike your teacher (not saying that I disliked any of my teachers) don’t talk back, keep your mouth shut, and be respectful.
Thank you Danielle and Perrin for pushing me to become a better student! I hope to see you both around during the school year. To the ten that still stand in this classroom, I wish you all the best and hope everything works out for you all during the school year. Be safe and don’t slack! Remember why we are all here in the first place. STUDY HARD! PEACE!
Feel free to add me on facebook if you would like. Just search up "Mario Ballesteros" or http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=583269809
-Mario | Lionz Of Zion / Mentally Unstable
Last Blog-Nikkea
The bridge program was definitely helpful in preparing my for Columbia. It helped to understand what this schoolis about and in a helpful way open my mind to its ideas and goals. Attending this program has improved me as a individual and student. I enjoyed the way my teacher was about business. Telling the students that the four weeks were very critical before attending Columbia. Her way of approaching helped me to realize my full potential and see the overall goal. The outcome of attending this program has developed my way and approach on school and life in general. Ive learned to get to the goal it takes dedication and consistant effort. These four weeks were definitely effective not just on me, but I believe to the students that didnt know exactly what to expect of Columbia. How Columbia cares and puts forth the effort of getting their to students to be responsible and take hold of their actions. I dont believe the program had an unpleasant moment. The program I believe just taught the individual to take responsibility and take hold of the challenges that some people can handle and others cant. I will take the Columbia's challenges and apply them to school and also life situations. This is a Goodbye to the Bridge Program, but a Welcome to the future of success at Columbia College as a Student!
Final Blog
I’m so excited to know that I made it to the very end! I only have one more day of this program and that feels great to know that I am only within hours of becoming an official Columbia Student. I feel that everyone that is still here deserves to be here because they fought their way to become a student.
Over the 4 weeks I have had so much fun; I’ve met some pretty awesome people and got to explore the city! The program made me have better relationships with some of the other people here. Danielle said at the beginning of the program, “When you make friends in Bridge, they’ll be your friends for years down the line!” I hope this is true because I’ve made a lot of friends within the time being here.
The only bad part that I dealt with while being in this program was having to commute every morning and every night just to get here so that meant I would have to wake up extra early so that I could get here on time! And the first few papers got me because I wasn’t used to writing because I didn’t write anything all summer!
For the future Bridge kids I would have to say go all out with everything you do! You’re in Chicago and there is so much to do. There really isn’t a way to be bored unless you are a boring person. All you really have to do is kiss some ass for the teacher and you’ll be golden and do your homework of coarse or you would be gone so fast if you didn’t. Just stay on your studies and I’m pretty sure you would make it to the point that I have. I wish any Bridge student the best of luck and to have the best time of your life while you can. You only have one life to live!
It's over..tomorrow!
I have to say, the final days of my bridge experience is almost over, and really, it's an amazing feeling. The first week I was a little uptight, I didn't know what to make out of this program at all. It's strange though, during the middle of the first week I opened up a little bit and just stuck to what I knew I needed to do. However, the second week was my most stressful week, when I heard it was the elimination week. I was afraid, even though I've never been talked too, always been told I was doing well in my math class, that they would throw me out for whatever reason may be, maybe not paying attention, or just plain old bein' an asshole. Well I guess that was wrong, right? I'd like to think I haven't made acquaintances during these 4 weeks, which is usually what I call people for a little while before I actually get to know them. The 3rd week I came out of my anti-social shell and started to do things with other people, as well as slack off a little bit. I got a tiny bit lazier, but I put myself back on track quickly. Now with my 4th week, everything is coming together now. I realize that the work habit I have forged for myself works, and that I should keep this going and shouldn't back down no matter what happens. I love what this program has done for someone like me, who never saw a real reason to actually care about school work, who now sees that here, it is different and even fun since I can put my own creative twist in it.
Hey next year bridge students, just participate, do your work and actually keep what people say about your papers to heart, don't slack off, and don't be an idiot. Those things will ensure that you pass this program with flying colors.
I AM REBORN IN FLAMES!
GoodBye Bridge && Hello COLUMBIA!!!!!
The bridge prgram was very challenging. It taught me about learning is very important and getting throught college is verry important.. Over the past for weeks it has been diffucult. Youo had to come out your shell , have a voice and also learn how to do the work. English was a challenge with the papers we had to right, and how they had to be college ready. Math was for me difficult becuause of all the numbers, im just not that good in it. The best parts of bridge was when we went out to Musuems and learnede about art, and had the chance to start friendships with certain people. Everybody has gotten the chance to learn about others background and learning baout art was interseting because you got to see what the purpose of that pieace was. Another great part of bridge was it taught me how to be more On my own, and learn fundamentals that i have learned but didnt fully learn it? LOL. There wasnt really nothing about bridge that was bad. Everything we did was enjoyable, and a learing experience.
For next years Bridge student. My advise to you is to be on time, and make sure you stay on your work, because this program does not play when it comes to your work, Expescally your english papers. You will be dissmissed in a matter of MINUTES! ANother ppieace of advise i would give is to get out your shell. You have to talk if your not a talkative person, kids that dont distrubute what they have to say and just a quiet loner, they look at you and dissmiss you. You just really have to be on your stuff and take the experience seriously, its not summer school its a JOB INTERVIEW !
To everybody in Danielle and Perrins Bridge Class Including Danille and Perrin, I would say Good-Bye but i will say have a nice two weeks off, have fun, i enjoyed spending the 4 weeks with all of you, and see you Sept 6. : )
For next years Bridge student. My advise to you is to be on time, and make sure you stay on your work, because this program does not play when it comes to your work, Expescally your english papers. You will be dissmissed in a matter of MINUTES! ANother ppieace of advise i would give is to get out your shell. You have to talk if your not a talkative person, kids that dont distrubute what they have to say and just a quiet loner, they look at you and dissmiss you. You just really have to be on your stuff and take the experience seriously, its not summer school its a JOB INTERVIEW !
To everybody in Danielle and Perrins Bridge Class Including Danille and Perrin, I would say Good-Bye but i will say have a nice two weeks off, have fun, i enjoyed spending the 4 weeks with all of you, and see you Sept 6. : )
goodbye bridge-sam setzer
The Summer Bridge Program has been a weird experience for me. I've learned about myself as well as others, I've worked harder than I worked in all of my four years of high school, doing papers every night and waking up early and on time every morning. With that said, I'm not saying I didn't have fun. I had a great time discussing the works of Sarah Vowell. I'm very grateful that I discovered her writing, and I plan on reading more of her works in the years to come.
The only advice that I have for next year's class is to not slack off. Try to get a good night’s sleep every night, wake up on time, and volunteer in class every chance you get. Also, don't be a trouble maker, because trouble is bad! Just kidding, you should definitely cause mischief... Just don't get caught.
I'll miss this class and I really hope to keep in touch with all of you. It's been fun discussing "Take the Cannoli" with my reading group, and I really enjoyed hearing all of the different opinions of everyone. I genuinely hope to see all of you around campus as we enter into the next four years of our life. It's going to be a wild ride. Hopefully.
Live long and prosper
-Sam Setzer
Goodbye Bridge!
To be honest I'm very happy that this is my final week and that everything is coming to a close, but at the same time I don't want it to end. I feel like there are still things that I could learn and I want to learn more.
Danielle and Perrin I really want to thank you both. You two were like the best teachers I have ever had. You guys really helped me look deeper into myself along with challenging myself. I became a better writer hopefully, and if I did it was because of the both of you. You both made me have a look out on life that I didn't before when I entered the Bridge Program. So I want to say thank you and I hope I can be your student again.
The Bridge program allowed me to grow into myself. I use to be a shy person that didn't want to talk to anyone. Of course I started to talk in fear that I would be kicked out if I didn't. But it soon turned into that I enjoyed talking and expressing my opinion. I sure hope that I didn't talk too much lol. Anyways I now find it easier to talk to others and even talk to my future teachers.
In the past I would never approach a teacher for help or advice and now I find it very usefull when I do. I really enjoyed the learning experiences that I had when I was here. I felt like sometimes I was teaching myself and not someone trying to get me to become like them, which was very different along with very special to me.
At first I was really nervous to how Bridge was going to be and I thought it was going to be super hard where I couldn't keep up. But it soon turned out that I could keep up, but not only just keep up I was able to do things 100% with a twist of me into it. I was able to follow directions but also be myself which I never got to do when I was in high school. Everything was super strict in high school to the point I felt like I was in prison. And yes I believe that Bridge is strict, but at the same time they don't have unreasonable expectations. Unlike high school they expected us to be perfect in every way. And here I was able to show how hard I CAN WORK!
I really am going to miss my classmates and I hope we all stay in touch some way. I learned a lot of things about very different people. Learned something each day about someone. And I believe that all my classmates are great people with something to offer to this school and also the world. I know it sounds like I'm being Ms. Sweet but I am being honest. :)
I really hope that my college experience is just like Bridge if not better!
Goodbye Bridge
and everyone
and Danielle and Perrin
Hope to see you all around!
HERE I COME COLLEGE LIFE TO THE FULLEST!!!! :)
Last Blog!
Today will be your last time logging onto our class blog!
I know that we've asked you to do a lot of reflection in the past few days, but we're going to ask you to reflect one last time. This time, we'd like for you to reflect on your Bridge experience. Use today's final blog post as a way to reflect on the past 4 weeks, think about the best and the worst parts of your Bridge experience, offer advice for next year's Bridge students, and say goodbye to the program and each other.
These "goodbye" posts should be around 300 words. Then, after you've finished it, you must complete this Bridge exit survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VSYL7R6.
Finally, after you've completed the survey, come back to the blog and try to respond to each one of your classmates' posts. Try your best to leave a message in response to all of them.
Happy posting! Congrats on making it to the end.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Nicole letter to self.
Dear Nicole,
Only two more days away from completing the bridge program and being admitted into Columbia College. The school of your dreams, the school that you know that can take you far. If you passed this program you can achieve anything. During this month of the bridge program, you already have done so much. Taking photo shoots, doing music video shoots, and taking every opportunity you can get to shine in the city of Chicago. Not only have you taken opportunities but you have kept up with your school work and made your mom proud. You are quickly adapting into the Chicago life style and even though your life is changing quickly remember what you are here for- dance. Have faith in yourself and faith in God that you will have a bright future. Stay focused and you can make a difference.
I want to accomplish being the best. I know that sounds brad but I want to be the best in whatever I do. I have goals that I want to reach and those goals that I set for myself I want to be the best at. In my lifetime I want to become a well-known dancer around the city of Chicago with my own dance studio, travel around the US to teach dances, learn to play piano and learn to read music, learn how to act and maybe feature in a dance film, and eventually I want to start a charity for the children in Africa. But this year I want to accomplish a lot of great things as well. Like learn how to dance different styles other than modern and hip hop, learn how to play piano, start getting into healthy eating habits, become more confident as a person and let go of my fears, most importantly make a very good amount of money so I can put my family up in hills.
Columbia is a great school so I have to keep in mind that I have to be on my toes at all times, no distractions. I don’t want to be in any type of relationship or start dating for a year or so because boys are just distractions. I know I need to keep myself out of trouble as far as partying; I need to keep that to a minimum because it could jeopardize my learning or me trying to reach my goals. I know I can’t take EVERY SINGLE opportunity because it might be too much for me to handle. I have to make sure I recognize what I can take on so I don’t get stressed. Keeping my priorities straight is a MUST.
“One has to live in the present. Whatever is past is gone beyond recall; whatever is future remains beyond one’s reach, until it becomes present. Remembering the past and giving thought to the future are important, but only to the extent that they help one deal with the present.” – S.N. Goenka
Only two more days away from completing the bridge program and being admitted into Columbia College. The school of your dreams, the school that you know that can take you far. If you passed this program you can achieve anything. During this month of the bridge program, you already have done so much. Taking photo shoots, doing music video shoots, and taking every opportunity you can get to shine in the city of Chicago. Not only have you taken opportunities but you have kept up with your school work and made your mom proud. You are quickly adapting into the Chicago life style and even though your life is changing quickly remember what you are here for- dance. Have faith in yourself and faith in God that you will have a bright future. Stay focused and you can make a difference.
I want to accomplish being the best. I know that sounds brad but I want to be the best in whatever I do. I have goals that I want to reach and those goals that I set for myself I want to be the best at. In my lifetime I want to become a well-known dancer around the city of Chicago with my own dance studio, travel around the US to teach dances, learn to play piano and learn to read music, learn how to act and maybe feature in a dance film, and eventually I want to start a charity for the children in Africa. But this year I want to accomplish a lot of great things as well. Like learn how to dance different styles other than modern and hip hop, learn how to play piano, start getting into healthy eating habits, become more confident as a person and let go of my fears, most importantly make a very good amount of money so I can put my family up in hills.
Columbia is a great school so I have to keep in mind that I have to be on my toes at all times, no distractions. I don’t want to be in any type of relationship or start dating for a year or so because boys are just distractions. I know I need to keep myself out of trouble as far as partying; I need to keep that to a minimum because it could jeopardize my learning or me trying to reach my goals. I know I can’t take EVERY SINGLE opportunity because it might be too much for me to handle. I have to make sure I recognize what I can take on so I don’t get stressed. Keeping my priorities straight is a MUST.
“One has to live in the present. Whatever is past is gone beyond recall; whatever is future remains beyond one’s reach, until it becomes present. Remembering the past and giving thought to the future are important, but only to the extent that they help one deal with the present.” – S.N. Goenka
Letter to Jacob
Dear Me,
Four weeks ago I remember I didn’t really care for school, and I completely underestimated the program. I came the first day thinking it would be like summer school. I didn’t bring a backpack and wasn’t prepared because I thought I wouldn’t be getting any homework. It only took me one day to realize that I can’t half ass my way through this like I did in high school. It’s nice because I know I’m going to actually enjoy school for once, and I will actually try this time.
I hope in this first year of college I can meet people who are as passionate about their music as I am. There were always good musicians in my hometown, but I felt like none of them took it as seriously as I do. One of the things that always scared me about school is the workload. I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to handle this time around though; I don’t want to worry about it too much. I’m just excited to start a new part of my life, I won’t let it get to my head, I’m not going to leave any of my friends or family behind.
The things I have been looking forward to the most would have to be working with other people. I want to meet new musicians to work with and producers. One thing I have had in mind for a while was that I want to buy an acoustic guitar and sand all of the finish off of it. Then I want to find a painter or drawer that has some crazy style that I would like and have them use the whole guitar as their canvas. Another goal is to take the knowledge I’ll learn from music classes to help refine my playing even more. I also want to get one of my friends out here eventually and record something with him. We’ve been trying to record some things together for a while and now is the chance. I think another goal might be to do some panhandling, but I’m not too sure about that one.
I’m not going to let anything get in the way of letting me succeed this year. I don’t really see anything that will interfere with what I want this year. This is my number one focus in life right now, and I’ll keep it that way.
Good Luck Brew! Hope you it all works out.
Letter to Myself .. ( Whats up Eric )
Letter to Myself ( Hii Eric ) : )
Eric Hey Buddy ! : )
Look at you .. You made it through the four week program at Columbia College this summer. I’m actually so proud of you because i didn’t even think you would make it. You have grown into a harder appreciative worker. When you first started the Bridge Program you thought it was going to just be like regular school, when you come in a take classes. WRONG.! you actually had to work and have a "Voice" to make it through. You have changed boy. Omg . you have changed. You were more of the Laid back, somewhat quiet person, who just came to school for the work. You learned a lot to get you prepared for college. You learned how to do papers a lot better then before, and knowing all what goes into a paper, you also are FINALLY really math. You math skills are improving. I’m so proud you Jr.
In my first year of college i want to learn what i actually came to this college for. I want to learn everything there is to know about Film, Weather its with Camera, Lights, Producing, And owning your own company so that’s Business. If i can learn that my first year well throughout my years then i will succeed. But for sure for the first year i want to learn about cameras and how to produce films.
I’m afraid of Failing. Failure is one of biggest fears because I’m basing everything of going to school, without school then I’m nothing, nor will i ever be anything. Within the next year I’m most excited about coming to this school meeting a variety of different people and learning about the film industry so one day i can be there & Also becoming a whole NEW Person, because I’m tired of this Eric ( That i currently am, So when you reading this a year from Now i hope you changed Eric ( : ...)
Five major goals for this are .
1). Becoming a New Person.
2.) Getting a Job..
3.) Meeting Chris Brown.
4.) Knowing about my Major.
5.) Meeting New friends, that is, actually interested in what I’m interested and in and have it last a Life time.
What may Prevent me from doing anything this year, is Getting lazy and getting distracted like i did in high school. I honestly a, tired of being bored on most weekends. I want something to do every day all day, not going to bed till 10 or 12 a night , or most days not sleeping for two or three days. I want to be busy. I don’t want to get distracted by anything that’s not relevant with anything I’m doing.
Hope All is well a year from now!
Letter to Kevin
I think that I changed the way that I get my work done over the past few weeks. Before this program I felt that I could do everything extremely last minute but that was not that case at all! I figured out that I had to get on my shit and buckle down if I truly wanted to be admitted to Columbia this fall. Instead of going home right after school, I would go in the computer lab so that it could be quiet so that I could work on my paper with no distractions from anyone else and I had help from the staff if they were in there at that time. I used to think that getting help from others was dumb but I slowly figured out if you don’t ask, you won’t know so I had a lot of questions being asked during the weeks I’ve been here.
This fall all I want is to be successful. To me that means finish my first year with at least a 3.0 or better. I know I want to participate in all of the theater things that are going on so I’ll have to get extremely involved with that. All in all I just want to be proud of myself and have my family be proud of me for accomplishing something some of them haven’t yet.
My fears for next year would have to be midterms I think. I’m not very good at taking test so I already got a plan in mind to help me get better with studying and all that. I’m going to go to the Learning Center and get someone to tutor me on how to study for test and hopefully that works out for me. I’m actually extremely excited for the spring musical! It’s RENT!! I’m going to tryout but I’m not even looking to getting a lead role my goal is just be to in the production and get to experience everything that I did when we did it at my school because it was one of the best feelings I have ever felt in my life!
I am not letting anything hold me back while I’m at school. If it’s not going to get me further in life and education then I am not going to deal with it. It will be something that I just put on the side burner.
Letter To Myself: Mario
Hey Mario!
I just wanted to congratulate you to basically passing the bridge program! It’s been a rough 4 weeks, but man oh man you did it! You know you remember like 5 weeks ago you were thinking that the program was going to be easy and you were just going to breeze right through it. I remember when you found out that you were told that if you fail the bridge program that you weren’t going to get your money back for the housing that you paid for. Instead of viewing that as a negative you viewed it as a challenge. You handled it like you would at a competition, you didn’t let it phase you nor discourage you. Instead, it made you confident and ready for the bridge program.
To be honest the bridge program helped you become a better person and it also prepared you for the upcoming school year. You’re now more responsible, organized, and you prioritize your shit right. Mario, you better do well during the school year. Treat the whole school year the same as you did with the bridge program. Something that I want to see you get out of the school year is that you gain more knowledge and become an even better person. Push yourself to become the best of the best in your classes. There should be no reason for you to slack or fall off like you did when you were in high school. You have to remember that you’re here for yourself and your family that is supporting you and giving everything they have just to put you through college. I know that if you keep remembering about what your parents are sacrificing just to put me through college then there will be nothing in your way to slow you down.
Something that I’m really afraid that is going to happen to you during the school year is that you might get caught up with dancing and going out with friends to fun events. At the same time though, I truly am excited for those things as well. The only reason that I’m afraid about those things is because I don’t want to lose track why I’m here in Chicago in the first place. I’m here to study and become the best of the best! Of course I’m looking forward in traveling with my friends because I know that I’m in a new area that I have never been in my entire life before and I definitely want to explore, rather than stay in one area…I hate that! I just need to not lose track of why I’m even here to begin with.
My first goal out of 5 is to finish the year off with all A’s. I know it’s possible; it’s just going to take a shitload of work. I’m willing to do the work and try my best, but sometimes your best isn’t enough for the grade you want. My second goal has nothing to do with school, but it’s to become the best bboy in the Midwest. 3rd goal: Meet new people and get involve with other film majors. 4th, film a movie of my own with my own equipment. 5th goal: to be able to come back home successful on my first year of college.
Letters To Nikkea!
Dear Nikkea,
Four weeks ago you started the brige program with an open mind and excited to learn more. And over these four weeks you've found out and learned new things or things in a better manner. Such as writing a paper. Ive learned to put myself into..not dwell so much on the question of the paper but to get the point across with the acception of the questions being asked. During these weeks you've written more papers ever and honestly you've figured out your mistakes without someone telling you were you went wrong. The best thing is that you tried correctly them. Taking a different approach, pushing the limit, and taking a risk. open-mindedly you've welcomed new ideas and challenged yourself on them. You've stepped out the box and openly accepted learning different tasks.
These four weeks have helped you develop into a better person. A more openly individual to accepting new tasks and challenges. learning from your mistakes and correcting them. Taking constructive criticism in a positive direction.
Within this first year at Columbia, Im open to welcoming more ideas for bettering myself. Step outside of the box more to dig deeper and get a better understanding of certain things. To develop the mantality of success. to strive and look to the overall goal. Becoming more and more driven for success as a individual, student, and citizen.
Im not afraid of challenging myself for Columbia, Im more excited to become involved. And becoming a better person, wiser and in a positive manner. Im excited to study in a career Im interested in.
Overall attednding Columbia I would love to become a more open minded person, more positive aspects, more driven towards my studies. But mostly finding a better way to understand myself along the way of my journey in college and life. Become equiped in the world of life. And the only thing that will prevent me from accomplishing these goals would only be myself. Which Im positive I wont fail!
Four weeks ago you started the brige program with an open mind and excited to learn more. And over these four weeks you've found out and learned new things or things in a better manner. Such as writing a paper. Ive learned to put myself into..not dwell so much on the question of the paper but to get the point across with the acception of the questions being asked. During these weeks you've written more papers ever and honestly you've figured out your mistakes without someone telling you were you went wrong. The best thing is that you tried correctly them. Taking a different approach, pushing the limit, and taking a risk. open-mindedly you've welcomed new ideas and challenged yourself on them. You've stepped out the box and openly accepted learning different tasks.
These four weeks have helped you develop into a better person. A more openly individual to accepting new tasks and challenges. learning from your mistakes and correcting them. Taking constructive criticism in a positive direction.
Within this first year at Columbia, Im open to welcoming more ideas for bettering myself. Step outside of the box more to dig deeper and get a better understanding of certain things. To develop the mantality of success. to strive and look to the overall goal. Becoming more and more driven for success as a individual, student, and citizen.
Im not afraid of challenging myself for Columbia, Im more excited to become involved. And becoming a better person, wiser and in a positive manner. Im excited to study in a career Im interested in.
Overall attednding Columbia I would love to become a more open minded person, more positive aspects, more driven towards my studies. But mostly finding a better way to understand myself along the way of my journey in college and life. Become equiped in the world of life. And the only thing that will prevent me from accomplishing these goals would only be myself. Which Im positive I wont fail!
Dear Vince,
You know Vince, four weeks ago you wouldn't have done a god damn thing, and I am being serious about this one. You have changed a lot, sure this has stressed you out considerably but look at yourself, you're fulfilling the biggest goal so far in your life and are on the way to passing a huge obstacle in your way. You are doing work, getting up at the right times, you are still slacking at household chores but then again who doesn't now and again? Not only are you your mothers hero, but everyone around you who knows about this is too proud even for words. I swear to God Vince, if you fuck this up I will personally come out of a time warp and kick your ass all the way up the Sears Tower and back.
I want everything I can get, I want an environment that I fit in with (not that I don't think I don't already fit in pretty well here). I want to expand and further develop my own style of writing and hopefully finally finish a personal project I am working on and edit it as I go along. I want to learn new things to put into my writing, especially new religious concepts from the course Exploring the Goddess.
I'm afraid of what just happened today will happen again for one of my morning classes, if I survive after being this late however. I know I won't go back into being the old do-nothing me. What I am excited about is, well, everything really. I don't really like meeting new people, but making new friends would be cool. I am more excited in participating in a few things with other Columbia students, and I also want to join the orchestra because they are short brass players, and that's exactly what I am.\
1. Attend class as much as I can.
2. Get the grades I always could have, A's and B's.
3. Get out of my shell and at least become friends with a few people so we can all help each other with our work.
4. Do not cheat on my girlfriend with some college chick, this relationship I cannot ruin.
5. Wake up to the first alarm that goes off at 5:45 and STAY UP, don't rely on the second alarm that goes off right after that one ends at 6:25, unless it's a day I don't need to be into class in the morning.
My Landlord is the incarnation of Satan himself, so if anything, a drastic and sudden move will screw me up. Not only will it screw up what I already have down for my bus schedule, but it will also trigger massive anxiety attacks that will persist for months keeping me from focusing, sleeping, eating and doing my work. Other than that I have no excuse, I will make sure nothing will hold me back, and even if I am forced to move I will conquer that challenge as well. It's literally what my name means, Vincent means The Conqueror.
Sam Setzer Letter to Myself
Dear Sam:
Sup, man...
You certainly have changed over these past four weeks. You've worked hard and haven't been lazy for a change. You spent every day of summer hanging out doing nothing with your friends, literally sitting around 12 hours a day. But these past four weeks have been intense and you've been whipped into shape. So anyway, what do you want your freshman year of college to look like? I bet you have an image of Pabst Blue Ribbon cans and various women lying all around your dorm room, but that's not how it's going to be. You've got to work hard man, no bullshit. Also, you need a job to stay busy when you're not doing your homework. You should also try and play as much music as possible. Start a band or something.
I'm guessing that you're a little worried about being so far from home. Don't be, it's only a 4 hour plane ride away. If anything, be happy that you're far from home. Your parents won't be breathing down your neck! What're your main goals for the year? I think you should shoot for at least a 3.5 GPA; getting good grades will make your parents proud and encourage you to do better. Also, you should try to be one of the most creative filmmakers in your class. Don't make bland, boring shit that the average Joe would want to see. Make cerebral films that make people think, because thinking is good for the mind and the soul. Set a constant sleep schedule. If you don't get your required sleep, all of your goals could fall apart. Lastly, play as much music as possible. Go to open mic nights and put yourself out there. The worst thing that could happen is people won't like your music. Big deal.
If anything can prevent you from succeeding in these next four years here at Columbia, it's too much partying. Remember this word: moderation. It's ok to go have some fun with your friends, but if you think that going out and getting annihilated with your friends every night is a good idea, then you shouldn't even be in college. Take it easy on the partying. Seriously. Don't do it.
With love-
Your Conscience
Sup, man...
You certainly have changed over these past four weeks. You've worked hard and haven't been lazy for a change. You spent every day of summer hanging out doing nothing with your friends, literally sitting around 12 hours a day. But these past four weeks have been intense and you've been whipped into shape. So anyway, what do you want your freshman year of college to look like? I bet you have an image of Pabst Blue Ribbon cans and various women lying all around your dorm room, but that's not how it's going to be. You've got to work hard man, no bullshit. Also, you need a job to stay busy when you're not doing your homework. You should also try and play as much music as possible. Start a band or something.
I'm guessing that you're a little worried about being so far from home. Don't be, it's only a 4 hour plane ride away. If anything, be happy that you're far from home. Your parents won't be breathing down your neck! What're your main goals for the year? I think you should shoot for at least a 3.5 GPA; getting good grades will make your parents proud and encourage you to do better. Also, you should try to be one of the most creative filmmakers in your class. Don't make bland, boring shit that the average Joe would want to see. Make cerebral films that make people think, because thinking is good for the mind and the soul. Set a constant sleep schedule. If you don't get your required sleep, all of your goals could fall apart. Lastly, play as much music as possible. Go to open mic nights and put yourself out there. The worst thing that could happen is people won't like your music. Big deal.
If anything can prevent you from succeeding in these next four years here at Columbia, it's too much partying. Remember this word: moderation. It's ok to go have some fun with your friends, but if you think that going out and getting annihilated with your friends every night is a good idea, then you shouldn't even be in college. Take it easy on the partying. Seriously. Don't do it.
With love-
Your Conscience
Dear Self
Dear Me,
Hey so I see that we made it to the very last week. That's such a great feeling isn't it? Well how are things I've noticed that we have changed since four weeks ago. I've seen how you stand up for your opinion more and isn't afraid to speak your mind and share your ideas with those around you. It's cool that our paper writing has improved. Well I hope that it did. I remember in high school you never got anything higher than a C on a paper. I really hope that these past 9 papers were really high works compared to high school. I mean I believe that we finally did something great with writing what we wrote. I mean we are very opinionated and all.
Anyways I know we're very excited and at the same time scared about starting the fall semester this year. For example, as happy as we are for getting out of our hell hole that we call home, we still are going to miss some of the things from home. Such as: Oso, our little puppy that cuddles with us at night, or of course grandma. I know we are very worried if she is going to be okay when we leave. I'm excited for us that we get to finally live on our own. Like we finally get to make our decisions for ourself no longer have mom in our ear complaining about everything. Like I hope we will be less stressful like we were constantly at home. I mean even though being on our own can be scary it can also be a very happy moment. I'm so nervous about the work load we are going to have during the semester. I really hope it's not too hard. I'm also nervous about us getting our first job. We don't even knew how to get a job let alone look for one. I sure hope we can find one that is enjoyable but at the same time teaches us what hard work in the work place really is.
I really hope for the first year we are able to find a total new group then what we had in high school. So tired of the people we had to put up with during that time. Hope we can get along better with people we have more things in common with. I want us to start off strong for the first year of college. I don't want us to fall apart. I hope our family can finally support us in going to college and stop with all the bs that they feed us constantly. I'm really looking forward to learning new things. Being here at the Bridge Program really had me looking at the world and the views of the world differently. And I hope we will finally be able to share what we have to offer with the rest of the world. I hope we can find whats for us here at Columbia College.
MY FIVE GOALS
1. Get way better grades and keep up with them unlike in high school
2. Finally get the independence that I have been seeking for the longest time.
3. Make new friends that will hopefully last for a life time.
4. Find the career goal that I truly want for myself.
5. Don't let those things that distract me that did in high school. aka: emotions and of course the love life...
I sure know that I have to stay focus and not let drama get in my way. That is one thing that will prevent me from doing what I need to do. My emotions are the very thing that affects everything that I do. I hope that I will have better control of my emotions then what I did. Sadly I have never had full control of my emotions. And when my emotions take over they sure do get the best of me.
Anyways with all being said I really hope this year will be the beginning of a great life that I have always wanted it to be.!!!!!
Hey so I see that we made it to the very last week. That's such a great feeling isn't it? Well how are things I've noticed that we have changed since four weeks ago. I've seen how you stand up for your opinion more and isn't afraid to speak your mind and share your ideas with those around you. It's cool that our paper writing has improved. Well I hope that it did. I remember in high school you never got anything higher than a C on a paper. I really hope that these past 9 papers were really high works compared to high school. I mean I believe that we finally did something great with writing what we wrote. I mean we are very opinionated and all.
Anyways I know we're very excited and at the same time scared about starting the fall semester this year. For example, as happy as we are for getting out of our hell hole that we call home, we still are going to miss some of the things from home. Such as: Oso, our little puppy that cuddles with us at night, or of course grandma. I know we are very worried if she is going to be okay when we leave. I'm excited for us that we get to finally live on our own. Like we finally get to make our decisions for ourself no longer have mom in our ear complaining about everything. Like I hope we will be less stressful like we were constantly at home. I mean even though being on our own can be scary it can also be a very happy moment. I'm so nervous about the work load we are going to have during the semester. I really hope it's not too hard. I'm also nervous about us getting our first job. We don't even knew how to get a job let alone look for one. I sure hope we can find one that is enjoyable but at the same time teaches us what hard work in the work place really is.
I really hope for the first year we are able to find a total new group then what we had in high school. So tired of the people we had to put up with during that time. Hope we can get along better with people we have more things in common with. I want us to start off strong for the first year of college. I don't want us to fall apart. I hope our family can finally support us in going to college and stop with all the bs that they feed us constantly. I'm really looking forward to learning new things. Being here at the Bridge Program really had me looking at the world and the views of the world differently. And I hope we will finally be able to share what we have to offer with the rest of the world. I hope we can find whats for us here at Columbia College.
MY FIVE GOALS
1. Get way better grades and keep up with them unlike in high school
2. Finally get the independence that I have been seeking for the longest time.
3. Make new friends that will hopefully last for a life time.
4. Find the career goal that I truly want for myself.
5. Don't let those things that distract me that did in high school. aka: emotions and of course the love life...
I sure know that I have to stay focus and not let drama get in my way. That is one thing that will prevent me from doing what I need to do. My emotions are the very thing that affects everything that I do. I hope that I will have better control of my emotions then what I did. Sadly I have never had full control of my emotions. And when my emotions take over they sure do get the best of me.
Anyways with all being said I really hope this year will be the beginning of a great life that I have always wanted it to be.!!!!!
Day 14: Letters to Yourselves
Yesterday, you wrote letters to the authors of your books--letters that will probably never be sent. Today, you are writing a letter to someone much more important: YOURSELF.
I know, I know--writing letters to yourselves seems a little strange. However, this is a longstanding Bridge program tradition, and it is meant as way for you to reflect on what you've learned in the program and, more importantly, for you to set goals for the coming year.
So, today you will write a letter to yourself in a 350-word blog post. Your letter should:
1. Talk about how you are different today than you were 4 weeks ago.
2. Talk about what you want out of your first year in college.
3. Talk about what you're afraid of and what you are excited about in the next year.
4. Set 5 very specific goals you plan to accomplish this year.
5. Acknowledge what--if anything--will prevent you from doing well this year.
After you have posted your letters on the blog, you must do two more things: comment on at least 3 other letters and print your letter. Once your letter is printed, come get an envelope from me, address the envelope to your permanent home address, sign and seal the letter and turn it in. I will mail it to you next summer. When I leave class today, I'll be mailing all of the letters from last year's Bridge students. Some of them will have met their goals, some of them will have not.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Letter to Mark
Dear Mark,
In the book Lost in Place I found it incredibly interesting how you as a kid did the thing you loved and wanted to become while not caring about anyone else’s opinion about you as a person. I always wondered what your parents thought though, did they look down on you and did you get in trouble by them consistently because of the crazy things you were doing in order to become a Zen Monk? I can definitely relate to you and your passion, because I myself have something that I loved and cherish even though I am growing older. I’m a bboy from Virginia; I’ve been dancing for about 5 years now. I fell in love with it in my early years as a teenager. My parents would tell me to stop and focus on school, I myself wanted to drop out of high school because I thought that school was just getting in the way of my goal on becoming an international bboy.
I loved how you went from a young kid doing silly things in order for you to achieve your goal as a Monk to becoming a young man who leaves those silly things behind and goes to college. The fact that you showed how your life turned out the way it is by doing things that you would have never expected when you were younger was really interesting to read. Did you really want to leave on becoming a monk though? What made you just forget it all about it? I myself can’t ever think about leaving the culture of bboying, I just love it too much. Is there something else that you’re extremely passionate about right now? Are you happy on how the things turned out for you in life?
In my life, I haven’t had to experience on losing someone that I used to be friends with yet. Although I don’t know how it feels, I have an idea on what I might feel. In your book, you get a call telling you that your former friend Michael passed away in a car accident. I want to know what your first thought about that incident were. Did you cry? Did you remember the things that you guys used to do together? I felt that in the book you didn’t really put that much emotion into it. Was it because you guys didn’t keep in touch and so much time has passed in both of your lives that the bond that you guys once had together wasn’t strong anymore?
Day#13 response-Nikkea
Dear Sarah, I thought your book was interesting in the sense that it was fact. It was an account of your chapters in your life. Your likes as well as dislikes of certain things. I like the fact that you used your sarcastic witty side. To acknowledge your true being and not throwing action upon your stories to comform to other authors. Also I like the fact that you dwelled on your religion. trying to study and understand the things you didnt understand but still continue to seek. that you found your religion through everyday activity. Such as reading your newspaper and drinking your holy coffee.
I like how you showed your obsession for the Godfather movie and followed Frank Sinatra's life. Informing your readers of how deep you thought of certain scenes such as Clemenza's famous words of "Leave the gun, Take the Cannoli" your love for his command with the lack of ambiguity. And how you wanted the experience a real cannoli. So you tracked down a bakery and bought your first. Agreeing with Clamenza: Leave the gun! Take the Cannoli!
Also your admiration for Frank Sinatra. To wonder where your favorite artists comes from. The reason behind some of his songs. How in his life decisions he came to being one of historys famous artists.
I loved the fact that you battled with finding your identity. More so that you werent afraid to announce that you didnt share the same things as others your age. That you chose to research your true background and understand your role. Battling that you disapproved of what Andrew Jackson did to the Cherokee tribe, but the fact is Jackson is your people too.
Another a reason I was interested in your book is because you decided to step out the box. Being twenty-eight and taking on the challenge of learning to drive. That you admitted to being afraid of driving. You stepped forward a took a advantage in leanring but you found an amusement in going through the drive-thru. Sharing a story of how your father thought of drive-thrus making him nervous so avoiding them as much as possible. that you and your sister Amy thought of drive-thrus as an object of desire, full thrills that were denied for so long. Linking your learning to drive with the thrill of fast food was an advantage for you.
Overall I liked the book. Like I stated it was about you and your adventures throughout your life. You didnt hold back what you thought and thats what made it interesting.
Nicoles Letter to Mark Salzman
Dear Mark Salzman,
I’d like to start off by introducing myself as a young adult who doesn’t read books. I know that isn’t a very great way of introducing myself to an author but it’s the truth. Since I don’t read books I knew that it was going to be a hard adjustment in college. Once I got here to Columbia College in Chicago, they assigned the class a book. Thankfully it was a good book by a great author. It was the book written by you-“Lost In Place”. Like I said before I don’t read, but I knew I had to read this book so I can pass my class. A month passes and I have read my first book and loved it!
This story has taught me to embrace change. Growing up I see you went through many changes and you took on any opportunity you could to be the best at your hobbies. I like that you added a sense of humor in your stories, but you also showed a strong side to yourself. For example when you watched your friend Michael gets suffocated by Sensi. That would be too much for me to watch, I don’t blame you for leaving kung fu after that. Not only has your story taught me a valuable lesson but it has made me hungry to read more books. In fact, my teacher has loaned me your other book “True Notebooks”. This will be my first book I will be reading that wasn’t assigned and I’m so excited to get started.
I want to thank you so much for sharing your stories with people. Since your stories are real it is easy for people like me to relate to some of your experiences. That’s why I think I was so intrigued by your book. At the end of your book you tell your dad “Not everything works out the way you want it too.” But this book was exactly what I wanted it to be and more.
Letter to The Lost Boys
Dear Benson, Benjamin and Alepho
The book They Poured Fire on Us From the Sky meant a lot more to me than I ever thought it would. When we first had to decide which out of the three books we wanted to read, this was the book I was least interested in. I didn’t see myself enjoying this book, but the way you guys portrayed your story really got me into it. I especially like the way you guys switched off every chapter and told your own separate experiences. This made it seem like your book was constantly being refreshed. Every time you I got into one of the chapters, it would switch up with and change to another one of your stories, and that really kept it easy to read. It was easy for me to connect to this book too because I of the million bones fundraiser. I felt like I was a great cause because I am helping all of the people I read about in this book. This book is really special in a way because I never got handed a book and liked it. I usually have to go searching for books I would enjoy, and I’m not really into biographies, but this one was the first and only biography I have read and actually enjoyed. One of the passages in enjoyed the most was on page 260 when Benjamin arrived at Kakuma and he said, “Everybody was there. Uncle Ajak, Alepho, Lino, Peter, and Emmanuel.” This passage brought my hopes up in a way. I feel like for every bad thing that happened in this book, which is a lot, something good happened. I feel like once all of these people were reunited that the journey was complete and everyone can be happy now. Some bad incidents did happen, but the boys finally made it to peace and moved to America in the end, which was uplifting to read. Now I said earlier that this book was easy to read and it was. But one thing I thought about the whole time was how you decided to write it like you did. It seemed like there was no particular order to who came next. I would just like to know how you decided on that.
Final Response to Danielle - Kevin
Dear Sarah,
I love how I can sense the sarcasm and smart alcy remarks you make to people throughout the book. What you talk about in your book is very relating to people of all generations. There will always be that person in your family that isn’t like anyone else and that happens to be me in mine and I like the way that you made me realize that it was okay.
One of my favorite parts was when you were in the high school band and Andy Heap was making fun of you while you were performing and you decided to stick your tongue out at him at the end of “Tico Tico.’ I could just imagine you doing this with this bittersweet face then running back to the march line. I can relate to this because when I was about 14 I was in a choir and my sister kept making faces while I was singing so I slid my middle finger on the side of my rope so that she would see it and when she did she made a very surprised face and then I was filled with satisfaction.
I really enjoyed finding out about your obsessions with Frank Sinatra and the movie Godfather. It made me get a better understanding of who you were and the things that you love in life. I know that you love your family and the differences between you guys, only made y’all stronger as a family. I think that would make any family come closer together if you were all separated for a long amount of time it would just make you want to be close again.
After reading your book it made me more of an independent because you made me see that I don’t need someone to be there for me as long as I have myself, you demonstrated this when you left your family and everyone that you loved to go to Sicily, Italy to study aboard. Leaving the ones you love would be hard at the time but as long as you are bettering yourself I guess it shouldn’t matter right? I loved how you didn’t want to be recognized by what you look like so you changed your whole appearance so that people would treat you differently. From that I want to know if you still dress in the all black and I also want to know if you ever got married and just kept your last name? (People do that a lot nowadays!)
Sincerely,
Kevin Brown
Dear Sarah !
I wanted to tell you that i like your book . It was very informing on how your life was from when you were a child till when you grew up. Honestly this is probally one of the only few books that kept my attention. I like the fact that you were open enough to talk about your life, growing up, your family and you as an Individual. One of my favorite parts was when you actually talked some much about Frank Sintra. You knew everything about him. i Honestly love Chapter "These Little Town Blues" You spoke detail about this man. One of my favoite Qoutes that i love on pg. 71 that you said was " Which is why on sintra fan can decide he's the end of the era and another can argue he's where it begins. And so is my bible, Frank Sintra is not Revelation: He's Genesis where Pop Starts." I can relate to that Line as well as the whole chapter because i myself am obbseed with a celebrity as well and i know everything about him. Its kinda of wired how i fanciate myself with Chris Brown like you do with Frank Sintra. I will Honeslty hold a whole conversation with someone about him. And the fact that you went to his home town to get more study about him, i can see myself going to his hometown to the house he lived in just to be there. Alothough i have to Disagree with you on the fact that you said Frank Sinatra is the first oringnal king of pop , Honestly ill have to give it to Michael Jackson. Its just my opinoin.
I like the fact that you traveld as much as you did. I loved that you came to chicago and talked about the bridges and you knew so much about them Just by reading this book i learned more then i didnt know about my own city. Like on page 96 you said you folllowed tidbits "a couple of french explorers who a plaque on the bridge said there was a Indian Massacrue in front of Bugar King." I never knew that, and im sure alot of other students didnt know that as well, becuase they never taught that in any of my history classes. I aslo love the fact that you used alot of Slang and talk the way us teens talk for intense on page 98 you said " The first person to get cracking" I would have never thought someone of your age group would actually use slang like that, and other was how you said "Low Key". Its just surpirsing to me. But back to the fact how you taught me more then i knew about chicago, On page 99 you said the "Du Sable built a small wood cabin on what is now the site of a thristy five story office tower called Equitable Building. I never heard of the equitable buillding nor knew Du Sable even had a wood cabin. Maybe thats why they have a musem named after him.
Over all i just wanted to say that i appericate the book and i hope you are still writingbooks about your life and your writing about events that recently been happening to you.
Fan, Eric
Dear Mark Salzman,
The hilarious, and sometimes serious, way you portrayed your early life was pretty fun for me to follow along with. This book represented how fun creative non-fiction could be, it gave me this idea that if I actually make it out to be a decent novelist one day I could write a funny little real story about my own life, giving readers who enjoy what I write an insight on who I am. The book had many great parts in it, but the most remarkable parts to me would have to be, when you first started taking lessons from "O'Keefe", became close friends with your old bully "Michael", and to wrap it up when you got high and when you got busted.
I'll start with O'Keefe, the embarassment you must have felt when he said, "I am the master of this house, and in this house, I say who starts where, not anybody else, and not anybody's mommy. Is that clear? (pg. 30)". That part in particular would have broken lesser kids who wanted to further their own passion for different cultures, but even through your beginning abuse you still stuck with it. I could say I am the same in a way, my own passion is fantasy writing, and I would have to say I had my spirit broken many times in different ways. One I can recall is when I used a fantastical (I don't know if it's a word but it is now) approach to a science project. I used Dragons to represent... well I don't really remember what they did, I think molecules. I was allowed to do this because of what happened to me before, a kid in my class thought he was tough shit and wound up punching me hard in the face leaving a black eye. I wouldn't say I didn't deserve that, but when I was up there presenting that I got weird stares and laughed at by most of the people in the class.
With how Michael was concerned, I thought it was just cool how you and your old bully bonded over one thing, even if that one thing tore you two apart in the end. When you were practicing Kung Fu was when I was most intrigued by this encounter. "Let's work out this afternoon. (pg. 87)" Was a marking stone between you and Michaels relationship and mutual bonding over the art of Kung Fu. I have a situation not so similar, but still great in a way. One of my close buddies I have was a total freak back in 6th grade, and he even agrees with me too. He was like that one guy who would spy through your window as you took a shower type of freak, well that's what I took him for. Being an outcast myself, to outcast someone really says something, but sometime during 6th grade, perhaps towards the end, I had mutual respect for him and actually got to know him better. I didn't treat him in my mind like I did before, but rather I changed for the better and became friends with him. I would say I was Michael in this situation.
Now, when you got high was just the funniest part of the book to me. In your quest for enlightment you looked for it in a hallucinagin, thinking what you saw was you seeing the world clearly. The funniest part of this was when you got the bright idea to grow pot in your house, the funniest quote to me was when your younger brother just pointed it out to your father. Isn't this weird? This picture lookls just like the little plants that have been coming up in a bunch of Dad's pots. (pg 186)" I was laughing hard at your own expense and how easily your little brother called you out on your little scheme. I had a similar situation myself, but it was when I was like 8. I stole, maybe, over 200 pokemon cards from meijer, just stuffed the packs in my pockets and opened them up when I came home. My older brother thought I was "Holding out" on him with the cards and exposed me for stealing the cards themselves. We weren't able to give them back, but it's funny to me now that the most I've ever stolen is 200 cards, maybe 75$, worth of pokemon cards!
It was entertaining to read of your early life and how I can even relate it to my own life, it was worth the time to sit down and read this fantastic book. Hope to find more as I go on.
From Vincent Bruno
Sam Setzer Letter to Sarah Vowell
Dear Sarah Vowell-
You're book was pretty rad. I think you're a pretty damn funny gal. I really enjoyed sitting down after a long day and reading the essays from your book. I've read many books in my day, and I really enjoyed your stories. Never a dull moment. I'd say that my favorite story was "These Little Brown Blues", in which you travel to Hoboken New Jersey in search for authentic Frank Sinatra memorabilia. You discuss your favorite bands, and I must say, we have a very similar taste in music. Great job! I'm curious, what have you been listening to recently? Do you have any recommendations? Also, have you traveled back to Hoboken at all? I'm curious because I felt that you were ambiguous about the way you felt about it. Did you enjoy your time there, or did it remind you too much of Bozeman Montana? They are both very small towns. Back to the music: You say on page that 72 that you are a fan of Sleater-Kinney. If this is true, have you seen Carrie Brownstein’s show, "Portlandia"? It's pretty funny and I think you'd really dig it.
How's your dad doing with his guns? Has a made any new cannons or weapons? My dad is the same way. I think your dad and my dad should hang out sometime. He goes to Montana to go fishing all the time. I think he loves Montana more than me (kidding). When I was growing up, my dad would always try to take me duck hunting with him. I would usually decline his generous invitation, but I've gone a few times and I must say that while I do not thoroughly enjoy waking up early and sitting in the cold for five hours, it is nice to see your dad in his element like that. It makes me happy to see him happy.
You're pretty rad, Sarah. If you read this and actually enjoy it, give me a shout out on NPR. That'd be pretty cool.
Regards-
Sam V. Setzer
Dear Lost Boys
Dear Benson, Alepho, and Benjamin,
I cannot even begin to express how your stories touched me. First let me say thank you for such honesty. I have never read a book full of so much truth. Normally I read love stories that everyone wishes to happen to them. My favorite aurthor is Nicholas Sparks. Anyways besides the point I always seemed to be touched by the stories that showed how much a person cared for each other. Surprisingly I felt like reading your story was just like reading a love story. All three of you had so much heart in what you were saying that I felt the love. Not only that but it seemed like you really loved one another. At all times you thought of those that you cared about the most and how you wanted to get back to them.
"Since I'd left home, my life hadn't been safe; I'd always thought I was going to die. At last in Kakuma I believed I would survive." For some reason that line from your story touched me the most. I felt your fear and your hope. Benjamin for as young as you were when you went through all this I felt your maturity in all this. I saw you fighting for everything you went through. I almost feel like you were the strongest. Now I don't want to get down on you Benson, or even you Alepho I believe all three of you were strong. But Benjamin you were so young and you took such good care of yourself, especially when your leg got infected. And look it healed and why because YOU yourself took care of it and made sure it healed.
I find it interesting that you three were running away from your home but hopeing that one day you'd return back to your home. The ironic part to me is the fact that you ended up to where I lived. The United States! I wonder if you guys ever think about how it would have been if you were able to return home.
I find it saddening that you guys were constantly transported to a new town and it seemed that no one wanted you guys around along with all of your people where they were from. Like the closer you got to safety it seemed like people wanted to help you less and less. You all recieved help, but sometimes you guys wern't treated right. To the point that you wanted to escape from where you guys were taken. "No you're not. We know you guys live in Natinga and you have to go back now." It's like you guys were slaves or rebels instead of boys worth protecting. Everyone was so quick to send you back. Its almost like everyone wanted to send you back where you came from which is confusing to me beacuse you guys were post to end up at a better place.
But then again you guys did end up in a better place. I'm curious how you guys look at life now and what you guys have done with your lives. Like living in the United States is it what you imagined to be? Do you want to go back to your home or are you happy where you guys are at now? I know it probably is still scary cause like we have problems just like you guys did. Of course no one is attacking our home land every second. But we still do get attacked. Like Sept 11. It's sad that you guys had to see that especially when you just came from where the exact same people were attacking. Its like they never give anyone a rest. I wonder if you guys felt like "why do we keep seeing violence?"
I hope that your lives are how you want them to be even though your not back home where you guys wanted to be so long ago. I hope you three were able to make a new home for yourselves that brings you all happiness.
Day 13: Letters to Your Authors
Congrats, folks! If you're reading this, you've made it to the last week of the Bridge program. At this point, we can all clearly see the light at the end of the tunnel; you are only 4 days away from being admitted to Columbia College Chicago! However, let's not use this as a time to ease up on all of the hard work you've been doing. Instead, I'd like for these next 4 days to prove to both Perrin and I exactly why you're still here; show us that we're making the right decision by passing you.
Another reason you should be celebrating is that--maybe for the first time ever (as many of you admitted)--you've finished a full book! For the past 3 weeks, you've been writing daily blog posts about your reading. Today, I want you to write your final blog post about the book. Here's what I'd like for you each to do:
1. Write a 350 word (yes--350 word) letter to the author(s) of your book ("Dear Sarah"). Remember: you are all reading works of non-fiction. So, that means these are true stories written by REAL people. In your letter, you should do several things: talk about what the book meant to YOU (was it the first book you read? the first book you liked?), talk specifically about your favorite parts of the book and your favorite quotes/passages (think of things you'll keep with you long after you've finished reading), and bring up any questions you have about the book (questions about either the story or the lives of the authors). We are looking for these letters to be deeply thoughtful, personal and smart.
2. Include a photo in your post.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Repsonse Day 11
Response Day 11- After some of the info on the one million bones website, I realized how serious this issue really is. I didn’t know there was genocide going on in all these countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia, Burma and much more. On the website it talks about how millions of people have been displaced from their home countries into surrounding countries. All of that can cause even more problems like over population. It even talks about how in one of the countries there are places called “black zones” were soldiers are allowed to shoot at anyone they see. I found this incredibly disturbing that they just have zones labeled where you can kill anything or anyone. I think it’s so easy for any normal citizen of the U.S. to ignore conflicts like this because it doesn’t affect them in anyway. Also genocides like this don’t have much publicity whatsoever so a lot of people simply don’t even know that all of this is going on. I am somewhat confused on when a conflict actually starts to be considered genocide. Some of the stories on the website seem like most civilians killed are killed on complete accident. I used to think genocide was strictly just a government killing citizens of their country for weak reasons. I think it’s that this project was started and so many people are participating in it. Pouring one million bones in the countries capital is probably one of the best ways to get publicity for all of the genocide that is happening around the world that a lot of people don’t even stop to think about. I am glad that I get to contribute to this knowing that I had a part in it. I am playing a little role in helping, but I’m sure a lot of people will appreciate
Nicole Day 11 responce
I have always had some kind of idea about the Genocide, but after reading what I just read impacted me tremendously. I mostly read up on the survivor stories. This section caught my attention because I wanted to hear their stories so I can really try to get a feel of the pain that they are going through. It is too hard to imagine what it must feel like to watch your child be sick and eventually die from it. It must be hard being a father who has to risk his life just to feed his family. It must be hard to be a helpless mother who has to make sure all of her children are healthy. It must be hard to be a child who thinks making shelter out of mud is normal. All I can think is “it must be hard” but I can never completely grasp what pain they are feeling.
I am so excited to contribute to the OMB project because I feel that any little thing I can do can make a difference. After reading their stories made me come to a weird connection. I was thinking that people who live normal lives in the US desire to be someone famous or live a rich life because it is a life changing experience. People who are going through Genocide desire to come to the US and just be healthy because it would be a whole different lifestyle. This connection made me realize that once you are living a good life, it is easy to take things for granted and not be thankful. I am aware of what is going on and I thank God that I live the life that I live today but I will never be one of those people who ignore the tragedies that are in this world. I will do whatever I can to help- even if it’s just by making a bone to contribute to the OMB project.
Being able to participate in this project will give me the artistic opportunity to express how I really feel about the situation. I have some ideas going through my head about exactly how I’m going to make the bone. Even though my bone may not be seen because it will be hidden by 999,999 other bones, that doesn’t mean I won’t put everything I can into this bone to make it something special. This bone will be filled with my thoughts and emotions towards Genocide. Thank you for introducing me to this!
I am so excited to contribute to the OMB project because I feel that any little thing I can do can make a difference. After reading their stories made me come to a weird connection. I was thinking that people who live normal lives in the US desire to be someone famous or live a rich life because it is a life changing experience. People who are going through Genocide desire to come to the US and just be healthy because it would be a whole different lifestyle. This connection made me realize that once you are living a good life, it is easy to take things for granted and not be thankful. I am aware of what is going on and I thank God that I live the life that I live today but I will never be one of those people who ignore the tragedies that are in this world. I will do whatever I can to help- even if it’s just by making a bone to contribute to the OMB project.
Being able to participate in this project will give me the artistic opportunity to express how I really feel about the situation. I have some ideas going through my head about exactly how I’m going to make the bone. Even though my bone may not be seen because it will be hidden by 999,999 other bones, that doesn’t mean I won’t put everything I can into this bone to make it something special. This bone will be filled with my thoughts and emotions towards Genocide. Thank you for introducing me to this!
Day 11 - Response to Danielle : Kevin
The genocide has been going on for quite a while and I just thought that it was something recent that only happened within the past years. I was wrong about that and many other things that I thought I knew, like what was going on in the Congo. There have been over 5 million deaths in the Congo just since 1996. This is slowly decreasing because now they only have about 400 deaths per year, which is still bad but it’s a slow progress. I knew that the Forces Democratique de Liberation du Rwanda (FDLR) killed and raped but I didn’t know they were on such a horrible rampage.
I figured out what the logo for OMB actually stood for while reading this. I would have never gotten it without this helpful information. A woman named Marie Shriver wanted to contribute her talents to the OMB Foundation so she took it upon herself to make a logo with 6 grey and white circles symbolizing the 6 zeros in the number 1,000,000. When you look at the logo it looks like it could be a target and that’s exactly what it is. The target is to stop this genocide.
For tomorrow I plan to make 3 specials bones for 3 special survivors of this genocide. While reading I came across Ousman, his home was destroyed in Darfar and has been living in a home/shelter for 5 years now. Then I met Adef, his son died on his wifes back while they were trying to escape the killers but he had to leave his baby son’s dead body beyond to save the rest of his family. Finally I met a sweetheart Leila; she lives in a refugee camp in Eastern Chad and is living off the aid which is now in risk. These few people have inspired me to further my knowledge with the OMB.
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