Muse Workshop #3

In this workshop we learned about the effects of sexuLly transmitted infections (STI). The instructor Kiana told us how to contract these infections, how to go about treating them, and the responsibilities we need to take to insure a safer sex life. Of course the most effective way not to contract any of these infections is abstinence, but for those who choose to have sex it is a good idea to use a condom.Kiana even told us where we can go to get free condoms and that the health center gives out free tests to make sure you are STI free. At the end of the workshop we got into groups, created posters, and presented facts on different STI's to the class. Another thing I learned was that HPV cannot be tested in men which is something I didn't know before attending this workshop.

Lyric Analysis (Extra Credit)

I chose the song In Bloom by Nirvana to analyze. I decided to analyze these lyrics because they might not make sense to someone listening to it the first time. The song starts out with a simple but catchy guitar riff followed by the verse accompanied by the base line. The very first line is "sell the kids for food" which I believe means that teens are replaceable and invaluable so you're better off getting rid of them for something you can actually use. The chorus is basically describing kids who listen to songs, mess things up ("likes to shoot his gun") and they generally don't have any idea what's going on around them ("don't know what it means") which in a way could make them seem self centered. The next verse goes like this; "we can have some more; nature is a whore". This is very similar to the first verse because again Cobain is exclaiming how you don't need teens/ kids because you can always make more if you really need to. The rest of the song consists of the chorus, a guitar solo, and the chorus again. Basically the entire meaning of this song has to be the misunderstanding of teenagers value and worth in society. Yes they can be juvenile and violent, but they do serve a purpose. I don't think Cobain is against his generation in this song I just think he is expressing how others view him and other kids. 

Movie Soundtrack

1.) Anestesia (Pulling Teeth) by Metallica- In the first chapter Junior explains how he is born with ten extra teeth and needs to get them pulled. After reading the part about the doctors believing Indians only felt half as much pain as white people, I automatically felt a sense of unfairness and inequality. I feel like the second half of this song is as violent and torturous as the decision to only give him half the amount of Novocain. The title of the song seemed appropriate as well. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iOmo0ZuyNk) The "violent and torturous" part starts at around 2:10

2.) Gimme Shelter by The Rolling Stones- One of the biggest issues in Juniors life is the cycle of poverty he is trapped in which is why I can see this song being played. Also the line "it's just a shot away" stood out because Junior's father shot Oscar as he was running away. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcCTKtyzaXc)

3.) Stuck in A Moment by U2- I can see this song playing when Mr. P is telling Junior to go to a place where people have hope. I think of the song to be very inspiring which is why it would go perfect with this scene. The lines from the song like "I never thought you were a fool" and "You've got to stand up straight and carry your own weight" tie in perfect with the message Mr. P is trying to express to Junior. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yq60_Wxx5T0&feature=related)

4.) All By Myself by Eric Carmen- This song is very appropriate when it comes to Junior's best friend Rowdy not wanting to talk to him because he changed schools and kids at his new school not wanting to talk to him because they think he is "crazy". Junior is isolated and for the most part, all by himself feeling "insecure and distant". (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bf9txfsMhU0)

5.) Help! by The Beatles- I can see this song being played during the time Junior is trying to fit in with kids at school and when he looks for advice on what to do after punching Roger in the face. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3t8MeE8Ik4Y)

6.) A Little Respect by Erasure- This would go well in the scene where Junior sees Rowdy in his window. He flips him off but has enough respect not to rip up his cartoon. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPGU5HBthM4)

7.) You Are So Beautiful by Joe Cocker- Play this while Junior develops feelings for Penelope. Pretty obvious. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spsVigJCvNU)

8.) Cemetery Gates by Pantera- I feel like this song would fit in well with the scenes after Junior's Grandmother dies. The song starts off slow and then gets angry. The song also talks about losing someone, "being alone while the memories still live on", and wondering whether they are watching over them. This could also be used during the part his sister Mary dies. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nX_pSFXuoL0) First verse starts at 2:08 and the chorus starts at 2:34.

9.) You're My Best friend by Queen- I can see the book ending on this song while Junior and Rowdy are playing hoops and starting to become friends again. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tN_HVup9oOg)

Bucket List

5 years from now i hope to be finished with college. Even though i know it is not a for sure thing I am going to do everything I can to graduate after 4 years. If I need to take summer courses or even classes during winter I will. As of right now I do not have a major declared but I was thinking about Economics since I am interested in possibly getting involved with the real estate business. I have to finish my GE courses before I can start taking classes related to that major. Those classes include accounting, finance, statistics, macro economics, and micro economics plus various other classes. In ten years I hope to have made a career for myself that I enjoy. I can't say I'll have a wife and family in ten years because that is just something you can't predict. All I know is that I want to have a career established before I get married and have children but I may change my mind. Who knows. In 20 years I definitely expect to have a family, a home, and making a comfortable living. I've always wanted to move to southern California so maybe I will end up there.

Senior Interviews

I first interviewed an RA in my building named Richie. He said you never really know what to expect going to to college obviously, but for the most part he thinks that he has learned more about himself than he had expected. You come to college and expect things to change but things that happen aren't what you plan and he has tried to embrace things as they came. He said his Business Major never changed. He thinks that when you let things develop you learn to accept what has happened even if they weren't the most admired moments in his life. He is definitely not happy with every decision he has made but he is happy with the way he has grown and what he has learned from everything that has happened. He said he wouldn't change anything because he might not have learned the lessons that turned him into who he is today. Regarding freshman he says one of the most important things is to actively try to find yourself and to pursue what you want to do and who you want to be. When you find that out everything else is secondary. Just find what you are good at and embrace it.

My Second interview was with one of my co workers in the student union named Felix. He says that in College the teachers teach you completely different than they do in high school because they expect you to learn on your own more. College is also much more diverse and of course the number of people can be overwhelming at times. When asked what he would do differently he said he would have taken things more seriously from the start of school instead of just going out and having fun all of the time. He says that joining a fraternity definitely helped him because he had much more resources and they even helped him find his first two jobs. Networking is key he says. He changed his major from international business to graphic design with another major in photography because he felt they complimented each other. His advice for freshman is to enjoy college while focusing on studies. Learn as much as you can while you are here and make the most of everything you're paying for. Money shouldn't have to be an issue because once you leave and go out into the real world your education will benefit you financially.

Muse Workshop #2

Today I went to a muse workshop about the A,B, C's of self-esteem. The professor Dr. Lee was a very good speaker and had many useful tips that might help the quality of ones life and how they can learn to improve the lives of others. Her objectives were to understand the sources of self esteem, gain skills in increasing self esteem, and being able to craft an action plan in order for you cultivate a stable self esteem level. It is not good for self esteem to fluctuate during the day and one of the goals is to prevent this from happening. The sources of self esteem is virtue, God's love, family support, academic competence, physical attractiveness, gaining others approval, and outdoing others in competition. Another tip is to never compare because there is no such thing as a fair comparison and this will only lead to less self esteem. At the end of the presentation Dr. Lee advised us to make a 21 day plan which will hopefully help us accomplish a higher level of self esteem. I chose to compliment others for 21 days since I feel like I have a healthy amount of self esteem and I know there are many people out there who do not and could use a push in the right direction.

Music List #4

1.) The Beatles- Most of their songs have a fast tempo and they sing about how it feels to love and be loved.

2.) Chris Isaak- Like the Beatles, 90% of his songs are about falling in love and having the strength to overcome pain from a lost love.

3.) Bob Marley- This man brought so many people together by his deep and powerful lyrics about peace, love, and hope.

4.) ZZ Top- Their songs are mainly about women and are always up-beat and have high energy.

5.) Van Halen- Very energetic band with an I-don't-care attitude that allows them to sing about anything and everything they want. I don't know one song of theirs that is depressing and slow. Eddie Van Halen probably wouldn't allow that.