Favorable Living

 

               When discussing and seeking a good place to live a person should first know what “good” refers to.  According to Merriam Webster, good means something of a “favorable character or tendency” (Merriam-Webster).

                New York City being that favorable place is impossible. This city provides poor education, highest crime-rates and pollution.

                I was raised being enrolled into the New York City Public schools from kindergarten to high-school. These schools do not teach students the proper and updated material. In fourth grade I still was not taught the basics of math and how to write in script. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with me but because of my sources, I was academically behind. “In New York City public schools, a student’s educational outcomes and opportunity to learn are statistically more determined by where he or she lives than their abilities” (Sugar and Ellis).

                Poor education is not the only reason why New York City is not a favorable place to live. Crime-rates are sky-high. It is almost impossible to turn on the news without hearing about murders, rape and assaults. And it's definitely not the news reporters making this up because at night I witness many violent actions. My family constantly hears gun-shots, people yelling for help. We get much sleep-less nights from having to call police. And when there are no crimes, they are always couples fighting! It’s a never-ending story.

               Pollution in New York City is so bad it’s causing deaths. According to NYC Environmental protection 6% people die because of this horrible environmental issue.

               With all these daily issues a New Yorker has to deal with; I would not recommend New York City a "good" or favorable place to live.

WORK CITED

"Air Pollution" NYC Environmental Protection. N.d. City of New York. WEB Feb 27th 2014

“Good” Merriam-Webster. N.d. Merriam-Webster. WEB February 27th 2014

“School district inequities are barrier to quality education for New York City's poor, Black and Hispanic students, Schott Foundation report finds” Schott Foundation for Public Education. April 17 2012.  Schott Foundation for Public Education. WEB February 27th, 2014

Who wouldn't live in a place with no flaws??

New York City is the greatest in the world. New York City is an awesome place to live in. There is always something going on, their is loads to do, every kind of ethnic group conceivable and it is always in the news. New York City is rich with attractions and you will always be occupied, you would never have no fun living here. Although your financial situation will affect your quality of life here there are countless activities for every social class. I am unfortunate of not having the best financial situation but I still find the best possible ways to entertain myself and keep myself active and that's what makes me love this city. If you still don't believe that New York is a beautiful place to live just look towards the tourists. New York in 2012 had 52.7 millions tourists. The amount of tourists also increases by two million annually. If more and more tourists are constantly visiting New York City there must be a reason, they enjoy the lifestyle of us New Yorkers and so they come to observe our culture and want to be a part of it. Who better to be guided by than the tourists of other countries, they hear rumors of the Big Apple and decide to visit this state compared to others. When people from other countries say they've never been to America they picture it as huge skyscrapers. New York has the most iconic skyline and for that people outside of the United States picture it all like New York. Also we have the best food. Due to the fact we have such a diversity in our tri-state area we have a huge selection of food to choose from. You will never be accustomed to one culture of food. New York City is known for also having some of the best clothing stores. Fifth Avenue is one of the world's most famous shopping streets. It has a huge array of clothing to choose from for both genders. In New York there is no reason anyone should not have a good time. If your part of New York you will see why this is the most appreciated state in all of America.

http://www.nycgo.com N.D  N.P

Cookie Cutter City

The great New York City! Vastly known for its bright lights, tall skyscrapers, and marvelous Broadway shows! Well at least that’s what the rest of the world sees. In movies we often hear “I’m moving to New York to follow my dreams”. But is it really that cookie cutter city everyone thinks? I believe not, and as for living here in the city I’ll tell you that if you have a stable job with good income then yes it’s a great place to live, but otherwise it is not so great after all.

Rent is the worst part. Throughout the last couple years New York City has been the hotspot of gentrification. Gentrification is a shift in an urban community toward wealthier residents or businesses and increasing property values of the poorer residents of the community. Eventually, leaving the residents of the community with extreme rents to pay or just pushing them out of the neighborhood completely.

 “Have you seen Fort Greene Park in the morning? It’s like the mother-effing Westminster Dog Show!”(“NY Daily News”). That was Spike Lee’s rant about gentrification in Brooklyn. Brooklyn went from one of the poorest neighborhoods in the city to one of the wealthiest in a matter of years. I guess some people have a positive view on it. But what happens to those families who have to move away due to the rent hikes they are faced with? Well they end up on the streets. Sad but true. According to the New York City Department of Homelessness, the total number of homeless people in shelters is about 53,270. An increase compared to past numbers.

 Because of this is why I believe New York City is not a great place to live if you are not economically stable. With the rent you pay for an apartment in the city, you can pay a mortgage for your own house upstate. Where you would truly live way more comfortable, than here in a noisy and polluted city. But indeed we are all different so if you like the city and think you could live a good live here than go for it! Don’t let me kill your dreams now.

           

Work Cited

 

"The Gentrification of Spike Lee." New York Daily News. 26 02 2014, Editoial n. pag. Web. 27 Feb. 2014.

Lets take it back: 1930's

The "Boogie down Bronx" is what many call it, that’s where I’m from. The Bronx has been recognized throughout the years for its great musical contributions to society. Not the mention the great artist who come from the borough such as Jennifer Lopez, Billy Joel, Mary J. Blige, Hector Lavoe, Tito Puente, rapper Big Pun and many more.

 “The Bronx has been known as “el condado de salsa” or the borough of salsa” (Osterhout). It all started in the 1930’s when the Cubans brought their amazing rhythms over to the United States, and of course the Bronx was one of the most fortunate who benefited from the wonderful music.   

 As soon as the weather starts getting back up to the 70 degree mark, prepare yourself to listen to the wonderful melodies of salsa all around the borough. You could walk down East Tremont, Crotona, Burnside almost anywhere and you’ll hear some salsa playing. It’s just so uplifting and joyous that you just want to dance right then and there.

 Not too long ago I went to visit an old friend around the Crotona area of the Bronx and there it was old school salsa by Hector Lavoe playing! It was so beautiful to hear the melodies and harmonies of the instruments as he sings. The music was nothing like the music from now, where it is all “digitally altered”. I think I fell in love, because trust me when i say that ever since that day I can’t stop listening to it.

 "Salsa music is an integral part of the Bronx identity," says multi-Grammy-nominated percussionist (and Bronx Walk of Fame inductee) Bobby Sanabria. "You can't mention the Bronx without talking about salsa. So even though there are no big salsa ballrooms in the Bronx anymore, the love of the music is still there. And it's important to keep that part of our character."

 54.3% of the Bronx’s population is Hispanic (U.S Census Bureau).  That’s a great number compared to the other Boroughs in New York City. It’s no secret that the Bronx is filled with great music from all over the world. I believe that it is what gives the Bronx its “Spice” or “A leg up” that some other places may not have. The Bronx is one of the most Musical places you could find, there’s music spurring out of almost every corner.

 

 

Works Cited

 Osterhout, Jacob E. "Salsa Dancing in the Bronx Is Decades-long Tradition, Intertwined with NYC Character: Bobby Sanabria." New York Times [New York] 3 July 2011: n. pag. Print.

 U.S Census Bureau. N.p.: n.p., n.d. U.S Department of Commerce. Web. 27 Feb. 2014. <http://http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/36/36005.html>.

Love and Hate

     I was born and raised in New York City. I love where I come from, but it isn’t easy growing up here. People here are tough and there’s a ton of violence, but it feels as if something is holding me here. My heart is here.

     As a mother I no longer am living for myself, but for my children. Although I still have a lot of growing up to do, I’m not worried about myself. I want to make sure I raise great little people that are ready for the world. The environment they live in has a lot to do with their character when they get older. Living in New York City gives you tough skin. Nasty looks and cruel comments don’t affect me. That’s one trait I don’t mind my children gaining from living in New York City, but I don’t want them to think everyone is like that.

     As a child we would frequently visit Orlando, Florida. People over there were so nice. Everyone greeted you with a smile and seemed so happy. That’s what I think of when thinking back to when I was there (not so much the case now).  I remember riding my cousin’s bike around the dead end street, playing on their lawn and jumping off the diving board in their pool in their backyard. I have always said I want that and more for my kids.

     I want to own a home, but New York City is expensive. I want to live in a safe neighborhood, but the violence in New York City is insane. For instance, up the block from where I live a woman was beat with sticks and robbed for her phone by three other women (“NYPD: 3 suspects Assaulted, Robbed Victim At Bronx Park”). This took place at the park I would go to almost every day with my two young children. Since then I visit less or make sure my husband accompanies us. I don’t want my children experiencing these things. I understand violence happens everywhere but I don’t want to live where it occurs most.  

     Not all is bad in New York City. They say New York is the land of opportunities which I believe is true, but nothing is handed to you. I am 25 years old and run a cake decorating business. I’ve worked very hard to get where I am now (which is not even close to where I’d like to be). Competition in New York City is very real! People here don’t mind stepping on you to get ahead, but that’s my opinion. Even with the competition I have managed to become quite successful. There’s money here and people don’t mind paying big bucks for small things. My sister tried to start the same business in Florida and was unsuccessful. Florida may be beautiful but you won’t make the same money you make here over there unless you’re lucky.

 

     To sum it up, I love living New York City, but if I can take bits and pieces of others places I would. You can say I have a love and hate relationship with my city.

 

Work cited

 “NYPD: 3 suspects Assaulted, Robbed Victim At Bronx Park”. www.newyork.cbslocal.com. July 1, 2013. CBS Local Media. Web February 27, 2014

Is that French?

  Is it weird I stalk people on the train who talks another language besides English or Spanish? For me is actually very normal. I love listening to people speaking a language I barely understand. It was a saturday morning and as always, I was out of the house very early. I waited several minutes for the train until it finally arrived. I did not complained about the time I had to wait for the train because it is usual for the train to last longer in the weekends. I mean.. the people who work for the MTA have a life too, don't they? Just put yourself in that position of having to work on weekends.
  Anyways, the train arrived in the station and I got inside the train. The wagon was practically empty, there were only a few people in it. I was the only one standing as always. I love to practice balance for my pirouettes while the train is in motion. It took me like four minutes to hear that the couple that was sitting right in front of me were speaking in French. But they didn't even looked like they were from France. According to the New York Times, "French is now spoken mostly by people who aren’t French. More than 50 percent of them are African." They did not look French.  I was actually very impress and just wanted to jump in the conversation with a "bonjour". I had my headphones on with no music because I didn't want them to think I was listening to their conversation. They didn't even looked at me once. I sat down right next to them when the train stopped as if I was tired. I would be freaked out if someone sat right next to me while the train car was completely empty. But they didn't even payed attention to me!
  I started to listen to their conversation and to look at their lips because hearing it wasn't enough. I felt transparent. They didn't care that I was less than a feet to them. I thought that the conversation was extremely interesting or that they didn't mind me being there because I wasn't going to understand a word they were saying. They didn't even paused to take a breathe.
  I did not want to leave their side but my stop had come, and sadly, I had to get out of the train. After I stopped listening to them, I realized I did not understand a word they said. Not because I don't understand French, but because it wasn't French after all. I was too focused on them not speaking English or Spanish, that I missed the language in which they were really speaking!


                                                                     WORK CITED
Kimmelman, Michael "Pardon My French" The New York Times. April 21, 2010. NYtimes. Web. Feb 20, 2014.

Old Music is Still Alive

 I have never been a big fan of classical music but after my music teacher from last semester had us review classical music I became a fan. Zexun Shen is a cellist whose student recital I attended at the Mannes School of Music on Sunday.Shen’s first piece that he performed was Johannes Brahms Sonata in E minor op.38, in my opinion this performance started off a little bit slow but this may be because the first movement has a melody that gains and loses in intensity and dynamics. Shen’s second performance was Franz Joseph Haydn's Cello Concerto No.2 in D Major which I thought it was very good. In the first movement the sound was very pleasant. While the development section imposes a variety of technical demands on the cellist, whose left hand literally races up and down the fingerboard Shen handled it with ease. In the second movement the pianist Pei-Hsuan Tsai was out of key it  may be just me but I felt that the piano was out of place.The third movement is Allegro Rondo which was my favorite part of the piece. Shen showed showed great virtuosity and elicited expressive tones from his rich-sounding cello. 

After a brief intermission Shen then began to play Johann Sebastian Bach Suite No.4 in E-flat Major which by far was his longest and best piece in my opinion. The music that Shen played was so simple and pleasant that it made me close my eyes that I did not want to write anything down so that I won’t miss anything.One thing that caught my attention was that Shen was no longer using his sheet music which really impressed me, his cello solo in the end really showed that he is virtuoso. Zexun Shen’s final performance was Beethoven Sonata in A major which was really simplistic and I enjoyed so well. What really amazes me about Beethoven was that "Beethoven was a prodigiously talented musician from his earliest days and displayed flashes of the creative imagination that would eventually reach farther than any composer's before or since." (Beethoven).Overall Zexun Shen is a remarkable celloist he sounded more like an experienced professional than a student, he has his whole life ahead to make a mark on the world of classical cello playing. I became a huge fan of his and hope to watch more of his performances in the future. Old music is still alive.

Work Cited:

Ludwig Beethoven." 2014. The Biography Channel .n.p.n.d.website. Feb 19 2014