A Time When I had to Interact With a Culture Different From My Own...

Before I moved to Chicago, I can honestly say that I have never been so surrounded and flooded with so many people of different cultures, but I feel so privileged to be able to now. I've grown up in both San Diego, California and Barrington, Illinois. With San Diego being the eighth largest city in the United States, located along the Pacific Ocean, you may think it has a variety of diversity. Let alone, it does, but from the particular neighborhood in which I was from had over a 60% white population. And as for Barrington, which is a part of the greater metropolitan area of Chicago, has the seventh wealthiest zip code in the country and has roughly a 96% white population. Aside from race and ethnicity, I've always been surrounded by these hard-working, upper-class people who could always afford just about anything. It's like I've been living in a bubble my entire life. But have the opportunity to live in Chicago and enjoy this wonderful college experience has been a real eye-opener. I have been exposed to so many different people- whether it be of their culture, race, or just their lifestyle. I've learn to realize that not everyone was raised in the same fantasy-like and stuck-up, conceited world full of money and morals that I was. I'm happy to have met so many awesome people in the city, regardless of everything. 

What makes a great film?

Great movies do not always have to be something that immediately strikes the viewer's interest, it can be based on a subject that people dislike. Special effects; which play on people's imaginations, a cool soundtrack, scenery, and camera angles can make a movie spectacular! I've found that movies that are based on real life events and touch the audience through strong emotion are appealing; and also create better movie standards. Films also have to be understandable and provide insight to each of the character's personalities, roles, etc that in the end provide laughter or terrifies; just simply entertaining us. I enjoy films with an exciting storyline or seriously cool effects. A movie does nothing for the audience if the acting is amazing but the story is lost in the first five minutes. Although decent acting is appreciated, it honestly has no true impact without a decent plot. Audiences also do not enjoy seeing repetition in movie themes and plots with the only significant difference being the cast. Movies that include climax and emotion and true feelings capture the viewer's attention, making them more inclined to watch it with respect and try to connect in some way.

Summer...Here I come!

The countdown begins. There are just about four weeks left of school...well, for this year at least! I am so excited as it's been a hectic and an extremely busy, homework-packed semester...it's time for a break. I'm excited to spend my very first summer downtown in my own apartment with one of my best friends and some other cool kids who plan on staying nearby for the summer as well. I mean, i'll still be taking some courses for school and i'll most likely be working tons during the week, but it'll still be a blast...chilling at the beach and enjoying the warm weather. Now, all I just have to get through the rest of THIS semester...it's hard when there's summer to look forward to...