Family

Demonstrating the diversity of family forms.

In my opinion, I feel that many people nowadays have their own definition of what a family consist of. However, advertisements, television shows, movies and books give us a different sense of what a family should be. It is portrayed as the nuclear family, consisting of a father, mother and their biological children. Out of curiosity I looked up the dictionary meaning to the word family and this is what I got;
a. A fundamental social group in society typically consisting of one or two parents and their children.
b. Two or more people who share goals and values, have long-term commitments to one another, and reside usually in the same dwelling place.

As for me, my definition of family means relatives and the people who I hold closest to my heart. But if someone were to ask me in terms of parents and siblings, I would say my family is my mother and my sister. Our family consists of three people. My mother married my father in El Salvador where I was born. They separated months after, then my mother and I moved to New York when I was 8 months old. Technically my mother is still married to my father but have no relationship. She is currently in a relationship with her boyfriend and living under the same roof in other words cohabitation. Nonetheless, she introduces him as her husband even though they are not married because they can’t legally.

When asking my friends about what family meant to them, the majority of them said the people who live under the same roof whom they have shared their entire life with. From the ten friends that I asked, three of them were raised and still live with both parents (Mom and Dad). Four of them have parents who are separated and have extended family on each side. Yet one of them does not consider her fathers children family because she doesn’t associate with them. She goes on by saying, “I don’t see or talk to my step sister or brother, maybe on holidays. I know little about them and don’t share the same relationship like the one I share with my sister who I grew up with therefore I can’t really say they are family.”

The other three are living with their foster family. One of them lives only with her foster mother and has no recollection of a male father figure present in her life. Two of them are not only my friends but also my God brothers. They were raised by their foster parents and no nothing other than them as their family. Their parents who are also my God parents helped my mother raise my sister and I, for this reason I consider them family. Believe it or not, I consider them more family than my biological father because they raised me as though I were their own blood.
I honestly was not surprised at the results I got from my friends. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary to me. Nowadays there are more single parents working and raising children on their own. However, you can still come across some households who portray the ‘traditional’ family. Therefore, it’s nice to know that there are couples who can maintain a relationship and family with their spouse but its great when a single mother or father doesn’t give up on their children and raise them on their own, my opinion of course. I speak only from experience.

Letter to my Angel

Forgive me for not being there.
While I sit here alone on the train...I try to contain my tears
I can't even remember the last time I said Hello and now all I can say is goodbye in silent words.
I made excuses not to go home.
I put others first meanwhile you needed me more.
For a was afraid to see you hurt.
We were all expecting this day but seemed to put it behind us.
Tried to hide the fact that soon you wouldn't be around
Eventhough i wasn't immidiate family, you still took me in as your daughter.
You changed my slippers to princess shoes on my 16th birthday.
And for that I don't hate God for taking you away.
I thank him for the 20 years we shared.
He knows best and saw that you were slowly fadding with no cure.
So he extended his hands, wrapped them around you and whispered, “Come with me”.
For i know you're sitting next to God watching over us.
R.I.P Tio Jose <3 Love You Always

One of the criticisms of the news media that many people make is that journalist emphasize "bad news" rather than "good news." What do you think people mean by that? Do you agree? Do the news values listed in this chapter mean that journalist are more likely to look for "bad news" than "good news"?

I do agree with the criticism of the people that journalist emphasize "nad news" rather than "god news." I honestly can't remember the last time I ever read a "good news" headline. The majority of the time, "bad news" cover stories always make it to the top of the list. Whether its about the war, crimes, political and economic crisis, these topics tend to catch viewers attention. Take a peak at the New York Times and CNN websites, what's the first thing we see? President Obama plans to end combat in Irag by the year 2010. This is a very controversial topic and many people would disagree or agree with the plan. Another headline reads, "Drug cloud surrounds baseball's hero" and "Alleged pimp lured teen to New York" that defenitely doesn't make me comfortable or safe. It has also come to my attaintion that some journalist use celebrity problems as top rated news stories. CNN has a section on their website that reads, "Celebrity court house" is it really that important for people to know, "Could Chris Brown end up in jail?", or my favorite, "Britney Tales."

No Modifiers! Oh boy, here it goes…

This is probably too much information to put online but it’s the only thing that’s on my mind right now.

When I logged on to my e-mail account today, I thought it was a mistake but there it was, an email from my father. The email caught me off guard since I have not spoken to him in a year or so. I opened the email expecting to read paragraphs of catching up, for the years that we haven’t seen or spoken to each other. I was wrong!
I only had two sentences to read. “Thanks dad, I feel the love...”
I don’t understand how someone can live life not knowing about their daughter or son for that matter??? Yes, I know he is attempting to reach out but because of circumstances and distance, we will continue to speak on occasions.
I’ve dealt with it for twenty one years. I thank my mother for playing the role of mother and father. GO MOM!!

By the way, I turn 22 years old this month. I wonder if he remembers.
I’ll just have to wait and see.

This assignment kicked my butt!! I definitely screwed this one up. My emotions and modifiers were not helping! At least I can say I tried. =)

My Place

Being in a room with smooth floors, mirrors and music makes me feel relaxed.
Whenever I am having a hard time, I'm sad, feel alone or just need to release some stress, I find myself there. This place makes me forget about all my troubles.
The mirrors do not only help me with alignment but they also reflect who I am and who I want to be but most of all where i want to be.
Looking into the mirror allows me to see my past, my mistakes and what i have learned.
It helps me take a step forward not backwards.
I would call this place, the dance studio.
I dance even when i feel pain knowing there's something to gain. I dance for the passion.
Not only do I dance for me but for everyone else to see the joy in my eyes and to inspire those who enjoy dance as much as i do.
Being in the dance studio practicing, takes me to the next ultimate place, where I love to be.
Somehow giving a speech in front of a group of people makes me tense, nervous and freeze.
BUT performing on stage makes me feel wanted, accomplished and confident.
Doing double, triple spins, dipping and flipping, without this I feel empty.
Performing on stage, being in the lights, hearing the crowd cheer and clap...I am fine, despite other frights.
Performing on stage is where I belong, grooving to any song.

Their, There, and They're

The misuse of words in the English language is a common problem for many people today. The most misused words are their, there and they’re. These words can become very tricky when trying to use it in a sentence. As a child your elementary teacher tries to enforce the differences between the words so that as you get older, you would be able to apply them correctly. The main reason why people might have trouble with these words is because they are pronounced they same or at least they sound the same. Give it try; say each word in your head…their, there, they’re, sounds like your repeated the same word, right?
Now the easiest word to break down is, “they’re” because it’s a contraction of they are. It can pertain to a group of people, animals or items. Example, they’re from Japan, they’re extinct, they’re on top of the book shelf or they’re over there. Ha, it is possible to use they’re and there in the same sentence. Bringing us to the next word; “there” can pertain to a place or at that point in action. For example, the professor is waiting there now or he stopped there. Lastly, the word “their” is the possessive form of “they”. For example, Japan is their hometown, their class ends at 2pm.
Usually, I find myself having to say the word in my head as I try to use it in a sentence. Sometimes what happens is that people try to rush when typing a paper and don’t realize the misuse of a word. Of course, when speaking it is not a problem because all three words sound the same but on paper it is easy to make a mistake.

My name is Tatiana Rodriguez and I am currently a second semester senior at Manhattanville college in Purchase, New York in hopes of graduating in May 2009. I'm a Communications major with a concentration in Broadcasting and Photography and sociology minor. Due to the fact that I wasn't born in the United States made it quite difficult to enroll in school. My mother, who was a single parent raising two daughters on her own, had no English speaking background and was concerned that her struggle to make it to the promise land was a waste. Fortunately, with the help of a sponsor I had the opportunity of attending a private, catholic high school in the Bronx called St. Pius V. Obtaining my high school diploma was the maximum for my mother and I. However, little did I know my biggest accomplishment would be attending college and graduating with a Bachelor's Degree. Manhattanville College was everything that I expected. The first time I came to visit Manhattanville was for my best friend brothers’ graduation in 1998; I was only in the six grade. I had no idea what the name of the college was but all I knew was that "the school with the castle" was the place where I wanted to be.

As far as my future goes, who knows what God has in stored for me? All I know is that I hope to be able to work for a successful company and someday become the anchor or co-anchor of a television news station or "Good Day New York" on WNYW Fox 5. =) On another note, I also intend to pursue a dancing career. Ballroom dancing especially salsa dancing has been my number one passion as a child. Whether I become an Anchor, a professional ballroom dancer or both, I want to be able to stand tall on both feet and support my family and me.

Taking this course will help me gain knowledge and skills on how to write for the media and to fulfill major requirements. I know this class will help me become a better writer.