Paris and more...

Monte Carlo, Monaco July 2005

My first trip outside of the US and Mexico was in 2005 when I was given the ultimate gift (birthday/christmas/any other possible holiday that I could count for that particular year) to visit my friend Laura in her home town of Saint Raphael, France. I was with her and her family for a total of 10 days. Originally the plan was to stay 14 days in the southeast coast of France, but I needed to visit Paris. It was a must. While in Saint Raphael, I decided to book a ticket to Paris for the last 4 days of my France excursion. I must say that the 4 days that I spent in Paris by myself were, by far, the most wonderful and fulfilling days of my entire life. I have always wanted to return. I am proud to say that I will be, 6 years later, in the same city that gave me beautiful things to look at and 2 € chocolate croissants. Life does not get any better. Of course, paradise has its price. Fortunately I received a scholarship of $1,000 that will go towards my tuition (≈1,300/unit). The course I will be taking in Paris is Globalization, Memory and Visual Culture with Professor Nicholas Mirzoeff. I also realize that in my previous post I did not mention Paris as an optional site for studying abroad, but I attended an information session and I was sold at the mere thought of, again, eating chocolate croissants while drinking a cup of coffee in a typical Parisian cafe, all while staring at the 'Tour Eiffel' (with my French accent).

Roxy & Me, January 2011

My degree at NYU requires a total of 36 units. At the end of summer I will be at 30 units completed. I had initially thought that I would have to leave NYC and move back to California unless I was able to score a really great job to be able to afford the cost of living here, but that is not the case. Our graduate advisor Mary, is amazing and has an answer for anything you throw at her. She explained that I do not have to move back to California because I will only have 6 credits to complete in 2 semesters. This is how it will pan out: 6 units will be taken in the fall, and 0.5 units will be taken in the Spring towards my thesis. Since graduate school at NYU (and most other graduate schools) is usually paid for per unit, I will only be paying half of a unit more than what is necessary for graduation my last semester. I was also freaking out at the thought that I would have to perhaps write a thesis by fall. Ask Martha. She is usually the one hearing me out with all these random thoughts. Thank you MARTHA!!!

Boston, February 2011

Currently, I am working with a few of my classmates to submit a panel for NCA, which will be in New Orleans this year. In addition, I am also in the process of re-working an essay I wrote for my Communication Processes: Race, Gender, and Culture class last semester for the New York State Communication Association conference. On a similar note, I am also continuing to do research for the OBITEL yearbook with Prof. Pinon, on top of my 3 courses which are coming together in terms of fundamentally understanding the theories and their applications to everyday life. I was struggling at the beginning of the semester but little by little it is all coming together (thank baby Jesus).

Walking Home-Brooklyn Bridge, February 2011

I can't wait

I can't wait for Spring

I can't wait for some sun

I can't wait for some blue skies

I just can't wait

I want to wear shorts

I want to hear some real funny shit

I want to sip on some margaritas

All while chatting with my Amigitas

I can't wait to see my Familia

I can't wait to hug my little Coshita

I can't wait to eat some California Burritos

I just can't wait

I want to chill with the lil' Mocoso

I want to drink some momosas

I want to be in San Diego!

All while thinking that just in a few months

I will be, in yet, another city

PARIS