RIC events!

First event:

On March 28th, I attended an on campus event called the Duck Hunt! It was an event hosted by the RAs that took place at night. There were about 500 ducks scattered around all the dorm halls and we were to find three ducks per person. All the ducks had a number on the bottom that corresponded to a prize. There were prizes ranging from an iPad mini to just goodie bags with candy. The ducks shown above are the ducks I found during the Duck Hunt.

Second Event:

On April 4th, I attended my sorority friends' event. They belong to Delta Phi Epsilon and their event was "Deepher Dude." This event was an on- campus event. During this event a one fraternity from RIC as well as the RIC soccer team put on a mini male pageant and went through different categories such as talents, swimsuits, and the question round. At the end the judges picked the overall winner, either the RIC fraternity or the RIC soccer team. All of the proceeds raised from the tickets went to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Third Event:

This event was taken place in my hall, Browne Hall. It was an RA event and it was a movie night for all the residents in Browne Hall! It was a Channing Tatum themed event where we watched 21 Jump Street which starred Channing Tatum and there were also tater tots for a snack. The tater tots were used used as a play on words on Channing Tatum's last name, hence the name "Tater-Totum event." 

Reaction to Born into Brothels

1. In the beginning credits of the film, we can see images of the children's eyes looking down on images of the red light district. What themes do these images reflect? What does it tell the viewer about the children?
   
     By the children's eyes looking down it shows a negative view on what's going on, which would be prostitution. It shows they are scared for their future and what might happen to them if they end up like their parents. It shows the viewer that the children are aware of what's going on around them in their environment and are nervous because they know they have a pretty good chance of becoming involved in prostitution in some way. They see the bad around them and by their eyes looking down shows that they also may be a bit ashamed of what their family has become involved in.

4. List the various challenges that the children faced in their lives. Which issue do you think represented the biggest challenge for them?
      
     Some of the challenges that the children faced in their lives were poverty and education. These children lived in an environment where it was filthy and they had to live like this everyday. There were dishes not cleaned on the floor with clothes and shoes sitting next to these dishes as well. These children also had to work everyday from morning until night to help support their family in some way. A 10 year old child should not have to be put a situation with such a big weight on their shoulders, such as supporting their family. They also can't get an education because it seems that work is put at a higher importance and schools also don't want these children because they being exposed to prostitution.
      I think the biggest challenge for these children is what will be their future look like? I highly doubt these children will ever get to leave the red light district because it seems that their parents will look at their children as a way to make some profit, either in the prostitution ring or in some other illegal way. I do feel bad for these children because they are very smart and are aware of what's going on around them regarding prostitution, alcohol, etc. and they really don't have the resources to be able to get out of the red light district and start a better life. They are basically living in their parents mistakes and can't do anything about it.

Two citations

Seruya, A., (2014, January 27). Top 7 healthiest college campuses in the united states. Retrieved March, 23 2014, from http://www.neontommy.com

(2008, November, 9). Obesity on college campuses continues to rise rapidly. Retrieved March 23, 2014, from http://www.thehilltoponline.com.

Self- Portrait: An Unbreakable Bond

Final Paper- Self- Portrait

Coelho, Madeline. "I'm Proud of You" 2013. JPEG file.

An Unbreakable Bond

            A self-portrait may have many meanings to people.  Some may think only one person should be displayed in the picture, hence the name self-portrait.  Some may view self-portraits as including random objects in the photo to describe a person.  Whichever the case may be, the most important idea is to display the photo a certain way so the viewer can identify what kind of person is being described or portrayed.

            Looking at this photo in particular, one is able to see a close physical bond between a teenage girl and little boy. They seem to be standing inside an enclosed room with windows where people are seen passing by.  She appears to be wearing a white graduation gown and blue- strapped sandals.  She also appears to wearing a yellow sash as well as two yellow cords around her neck.  On her left, there is a little boy who appears to be young, due to his height.  He appears to be dressed in a fancy manner by wearing a tie, a light blue buttoned- up shirt, tan khakis and black dress shoes.  The girl on his right is also embracing him with a hug, showing a close bond.  When looking at the photo, one can’t help but notice the bright smiling faces on both of the two individuals.  The photo also seemed to be taken at a straight on perspective showing both of the individuals entirely as well as including certain details regarding their setting.

            Turns out the girl in the photo is indeed myself and my little brother, Andrew.  In this photo, I had just finished my high school graduation ceremony, which explains the positive and happy expression displayed on my face. I was also happy due to the presence of my younger brother, which shows by how I’m embracing him in a tight hug.  This embracement also shows a strong bond between us. We were also not standing far away from each other posing for the picture as seen where I was a bit crouched down embracing him and he had his knee bent and was leaning against me, which displays that a bond of familiarity is present.

            My white graduation gown obviously gives away the fact that I’m graduating.  I also seem to have a yellow sash and two yellow cords around my neck.  These items seem to have significance in my high school career.  The yellow sash symbolizes my participation in the regional and state DECA business competitions and the two cords symbolize my presence in the National Honor Society, which is an accomplishment of being part of the top 50 students in the graduating class.  These items display that I’m focused on school and a determined individual who wants to succeed in life.

            One may just focus on both my brother and I and not notice certain details that help explain the photo a bit better.  The colors yellow, blue and white seem to be prominent colors in the photo showing that these colors have some importance, such as being the colors of this high school. The photo in the back of what appears to be a horse also has the colors yellow, blue and white in the picture supporting the fact that these colors are important to the school and this photo could also be showing a mascot of some sort.  Also, the picture seems to be set in a cafeteria due to the presence of the red trashcan in the back and the blue tables in the forefront.  This photo was also taken inside rather than outside due to the surrounding walls, windows, and tile floor.  Since my brother is wearing a raincoat, the photo may suggest that there is some sort of inclement weather taking place outside as well.  Since I’m wearing the colors white, yellow, and blue this may stand out to show and explain my association to the high school and give a bit of background as to where I graduated.

           

I believe this photo does indeed depict who I am as a person.  It shows that I’m a genuinely happy individual due to the big expression on my face.  I also have a caring and compassionate side being expressed as I hug my brother closely and also showing that family is an important part in my life.  The different cords and sashes also depict myself as being a focused and determined student who is ready to move on to the next phase in life: college.  I could’ve easily chosen a photo of myself with my diploma as my self-portrait, but I believe my brother is the most important part of the photo.  I think of this photo as him being my motivation to succeed and graduate and I couldn’t have achieved my goals without him, which is being shown by the hug as a sign of gratitude and compassion.  I believe he brings the best out of me to show my true personality of who I am so it’s only right to include him in my self-portrait.  His smile on his face also may show a sense of happiness for me and that he is proud of my accomplishments in life thus far.

            The perspective of this photo is a normal straight- on view, which puts emphasis on both my brother and I as the subjects and the key factors to focus on in the photo rather than the background.  It pulls the viewer in to see our expressions and what we’re dressed like to put the pieces together of what kind of event is taking place.  This perspective is appropriate because it’s focused more on our expressions and body language so the viewer is able to sense that we are glad to be in each other’s presence and have some sort of close connection.  It’s also a good perspective because it shows him not cropped out of the photo to display his presence as being important.  Having my brother in the photo also shows another fact about me. I rarely like being center of attention. Even though it’s my graduation day, I’d rather share this day with my family and not have too much attention on me.

            Although viewers may not personally know who I am, they are able to recognize the caring and accomplished individual I am by paying attention to key features such as expression, clothing, and other subjects in the photo to make connections.  I’m a happy and determined student who not only looks out for myself, but my family and only wants the best for them.

Family Time

This photo displays a family reunion.  

    

     I recently visited my family from Portugal in July.  This photo was taken at my uncle's house, who is standing on the very right.  We were all standing outside, as the sun was setting, on the balcony connected to my uncle's house.  We were just gathered outside on this beautiful evening picking at some food and having something to drink while trying to catch up with each other, since it's been ten years since I've seen them.  We all stood very close together showing our love for each other and showing that nothing has changed between us in the ten years that have passed.  We also have big smiles on our faces showing that we are glad to be in each other's presence after not seeing each other for so long.  

     This balcony is facing my uncles's front yard that consists of vast land, ranches and gardens of flourishing flowers and trees.  Down below the balcony is a dirt driveway with a few cars parked there.  We were facing my cousin who was taking the photo, and was not shown, as well as more gardens and vast areas of land.  Portugal consists of many hills, valleys, and gardens and is just a beautiful sight to see while driving through the countryside.  My uncle also lives in a very small town where it's very quiet and few people live there, with certain areas still not very developed.  We were also facing a playhouse where my little cousins were playing too.  

     This photo is very sentimental and nostalgic to me since I haven't seen my uncle, aunt, and cousins since I was eight years old.  My smile is very big and my face seems to be glowing showing I'm so happy and content to be with them after so long.  There was also more of the table in front of us showing, but I decided to crop as much of the table as I could to focus in on just my family.  I wanted to frame the photo just around us so the viewer can just focus on our expressions and togetherness since the main focus of the photo is a family reunion. I chose to frame the photo this way to also portray the message that time flies so cherish the time you have now with your loved ones.

Still-Life

A Night of Study

A night of studying,

success is on the horizon.

The books are cracked open

with the laptop light shinging bright

like the morning sun.

Fifty flashcards are made

and I'm not even halfway done.

That's the price to pay,

when I'm a Nursing major night and day.

Perspectives

    These two photos show how perspective changes the way I see myself.  In the first photo, it portrays the "bird'd eye view" perspective where the photo is taken from above.  The second photo is shot from a straight on perspective, or a normal eye view.  Using different perspectives can display different opinions and assumptions when one looks at the photos.  

     In the first photo, a bird'd eye view, it doesn't show my face so one may assume I might look bored due to my posture and resting my head on my hand or I may look attentive and working hard due to the computer in front of me.  This was an interesting point of view because I've never actually seen what I look like from this angle.  I chose to keep this photo in color due to the fact that there are many more details, such as the the computer, keyboard, and folders, that by changing everything to black and white would take away from the photo.  Keeping the photo in color allows the specific details and objects to stand out more rather than having a black and white contrast where everything essentially blends it together.

     The second photo is a straight on normal eye view of myself.  In this photo you can see my whole body and can actually see my face as well as the expression on my face whereas the first photo one can't tell what I'm feeling due to my face being hidden.  I look a bit shy in this photo due to me facing the other way, but my body language brings out a bit of mystery as if I'm waiting for something or someone.  By leaning against the wall with my arms resting behind my back and looking the other way also brings a sense of waiting and anticipation as well.  I changed the photo to black and white because I thought it would go along with the mood of mystery and shyness present in the photo.

      These photos are completely different perspectives and various assumptions can be made based on looking at emotions, details, and color.  Using perspectives can help display a story and show a different side of someone that one has never really seen before.  Being creative by using colors or black and white can help the perspective stand out and can usually change the entire mood of the photo.  Being creative while choosing different perspectives is also a good way to express one's way of thinking as well.