As a Dog walker you get to meet many interesting people all from different nationalities and ethnic groups. But, as if it weren't exciting enough being a dog walker I had the privilege of dog walking many celebrities pets and working in the same environment as may professionals. Therefore being in the position of meeting basket ball players, Leonardo Di Caprio, Travis Mccoy, Dylan and Cole Sprouse and several others. But, out of all these famous and well known individuals I met I will speak upon one of my encounters with a Italian millionaire.
Many of these individuals welcomed me into their homes so that I could wait for the dog to be prepared. And so that same thing occured with this customer and I went to the living room as any other home. However, when he opened the door into his home I saw a huge cage full of ballet shoes and each one was signed with a date, time and location. Now I knew this gentleman was Italian and came into the United states a while back since he was in his mid forties and came in his twenties. Intrigued by this cage I asked him if those ballet shoes were his or if they were passed down by family members. He went on speaking about his passion and how he preformed as a ballerino in Italy in his youth. Each shoe was a place where he had performed and he told me those "ballet shoes" are called pointe shoes. Pointe shoes according to him were created to make a dancer seem weightless when dancing giving them the appearance of floating.
We spoke for a while on how he traveled and how his passion made him practically a millionaire because of how much he put his heart in what he did. Males who dance pointe are seen as very strong and dedicated due to the fact that it requires "tremendous amount[s] of leg and foot strength, develop[ment] [of] stronger foot technique, and better balance." (ballet) In the end I could say I met an Italian ballerino who pointe danced something which is now considered as rare.
David. “Men on Pointe.” Ballet for Men RSS, David, 16 Mar. 2010, www.balletformen.com/2010/03/16/men-on-pointe/. Accessed 31 Aug. 2017.
Thursday, August 31, 2017
Train to Italy
Several times a week I dress in my uniform, hop on the D train and make my way down to Little Italy. This is where you will find my job, small and beautiful Italian restaurant situated on the corner of two busy New York streets. With a bank of windows and a facade of white brick it attracts many people that pass by.
Most nights, you'll find me there standing behind the counter, instructing our clientele on how fast causal food works and educating them on the many types of pastas and sauces we offer. I'll suggest the best wine pairing for their chosen dish, and make sure their meal is nicely rounded out with a delectable side. I can list ingredients for the spreads and salads in my sleep. I've learned pronunciations that are foreign to my American tongue. In the weeks I have worked there I've become knowledgeable about the many intricacies of a cuisine I did not grow up with.
My fathers parent are both originally from Puerto Rico, and landed in The Bronx.
In the 1950’s. The techniques and ingredients that they were familiar with from home stayed with them as they settled in this foreign land. This link to their native land has been passed down the generations. Growing up, my father cooked us rice, bean, tostones with mojito and many other dishes he learned from watching his mother. He taught me how to add water and spices to the pot in the perfect order to make my dishes the best they could be. Together, he and I would fill the apartment with smells of garlic and cilantro Now I find myself explaining these Italian dishes to others with the patience my father used to explain to me the dishes of our homeland.
My job is modeled after the Autogrill, the Italian version of the gas station rest stop. In Italy, you will find all type of people stoping to take a break from driving on the Autostrada to eat and relax. Yet these eateries are far superior to America equivalent. They offer fresh espresso, food and packaged items for one to enjoy on their trip (Bruni).
Not only has this job opened my palate, but it has opened my mind to a different way of eating and cooking. I enjoy traveling through food with all who enter this restaurant.
Work Cited:
Bruni, Frank. “On the Italian Road” dinersjournal.blogs.nytimes.com. October 18th, 2006. Web. August 29th, 2017
Most nights, you'll find me there standing behind the counter, instructing our clientele on how fast causal food works and educating them on the many types of pastas and sauces we offer. I'll suggest the best wine pairing for their chosen dish, and make sure their meal is nicely rounded out with a delectable side. I can list ingredients for the spreads and salads in my sleep. I've learned pronunciations that are foreign to my American tongue. In the weeks I have worked there I've become knowledgeable about the many intricacies of a cuisine I did not grow up with.
My fathers parent are both originally from Puerto Rico, and landed in The Bronx.
In the 1950’s. The techniques and ingredients that they were familiar with from home stayed with them as they settled in this foreign land. This link to their native land has been passed down the generations. Growing up, my father cooked us rice, bean, tostones with mojito and many other dishes he learned from watching his mother. He taught me how to add water and spices to the pot in the perfect order to make my dishes the best they could be. Together, he and I would fill the apartment with smells of garlic and cilantro Now I find myself explaining these Italian dishes to others with the patience my father used to explain to me the dishes of our homeland.
My job is modeled after the Autogrill, the Italian version of the gas station rest stop. In Italy, you will find all type of people stoping to take a break from driving on the Autostrada to eat and relax. Yet these eateries are far superior to America equivalent. They offer fresh espresso, food and packaged items for one to enjoy on their trip (Bruni).
Not only has this job opened my palate, but it has opened my mind to a different way of eating and cooking. I enjoy traveling through food with all who enter this restaurant.
Work Cited:
Bruni, Frank. “On the Italian Road” dinersjournal.blogs.nytimes.com. October 18th, 2006. Web. August 29th, 2017
Wednesday, August 30, 2017
Two Different Brazillians
It's strange, at first when we had gotten this assignment, I thought of literally nothing. I kept thinking about how I barely like people and I'm not really a social person.
But then I gave it thought and I remembered around three or four years ago, I used to attend a church where the pastor was from Brazil.
Going into deeper thoughts, I remembered whenever he would talk about Brazil, it was more on a religious aspect. He told me about the different christian based religions. Theres Catholic, Protestant, Methodist, Episcopal, Pentecostal, Lutheran and Baptist. As I looked for more information I found out that Brazilians also practice non- christian religions. Those religions are Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Jehovahs Witness, Shinto, Rastafarian, Candomble and Umbanda.
I saw there was another religion that I never heard of. This religion is called Spiritism. In an article I read "Spiritism is also one of the significant religions in Brazil. Spiritistic practices are based on ancient Amerindian cultures as well as the influence of the African cultures and customs that were introduced centuries ago, when slaves were brought over to Brazil from the 'Dark Continent' of Africa. Such tribes and cultures were praticulary inclined towards the worship of spirits since they had not been influenced by more structured notions of creation, which hailed from a reliance on the teaching of Bible. (Brazil)
Going into deeper thought about this assignment. I remembered back when I used to workout the Boys Club, one of the kids I there was from Brazil. Although he never told me what part of Brazil he was from, he still would tell me the things he did with his friends which was mostly playing soccer, he moved here to New York when he was 6, so he didn't get to experience how the school system is over there. He did say his family lived in villa. He still visits there on holidays.
He taught me how to say ' hello, my name is...' in Portuguese. "olá meu nome é Teyese."
I often asked what fun things he did over there other then play soccer with his friends, he told me that you can hand glide Rio's Tijuca national park or you can watch the wild life in the Pantanal. "The Pantanal is the words largest tropical wetland covering over 70,000 square-miles an area the size of Washington State- in the smack-dab center of South America" (Brazil's)
After learning these different things in Brazil I added it to my list of Travel sites.
WORD CITED
Meyer, Amelia. "Brazil Religion" Brazil.org.za. 2010. web. 30 Aug 2017
Stonich, Avery. "Brazil's best kept secret: the Pantanal" 7 June 2016. web. 30 Aug 2017
But then I gave it thought and I remembered around three or four years ago, I used to attend a church where the pastor was from Brazil.
Going into deeper thoughts, I remembered whenever he would talk about Brazil, it was more on a religious aspect. He told me about the different christian based religions. Theres Catholic, Protestant, Methodist, Episcopal, Pentecostal, Lutheran and Baptist. As I looked for more information I found out that Brazilians also practice non- christian religions. Those religions are Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Jehovahs Witness, Shinto, Rastafarian, Candomble and Umbanda.
I saw there was another religion that I never heard of. This religion is called Spiritism. In an article I read "Spiritism is also one of the significant religions in Brazil. Spiritistic practices are based on ancient Amerindian cultures as well as the influence of the African cultures and customs that were introduced centuries ago, when slaves were brought over to Brazil from the 'Dark Continent' of Africa. Such tribes and cultures were praticulary inclined towards the worship of spirits since they had not been influenced by more structured notions of creation, which hailed from a reliance on the teaching of Bible. (Brazil)
Going into deeper thought about this assignment. I remembered back when I used to workout the Boys Club, one of the kids I there was from Brazil. Although he never told me what part of Brazil he was from, he still would tell me the things he did with his friends which was mostly playing soccer, he moved here to New York when he was 6, so he didn't get to experience how the school system is over there. He did say his family lived in villa. He still visits there on holidays.
He taught me how to say ' hello, my name is...' in Portuguese. "olá meu nome é Teyese."
I often asked what fun things he did over there other then play soccer with his friends, he told me that you can hand glide Rio's Tijuca national park or you can watch the wild life in the Pantanal. "The Pantanal is the words largest tropical wetland covering over 70,000 square-miles an area the size of Washington State- in the smack-dab center of South America" (Brazil's)
After learning these different things in Brazil I added it to my list of Travel sites.
WORD CITED
Meyer, Amelia. "Brazil Religion" Brazil.org.za. 2010. web. 30 Aug 2017
Stonich, Avery. "Brazil's best kept secret: the Pantanal" 7 June 2016. web. 30 Aug 2017
The Americas
Living in NYC I get to experience a vast majority of people from around the world. One person that stood out the most was a Friend mine. She was born Bermuda and raised in Brazil. When it came to her appearance she was an average height brown skin girl with very kinky coily hair and a face where you can tell that she was not from any ordinary place. Being was raised in a household of three languages: English, Portuguese and French, explained her very unique accent which was a very strong french accent with a hint of Brazilian Portuguese.
You may think that the reason why she stood out the most to me was not because of her very interesting ethnic, racal mix but because of her life style. For example, Her name played a big role in her life. She's named Jennifer Del Carmen Vasquez. and at first I thought: "how can something like a name be so important?" when it turns out that She was named after her great grandmother and Saint Carmen from the Catholic Church. Which showed me how much of an influence Religion and tradition have on her and her family.
Also when it came to food she ate A LOT of sweets! Turns out that Brazilians really enjoy pastries. There would not be one day where I did not see her with some kind of pastry in her hand. which was a confusing thing to me because she was always fit, When it turned out that she is a dancer, and went to school for international preforming arts. She went there for Samba and ball room dancing, but her heart was set for hip hop and reggae which was the kind of music that she mostly listed to. but not any regular hip hop but Brazilian Trap Music and Brazilian hip hop. Something that you shouldn't knock until you try.
Comparing her to I, many things differ. For starters I do not listen to Brazilian music. I listen to American music and music from the Dominican Republic. When it comes to food, I do enjoy my sweets every now and then but not on a daily basis. In addition to that I do not speak portuguese or French but I do speak Spanish. I believe that one of the few things that we had in common is the fact that religion plays a role in our lives. But other than all of our differences we were very good friends!
You may think that the reason why she stood out the most to me was not because of her very interesting ethnic, racal mix but because of her life style. For example, Her name played a big role in her life. She's named Jennifer Del Carmen Vasquez. and at first I thought: "how can something like a name be so important?" when it turns out that She was named after her great grandmother and Saint Carmen from the Catholic Church. Which showed me how much of an influence Religion and tradition have on her and her family.
Also when it came to food she ate A LOT of sweets! Turns out that Brazilians really enjoy pastries. There would not be one day where I did not see her with some kind of pastry in her hand. which was a confusing thing to me because she was always fit, When it turned out that she is a dancer, and went to school for international preforming arts. She went there for Samba and ball room dancing, but her heart was set for hip hop and reggae which was the kind of music that she mostly listed to. but not any regular hip hop but Brazilian Trap Music and Brazilian hip hop. Something that you shouldn't knock until you try.
Comparing her to I, many things differ. For starters I do not listen to Brazilian music. I listen to American music and music from the Dominican Republic. When it comes to food, I do enjoy my sweets every now and then but not on a daily basis. In addition to that I do not speak portuguese or French but I do speak Spanish. I believe that one of the few things that we had in common is the fact that religion plays a role in our lives. But other than all of our differences we were very good friends!
A BAD DAY AT WORK?
The Counter Times Square is a fast food restaurant where I used to work as a busser. My duties were to make sure all tables were clean and set for the next customer that visited us. To performed perfectly as a busser, a person only needs to be fast. I believe I was good at this job since I always was receiving positive feedback from my coworkers and boss.
But, what job is perfect in life? I believe none. Like any other job, there always something that we dislike about our jobs. An employee that treats us without respect, a rude customer, the schedule your boss set you for the week, the hourly pay and of course, your boss putting pressure on you and never being satisfied with your work. But I guess that’s what bosses do, don’t they?
In my case, it was the deliveries. In my 3rd week working for the Counter, my boss surprised me when she asked me to do a food delivery for her. In my mind, I thought well, it’s just a favor and I am new here. It will sound a little uncomfortable to say no to my boss. Therefore, I decided to do the delivery and did not complain about it. But the favor became my job, because every day when the delivery guy was nowhere to be found, guess who they asked to deliver the food? You are right! Me.
Disliking walking and delivery food with a high degree outside and with a dirty uniform, I didn’t complain about the tips after done one or two deliveries.
A Friday afternoon about 12:00 pm, there was a delivery that must be done and the delivery guy wasn’t there. I look at the paper being printed from the web site Seamless where people order food from a near listed restaurant that appears there. The delivery was on 47th street between 5th and 6th a street known as diamond jewelry way. I was amazed walking and seeing all those jewelry stores with beautiful diamonds. I got to my destination and all I saw was Jewish people coming in and out of the building with their big hats and long coats. Now, I thought about me complaining about the weather and that I was walking and sweating. The delivery was quick in and out. But something, I couldn’t get out of my mind was the way they live.
Most of the Jewish that live in the United States today are third, fourth and fifth generation descendants of families that arrived between the 19th and 20th century. They were originally from Europe. The economic plays a big role in Jewish family as I witnessed the business that they own. “In 1990 one in two of those Jews with an income of more than $100,000 were Jewishly affiliated…” Also, Jewish education in the United States has been alive for a decade. They have programs for those American Jewish to learn basic Jewish knowledge, skills, and values. (Heilman) .
After all, it wasn't a bad day at work. I learn of how Jewish life style and work are, and the amazing jewelry store they own. That was the only delivery I have fun doing.
Heilman, Uriel. "Jews in America: The Jewish American Family." 3 November 2015. Jews virtual library. Web. 28 August 2018.
Tuesday, August 29, 2017
Garifuna
For about 18 years I
have worked with people of different cultural backgrounds. I had experience multicultural encounters on
so many occasions. The things a person
wears, eat, dance, speak and religion.
While working I have encountered
a young woman who name is Mary. Mary has a baby who is Six months. I have been
working and getting to Mary for four months. Mary and her family were from
Honduras. She was bought the United stated as a child. Mary attends New York City
public school. She learned to speak, read and write in English. Mary future career
is Interpreter. She currently is studying French.
Occasionally I would hear Mary speaking with my co- worker
and her peers in Spanish and English. One night while working I heard Mary
speaking to her child in a language I had never heard. This was a new Language to
me so I asked Mary to tell me more to me about the language. Mary told me the
language was called Garifuna. She was taught Garifuna as a child by her
grandmother and mother.
Garifuna Language descended from African slaves who escaped
and settled a long the Caribbean coast of Central America in the seventh
century. The Language is slowly being replaced. The Honduran people who
migrated to New York City are trying to keep the language and cultures alive by
holding events were stories are told in Garifuna. (“Gonzales”)
Mary's family keeps the Garifuna language alive by teaching
the language to their children at born and makes Garifuna the main language
spoken among their family. Mary told me she doesn’t have many friends in her generation
who speak Garifuna. One day she would teach me so she can have someone to
outside her family to speak with.
WORK CITED
Gonzalez, David
Garifuna Immigrants in New York. July 24, 2015
New York Times lens.blog.nytimes.com August 25, 2017
Friday, August 25, 2017
This is a sample for the class
I type my text here. This is where it goes. This is what I forgot to type before.
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