Iqbal: one who is fortunate. Growing up I always dreaded the awkward moment when my name was called for attendance. On the first day of middle school my 6th grade English teacher, Mrs. Chumbris said, “I apologize if I mispronounce anyone’s name.” Feeling that was directed towards me, my stomach churned and my heart raced as she called names. “Garret?” “Here!” “Howard?” “Present!” “Umm…Ick-ball?” I heard giggles. My face was burning. I raised my hand next to my head too humiliated to raise it any higher. Ashamed that my name was different from others I turned towards my American world and pushed away and began to resent my Pakistani world. I turned to my “American” ways, becoming bold and opinionated. Whenever I would bring this attitude home, my parents grew more and more concerned that I was becoming too “Americanized” My parents feared that I would never recognize my native culture. These constant battles with my identity lead my parents to desperate measures; they decided I would spend my summers in Pakistan for two months, unlike my American friends who would spend their summers at sleep away camp.
In summer I would spend my time at my grand parent’s home in Islamabad, Pakistan. In Pakistan I became more cultured and proud of whom I was. I never truly felt pride for my ethnicity because I grew up in the United States, but that summer was literally world changing. My two worlds were now combined.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Education: The Good, The Bad
My best educational experience was in 10th grade when had to speak in front of my entire student class. This was a speech written for my public speaking class that I had enrolled in because my confidence in public speaking truly lacked. Normally, I would tremble at the thought of walking in front of my entire class and speak, but this class truly rid any fear I ever had. I am a strong believer in taking a class that involves some sort of public speaking. Public speaking class not only helped me educationally but gave me confidence as a person.(100)
My worst educational experience was during my junior year of high school. It was around the time when everyone was preparing for the SATs. I had so much pressure from my family and college counselors to do well. I felt as if all my time was consumed with studying for the dreadful SATs. This one exam would control your future of getting into the college of your dreams. I personally believe that this exam does not represent your intelligence as a student. That time during my junior year was the most stressful and difficult experience for me in high school. (100)
My worst educational experience was during my junior year of high school. It was around the time when everyone was preparing for the SATs. I had so much pressure from my family and college counselors to do well. I felt as if all my time was consumed with studying for the dreadful SATs. This one exam would control your future of getting into the college of your dreams. I personally believe that this exam does not represent your intelligence as a student. That time during my junior year was the most stressful and difficult experience for me in high school. (100)
Sunday, October 17, 2010
I Believe in Music
This past weekend I went home to visit my family. While looking for my favorite necklace I stumbled across my old Ipod. As I looked through my Ipod I discovered songs that flooded back amazing memories from high school. Some of my favorite memories are simply driving in the car with my four best friends with the windows down blasting our favorite songs as we all sang along. “Feel Alive” by Benassi Bros was one of our favorites. We called it “our song” After a stressful school day, blaring this song through our speakers was the cure to eliminating our worries. Its upbeat would rid us of anxiety and create a carefree aura around us.
Everyday we are surrounded by music, yet most people don't realize the enormous impact it has on our everyday mental, physical, and spiritual health. Music can compel us to laugh, to cry, to feel emotions we’ve never felt before. It can calm us or whip us into an emotional foot-stomping frenzy. Just by playing "our song" we can trigger memories and reflective moods. I believe that if something as simple as a song can turn an unpleasant day around it truly is a cure in itself. I personally rely on music as a comfort. It amazes me that there are so many songs that I have been able to relate to my life, whether it be a bad break up or a celebration. Music is what I believe can change lives and shape us as human beings.
(252)
Everyday we are surrounded by music, yet most people don't realize the enormous impact it has on our everyday mental, physical, and spiritual health. Music can compel us to laugh, to cry, to feel emotions we’ve never felt before. It can calm us or whip us into an emotional foot-stomping frenzy. Just by playing "our song" we can trigger memories and reflective moods. I believe that if something as simple as a song can turn an unpleasant day around it truly is a cure in itself. I personally rely on music as a comfort. It amazes me that there are so many songs that I have been able to relate to my life, whether it be a bad break up or a celebration. Music is what I believe can change lives and shape us as human beings.
(252)
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
The Digital Generation
Our generation has become so reliant on technology. The number of times technology is used by the average person everyday is unbelievable. It seems that everything can be done in the comfort of our own homes. From buying groceries to going to school online our society has become so reliant on technology. Though technology has been created to make our lives easier and convenient, our society has become extremely attached to it.
(72)
Monday, October 11, 2010
Love of Sprinkles
The thought of chocolate ice cream on top of a brownie, drenched with hot fudge with an insane amount of almonds and Oreo cookies makes me melt. Everyday after school I watched Tom make my “usual”. He always knew the right amount of almonds and fudge.
Sprinkles is an ice cream shop about 2 minutes away from my home. Sprinkles has a sentimental value to me. It is a very small quaint shop that is filled with tons of unforgettable memories. It is not the usual chain restaurant like Baskin Robbins or Ben and Jerry’s; it is an original “mom and pop” shop. The fact that it is a “mom and pop” shop makes it even more special to me; it is the one and only Sprinkles I can come back to when I come home from Baltimore. Sprinkles is one of the few places I can come back to and just relax.
I grew up coming to Sprinkles with my family to celebrate everything from when I lost my first tooth to my high school graduation. I would spend countless hours with my high school friends there doing homework or just socializing. I hope I will always be able to come back to Sprinkles and hopefully one day bring children there.
(213)
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Sprinkles
The thought of chocolate ice cream on top of a brownie, drenched with hot fudge with an insane amount of almonds and Oreo cookies makes me melt. Sprinkles is an ice cream shop approximately 2 minutes away from my home. This place matters because it has a sentimental value to me. I grew up coming to Sprinkles with my family to spending countless hours with my high school friends there. It is a very small shop that is filled with tons of unforgettable memories. It is not the usual chain restaurant like Baskin Robbins or Ben and Jerry’s; it is an original “mom and pop” shop. The fact that it is a “mom and pop” shop makes it even more special to me.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
The Skinny Tie Statement (Edit)
“They may be challenging to wear, but they have a distinctive look that makes them a favorite. A tiny bit geek, a tiny bit chic, skinny ties have an attitude that’s all their own.” -Karan
The skinny tie trend has been in and out of the fashion world for decades. This trend makes a statement for not only today’s youth fashion but also previous years; it depicts a man’s personality through a piece of cloth for their specific time period.
It began in the early 20’s and reappeared in the 50’s. The dark skinny ties truly reflected the 50’s time period. American’s reactions to the Cold War, The Korean War and recession were depicted through the skinny tie. It made a statement; the skinny tie represented a solemn attitude that reflected current events in men’s fashion. The ties gave a conservative look, a more serious look. In order to represent that look men’s fashion was big on dark colors and simplistic style. The look slowly influenced not only conservative men but also college students. Looking through UMBC’s yearbook, Skipjack 1968, I noticed not only faculty wearing the skinny tie but also students, which gave them the appearance that they had very focused and studious personalities.
Today’s youth has been truly influenced by this trend also. Its reappearance had influenced today’s punk culture and was a very common look for punk rock bands. During the punk movement, ties that were worn by punk followers depicted a symbol of being different from the ordinary. They showed a certain type of individuality by taking something as formal as a tie and turning it into a statement of being different.
Slowly, this trend has become something chic in the fashion industry. Men who have been influenced by this trend now show a symbol of confidence with showing off their bodies. The skinny tie gives a slimming look to a suit, which illustrates that these men are comfortable in their own skin.
(327)
The skinny tie trend has been in and out of the fashion world for decades. This trend makes a statement for not only today’s youth fashion but also previous years; it depicts a man’s personality through a piece of cloth for their specific time period.
It began in the early 20’s and reappeared in the 50’s. The dark skinny ties truly reflected the 50’s time period. American’s reactions to the Cold War, The Korean War and recession were depicted through the skinny tie. It made a statement; the skinny tie represented a solemn attitude that reflected current events in men’s fashion. The ties gave a conservative look, a more serious look. In order to represent that look men’s fashion was big on dark colors and simplistic style. The look slowly influenced not only conservative men but also college students. Looking through UMBC’s yearbook, Skipjack 1968, I noticed not only faculty wearing the skinny tie but also students, which gave them the appearance that they had very focused and studious personalities.
Today’s youth has been truly influenced by this trend also. Its reappearance had influenced today’s punk culture and was a very common look for punk rock bands. During the punk movement, ties that were worn by punk followers depicted a symbol of being different from the ordinary. They showed a certain type of individuality by taking something as formal as a tie and turning it into a statement of being different.
Slowly, this trend has become something chic in the fashion industry. Men who have been influenced by this trend now show a symbol of confidence with showing off their bodies. The skinny tie gives a slimming look to a suit, which illustrates that these men are comfortable in their own skin.
(327)
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