Author Archives: Gomez

Prejudice with Ariela

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This weeks dinner guest Ariela Keysar spoke about combating prejudice on campus and encouraged students to share some of their stories. Students of multiple origins were represented and enlightened others on how prevalent prejudice could be, even on a diverse campus like Cornell.

According to Wikipedia, prejudice is “forming an opinion before becoming aware of the relevant facts of a case”. These generalizations could be thought of as non hurtful sometimes, but in hindsight could affect others deeply. There are many ways to combat prejudice and many were spoken about during our dinner.

As a research specialist on this subject area, our information was recorded and used to be further analyzed by Ariela. It was fascinating to not only be a part of a research study, but also get a better perspective about prejudice on campus.

 

POISON

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One of the best parts about living in Ithaca, is the constant inspiration in the nature surrounding Cornell. Coming from a city with limited seasons and not much of scenic nature, Ithaca has been such a pleasant view. I have never experienced Fall, and watched the plants change color with such amusement.

In the art show, the theme was plants. This art prints was based on a book about poisonous plants. I enjoyed the art show because I saw plants in a way I had never seen before. The plants had vivid and life-like characteristics as if they were going to come out and attack me. All of the art’s subjects were straight from the Cornell Plantations. I constantly visit the plantations whenever I am stressed and enjoyed seeing the artistic perspective during this art show. I would definitely recommend stopping by Flora Rose and seeing the prints.

The power of (not) procrastinating

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Let’s face it. Cornell is hard, and it can also be very stressful. As a transfer student, adjusting to the academic rigor has been quite a challenge. I decided to take some helpful tips from the Tatkon center when I saw that I needed help. Since I have my Organic Chemistry prelim in less than 5 days, I put these to the test. These are the five tips I find the most helpful.

1. Write stuff down and make lists!

I know sometimes it can be tedious to write things down. However, I can promise you that nothing brings more personal satisfaction than waking up in the morning, writing down all the things you need to accomplish in the day, and then going to bed knowing you accomplished all you needed to do.

2. Don’t watch netflix/go out until you have accomplished the academic goals on your list

This is my golden rule. Sometimes I am tempted to go hang out with friends, but I know I have to read Ch.10, so I have to cross that off my list.

The downside of living in our technological age is the constant distractions……netflix, twitter, instagram… I can’t keep up! This brings me to my next helpful tip.

3. When you study, put that phone away!!

Studies have shown that every time you look at your phone, you take away 10 minutes of your study time. The “Do not Disturb” options on iphones is a great tool. Or, you can take the road less traveled like I did and downgrade that iPhone to a flip phone and see how much more productive you will become!

4. Go to office hours!

Getting to know your professors and talking to them is not only helpful but also, motivational.

5. Study Groups!!

Getting together with a group not only great for making friends, but, you can also learn new things and view the material from a different angle. It also avoids that “I think I’m just gonna stay in my dorm and study” situation….yeah right, we all know that if you stay in your dorm,  you’re going to watch netflix. So get out of your dorm, go to the library, and make that study group happen!!

 

For more information on how to work more efficiently, get more sleep, prepare better for prelims, and manage distractions, go to the Tatkon Center.

 

 

 

From Tables to Fitzgerald

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Before I went on the Flora Rosa tour, I didn’t even know the Rare Manuscript Collection in Olin existed. From ancient tablets to books signed by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the variety and history of this collection is magnificent.

Here is some of the highlights shown to us during the collection:

-A rare book with all of Shakespeare’s plays, which was last sold for 5.8 million!

-A copy of a document with Abraham Lincoln’s signature on it.

-A copy of Charlotte’s web signed by author who is Cornell Alumni!

-An admissions recommendation to Cornell by Mark Twain! (The person got the job) (How could they not?)

Overall, I would say that the experience was an educational and interesting one. I would definitely recommend a visit!

Dinners and Documentaries

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Dinner with a a two-time Academy Award-nominated American documentary director, producer, cinematographer and editor? Why not.

I honestly can say, besides editing and making silly middle school videos on iMovie, film is not something I am very familiar with. However, I am a lover of all documentaries and whenever I need a break from some intense Organic Chemistry, I turn to Netflix and find an interesting documentary. That is why when I found out Marshall Curry was coming for dinner, I decided to get an inside look into the documentary-making process.

Curry said something that I greatly identified with, “I thought that documentaries were something that other people made. Something that I would never be able to experience”. He explained with how he started filming If a Tree Falls, a co-worker of his wife was arrested for terrorism and he thought it would be something interesting to film. Just like that, he become that “person who made documentaries” that seemed so distant and unrealistic.

What makes documentaries so interesting to me, is that it highlights realistic scenarios in life. Movies often glamorize and exaggerate life scenarios and spin them the way they would like (If you watch Narcos on Netflix your frustrations could align with mine). However, documentaries are raw footage that highlight interesting people in the world we live in.

Curry has a wide range of documentary topics, from following a politician’s road to becoming mayor to following (one of my favorite bands) The National around. I never thought about how much work goes into editing and making a documentary, and sitting down with one of the top directors in the game was definitely an experience I won’t forget.

 

Daniella

 

“A Distinc.tt New LGBT app for 12 year olds”

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In the world of entrepreneurship, a familiar way that product developers start up their company is by answering the simple question “What problem in society can I fix?”. For Michael Belkin, that problem was a lack of a social network for the LGBT community, and thus Distinc.tt was born.

According to Michael, interactions in the LGBT community was a problem. The LGBT apps previously created were thought of as a “hook-up” and he wanted to approach social network at a completely different angle. Distinc.tt is not a hook-up app, instead it is a way for the LGBT community to connect and interact with other people. There is a social issue in the LGBT community. It is hard to find other people who are LGBT and this app makes it easier. His idea goal was to make it easier to find others. He provided the following scenario to show how his app would work:

“A gay man walks into a bar and checks based on his location which other LGBT members are in the area based on his app. Based on the profile information, he can approach the person and connect with them”.

However, the interesting part of dinner with Michael Belkin was that, his whole company changed based on a few articles which twisted his words during his app test. When the app was first launched to Apple, the age was restricted to 18 and over. He wanted to make sure that the consumer would not envision their product as a inappropriate application and wanted to steer away as far from the basic “tinder, hookup” application. So he proposed to lower the age down to twelve and stated that just because the description had LGBT in it, does not make it unsuitable for teenagers.

This app was the first LGBT app to be approved for all ages, and thus, headlines spun and called this company, “the LGBT app for 12 year olds”. There are countless articles criticizing Apple for allowing this app to be for children. Although this fame is not what they wanted, it spun their controversial app in the right direction.

Their main consumers are now teenagers who help each other come out in the LGBT community. It is hard for teenagers to decide when and how to come out to their friends and family, especially in a society that can be unsupportive. The company exploded and built world class technology that connected the gay community. It even has gained the support and raised over one million dollars from Peter Thiel, and other investors. Not only has this app solved a social problem, but it has also connected teenagers and help them know that they are all alone.

 

 

Cornell Bucket List: Apple Picking at the Cornell Orchards!

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On the first day that I got to Cornell, my roommate and I made a Bucket List and taped it to the wall. When you go to a school with waterfalls, nature trails, a plantation, a lake, and an orchard (just to name a few), it is hard to keep track of all the scenic activities to do on campus. When I noticed that Rose Scholars Program had an event at the Cornell Orchards, I knew I had to seize the opportunity and cross apple picking off my list.

This is what you will see when you arrive to the orchards: an endless amount of apples with the scenic hills as a backdrop.

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There are so many different kinds of apples just at this orchard. Each apple has its own unique characteristics. Sometimes we don’t think about the long and interesting process that goes into the perfect apple when we grab it from our dining halls. This is how the apples are stored and cooled before being shipped out to our dining halls and many other places.

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Overall, I definitely recommend the Cornell orchards as an addition to your bucket list. Take advantage of this beautiful weather and reward yourself after a tough week  of prelims with a crisp and tasty Cornell apple!

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