This past Friday I had the pleasure of viewing the noir film “Sunset Boulevard” a Hollywood classic. The film centered around the a struggling screenwriter and a famous, fading silent film star. I can see why this film was nominated for 11 academy awards and ultimately won three. The character Norma Desmond represents the ideals and conformity of beauty and age in the film industry as she struggles to relinquish her glory days and accept the demise of her career. I truly enjoyed the artistic style of the noir film, a genre I yet to dabble in. The black and white film added to the dramatic plot. After this screening I intend to watch more noir classics as the old Hollywood feel was thoroughly entertaining.
Author Archives: dnm59
Sushi Creations
It was a pleasure learning how to prep and roll sushi while also learning about the history behind the cuisine. I did not know that sushi rice was actually invented in China in order to preserve raw fish for up to a year! The demonstration was easy to understand and highly informative. It was also interesting to learn about how we have “Americanized” sushi by making it with the rice on the outside. I hope to some day try a more traditional roll with the seaweed or “Maki” on the outside.
Though I don’t know if I will be making my own sushi anytime soon, I will definitely think of what I learned in the Rose Cafe the next time I go to a sushi bar. I also really enjoyed getting to eat plenty of California rolls – my favorite kind of sushi.
Presidential Presence on West Campus
The Rose Cafe with President Pollack was a welcomed opportunity to discuss current events and the future of the University. It was an honor to sit down with the President in a casual setting and I am glad that she cares enough to attend such a small community meeting. I enjoyed how open the conversation was and it was encouraging to see that President Pollack genuinely cared about our feedback and wanted us to voice any comments or concerns. To me that is the sign of a good leader as she did not simply defend the University on every topic but rather elected for an open dialogue.
It’s the Little Things that Make a Difference
This was by far one of the most interesting and informative Rose Cafes I have attended thus far. I was surprised to learn that Cornell had a role in the history of the subject as the term “sexual harassment” was created after a secretary experienced harassment in a sexual manner by her boss. It was inspiring to hear how women then banned together to support her and began to speak of their similar experiences. From this communication and support came the term sexual harassment.
I also enjoyed learning about the initiatives taking place on campus to reduce the risks of sexual assault. The idea that the little things such as handing out glow sticks after an event or placing coat racks in fraternities could go such a long way in making people feel more safe and secure in sometimes dangerous situations. I am glad the university considers this to be an issue that they are proactively attempting to combat no matter how big or small their means are.
Black Panther Movie
The movie was a great opportunity to relax after a long week and enjoy time with friends. Beyond the entertainment of the movie, I thoroughly enjoyed the cultural commentary that the movie brought forth and the discussion that followed the film. Black Panther showed the systematic inequality that occurs in our society today while exploring the power of an all black cast and showing the importance of culture and community. I also enjoyed the fact that the film incorporated strong female leads who were empowered in the Wakanda society. I highly recommend this movie!
Figuring it all out
The Rose Cafe with Lisa Nishii was a wonderful time as she walked us through her educational and professional journey that brought her to Cornell and ultimately to her role on our campus today. It was refreshing to hear someone tell us that you don’t need to have everything figured out right now and that it is mostly experiences and life that will shape your path.
I think this was an important conversation to have as often times students will get tunnel vision in terms of their career and will feel as though they are falling behind. The reality that we still have time to figure everything out, try new things, and even stray from our original intent is important.
We also discussed our time here at Cornell, both the pros and cons, and had a wide conversation about what we are doing right and what can be improved upon. It was refreshing to see that someone in an administrative role cared so deeply about feedback from students themselves when shaping the future of our university.
The More You Know – Antibiotics
The Rose Cafe talk on Antibiotics was rather enlightening. I had heard much of the buzz around antibiotics in recent news as to developing resistance and doctors over-prescribing to patients. It was interesting to learn the history behind antibiotics all the way back to the “accidental” development of penicillin.
It was helpful to hear from an expert as to what resistance means for us in everyday life and how our actions and usage of antibiotics can impact the overall resistance of the population. Additionally, I found it interesting how different animals compare and contrast with humans in terms of their responses to various antibiotics and how such reactions impact the process of medical testing.
What are the Odds I’d Enjoy Learning About Sports
Apparently they are pretty high. The educational session on the Super Bowl was far more entertaining than I anticipated. I had never before learned the ins-and-outs of legal sports betting and some of the categories really surprised me. For starters, I didn’t know one could bet on the PUPPY BOWL (if your wondering my money was on team fluff). Even more ridiculous, there were odds set for the color of Adam Levine’s shoes!
This session showed me what the world of sports betting was like and I came to understand how many people get wrapped up in it. Personally, however, I will be leaving the bets to the pros and refraining from losing any real money.
A Skate Way to Start the Semester
This past weekend I attended the West Campus Skate event with my suite mates and other friends. The event was a great opportunity to catch up with those I had not seen since the fall semester and also to make some memories.
I had some difficulty at first remembering how to skate but after some time was able to semi-glide my way around the rink. I even managed to not fall with the assistance of my friends.
Overall it was a wonderful time and I am glad I got to skate in Lynah Rink before I graduate!