RETROSPECTION

To be honest, I signed up for this class with the sole intent of fulfilling one of my GEPS. I had little to no expectation. Though I came in with little concern, this class has turned out to be one of my favorites and best classes of this semester. Among my major classes a science classes, American Studies provided that break that actually discussed and encompassed things that interested me. I could write pages about all the definitions and sociologists and artists I’ve learned about but the most meaningful lesson I learned was the importance of public space.

A Series of Unfortunate Events: Digital Story

A Series of Unfortunate Events

Kalane Abbey

Word Count: 382

On a seemingly normal morning, Janice left the house and started her day. Her first stop was to her car of course, so she could drive to work. As she walked through the garage, the top of the broom and rake fell on her feet because her younger brother, James forgot to put them away properly. Not trying to ruin her day, Janice shook it off and kept on her merry way.

She arrives safely at work and is well into her day when a package arrives for her. The UPS man asks for her signatures and proceeds to drop the box. Only he miscalculated and the box landed right on her feet. She holds back the gulp of pain and picks up the box and heads back to work.

Finally, her work day is over. Three times a week, Janice works out in hopes of losing the 20 pounds she gained after the birth of her first child. Being as though it was Monday, Janice swiped her membership card into the Gold’s Gym that was right around the corner from her house. After her 20 minute tread mill run and 2 sets of core exercises. She makes her way to the rack of weights to finish her workout with shoulder shrugs and dumbbell curls. The previous user forgot to re rack the weights properly and as she is trying to do so the 5 lb dumbbell falls on her feet. Grateful that it wasn’t a heavier weight that fell, she gathers her things and sets home.

After a brief shower and a quick wardrobe change she is set to attend the monthly dinners her community service organization holds. In line for food, the person in front of her drops her plastic cutleries on Janice foot. That was the breaking point. Janice immediately erupts, letting out a slew of curses and angrily storms out of the hall.

Now, under normal circumstances you would say Janice was way out of line and definitely over exaggerated the whole scene. But now that you have the background and context of the chain of events of her day, can you really blame her?

Moral of the story: You never know somebody’s past, so don’t judge their present.

Sight-seeing

Since my admittance to University of Maryland Baltimore County I have passed by this place every day. Up until we were given this assignment I never noted the significance of the roughly ten foot bench that sits right outside of the Administrative Building. So in these last few days I “people watched” and watched people come and go from this hotspot. It amazed me how much activity that once- insignificant bench endured. Some came with friends and sat and ate their breakfast/lunch and some came with their lonesome and reviewed notes. Even more interesting, just yesterday our very own President, Dr. Hrabowski sat and conversed with a staff member on that very same bench. Besides its convenience and proximity, it’s also a good place to just stoop down and observe. It’s not the best view in the world but it is certainly the best view at our prestigious university.

Newton's Fourth Law of Optimism

Newton’s Fourth Law of Optimism

Kalane Abbey

Word Count: 378

Imagine a life without hardships and no obstacles. If you haven’t envisioned heaven, try again. Such a utopia does not exist in this real mortal world. Life here on earth is characterized by plight, trouble and sometimes grave circumstances. Though these problems do exist, there is always an outcome or resolution. After all, every story needs a conflict in order to have a plot and a resolution. So here’s my story:

May 13, 2010 marked one of the worst days of my life. Coming down the straight away in the last 100 meters of the 400 meter race I was set to win, my world collapsed. I fractured the front part of my left foot and my life broke that day as well. I had to forfeit the rest of the season, causing my relay a county, regional and possible state championship. The sun rarely shined in my world on those days. Every aspect of my life suffered. I went from maintaining consecutives 4.1 gpas to barely managing a 3.5. At first I refused to do my treatment but eventually I consented. I spent the next four months of my life doing extensive rehab and came back my senior ready to redeem myself.

My senior year was the first year a relay from my school won their heat at Penn Relays in ten years. I proceeded to be the county and regional champion in both the 200 and 400 m dash. I also finished third at the state meet and eighth on the national level. I also was awarded 2011 Prince George’s County Track and Field Female MVP and was All- Met Honorable Mention.

The moral of the story is that things always get better, and there really is “light at the end of the tunnel”. As the rest of the world accepts Newton’s three laws of motion, the world should look into this new law of optimism. Newton himself stated that “for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction” so its plausible to assume that he would also agree that for every hard day there will be better ones in reciprocity. After all, its not just mere scientific coincidence that a rainbow always appears after a heavy storm.I believe that the best is always yet to come.

Life in the Villages

The year the Villages of Montpelier became “Pumpkin Hill”; named for the local, infamous group of thugs was the same year the Rec got bulldozed. Our apartments only housed our belongings; we resided in the Montpelier Rec Center. Pool parties to tutoring sessions, the Rec engulfed us all. The destruction of that safe haven for troubled youths in our already troubled community created destruction in the community’s livelihood. No longer did we meet for pool parties in tiny bodysuits; we were now fully clothed in all black to bid adieu to another soul lost to the streets of South Laurel.

Addicted to Retail

I don't remember when or how exactly I fell in love.  All I remember is four years ago I became hooked. Most people have addictions to food, singers, perfumes, etc. Me? I am strung out on Polo Ralph Lauren. It’s just something about the assorted color horse that infatuates me. Though I prefer Polo, Lauren Ralph Lauren and RLX (sportswear) still lures me to spending hundreds on retail. From blazers to bed sheets, POLO is my first choice. People often note my obsession and label me “materialistic”. I think I just like the finer things in life. Who doesn’t?

Word Count: 100