Archive for the ‘onSavings’ Category

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So You Think You Can (Learn To) Dance?

Tuesday, October 11th, 2011

Ok, sorry about the cheesy title but I just couldn’t resist. I wanted to highlight the fabulous deal Piel Canela Dance Studio has for Campus Clipper followers – it’s really too good to pass up if you’re interested in learning any of the Latin dances. They’re offering an Unlimited Dance Card for 30 days for only $300! What makes this deal great is that the regular price is literally 5 times the sale price. That’s right: regular price is $150 for an Unlimited Dance Card. So if you think you can learn to dance then you shouldn’t pass this up!
What makes Piel Canela a great place to learn or polish your moves is the diversity they offer. Not only can you learn beginner or advanced levels of Salsa, Bachata or Cha Cha, (just to name a few of their offerings), but you can also take Spanish language classes, audition for their dance company, attend social dances or even take music lessons. They truly offer a full immersion into the Latin Culture. The inspiring music is sure to have you moving, and you may find it hard to resist signing up for other events Piel Canela participates in: vacation plans to exotic places like the Dominican Republic or Machu Picchu, Salsa Cruises or expos during the half time of Knicks Games. This wonderful deal is too good to pass on if you have ever considered tripping the light fantastic!

 

 

Kristen, Salem College ’11

You can check out my blog here

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Posted in Appreciation, onEntertainment, onFun, onHealth, onMusic, onSavings, onValues, Out On The Town | No Comments »

Grotta Azzurra: A Taste of Capri in Little Italy

Monday, August 8th, 2011

The beautiful interior of Grotta Azzurra is just as wonderful as their menu.

Being that my last name ends in a vowel it’s pretty much a given Italian cuisine is something I enjoy immensely. I find that when you eat food representative of your background or even if it’s the primary cuisine you eat at home, you are also critical of said cuisine. I’m always looking for an Italian restaurant that isn’t substandard and successfully fits the criteria I look for. In other words, when I eat Italian food out I want it be just as good as what I happily devour at home. Luckily I found such a place.

Grotta Azzurra resides in Little Italy, a neighborhood with a rich history that attracts both tourists and native New Yorkers because of the many great restaurants crowded on Mulberry Street. Grotta Azzurra has a rich history worth mentioning too.  Grotta Azurra opened its doors in 1908 and was a known favorite of the late great Frank Sinatra.  His music can be heard as well as other famous crooners like Dean Martin throughout the establishment. The restaurant was recently renovated and is simply beautiful. The interior is elegant due to circle pictures of famous Renaissance sculptures decorating the walls. This is all complemented by the colorful marble accented throughout, as well as the checkered floors and intricate tile designs parading around the room. The atmosphere removes you from the stress of the city and allows you to metaphorically wade in the waters of Capri— even if only for a moment.

Grotta Azzurra has more than just a relaxing ambiance, but the establishment is also student savings friendly. The restaurant offers a fabulous and well-worth it lunch special from 11am-4pm during the weekdays, were for only $9.95 you can enjoy a delightful pasta dish and entrée. During my visit to Grotta Azzurra I enjoyed for my pasta dish  rigatoni alla vodka and the sauce was just the perfect blend of tomato, vodka, and cream. I knew even before eating it that it’d be mouth watering good because of the just right pink coloring of the sauce. My sister opted for the penne sorrentina dish, which consisted of a tomato sauce along with mozzarella, basil, and eggplant. She mused that the dish was delicious and even more satisfying because of the tasty eggplant. When finished with our pasta dishes our entrees were served. My sister and I are both fans of chicken parmigiana, so the ultimate test for sure would be to eat just that for the entrée. We both agreed that the chicken was cooked perfectly: it cut easily and was also very light. In addition, potatoes and steamed broccoli were served with the entrée and both were equally satisfying. The added perk to this great meal clearly was the impressive price.

After this enjoyable meal experince at Grotta Azzurra, I will be sure to visit again to try other pasta and entrée combinations offered as part of the lunch special.

Anjelica LaFurno (Baruch College)

Visit my tumblr here

Image credit: bluegrotta.com

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Posted in onFood, onSavings, Restaurant Reviews | No Comments »

Until The Very End

Monday, July 18th, 2011

The beginning of a great legacy.

I can still remember my first experience with Harry Potter. The year was 2001 and I was seeing a movie whose title and content I have no memory of with my younger sisters and Dad at a local movie theater. But what I do remember seeing was the trailer for the upcoming release of the first Harry Potter film: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. The glow of November on the screen till this very day is still present in my mind. I was captivated and that following November I saw the film and so began my love for both Harry Potter books and films. I often find that I associate Harry Potter with my childhood, and I certainly believe it is representative of my generation. People my age all over the world essentially grew up with Harry Potter and this is why the release of the second and last installment of the final film this past week is considered widely a bittersweet moment.

Without a doubt, I felt it was absolutely necessary to view a midnight showing of Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 2 this past Thursday for its U.S. premiere at the same theater I saw the first. I brought along my younger sister who was equally excited and completely aware of the likely possibility I would embarrass her by tearing up, which I did. My local theater was overrun by avid Harry Potter fans some dressed in Gryffindor uniforms and many foreheads were marked by a lightning bolt scar.  Luckily my sister and I were spotted by a group of High School friends and acquaintances that allowed us to join them on line and then began the nostalgia. The overall consensus amongst the group was the feeling that their childhood was coming to an end. In simple words: the idea of not being a kid anymore makes me sad. However, I’m happy that my transition to imminent adulthood has become jarringly clear because of a franchise that I’ll always love.

I had no qualms whatsoever with the film. It truly is an achingly beautiful adaptation of the final moments configured by JK Rowling.  Also, the epilogue perfectly captured the bittersweet feeling shared by fans worldwide. It was just a perfect balance of melancholy and sheer optimism. Proof of this is the combined mix of smiles and tears I experienced when watching the films end. And for the sake of my own street cred, let it be known the theater was chock full of young adults, both male and female, tearing up because of the films content and its projection, but also because of it’s beautiful parallel to the life of a growing individual. It really is the end of an era, a great one at that. But at the same time, the Harry Potter franchise is certainly forever because its legacy is so great. I’m sure many fans my age anticipate a future where they could share the magical world of Harry Potter with their own children. Similar to the way many of us have shared the bewitching experience with our parents.

My mom mentioned looking forward to owning all of the films on DVD because it’d be both incredibly nostalgic and fun to watch all of them in a row. I personally cannot wait for such a time too! Luckily this can be the case too for students who are conscious of student discounts.  I suggest checking out DVD Funhouse, they have a discount were you can purchase five DVDs for only ten dollars! This means you can invest in buying five of the films for a Harry Potter movie night.

Harry Potter will always serve as a reminder of the curious kid that still exists within me. In many ways the Harry potter experience has preserved my nine-year-old self in both memory and continued spirit. I know I’ll always be in awe of the magical world I watched on screen and read about. I’m sure until the very end.

Anjelica LaFurno (Baruch College)

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Image credit: onlinemovieshut.com

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Posted in Family, Movies, onEntertainment, onSavings, onValues | 2 Comments »

Bookworm Agenda

Monday, July 11th, 2011

Check out Alabaster Bookshop for cheap books and browsing fun.

I’ve always been a bookworm. As a kid, I’d stay up way past by bedtime devouring a book page by page. My favorite part of the school day in my Elementary years was story time and any independent reading assignments were seen as a sort of academic blessing. Because I’m an avid reader it’s not much of a surprise that I truly enjoy browsing and buying books from bookstores, or even just raiding the shelves of my local library. I feel that choosing a book for yourself is very much a part of the fun and experience of reading, also I find books are one of the nicest gifts to give or receive. Another thing, I really love the feel of the pages against my fingers when flipping a page and even the smell of pages, yet in today’s world more and more I notice that Amazon’s Kindle and Barnes & Noble’s Nook are replacing the tangible beauty of the book. Friends and family question me as to why I don’t invest in an electronic reader when I love to read as much as I do and here’s why: I love books just as much as I do reading them.

I feel that books and reading are essentially one and electronic readers cheapen the experience of reading. I enjoy judging a book by its cover, reading the blurb, and searching for a book in the aisles of a bookstore, or on the streets of Bedford Ave. in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. I like penning my name behind the front cover of a book after having finished reading one. I’m completely aware of the perks of having an electronic reader and I also like the idea that it’s an eco friendly device, but the core of my opinion is that as electronic readers gain popularity my childhood obsession is becoming a thing of the past! And I don’t like it one bit.

The only thing I can do is continuing to buy books used and new from bookstores as a way of pledging my allegiance to books in print form. I don’t even like buying books online because it’s just not as fun. A few bookstores I’m particularly fond of are: Alabaster Bookshop, McNally Jackson Books, Strand Bookstore, Cobble Hill Community Bookstore, and Bookcourt. Alabaster Bookshop is located on 4th Ave. between 12th and 13th Street just around the block from the famous Strand Bookstore. Alabaster is the place to go when in need of a used book at a cheap price. Not only that but the small store has an extensive selection of fiction as well as books sold for  a mere 2 dollars on the outside.  Alabaster is old school and sans database so searching for a book here is more of an adventure, and you’re more likely to unexpectedly find a book of interest. Strand is 18 miles worth of books and is well known for their staff picks as well as their Strand 80, which is a pick of 80 of the most popular books amongst Strand customers. Cool fact: Patty Smith worked at Strand during her early years and beginnings in New York. It’s pretty much a guarantee that you’ll find just what you’re looking for because Strand is colossal and filled to the brim with books. It’s basically a nerdy paradise.

McNally Jackson Books interestingly categorizes their books by nation and they also have a great in-house café too. If you’re looking for that Dostoevsky head to McNally Jackson’s Russian literature section or if you feel like dissecting some short stories by Flannery O’Connor browse their American literature section with a cup of Joe. Cobble Hill Community Bookstore is probably my favorite of all because it’s everything that a bookstore should be. It’s a neighborhood staple and also wonderfully unorganized; you can find such treasures in mountains of books piled on top of one another. It is very charming and the prices are great too. Just a block or two from the Cobble Hill Community Bookstore is Bookcourt, which is quite the opposite of its neighbor. It’s two floors of hyper-organized, well-cultivated book sections. They also have in-house events and shoot out weekly emails with announcement and specials, which is incredibly convenient.

Because I’m a starving college student, student discounts are always of the utmost importance to me when splurging on items outside of necessities. Luckily  Namaste Bookshop provides student savings and I’ll be sure to check out this bookshop specializing in Eastern philosophy and health books. You can also buy yoga related items as well as oils/incense at this relaxing spot. If you’re a fan of books then show your support and buy a book or two from one or more of the bookstores mentioned!

Anjelica LaFurno (Baruch College)

Visit my tumblr here

Image credit: testofwill.blogspot.com

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Posted in onSavings, Outside Manhattan, Uniqueness in NYC | 2 Comments »

The Optical Dilemma

Tuesday, July 5th, 2011

Every time I get ready to leave my apartment, I find myself engaged in different methods of preparation. Sometimes I shower, ensuring that every last inch of skin glows while emanating a floral scent. Other times, I know the dive bar I’m heading to will be as filthy as my kitchen sink piled high with neglected dishes, so I settle on just brushing my teeth. I also consult the weather when choosing each piece of attire as I ponder whether pants or shorts are the best option. And of course I play with my hair, asking myself: “Straightened, or slightly wavy? Up or down? Ponytail? Bun? Bandana?”

The amount of questions I silently pose to myself are varied and depend on a myriad of constantly changing factors like my mood, the temperature, the destination, and how late I’m running. Even when I think I have a recipe for dressing myself, an equation which cannot fail, some new rule or situation destroys my previously conceived solution, and so I start from scratch as I create my outfit for the day. However, despite this seemingly random collection of questions with no discernible pattern, there is one constant in my pre-departure rituals. Prior to applying my makeup, but after selecting my clothing I literally squint at myself in the mirror and address my low-to-mid grade myopia with the following question: “Glasses or contact lenses?”

This binary question’s answer isn’t as straightforward as one might think. While in the past I reserved my contacts exclusively for those “special” occasions like a date or a concert where I knew elbows would be flying, and plastic frames would be a hazard, there are a number of other factors that now come into play. Do I want to pull off a pseudo-hipster look with oversized frames? Maybe I will look more fashionable for my job interview if I wear contacts and amazing eye-makeup? My parents will see the dark circles under my eyes no matter how much cover-up I wear… better put on my glasses for dinner.

The Glasses v. Contacts case is ongoing and won’t reach a conclusion, unless I opt for Lasik surgery. Since that’s not something I foresee happening in the near future, I oscillate between the two forms of corrective lenses, trying not to show favoritism as optical variety is an easy way end fashion monotony. But it’s hard to feel like a smart shopper when you have to worry about buying contact lenses. However, student discounts are available for those of us who need to address our eyesight issues while still having fashion flexibility as there are plenty of opticians in New York who understand the plight of the stylish, yet visually impaired student.

One place that falls into this category is Optyx. This optometry shop has multiple locations in the city and is offering students their 1-day contact lenses at prices as low as 77 cents per pair. And while 1-day contact lenses may seem like an unnecessary luxury when there are some brands that can last up to a month, the reality of contact lenses is that for those with sensitive eyes like myself, the 1-day pairs tend to be less harsh due to their being placed in a milder cleansing solution prior to wear. Additionally there is less chance of getting an eye infection when using 1-day pairs. And a trip to the doctor for an ocular issue is much more unfortunate and expensive than buying affordable 1-day-wear contact lenses.

This summer I have embraced the freedom of choice. As much as my friends and I may complain about how long it can take to get ready sometimes, I think the general consensus among all of us is too much choice is better than no choice at all. Thanks to student savings from places like Optyx, I no longer have to worry about when I’ll be able to afford my next batch of contact lenses.

-Alex Agahigian, NYU-

I have lots of other things to say

Photo Credit: livestrong.com

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Posted in onSavings, onStyle | 2 Comments »

So why lo-fi?

Tuesday, July 5th, 2011

lo-fi band Best Coast of California

In today’s music world it can seem like every popular song is terribly artificial, overly processed, and unforgivably marred by auto-tune. Is there no room for humanity in a business that’s dominated by pitch-perfecting, high-tech, expensive machines? Is there any form of originality in pop music? Song after song is practically the same. Live shows are nothing but overdone moments of hyperstimulation. In many ways, it appears that artistic merit is a thing of the past in today’s pop. But hi-fi doesn’t dominate every realm of music—except many people wouldn’t know that, since they’re completely unaware. And it’s not necessarily their fault; after all, such bands and artists receive very little attention from television and radio stations.

In the world of indie and underground music, bands have experimented with lo-fi for decades, and the fuzzy sound has become very popular lately. Lo-fi, for those of you that don’t know, is a recording style that is not intended to sound particularly crisp. In other words, lo-fi music is meant to sound homemade and inexpensive. Don’t get me wrong, it probably sounds a lot better than a karaoke night at Karaoke Boho fueled by student discounts! But there’s no gaudy flash to lo-fi, which is not the case on the billboard charts or on your friend’s Lady Gaga-heavy iPod. Lo-fi has transitioned from being a simple recording technique to becoming a genre in it’s own right. My suggestion is, if you’re bored with the monotony of popular music, then try listening to some lo-fi indie acts.

Four bands I’d recommend checking out are: Smith Westerns, Wavves, Yuck, and Best Coast. Smith Westerns are a young trio from Chicago whose glam-tinged 2011 album Dye it Blonde has garnered a lot of attention from music journals like Rolling Stone and Pitchfork. I’ve seen this band live and I was very impressed by the skill and musical maturity of a band composed of guys my age, yet it was of course wonderfully youthful too. Wavves and Best Coast are probably the biggest lo-fi acts out of California right now (and the two groups’ lead singers are dating!). Best Coast’s debut album Crazy For You cracked the top 40, which is a huge achievement in today’s indie scene, and demonstrates the increasing popularity of lo-fi. I also think it’s pretty cool that this success was realized by a female-fronted band. Yuck’s self-titled album is, in my opinion, by far the best album of 2011, chock full of shoegaze wonder.  Yuck is comprised of musicians from New Jersey, London, and Tokyo, which has an interesting influence on their sound. Many of these bands and other lo-fi acts take their queues from the original kings of lo-fi, the cult 90s band Pavement.

The fours bands I’ve mentioned have been touring extensively, promoting recent albums (I’ve been lucky enough to see all four), so there’s a chance you could still catch them yourself! If you’d like to experience some nostalgia then I highly recommend seeing Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks on Monday, September 26 at Terminal 5. Stephen Malkmus is the lead singer of Pavement, which just finished up a successful reunion tour, and he’s now touring with the Jicks. If you’re bored with what’s playing on z100 you should try listening to these bands and exploring websites like Pitchfork and the music blog Fucking Nostalgic to discover even more. And don’t forget indie darkroom, the only true indie radio station, which is on 87.7 FM!

Anjelica LaFurno (Baruch College)

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Image credit: Pitchfork.com

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Posted in Appreciation, onMusic, onSavings, Upcoming Concerts | 1 Comment »

Screen-Printing On A Budget

Wednesday, June 29th, 2011

Excess ink is scraped off the screen and saved for later

Like many college students, I’m currently matriculating only thanks to a generous scholarship. During the school-year, academic and extracurricular success tends to outweigh my motivation to find a job, and the lack of transportation bars me from most part-time or full-time work. Money is tight for college students these days, but that’s no excuse to neglect your American entrepreneurial spirit. Being your own boss means more responsibility, but the ability to mold your working hours around your free time is priceless. In my first few years of college, I found a decent scheme to make pocket money: screen-printing.

What is screen-printing, you ask? If you’ve ever seen a graphic t-shirt or a poster for a concert, chances are you already know what a screen-printed product looks like. The process is quite simple: take a wooden frame and stretch silk over it until it’s taut. Then, using a chemical amalgam which hardens when exposed to heat, create your desired design on the silk. When ink is forced through the screen, only the portions without amalgam allow the ink through, thus replicating your design as many times as you’d like.

Although professional-quality screening with chemical amalgams can be time-consuming and require expensive equipment, it’s quite easy to duplicate the process using contact sheets (essentially plastic, with one side coated in adhesive). Simply trace your desired design (backwards) onto the contact sheet, and cut the unneeded parts out with an x-acto knife. Apply the sheet to a silk screen and you’re ready to start making some shirts! A dorm shower affords a great space to not only wash off the silk screen between printings, but to hang shirts to dry. For best results, hit the freshly-dried designs with an iron on low heat. This helps preserve the design by bonding it with the fabric, so that it doesn’t come off in the wash. Buy shirts in bulk in a variety of popular sizes, and get an idea from other students (= potential buyers) of what sorts of designs they’re interested in.

Popular and recognizable characters make great subjects

The only problem with using contact sheets is that they degrade rather quickly. However, you’re guaranteed at least twenty or thirty printings if you treat your screens with care and wash them off with cold water, as hot water can remove some of the adhesive that holds the contact sheet to the screen. For an even cheaper option, buy the silk by itself, make your own screen, and do the stretching yourself.

All of the materials you’ll need to go into business as an on-campus screen-printer are available at Dick Blick Art Supplies, including silk screens, contact sheets, and fabric paint, and bulk t-shirts can be found easily on Ebay. Keep in mind that each screen will allow you to print one color at a time, so the more screens you buy, the more involved your designs can be. Look up a tutorial on color-separation screen-printing if you’re interested in making more complex pieces.

Bryan Menegus

Image Credit: instructables.com (w1n5t0n, slimguy379)

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Posted in onSavings, onTalent | No Comments »

Choosing the Right Vegan Vitamins

Sunday, June 26th, 2011

Use this guide to make sure your vitamins are as cruelty-free as you are.

Since not everyone is perfect and eats balanced meals containing every single necessary nutrient required by the body for peak performance, once-daily multi-vitamins help fill in the nutritional gaps left by a diet of regular food. Unfortunately, most vitamin brands bind their pills together with animal ingredients like gelatin, and they also market certain nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids in the form of animal products like fish oil. However, there are plant-based sources for all necessary vitamins and minerals, and they are becoming more readily available in stores as they have already been on the Internet. Here is a guide to finding the right vitamins for your lifestyle.

1. Do more than read the label.

Labels are required to list ingredients but not their sources. Though gelatin is usually made from animal bones, it can also be made from plants, and some companies don’t bother specifying which kind is used on the bottle. Vegan brands usually indicate that they are vegan somewhere on the label, with or without the rabbit/V logo, but when in doubt, do some research on the Internet. Even if the company’s website doesn’t mention whether they are cruelty-free, chances are a fellow vegan has written a formal letter asking for information and posted the response on a forum.

2. Take (for starters) a multi-vitamin, and tailor the rest to your needs.

Downing a handful of vitamins every day can make anyone feel like a grandparent with a seven-day pill organizer. To start with, every person should take a once-daily multi-vitamin that includes a high percentage of the daily-recommended intake of major vitamins and minerals. Decide whether your normal diet contains a sufficient amount of iron before choosing between vitamins with or without iron added.

Other pills can be taken at your discretion. It’s advisable for women to take calcium supplements, and many people don’t get enough omega-3 fatty acids through their food. Analyze your diet and decide where you can supplement and where you can change your eating habits to avoid another pill.

3. Shop smart.

Vitamins have to be taken every day, so it’s a good idea not to spend a small fortune on them. This can be done while still avoiding dubiously labeled, cheap, bulk bottles. Vegetarianvitamins.com is a great source for affordable certified-vegan supplements by mail order. If you prefer to shop locally, you’ll have to utilize your online research on vitamin brands, but chances are you won’t even have to go to a specialty store to find what you need. Chain drug stores have extensive vitamin selections, or you can take advantage of coupons for independent drug stores like Whitney Chemists. Scroll down to find a Campus Clipper coupon for %10 off.

Even if you feel like you’re in great shape, taking a dietary supplement every day can increase your body and brain’s potential. Make the extra effort to ensure you’re performing the best you can, and take your vitamins!

-Avia Dell’Oste.

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Posted in Eating Healthy, onHealth, onSavings, onShopping | 2 Comments »

2011 Northside Festival

Monday, June 20th, 2011

Guided By Voices playing at McCarren Park!

This past week from June 16 to June 19 the Northside Festival took place in Williamsburg and Greenpoint, Brooklyn.  I had the pleasure of attending this festival and its events this past Saturday, June 18. The Northside Festival is different from most festivals because, well, it’s in Brooklyn, for one, and it celebrates music, film, art, and ideas from the Northside. The objective of the Northside Festival is to shine a light on a borough that is often overshadowed by Manhattan, yet it seems clear that lately Brooklyn marks the spot for all that is new and hip.

The festival had various events that fell under the four aforementioned categories. My interest was specifically geared toward the music to be showcased in McCarren Park: a local park in Williamsburg known for its grand scale, Saturday farmer’s markets, and the many events held there. On Friday, June 17 Beirut headlined and the show was opened by singer Sharon Van Etten and the band Yellow Ostrich. I personally witnessed the amazing performance given by veteran cool kids and band Guided By Voices on Saturday, June 18. Three contemporary bands supported them: The Babies, Surfer Blood, and Wavves. Both shows were held outdoors on a stage sponsored by Steve Madden and for the Guided By Voices show a large crowd gathered of loyal GBV fans, but also a young assemblage of new ones. The four day festival had a lineup of both the well known and the complete unknowns that played shows at the many music venues and bars in the area. You can check out the lineup here.

But music wasn’t the only part of the festival I enjoyed! From the beginning of McCarren Park until about North 5th Street and Bedford Avenue the streets were closed off and local businesses handed out giveaways and discounts. My sisters and I took free photo booth pictures sponsored by the Brooklyn Winery, which was an indirect score for my mother because she got a discount offer. Also if you’re 21+ and happen to be in Kips Bay I highly suggest checking out Reserve Thai-Inspired Wine Bar. Many businesses previewed their products outside, like Brooklyn Charm that gave out free charm bracelets and necklaces.  They allowed passersby to choose their own charm and then it was made right before their eyes.  There was also an entire block that catered strictly to children showcasing kid friendly businesses. There were free percussion and guitar lessons, bike riding sessions, and even free gymnastics for toddlers. So the Northside Festival was pretty much for everyone: families, single adults, and teenagers hanging with friends.

Film was also celebrated at the festival with films being presented by L Magazine, Rooftop Films, Sundance Selects, and many more.  One film in particular, Nothing Yet, was directed and made by two under 21 college students. In the realm of art, many local art studios opened their doors to the public or showcased their work in the streets, like UGLY ART room. For the past three years, the Northside Festival has effectively celebrated the north side of Brooklyn, and will continue to do so. It is guaranteed fun that also helps out and promotes the creative community of Williamsburg and Greenpoint. So make sure to attend 2012’s Northside Festival or you’ll surely be missing out!

-Anjelica LaFurno

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Photo Credit: Anjelica LaFurno

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Posted in onFun, onMusic, onSavings | 1 Comment »

Great Expectations

Wednesday, June 15th, 2011

Train platforms are where NYC commuter college students wait for trains that serve as vessels to higher education enlightenment.

I feel for most of my life that I’ve been anticipating the grand event of attending college. Barely out of elementary school and still I would speak to any adult willing to listen about what institution of higher education I’d like to attend and what my major in college would be. Every year my top choice school would change as well as the major along with the career I truly thought I’d pursue.  Today I know that I was not meant to be a veterinarian no matter how much my nine-year-old self would like to argue otherwise. I really hope time machines are not invented anytime soon for my own safety and benefit. I also now know that you don’t have to attend an Ivy League school to develop into a successful individual.  It is not the name of your college that determines your future, the work and effort you put in is what makes your own name all the more valuable.

It is common for college to not meet your expectations, this is especially the case when you attend a commuter college like I do, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it will be a bad experience. It will be different from what you imagined for many people, not for all.  However, different can translate to good I’ve learned. My image of college as a kid was deeply concentrated in the mirage reciprocated to me by the media. Attending a commuter college is like being thrown into a dry desert alone and searching for an oasis. At first I was angry with myself for choosing a college that wasn’t meeting my expectations, but gradually I realized they were biased ones. Yes, attending a commuter college is rather different from the experience of my friends who attend schools like Northeastern and just about every SUNY College, but there is something rewarding about knowing I can handle the trials and tribulations of a commuting college student. I can deal with the stress of chaotic commutes, now know New York City like the back of my hand, and juggle a part-time job in the mix as well. This is not easy, yet I find it helpful because it’s a realistic experience unlike the typical college setting.  The commuter college is representative of the real world where life’s necessities aren’t catered to you personally; you yourself must go out and get them.

Don’t get me wrong it’s not only hard work because that would be plain depressing! Attending a commuter college means I have access to the fun and great eats that can be found in surrounding neighborhoods. I personally think the subway is tons more magical than that closet entrance to Narnia. Also, there are great places to eat and see by walking distance too, like Papou’s Pizza. I didn’t expect my college experience to involve falling in love with the hustle and bustle of New York City. I enjoy the fast pace and do-it-yourself attitude about the commuter lifestyle. It’s not what I expected but I’ve learned to adapt. And that’s a necessity in a world where the survival of the fittest theory reigns true in every realm. I plan on surviving because my commuting student experience has taught me to do just that. But again, I really do hope that time machine isn’t anywhere near finished.

Anjelica LaFurno

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