inside Rhodes » Philly

Vagina Monologue Auditions. THIS WEEK

Philly — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:47:48 +0000

Last Thursday V-day hosted a Vagina Monologue info session. It was a brief meet and greet with the V-day leadership team and a clip of Until the Violence Stops.

Until the Violence Stops premiered in 2004 at the Sundance Film Festival. This film is more than just testimonies and performances, but about empowerment and the importance of dialogue in the healing process. A celebration of women reclaiming their bodies and lives, this documentary leaves us with hope that change can happen.

Thoughts on the trailer.

V-Day’s Love Your Body Event

Philly — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:36:24 +0000

Greetings! Okay so bare with me as I present my first video blog.

V-day is an organization that brings awareness to violence against women and young girls. V-day hosted “Love Your Body Day” last Thursday, November 5. This activity brought women and a few men out to decorate mirrors and cups to express your inner and outer beauty. There were refreshments and we watched Gilmore Girls.

I FEEL SO GOOD!

Philly — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:41:04 +0000

Ahhh so far this week has gone by just perfectly!

I have put in my deposit, got my Visa forms in, and have new luggage! I leave for Barcelona on January 6 for four months. I’ll be taking classes that involve media, politics, and journalism that will help me prepare for what I want to pursue once I graduate.

I’m also coming up with some new ideas for blogging…video blogs! Yep, me and my flip camera will be out around campus and the city interviewing and bringing some news to my blogs. I thought this would be a fun twist to blogging.

As this fall semester starts to wind down, I plan to be living in Barrett Library. I want to come out with a great GPA this semester and know that I worked hard for my grades.

Watch out world..or at least Rhodes.

Michael Jordan’s son refuses to wear Adidas

Philly — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:36:09 +0000

Marcus Jordan, a University Central Florida basketball player, is letting his team know that he will not be wearing Adidas brand shoes. UCF has a five year contract with Adidas for all their sports that does not end until June 30, 2010. Marcus, a first year point guard, says he will only wear Nike Jordans because “they hold a special meaning to his family.” There have been reports that UCF is working out a deal that could cost the school $3million. Adidas is aware of the situation and a new possible contract is in the works.

My personal opinion is that Marcus needs to stop being money hungry and wear the darn shoes. His reason for not wanting to wear Adidas was not even legit. Maybe if there was a contract he had that the Jordan family should only wear their Jordans, but not because they have a symbolic meaning.

Ha, any other opinions?

Balloon Boy Hoax!

Philly — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:55:59 +0000

The world followed the balloon that was thought to have a 6year old boy inside. This story got lots of media attention with the the Heene’s fearing their son was flying away. Well, the boy was not in the balloon but in his parent’s attic asleep. Was anyone else laughing hysterically when they heard that? It gets even juicier when the mother admits the incident was a hoax meant to make the family more marketable to the media.

Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden has said he will recommend charges against the Heenes including conspiracy, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, making a false report to authorities, and attempting to influence a public servant. The most serious charges are felonies and carry a maximum sentence of six years in prison.

Well, the family is definitely getting a lot of media attention..

The lowest of the low

Philly — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:12:33 +0000

Today has possibly been one of the worst days ever. Besides not feeling well, I have not been accepted for any scholarships to study abroad. I really hope this does not stop me from being able to study in Spain next semester. I just have to stay positive and know that things will work out.

Wow.. what a downer for my weekend

Fall Break is so close I can taste it!

Philly — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 02:20:25 +0000

Midterm exams are finally winding down and I can finally sleep for more than 4 hours a night. My fall break will officially begin at 12:50pm tomorrow afternoon and my bed will be calling for me. However, this fall break will be a little different than what I had planned (yah know the usual sleeping til 1 pm, eating bad foods, and seeing old friends from home). Nope, that I won’t be doing. Instead i’ll be in Houston, TX to get a Visa as I prepare to study abroad. My consulate jurisdiction is actually New Orleans but they are deciding to close on Oct 31 and switched me to Houston. Houston requires me to actually come in person to turn in all the forms and such. Speaking with the Houston consulate has been quite interesting..no one speaks English and they are very impatient..I wonder what this will be like once I’m actually there.

Obama wins Nobel Peace Prize?

Philly — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 18:38:11 +0000

The latest news seems to be all over Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize. Congratulations, I guess? I actually happened to hear about this today at 10am walking to my Research Methods class, when a professor stunningly said, “Obama won Nobel Peace Prize? What?” I kept thinking to myself, “Weren’t the nominations in like February?” I was curious to see if this was true, and wondered what exactly he won the Nobel Peace Prize for?

MSNBC Announced just hours earlier, the stunning decision, said Nobel officials, “was meant to encourage his initiatives to reduce nuclear arms, ease tensions with the Muslim world and stress diplomacy and cooperation rather than unilateralism.” Obama feels that he has not done enough to earn the award or be in the same company of those figures who have received it before him. President Obama accepts this award to take on the challenges that face the 21st century.

Obama is actually the 3rd sitting U.S. President to win the award. President Roosevelt won in 1906 and President Wilson was awarded the prize in 1919.

Congrats Obama!

“Going Green Is How We Ball”. Check this video out!

Philly — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 22:27:27 +0000

A group of young students in Memphis made this promo video to urge Memphians to Go Green. This video is hilarious with the dance moves, hip hop beats, and rapping. These students participated in a summer youth program at Booker T. Washington High School.

Enjoy.

ALL SING!

Philly — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 03:13:25 +0000

So this past weekend was Parent’s Weekend and ofcourse All Sing! All Sing is this singing/dancing competition hosted by the Kappa Delta Sorority. It was right on campus in Mallory Gym and seems to be a big success. All the proceeds go to St. Jude and I was so excited to participate this year! Last year was my first time seeing All Sing and it was pretty entertaining. All of the Panhellenic sororities and fraternities compete with an array of songs and dances for this year’s theme- Memphis. I was part of the KRUNK group, which includes BSA (black Student Association) and GSA (Gay Straight Alliance). We had been practicing intensely for about 2 weeks. Being such a small group without funding for costumes, we had to make sure w1 e were on point for everything. We had an acapella trio, swing dance, hip hop, and old school songs that kept the crowd rockin’! Well we… DOMINATED!!YEP, THIS IS KRUNK’S SECOND YEAR IN A ROW TO WIN!

Ex- Beauty Pageant Contestant wants more 15 minutes

Philly — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 05:01:22 +0000

So does everyone remember Ms. California, Carrie Prejean? Nope, she didn’t pose for Playboy or have some crazy sex scandal. She almost won Ms. USA but didn’t believe in same-sex marriage sooooo she didnt’ win. Wow, America! I’m all for gay- rights, but can she not have her own opinion? Anyway, she was ridiculed by gossip man Perez Hilton for her response on gay marriage. Well, Carrie is back (for some odd reason) speaking at the Values Voters summit 2009 in D.C. She got teary eyed and everyone felt bad for her I guess. she let the crowd know that she “was never asked to be thrown into politics”. Oh Carrie.

Anyone else pissed about parents demanding their children not hear Obama speak at school?

Philly — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 02:34:50 +0000

What is this mess about parents trying to get schools to boycott Obama’s pep talk? Apparently some conservatives are saying Obama is going to brainwash their children with his political talk, I suppose on the health care issue, and they are making sure their kids don’t listen. Have you ever heard such craziness?! He’s the president!! I wonder if McCain was president if liberals would be stirring up nonsense to get their children to not hear him speak. Most likely, NOT. Well, in today’s virtual talk to students Obama did not speak of politics, but encouraged children the importance of attending school and getting a great education. Ha, I hope those conservatives feel really dumb now.

Check out the video of Obama’s talk.

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Dalai Lama is coming to Memphis!

Philly — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 02:19:05 +0000

Well Well.. look at what Memphis brings, THE DALaI LAMA. Yep, the great Dalai Lama will be in my presence Septermber 23rd at the Canon Center. You can hear him speak on world peace for $35 or eat dinner with him for $300. While most people can’t afford to pay that much (including me), I will be in attendance to hear him talk on “Developing Peace and Harmony” for this once in a life time event. Also, Natalie Cole will be singing later that evening. The sad thing is her tickets cost more than the Dalai Lama….weird.

Check out the article!

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/sep/02/harmonious/

harmonious

Few Pics from NYFA

Philly — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 13:46:29 +0000

Here are a few pictures I snagged while in class.

More to come soon! Video screenings of me telling news will be up shortly.

Mara, the first digital journalist

Journalists from NYFA

New York, the digital journalist experience

Philly — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 18:07:52 +0000

I have returned from my five week adventure from New York City! There’s no way I can sum up this experience with a few words.

I have spent the last month living in Brooklyn. You know, I was very surprised at how different Brooklyn really is than how it’s portrayed in movies.There are not any drive bys or gang wars in front of my apartment. I actually felt pretty safe walking the four blocks to the subway back to the apartment. Brooklyn is a pretty trendy, hipster spot and I loved it!

I was also taking broadcasting classes five days a week, and roughly ten hours a day at the New York Film Academy. This course not only made me discover that this is what I want to do, but introduced me into this new generation of digital journalism, or “DJ”. Ha that’s funny telling people I want to be a DJ. Anyway, digital journalism is another level of… well let’s call it… a one man band. The reporter writes, shoots, and edits all of the footage to be posted on-line or on television.

When it comes to technical things I have never picked up a real camera before in my life, but that was completely okay. I learned how to work it with my instructors always ready to help and after school study sessions.
The journalism side was teaching myself how to write in a way college has told me not to write. In better words, . I was taught to not write as if I’m not advertising anything, but talking to a friend. I want my audience to understand and feel as if iIm in their own home. Keep words simple and to the point.

Now, like I said these were 10 hour classes and they were not a breeze. There were many days I had been in the editing lab for hours after class, my writing not being accepted because of errors, and trying to compete with the other 20 people who aspire and have as much drive as I do to become a DJ. It was very overwhelming.

I miss New York so much.

My Mccoy Debut!

Philly — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 03:39:03 +0000

Sorry guys I’ve been really busy lately with the rehearsals for Taming of the Shrew, but it has all paid off. My first big production debut at the Mccoy Theatre was Friday! The show was amazing! We had an awesome audience that had lots of energy and excitement. The audience’s energy keeps the thrill of the show going. I was extremely nervous before the show but once I got on stage it just felt right! I love performing before a crowd and the feeling I get is undescribable. Our second performance on Saturday..also known as the “Second Day curse” was alittle less energetic. The audience was still good and but strange things just kept happening. People couldnt find parts of their costumes, I would practice my lines and forget them..and just other little odd things, bu twe still had an awesome show. We have 4 more shows coming up this week on Thursday- Saturday at 7:30 and Sunday at 2:00

The cast

Getting ready for opening night

Lee and I goofing around in our costumes

The Color Purple

Philly — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 20:48:33 +0000

So most of us have seen the Academy Award movie the Color Purple with Oprah Winfrey and Whoopie Goldberg, but most people don’t know that it started out as a book by Alice Walker. Now The Color Purple is gaining fame as a Broadway musical and I got to see it this past Sunday at the Orpheum Theatre downtown! The story takes place between the 1900s -late 1940s in the old south (Mississippi I believe so). It is a heart wrenching tale of a woman, Celie, abused by every man she has ever known- her stepfather and husband. She is left without the only person tat ever stood by her, her sister. The musical had beautiful singing and dancing, that was alot like the movie. Celie finds love from her husband’s mistress, ShugAvery. Through the help of Shug and her fellow friend, they teach teach Celie to love herself and get away from her mean husband. Being able to see this as a musical was delightful! There was absolutely no dry eye in the theatre.

One day I will be in a Broadway show!!!

Not enough hours in the day

Philly — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 17:23:46 +0000

Sorry it’s been a few weeks with my writing. Since mid terms, spring break, and getting back to school, it’s been a whirlwind. So let me update you guys on a few things!

I’ve been going crazy with trying to keep up with all the rehearsals for Taming of The Srew, which opens in few weeks! It’s going to be an amazing show, I can tell already.

Also, I work in the development office where I call alumni, friends of the college, and parents to donate money to the Annual Fund. The Annual Fund is for student scholarships, technology, and helped build the new Burrow Library (which we all love)

Spring break for me was amazing. I literally slept the entire time. It was great! My parents think I’m sick, but they don’t realize how little sleep I get when I’m in school.

Ahhh as school winds down, i’m getting more papers that are coming up this week! Oh goodness, also I need to declare my major soon or I won’t be able to enroll for next semester!

Man, I love college, but there doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day to get all the work done that I need to do. It doesn’t help that now I’m catching a virus or something.

I’ve been through all 4 seasons in the past week.

Philly — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 05:30:20 +0000

The pat week has litterally gone from warm days in the mid 70s to below freezing, which led to SNOW. Yes, snow in early March, and not on a day that I have class, but ofcourse, it snows on a Saturday. I’m tied up with all my readings from class, memorizing lines for Taming of the Shrew, and more homework. So a few sprinkles came here and there, than it came down harder and faster, but two hours pass and there’s 5 inches!( Being from Memphis, I had never seen that much snow before) Well, I couldn’t just stay inside and do homework all day, I had to go out and play!! So my roomate and I made the most of the fabulous snow day. Rhodes looked like a winter wonderland in a Harry Potter movie. There were snow fights, excuse me, more like snow wars, which were really taken seriously. Anywhere I walked on campus I was in danger of being hit (more like attacked ) with huge snowballs, so I hid and ran. Oh, don’t throw a snowball at Rhodes window, IT WILL BREAK. No, I didn’t throw one, but someone did and yep, they’ll be paying for that for awhile. There was also free king cake in the Middle Ground, perfect for my snow break.

Gotta love Memphis’ crazy weather!

Snow day!

snow angel

: Me, taking it all in

Movie Premiere!

Philly — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 22:05:27 +0000

On Tuesday February 24 I went to the movie premiere of I AM A Man at Studio on the Square. The film was a documentary on the sanitation workers in Memphis, TN. This film followed a 77 year old man, Mr. Elmore Nickleberry, that discussed the heart ache, pain, and commitment he has gone through being a sanitation worker. During the Civil Rights Movement, sanitation workers, mostly Black men, were forced to work long hard hours for very little money and no health benefits. The men interviewed discussed their experiences being a sanitation worker was seen as no being a man. However, working with the Memphis Sanitation Company was probably one of the hardest jobs. The film made me realize that I never even think about what sanitation workers go through or what they had been through. I knew about the strike in 1968, but never really thought much about it. I figured that was the issue- that people have forgotten what happened.

The film can be seen on PBS and here’s the site for the trailer. http://iamamanthemovie.com/about/

Also, the film had some great music!! I happened to find out the band with soul, The City Champs.

Here’s for your listening pleasure. http://thecitychamps.com/

Vagina! Yep..I said it.

Philly — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 19:14:13 +0000

This past week has been amazing! I was apart of the Vagina Monologue cast to support women who have been sexually and physically abused all across the world. Vagina Monologues are an array of interviews and formed into a monologues to share with the world. Rhodes College joined the wagon of vagina friendly places. Though it was quite riskaaay and hilarious, with women sharing their first sexual experiences and two brave souls that described all the orgasms women have. The outrageous fact that still blows my mind is that in “Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia vibrators are illegal. If one is caught with intent to sell, he or she can face up to $5000 in fines and 3 years of hard labor. In all of those states guns are completely legal. We have yet heard of a mass murder with a vibrator.”

There were other very serious ones that got the crowd’s attention. Genital mutilation and rapes are serious issues that need to be stopped. Over 200 thousand* women are raped in the United States each year. The monologues are supposed to empower women to not be afraid to speak out if something has happened to you. My monologues dealt with the Democratic Republic of Congo that has been engaged in war on and off since 1988. Congelese women and girls have born the brunt of this vicious war with over 300,000 raped, tortured, and destroyed.

Congo

Look out your window

The dead live everywhere

Think of your luxuries as corpses

Count the bodies

30 hacked children for Jed’s new play station

20 tortured women so you can SMS photos from the party

50 amputated men, waving their missing hands as your sweet Andrew mindlessly bounces on his rubber ball

I held an 8 year old girl in my lap

Who had been raped by so many men

She had an extra hole inside her

When she accidentally peed on me

I was Baptized

It isn’t over there

The Congo

It’s insie everything you touch and do

free condoms in the lobby

BIG APPLE,Here I Come!!!!

Philly — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 21:11:33 +0000

Today I found out some amazing news!!This program that I’ve been dying to attend to get me one step closer to deciding if broadcast journalism is for me has replied and..

IM ACCEPTED!!!!!!!! YAY!! Big city lights, loud music, different people, great food..ah this is where I need to be.

New York Film Academy’s Broadcast Journalism workshop allows me to to go backstage and hands on behind the scenes work with affiliation with MSNBC. I even get to follow around the Today Show, take classes on sound design, interviewing, editing, and more.

I’m so excited that I can barely type, but the workshop is very expensive.

Now I need $3,500 and a place to live.

my possible future home!

A Night At the Opera!

Philly — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 21:09:45 +0000

This past Saturday, the 24th, I went to see Scott Joplin and Treemonisha at the Orpheum for $5 (thanks CODA)!!!!!

To be honest, I didn’t even know the production was an opera, I thought it was going to be a play. Anyway, getting to my assigned seat was an adventure itself. I arrive Saturday night (og by the way its 20 degrees outside) in a slight rush, couldn’t find a parking space( downtown was insane) and was almost late. Found a parking spot from almost 30min of driving around in a circle, for $10 (there’s always a price for everything), ran to the orpheum doors, and then stood in a 15minute line because there were people just wanting to block the door. I’m finally in to the warmth and golden beauty of the Orpheum and I run into the piano in the middle of the lobby. Yes, I run into the piano because it was so crowded and everyone wanted to get close to the kids that were playing ragtime music. Which was very good but I distracted the pianist and he stopped..so embarrassing. I just needed to find my seat and stay there.

Finding my seats…

See I’ve been to the Orpheum many times and know exactly how to get to the balcony. It’s only 2 flights up from the lobby. Well, the helpful ushers kept telling me different. EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM told me a different way to get there. I politely say, “Thank you I think I know where my seat are”. Finally, I’m in the balcony. Trying to find my seat I look at the stage and think this isn’t bad I can see everything on stage, nice view. Well, it wasn’t too nice when I have to cram myself into a tiny seat with NO leg room, my back was so uncomfortable, and people need to get across me every 15 min. I really thought this night was going to be awful. I’m reading through the program and see that it’s an opera. Ya know that’s fine I like operas, Phantom of the Opera was great!

Curtains up and Enjoy the show!

(My thoughts )The dark set of New York City and the costumes are great. Wow..I really like the sliding doors. Lots of time and effort were put into that. Why can’t I barely hear the characters sing?? Why are the projectors that are supposed to show the words not always coming on?? Besides that, what in the world is going on with this opera?? I’m so confused at this point. It seemed as if there was no plot. Great costumes!! Did anyone else notice that little boy dancing stage left?

It starts off with Scott Joplin trying to get his opera, Treemonisha, accepted by Black New York producers. However, it’s not accepted by anyone. The producers don’t think Blacks nor Whites would want to hear a story about a poor Black community in Arkansas. The opera transitions to the opera Treemonisha while Joplin watches over it. Well, this is where it gets a little confusing..Treemonisha is named after the tree she was found in, there are these conjurors that appear in this time to sell backs of luck, the town believes in voo doo, but are devoted Christians, and Treemonisha is kidnapped. OK WHAT! I’m lost. Where is this going??

INTERMISSION

CAROLINE CHOCOLATE DROPS, a group young African Americans playing their string instruments playing old-time music that’s filled with rich culture. The trio give us a a little taste of their music. It sounded like a mix of old Blues with a funky twist. Here’s their site to listen to clips, read their blogs, and more> http://www.carolinachocolatedrops.com/

Carolina Chocolate Drops

All In all, I must say the set design, costumes, and instrumental music was more captivating than the actual singing in the opera.

It was a night to remember

ICE SKATING AT RHODEs!

Philly — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 20:41:54 +0000

Yep, Rhodes did the unthinkable Monday evening. What the students were least expecting. Ah, were the rumors true? It can’t be? How does that even happen? Did you say Ice? LIKE ACTUALY ICE? TO SKATE ON? But I didnt have any ice skates. The signs said they would provide the skates. It was too cold. The signs and e-mails said there would even be hot chocolate and cookies. Well..I’m going to just have to check it out and see if it’s true..

Monday evening around 8:00pm I saw it…well I think that was it. It was there right infront of my ice. I could feel the coldness as I walked closer..it was a TINY,small, BARELY could move PATCH of ice.

Uhh..Well I came anyway. Lets get down and skate! If I still know how to remember.

Putting on my skates! Boy, was it FREEZING.

IM OFF!

This was an awesome idea and an amazing day!

EAT WITH YOUR HANDS!!

Philly — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 05:43:58 +0000

Okay so I’m trying to get used to blogging and I’ve been really slacking because I feel mine won’t be very good…but practice makes perfect right?

Anyway..My favorite restaurant in Memphis is Abysinnia, located on 2600 Poplar Ave #115. The best (and well only) Ethiopian food I’ve ever had.Vegetarians and carnivores alike should rejoice in the dishes served at this unique “hole in a wall” (It’s extremely easy to miss if you don’t know about it). The restaurant is ran by a caring and very nice Ethiopian family with open arms and amazing food! Abyssinia offers a food selection rarely experienced by Memphis diners, with a full list of vegetable dishes as well as chicken, beef and lamb. Enjoy Abyssinia for the taste of a rarely experienced cuisine and atmosphere. I recently took my mother there for the first time. We ordered the delicious, moist lamb and fish. Our huge plates come with our side vegetables of greens and the best cabbage Ive ever tasted! One thing..you eat with your hands..which my mother didn’t really want to do, but as they say..”When in Rome, do as the Romans do”. I wanted my mom to experience something different and exciting. I’m such a free spirit that I want my mom to step away from the normal knife and fork, and get down and dirty by eating with you hands! She nervously rolled the bread and picked up the fish and lamb..YAYYY SHE DID IT!!

Here I am enjoying my dinner.