THE EIGHT-YEAR-OLD ME

When I was a child, I had many thoughts about how will be my life when I became adult. Many times as children we plan a great future, because we are not mature enough or we are not able to understand the magnitude of responsibility that means life. Also we ignore whether life circumstances could change those plans. If I met the eight year old me, I would like to know how she felt when she was a child and that she knew how has been my life at all these years.

Now, that I have the opportunity to talk to her and remind when I was eight year old, I want to know what do you think about our childhood? I was a dreamy little girl that thought that life was easy. I was old enough to understand what happened around me. My childhood was happy, because I was along with my mother, my brother and my grandparents. They always helped my mother with raising of us. However, I had a sadness, because my father left us when I was seven year old and at this moment I didn’t know if that situation had been worse or better, in view of that my father beat my mother and that was a very painful experience for my brother and me. Despite those bad memories, my infancy was pleasant, since always we have the support of my grandparents and my aunts. And although we did not have money, my mother worked very hard to give my brother and me the best. I always dreamed to become a doctor when I was adult, because I wanted to take care of my mother and my grandparents to pay for all their love and dedication.

After talk to much about our past, she was anxious to know about my future. How has been your life at all this time? She asked me. Well, my life has not been like you thought that it would be, but it has been wonderful to live with its joys and sorrows, its successes and failures. There have been many hard times throughout these years, as the accident of my mother, but also there have been nice moments, especially when I went to college was an experience that made me grow as a person and gave me the necessary tools to face life professionally. Also I meet many friends. Although I didn’t become a doctor as you thought it would, I am on the lookout for my mother and my grandparents, even though I cannot be with them. I didn’t study to a doctor, because when I was growing I began to realize that I had no vocation to be a doctor, I mean, I'm a very susceptible person, I didn’t visualize me operating a person or having to go through a critical moment. .. However I am an economist, and I am satisfied with my profession, it was something that I really wanted to do, because I like and enjoy it. While I was studying, I got married and I had a beautiful daughter, and this had some implications in my life, as stop my career for a while, and to postpone some projects, but I don’t regret because my daughter has been the most wonderful that happened to me. Finally I could finish my career and currently, I am resuming my projects and one of them is my master degree.

I would like to warn you not to make the same mistakes as me. But you have to grow as a person and to commit your own mistakes and learn from them. You have to make your own decisions, according to your values and your training; I'm sure will be the best. I can only advice you and I tell you, do not be impatient that God is always with you. You have to struggle and to be persistent to reach your goals. Never give up, always looking forward, no matter how difficult the situation may seem. Never lose your values and your nobility.

Life is beautiful because there are enjoyable and difficult times, and really are those difficult times that make us stronger to face life. She felt proud of me. And I am pleased for that. Despite that my life was not as she thought at first, everything that I have experienced, have given me the ability to face any adversity or challenge that may seem very small. But at the end, I know that she will do better than me.

MUSIC HAS INFLUENCED MY LIFE

Most of us have been influenced at some point in our life by an artistic manifestation. This expression can create a sentimental and emotional impact which is reflected in moods. The influence of the music has been a fundamental part in the development and training of human beings, given that the music is no longer considered only as a universal language, but as an important part of the human experience. Particularly, music has influenced my life in three different aspects.

Music is an instrument to the apprenticeship and a manner to stimulate the creativity. When I was a child I learned many things in an easier way with music. The alphabet, the numbers, animal’s names and colors were some things that I learned readily, because music motives me to learn quickly. This helped me because it was not a conventional form of education and music didn’t has the monotony of common apprenticeship, but it was a fun way, it is something that you have unconsciously. If you like the rhythm, this means that you could like the lyrics, and if you repeat it many times, obviously going to learn. Currently, there are very few things that I can learn with music now, since the content of what I need to learn don’t come with music, then I have to do this with conventional way, memorizing. At this time, there are many songs that help the teaching process for children and this use to be pleasant and motivator.

When I was a child, music was a medium of instruction, but is now an essential part of my life. Music has given meaning to my life. When I feel sad for some reason, music is an encouragement to my soul and it has motivated me to ignore my sadness. Moreover, when I have troubles, music motivates me to keep going. Music reveals our most intimate experiences, and often their message broadcasts a feeling of knowing what to do with our lives. For this reason, I like all kind of music, but, particularly which identifies with my experience and personality. For instance, at some point in my live, I have gone through loving experience that have hurt me, and when I listened to music, most of the lyrics are similar to my reality. Therefore, there are so many songs that represent special moments in my life and I do remember feeling positive and negative, a song that brings me a nice souvenir but sad at the same time for example was, “My Pretty Girl”, my mom dedicated me this song when I was 15 years old, and by tradition is a song that the father dedicates to his daughter this special day, and I recalled that I didn’t have father but also, I reminded that my mother was both (father and mother) for me and I feel proud of her. Those experiences have helped me to grow as a person and to improve my quality of life.

As well as the music has accompanied me in my different moods, but also has inspired me to want to feel it through the musical instruments. Music encouraged me to learn two instruments. When I was in high school I had a music subject, there I learned to play piano. I really enjoyed the classical music; I liked Mozart and Richard Clayderman music. I felt the need to play this music, because it filled my soul. I do not know how to explain, but it was a strange sensation, as if it was feeding my spirit. Afterward, I wanted to learn to play guitar, but this time, I did it for my grandfather. He gave me a guitar and he always wanted that I learned to play it. I did, but, I didn’t feel the same emotions as with the piano.

“Without music, life would be a mistake” said by Nietzsche, writer and philosopher, who loved music. This phrase reminds us how important is music in our lives, even the point of recognizing that without it, everything would be a mistake, since there is evidence from our ancestors that the music has been a vehicle of communication and cultural expression, hence its importance in our lives. Music is a creative vehicle that helps so easy to learn and have fun. Likewise, it has the ability to emotionally affect and arouse strong emotions. And finally it motivates us interested in stuff that are part of the music, hence the interest in musical instruments.

HIGH FIDELITY

It is a good book. Rob, the protagonist tells us about his loving failures and as the music has played an important role in his life. It's a hilarious story with a touch of reality.

EVENTS THAT HAVE INFLUENCED MY LIFE

Can you envision your life without difficult and happy moments which require us to change our perspective on life? It’s evident that all people at some point of their lives have been affected by some circumstances without exception. Those events can influence us positively or negatively. I believe that all human beings have gone through many of those moments, moments that come and go without any transcendence. However, I think that there are some moments that utterly change our lives. In my case, there are three moments that have given a special meaning to my life.

Many people immigrate to different countries looking for new and better opportunities, without considering what they leave behind. However, this was not my case, emigrating from Colombia was an experience that changed my life completely. I was studying economic in my country and I had a lot of projects to my life, one of them is to make a master degree. When I finished my career I got a job in an important bank in the city where I lived. With that work I began to acquire experience in my profession and there were several opportunities to follow growing professionally. Nevertheless, I married and as any married couple, we had plans. My husband lived in New York and we saw a good opportunity to continue my professional studies. But it has not been easy; I have to start again and even more, my family and specially my mother, whom I miss so much. I have found several obstacles; one of them is the language, although I have been here for a year, I cannot speak fluently and I cannot quit thinking in Spanish. This has been frustrating for me. Furthermore, it is difficult to cope when you don’t have support from your family and you have children. Sometimes you don’t have anybody who leaves them or you don’t have money to pay for a daycare. When you start to see that the things are limited, you realize that you cannot go at the pace that you want because there is a child who depends on you. Because of that, all of those I explained in this paragraph have been a complicated experience, my desire is to overcome and succeed. The main incentive is my family.

Coming to New York was a very important event that transformed my life, but being mother is the most wonderful experience in the world. Many mothers agree that the most wonderful moment in life is becoming a mother, but it is also the event that brings more changes. “Your life is going to change”, I remember the times I heard this phrase during my pregnancy, and how much it cost me to capture their meaning. Will be better? Or will it be worse? Changes are so many that it is impossible to list them. It’s not a sentence but a challenge, and as every challenge, an opportunity to learn, grow and make us better people. With this most profound change, I discovered an inner strength that grabbed me by surprise and even frighten me by its intensity. Also I felt an instinct of overprotection to defend my daughter. It’s realized that you can go beyond your limit. Likewise, I felt grow inside me a love so strong, powerful and deep, that you ask yourself if you could love another being like this creature. Also, I started to understand, respect and admire my mother as never before. “It’s not possible that my mom had made it,” I thought “two children and alone.” In that moment grew my understanding and gratitude toward her. On the other hand among daily changes, I had to stop my career and dedicate time to my daughter and to learn of my new mother’s role. For that reason when you don’t have experience, everything is more difficult. In my case, I didn’t have the support from my family, so I had to take charge of household chores and my daughter. Despite this, becoming a mother is the most amazing experience, no matter the sacrifices that one has to do.

There are several circumstances that change your life. Some are satisfying as being mother, but there are others that are very painful. I went through a very bad situation when my family had an accident and my mother almost died. My mother was in a coma in the hospital for one month, and we waited for the worst. However I always had hope that my mother would survive. I felt that my entire world had collapsed, and that I wouldn’t know how to continue life if my mother died. It was so terrible for me. But, thank God my mother came out of the coma. Her recuperation was difficult, because my mother had a brain injury. She said incoherent things and she was aggressive. But little by little she recovered. This experience made me a stronger person and taught me to be thankful for having my mother that I love. It also, taught me to struggle against any troubles and adversities. But the most important thing that this experience has taught me, is not to lose faith, no matter what, because, thanks to the faith as big that I had and God, is that my mom is along with me.

All events that happen in life are experiences that leave a lesson. Some are often agreeable; others hurt. In my case, emigrating from my country, becoming a mother and the accident of my mother were moments that marked my life, that moments taught me to appreciate life and its little details.

CENSORSHIP IN ART

The word art describes creations of human beings with the intention of stimulating the human senses as well as the human mind or spirit through books, movies and music. Throughout the history there has been much controversy over art. Some people like groups or government officials have felt the need to suppress ideas that they find to be moral and politically harmful for the society. Some controversies have come up with musicians and genres such as Paul McCartney, Madonna and Reggaeton.

The topic of censorship in music is not something new. Authorities in Israel banned the Beatles 43 years ago; they thought that their music could corrupt the morality of Israeli youth. For this reason, the Israeli government sent a letter of reconciliation to McCartney, this letter represented a new opportunity to him. As a result of this, the ex-Beatle Paul McCartney performed a concert in Tel Aviv the last year. However, a Muslim cleric declared McCartney to be “the enemy of every Muslim”, and as a consequence, he was threatening of dead through religious militants from Palestine and Islamic extremist groups. But those threaten didn’t matter to him. Thus, I think that music is able to join people with different ideologies instead of divided them and also, music can change thoughts in a positive way. Despite the conflict between Israel and Palestine, and the role that religion represents in each of these countries, it should not be grounds for threats against an artist who wants to bring peace.

Like, The Beatles were censor because their music could corrupt the Israeli youth, Madonna was banned by imitate Christ’s actions in a concert. In November 22, 2006 governments and churches from several countries like German, England and Italy denounced the crucifixion scene as distasteful. Religious leaders maintain that these actions are insolent and offensive because she used religious imagery. As a matter of fact, she contended that she used it to speak of poverty, famine, disease and discrimination that there is in the whole world. In fact, I do not agree with the form of censorship, because I believe it is a parody of crucifixion is not a mockery or insult, but the opposite. It is an exaltation of the mystery of the death and resurrection of Christ, and why not, a way of reminding us that God still beside us.

There are controversy with musical artists, there are also with musical genres. One example of them is the Reggaeton, which was banned on the radio in Dominican Republic and Cuba in January 2006. The governments of these countries often criticized Reggaeton because of controversial lyrics, moreover, its aggressive, offensive and sexual speech offensive towards women. However in 1990, the Reggaeton lyrics were “clean up” by new artists to ensure that their music would be played on the radio. Eventually, the forbid was lifted and it became available to the public through music stores. I do not agree with the governments’ decision, because Reggaeton is a new genre that is characterized by its slang. It is an artistic expression anyway and each person is free to decide whether to listen to it or not.

Censorship is a manner of restricting the freedom of expression. The music is an art; therefore it expresses emotions, thoughts, and belief of people. Musicians and genres such as Paul McCartney, Madonna and Reggaeton have caused conflict to other people because their ideas are not consistent with the opinions or manifestation of particular groups. In spite of that there are songs that have inappropriate content, there are others that just express traditions which I think is a free right of free expression and therefore should not be censored.

MY TOP FIVE PEOPLE

I have known many people who have influenced my life in a positive way as in a negative way, but even these negative aspects I have learned. These people throughout my life with their simple presence, absence, their love and their mistakes have left a mark in my heart and my life. But in my top five are the most significant people in my life, those who have influenced my decisions, my steps, and even my mistakes.

1. My mother Edith

2. My Grandmother Alba
3. My Aunt Yolanda
4. My Daughter Gianella
5. My Husband Jose

SIXTY PERSONAL QUESTIONS

1. Would you rather be rich and have no free time or struggle with money but have loads of free time?

• I would rather have loads of free time for my family.

2. If you were a boss, would your rather be liked or feared?

• I would rather be liked.

3. Do you prefer to dress nicely or comfortably?

• I prefer to dress nicely.

4. Would you ever get a tattoo? Do you have one?

• No, I would’t.

5. Who is the most influential person in your life?

• My mother.

6. Do you prefer the excitement of a new relationship or the comfort of a long relationship?

• I prefer the comfort of a long relationship.

7. Your walking down the street with your love, where are you going?

• We are going to see a movie.

8. What is your pet peeve?

• That someone scream to me

9. What do you get excited about?

• I feel excited to see my daughter really happy.

10. What's the last thing you laughed really hard over?

• I don’t remember.

11. Could you live without your cell phone for one week? One month?

• Yes. I could.

12. What woke you up this morning?

• My phone alarm.

13. Do you myspace or facebook?

• Facebook.

14. If you could take one friend on vacation with you, who would it be?

• My Husband.

15. Are you scared of spiders, cockroaches, or snakes?

• Cockroaches, snakes, mice.

16. Could you go a month without cursing?

• Yes.

17. Does cursing make you uncomfortable or are you indifferent?

• Cursing make me uncomfortable.

18. Do you prefer a wild night on the town or a quiet evening at home?

• I prefer a quiet evening at home.

19. If you could move somewhere else, would you?

• I would move to Spain,

20. How many true friends do you have?

• I have 2 friends.

21. What is something you really want right now?

• I want to speak English fluently.

22. Are you a forgiving person?

• No.

23. Have you ever thought you were going to marry someone?

• Yes, I am married.

24. Last person to make you smile?

• My husband and my daughter.

25. Do you miss anyone?

• Yes, my mother.

26. Are you sarcastic?

• No.

27. Is it more important to be honest or kind?

• I think both are important.

28. Are you a bad or a good influence?

• I am good influence.

29. Is there anyone you want to visit you?

• Yes. my mom.

30. What time did you wake up this morning?

• 5:30 am

31. What is something your friends make fun of you for?

• I don't know.

32. In one word describe yourself.

• Friendly.

33. Is there anyone you wish could “see you now?”

• My daughter.

34. What is your dream job?

• I would like to work in Wall Street.

35. Do you listen to music? How often?

• Yes, all days.

36. What is your favorite movie?

• Life is beautiful.

37. You is your favorite celebrity?

• Tom Hanks.

38. Brittany Spears: yes or no?

• No.

39. Michael Jackson: yes or no?

• No.

40. Tom Cruise: yes or no?

• No.

41. Madonna: yes or no?

• No.

42. What is your favorite song?

• November Rain "Guns and Roses"

43. Are you easily offended?

• Yes.

44. What is your favorite book?

• Chronicle of a Death Foretold "Gabriel Garcia Marquez"

45. Does the idea of going to college intimidate you?

• No

46. Do you like change?

• No too much.

47. Are you a control freak?

• Yes.

48. What is the scariest experience you’ve ever had?

• When my mom almost died.

49. What is the happiest moment you’ve had in the last year?

• The birth of my daughter.

50. Do you consider yourself a hard worker, or are you lazy?

• A hard worker.

51. What is your favorite leisure time activity?

• To listen to music.

52. Do you like reading? Why or why not?

• Yes, because it is very instructive.

53. When you read, what makes it interesting for you?

• The content of the reading.

54. What makes you feel like a successful student?

• That I learn and I can apply these knowledge.

55. What are your plans for next year?

• Beginning my master degree.

56. Where do you see yourself in five years?

• Finished my master degree and working in a good company.

57. What is your greatest challenge in English?

• To speak without think in Spanish.

58. What is advice you would give to a friend who wanted to move to NYC?

• To learn English before coming here.

59. What is one piece of advice you would give to a friend who wanted to study English at LaGuardia?

• To be responsible and dedicate to learn well English.

60. What is one piece of advice you have learned in the past year that you will/would share with your children?

• We have to be persevering and the most important thing is to has clear your goals.