Monthly Archives: September 2013

Brooklyn Historical Society Field Trip

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Today, our English 110 and Effective Speaking class took a rather interesting turn to the Brooklyn Historical Society. This was a building that served to preserve some of Brooklyn’s finest history. We walked in a circle exploring the area around us. I was really surprised to discover such beautiful buildings and amazing landscapes. Upon arriving to the cite, the building had sculptures of heads around itself called busts. These busts depicted famous explores, writers and philosophers. In my opinion, what I think stood out was the color of the building. I believe it was a mahogany color. The color gave of off the vibe that it was an old building. The color mahogany has a very vintage tone to it. I had fun learning all the details that surrounded the area. In the end of the trip, we were handed a brochure of the BHS. Inside there was a map that explained the areas within the building. When you enter the lobby, there is a grand staircase and a open area that would fit a crowd of people. Walking up stairs to the send floor, you will notice the library is behind the glass wooded doors. We did not get a chance to go up pass the second floor but we did get a chance to enter the library and witness how well preserved it was. Almost everything was made of wood and the second floor of the library had archives of original historical documents. I felt like I was thrown back 100 years in the past. I was delighted to be inside a room that is full of history. According to the map, the third floor would have been where the galleries are located. This was a wonderful trip and I can’t wait to come back and fully digest all of the details this place has to offer.

Follow-up from 9/30 for 10/2

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At the start of our field trip, I distributed a handout with questions for further reflection. Use these questions to guide you in writing your reflection of your experience today on the walking tour and visiting the Brooklyn Historical Society. Please post this as soon as possible so that your groupmates can reply in comments, since we will not have time in our next class to discuss our reactions and reflections. It was great to hear from so many of you in class at BHS today, and I look forward to reading about your experiences there and around Brooklyn.

On Wednesday, we’re going to the Ursula Schwerin Library, which is the name of City Tech’s library. It’s on the 4th floor in the Atrium building. Please meet there at 11:30 instead of going to Prof. Davis’s classroom. He and I will meet you there, as will Prof. Maura Smale, one of our instructional librarians. To prepare for this visit, please read “Who Knows Brooklyn?” by Ben McGrath. I can provide printed copies on Wednesday.

I also note that your drafts of Project #2 are due electronically at the start of class. Instead, please bring an electronic copy of your draft–as much of Project #2 as you can complete, in as presentable a draft as possible–and I will give instructions for submitting and commenting. Since we’ll be in a computer classroom, you must have your draft with you electronically to be able to upload it during class–either on a flash drive, or in your email, or another way if you have another idea.

Please feel free to ask questions by commenting on this post.

 

Summary of Brooklyn historical society

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My walk towards the Brooklyn Historical Society was a good experience, I enjoyed the walk and learned about several places and people. I had the opportunity to go inside the Brooklyn Historical Society and the inside looks nothing like the outside, the inside is a totally different place. While we were there we learned about several people. One thing that got my attention and left me thinking was a sculpture that they had of a girl named pinky. At first I thought it was a simple sculpture , but then they pointed out we had to also observe the details and we noticed there were poison leaves surrounding her. That small but important detail was interesting, she looked like an innocent slave, and then I learned that – that kind of leave was surrounding her made me think of her as a girl that no one wanted to mess with. Later they explained it was a symbol of the topic of women rights and that no one wanted to touch upon that topic.  Another thing that was great to learn was the obsession in taking care of the historic books they have in there. They have several rules, and many might think their not that important but in all honestly those rules are a crucial part in keeping those books in a good condition. The place has so much wooden detail and sculpture wise as well. Over all the place was a great experience and left me wondering what other things there are to learn about.

location choice

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gleasons gym

For project two my location will be Gleason’s Gym. This is a gym only for boxing this gym is located on 77 Front street. You get Here by exiting City Tech through the main exit(Namm) and head up towards Tillary street. Once you get there make a left and walk all Tillarey street until you get to Cadman Plaza E make a right. From there walk stright up all Cadman Plaza E and continue walking up onto Washington St. Keep walking up until you get to Front St make a left and there’s Gleason’s Gym.

I chose this certain place because i have a friend who is a boxer and he goes to that gym. I remember one day he told me and other friends that he was on the finals to get the gold glove tittle. The event was going to take place in Barcleys Center and that if we wanted tickets we had to go to his gym and purchase them there. i wanted to go but i had no idea how to get there so i just googled maped it and head there. On my way there the walk was amazing, great view from the bridge, you saw the park, friendly people smiling, it was great. Once i got there i looked up and you in big letters “Gleason’s Gym” and under a little door. i went up some narrow stairs, then there was two metal grey doors. On the right one it said Gleanson’s Gym so i went inside and it was a pretty big place i thought it was going tp be smaller.

the quote im using for Project two is from City Limits when Colson Whitehead said “You start building your private New York the first time you lay eyes on it.” Im using this quote because while i was looking for Gleason’s Gym i was so amazed just by looking aroung i was creating my own world inside my head.

PROJECT 2

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Just a few steps from City tech across Adams St there is a beautiful park that lets you experience both sides of Brooklyn. While standing on johnson street I could not help but notice a beautiful building facing Colombus park. It was a court house with old architecture, something worth appreciating these days because the big fancy condos with the huge windows are becoming very common in brooklyn. Especially along the coast. Here you have this area with a mix of historic buildings and modern condos. The same goes for the residents, theres all kinds of people from broke college students to full time office workers in expensive suits. The area seems to be flooded with luxury buildings the brooklyn natives are rare but still around, walking down cadman plaza I started to really notice how modern this area is and how the big pillars from the brooklyn borough president building add historic value to the neighborhood. The thing that really stands out about this area is how history and present mix and it shows that its a thriving neighborhood with a growing economy and diverse community.

The quote from ‘City limits’ which is “You start building your New York the first time you lay eyes on it. I think walking towards park also made me realize that just coming to School for classes is not what I should do. Instead I should wander around the area to find out magnificent architecture work around City tech.

The other quote I want to talk about is ” Maybe we become New Yorkers the day we realize that New York will go on without us.” I would interpret it like history stays there forever no matter what happens. The columbus park and the two great sculptures in there will stay there as a historic landmark for our coming generation.

 

Homework 9/30

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For the second project I’m going to choose Skate Brooklyn. This is a skateboarding shop located near the Atlantic Center Mall on Saint Marks PL between 4th and 5th AVE. I chose this shop because there is a whole new group of people, way of thinking, and world to Brooklyn most people have never thought about and they soon realize it right after you walk through the hidden entrance in the back of a garage. I felt this was the best place that I know to portray a juxtaposition, this just being a shop or a second home for Brooklyn skaters.

“You start building your private New York the first time you lay eyes on it.” – “City Limits” by Colson Whitehead
This quote relates to my essay because I feel the skaters pay attention more to the city than anybody else. A skater could tell you about any spot in the city from the private New York in their head, from the stair-sets, rails, ledges, smoothness of the ground, and security in the area. There is a whole list of details in a skaters head and they can explain to you every crack and crevice just from a few seconds of staring at a spot.

“My dream was to write a bookshelf of volumes, so many that one day I might drown in them, paper and ink suffocating me in an ocean of my own thoughts.” – “Fort Greene Dreams” by Nelson George
This quote relates to my essay and why I chose Skate Brooklyn because George said this to express his passion and how he just wants to surrounded by it. I feel that when in Skate Brooklyn a skater really feels at home and the feeling being surrounded by something you love is such an indescribable feeling to explain to someone.

Project #2 (9/30-location choice)

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imageThe place I chose for the project was the areas along the Fulton Street (Fulton Mall). As a teenage girl, I love shopping and when I explore the Downtown Brooklyn, I found this shopping heaven and I love it. Existing from the entrance of General building, turn left and walk straight down to the Fulton Street, then the left side is the Fulton Mall.

“You didn’t know that each time you passed the threshold you were saying goodbye.” The changing along the Fulton Mall is similar to that Chinese restaurant; someday, this store opens, someday, that store closed. People never know what happen tomorrow especially the fashion business. After a month, when you come back and shop in Fulton Street, you will find out your “old friend” was gone and a “new friend” came.

“Our old building still stand because we saw them, moved in and out of their long shadows
They are part of city we carry around. It is hard to imagine that something will take their place.” It is disappointed when you coming for something and after you get there, it is gone. And you can only put the old memories put inside your heart. Thus, you have to treasure every time you meet it.

Location Choice

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My location choice is the Brooklyn War Memorial.It’s one of the Cadman Plaza parks. Here are the directions to get their:  When you get out of the college from the Namm Building, You head north on Jay Street towards Tillary Street. Then turn left onto Tillary Street. Then turn right onto Cadman Plaza W.Then turn right at Clark Street. Then turn left and then finally you will reach your destination.

This monument is dedicated to the ones who died serving the during the war. The memorial was meant to be a larger plan to show this area of Brooklyn, which included the Brooklyn Civic Center building, new municipal facilities, and expanding housing opportunities.

The Quote’s I’m using from City Limits are:

  • ” Maybe we become New Yorkers the day we realize that New York will go on without us.”
  • “History books and public television documentaries are always trying to tell you all sorts of “facts” about New York.”

I chose these quotes because they relate to my location choice. The second quote really relates to this because this monument is history. These are the people who helped out during the World War II. It shows interesting facts about New York City. The first quote it basically says how no matter where we are in the worl…New York City will never change. It will remain the way it is. This relates to the Brooklyn War Memorial because even though the people who died during the war New York still kept on going. it didn’t stop because of them. So for their honor, this monument was built.

Location Choice

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My Location Choice is Dumbo Beach

The directions:

You start out at City Tech. The main building and you walk towards the Brooklyn bridge. You have to pass several streets to get there:

Chapel St.

Concord St.

Nassau St.

Sands St.

Then you cross the street towards Prospect St

York St.

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Front St. – There’s a beautiful Art painting in a wall, its a Mexican Restaurant

Water St.

Plymouth St.

John St.

All these streets are With Jay street, so you go straight down on Jay Street towards John St.

The Quotes I’m Choosing to use are from the Article City Limits:

  • “The New York City you live in is not my New York City”
  • “Maybe we become New Yorkers the day we realize that New York will go on without us.”

I choose these Quotes Because they have a special meaning. One means the Memories we have of New York City no one really knows how we see them except us. This quote relates to what I’m going to write because The walk I took, the emotion I felt and the thoughts that went through my mind aren’t going to be the same as another individual. And the other one explains of how much of a value New York City is to us and how of a minor value we are to New York City. This one is relatable because I notice we are influenced by New York City. New York City is our role model, we want to be someone in New York City, we rely on it. New York doesn’t need us to functions. They are both interesting quotes the Author used in his Writing.

 

 

 

braggarts

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braggarts (noun)  a loud arrogant boaster

“Never listen to what people tell you about old New York, because if you didn’t witness it, it is not a part of your New York and might as well be Jersey. Except for that bit about the Dutch buying Manhattan for 24 bucks — there are and always will be braggarts who “got in at the right time” City Limits by Colson Whitehead paragraph 5

This part of the passage means that if you didn’t witness it yourself then it is not true and it cannot be a part of your New York. However, there will always be loud and arrogant boasters that are always bragging about how they made such a profit or a good event that happened to them.