My last Blog, Its time to Graduate!!

So this is my last blog for the class and time for me to graduate in two weeks, which is completely freaking me out. I cant believe its been four years and its time to move on to something else. This class has been a lot of fun and a lot of work I have to say but I enjoyed it either way. To my friends Tatiana and Joan I love you girls, you made the class fun and Prof. Proctor, if I was a pain I’m sorry but I really liked your class. So thank you.

At the same time I’m really excited for SENIOR WEEK, which is going to be a blast and just pure craziness all around. And May 16th is the day of days where we leave Mville with Forest Whitaker as our keynote speaker and for me having my family they’re to support. Lets talk about our key note speaker, this is an major actor in such film “The last King of Scotland,” and many other so I have to say that if President Berman wanted the class of 09 to go out with him in a blazing glory than he found it.

I can’t wait to have my family their too, having my mom, grandma and so may other family member is going to be great, I just hope the quad is big enough for my family and the rest of the families attending graduation. In a very personal note, I can’t wait to go home after because 4 years ago my uncle (located in the middle of the picture above) who can’t come unfortunately said to me that his biggest wish and hope is to see me graduate and become a professional before he dies and I cant wait to go home and show him he got his wish and that I kept my promise to him. Making him and my family proud doesn’t hurt either. LETS GO SENIORS 09, WE ROCK!!!!

This is an old pictre from Freshman Year:

Tao Te Ching, Master Chung Style

Tao Te Ching is a simplified version of Tai chi also known as Laozi. This semester I took a class in tai chi with Professor Schulman and the short style of tai chi taught by his master Chung. During the semester we learn many techniques used in the form like Push Hands, Repelling Left and Right, and so many other that I have a hard time remembering. Initially I saw tai chi as a meditational art that was later used for martial arts, as are many rituals in Asian religions such as Buddhism. What was interesting was that I found myself feeling some changes as I was practicing these forms. For one my walking felt different due to the fact that in tai chi you feel where you step before you put your weight as opposed to how we walk where we put our weight first and let the legs catch up so my walk seemed easier and I felt less tired when I exercised.

Watch this video of the Great Master Cheng Man Ching, grandfather of master Chuan who is the master of the Professor who taught the Tai Chi class:


Now the funny thing is that my friend Tatiana Rodriguez wrote a piece on this subject with more about the religion. This one is more me trying to get more students to take this course. I also took Asian Religions so I understand the daoist way of thinking and how they see the world which is why this course would be great for a student especially when finals come and they can de stress and see things a little differently. For me as a musician, this is helping me with my discipline and done wonders for my stress and stamina when playing. Great class, great form, great style, take the class

4 Years!! Looking Back.

It’s been 4 years since I came from Puerto Rico and started as a freshman at Manhattanville College. Now, its time to graduate and I have to say the feeling is a little weird to say the least. Looking back at all the crazy times with my friends, all the stupid times the guys and I just shot each other with nerf guns to now looking for a job in the real world seems unlikely and incredible. It’s really easy to forget how comfortable this college is and to leave is a scary thought and exciting at the same time.

I remember in freshman year it was my friend and I playing pool every night no matter the work and calling ourselves the “Spellman Loungers.” In sophomore year I was living with one of my best friend who was also a complete slob, making my first CD and starting to get used to New York. The last two years have been a roller coaster of changes from working with Atlantic Records, being in 4 theaters production here and figuring out what to do next and whether to stay in NY or go back home.

I’m sure many of my fellow seniors feel this way are trying to figure out what to do and are looking back at these moments, but I will cherish them so much. Together with my friends that leave with me: Justin Moran, Caitlin Corvini, Michael Lunapiena, Margaret Micucci, Chelsea Callahan, Tony Baptist,Vinny Liquory, and the Spellman Loungers I leave with friends that have become family and a bottle of champagne at graduation and wine glasses with their names on it.

No videos this time, these are better:

The Last Jam at the Quad!!

Well, it’s a week after Quad Jam and I think I’ve recovered and so has everyone else where I can recall and reminisce about my last quad jam. It was an amazing day to begin with after so much cold weather, there was good music, alcohol, friends and of course the fun at mville. Oh yeah and Pitbull. So the day was full of drinking and people just enjoying the sun but at least for me what made it so much fun was spending with my friends and enjoying or playing music. THAT’S RIGHT, my band “Who and Why” played and it was a lot of fun. Being our last performance we went out with a band with our set of Save Tonight by Eagle Eye Cherry and Sweet Child of Mine which requires no introduction.

See what I mean, this aint my band but we are that good:

The day had a lot of events that included “Class Wars,” which I thought was pointless, bull riding, and other which for some reason ended early. In any case, for the most part everyone just wanted to relax in a warm day until night fall came and night life began.

At night, the fireworks began and I saw so many seniors huddled together to watch the last firework from Manhattanville, it was a special thing to see. Of course afterward Pitbull came on and all hell broke loose and everyone is dancing and going crazy, it was so much fun. I have to say that at least for me, the last quad jam was very good, the night ended well with some well needed bed time after a day with my friends. Of course bed time was 4am but that was fine with me.