the end

So this is the final blog post for this class. Now I don't know if we had to blog, but I felt it appropriate to end the semester with the way we started it - blogging. For any of those who have read my blog, aside from myself (if any of you do exist that is) this is just a little bit of advice. If you like knowing what you're going to get out a class by the end of the 15th week then never take a class with Dvorak. If you do, expect the unexpected, in  a good way that is. I had this idea of what the class would be, and it turned out to be completely different from the end result. Expect to work as long as possible and be completely consumed by everything that has to do with MMR&W. But also expect this, to learn a lot. Although you may not think that your research is significant, from what I've seen so far from last week's presentations, is that everyone enjoyed their project and knows a lot about it, which makes sense. But still, Dvorak does what he does for a reason and that reason benefits you in the long run. For many of us this is their last class that will have culminated with graduations, for others one semester closer to being free.
The class was stressful, fun through the ups and downs of deadlines and excessive amounts of caffeine. Now the end has greeted us all, and who knows if I keep up with blogging, maybe a different blog, of how to manage appropriate amounts of coffee at peak times of stress due to overwhelming classes. :)

stereotypes

I guess I was wrong when I said that I'd blog more often in NY than in Miami, however it wasn't intentional; if I had a laptop or if the city were less expensive then I would have frequented an Internet cafe somewhere near me so that I could blog. Also if parks had Wi-Fi, I would have most definitely blogged at least twice in one day, but...that didn't happen so. Whenever I was out and about in the city, my brain was just soaking it all up, the sights, the smells (good and bad), the temperature and my racing thoughts traveling through my mind as fast as the train. One thing I did notice, once I would get home tired, but content after being out all day was that I didn't see as many Hispanic/Latinas in any of the financial districts that I would wander through. The only time I would see my fellow ethnic race was in the subway stations. Women of Dominican, Puerto Rican, Mexican, Colombian descent. And these women of all ages were dressed appropriately in regards to the weather. The one thing I did notice was that the women that I did see in these business/financial areas were the ones dressed more fashionably geared rather than climate appropriate. I guess it made sense since at this particular moment I was by Bryant Park, however these women seemed to sacrifice warmth for style.
Thanksgiving was the one day where I saw an extreme stereotype being fulfilled right before my eyes. While on my way to see my family I was in the subway waiting for the train, and a Mexican family (I know they were Mexican because of the Spanish accent) were waiting for the train to take them to the parade so that they could sell cotton candy.

I'll just leave that image there so that whoever (if there is anyone that does read my blog) reads this will interpret it as they wish.

home sweet home

I arrived to me beloved hometown of Manhattan. The change in temperature was so inviting and the change was much needed in my life. Too much heat does me no good. As my hands started to stiffen with the brisk cold wind beating against my face, I couldn't help but notice my immediate dissection of how women dress, especially here considering the brisk temperature. Although this trip isn't one of pleasure, I can't help but thank this city, that I adore, for making me appreciate the beauty in all it's chaos. My progress will have taken a bit of a back seat for personal reasons, but that doesn't mean that I will completely shove my project to the depths of my mind. I can immediately see certain trends in regards to appearance and attire. Who knows, maybe wandering into a quaint little cafe will spark a new finding, some different opinion, theory that I wouldn't have stumbled upon while under the scorching sun in Miami. Although I must say I'm a bit proud with the progress of my project: I have MM#1 done, MM#2 waiting for feedback, the survey transcriptions in process, interviews almost done; just need to code them. I MUST work on the ARP which needs a lot of weeding out from the content once inserted past weeks. Knowing the way I am, and how I function while in NY, most likely is that my blog will be filled up more than in Miami. Tons of things to do, bands I'm going to see, great food to be consumed and a lot of quality time with family. Who knows maybe being here, will give a little touch of NY magic to my project and overall...my life!
I'll see you soon BlogSpot

men vs women

After transcribing all the of the three interviews, I found myself lost - yes lost. It wasn't what I expected at all, for one of them at least. I had different expectations of what I would get from my respondents, but now that I have all of them done, I can see the foggy haze slowly form in front of my eyes. Maybe from staring at the screen too much, and getting really close to it, to make sure that I had typed down everything the respondents said.
Note to self (and everyone with a BlackBerry) don't use your phone to record the interview! Had I an appropriate device to record the interviews, I'm pretty sure the interview transcriptions would've been done the day after, or even that same night. Maybe not, but the process would've been that much easier. Main reason: every time I pause the interview my phone stops and says there is an error loading it - great! so every time I need to go back and make sure I heard the right thing...I have to start all over again (yes!!) So I pretty much had to listen to the interviews more than five times in order to get everything done. But enough of me complaining, life is about learning lessons and I definitely learned mine.
Unsatisfied rant aside, I feel as if I got the interviews mixed up, because some of the answers were not what I was expecting from the specific respondent at the time. However, I must give credit to my fellow XX (females) beings, the most successful interview was with a woman. The total interview lasted 15 minutes. Yes! 15!! 5 of which were spent, introducing my project and a little bit about my background and such, and the other remaining 10, was the actual recorded interview. Once I transcribed the interview, I saw the caliber of the answers that she gave me. They were straight to the point, answered everything mentioned in my questions and were quality answers too, for that matter. So therefore my conclusion to this part of the never ending process, that is MMRW, is that women won in this round - let's see how well men do with my observations and surveys (not to separate us) :]

my own perception

I don't know if this semester long project has heightened my Hispanic stereotype, but this weekend while out with friends and talking about casual things, the topic of hair arose (yes hair) and I found myself defending my opinion that long hair isn't always prettier - I noticed myself becoming defensive, while backing up my opinion that everyone has long hair thus my reason for keeping it at a medium/short length. I then went on to say, that I myself don't want to give in to the 'typical stereotypes' of Hispanic/Latinas: long hair, hips, short, curvy... I was telling my friends how I try as much as possible to defy all of those stereotypes. [This is me being very candid, virally] Now that I realize this correlation between the two, it goes further than my hair... I've said time and again that I think that a slimmer body is more elegant therefore more beautiful - also going against my own genes and own physical attributes. It became so much more clear this weekend of how much I allow my life to be consumed by constant battles against 'physical' perceptions. I need to read beyond the lines of the sources that I've used for my research project and apply the powerful, headstrong voices of proud Hispanic women all around.

checklist in full effect

After the workshops we had in class this week, I feel (a bit) at ease with my project - I know that doesn't really sound right, especially after my very spontaneous reaction to the deadlines that follow for the upcoming weeks. My survey was approved and sent out. I have one more interview to conduct November 9, now all I have to do is finish transcribing the other interviews. Thursdays' class was extremely insightful, since I sort of related the process of it to that of writing it "recipe" style - we need to make it as straight forward as possible, so that anyone that reads our ARP (Academic Research Paper) can easily read it, follow the directions and do one themselves. At the moment my ARP has a lot of content, but now that I have a structure to follow it will all hopefully be easier to edit. The last interview, is one I'm proud to have since it comes from one of the sources I used for this research - hopefully she likes it as much I enjoyed her piece :)

mixing bowl

After both 'workshop' sessions this week, everything is slowly but surely coming together - even if its at a slow pace. The traces of the final project are slowly becoming visible. Still very stressed but bits and pieces are coming into place, although scattered I can see the light at the end of tunnel (barely) but very anxious to see how and when I will see the final 'masterpiece' done!