King Phillip aka The Drummer Boi

What’s good ever’body? Man Bridge is finally over and it has been real with yall. It was nice to be in a class with such intelligent people, such as yourselves. I could not ask for another class. Some of you I know more like Lady G, Darrion and Chris Brown. It was real cool kicking it wit yall. Lady G, you’re a cool ass female g. It was fun asking “What you getting me for lunch today”. We had our laughs. You know what you want in life so go get it regardless of support. If you want to learn everything, start off small then work your way up. Darrion, keep St. Louis alive in the Chi, Keep the joints (clothes and shoes) together, stay focused and don’t worry about what people say. Continue to stand up for what you feel is right. Chris Brown or should I say Thee Chris Brown, all the laughs we had about different things. Keep doin your thing and keep your head up. I hope to see yall in school. King Phillip and CFG CRAZY!!!
Honestly I was told that Bridge was to determine if you were ready for college. So I guess if you didn’t pass Bridge you wasn’t ready for college. College is college you can’t really expect too much but when you get in college and you see what you have to do then do it. The most challenging part of Bridge was me actually accepting that I had to attend Bridge. The most rewarding part would be the awards thing on the last day. I would say that my eyes are now to college. I am ready. My email is phillip.williams@loop.colum.edu I always check it. Peace and Keep your head up.

A Valediction to my Fellow student

[This is a monologue that should be read in the form of Leonidous of the movie 300. Enjoy!]

Ode to the Bridge Program that used up all of my precious final summer as an adolescent! You have shown me the ways of the colligate life, and I thank ye for it. My fellow program mates and I have struggled so much in the course of the four weeks. We’ve seen men and women crumble under the pressure, and have been demised due to laziness. My colleagues! This is my farewell message for you and your ancestors!
Do not forget the laughs we’ve had or the moments of love we’ve shared. Do not forget the person next you who always seemed to help you out, or the person on the other side of the room who never seem to care. Our time at Columbia is limited; however, our time Columbia is endless.
When I first spoke to Lynn Levy, she told me Bridge wasn’t for me. She said “Go to community college! Get ready for Columbia in 2009!” LIES!!!!! I proved her wrong just like WE will prove the world wrong! I expected to go in to battle with a shield and no sword, or a mind that wasn’t ready for college. Ha! Is the face of a student that’s not ready for the best Art College in the country? No! THIS IS THE FACE OF A COLUMBIA STUDENT!
So my friends, my family, my loved ones, look around. We see the people that we would see for the next four to five years. Embrace them, remember them, and do not lose contact with them.
A class that endured the pain that we have endured never prospers.
This is not a community college, THIS…..IS……COLUMBIA!!!!!

NEW PATH IN LIFE !!!!!

I can’t believe it’s almost over!!!!!!!!! It seemed to go by so fast. I’ve learned so much in the whole 16 days. My favorite class would have to be my writing class. Danielle and Aaron have both opened up my eyes to see that there is a whole new world and I could even explore it through my writing. Each paper made me want to do more and more. I realized I had to get out of the high school paper writing style and be REAL! Yea that’s what it is…..REAL….my teachers were some of the most real people I’ve ever met. C’mon now? Who would expect to have teachers to have a nose ring and tattoos…..unconventional yet exciting. My math class was cool but I didn’t feel any emotional connection to it at all. I couldn’t wait until it was around 10:15 so I could leave that class lol. MY writing has transformed into something that’s not trivial; it made me realize I had a voice and damn “I DO DESERVE TO BE HEARD”. The other great part that I really enjoyed would have to be meeting the new and great people. Ranging from a fashionista, to a Texas preacher daughter turned “ bad girl’, bad girl who is the sweetest gangster chick, punk rocker who is soooooo intellectual, the 3 amigos and their adventures, the Wisconsin native guy, and the quiet but I know it’s more to him guy, and the WHITE Chris Brown. I’m glad we made it through!!!! I never met so many diverse people that have shown me the differences in lifestyles but yet they still have the same goal in life; which is to be best in life. I’ve enjoyed every single minute of it and if I had to do it again I would. I’m most certainly living in that MOMENT IN LIFE!!!
Facebook: Kendall Aaron Mays
School E-mail: Kendall.Mays@ loop.colum.edu
Yahoo E-mail and IM: lagunabeachbaldwinhills@yahoo.com

Holla Back.....Luv Lady G

Man the last day already? It feels like I just wrote the opening blog…. I had a great time in bridge. I learned so much in just a few weeks and it sparked me to want to know more. Everybody in the class… You guys are great. I am happy as hell I had the experience in meeting all of you. I think our class, from what I seen, had to be the best class yet. We all bonded well, trusted each other with stories and our writings, and most importantly was there for each during this academic struggle. Even in math I learned something, and I did some spring cleaning with the cob webs in my brain… fractions, multiplication, even binary GIVE IT TO ME!!! I ll kill them problems… not sure if the binary answers will be right but everything else would be reduce and corrected. Over all the bridge experience was the shit. Not to sound like no lame, but I kinda don’t want it to be over or I just wish school would start sooner. I hope everyone enjoys the last 1 ½ to 2 weeks we have left over summer break, and I hope to be seeing you guys again. If any one wants to chill, smoke; make some songs, exchange ideas, just plain out chill holla at me for real…. E mail me at Jhenedsg@yahoo.com I am not about to throw my number up here so if you wanna call just let me know. And for Danielle and Aaron…. THANK YOU so so so so so so so much. You guys really helped me out A LOT these past four weeks, to personal issues with that math man all the way to making me a much smarter person (in only 4weeks) you guys should get a raise. I ll call you boss’s over the next week or so make sure that happens soooon. But on some real shit hit me, all of you’s, let me know what’s good, what’s great, and what’s new. Thanks for the memories…….. Lady G

Ryan Reed

Bridge changed my expectations because I didn't think I had to write so much as I already have. Over the last month, my experience changed the expectation because I thought I would have less free time after classes and I would have to wake up earlier and need more time for homework. So it worked out pretty well. The most challenging part was definitley the five page assignment last weekend. The most rewarding part of the program was reading The Last American Man because Eustace Conway has changed the way I see culture in America. I think I'm more self-aware as a student because I had a certain time to finish an assignment and it wasn't an option not to do it, so I know I can finish it with motivation to complete the bridge program. I think that the bridge program is a great idea for students like myself because I can get prepared for college while I'm still trying to get in that college. It's a nice transition between high school and college. I don't have much else to say except some "shout outs". Chris Brown and Jynelle, it's been good hangin out with you guys at lunch time. I dig some of the music that Phillip and David listen to. I enjoyed talking to Aaron about soccer. I appreciate both Aaron and Danielle helping me through the bridge program. As for everyone else, stay up...

darrionw

Hi err body this is darrion and i want to say that you guys all are very great people and i so glade i met all of you. all the firends i met in bridge i hope all of your dreams come true. i willy mean it the poeple i met on my floor ever thorn i got on your nerves i wish you be successful in your life and business. the bridge programmed help me realize understand all of abilites i got. it taught to look over my work after i type it. how to make a whole pgae out of just one question. the bridge math deportment taught me how to do biral code and i thanx Rosmary for teaching me so math ohh before i forget Danielle and Aarron thanx for all the help yall did to help me get the push it need to write a semi good paper

to the people how i became firends with doing bridge yall are some cool ass people Phi you are the homie i will keep in tougch with you. Will you are one of most created people i ever met. Dennea i hope i spelled your name right. You can fucking sing. Janell aka Lady G hope i spell your name right too. but i hope you see you dreams come ture

that s err body

Bye Bye Losers Hello Futrue

Brigde was the greatest thing that ever happened to me, I don't know what I would do with out it. It made me so much smarter I think on a betterer level then onced befored. I did't know'd alls da tings I know todays. Okay i'm done bridge really was a truly great experience I really did learn allot. And I know more than all the other loser freshmen who come in this fall they will be all stupidfied And I will be less Stupidfied but still stupidfied. I learned that I hate living with people who shave in the shower and leave hair. I also learned that math is possible, or that I can do math and understand the concepts if i truly listen. I leraned that shcool is school and stuff. I look forward to a life in Chicago for most of the year. It’s not that bad but the truth is it’s just not home. And I love my home even more now and want people to understand where I from. As an artist I can’t wait to get back home with my camera and capture my home so that I may bring a piece of it back here. Um what do I have to say but thank to Danielle and Aaron, Just use my email to contact me everybody else bye!

Wc5productions@yahoo.com

Peace

I’m really glad I participated in the bridge program. I’m sure most people say that but I really am. Going into Columbia I didn’t know how anything worked at all. I didn’t know where I could go to find out the necessary things about Columbia I needed to know. I wasn’t sure where the campus was and I defiantly did not know any faculty. The bridge program really helped with all that. I learned where the important student resource centers are. I found out where the computers lab where which helped a lot. I chose really not to make too many friends cause in high school that’s what really brought me down. It wasn’t like I was anti-social or anything I just didn’t have the time to make friends. That was good I think because the work was hard and I really needed to concentrate on things. The salons were a little hard to stay on top of. The museums were cool, a couple of them I plan to visit again. Overall the bridge program really benefitted me. I really got out of it what you’re supposed to get out of it, connections. I can’t wait for this fall semester.

Bridge Survey

Complete this survey BEFORE you begin your final blog post:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=Yj9ry1sh6j5CWx609bVh7Q_3d_3d

Farewell, Blog!

Well, folks--this is your LAST blog post of the Bridge program! Considering this occasion, I thought it appropriate for each of us to have a goodbye post.

For today's class, you must create your own blog post that reflects (yes, that again) on your experience in the Bridge program this summer. Since this is meant to be a pleasant send-off, try to keep your input positive. I know that Bridge wasn't always a great experience for everyone. However, hopefully there were SOME things you found helpful, meaningful, life-changing. Start by considering the questions below:

-How has Bridge changed your expectations of what college is?
-How has your experience over the last month changed your expectations of Columbia?
-What was the most challenging part of the program?
-What, in your own mind, was the most rewarding part?
-Do you feel like you are more self-aware as a student than you were a month ago? Explain.

After you spend nearly 200 words answering the questions above, use the end of the post to offer a goodbye to your classmates and your teachers. Also, tell us how we can contact you if we want to see how you're doing! E-mail? Myspace? Facebook?

Finally, include an appropriate video or photograph.
Happy posting!

Letter to... Yourself!

As we briefly talked about yesterday, you are going to be writing letters to someone very special... YOU!

For today's computer lab session, you are to spend the entire time thinking about and then typing this letter. Begin the letters, "Dear ________ (insert your name)". In these letters, you should address some (if not all) of the following:

-What are your goals for the next year? Be very specific.
-What are you most excited about for college?
-What concerns do you have entering your freshman year?
-Do people have expectations of you? Who? What expectations? Are you concerned about meeting them?
-Where do you hope to be one year from today?
-Where do you hope to be in five years?

Of course, you can feel free to write anything else that you'd like. These should be personal and reflective. Don't just brush this off. Even if you think it is a silly task, which some of you have already mentioned, try to write something thoughtful and meaningful.

Must be a minimum of 350 typed words.

Day 12 Chris brown (the real one!!!)

As I've grown older, the days just seem to fly by so fast. I look back on my life and tell myself why didn't I take advantage of the opportunities I had taken for granted.For instance, taking advantage of an education, building a resume, taking better care of myself. Not everone is as lucky as I was growing up. The children growing up in the Ida B. Wells had to work twice as hard as your average kid to acheive their dreams. What opprtunity were you given growing up, and how would you change it if you had a second time around?

Day 13: Reed

If you were to tell the class your opinion of the book you just read, what would you say about it?

Day 11: Kendall

The things you own end up owning you
-Chuck Palahniuk, Fight Club, 1996

In Stranger Than Fiction, Chuck Palahniuk gives readers insight to the secret lives of individuals. The fascinating part would be that their hobbies become the main focus of their lives. They would rather do nothing else but this particular thing that makes them happy. Is it ever taken overboard? When is enough truly enough? Have you ever been obsessed with something that you don’t ever want to let it go? John Irving once said, “You’ve got to get obsessed and stay obsessed”. But is it possible to take the love for something too far?

Day 10: David G.

In stranger then fiction Chuck P. delves deep into cultures or hobbies that we as mainstream culture are not usually exposed too. Such as the ever popular testy feisty or the castle builders. Do you take part in anything that would be considered sub culture in my eyes, or another person reading this question? What activities do you partake in that would be considered deviant.

Day 10: Jose

In The story Our America Lloyds father chill has an alcohol addiction he says his addiction has been because he worrys about his family and that drinking just makes him run away from his problems.

Are any characters in your books the same as chill? Do they have addictions to something? Do you do something to try and run away from your problems or do you know anybody that does have that addiction? Do you think drinking your problems away or smoking or any other thing realy help you forget your problems? if yes how does it help you?does something good come out of it?