La Voz Latina

March 10, 2010

TERPS!

I hope your week has been going well. You are probably stressing over the last couple of midterms you have to study for while trying to hold your excitement down for spring break. I don’t know if you have heard about the CHEATING incident at Winston Churchill High School in Potomac, but it just blew my mind! Whatever happened to just taking the L and just doing Extra Credit.

It’s mind boggling to know that students and technology are so advanced and can even think about doing that kind of stuff. Being in the Journalism school here at Maryland, you even think of the word cheating and your outa there! Academic dishonesty is no joke on the university level, and I feel like these kids definitely need to face some judgment other than changing their grades back to what they were.

First it was the Toyota’s kirkin’ out on us, and now this. Technology is just crazy now days.

There’s also in the yesterdays Washington Post an article about professors banishing laptops in the class room, one going as far as pouring liquid nitrogen on one and smashing it to pieces. All I can say is Damn, thank goodness that wasn’t my computer.  If it was I would have been balling on the ground in a fetus position with all of the pieces of my MAC scattered around me, just yelling, “WHY…WHY!” Laptops are expensive and really, other than my 9 year-old car, its the most expensive thing I own.

So I guess I can give you guys some advice: 1. DO NOT get on the BAD SIDE of your CHEM professor; he knows all about that chemical stuff, 2. Turn off your electronics in class or at the very least silence them or turn off the internet while your taking notes, and 3.DO NOT CHEAT!!!

Smooches!

Felicia Garay-Stanton

March 6,2010

Hello!

So I pretty much had just the most awesome day today. 1. I passed a math test…YEAH! 2. I saw Alice in Wonderland…YEAH! and 3. I got to go to the set of PTI (Pardon the Interuption) and meet The one and only Micheal Wilbon (Staff writer for the Washington Post and Co-host of PTI…DOUBLE YEAH!

It was such a once and life time experience and makes me proud of the career path I’m choosing. The creativity, diligence,  and strength that reporters show is the reason why I want to one day fallow in their footsteps. ‘Speaking to Wilbon and other professionals like him have given me great insight in path that I have chosen so far and has also given me the chance to receive great contacts in the field. But with all of these connections I have to now put them into action.

As they say in college, you need to have at least one internship while your in school. And Wilbon said that you should go for an internship away from home so you have the opportunity to know how to live and survive on your own. You can’t rely on your mom waking you up every morning or tucking you in at night; you are an adult now you know.

For those of you who know what you want to do in life, and those of you who don’t, you should try to get connections with either professionals or even your professors. They now how it is to work in the fields that they are teaching and working in. Yeah they say hard work can get you anywhere, but I believe that connections can get you even farther, especially when the field you are trying to get into is extremely competitive.

I’m excited for what the future holds, so I better start cracking down on these internship applications. Just remember, College is only the portal to the real world; you still haven’t stepped into it (prolly just your big toe).

Smooches!

Felicia

March 4, 2010

Terpitos!

It’s a great time to be a Terp! Last night was so exciting; we’re tied for #1 in the ACC and we beat our biggest rivals Duke. This is so far one of the best experiences of my career at Maryland.

I was one of the lucky few that got a ticket to THE best game of the YEAR. But stupidly, I thought, okay i got time let me get there at 7:50 its cold outside and its sprinkling their won’t be that many people. WRONG! As I walked past the parking garage, the line of students was all the way down to the main entrance of Comcast. This game was gonna be serious.

45 minutes later, freezing and wet, I finally made it into the building. My roomate and I were going to have people save seats for us, but that didn’t work out so we literally were running back and forth trying to find an empty seat. We finally found one of our friends who just so happened to have 2 seats in section 119.

Sitting in a sea of Gold was fantastic. It was like nothing I ever experienced. I’ve been to games before, but there was just something about this game that I  knew was much more exciting. At the end we rushed the floor, I just have to say AMAZING!!!

I didn’t go to the rights because 1 I wasn’t really up to getting peppersprayed and 2 I was just so freakin’ tired from all the excitement.

Safe to say, I woke up  with my back and calves hurting and a kink in my neck, late for class and with a headache. Anyway it was just another day in old College Park, and that’s why I LOVE being a Terp:) M-A-R-Y-L-A-N-D….Maryland Will WIN!!!!

Smooches!

Felicia

February 19, 2010

Hey Hey Hey!

What’s up terpitos! How was your week back at school? Mine was asi asi, you know the deal; loads of homework and waking up early, trying to get into the swing of things. But other than that it was a pretty okay week, except for my adventure today that I just have to tell you about. So I don’t have classes on Friday, but I had to take a test for my major at 10a.m. and I had to go to work at noon. So nothing really major you know. Well I had a couple of things I wanted to get done in between my test and work, one of them dealing with dropping off a package at Fedex. I ended up waiting at Fedex for a half hour because of the lady in front of me having issues with sending a package and things of that sort. It was just about 11:30a.m. when I started to walk back to campus and eventually to work. Now I consider myself a fast walker (they called me Speedy Gonzalez in High School because I walked so fast to class and my upper body was like a statue while my legs were like a speeding bullet), but I had to walk all the way to north campus and it has been a while since I went to the gym. Was I going to make it?

Well I made it to the mall, in an amazing 10 minutes. But then a tour came stampeeding towards me. Now I love the idea of checking out the University, because I remember being one of them, but do they have to take up the entire sidewalk.  I remember one year trying to get around them, I ended up stepping my brand new keds in mud. I was so disappointed! But back to today, instead of walking towards Mckeldin, I decided to take the middle path across the mall, you know the one that has the biggest lake of mudd and water in the middle of it. As I walked towards it I was calculating my plan of attack; would I trudge through the puddle like it wasn’t even there, would I walk the other way and get stuck behind the herd of incoming students and parents, or would I be like superman and jump the puddle like a champ? Well if you guessed the third option congratulations! You just won my embarrassment. About 20 feet away from the puddle, I picked up speed. 18ft, 15ft, 12ft, 10, 9, 8 ,3,2….I leaped into the air like I was doing the long jumped in the Olympics, sailing over the puddle like a champ. I swear I was doing the Jersey fist pump in the air when all of a sudden, SPLASH! I was ankle deep literally less than 4 inches from the edge of the puddle. DAMN! That’s all I could say. My moccasins, my socks, the end of my yoga pants literally all soaked. Just my luck right.

Well it’s safe to say that I was definitely late for work, soaked and unnoyed. Hopefully you had a better day than I did!

Smooches!

Felicia

February 9, 2010

Mis TERPITOS!

How are my terps doing? (Obviously pretty good on the Basketball court right now **winkwink***). So I’m going through like some Cabin Fever type dilemma right now; Going on 5 days of being stuck in a dorm room. I just have to say ridiculous! I’ve never wanted to go back to class so bad in my life; well, not really. I just really need to do something productive with all this free time.

On to a more exciting topic, did you guys go and see Spike Lee last Thursday. I did :).  There was just something about this event that was just great. His speech, all though a little generic, kept me in the state of mind that I’m here in school to learn something and to find something that I love. I’m glad that he talked about working hard and being diligent, because it just put into perspective that all my hard work is not going to waste. That all that I am doing right now is worth the sacrifices I’ve made and I’ve yet to make.

All right, I’m done blabbin’ about all this stuff, so I hope you have a fun with the rest of this blizzard because I think I’m about to go into hibernation mode if this snow doesn’t let up any time soon. Adios!

Smooches!

Felicia

December 10,2009

what a day what a day,

Well I’m on my midnight grind with all this studying. Got to LOVE FINALS:) Although I do have a great deal of work this week, I still attended a couple of interesting events; one being the Diversity through Dialogue Panel discussion on Monday hosted by S.T.A.R.E. and the Latino Museum exhibit Wednesday. Both were exciting and enlightening. One thing that really made me think was a statement made by Morgan State professor and UMD Alum, Dr. Jared Ball, that the ” issue [meaning what we face in this diversity crisis] is for everybody; to what extent are you willing to speak out and accept the consequences because there are consequences. The main function of the University is to be an extension of the state.” An older DC man said, “You are not a consumer you are a partner. If you believe yourself a consumer than that’s what you are.” These statements are all true and need to be recognized by all of us as a student body and as a community. We are owners of our education and have to make sure that we understand the importance of that title. I also thought that the Latino Museum exhibit was well done and interesting. I would like to learn more about what it means to be Black and Latino. Looking at a lot of the popular faces of Latino culture in America, you do see a lot of people that are Afro-Latino like Celia Cruz, Zoe Saldana, Pele, Christina Milian, Manny Ramirez, Sammy Sosa, and the list goes on and on. I would like to learn more of the Afro-Latino culture that is definitely present in our everyday lives.

Well get back to work Terpitos!!!! I want to see A’s!!!

Smooches!

Felicia

December 6, 2009

hey terpitos,

This cold weather is a drag. I can’t remember the last time it snowed in December,so it’s sort of a bummer that it snowed yesterday. Wasn’t it just like 75 degrees on Thursday and then all of a sudden its cold enough to snow. Whatever mother nature is doing right now is bound to get me sick. All I’ve done today is sit in the bed feeling miserable. I want sunshine and heat and to frolic on the beach in my bikini with a cold glass of water instead of walking across campus for classes so bundled up that I can barely walk. And I see all these people wearing shorts and flipflops outside like its not 35 degrees outside! ARE YOU CRAZY!?! (and that’s a rhetorical question).

But I guess one thing that is good about this cold weather is that it gives me time to focus on my school work, since I’m just sitting inside. Finals are almost here and then it’s the Holiday season yeah!!! Gifts are coming your way, one of them is getting a break from school for over a month. I hope you have a great time for any holidays you celebrate, from hanukkah to Christmas and from Kwanzaa to Dios de los Reyes (my favorite holiday:))

Alright you guys I have to get back to studying and you do too.

Smooches!

Felicia

November 30, 2009

Hey Y’all!

Welcome back to College Park! I hope you all got filled up on Turkey, I know I did. We’re down to the home stretch for the end of this semester, so get your head in those books. I know you might have the -ites right now but you got to fight through it and make a strong exit out of this semester. There’s only 19 days left of till Winter break starts (including finals week) so make the best of it.

Smooches!

Felicia

November 16, 2009

Hola Terpitos!

Isn’t it a beautiful day outside? I think mother nature is trying to play with our heads with all this good weather you know. But anyway, when I woke up this morning and went to check my Blackberry for messages (I know I’m addicted, look at my blackberry even before I brush my teeth in the morning), I saw that their was a message from President Mote regarding campus diversity. Now you remember how I told you that there’s always three sides to every story, well here’s side #2. “Over recent days our campus commitment to diversity has been questioned by some in our community.  This is a most serious question that calls for a response,” the email started. “When considering diversity, committing to its breadth is necessary. While racial and ethnic diversity are clearly important, so are diversity issues around culture, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, disability, age, socioeconomic status and others.” President Mote, assured that diversity was and will always be a main concern at this University, and talked about the commitment to fix the issues over the next DECADE. A decade is a long time isn’t it? I’m glad to hear the Administration perspective on the issues regarding diversity on this campus, but will I be here to experience that change? Over the next decade, there will be classes all the way up to the Class of 2019 who will have been in the process of trying to fix diversity on this campus. I don’t mean to be selfish, but I hope to experience this change by the time I graduate, because I don’t want those that come after me to have to deal with the same things we’re dealing with now. But how do you feel about President Mote’s explanation?

Smooches,

Felicia

November 11, 2009

Happy Veteran’s Day!

Today is the day that we come together and celebrate those that fought hard to protect us and those that still are. As a military kid, I feel that it is important that we recognize these people for their hard work and dedication, because if we don’t, who will?

I attended the event Surviving Gangland, hosted by NAACP, Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority Incorporated, and Latino Student Union. Listening to Luis Cardona talk about his life and perseverance was so inspiring, and made me realize why it is so important for us as people of color to support our peers and those that come after us. I personally know the effects that gang life has on a family and a friend level. As students we need to take the knowledge and the help that we have received along the way to help those around us. My parents have always instilled in me the importance of help those that are less fortunate than me. I think what is key is the idea of teaching. As the saying goes, if you give a man a fish, he’ll eat for a day. If you teach a man to fish, he’ll eat for a life time. Use your wisdom to help those around you.

Smooches!

Felicia

November 10, 2009

Hey, Hey, Hey!

What’s up my Terpitos? Well the weather has been really nice for some odd reason, and just when I buy the coolest fur hat ever. I guess I’ll have to wait a little longer to be “stuntin” in it. But until then, I would like to know how you guys feel about the recent events on campus dealing with diversity. First there was the rally at Nuymburu and then there was the march to the Administration building, which was covered not only by local news stations like CBS but also the Washington Post, and today there was a meeting to discuss the next steps for  S.T.A.R.E, the newly formed coalition of organizations on campus that want to “reclaim” our education. In the 1960s similar events were happening through the Chicano movement and with the Young Lords. Missions for equality and representation in this country fought by students who felt that their voices were being oppressed. It’s almost like history is repeating itself, don’t you think? I personally feel like I need to learn more about what is going on and want to know both the student, faculty, staff, and Administration point of view before I make any decisions on the matter. I feel that it is important for people to be informed on a situation because if they aren’t they can end up following blindly without knowing what is true or false. My father would tell me that there are always three sides to every story, the accuser’s, the accused’s, and the truth. So Terpitos, please find out as much information about the situation as you can to make an informed decision instead of a follower’s decision, because are we not the next leaders of this country?

Smooches!

Felicia

November 4, 2009

Terpitos!

I hope your week has been going well. It’s a little chilly outside but I definitely feel heated up. I don’t know if you’ve heard about the recent termination of Cordell Black, the Assistant Provost of Equity and Diversity and a strong supporter of diversity programs on campus. According to the Facebook event promoting the “rally” tonight at 6pm in Nyumburu’s Multipurpose room, “the campus community is silently being taken from us and most of us do not even know.” This year alone the enrollment of African Americans at UMD has declined more than 20%. Because the University has so much money that it has to cut from its budget, many programs on campus are in jeopardy of being taken away and our tuition and fees are steadily rising. With the removal of  the office of Equit and Diversity, “The deparments underneath that office are OMSE, Nyumburu Cultural Center, and the office of LGBT Equity will also be taken away,” according to the facebook event. I remember last year on move in day, when President Mote talked about this campus priding its self on diversity and about 40% of the student body being minority. I came here for the Diversity, but I feel that as programs are taken away and prices rise, diversity will not be possible on this campus. Last week on Oct.29, the Students for a democratic society had an even called What the F*#!, discussing the budget and the impact it would have on students and faculty. We need to be aware of what the administration is doing and understand our rights as students because if we don’t speak up who will?

Smooches!

Felicia

November 2, 2009

Hey all you guys!

I hope you had a great weekend of fun! I myself had a pretty nice weekend, but now it is time to get down to business. The semester is almost over! It’s all ready November; gosh, time flies when your having fun. Now it’s time for you to really get cracking down on those books, if you haven’t already, and seeing what you can do if you need to improve your grades. It doesn’t hurt to ask for help, you know. Because, you don’t want to be the kid that waited until the day before finals to talk to your T.A. about doing some extra credit (cause you’ll be bloooown)

October 29, 2009

BOOOOO Terpitos!

It’s been such a long week for me; meetings on top of meetings, projects due, work, and everything else that it means to be a college student. But guess what…tomorrows FRIDAY!!!! And it’s Halloween weekend, parties galore, haunted houses, dressing up in cute or scary costumes, and CANDY. If you can’t tell by now, I’m sorta excited. But as we start going out and having fun, I want to stress the importance of safety, because I don’t think we can stress that enough. I don’t want you worrying your Abuelitas or your mami. Just remember Safety in NUMBERS and be smart about where you party or trick or treat. I don’t want any gooey goblins snatching you up at night. Then who will read my blog!?! Have Fun Terpitos!

Smooches with vampire teeth

Felicia

October 26, 2009

Hola Terpitos,

It has been an EXTREMELY long day (I kind of wish it was still Sunday). The sun was shinning and it was a little toasty outside, or it could have just been the scarf around my neck but whatever I was hot. I decided to go take a trip on the Metro after my class down to the National Mall. Nothing special, just wanted to chill out a little and I had a couple of projects to finish too. I went to the National Museum of American History to see the Bracero exhibit. First of all, it took me 20 minutes just to find it (I’m not good at directions) and Second I thought it would have been a little larger than it was. I know a bit about the Bracero project and I didn’t feel that this exhibit did it justice. On the last poster, it explained that many of the Braceros stayed in the U.S. unlawfully, but I think they should have been given that option if they were used as cheap labor. I’m glad that this was put out into the open but I just wanted to see a little more. I wonder if one day in the future they will have an exhibit of the migration of Latino immigrants in this Era. I wonder if the U.S. will explain how they are involved in these movements without saying that it’s just a phenomena that all these people have traveled to the U.S. Sometimes I feel that history only shows only one side, and there’s always 3 sides to every story: the two parties involved and the truth. Alright my terpitos, get some sleep so you can rock out in class tomorrow.

Smooches!

Felicia

October 24, 2009

Hey, Hey, Hey!

The rain came back yesterday, what a bummer! I hope everyone’s week went well; mine was mediocre. I went to the movies Friday night, and ended up seeing Paranormal Activity. If anything that movie made me even more paranoid about what is beyond than anything. Like I understand that it might just be a movie, but that could have really happened, right? The movies that scare me the most are the ones that could actually happen, not the alien ones. So I’m going to try and make this an interactive blog this time. Tell me what your favorite scary movie is and give a reason why. Or you can write a brief story scary story you’ve been told by like your Abuelita or Tio or someone or even one you made up. Come on, give me chills!

Smooches!

Felicia

October 21, 2009

Terpitos!

Are you guys watching Latinos in America right now? Well I am. I feel like its stating a lot of the things that we as Latin@s face everyday; immigration policies, education, culture, family, identity, assimilation into the U.S. mainstream without losing your identity. Just seeing the sea of empty seats at the Freemont High School graduation, just puts a pit into my stomach. I feel that this image and that of immigrants is the overwhelming image shown through the media. It’s a stigma that we need to prove wrong, not only to the majority of Americans that see as a burden, but also to ourselves. “When people tell you no, it should give you the strength to continue,” stated Lorena Garcia on how to overcome the idea that in order to be successful in American society, you cannot identify or represent the latino culture. A key question is how to preserve latino heritage in american culture. How to stay connected to your roots while also progressing in society. I think this is something that we all face as people stuck between two different cultures. We just have bigger obstacles to face as a community but nothing is to big that we can’t face and overcome. Remember that!

Smooches!

Felicia

October 21,2009

Hey,

Its been such a long week already and it’s only Wednesday. There’s not only a lot going on campus this week, but there’s just a lot of things going on period. On Monday night, I attended the weekly meeting for the student activist group, College Park Students for a democratic Society. It’s an organization that is fighting for the voice of students and faculty on this campus and wants to make sure that are rights are being upheld at this University. This group lead the movement to lowering the prices at the University Book Store. Their main focus at the moment is the involvement of students in the budget decisions on campus. I had read in a report over the summer that for ever $1 put into the University by the state, it gives back $8. Even though the profit is massive, the University is taking some major budget cuts, and who is that going to effect in the long term? You and Me! There is a projected 10-20% tuition increase for next fall, and who’s going to pay for that? One major effect that the SdS feels tuition increase and budget cuts will cause is less diversity on campus. This University prides itself on its diverse student population, but minority populations are historically less priveleged than other groups and their ability to attain the funds for a higher-education will dwindle. I personally do not want this campus to be less diverse; I want it to be more! SdS is sponsoring an event along with other advocacy groups on campus on November 29, 2009 at 7p.m. called “What the Fuck.” It will be a discussion about what you need and want to know about how your money is being spent on the public university. I don’t know where it will be held, but I will be sure to post it as soon as I find out. I just want everyone to know that we as the ones funding this university through our  tuition, room and board, miscellaneous fees, and those dang parking tickets should know where our money is going and make sure that it is benefiting us. So just think about the next time you see the new University of Maryland Slogan, “Unstoppable stops here” and how much will be spent on it.

Smooches!

Felicia

October 17,2009
Hola Terpitos!
Its HOMECOMING! Even though its still raining (bummer) people have been outside with their family and friends tailgating all over campus. It’s a time when those from now and those from then come together to celebrate tradition. Unfortunately I could not attend but I am experiencing a different type of tradition. As you Terps come together, I go with my mami and sister to hang out and celebrate with friends. all of my family either lives in New York or Puerto Rico, so being out here in Maryland can be a little difficult. But it is always nice to come together and celebrate your culture (the food is always a good addition too). Sitting here listing to all of the laughter and the Salsa music in the background makes me think about how important my culture is to me and many Latin@s like me. Just like when the team is about to complete an important play and the stadium gets quiet, the same silence comes over these hungry Latin@s sitting down to eat. You can tell by the pictures of my plate that I was probably the most focused on the play that involved my food. My mom’s friend Senora Monica, said that it is always nice to come together as friends to 1. express our unique culture and 2. to have a great time.  I love being able to have a culture that is so vibrant and unique and lively and just so much fun. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. When I’m in my dorm room I make empanadas, arroz y habichuelas,  chuletas, pollo guisado, platanos, tostones, and anything else that will help me remember home a little more. You should see the people standing outside the lounge just smelling my cooking (not to toot my own horn but, toot toot). Just like it is important for us as Terps to keep tradition alive, it is also important for Latin@s as well as other groups to do the same. NOw go out there in that rain and support those Mighty Terrapins!

Smooches!

Felicia

Friday, October 16, 2009

Rainy Days make me Sleep and Think

So as you can see, it has been miserable outside with all this rain. I hate rain! Yeah it makes the grass grow greener and sometimes it smells nice, but it’s cold and yucky and its making me not want to get out of this bed. But one thing the rain gives me a chance to do is think. Think about the things that make us come together; Our Latinidad. Yesterday in my USLT201 class (U.S. Latino Studies) we started to discuss this book called Black Cuban, Black American by Evelio Grillo. It just made me think about what our Latinidad is. We’re not only a people that look different, have different cultures, different histories, and many other differences, we are also a people that have been brought together based on these common differences. We may have different struggles in the U.S. but we all come together to support one another, because when one portion of the group is being ridiculed, we are all being ridiculed. We’re a family and family is supposed to stick up for one another right? We can’t let our differences separate us. I feel that it is important for us to not only represent the country and culture we hold so dear to our hearts but to also come together under this Latino identity, to show that we are a strong force in this society. LET OUR VOICES BE HEARD!

Friday, October 16, 2009

Hola Chicos,

My name is Felicia and this is my first official blog! So first things first, let me tell you a little about my self. I’m a sophomore Journalism Major and a potential USLT minor. I’m looking forward to sharing my thoughts about Campus and anything in general as a Latina, because I feel that it is important to have our voice heard. I hope you enjoy it, and REMEMBER TO COMMENT on any thing that stirs you, positively or negatively. Let your Voz be heard!

Smooches!

Felicia