A True Pleasure

I can definitely say that I have learned a lot from this class.  Not only did I learn about a wide range of topics in American and popular culture, but I also learned about the personal stories and struggles of my classmates.  I was taught to look at culture from a different point of view and analyze certain topics deeper and had a great time making my digital story.  This class was definitely my favorite this semester and every day was a new topic and Dr. King kept me very interested and engaged the entire time.  Thanks!

Success Outweighs Sacrifice

Being a student athlete looks like nothing but a party from the outside looking in.  And while it is the most amazing feeling in the world playing for your school; the amount of sacrifices, hard work, and preparation constantly challenge your mental, physical, and emotional state.  While many students go out and party on certain nights of the week and weekends, more than likely on those nights you can find the hockey team doing homework and studying because we have 6 am practice or a big game the following night.  What my normal daily routine is would make most non-athletes cringe and throw in the towel after one week.  The alarm starts blaring at 4:30 am Monday morning and I groan and roll out of bed and throw on some warm clothes and walk to my car to drive to practice.  The feeling is mutual between my teammates and I, 6 am practices SUCK!  We are all here to work hard and move forward and improve as one fierce unit.  Practice is very high tempo and our coach expects nothing but perfection out of each one of us.  We end practice around 7:15 and head back to school and walk past the rooms of other students who are just waking up.  After a few hours of classes and studying, a few of us head to the gym and push our bodies through the aches and pains and constantly strive to get stronger.  And then repeat for the rest of the week.  Although school is still a top priority, all my mind can think of is the battles that lay ahead of me on the weekend.  Because for the 2 ½ hours of game time, nothing else matters when you’re on the ice and some do believe that it is possible to skate fast enough to leave your troubles behind.  In order to reach the highest level of success, you must be willing to sacrifice and work harder than you ever have before.

"There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure."
--Colin Powell

(Word Count: 355)

A Life of Laughter

I believe that laughter and comedy in everyday life is vital to our existence.  With so much violence and hate going on in the world today, making light of situations is much needed.  Whether it be little every day occurrences, or the major issues of today’s world, having people poke fun of themselves and each other is a great way to find the joy in life.  Being someone who loves to make people laugh, I find the various subjects of comedy very intriguing.  Like most other Jewish households, my family has watched a lot of Seinfeld over the years.  The best part about Jerry Seinfeld was that he did a great job making normal, everyday issues and chores funny and entertaining.  My favorite joke was how George’s parents, who lived in New York City, that never wanted to drive anywhere because they got a prime parking spot right in front of their apartment.  As a college kid who doesn’t like to walk far out of my dorm to my car, I can relate very easily.

          Another comedic tandem that I have taken a liking to is Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert.  Between the two of them, they do a great job of making the subject of politics, a subject that most late teens and young adults, find redundant and confusing.  While calling out the candidates quote unquote, “flawed statements,” or how Mitt Romney has a vendetta against Big Bird, their shows are still informative and make me want to read deeper into politics.  I believe that with all of the stress in each person’s day to day lives, forgetting to stop and laugh at ourselves and the world around us once in a while, we as might as well consider ourselves robots living in a dark, unfunny world.  “Life’s a garden, dig it.” – Joe Dirt

(Word Count: 305)

Not Just A Lake

Lake Okanagan in Penticton, British Columbia holds a special place in my memory.  It was the first time I got to skate outdoors.  As a hockey player, skating on a frozen pond with the icy wind hitting you in the face and wilderness around you is the best feeling in the world.  It’s the purest form of the sport and gives you a tingling feeling unlike anything else.  It is also where I spent my summers in high school; laying on the beach and partying with the thousands of people that flock to Penticton in the summer season.

(Word Count: 98)

Under Armour: Your Workout Defines You

In today’s society where people are very much judged on the clothes that they wear, I also feel that we buy products that define part of us.  Being an athlete, I wear a lot of Under Armour apparel.  Not only is it comfortable and stylish among athletes, it gives off the vibe that you work hard and play harder.  A normal day for me is an athletic tee, Under Armour track pants, and my Under Armour team jacket.  They produce top notch gear and we are very fortunate to be sponsored by them at UMBC.

(Word Count: 95)

Just Another Punk Rock Kid

Growing up in culture filled Southern California, especially in a music influenced family, punk rock had significant influence on me.  As a ten year old, I learned how to play guitar, in efforts to be like my idol Tom Delonge from Blink-182.  My best friends and I started a punk rock band together in middle school and would get together and jam every day after school.  We even played a few house parties and shows.  Music has always been a big interest of mine.  I’m not only confined to the guitar, I also know how to play the drums and piano.

(Word Count: 100)

Frozen Oasis

My name is Alec Hanock and although I was born a Californian, I was raised as a hockey player.  While most other kids in Southern California found peace in the ocean, I found my home in the ice rink.  I am now currently playing for UMBC.  For as long as I can remember I have been playing hockey.  Hockey is a deep passion of mine and it’s like a drug running through my veins.  The feeling of skating on a freshly cut sheet of ice is unlike anything else.  On the ice is where I belong.

(Word Count: 97)