Cafe Jumping Bean

My restaurant that I chose to introduce to the group is called Café Jumping Bean. It is in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago and is one of my favorites. It is a small café on just any old street corner. One could walk right by it and never notice it. However, that is what I like about it. Café Jumping Bean is like a hidden gem.

I am a fan of bright colors and art. On the outside, Café Jumping Bean looks like it would be, well, ugly on the inside. It surprised me on my first visit. I love the brightly painted walls and the interesting photography hung everywhere. The stained glass windows and the chalk board menu add a warm feeling to the establishment, a personality. It reminds me of the kinds of houses I grew up in and how I want my future home to look.

Café Jumping Bean isn’t much of a dinner place. It is a café (as seen in the name). The sandwiches are delicious and always taste freshly made. When I went with my group, my boyfriend and I just ordered a piece of cheesecake to snack on while they ate. It was amazing. I love cheesecake and it was just the kind I like, turtle. I’m not that big of a coffee drinker, so I haven’t had any from there yet. I wouldn’t mind trying the coffee since everything else is so good.

I recommend to my group and anyone else to give Café Jumping Bean a chance. It is a great hangout for an even better price. The atmosphere is welcoming, the food tasty, and the servers are very nice.

Is King Still King?

Is Martin Luther King Jr. still the same “King” he was back then? He is known as an influential and highly respected black leader that paved the way for change. As a matter of fact, today is a national holiday in his honor. However, I recently remembered something from elementary school that made an impact on me.

My seventh grade teacher’s name was Mrs. Mitchell. She is still one of my favorite teachers by far. She was truly passionate about her job and actually cared about each one of us. We used to be her “babies.” I remember one day in class we were talking about black leaders of the past and how they influenced now. This one boy, Tavionne, was messing around in class like he always did, but Mrs. Mitchell got especially mad. I remember the whole confrontation mostly because I had never seen her get so upset.

Mrs. Mitchell: “Boy show some respect we are talking about Martin Luther King Jr. right now.”

Tavionne: “Whatever, I don’t know nothing ’bout no Martin Luther King.”

Mrs. Mitchell: “What is your problem? How can you not know?! After everything our people has gone through to get you the opportunities you have now, you don’t even educate yourself!!! This is a sad day.”

It was dead silent for a while after that. She kept on talking and everyone was listening more intently. When I look back at that moment, it just makes me think how, regardless of race, important it is to honor the past and those that were revolutionary. However, there is a difference between honoring it and living in it. We need to keep working towards progress. King should be honored now as much as he was then.

I am a shoe

I am a shoe. Preferably a red pump. I do not need to be a name brand pump, nor do I need a huge label. A red pump makes enough of a statement without one. It can walk alone…well, with another red pump on the other foot. Red is bold and filled with life. It is in-your-face almost obnoxiously, yet it is still a classic. It is the kind of shoe that gets a double-take from others when it enters a room.

A heel says more than any flat does. A truly good pair of heels make you feel like a boss, like a somebody. Heels make you feel more fun. It is weird how clothes can make you feel one way or another, how the external effects the internal. I would love to say materialistic things don’t matter, but they kind of do. Heels give your height and your ego a boost. A little touch of daring is always nice.

I am a red pump which means more than just a shoe. A red pump to me means a time when I will not have to put necessity before preference. You see, I do not have a pair of red pumps. Yes, I know it isn’t the end of the world. I have managed fine thus far without them. I just look forward to a time when I will not have to compromise what I want for what I need. When I will be a boss, a somebody.

'Tis the season

Why is it that every year,
Teachers ask us to write a poem about winter and Christmas cheer?
I am not very clever.
I have never been good with poetry, not now not ever.
I don’t even like winter that much.
It is too cold of a season with the snow and such.
I am already cold most of the time.
Boy I hope I am almost done with my little rhyme.
However, there are some things I like about this blustery season.
Hot cocoa and snuggling under a blanket being the main reasons.
I also love the freshly fallen slow, all crystal white.
It is such an ephemeral sight.
During this time of year, I’ve had some of the best memories of my life.
I’m thankful for a lot and have trouble complaining of any strife.
So I guess I can get over the cold.
I have to enjoy life before I get old.
Cause let’s face it, past 30 it’s all downhill from there

EL FIN

Globalization

I love Chineese food. I listen to a lot of merengue, cumbia, and bachata. I’m pretty sure very few of the things I wear were actually made in America. Globalization is in everything we touch. America is a unique nation because there are so many different races and religions. It is one of the most globalized countries in the world and it also does the “globalizing” to other countries…I don’t think that is a word...moving on.

I’m not sure about how I feel about globalization. Theoreticaly speaking, globalization should be benefiting everyone financially and teach tolerance and all that good stuff. However, I can’t ignore when I hear about companies going over seas to exploit cheaper labor. Companies like Nike get associated with sweat shops for a reason. It angers me to hear about people barely able to get by on their pay when the multinational corporation is making millions a year.  It not only digs them in a whole, but it leaves many unemployed back home. I’m not saying that every business and every country should stay within its own boarders; globalization is a good thing.

Being exposed to different cultures and having options are all pros of globalization. It helps nations develop into a more cosmopolitan society. When nations are closed off from the world like Serbia was,as seen in the book, they are left behind. There is big money in being appealing to other places.

It doesn’t really matter how I feel about globalization anyway. It is inevitable. The United States tries to avoid following other countries and sticking to things that are “American,” but globalization still occurs.

Dad: He's out because of a groin injury. Me: (Giggle) Dad: You know the groin isn't the penis right? Me: ...

For the entirety of my life I have been incredibly average at sports (except soccer at which I’m just terrible). I could always play them decently enough to get by in gym class but not decently enough to really compete. I’m pretty okay with that. I’m not really into sports when it comes to seriously participating in them. Some of my best memories are from just messing around playing volleyball or softball with friends and family. What I really enjoy more is watching them (once again except for soccer).

I don’t know how my dad and I would communicate without sports. It kinda helps to get the ball rolling. Over the past couple years, our relationship has been a rocky one. I hate to admit it because I love sounding independent, but my parents’ approval does matter to me. I don’t like that it’s hard for us to talk, so since sports can ease the tension, I’ve become very appreciative of them. Sitting down watching a Cubs, Bears, or Hawks game has become one the few things we do together anymore. However, even without them I still like to watch my Cubbies.

I’m not sure why I love the Cubs. They suck pretty bad. Every season I watch every game despite the disappointment and heartache. Why? I guess because it has become instilled in me to love the Cubs. Both my parents and most of my relatives are Cubs fans. I know I’d be messed with relentlessly if I decided to switch sides. I couldn’t imagine being a Sox fan either. It’s just not possible for me to switch teams. I have too much loyalty and bias. I’m not even a northsider. I love the southside and have lived here my whole life. The Cubs have just become more associated with family to me than the Sox or any other team has.

The Group

I can’t be thankful for just one person in our philosophy class. In the back, we have a group going, so I have going to mention everybody.

Araceli: Your smile brightens my day…just kidding. But I do like your happy personality. You’re one of the few girls I know that’s not about drama. I’m happy I’m working with you and Sam in the project because I know I won’t be doing all the work like when I work with other people whose names I am not going to mention.

Jacky: My favorite Asian guy (he picked that title by the way). We go back since freshman year Spanish. You asked me for the answers back then, and you still do now. Some things never change. Good for you Jacky.

Shem (Grandson of Hem): My star dancer. We were in S.L.A. together, so you’ve seen me at my worst. Dude you’re awesome too bad I barely met you this year.

Campos: Oh Campos what can I say…skip. Just kidding that would be mean. All I can really think of is you need to believe in what you do more. That sounds really lame, but it’s true. Stand by your ideas.

Phil: PHILIP HOW HAVE WE BEEN IN THE SAME DIVISION FOR FOUR YEARS AND NEVER SPOKEN UNTIL THIS CLASS? That’s sad and really makes us look bad. You are so much fun to make fun of Campos with. You are the one in the group who sits there and makes us all look prettier. You have a key role and deliver everyday.

Jessica: You’re the only other girl in our discussion group. Thank you for helping me think while the guys are being their helpful selves.