Spring Break

During Spring Break, I went to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, which happens to be where I live. Though Florida is the Southern-most state of the Continental United States, it is not very "southern," per se. It is very likely to drive through a neighborhood where prices for houses don't drop below $1 million dollars, and according to stereotypes the South is not very wealthy. I have personally never seen to much money at display as I have seen it in South Florida-- especially South Beach. As we drove around, the only cars seen were Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Rolls Royce, Porches, and Cadillacs at the very least. Trucks were a rare sighting... but isn't the South supposed to have an enormous amounts of trucks, especially Chevrolets? Well, apparently not in Florida. Then again, I don't believe Florida can actually be considered a "Southern" state, considering it wasn't even part of the Confederacy. Also consider that Southern traditions are mocked in Florida... One most certainly does not go around saying "ya'll" or displaying a Confederate flag, and those that do become a subject of ridicule. I find it ironic that most people that mock these traditions are the wealthy ones, and these are the ones the true "Southerners" dislike as well. It's interesting how the world works...

Esta Vida

Because I grew up in two different places, music has impacted my life in many different ways. When I lived in Colombia, all the music I listened to was in Spanish--salsa, merengue, vallenato, cumbia. The beat is very distinct for each type and rhythm flows through your entire body. I understood the lyrics, related to them, and absolutely love them. However, American music is completely different from latin music. I can't quite relate to blue, or jazz; much less hard rock, considering it seemed chaotic the first time I heard it. As time passed, I began to learn English a lot better, and thus was able to understand, but not exactly relate to American music. Today, I'm able to relate to both Hispanic and American music, though in very different levels. Whenever frustrations sets in, Hispanic music can usually help me regain my senses; perhaps because most frustration relates to a certain degree of "homesickness." Needless to say, listening to American music at these times wouldn't exactly be the wisest choice.
One of my favorite songs, if not my favorite song, is called "Esta Vida," which means "this life." Overall, it pretty much takes you in a journey through your life, reminding you that times may get hard, but in the end everything is bound to work out wonderfully. Coming to Tech, I experienced things I never thought I would. At Tech, a school that is predominantly science based, religion might seem to be unimportant. But in a way, I was mistaken. A song in English called "Hold my Heart" reminds me a lot of the culture I was born into, and makes me question my values, opinions, and beliefs.

What Type of Music Speaks to You?

We have been discussing southern stereotypes over and over again every week. So I wanted to try something a little different. As I was writing my literary analysis paper on gospel music, I realized that every person has a certain genre that they can relate to the most. Whether you listen to music just for entertainment or whether you turn to music for guidance, everyone listens to music. What type of music do you listen to and what do you use music for? After identifying with your favorite genre, discuss your favorite musical artists who happen to be from the south and why you love them.
As you all know, my all time favorite musical artist is Beyonce. However, I have already written about her so I would have to say that my second favorite musical artist is Trey Songz. Trey Songz is a southern boy who was born and raised in Petersberg, Virginia. I love Trey Songz because his musical lyrics actually have meaning. He discusses the feelings that men go through while they are in intimate relationships with a woman. I like to listen to music that I can learn from or relate to. Because I am not a male, I tend to sometimes not know how men feel in certain situations and he definitely speaks on it through his lyrics. To me, music is an outlet when I need to get away from the world. Every time I am stressed or I am feeling down, I turn to music to lift up my spirits. Rhythm and Blues (R&B) is my favorite genre because it focuses more on the lyrical content of the artist rather than the fast paced beat in the background.

Below is a video of Trey Songz at the Grammy Awards. He discusses how he has matured into a young man and with maturity comes knowledge. He uses this "mature knowledge" in his lyrics of his latest songs.

Southern City Without Any Open Fields?

For spring break, 20 of my friends and I rented a house in Kissimmee, Florida for a week. When I first heard that we were staying in Kissimmee, my first thought was that we were going to be staying in the middle of nowhere because it sounded like a random city. But I was shocked when we arrived. Kissimmee is the perfect vacation spot when you are in need of a break. They have so much to offer...amusement parks, miniature golfing, restaurants, clubs and much more. As I have said in my other blogs, northerners always think that the South is full of just random open fields. Kissimmee definitely proves all stereotypes wrong as soon as you drive past the first sign that welcomes you to their city. If you ever get the chance, please visit Kissimmee, Florida. It is a very relaxing place to go visit when you need a break from life.