Assingment #1 : Citizen Journalism

As a new communication method, blog’s role gets bigger in our life because it is not only expression of blogger’s opinion on their own blog but also it has influence on reader’s thought even more than main journalism in some times. It is true that ‘Freedom of the press’ is guaranteed only to those who own one as the journalist Abbott Joseph Liebling said and this also applied to the situation in Cuba that only a few people who can access the internet can see or do blogs. Even though there still be some invisible limitation of access for someone who cannot access internet, blog can provide lots of advantages to potential citizen journalists.

There are many advantages blogs have such as blogger doesn’t need any special training like journalist, blogger can post their writing immediately whenever they want without pre-censorship by institution or any special tools as Salam Pax(Baghdad citizen), Lieutenant Smash(American soldier participated in the war) and ntcoolfool(Virginia Tech student) did. Therefore, blogs provide to potential citizen journalists to write their opinion on their blog freely and make it possible to share their posts with other people anytime when they access internet. Occasionally, people more rely on blogger who really participate in the event than journalist in media.

Yoani Sanchez who posts her real life in Cuba also takes advantage of these blog features. In the nation’s situation that freedom of press is not guaranteed and the standardization/uniform of opinion is enforced by Cuban government, she posts her writing on her blog, Generacion Y, people around world can read her life in Cuba through the blog. With her blog, we can realize the real Cuban citizen’s life that they cannot live only with legal job and there still be a lot of restrictions in access to internet or speaking their own voice freely. But, Yoani jumps over this environment and give her own voice on her blog to be read by anyone inside or outside of Cuba and this is why we call her a brave woman and a citizen journalist. So many people outside of Cuba can see ‘real’ Cuban life through her blog and sometimes people believe and rely on her blog more than Cuban media.

However, Yoani just put her candid opinion or feeling on her blog as one of citizen in Cuba but it does not represent all of Cuban citizen’s opinion. Of course, I admit the fact that her posts are alive and have more reality compare to the articles issued by Cuban government. But it is risky to generalize Cuban life only after referring her blog. It could represent many Cuban citizen’s life but not whole of them.

It is definite that blog provide many advantages to potential citizen journalist like Yoani Sanchez has been doing. It is impossible for Yoani to express and speak out her voice outside of Cuba without blog. Blogging is a great way to reach outside of Cuba, and also outside of Cuba can reach to inside of Cuba, as vice versa. However, as a substitute of journalism, some of liabilities are required on blogs. Some people are apt to think it is whole idea and truth if they stick to specific blog. Therefore, bloggers should consider the power of influence of their post and be careful when they write something even though it is not a main media. Also, readers have to judge opinions on blogs with critical thinking. As more freedom requires more responsibility, freedom of speech has more responsibility on its reliability.

Black Friday

Today is black friday (the friday just following Thanksgiving day) and almost of retail stores offer big sales for today. The United States is the heaven of shopping and sale, especially for black friday & Christmas. Anyone who have plan to buy LCD TV, GPS,....would go to bestbuy or target, etc. around 5A.M (5A.M? .....it sounds crazy but really really lots of people do it.) to buy whatever they want. And on black friday in the last year, I went to Woodbury Common Outlet with my friends for shopping. We didn't intend to shop a lot but just wanted to enjoy the American culture. But it's so tired work, too much traffic on road and even did not experienced not that much benefits from shopping. And I disappointed with black friday shopping at that time and decided not to do this anymore.

However, I went to a NJ mall with my aunt today AGAIN as soon as she suggested me to go to the mall. I couldn't reject her suggestion, and I don't know whether it was just group mind or my greed. We went to the mall around 2pm. There still be lots of shopping people. Black friday...whether it is mass psychology or American's shopping culture... it's definitely great sales strategy for retailers.

Artists in NYC

When I came to New York a few years ago, it seems interesting that many amateur artists (musicians, singers and other performers) perform freely in subway station or in the street in NYC. It was so fresh and looks romantic because It was rare to see that kind of performance in the street or subway in my country, South Korea.(I could see it only in a few of artist's street...)

And recently, I saw one interesting pianist was performing at Union Square subway station when I was waiting for the train. I still wonder how he could move that piano under the subway station. Weird and Amazing!

Anyway, I love NY for not only it resembles my hometown, Seoul (crowded,busy and exciting..) but also i can see this full of romantic artists everywhere I go...

The Nutcracker Ballet

The Nutcracker Ballet is based on the story "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King" written by E.T.A. Hoffman. The music for the Nutcracker ballet was written by Tchaikovsky in 1891 and it was introduced at the Mariinsky Theatre of Russia where the home of the Kirov ballet in 1982 for the first time. Since it was It has been introduced the Nutcracker ballet, it has been one of the most popular ballet and become an annual holiday tradition especially christmas season. The Nutcracker ballet will be performed from November 27th,2009 to January 3rd,2010 at Lincoln Center.

Tip: Students can be offered special discount when purchase the ballet ticket from New York City Ballet which is located at Lincoln Center. In my case, i can get a discount coupon at "Student life" center at Vertical bldg of our school. Enjoy the performance w/ good deal price!

Intro...

How do you start your morning?

I start my day with a cup of coffee. It arouses me from sleep and refresh myself. Maybe, lots of New Yorkers do like me. One of advantage of living in New York is enjoying delicious coffee easily. and my favorite cafe is 71 Irving Place, Dean & Deluca, Starbucks, Gregory Coffee, etc.






For someone who prefer sweet & bold taste might like 71 irving place
Between 18th and 19th Streets(between 18th St & 19th St) New York, NY 10003








For someone who likes sweety & slightly bitter taste
likes Dean & Deluca coffee.
Of course, there are several kinds of coffee you can choose in Dean & Deluca.

I fell in love with Manhattan blend these days!






Starbucks which is loved by many New Yorkers.
And they just introduced starbucks winter season cup
this week.