A Letter to my University and the Unfairness of New Financial Aid Policies

To whom it may concern,

This trimester, I learned that there were new financial aid policies that were put in place. Specifically, that students were unable to use company reimbursement (the deferment to the end of the trimester) in combination with student loans to pay for tuition. It has been explained to me that I can only use either students loans or company reimbursement -- not both. This has caused quite a financial burden to me and other students attending [school name withheld]. In addition, this also causes students that do not have the financial means to pay the balance to apply for additional, unnecessary loans; that is, Grad Plus Loans.

I am blessed that my company provides up to $5,250 in company reimbursements a year to qualified employees. With the current tuition, this will only cover about one class in the MBA program. Subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford loans will not cover the entire trimester; therefore, I am left with the situation to either: 1) request Grad Plus loans 2) Drop a class and delay my graduation date or 3) wipe out my savings account and ask family members for assistance. All three options are all unfavorable and unacceptable. The financial aid office was gracious enough to put me on a three payment plan to pay the balance of my tuition which amounts to 1,483.00 for the next three months. This is equal to 2 months of mortgage payments.  That, to me, is unfair and makes it difficult to attend school.

I would very much like to know what legislation specifically states that us, as students, cannot use company reimbursement and students loans together. You have and will receive the balance owed once I receive my grades and company reimbursement (as I've done in the past without fail), so I do not see the need for this type of policy. However, I would like to learn more about these laws and, if necessary, approach my Congressman about this issue to express how unfair this is to students trying to get their education and graduate in a timely manner.

 Best Regards,
Carlos Soriano

February Challenge: Day Eight

Day Eight - Sun

Picture of the sun through some palm trees outside my hotel window.

February Challenge: Day Seven

Day Seven - Button

Those of you that know me know that I LOVE Banana Republic.  They're the only retailer that looks out for the small guy via an extra-small selection (my neck is 13 1/2).  Places like Nordstrom and Macy's have told me to try the children's section for some of my shirts... Really?!

Button is from BR's Soft-Wash Navy Plaid Shirt

February Challenge: Day Six

No pic today :-(

I didn't even have dinner...  Don't tell my mom.

February Challenge: Day Five

Day Five - 10am

I missed this one... and for good reason... I was asleep at 10am.  This was probably my view at 10am.  The ceiling :)

February Challenge: Day Four

Day Four - A Stranger

My sister in line for the women's bathroom.  One reason why I'm glad I'm a guy.  The line to the men's bathroom was equally as long, but by the time I was done my sister was still in line...  Tee hee

February Challenge: Day Three

Day Three - Hands

Great night with old friends... It's always great to reminisce about our days in drum and bugle corps which we always seem to do whenever we hang out.

February Challenge: Day Two

Day Two - Words

Ever written a letter to someone?  An old fashioned letter?  I highly encourage you to write a friend just to ask how they are doing.  For me, it really slows me down and appreciate the friendships that I've made thru the years.  Invest in your friends... Words can be very powerful

February Challenge: Day One

Day One - Your View Today

I'm a little late to the game, considering "my view today" could have been much better than Business Law readings and finding an article for this week's homework assignment.  It's a start...

February Photo a Day Challenge

Ready - Set - GO!

Resolutions

I know it's been a very long time since my last blog.  To be honest, there are a lot of things on my mind that have been compounding and compounding that I didn't really feel like airing all my "dirty" laundry on the internet.  My number one excuse for not keeping up with my blog is that school just drained and exhausted me to the point that I didn't want to read or write for recreation.  Normally, I don't mind either...  I'm even behind in my comics, if you can believe that! 

I'm not saying I was being a lazy and depressed dog... I definitely stayed productive and did a lot of things with family and friends.  Thanksgiving and Christmas was a blast this year and hanging out with my friends always brings a smile to my face.  I just wanted to do my own thing...

Anyway!  Happy New Year!  And with each New Year come the year's resolutions.  Here are the 10 that pop into my head right away:

1. Go to church more often
2. Get up earlier in the day (which means going to bed earlier)
3. Get to the gym at least 3 times a week
4. Eat better (more clean protein and less fast food)
5. Drink more water
6. Continue learning a new language (post graduation)
7. Invest in my friends more often
8. Invest in my family more often
9. Receive more than I give (sounds bad but it's a concept from Dr. Caesar.  In order to receive more of anything you too need to give)
10. Continue to reflect on my purpose and vision

Project Office / Game / Guest Room

As some of you may know, my brother (and later, good friend, Lisa) moved out of my little two bedroom condo leaving me with a spare room...  An empty canvas to do whatever I please.  I've always envisioned having a room dedicated to being either an office, gaming, or guest room.  Currently, the room functions as a guest room or if I'm too drunk to make it 5 more ft. to my own room (that rarely ever happens, by the way).

After some great advice from my friend Vince, I finally found a desk that I think would work great!

The Deluxe Loft-style L-shaped Computer Desk - about $250

You can get it at Overstock.com - Link here:  http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Deluxe-Loft-style-L-shaped-Computer-Desk/3187825/product.html?rcmndsrc=2

Here are some pictures of what the room looks like now:

Yes, that would be Lord of the Rings and the Rat Pack

Another "upgrade" I want to do to the condo, is install California Shutters... I think they look awesome!

I'm also looking for a good futon that can be pulled out to be a bed; hence, the optional guest room function...

Next, and, the hardest part in my opinion, is the decision of color...  

To quote my little sister Jessica:

 "Red, orange and yellow are too busy..  They're considered aggravating in a long term sense.  Purples and blues may be too overwhelming considering you have less light that pours into that room.  You have too much browns.. I would say greens or even possibly grays then hang your photos at the zoo or something for contrast."

Needless to say, I think my family has a little interior decorator.  And what's up with the too much brown comment?  So I like earth tones...  I'll be sure to consult her "professional" opinion in the future.  Haha!  For those that know me... You'd think I'd be good at this.  Where are these so called "inherent" traits I'm supposed to, magically, possess?  Here are some colors, I've settled on... At least for now:

My Thoughts on William Shatner's - The Captains

When I first heard that William Shatner was doing a film about all the captains in the Star Trek franchise, I was super excited and immediately set out to find a medium to watch it: streaming, Amazon download, iTunes, subscribing to EPIX, but... to no avail.  EPIX wasn't offered thru my cable company, so I had to wait till it came out on DVD or Blue Ray.  The other night, however, I was browsing through Netflix and found the film available!  A rare thank you to Netflix for actually doing something right!

My take aways from watching the film:

• I'd love to just sit and listen to Kate Mulgrew and Patrick Stewart talk about their lives
• Avery Brooks operates on another plane -- He is totally out there!  I get the jazz and I get how he explains things thru music and ambiguity, but man.. He was hard to follow
• A tremendous respect (more so than before) for English and Drama teachers.  Almost all the actors said their passion for being on stage/camera can be traced back to their English or Drama teachers.  This just, again, reinforces the level of respect I have for people in the educational field.  They get paid crap, but their impact on the world is huge... To teachers out there: you never know if you'll be the one to inspire the next Patrick Stewart, Steve Jobs, Yo-Yo Ma, or Wynton Marsalis
• Lastly, a quote by Socrates best sums the film "The unexamined life is not worth living."  It was great to see the depth of examination William Shatner had on his life and his journey to resolution and contentment

This film dug real deep into all the actor's lives, especially Patrick Stewart, Kate Mulgrew, and William Shatner.  There's something about Star Trek that is so appealing to me above, the most notable "rival", Star Wars.  Every single actor brought with them a background and training in classical theater that just added to the show's appeal.  Shakespeare. Broadway.  And if you've seen Star Trek, you can clearly see the love for the classics.

I remember having to read Shakespeare's Hamlet in high school...  We also read another take on Hamlet, but from the perspectives of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.  I forget the title.  It was really hard to find an appreciation for it, as a kid that was more interested in playing trumpet and designing websites for fun...  This time, I think I'd love to have the opportunity to read it again.

Question is... Digital or paper?  Perhaps, narrated by someone that really understands the material?  We'll see...

Do Something That Scares You - London 2012

"Do something each day that scares you..."  A quote by Eleanor Roosevelt, and something my friend Shawn told me, as he left for the rest of his world travels.  It left me thinking about my life... In fact, I've been doing a lot of thinking about my life this trimester; especially because of this leadership class I'm currently enrolled.  The professor has us doing a lot of introspective examination -- something I'm only now fully appreciating.

I'm 28 (ugh! two more years till the big 3-0) years old and nearly finished with my MBA program, and I've come to the realization to how little I've experienced the world.  Everyone seems to tell me how I should be proud of all my accomplishments: a good career, a mortgage...  I'm just missing the other two M's - matrimony and maternity.  Well, I'm not quite sure that's going to be happening anytime soon!  Don't get me wrong, I recognize my blessings and thank God for them everyday.  I just feel like I'm missing out on a lot...

I've been doing a lot of thinking around what I really want in my life: career, perspective, achievement, fulfillment... someone to love.

So, in an attempt to do something COMPLETELY out of my comfort zone and something that ABSOLUTELY terrifies me is to travel... ALONE!  Not a big deal to some people, but for me... It's like jumping out of a plane (something that I actually wouldn't mind doing).  Imagine that... I'd rather jump out of a plane than travel to a foreign country alone.

Where to, you ask? London!

London

I've always wanted to visit London.  I think it has a lot to do with my love for JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis.  Nevertheless, I am nervous, scared, but really excited.

I'll be in London July 21-28th.  Just in time to, perhaps, experience the opening ceremonies of the 2012 Olympics!  Fortunately, all the traveling and working in LA has paid off as I have enough Hilton points to cover most, if not the entirety, of my stay.  I'll be staying at the Courthouse DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel London on Regent Street.  An absolutely AMAZING looking hotel which was, apparently, a jail or courthouse back in the day.

I still need to find accommodations for a portion of my stay; fortunately, I have a friend that's a hotel manager that is assisting me with my search.  Until then, I'll be doing a lot of research and planning of activities. I have a lot of "must-sees" so, hopefully, I can squeeze them in!

If you have any suggestions, please feel free to comment!

~~~
On another note...
The business simulation class is FINALLY over and I'll have a little more time to spend on my blogs.

I'll still be writing comic reviews here and there.  Most of my initial reviews were just to cover the #1 issues of DC Comic's new 52.

Please visit Shawn's blog: http://rockyontheroad.wordpress.com/.  He's a daring, interesting, fun, and courageous friend that's embarking on an amazing world tour!  I'm super jealous of where he's been and where he's going.  Definitely someone that has motivated and inspired me to...  Just do it.  Just travel and have fun doing it...

Also, subscribe to my good friend Natasha's blog: http://www.inlovewithsandiego.com/.  She, too, played a big role in me booking my trip.  In her own words, "Doooooo iitttttt." Hah

New 52! The Flash #1 Review

So if you're new to my blog, you should click on the Comic link above to see more reviews and read a little about myself.  I'm a relatively new comic book reader; that is, to regularly buy comics each week and follow multiple characters...  I've traditionally been a Green Lantern type of person.

Written by: Francis Manapul
Art by: Brian Buccellato

So, I have to admit that I really don't know a whole lot about The Flash.  I knew he was struck by lightning, but I didn't know that he taps into an energy called The Speed Force.  I remember watching a television show about The Flash about a scientist that ran really fast and ate a lot of food... No ring (from what I remember) and no magically appearing costumes.

Anyway...

I absolutely loved this comic!  The comic gave me a really good introduction to Barry Allen aka The Flash.  I'm also in love with Brian Buccellato's art!  All I can say is, Barry Allen can be easily played by some good looking celebrity (blond) and make an awesome movie!

While on date at a museum, Barry Allen finds himself in the middle of a robbery.  In super hero fashion, he makes a quick exit to change into The Flash and kick some serious tail.  The robbers are after an experimental device called a genome re-coder.  Amidst all the action, one of the robbers is a killed (or is he?) and is later revealed to be an old school friend of Barry.

Barry becomes a little obsessed to find out what really happened to his friend and how he really died when *poof* Manual enters the scene.  Alive?!

Francis did a fantastic job in his storytelling and gave me enough of a "hook" to buy the next issue.

~

Side note:  I really need to figure out which comics I'm going to dedicate my budget to because I'm pretty sure I can't keep up with this volume of comics.  I have to say that it's become pretty difficult to narrow down the few comics that I want to read every week.

Writing: 9/10
Art: 10/10
Storytelling: 9/10

Overall:  9.33/10

New 52! Green Lantern New Guardians #1 Review

Written by: Tony Bedard
Art by: Tyler Kirkham

I was somewhat skeptical when I first bought Green Lantern New Guardians.  I thought it was going to be some cheesy spin off where DC was milking the Green Lantern series for all its recent successes: movies, Blackest Night, etc.

I was proved wrong...

[minor spoiler]

I'm a little confused as to when this comic actually takes place.  I can't tell if it's before or after the new 52 Green Lantern and Green Lantern Corps... I'm going to assume before because, both, Green Lantern and Green Lantern Corps refer to Kyle Rayner being around...  And the comic starts out with  a retelling of Kyle Rayner (my favorite Green Lantern) and how he is inducted into the Green Latnern corps by Ganthet, the last surviving Guardian of the Universe.  If you are familiar with the pre-new 52 story, Kyle Rayner is inducted into the corps and ends up saving the Green Lantern corps after Hal Jordan completely destroys everything.

Even though the story spans across several different worlds, it's pretty easy to follow.  The story really gets interesting as a lantern from each of the emotional spectrums is decommissioned and each ring  makes it way towards Sector 2814 aka Earth.  After saving people from a construction accident, the rings show up, all saying "Kyle Rayner you have been chosen."

I'm not quite sure what the writer is saying here...  Kyle Rayner is chosen to wear ALL the colors of the emotional spectrum?  Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet... Rainbow colors... Kyle Rayner... Hey now! *snaps*

Tony Bedard does a really good job alluding to each world and previous green lanterns without being too wordy or concerned with the details.  It's perfect.  Tyler Kirkham's art is amazing, except for, where are the Blue lanterns?  You see almost every other corps except them... I guess we'll see!

I'm definitely getting issue #2

Writing: 9/10
Art: 9/10
Storytelling: 10/10

Overall: 9.33/10

New 52! Superman #1 Review

Written by: George Perez
Art by: Jesus Merino

This is a really hard review for me to write.  As a general rule of thumb, I don't like going into every detail about what happened on every page of each comic.  #1 - I just don't have time for that and #2 - I believe a person should discover and read the comic themselves and form their own opinion... And that's the whole point of the comic section of my blog.  It's just my opinion.  And like my Pastor always says, "my opinion doesn't mean anything."

From what I know, George Perez is an old school writer and that was definitely apparent in this issue.  There were a lot of throw backs to the old Superman comics: faster than a speeding bullet, this looks like a job for Superman, etc.

There was A LOT going on in this comic, looking at it from a narrative perspective.  From inner-monologues, to chatter, to an actual narrator describing what Superman is thinking.  For me, personally, it felt unnecessary.

There really isn't an overall story arc except for the Daily Planet upgrade to the Planet Global Network and the usual push-n-pull Louis Lane and Clark Kent relationship.

In a time where audiences love continuous story arcs (i.e. Star Trek original series vs Star Trek DS9 and Voyager), I felt that as a New 52 - where the business model is to pull in new readers - this was definitely a homage to old school comic books.  Let's put Superman in a pretty bad situation and see him fight / think his way out...  I hope Superman doesn't become an episodic series of Superman vs bad number X.

I'm really torn on this one...  I might have to read the next issue to really see how I feel about Superman.  I may just have to stick with Action Comics.

Writing: 9/10
Art: 9/10
Storytelling: 8/10

Overall: 8.67/10

New 52! Aquaman #1 Review

Written by: Geoff Johns
Art by: Ivan Reis

Aquaman!?  The one character that I think everyone has made fun of at one point or another.  He's usually the punchline of some joke and not many people would consider him a bad ass superhero.  How do you  make someone like this cool?  There was going to be a television show (similar to Smallville) about Aquaman, but that got squished pretty quick.  If there are two people that could do it, it's probably Geoff Johns (Squee!)  and Ivan Reis!  You might be familiar with some of their work: Green Lantern, Brightest Day, Blackest Night...

Geoff Johns quickly uses the "uncool" factor to introduce some humor into the comic and  Ivan Reis does a great job capturing the smirk and shock on the faces of people when Aquaman enters the scene.  It's pretty much, "what the "bleep" is this guy doing here? There's no water or fish around... Bye bye tuna-man"  Even after saving the day, the police still poke jokes, "need a glass of water?" Haha!  I'm really loving this!

My verdict:  I am really into Aquaman!  Really good story: it's funny, great back story, and I can't wait to read what happens with the nasty creatures that have shown up.  I highly recommend you grab a copy!

Writing: 10/10
Art: 10/10
Storytelling: 10/10
Overall: 10/10

Geoff Johns has done it again :)

New 52! Batman #1 Review

Written by: Scott Snyder
Art by: Greg Capullo

Again, this is my first Batman comic book ever bought off the shelf.  I'm almost hesitant to be buying so many of these comics!  I'm afraid I'll get too hooked to too many stories!  Is that even possible?

Anyway, I am an instant fan of team Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo!  I am almost upset that I didn't jump on their band wagon a long time ago!

I read Nightwing before this, and not to give anything away, but the last page left me wanting more.  I can tell that Batman is going to be an issue that I will absolutely fall in love with.  One thing that did come as a shock for me was (remember I'm relatively new to these series of comics... I'm a Green Lantern type of guy) seeing all the Robins in one room: Dick Grayson, Tim Drake, and Damian Wayne.  I really only know the backstory of Dick Grayson, so I'm hoping for a little back story on Tim and Damian.  I may just stick with Batman instead of getting Batman & Robin...  Scott Snyder just pulled me in with that ending... Especially after reading Nightwing!  I was like... Whhhuuuuut!!??

(Why not both, Carl? We'll see...)

I also heard somewhere that Bruce Wayne died or that he was just gone for a little bit?  They alluded to that a little bit in Blackest Night and Nightwing... I was always a little confused by that...  Well anyway... I'm sure it'll clear up sometime.  If someone wants to write me about that whole backstory, please fill me in.  Otherwise, this new 52 has a new serious Batman fan.  Which is totally fitting: Green Lantern and Batman always seem to be paired up somehow.

Writing: 10/10
Art: 10/10
Storytelling: 10/10

Overall: 10/10

Loved loved loved!

New 52! Nightwing Review #1

Better late than never, I guess.  If you've been following my blog, you've probably read how busy I am with school and work.  Sorry about being a little late, I'll try to catch up this weekend!

Written by: Kyle Higgins
Art by: Eddy Barrows

This is officially the very first Nightwing comic I've ever read, let alone bought off the shelves of my local comic book store.  I've read other reviews and people have stated that it was a little bit on the boring side; however, I would argue that it was perfect for a new reader.  That's the whole point of the new 52 -- attract new readers.

Nightwing #1 provided a lot of background for me to understand that the original Robin, Dick Grayson, is now flying solo.  I know, I know... Veteran readers would probably ask me if I've been living under a rock...  But just like my reviews: better late than never! Haha!

Kyle Higgins does a really good job telling the back story of how Dick Grayson went from circus boy, to Robin, to Nightwing.  Really that's pretty much what this issue was about... backstory.  I enjoyed Eddy Barrows' art and I think I'll definitely pick up the next issue.  One thing I do want to know is... I thought Nightwing's colors were blue and black?  I'm curious why they decided on a color change...  There's Robin, Red Robin from Teen Titans, and Nightwing...  Perhaps, this is an homage to those colors?  It didn't bother me much, but I know a lot of readers were kind of upset with the color change: think Batman and Robin movies with Arnold...  A movie that some fans, would like to forget...

Thank you DC.  You've given me, yet, another story to get hung up on.

Writing: 9/10
Art: 9/10
Storytelling 9/10

Overall: 9/10