Oct 26, 2015

I am going to Baruch!

Hi blog,

So I've been away for a looong time! But, this is my last semester... and I wanted to do 2839712038 things at the same time! From summer to now I've been working as:

1- Welcome Ambassador on campus
2- Peer Mentor
3- Assistant to the Director of the CUNY Service Corps program

I was invited to travel twice:
1- Peer Mentors Retreat/ Leadership Training  (I don't have any pics in this computer )
2- Student Leaders Conference at Hudson Valley

Cool picture we took in front of the resort with our friend's drone


Oh, and I am the President of a student club called I.M.P.A.C.T! :)

As for now, I have 2 on-campus jobs (Peer Mentor and Assistant to the Director of CUNY Service Corps) and I also have to manage all club-related issues! In addition of 3 classes + attending tutoring sessions every week. It seems a little crazy, and it is. haha but, I know it is for a good cause. I can't imagine myself only taking classes and watching the time passing by (especially in my last semester!)

GOOD NEWS: I was accepted to Baruch college for the next step of my education! As an International Student, finding an affordable college is extremely difficult. We CANNOT get any loan, financial aid, grant, anything. We PAY 2 to 3 times more than a regular student (for ex. at University of Michigan, a resident/ citizen pays for their tuition $14.336 while an International Student pays $43.377! It is absolutely insane and sometimes I ask myself why I am doing that hahah).

Acceptance letter from Baruch =)
 At Baruch, my tuition will be $12.720! (Paid upfront and with some other fees and stuff :'( ) Inside the CUNY system Baruch is by far the best college and I am really happy I will have the chance to finish my studies there :)

 After Baruch, I am going to Columbia University (since anything after Masters is extremely cheap - and there are a lot of scholarships for International Students)

My weekend was super fun! On Friday night I went to Chinatown my my boyfriend and we had their famous lobster with ginger and scallion sauce for dinner! We also went out drinking on a bar close by (they sell $5 beer + shots!! ) since I didn't eat as much for dinner, I felt pretty dizzy!

On Saturday we went to Chinatown again, ate lobster again lol (but at another restaurant w a delicious pork hong kong style) and we walked around to try to find "mooncakes". We found a super cheap bakery and we got the mooncake + other pastries. After that, we tried to go to the movies to watch "The martian"...but it was sold out :( so we ended up stopping at Best buy and coming back home to watch a documentary about a Chinese "ghost city" called ORDOS which was extremely interesting (I LOVE documentaries SO SO much!!)...

Sunday we woke up late and we ate at a Mediterranean place close by and then we went to Starbucks to work on some marketing stuff. When we were done there, we went to another bar/ coffee shop and we headed home. It was super cold out so we just wanted to come back home.

Now I am ready for a new week! This week is going to be crazy as usual, I have to send $100 for Baruch and my acceptance form; + my sponsor docs and I have to show them I have at least $41000 in my account (that is the minimum required for International Students); I will also have 2 midterms + a meeting with other clubs so we can organize a "hunger banquet" , where basically every club will sponsor it (with anything from $200- $500) and all money collected will go to an organization/cause of our choice - that will prob have to decide on the meeting.

Have a great week everyone! Stay warm!

Selfie in my college bathroom! haha :)




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Jul 27, 2015

Furniture store (waay better than IKEA) in NYC




Hi friends!!

I know it's hard to find good, affordable furniture stores in NYC for us students. Based on my own experiences, I would like to give you some tips today!

You may have stumbled on FROY when you tried to search for top furniture stores in NYC. When you first visit their website, you may think that, given a student budget, it would be cheaper to buy furniture from other stores until you realize that they offer FREE SHIPPING on orders over $75 dollars! Stores like IKEA charge around $100 for shipping alone.

So, I personally bought a queen-size bed (the Myles vinyl white one), but to be honest I loved so many beds that it was hard to decide on a specific one! You can see for yourself: http://froy.com/collections/beds. This is how it looked like without the mattress:


And, with the mattress (sorry about the poor picture quality)! I got the duvet cover at Urban Outfitters ($90.00) and the comforter (around $30.00) at Target.


The bed was easy to assemble and I am so happy with the purchase! Now I want to buy all my decorative accents from their store - they are all so cute! If you're moving and searching for awesome furniture stores in New York City, check out the stores I recommended.

Night everyone, I am going to have nice dreams on my brand new bed!! :D

Li





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Jul 16, 2015

Discounted Broadway tickets!


Hi friends!

How are you all doing? hope you are all enjoying the summer!

Today I will share with you how to buy your Broadway ticket paying waaay less than the regular price!! As a student myself I am always looking for good deals and I would love to share with my fellow students. They usually have two options; rush and student tickets.


Aladdin
Lottery Rush: $30 - a limited number of tickets via lottery at the box office at 214 W. 42nd Street (open Monday-Friday from 9 AM-8 PM, Saturday from 10 AM-8 PM and Sunday from 10 AM-6:30 PM).
Beginning two-and-a-half hours before the performance, theatregoers are invited to enter the lottery, and winners will be drawn two hours before each performance. Winners may purchase up to two $30 tickets with cash only to that day's performance. Locations will be at the theatre's discretion and may not be offered at all performances.

Amazing Grace
General Rush: $30 - a limited number of tickets are available for purchase at the box office at opening each day. Cash only. Limit 2 per person.

An Act of God
Digital Lottery: $37 - the show has partnered with TodayTix to allow its members to enter a mobile lottery via the TodayTix app, available in the App Store or Google Play Store. The entry period will begin each day at midnight, and continue until winners are notified via push notification & e-mail 3-4 hours before the selected performance begins. Winners secure their ticket(s) through the app; they are then held for purchase at the Studio 54 box office. Payment is cash only. Seat locations are subject to availability.

An American in Paris
General Rush: $32 - a limited number of tickets are available for purchase at the box office at opening each day. Cash only. Limit 2 per person.

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
General Rush: $40 - A number of $40 tickets will be made available for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evening performances for purchase day-of at the box office of the Stephen Sondheim Theatre. Tickets are subject to availability, and patrons are limited to two rush tickets per person.

The Book of Mormon
Lottery Rush: $32 - a limited number of tickets for each performance will be sold through the lottery. Entries will be accepted at the box office beginning two and a half hours prior to each performance; each person will print their name and the number of tickets (1 or 2) they wish to purchase on a card that is provided. Two hours before curtain, names will be drawn at random for a limited number of tickets priced at $32 each. Only one entry is allowed per person. Cards are checked for duplication prior to drawing. Winners must be present at the time of the drawing and show valid ID to purchase tickets. Limit one entry per person and two tickets per winner. Tickets may be purchased in cash or with a valid credit card. Tickets are subject to availability.
Standing Room: $27 - available at the box office directly after the lottery.

Chicago 
General Rush: $37 - tickets available at the box office only, when the box office opens. Limit 2 per customer. Not available for Saturday evenings. Subject to availability.

Standing Room: $27 - available at the box office, day of performance, only when the performance is sold out.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
General Rush: $37 - a limited number of general rush tickets are available at the box office on the day of the performance at $37 each (price includes a $2 facility fee). Limit of two tickets per person. Subject to availability.
Last Row Mezzanine: $27 - all seats in rows F-G of the rear mezzanine are priced at $27 for all performances.

Finding Neverland
General Rush: $37 - a limited number of rush tickets are available for purchase in-person at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre box office beginning at 10am (12pm on Sundays) for that day's performance(s) only. Maximum one ticket per person, cash only. Rush tickets are subject to availability and may not be offered at all performances. Rush seating locations will be determined at the discretion of the box office.

Fish in the Dark
General Rush: $35 - available when the box office opens. Limit of 2 tickets per person, while seats are available.

Fun Home
Digital Lottery: $32 - the show has partnered with TodayTix to allow its members to enter a mobile lottery via the TodayTix app, available in the App Store or Google Play Store. The entry period will begin each day at midnight, and continue until winners are notified via push notification 3-4 hours before the selected performance begins. Winners will be offered the opportunity to purchase either one or two $32 tickets, and can pick up them up from the box office of the Circle in the Square Theatre. Seat locations are subject to availability.

A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder
Youth Rush: $42 - a limited number of tickets will be made available for each performance for patrons aged 35 and under. These tickets must be purchased day-of, in-person at the box office and are subject to availability. Valid photo I.D. will be required, and patrons are limited to two rush tickets per performance.

Hamilton
Lottery Rush: $10 - Starting two-and-a-half hours hours before every performance, submit your name outside the theater for a chance to win up to two tickets. Names are drawn two hours before showtime. Tickets are $10, cash only.

Hand to God
General Rush: $27 - A limited number of general rush tickets will be available when the box office opens on the day of the performance. Seats may be partial view and are subject to availability. Limit 2 per person. Cash or credit card accepted.
Standing Room: $27 – Available on the day of the performance when the box office opens. Standing-room tickets are only available when the performance is sold out. There is a limit of 2 per tickets per person. Cash or credit card accepted.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Lottery Rush: $37 - A minimum of 20 tickets will be sold via lottery for each performance. Beginning two-and-a-half hours before every performance, patrons are invited to enter the lottery at the Belasco Theatre (111 West 44th Street). Winners will be drawn two hours before each performance. Each person will print their name and the number of tickets (1 or 2) they wish to purchase on a card that is provided. Entries will be collected and names will be drawn at random. Winners will then be able to purchase tickets at $37 each. All cards are checked for duplication prior to drawing. Winners must be present at the time of the drawing and show valid ID to purchase tickets. Tickets may be purchased in cash or with a valid credit card. Limit one entry per person and two tickets per winner. Subject to availability. Seat locations may be partial view.
Standing Room: $29 - standing room tickets will be available for purchase at the Belasco Theatre box office beginning 45 minutes prior to curtain on the day of the performance only, but only if the performance is otherwise sold out. Limit 2 tickets per person.

It Shoulda Been You
General Rush: $35 - available day of performance beginning when the box office opens. Limit 2 per person. There will be 30 tickets available each day.

Jersey Boys 
Student Rush: $27 - a limited number of student tickets available at the box office on the day of the performance beginning at 10 AM. Two kinds of photo ID must be shown: a non-expired full time student ID, as well as a government issued photo ID, drivers license or passport. Limit 2 tickets per person per 30 day period. Tickets are subject to availability and may not be offered at all performances. Locations may be partial view. Cash only.

The King and I
Student Rush: $32 - each day, LCT offers $32 student rush tickets beginning two hours before a performance at the Box Office (subject to availability). Student rush tickets are limited to one ticket per performance and you must show a valid college/university ID to purchase a ticket. Please Note: not all performances have student rush tickets.
LincTix: $32 - LCT's program for patrons aged 21-35 is free to join and gives access to $32 tickets for each new LCT production. Linctix allows you to purchase tickets in advance as soon as the show is on sale to the public. A limited number of LincTix are available for EVERY performance. For more information and to register, visit http://www.lct.org/linctix.

Kinky Boots
Online Lottery: $37 - entries will be accepted online beginning at the curtain time of the previous performance and close three and a half hours before curtain of the desired performance. Limit of one entry per person and two tickets per winner. Lottery tickets are priced at $37 each and are subject to seating availability.
Standing Room: $27 - a limited number of standing-room tickets may be available in person at the box office on the day of the performance, if the performance is sold out.

Les Misérables
General Rush: $37 - rush tickets will be available beginning 10 AM daily (and noon on Sundays as of March 30) at the Imperial Theatre box office only (249 West 45th Street).

Mamma Mia!
Rush Seats: $32 (incl $2.00 fac fee) may be available on the day of the performance when the box office opens. Subject to availability. May not be offered for all performances. Limit is 2 tickets per customer.
Standing Room: $32 (incl $2.00 fac fee) available at the box office only on the day of the performance if the performance is sold out. Goes on sale two hours prior to curtain. Limit is 2 per customer.

Matilda
Lottery Rush: $27 - a minimum of 20 tickets will be sold via lottery for each performance. Beginning two-and-a-half hours before every performance, patrons are invited to enter the lottery; winners will then be drawn two hours before each performance. Each person will print their name and the number of tickets (a two ticket limit) they wish to purchase on a card that is provided. Entries will be collected and names will be drawn at random. Winners will then be able to purchase tickets at $27 each. (Cards are checked for duplication prior to drawing.) Winners must be present at the time of the drawing and show valid ID to purchase tickets. Limit one entry per person and two tickets per winner. Do appreciate that lottery tickets are absolutely non-transferable: the person entering the lottery must also be the person attending the show. Tickets are subject to availability. Depending on the performance, some seat locations may be partial view. Note that there is limit of two lottery tickets per winner within a 30-day period.
Standing Room: $27 - Available on the day of the performance when the box office opens. Only available when the performance is sold out. Limit 2 tickets per person.

On The Town
Digital Lottery: $20 - the show has partnered with TodayTix to allow its members to enter a mobile lottery via the TodayTix app, available in the App Store or Google Play Store. The entry period will begin each day at midnight, and continue until winners are notified via push notification 3-4 hours before the selected performance begins. Winners will be offered the opportunity to purchase $20 tickets, and can pick up their tickets from the uniformed TodayTix concierge outside of the theatre. Seat locations are subject to availability.

On The Twentieth Century
Student Rush: A limited number of half-price seats sold a half hour before curtain. They are subject to availability and limited to 1 per person with a valid student ID.
General Rush: $47 - A limited number of tickets sold when the box office opens on the day of the performance. Tickets are subject to availability and limited to 2 per person. Tickets located in the rear sides of the mezzanine. Cash or credit card.
Hiptix: $25 - Roundabout's Hiptix program allows registered patrons between ages 18 and 35 to purchase 1 pair of tickets per production at this price. Free registration is required. Ticket may be purchased in advance as availability dictates. Info at: http://www.roundabouttheatre.org/

The Phantom of the Opera
Standing Room: $27 - available at the box office, only when the performance is sold out. They are sold in advance or same day, if available. There are only 28 standing room positions.

Tickets in the last two rows of the Rear Mezzanine on the sides are priced at $27 for Monday through Thursday performances. These tickets may be purchased through Telecharge.com or at the box office.
Penn & Teller on Broadway
General Rush: $40 - a limited number of general rush tickets per performance will be available for purchase at the Marquis Theatre (46th Street between Broadway and 8th) when the box office opens. Tickets are $40, limited to two per person, and subject to availability for that day’s performance.

Something Rotten!
Online Lottery: $35 - a limited number of tickets, including front row, per performance will be sold to winners of a digital lottery drawing. Tickets are limited to two per person. For details and to enter the digital lottery, visit lottery.rottenbroadway.com. Entrants will be notified of their status two-and-a-half hours prior to show time. Tickets must be claimed and paid for at the St. James Theatre box office no later than 30 minutes prior to the performance.
General rush: $35 - tickets will be available for purchase at the St. James Theatre when the box office opens. Tickets are limited to two per person, and subject to availability for that day’s performances.

Wicked
Lottery Rush: $30 - a limited number of select orchestra seats available for each performance via a lottery drawing held two hours before curtain. Entries are accepted starting two and a half hours prior to each performance (or 30 minutes before the drawing itself). Limit one entry per person, and two tickets per winner. Winners must be present at time of drawing and valid identification must be shown to purchase tickets.
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Jun 27, 2015

New York TOURIST SCAMS to AVOID


 Hey people, I just made a list to help you AVOID scams in New York City! I took some of them from other sources and they are all cited at the end of the post :) hopefully you enjoy!

 2 rules for smart tourists:
- DO NOT take ANYTHING that anyone is trying to hand you on the street.
- IF A PERSON SPEAKS A WORD OR TWO IN YOUR LANGUAGE, DO NOT ANSWER
(they memorize a couple phrases to get their ''targets'' attention)

As someone said in a website: "Don't accept CDs, prayer cards, or pose for photographs with any of the costumed characters. This is not Disneyland, this is New York City. I would think it would be common sense among people, even tourists, to not accept 'free' gifts from complete strangers. It will cost you."

SCAM LIST

1- Times Square cartoon characters

As soon as you take a picture with them, they start screaming: “TIPS! TIPS! MONEY! MONEY!”
They are mostly immigrants who stand at Times Square for hours hunting for tourists and playing cool...until you are done taking your pictures. They will chase and scream at you if you don't tip! Most of them are not even happy with a dollar; they demand $5, $10...

2- Sneaky Hot Dog Salesmen

Most street food carts are a fine way to snag a quick meal on the cheap. Some falafel, taco, and chicken-and-rice carts even maintain a devout local following (check out the finalists of the 2009 "Vendy Awards"). But not all can be trusted. Beware carts that don’t post their prices. If anyone tries to bully you into a $3 hotdog, look appalled and walk away. In many cases, the vender will then drop the price down to normal "just for you."

3- Subway car performers

Some of these scam artists will insist for money and if you do not look up, they will yell at you, say you have no love, no compassion and bla bla. A lot of children work inside the subway cars and I am pretty sure there is a whole structure behind of it! ( meaning adults trying to rip people off using kids dancing in the subway car)


 "These groups of kids get on the train, blast really obnoxiously loud noise (I won't call it music, as it's really just random beats, no discernible song), and then they beg for money. It's really obnoxious, really loud, as far as I can tell just serves to piss people off. Busking is one thing, with hard work and talent, but this seems to really just be harassment."


4- Basketball team scam

“Excuse me. Sorry to bother you sir. I’m out here trying to raise money to buy jerseys for my basketball team. Right now we only need [20-40] dollars. Would you be kind enough to help?” At this point, the teenager shows you his or her clipboard filled with text that you’re never going to read about said scammer’s basketball team. You feel so bad (“how are they going to play without jerseys?!”) that you hand over $10, an act of charity that enhances your morale until the next day, when you hear the same exact speech from another stranger. This scam became so redundant that teenagers selling candy now often begin their pitch with “I’m not raising money for no basketball team.” Finally, some truth in this city!

5- Word Trade Center ''book with pictures of the tragedy'' sold by a lot of scammers in front of the memorial

A looooot of people stand there trying to sell ''books'' with the tragedy's pictures. I have a problem with people making money on the 9/11 events, while the families, and those who helped at the site are still hurting; these SCAM artists are ripping people off with their stupid books.



6- FREE Comedy shows

 ''The pests of New York City are notorious. Sewer rats, pigeons (“flying rats”), squirrels (“rats with cuter outfits”), bed bugs, cockroaches,  and the guys who sell comedy tickets in Times Square. Tourists fall for their crafty sales pitches, locals avoid them, I fell for one’s charm and good looks.
Like bed bugs in a street curb sofa, they infest the area, preying on all those they come in contact with. A walk on Broadway from 42nd Street to 50th guarantees multiple accostings:  “Do you like stand up comedy?” “Want to be part of a taping of a live show?” “What are you doing tonight?” At best they are obnoxious, at worst aggressive to the point where you buy a ticket just so they leave you alone. That’s probably how they make half of their money. The other half comes from sales made by promises of headliners who never show and exorbitant drink minimums they neglect to mention."


7- CD Scams

The CD scam is a relatively recent one that takes place in the crowded streets of Times Square in New York City. Someone will come up to you and hand you their CD. Almost instantly, he will accuse you of not paying for it and a few of his friends will come around to make sure that you do. To protect yourself against this, try to avoid taking the CD or lay it on the ground if you do.


8- The MetroCard scam

New Yorkers know not to buy a MetroCard from anyone who isn't an MTA employee or machine. In fact, it's illegal to sell them if you don't work for the Transit Authority. But tourists -- who are easy enough to spot -- are frequently propositioned with cards of little or no value by scammers who use intimidation to exploit the wide-eyed, sheepish newbies and visitors into buying "discounted" cards for more than they're worth. Why? Because it works! Take a guy like John Jones, for instance. The Bronx man claims he's made as much as $20,000 in a year selling cards he found on the street and in stations, all of which have some leftover value on them. The MTA has acknowledged that lost or unused MetroCards can account for as much as $52 million in revenue a year. And they enacted a $1 replacement fee for cards in 2011, and now earn $20 million a year from that. They're getting your money regardless. So maybe it's the MTA we should be mad at for running a system that makes the scam so easy. Guys like John Jones are just driving a truck -- or, more accurately, a train -- through a loophole of the MTA's making.

9- The "Money First, Keys Later" Scam

Steer clear of New York Craigslist apartment ads that, in a nutshell, say money first and keys later. Are you a slightly naive newcomer to the city of dreams? Have you heard friends tell you how lucky they were to get apartments at miraculous deals off Craigslist? Despite your misgivings, you give the ad site a go, reaching out to owners of all the apartments and/or rooms you fancy. Some responses are outright fishy. Others are more intricate in their guile, like the elderly couple retiring in London and asking for $700 a month for a furnished one-bedroom apartment on the Upper West Side, eloquently stressing how long they've lived in it and the qualities of the tenant they're looking for. But ultimately the con is the same: out-of-town apartment owners -- at a new job in Indiana or retiring overseas -- who want you to take care of the apartment while they are away; unfortunately, they left with the keys to the apartment because they couldn't find a buyer in time. How will you view the apartment? You can "stop by the building to have a look at its surrounding." S/he or they will not let you access the apartment until you've signed a lease agreement and paid the first month's rent. This is sure to set off alarm bells in some heads, so for the skeptics, the confolk add twists. They are not asking for rent or a deposit, just the insured cost of shipping the keys. The FTC says to be wary of rental agents or apartment owners who say they are out of the country and tell you to wire money or sign an agreement before you've met. As a rule of thumb to apartment hunting in NYC, if the deal sounds too good to be true, it most likely is.


   Sources:
http://blog.arrestrecords.com/top-15-worst-tourist-scams-you-must-be-aware-of-this-summer/
http://www.villagevoice.com/news/look-out-for-these-eleven-new-york-city-scams-6668046
http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.php?thread=1083420
http://www.oyster.com/articles/30306-dont-get-scammed-5-ways-new-york-city-tourists-get-swindled/
http://newyorkcliche.com/2011/02/07/stand-up-comedy-ticket-sellers-times-square-nyc-scam/
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60763-i5-k4086711-World_Trade_Center_site_and_Street_Vendors-New_York_City_New_York.html



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Jun 11, 2015

Visit to ALL CUNY colleges libraries in the summer


 Hi Friends!

How are you? Hopefully summer is treating you well.
So... classes are over! ( kinda of... since a lot of students are taking summer classes... like... me :P haha) This summer I am going a lot to campus to apply for programs, participate in things,etc.
I am also taking a class called CED345 which is a ''self-study" internship class ( we don't have have an actual class on campus, but we have to send weekly updates to our instructor and at the end of the section, we have to hand a 6 page essay with interviews and stuff.) 

Since I have some free time during the week, I've decided to go to every single CUNY Library available. I don't know if you guys know, but if you attend a CUNY college and have a student ID, you can visit other libraries. It is always wise to call them and say that you are a visiting CUNY student and ask them where to get a visitor pass, hours, location etc.
 
Click HERE to see an interactive map of ALL CUNY LIBRARIES :)

In the past 3 weeks, I've visited 3 libraries:

1. Baruch Library

I went to Baruch to study for my finals. What a pleasant surprise! this library has 6 floors, laptops for same day use (you can even choose if you want a Macbook or a Dell! haha). As a student visitor, we have to present or CUNY ID to enter the building and inside (I believe in the circulation desk) in order to get a visitor pass, which is good for 48h.

I used a computer on the main level and I was impressed with the cleanliness, with the number of floors and all resources available.

Self - Study stations :)

I loved the layout!

2. Guttman Community College

I was walking by Bryant Park when I saw a "CUNY" sign on a building. I went there and I found out it was from Guttman Community College. I showed my ID and I asked the security where the library was located.

Located on the street floor, I walked there and it was so so soooooooo loud and it looked old and dirty! I decided to stay there and explore a little bit. When I asked them for a visitor pass, they didn't know about it and someone logged in for me.

Since I always bring my headphones, I used them ALL the time and I stayed there for about 2-3 hours listening to lounge music and building excel budget planner charts :) Luckily someone helped me print them and I walk out happy; but it did not sound like an ideal study place.

Ps: I am not sure if they have other floors, I stayed on the street level.



3. New York City College of Technology

Since I am living in Brooklyn now, I found out on google maps that City Tech's library it was located at a 20 min bus ride from my place. So, I took a bus and I am writing from the library right now. :)
As soon as I arrived here, I showed my ID to the security and they told me the library was on the 4th floor. I stopped by the bathroom and it was gross. Old, missing toilet paper and a deep cleaning and renovation!

When I entered the library, I had to stop by a desk and get a ''visitor bar code" which basically is a guess access that allows you to use the computers. The library itself is old and as a guest you are not allowed to print. The access is good for 45 minutes, but at the end of the section, you can add 10 more minutes.

It is good for study (extremely quiet) but old fashioned and the timer on the screen is annoying and distracting. haha

outside of City Tech
Just took this pic from my iPhone :P

 Next post I will continue with more CUNY libraries visits...

Have a great weekend guys!

Xoxo,

Li.
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May 21, 2015

College Students: How to Build a Perfect Resume

Hi everyone,

Hope you are all great. I am just done with my finals and I feel so so sooo happy! :)
Today I will share with you 5 useful tips I found on forbes for resume building. Enjoy!
If you have any questions, please leave a comment or send me an e-mail on my "About me" page.

1. A loaded front end When employers (or their software) review resumés, they typically are facing large stacks of them. Do you honestly think the reviewer will read every word of your — or anyone else’s —resumé? In reality, the average resumé gets about six seconds of review time before it’s either retained or pitched.

How much of your resumé can you read in six seconds? Are you making a compelling argument for yourself in that six seconds? Make sure the top of your resumé works hard and quickly makes the case that it should be retained for review consideration. The top third of the first page will be the key to whether your resumé makes that all-important first cut.
The way to make a bold case quickly is by using…

 
2. Keywords These days, when we read — especially electronically — we often skim for keywords. So the beginning of your resumé should include a small, well-formed gathering of keywords that describe what you do. Cost accounting. Project management. Dry wall hanging and taping. Motorcycle repair. Molecular engineering. Whatever.
Why keywords? Two reasons:
First, if a living, breathing human is reviewing the resumés, he or she is trying to match applicants with job descriptions. The right keywords will help you make this match.

3. Space Have you ever read a full page of a dictionary, top to bottom? Me neither. The thought of reading that text crammed onto one page makes me want to reach for my eye drops.

Hiring managers reviewing resumés face the same torment. So have a heart; use some space in your resumé.
Not a lot, but grouping like areas together is a good start. Put a line break in between jobs.
Can you put a little space in after each bullet? It’s like a refreshing drink on a hot summer day!
What’s that? You say you have so much to put into your resumé that you can’t afford to put any space in? Then it’s time, my friend, to put your resumé on a diet.
It’s too long and will never be read because you’re making things too difficult.

4. Measurable success I did really good at my last job. Really good! Successful, yup, that’s me! I did a lot. A lot!
Sounds kinda like a seven-year-old, doesn’t it? Unfortunately, most resumés sound like this because they assign no measurement to what their owners have done.
Let’s say your resumé says: Supervised a group of customer service representatives.
That’s not bad. It’s not memorable, but it’s not bad.
But you’d make a much stronger case if you noted that you supervised 24 representatives in five states and were responsible for generating more than $27 million in sales per year, which accounted for 17% of the corporation’s annual sales.
 
Better still, your resumé would really shine if you mentioned that those sales increased 15% annually through programs that you created and enacted.
Giving measurements to what you’ve done adds size and scope to the statement and invariably makes your resumé stronger.

5. Flow If a hiring manager reading your resumé is confused, he’ll reject you in favor of someone with a clear, understandable version.
A resumé tells a story, and that story is about you. Anyone should be able to read your resumé and be able to tell who you are, what you do, what you’ve done, where and when you did it and how well you did it.
Testing your resumé for readability is easy.
Give it to someone you don’t know that well and have him explain back to you what your story is. If he can’t, or the story is inconsistent with what you’re trying to communicate, your resumé needs help.

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