The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Last week I went to the NYC premier of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo at the Ziegfeld Theater. Randomly I was given tickets from a guy standing in front of the independent movie theater by my house. To be honest I thought it was a scam at first, but I was so glad that I went. The movie was amazing!! It was my first time at this theater and I was blown away by how huge and beautiful it was. On top of everything there was  free popcorn and drinks!!!

Actual Movie Ticket

Inside the Ziegfeld Theater

JDRF Re-branding

I am just about coming to to an end of my internship with JDRF. I've had a great experience interning with them and plan to stay involved with the organization afterwards.

I wanted to share their new logo and their re-branding process:

For more than 40 years, JDRF has been a leader in the search for an end to type 1 diabetes, through both research funding and advocacy. During that time, we have always talked about a cure as a singular destination: a return to normal physiology.

But today, we realize that we are engaged in a process of curing type 1 diabetes - that a cure is not just a destination but also a journey along a path. And we recognize that a part of our mission must be to help those living with type 1 today to live healthier, easier, and safer lives until we arrive at the end of that path.

In addition, we understand that the word "juvenile" is no longer descriptive of the disease or those burdened with it. JDRF market research tells us that, today, 85 percent of those in the U.S with type 1 diabetes are adults. We must communicate that JDRF is an organization for ALL ages, and ALL stages of this disease.

The JDRF identity was created with these key considerations in mind. We have dropped the formal name "Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation" from our identity and will be known simply as JDRF. This better reflects our commitment to work for ALL those with type 1 diabetes.

An essential graphic element in the logo design is the inclusion of the "T1D" symbol. Intentionally subordinate to the JDRF name, the symbol reinforces our focus on type 1 diabetes, and moves us toward establishing T1D as identifiable shorthand for this disease.

Another unique and recognizable element is the "momentum lines" that frame the JDRF name on top and bottom. This element helps to communicate the energy and urgency with which we are pursuing our mission. Most important, it is reflective of both the progress we've made and the accelerated progress we aim for.

The logo works in conjunction with the brand tagline to succinctly communicate who we are: the leader of the type 1 diabetes community, improving lives and curing type 1 diabetes.

Take a close look at the new logo and see if you can spot the 'T1D' symbol incorporated in JDRF. At first glanced I missed it, but take a closer look and you will see i.

Old Logo

New Logo

MBA or MPA what's right for YOU?

Is there a difference? YES

Although MBAs and MPAs have a lot of shared ground: they are both professional degrees that provide management training by way of policy, economics, statistics, and finance. While each degree can be used to attain similar goals of better pay and advancement, there are differences. One of the major differences between a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) is the sector one intends to work in upon graduation. MPA degree programs are for potential public, government, and non-profit sector individuals whereas those planning to work in the private sector.

Some feel the foundation and martial covered is relativity the same, just geared towards different sectors with distinctive specializations. Even though there is a wide variation in types of specializations, there are some concentrations like health care, international management, human resource management, or even an entrepreneurial track that is shared between both degrees, depending on the school. An MBA may be more mainstream when compared to an MPA, but that shouldn't mean it is more prestigious.

If you are indecisive about which degree to obtain, I pose the question: what are your interests and what are you passionate about? If your answer is philanthropic work, non-profits, policy, government etc., I would say an MPA is better suited for you. If you are more interested in the for-profit  private industry, marketing, accounting, finance, economics etc., than an MBA is more appropriate.

What are your thoughts? Are you best suited for a MBA or MPA? Or would you consider a dual MBA/MPA degree? Both Colombia and NYU have joint programs.

JDRF Promise Ball

Hi all,

A few entries back I mentioned I am interning at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) as a special events and fundrasing intern. Thursday November 17th was the annual Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's (JDRF) Promise Ball! I was very excited to be there and stunned by how beautiful everything was.

The Promise Ball took place at Cipriani Wall Street. The venue was stunning, picturesque and lavish. I felt like I was attending a star studded wedding.

When I arrived at 5:30, my first task was to make sure each table had the correct number of chairs according to the table floor plan my manger handed to me. Around 7:00 is when the majority of the people started showing up for the cocktail reception. During this time, the silent auction was happening and I was helping to answer any questions people had about the items. There were so many amazing items from vacation trips to tickets to the Grammys and everything in-between.

As a former Mets employee I was excited that the master of ceremonies for the evening was Ron Darling, former Mets pitcher and currently a sport commentator. It was nice to see that the master of ceremonies had a personal connection to diabetes. His son has type 1 diabetes and in 2009 Ron started the Ron Darling Foundation to raise money to finding a cure. 

Ron introduced the entrainment of the night, which was Four Stars from the Original Cast of Jersey Boys. They sang us into our appetizer and throughout entree. On that note, dinner and desert was exceptionally delicious!

 There is still so much to tell you guys!!!! The night also had the 2011 Award of Distinction Recipient, an emotional video of kids, adults and teenagers talking about their type 1 story, a live auction and lastly a bid to cure diabetes finale. For the finale they brought out adorable children who are diagnosed with the disease, and as each child came out they were holding a sign with a different amount for bidders to bid on. The first child came out showcasing a $50,000 sign and there was one bidder for that amount! The next levels followed $25,000, $10,000, $5,000, $2,500, $1,000 and lastly $500. More and more bidders participated as the levels went down. The total amount raised for the finale was just shy of half a million dollars!!!!!

One side of the dinning area

Four Stars from the Original Cast of Jersey Boys

Silent Auction

New York Cares Day

This year was the 20th anniversary of New York Care day and I'm proud to be a part of that. I volunteered at Crispus Attucks (PS. 21) elementary school in Bed Stuy! Collectively we painted murals, fences and touched up basketball courts!    

7,000 New Yorkers volunteered for New York City public school students. With just a little effort and a whole lot of heart, we painted school hallways, classrooms and murals; organized libraries and storage rooms; and improved playgrounds at more than 100 public schools citywide.

The RESULT.. 66,000 public school students and teachers will benefit from cleaner, brighter schools. In just one day, we’ll deliver $1 million in service at a time when public schools desperately need every New Yorkers’ support. It’s a big job, but we can do it with your help.

Learn more http://www.newyorkcares.org/

 

You can also attend an orientation session that will introduce you to New York Cares' year-round volunteer opportunities  

Attend an orientation

Kim, Kourtney and Mason

I was THRILLED I finally got see them!! It was totally random that the one day I go to the waterfront in Brooklyn they were there too! It made my day..10-8-11

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Walk to Cure Diabetes

Opening ceremony

As an intern for JDRF, this past Sunday was the 22^nd annual Walk to Cure Diabetes. I am proud to say it was a successful event. The walk is the most successful fundraiser for the JDRF NYC chapter.  Last year it raised 3.3 million and we hope the walk surpasses last year’s amount. Donations still come in a week or two after the walk has taken place. Therefore, it will be a few weeks before we have a final total.

Starting the walk

I want to explain how Battery Park was set up and the activities that were going on that day, so here goes…

There was a main registration area as well as team table areas. If you were part of team, company, school you had your own designated area to hand in donations, sign up if you hadn’t already and gather before the walk began. It was great seeing mothers, fathers, children, aunts, uncles and dogs coming together and showing their support. There were so many colorful creative team t-shifts. I was happy to hear that JDRF was having a t-shirt contest and they were going to announce the winners during the opening ceremony. I thought this was very creative, fun and a showcase of pride for the family teams.

There was a big stage where a DJ was playing music as everyone started showing up.  The opening ceremony happened on stage where they announced the walk details and introduced the C.E.O. and the Executive Director of the chapter who gave brief overviews of the mission and personalized the mission by adding a story of their own and how they are connected to type 1 diabetes.

JDRF was not alone at Battery Park, there were thirteen different vendors which each had a stand of their own. To name a few there was the Kids Corner, Diabetes Educations, New York Life was signing children up for the child ID program and Greater NY dietetic Association.  One of my favorites was an organization called Lilly Diabetes where they care for pediatric patients. Recently they parented up with Disney to create a children’s storybook about diabetes.  I thought this was creative and helps children understand a complicated disease.

My task throughout the day was to oversee and help set up the two VIP tents, McCann Worldgroup and Bloomingdale's, they were the top two fundraising companies. Both VIP tents were set up with tables, chairs, food, beverages, snacks and coffee. MccCann Worldgroup’s area was for approximately 150 people and Bloomingdale's area for roughly 200 people.  The 2011 Walk to Cure Diabetes was a millstone for Bloomingdales. Bloomingdales joins an elite group of only a few companies to have raised a significant amount, over $5 million in support of JDRF since 2003! This was an enormous accomplishment and of course a big reason why they had a VIP tent!

Fashion Night Out 2011

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Hurricane Irene 2011

Saw this from the building across from me

Early Sunday morning 8/28/11

Hurricane Irene shut down MTA, LIRR, Metro North for two whole days. NYC was on lock down!  It was an eerie feeling walking the streets early the following morning

Ruth Gruber

Q & A session following the viewing of 'A Head of Time'

Dr. Ruth Gruber is an extraordinary woman, correspondent, civil servant, humanitarian, and photojournalist. She has lived more than one life with everything she has accomplished.

Gruber who was born (1911) and raised in Brooklyn was determined at early age to set sight on the world.

Last night, Ruth Gruber came to the International Center of Photography to sit in the audience with her family to watch along with others the documentary of her life, A Head of Time. This picture is taken while she was answering questions after about the documentary

Perhaps the most intriguing element of her life to me is that at 15 she was enrolled at NYU and at age 20 she was the world's youngest Ph.D!!!

She has travel, studied, and worked all over the world. At age 24 she became an international correspondent for the New York Herald Tribune. During WWII, she stewarded the ship Henry Gibbins on a secret U.S. government mission that brought 1000 Jewish refugees safely from Europe to the United States.

She will turn 100 next month. Truly a very extraordinary woman. I was very fortune to be able to see such an iconic hero. I hope to live a life as fulfilled and meaningful and touching as hers.

Elliott Erwitt Photography

I really love his Personal Best collection which is shown at the International Center of Photography until the end of August. I have many favorites but here are my two favs

Paris, 1989 (100th year anniversary)

New York, 1955

Cheap Textbooks!!!

 This website saved me $$$ by renting my textbooks. They even cover the cost of shipping!! Cheaper than amazon and your school's bookstore!! I recommend this site for any student. Use the link and receive 5% off already discount textbooks =)

Stop spending a fortune on textbooks. Rent books at BookRenter.com - you'll save $100s & get free shipping both ways!

HELLO 2011

NEW YEARS 2011

Bringing in the new year will the people I absolutely love

my backbone. . .