The Mountains of Red Shade

Albuquerque is a great city in the great state of New Mexico, the Land of Enchantment. Albuquerque has many enchanting features about it, and the main one is the Sandia Mountains. The Sandia Mountains are a place that is beautiful and unforgettable. Albuquerque is in the middle of the Rio Grande Valley. The Rio Grande Valley is a part of the Rio Grande Rift Zone, which begins in Colorado and runs south to Chihuahua, Mexico. The Sandia Mountains are on the east edge of the Rio Grande Rift Zone, and were formed by uplifting. The Sandia’s are on top of one of the largest and deepest basins of the Rio Grande Rift Zone. Runoff from the Sandia’s is stored in sediment thousands of feet deep in Albuquerque’s basin, and is a huge amount of water that is in Albuquerque’s aquifer. The west sides of the Sandia’s are very rocky and the east is a smooth slope. (The Sandia Mountains) The tallest point of the mountains is about 10,378 feet where the temperature can easily be twenty degrees colder than Albuquerque. The main way up to the top of the beautiful Sandia’s is the world’s longest tram which was finished on May 7, 1966.

The Sandia Mountains are a place of enchantment with many possible activities for anyone to do. The activities include hiking, mountain biking, snowboarding, snow shoeing, skiing, hang gliding, mountain climbing, and there is the world’s longest tram. There is also the Turquoise Trail Scenic Byway which is on the east side of the mountain. The Turquoise Trail is a historic and scenic area that contains 15,000 square miles in Central New Mexico. There are over sixty beautiful trails in the Sandia’s which is over 150 miles of trails. When you are on the north side of the mountain, there are five mountain climbing trails that range in a wide variety of difficulty. Each trail takes you to the top of the north side of the mountain which isolates itself from the rest of the mountain, but is just as beautiful. In the winter, there are many activities to do on top of the peak. There are many trails for snowboarders and skiers of different skills. A day of snowboarding and skiing is worth enduring the slight chill of the day. All of these activities are very fun, good for inexperienced people, inexpensive, are well worth the time, and are very enchanting. Even though there are all of these activities there to do, the Sandia Mountains have a special type of beauty, a beauty that you can stand and look at in awe, a beauty that is enchanting. The smell of fresh pine fills the air year round. They reveal the sun to you every morning; the fresh breeze cools you off when the bright sun goes down. When the sun goes starts to go down, the lights of the tower begin to outline the top of the peak, and the moon begins to sneak out from behind. The sunsets are indescribable, unforgettable, enchanting, and the most beautiful part of the mountains. The sunsets are what gave the Sandia Mountains their name, because of the color inside of the watermelon. When the sun sets the mountains have a beautiful red shade, just like the inside of a watermelon, which you can only comprehend if you have seen it. The way that red shade pops off the mountain can change your mood from angry and tense, to happy and relaxed, the second you set your eyes on it. The sunsets can fill you with great feelings, and is a beautiful sight that everyone should see in their lifetime. The sunsets on the mountain are truly the definition of enchanting, and Albuquerque wouldn’t come close to enchanting without them.

The Sandia Mountains are a place of beauty, fun, and enchantment. No matter where you are in the city you can see the beautiful Sandia’s, and have access since you can just drive up to them. Every season of the year there is something to do, so you can enjoy the mountains year round. The Sandia’s add so much to the city of Albuquerque and without the Sandia’s Albuquerque would definitely not be the same. They set Albuquerque apart from the rest of New Mexico, and without them Albuquerque would just be another boring New Mexico town with hardly any character. Albuquerque is not on the coast with a beautiful beach, no palm trees, and no five star resorts, but to sit in your backyard and watch the sunset or participate in any of the activities the mountains present; you can truly have a feeling of paradise. This feeling of paradise will be filled with an enchantment and beauty that is indescribable. Once you have seen the Sandia Mountains you will truly never forget them, and they will leave a special mark on you that will be with you for the rest of your life.

-Domonic Sena

Free From Strife

Peaceful, beautiful, calm, free from strife, these are a couple, of many words that to me
describe the Duck Pond. A place to go and let all your troubles be forgotten
and to let your mind just wonder. This place is shared by many and everyone
uses it in a different way, some people go to just think, or to study, sleep, play games, and to hang out with friends. I use this place to relax and think, to me this is the most peaceful beautiful place on campus of The University of New Mexico.

A pond with blue green water, in this pond bright orange and shinning white fish,
and emerald green turtles. On top, ducks and geese that frolic and waddle
around. Around this beautiful pond, green grass hills filled with tall green
trees. There is also a sandy brown rock waterfall that flows into the pond, the
sound of the water flowing is so soothing you just melt away with the sound.
The pond almost wraps around a sitting fixture like an island oasis that
connect on one side with a small yet elegant bridge and on the other by a rocky
gravel pass. In another part of this pond there is a fountain that just shoots
straight up with water and the pitter patter sound of the falling water
droplets. All these things create for the perfect peaceful place. Surrounded by
all the nature just makes you feel one with the world. You can let your mind
just wonder away and have no stress, for those moments you’re at the Duck Pond
could completely change you.

The Duck Pond is located on the campus of The University of New Mexico it was
finished in 1971 and since then has been used by many college students or
residents of New Mexico. This place is different, because out of all the desert
and brown sandy plains this is a small lushes green place. The reasons people used this place back then, is the same reason they still use it to this day.

Now not everyone has enjoyed in the way that I have.
This place is very special to me because it is the place where I decided I was going
to change my outlook on life and how I lived it. The first day after I
graduated high school I went to the duck pond with a couple of friend, but one
friend was my best friend Mariah Vega-Reid. When we first got there everyone
was just lying in the grass looking up into the clouds and Mariah and I decided
to go on a walk and talk. We walked around the duck pond and started talking
about life, and during this talk we were saying how we should appreciate what we have and be happy as much as we possibly can and to not let people take that away from us and all this came to us because we felt just so one with the world. We always knew all of these
things but never applied them to our lives. Also while we walking around we saw
so many different types of people and we decided that we should truly accept
people for whom they are and help people if they need it. Now we didn’t just
say all this and take no action, to this day we do our best to live happily and
treat others well and just be content with what we have in life and not
complain. You might wonder how a place like the duck pond could totally change
someone’s outlook on life. To me it wasn’t just the place it was also where I
was at in my life, but being in such a beautiful peaceful place it made me
really relax and let my mind escape from all the negative the world has in it
and made me truly think about things I never put that much thought into. It
gave me a chance to release my mind and think about what really mattered to me.
I’ve asked two of my co-workers what they like about the duck pond. Daniel said, “I like the duck
pond, because out of the entire desert in New Mexico it’s a nice green area.”
Another person I asked is Thomas and he said, “I like it because the ducks and
turtles, and when it’s cold outside if you find the right spot its harm and you
can take a nap.” Both of these I had mentioned earlier. People love the all the
green the duck pond has and it’s one of the most natural places on campus and
that’s what people are drawn to. It’s also very relaxing you can take a nap
there. Like I said before the duck pond is used by many college students for
many different reasons.
The beauty of this place gets me every time. A place where I found happiness and so many more
emotions, but I only found these feeling by letting my mind go and finding my true thoughts, and desires. If you ever get the chance to see this amazing place I hope you take it. If you love nature and being outside this is a place for you. You’ll feel something from this place if you let yourself. Happiness is like a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you. ~Nathaniel Hawthorne

New Mexico's "Diamond in the Rough"

I visited the Blue Hole about two years ago. The trip to Blue Hole was completely unplanned. I received a call from an old friend that I had not heard from in years and she asked me if I wanted to come along with her to Santa Rosa to go cliff diving. At first, I was very wary of the idea. However, she was very convincing and told me that we would go and return in the same day. The drive was about two hours long, but when we arrived I realized that it was well worth the wait. I was angry at myself for not discovering this place sooner! The spontaneous decision turned out to be a great decision after all.

Ever been to a body of water where the water's temperature was consistent year round? If not, this may be the place for you to visit. This site is also known as the Blue Hole in Santa Rosa, New Mexico. Sometimes called "New Mexico's diamond in the rough", Blue Hole attracts thousands of tourists, especially scuba divers each year. Taking a dive into this body of water will wash away the everyday stress in your life. The clear deep waters will awaken you when you can see clearly 60 feet deep. The smell of the trees surrounding the hole will soothe you, the sound of the birds will relax you, the taste of the cool water will refresh you, and when the water touches your skin you will never want to leave.

Blue Hole became a popular diving spot for the railroad workers and passangers when the first railroad train cut through Santa Rosa in 1901. The Blue Hole, however, did not become very popular until the 1930's when the Route 66 highway opened up passing through Santa Rosa. The hole is also said to have been "visited by mammoths, native Indians, Spanish conquistadors, and famous outlaws." Some of the interesting names mentioned to have cooled off in the Blue Hole included the explorer FranciscoVasquez de Coronado and the outlaw "Billy the Kid". The exciting history of this remarkable spring does not end there. "Less than a mile away was the backdrop of John Steinbecks Grapes of Wrath." (Prichard)

A body of water "pumping about 3,000 gallons of water a minute" that maintains a 62 degree temperature in the winter makes the Blue Hole one of the warmest bodies of water in the Southwest. "It is about 80 feet deep and 4623 feet above sea level". The hole attracts scuba divers for that reason since it may become more difficult for them to train when temperatures drop. Oddly enough, the Blue Hole is busier in the winter than it is in the summer. (Welton)

Along with the Blue Hole, Santa Rosa is also known for being the “City of Natural Lakes”. Perch Lake, a lake about a minute away from the blue hole offers an area for tourists to swim, boat, and fish. Blue Hole, however, will be sure to capture any thrill seeker’s attention the best. Its waters are described as being “clear as Evian”. Others describe it as "hiking underwater due to its bottom that is covered with leaves and limestone walls". The Blue Hole is a place for all ages. Teenagers, scuba divers, parents, children, are at the blue hole year round. You are guaranteed to make a new friend or two with all the tourists from "Amarillo, Lubbock, Denver, and other nearby cities". (Sachs)

Some people, like myself, may hear the words "cliff diving" and shiver in their seats. I stood on the cliff that overlooked the hole at least 50 feet in complete fear. Without thinking twice, I jumped into the water. When I swam to the top, I felt like a whole new person. I felt like I could conquer all my fears at this point. Not to mention, the rush I felt when I jumped was simply unexplainable. This place has the ability to change people and encourage them to conquer their fears. Take a chance and make memories at an exciting attraction with thousands of years of history and heritage. You won't regret it!

Works Cited

1)David Prichard. "New Mexico's Blue Hole: Nature's Jewel". Local Diving USA. October 3, 2011. http://www.dtmag.com/dive-usa/locations/BlueHoleStRosaNM.html
2)Nathan Welton. “Santa Rosa, New Mexico’s Blue Hole.” Scubadiving.com. March,2002. October 3, 2011. http://www.scubadiving.com/travel/pacific-western/santa-rosa-new-mexicos-blue-hole
3)Andrea Sachs.“On Route 66, the Blue Hole Beckons”. Washington Post. Sunday, December 19, 2004. October 3,2011. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A7793-2004Dec17.html

Radio Stations Are Not Stationary

          Only decades ago the radio was a staple item in every house. Families would set aside time to huddle around the radio and listen to their favorite program or baseball game. Radio jockey’s (D.J.’s) were celebrities to many. Now with the iPod, television and online radio, such as Pandora, it seems like the radio has been put on the top shelf left to rust. Yet, the Radio is still thriving by those who listen to it on their way to work instead of plugging in their iPod. There still are D.J.’s whose lives and paychecks are centered around the radio, and it all starts with the station.

            The physical location of the radio station tends to be overlooked by most people. Yet, that is where your favorite music is aired from, and the back bone of that station. Most radio buildings, like the one for Static Radio and KNKT, which is located on the Calvary Chapel Albuquerque campus, are not open to the public. I say this because to get in you have to have a special magnetic card that opens the doors after you swipe it. When you walk through two doors you see a small guest area, and lot of thought was put into where every item should be place; yet it still seems a bit awkward considering one of the huge black sofas sits halfway into the walkway with a fung shway paper room divider. To your right of the guest room there is an extremely small kitchen area with a sink, a few cabinets, and an old fashion water jug with small plastic cups to drink from. There is a small table usually adorned with food like muffins, donuts or danishes. When you walk past the divider to your left there are cubbies for all of the staff, to the front a conference room and to your left a door with a long dark hallway usually with no lights on.  After the cubbies on your left there is a hallway that leads into the actually station part itself. Walking through it on your left there is a wall full of gizmos and gadgets going from floor to ceiling.  It almost feels like something from a science fiction movie with TV screens covered with paper and so many contraptions. Then you see a circular shaped room with a total of five extremely small rooms. Each room has a purpose, one is an office of sorts, one is for tracking, one is for live radio, another is a media room for all the music and setting up playlist and another is a technology type room. Tracking is when the D.J. says things like you were listening to blank band and song. It is so they can be on the radio without having to be in the studio. That is how someone is talking on the radio at two in the morning. Each room has its own set of buttons and contraptions.  

Pastor Scott Thom

The room I am most familiar with is the one I use every Saturday morning with my father. There is a table jetting out of the wall with four microphones that my dad said reminded him of Doctor Octavian, and headphone set for each mic. Since the majority of the jockey’s are men there are multiple comic book action figures and marvel movie posters as décor.There is a telephone and two computer screens. Our show is called No Other Doctrine.  It is a live ask the pastor show.  From nine to ten people can call in and ask my dad, Pastor Scott, any question pertaining to the Christian religion and doctrine.

Radio is more than just the buttons and gizmos to the jockey’s and to me. I know my life has changed, granted not dramatically, but in small ways. I have been on television because of the program. My father and I were interviewed on the show God Answers Prayer, and it was televised nationwide. We also had our show on stations in a total of five different states with a potential of four and a half million listeners. I have had a few moments when someone said, “Are you Pastor Scott’s daughter from the radio show?” It has made me more outgoing and a more confident public speaker. Even just my few minutes on air with my father every Saturday has impacted my life, and it all started with a building and the station KNKT.

Matt Gentry and Steve Jeter

Imagine what that means to the guys who have dedicated their lives to radio. Like Steve Jeter and Matt Gentry who are the main two jockeys on the other station in the same building Static Radio. Static radio is a Christian music radio station. But every weekday morning Matt and Steve have a talk show called The Old Man and The Steve. They have a wide range of listeners from teenagers to grandmothers who enjoy their silly antics. The two men feed off each other well comedy wise.  They have people recognizing their voices all the time and wanting to meet them. They get to meet bands that come through and play shows in Albuquerque. Gentry and Jeter have a platform on the radio to guide and lead people. The amount of influence they have must be intimidating.

My suspicion was confirmed by Matt Gentry when I held a brief interview with him. I asked him how he got started in radio. He replied telling me he was going through the police academy and it just didn’t feel right so he got an internship with a studio, and received a job shortly after. When I asked him how he got involved with the stations at the Calvary Campus he replied simply, “It was 1993 I applied, I got the job.” His short response comes from his very sarcastic humor. During the interview I asked him what it was like to be on a Christian radio station, and he revealed to me that working in a ministry can have the greatest rewards and at the same time the biggest difficulties. There is a lot of drama in radio according to Matt. In my final few questions I asked him how being on the radio has changed or influenced his life, and he told me that radio has allowed him to be himself, which is goofy and outgoing. My favorite response I received from Gentry was what do you wish to accomplish on the radio? He replied with a serious tone, “My goal is to be awesome!” Of course I knew he said it to get a reaction from me, but in seriousness he said he wished to make an impact on someone’s life. To have someone tell him you have really helped me or changed my life because of your ministry. I truly do believe he has influenced the lives of many.

The influence of jockeys on these particular stations is affected by the location of the stations. Since the stations are on the campus of Calvary they are reaching people on more of a spiritual level. People are always walking in and out of the doors of Calvary and they learn about the stations. As well the jockeys promote Calvary so there is a mutual relationship. With having the campus at their disposal they have been able to have outreaches that have allowed the gospel to be shared, and people can meet their favorite jockeys. Being that it is a Christian campus and stations each ministry comes with its own set of difficulties. They hold different standards from other stations, they have to meet spiritual expectations and can be judged by the listeners for the spiritual context. Some Christians might not agree with an approach they take to a particular issue and may complain, but that is why there are different denominations. There are separate troubles they face, but like Matt said the rewards are sweeter.

Lives changing and being impacted, whether in big or small ways, is an everyday occurrence through the radio all because it starts at a physical location of a station. I know my life personally has been changed because of radio and I am forever grateful. Radio to some maybe old fashioned, but it still plays a big part in many people’s lives.

Work Cited

Drown Out the Noise. Static Radio. Calvary of Albuquerque, 2011. Web. 23 October. 2011

KNKT. Calvary of Albuquerque. 2011. Web. 23 October 2011

No Other Doctrine. KNKT Radio. Calvary of Albuquerque. 2011. Web. 23 October 2011

Perfect Winter Getaway

10/27/11

A Perfect Winter Getaway
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The Winter time is full of joy. What brings extra joy to my friends, family and I is the beginning of Winter sports. Skiing and snowboarding have both been prominent sports throughout my entire life, but snowboarding has grown to become my favorite Winter pastime of all. It seems that throughout the winter the adrenal glands of humans are dormant, but cold mountain air and powder dusted cliffs are sure to awaken them.

Fortunately as New Mexicans we have a variety of mountains to choose from. Howeveronce the desert snowstorm fury calms we turn to our close neighbors to fufill our outdoor desires. My favorite spot in the entire world to snowboard in Wolf Creek Valley .

Wolf Creek Ski Valley is located in Pagosa Springs Colorado. It is a beautiful mountain valley that is groomed with all level ski runs from first time beginner to the most advance terrain. It is a valley so the runs are wide, long and seem to go on forever.

It is overwhelming at first, but the majesties of the mountain are also very therapeutic and calming. Another great aspect is that this mountain can be conquered by people of almost every level.

Haidorfer-Pitcher said, "The beginner hill has the best snow on the mountain. She said now is the perfect time to learn to ski due to the lack of crowds and wide-open availability for ski lessons. The upper mountain provides mostly intermediate to advanced terrain. There's even a rail for the freeride skiers and snowboards to jib."

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You can go on small runs with your beginner friends and in the same day, challenge yourself to hike up the backside of the mountain and ski the rugged unbeaten paths. Once you buy your entry ticket for the day, you have just officially bought a date with you and the mountain. The beauty is overwhelming, empowering and invigorating. I thrive off of these feelings.

The quote “ Buy the ticket; take the ride.”

Has always been a favorite of mine. These words applied to the way you have to take on Snowboarding. Fear is what will hold you back. The only way to improve your level is to go down the run.

The 5-10 minute lift ride takes you up the run to let you off only to come down the mountain in maybe thirty seconds. This rush is incredible. You feel all the compression insidelift off your shoulders slowly as you glide down the mountain. The best natural high available.

Wolf Creek has been a skiing destination for my family for as long as I can remember. I have pictures of myself and cousins as little kids in the same places we go to as young adults today. Wolf Creek is a famous destination for people all over the country. “The best mountain in the Southwest” (Chapman, Blake). claims one of our family friends Blake. Often do you find people all the way from Michigan, Illinois and other places on the east coast. I think it is so beautiful that a simple mountain can bring together to many different types of people from so many different places. It is one thing we all have in common, the love of nature, the pureness of the mountain air, and the fun and pleasure accomplishing a big mountain run brings. Not to mention, family time.

What I encourage you all to look is for the beauty in letting yourself go, whether its letting loose to your favorite tunes, or letting go of the chairlift and pushing down mountain run. Also, to get away from the mundane normalness of the everyday routine. Letting your lungs breath the crisp mountain air, I am sure makes you stronger. Spending time doing these things with the people you love around you to grow and enjoy life along side with you. It is so vital for us as humans to de-stress and let go of all the superficiality that surrounds us daily.

REFERENCES:

• http://pagosasprings.com/history-of-the-pitchers-wolf-creek-in-inc-maga
• http://www.flickr.com/photos/hem-pics/sets/72157613677589254/detail/
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• http://www.onthesnow.com/news/a/13822/wolf-creek-is-third-to-open-in-colorado
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• Shot by : Tasha Uilkie, 12/16/09

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The Rose Bowl

Theres a stadium in America that the two top collegiate football teams meet at every year. There’s a stadium in the United States of America that has hosted five super bowls. There’s a stadium in the United States of America that seats 91,136 UCLA Bruin fans every other Saturday for football games. This particular stadium is the Rose Bowl. Although many of the events held at the Rose Bowl are football related, this magnificent bowl holds more meaning than a game of pigskin. The Rose Bowl has hosted high school athletics, events for the 1984 summer Olympics, and a series of FIFA World Cups. Those are only a few listed athletic events. There have also been television shows, concerts, auditions for bands, musical performances and competitions, and an assortment of other events people can enjoy in their spare time. The Rose Bowl isn’t only a place for UCLA Bruin football; it is a place for memory and culture.

When people think of roses, people think of beauty. That is what the city of Pasadena, California is — beautiful. As a citizen of Pasadena, you can enjoy a quality of life that is second to none — natural scenic beauty, a vibrant cultural and academic environment, and lively nightlife in an architecturally rich setting (Visitor’s Corner). The soothing Southern California weather creates the ideal image for Pasadena.

The orange, yellow, and pink glow covers the sky in the

evening when the sun sets over the horizon. The clouds hover above the city in what appears to be a jigsaw puzzle type of shape. The blinding yellow star arises above the San Gabriel Valley Mountains to start the perfect day,

every day. Above all the magnificence that Pasadena provides, the glory is held within the Rose Bowl. The Rose Bowl is Pasadena’s main attraction. The culture, beauty, and lifestyle of the Rose Bowl strongly reflect upon the city.

Since Pasadena is an attractive place in itself, the Rose Bowl can be simply defined as a beauty within beauty. Visitors often have some traveling to do before they reach the Rose Bowl, but it is enjoyable since Southern California is considered to have “perfect weather” (Rose Bowl Stadium). With the sun set high above all of the visitors, the golf trail to the Rose Bowl is dry and easy to walk through. The Rose Bowl is located next to grassy Brookside Golf Club. The park is usually a magnificent leprechaun green sight, but due to most of the events held at the Rose Bowl, it can often become messy. The golf course is where tailgate parties are held for games, a parking lot for vehicles, and a long trail to reach the Rose Bowl. After you get through the golf course, the Rose Bowl approaches you. The bowl is that big! The closer you get to the stadium, the smaller you feel.

I remember the way I felt when I first visited the Rose Bowl. The closer I got to my destination, the more I felt like the bowl was actually getting closer to me. Depending on which side of the Bowl one may enter, the historical Rose Bowl stadium sign is what you will see first. That is what catches the attention of many people who attend the Rose Bowl. The large green, cursive, italicized art of the title, “Rose Bowl”, is a memory that one will cherish before they even enter the stadium. The elegant red rose in the middle of the two words signifies The Tournament of Roses Parade that is hosted every year in Pasadena.

The Tournament of Roses Parade, also known as the Rose Parade, is one of the many events hosted around the Rose Bowl. It is the premiere event held in Pasadena every year. It is a cultural event of floats, bands, honor to service and authority, families, and most importantly the annual Rose Bowl football game.

Some parade goers may attend the parade to create a memory for themselves and their family. Other fans may come to the parade just to be a part of the excitement surrounding the football game that weekend. The parade only lasts a few hours, but the memories

you can make are endless. This city has an obvious attraction if people from all over the United States travel here every year just to see a parade and football game. The Rose Parade is held on New Year’s Day. “From my experience, Pasadena’s Rose Parade is better known as “America’s New Year Celebration” because the streets are swarmed with people from everywhere (Rose Bowl Memories). Some people come just for the parade, and have no intentions to attend the Rose Bowl. That is how spectacular Pasadena is; people choose to start their New Year off there.

After attending one of the many events that isn’t only UCLA Bruin football, one can clearly see that the Rose Bowl is not just a place to watch college football. Although football is the highlight of the Rose Bowl, there are plenty of other events that can occupy a visitor. In 2007, the Rose Bowl hosted the Drum Corps International World Championships. It also hosted auditions for America’s television show, American Idol, and was used for an episode of the CBS reality television show, The Amazing Race. U2, Pink Floyd, and Guns N’ Roses have held concerts at the Rose Bowl and high school bands have competed there for regional titles.

Another annual event held at the Rose Bowl is the 4^th of July firework show. I attended this show every year until I was 13 and I can easily admit that the show is a memory I will never forget. The finale is amazing because it is unexpected. The abstract fireworks start shooting in the sky at a moderate pace, and just when you feel like they shouldn’t have any more to shoot, they speed up the process, the colors, and the variety of their show. The conductors know what the people want and they do a great job in leaving their audience in awe. People who desire a magical 4^th of July will come to the Rose Bowl to witness the bright, colorful, smoke-filled sky.

Above all the amenities that the Rose Bowl provides, one detail is the most vivid to me – the inside of the stadium. It is important to know that the stadium is so remarkable that a visitor may lose focus in watching an event and find themselves examining the history of the stadium. The stadium is built closer to the field so fans can be closer to the action of any event. Whether it is a football game or a dance competition, all fans are closer to the field in order to embrace a more interactive experience. The seats of the stadium do not incline too high so visitors can never be too far from what is going on. Everyone inside the stadium is comfortably close to one another and it makes people feel as though everyone enjoying the event is family. As you look to your left and your right, the smiles and frowns on people’s faces remind you to enjoy the event for yourself and to develop your own memories. The only time it doesn’t feel that way is when the University of Southern California fans step inside UCLA Bruin territory on game day. The Bowl, then, becomes segregated due to rivalry. Nonetheless, visitors who are not avid UCLA Bruin followers still manage to cheer the Bruins on during the game. That is the culture that the Rose Bowl provides; it puts you in a state of mind to enjoy yourself because it has such a vibrant environment.

In conclusion, the Rose Bowl is a place that brings people to a magnificent city. As stated, it has been used and accommodated for various types of events for visitors to enjoy. It is also correlated to the annual Rose Parade that people attend to celebrate their New Year. Most football venues in the United States of America are called stadiums. The Rose Bowl is called a bowl because it is not only utilized to stage football games, but it is used for an assortment of activities and events for people of all ages across the world to attend. In sunny side Southern California, in the enchanting city of Pasadena, The Rose bowl is more than a place for UCLA football; it is a place to build cherished memories for all.

References:

Herbstreit, Kirk. Rose Bowl Memories. Rose Bowl; America’s Stadium, 2010. Web. 3 Oct. 2011.

Rose Bowl Stadium. Tripadvisor, 2010. Web. 3 Oct. 2011.

Visitor’s Corner. The City of Pasadena, 2011. Web. 3 Oct. 2011.

St. Thomas Aquinas

The scenery of the countless rows of pews fills up the lengthy church. As you head toward the bottom, the area of the church expands and the marble on the floor dazzles your eyes. If one were choosing a church, the structure of the church would be the most important because it leaves the very first impression of the parish; first impressions either make or break the deal to most people whether they recognize it or not. This is one of the reasons why St. Thomas Aquinas church has one of the best attendances in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe.

St. Thomas Aquinas was the first Catholic Church in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. As the population grew, the church expanded to one of the biggest Catholic Churches in New Mexico. The church is located on Sara Road by NM528 which is a busy road in Rio Rancho giving the church a lot of publicity. The outside of the church is made out of cinnamon red bricks and has a big white statue of the Mother Mary with her arms spread out. The outside of the church misleads the mind to how big the church is on the inside. When you walk in from the front of the church it’s as big as any other church but when you look all the way to the back, the back portion of the church looks like it was constructed later with two columns of pews. It is almost like having two churches in one and for every mass having the church full is quite an accomplishment. Part of it has to do with being the main Catholic Church in Rio Rancho, and the other part is the booming population Rio Rancho has grown in the last ten to fifteen years.One Sunday, my family and I could not attend church in the morning, so my dad looked up church times in the evening and what stood out above the rest was “Life Teen Mass” six p.m at St. Thomas Aquinas. We decided to go and for the first time in New Mexico, a Catholic church (not on Christmas, Ash Wednesday, or Easter) was packed. On those holidays that’s when most Catholic churches are actually full, other than that the churches are never full. The choir is actually a choir with people correctly positioned in bass, alto, and soprano. After the mass, the lively community was very welcoming as we chatted outside with the parishioners. We first talked to a slender woman who is also quite new to the community.

She came from Alaska and her job brought her to Rio Rancho and she told my family “You guys have to go to the morning mass; the mass feels like you are in the Vatican it’s beautiful!” We exchanged numbers with her and there was a long line where we waited to talk to the priest.

As we reached the priest we talked for a little bit, and before we left he said, “I notice you guys have accents, where are you originally from?” My parents answered, “Uganda.”

His eyes grew big and said, “We have a priest from Uganda that is staying for two months you could come talk to him if you would like?”

We said, “Yes” and followed the priest to his house and we meet Fr. Paul, the Ugandan Priest.

My parents spoke in there tribal language and he spoke back meaning that they lived in the same area. The priest coincidently preaches at the same church my parents went to while growing up.

I then asked him how he liked the parish and he responded, “The parish helps me cope with back home because the church runs like my parish in Uganda.”

As my family and Fr. Paul made dinner plans to converse more, I wondered how three outsiders (including my family) found similar comfort in one place. I decided to go back to St. Thomas Aquinas next week and ask a parishioner that has been attending the church for a long period of time. When I went back to St. Thomas Aquinas, I arrived about forty five minutes earlier then the average church time; the earlier the better because this is where to find the true parishioners. An elder lady walked into a pew and I asked her if I can hear her insight of St. Thomas Aquinas church and she said sure. Her name is Betty Garcia and she has been attending the church for about thirteen years or so.

I asked her two different questions and the first question was, “When you started attending St. Thomas Aquinas what were your initial reactions of the church?” She answered, “My husband and I were tired of driving into Albuquerque for church, so we drove around Rio Rancho and saw St. Thomas Aquinas. We liked the overall atmosphere of the parishioners, choir, and the priests.”

I then asked her, “What are your reactions of the church now? Have they changed?” Betty said, “The church has grown in so many ways, the population is getting bigger and bigger and so did the church. There were so many people that they had to make it bigger. They’re making this place more beautiful all the time.

St. Thomas Aquinas is one of the biggest, in size and in attendance, in the archdiocese of Santa Fe. The structure inside of the building makes a diverse group of people feel a special way that everyone feels comfortable with. The lively community also makes the outsiders feel appreciated and satisfied. The fact that people with different backgrounds can feel the same way and have a similar first impression of the church shows how amazing the structure really is. The first impression unknowingly makes me feel like that this church is more official than other churches when it’s really not, because most Catholic Churches are the same. The only thing that is different is the structure of the church, which imprints the idea of how the sight of an object sways one’s thought in judgment.

Cherry and Silver

A brick and rock exterior is the first thing you notice as you walk up from the parking lot. Glass windows allow you to catch a glimpse of the interior before actually entering. As you walk in, cheery, silver, and white walls are littered with pictures of all the great players and teams who have previously called this place home. At the heart of the building is a center stage like none you have ever seen before. Thirty-seven feet below you sits a giant silver and black UNM Lobo logo staring up at the incoming crowd. It makes its home at the center of a white, natural grain wood floor, fenced in on all sides by a cherry colored border. “Where are we?” you ask. Well, my friends, we are at The Pit in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The year is 1966. The place is Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Pit has just finished being constructed. What started out as an “architectural experiment” by Joe Boehning would turn out to be one the most unique and exciting sporting venues in all of the United States (foxsports.com). The Pit’s depth is what makes it so unique; it sits thirty-seven feet below the ground. “It’s a truly unique place with a highly charged atmosphere,” says USA Today’s John Feinstein about The Pit. “When the players walk on to the court in The Pit, it’s like watching Roman gladiators emerging into a wall of sound.”

The Pit is home to one of the most historic basketball games in NCAA history. On April 4, 1983, North Carolina State, led by legendary coach Jim Valvano, took on powerhouse Houston, led by NBA legend and Hall-of-Famer Hakeem “The Dream” Olajuwon, for the NCAA championship. NC State guard Dereck Whittenburg threw up a thirty foot heave as the clock ran out, all but assuring overtime. Out of nowhere, though, forward Lorenzo Charles jumped up and alley-oop dunked the ball as the clock struck zero, giving NC State the title and one of the biggest upsets in college basketball history (thelobopit.com). The image of Jim Valvano running wildly around the court in celebratory disbelief is one that any college basketball fanatic has burned into their brain. The thing many people might not notice, however, is that as he searches for someone to celebrate with he passes right over the University of New Mexico Lobo logo.

After forty-three years of existence, The Pit got a makeover that would make all celebrities green with envy. In 2009, $60 million were spent to renovate the building that originally cost just $1.4 million. Some people might think that a face lift like this would damage the reputation and pure essence of the arena, but it only made it better. All of the magic of the original Pit still remains with more of a high tech appearance. The Pit now measures 60,000 square feet with forty luxury suites and three-hundred club seats (golobos.com). With the new look, The Pit will only attract more people to come to home games and enhance the atmosphere within its walls.

The noise level and insanity inside The Pit is at the top of the leaderboards in all of college basketball. According to Sports Illustrated, the noise levels during basketball games are off the charts. They have been recorded at 125 decibels; the pain threshold for the human ear is 130 decibels. Foxsports.com lists The Pit as number six on its list of the top ten arenas in all of college basketball, stating that “Joe Boehning’s architectural experiment during the 1960’s has since produced one of the most hostile environments to play in over the last 40 years.” The atmosphere and environment inside The Pit alone are enough to make someone want to go watch a basketball, or even play the game, which is a lesson I learned first-hand

In 2002, at the tender age of nine years old, I attended my first basketball game at The Pit. It was during the first round of the NCAA tournament so the energy inside was so electric you could feel it running all throughout your body. The games scheduled for that day were Arizona vs. UC Santa Barbara and Wyoming vs. Gonzaga. I knew nothing of these teams so I thought it would be fun to watch but I wouldn’t really get that into it. But from the second the ball left the referees hand for the tip off I couldn’t have been more excited. The noise got my adrenaline pumping and I felt as if I had a family member playing for one of the teams. I was screaming my lungs out and jumping up and down every time a big play took place.

By the time the second half of the second game started I had already made a pretty big life decision; I was going to play basketball for the rest of my life. At the time I honestly thought that I could make it to the NBA, after all I was only nine, so I began to play all the time at my house and even during recess at school. My excitement for basketball only intensified as I got older. I worked my butt off for years, and finally my dream was coming true. My high school team had made it to the state championship game that was to be played at The Pit. We came up just short, losing by only three points, but at the end of the day I couldn’t have been happier. My dream that began as a nine year old boy had finally come true.

I owe all of it to my dad, brother, and cousin. If they had not invited me to go with them to that game my life I always try to spot parents who have brought their kids to the game with hopes that maybe they will feel the same about the game as I did nine years ago. The Pit is where I learned to dream, and it’s also where my dream came true. might be entirely different than it is today. Witnessing that game in The Pit and experiencing the pure insanity of the fans really turned me on to how incredible the game of basketball really is. Now, every time I go to a game there

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A Day at Elephant Butte

Come with me to my favorite place in New Mexico, Elephant Butte! Elephant Butte is a small city surrounding a lake just north of Truth or Consequences. The endless nights, colorful sunrises, and heated days are the perfect way to end a stressful week. The drive from almost anywhere in New Mexico, may seem never ending as you look outside your window to see deserted life, but it is worth it. As you arrive closer to the butte, you see the blue green ripple-filled lake thriving with energy. Boats, water skis, fishing poles, tents, and campsites are among the various life around the lake.
A day at the lake consists of early mornings, to beat the heat, to set up your campsite. After setting up, your adventure will start. The prime months the Butte is most occupied happens to be late May to early October, but from my experiences, the water remains chilly even on the hottest days. Many people are disgusted by the smell and consistency of murky lake water, but it is all a part of the experience. The first step into the lake is the hardest; your whole body fills with chills as you slowly progress your way into what seems like the Arctic Ocean. Finally, you are waist deep and the cold water is now warming you as you quickly rush further in. You can feel the sun beaming down and adding color to your skin as the water cools this sensation. As you reflect on your stressful week, looking around at the beautiful nature surrounding you will overwhelm you with relaxation.
Elephant Butte was created as a dam using water from the Rio Grande to fill. It is 40 miles long and contains 200 miles of a sandy shoreline. This is equal to almost 36, 500 acres of land with 24, 500 acres of water making Elephant Butte the largest state park in New Mexico (New Mexico State Parks, 1).The name was determined from the eroded core of an ancient volcano, which is now an island reservoir located in the center of the lake, that resembles an elephant. You can actually boat to the monument and see the elephant come to life as you glide across the water and around the reservoir.
There are many activities to participate in during your relaxing weekend at the Butte. There are several marinas where you can rent ski boats, pontoon boats, kayaks, paddle boats, and jet skis to view the widely stretched lake firsthand. As you begin your excursion on the lake, you will see determined water skiers struggling to get up after falling countless number of times. Once they are up, the skiers gracefully glide across the lake soaking in the scenery around them. Jet skiers are everywhere following boats closely to thrive off of the wake produced by the boats. Fishing boats are spread out around the lake with patient men and women waiting for a bite. The Butte has several kinds of fish swimming in the water with you. Black bass, Striper, Crappie, Perch, Catfish, Sunfish, Blue gill, and Carp are the most common (Elephant Butte Lake, Activities). The Butte even offers special activities such as lighted boat parades, fireworks, balloon regattas, full moon nights, and Halloween festivals.
As the day comes to an end, the smell of campfire and s’mores will become overwhelming. The nights at the Butte cool down fast. Do not leave home without a warm sleeping bag and socks! You get to end your night sitting in the sand, feet in the water, watching the sky change from orange to pink to red to purple as it sets behind the mountains. The black, star filled sky lights up the night and if you look carefully you will see a shooting star or two. The peaceful waves of the lake hitting the shore, crackling of the fire, and rustling of sleeping bags in the sand helps to calm your mind and gently rock you to sleep. Just a warning, do not expect a full night’s sleep. The sun will wake you up bright and early between 5 or 6 A.M. Waking up early is never an easy task but with the lake reflecting the sun into your eyes, it becomes much simpler. The sunrise will grace you with its presence as it smiles from behind the mountains rising quickly into the sky.

The Butte not only has nature to offer but it is also a great place to spend your weekend with family and friends. Socializing by the fire, splashing around in the water, singing songs, and spending quality time together with limited distractions is the perfect way to spend a weekend away. During the summertime, the shoreline is full of trailers, tents, and trucks with excited families and friends gathering to share the heat of the sun. You can hear laughter, stories, and music from all over the campsites on the sandy shore. Spending quality time with family and friends is something that can only make an experience better when surrounding yourself in nature as well.
As you step foot onto the sand, again, you remember the carefree feeling of the day before causing you to seek more. The ability of nature to help you overcome the struggles of life is a strong factor. The soothing sounds of boat motors, waves calmly crashing into the shoreline, and laughter filling the air helps you to remember the importance of stepping back to look at the little things in life that matter the most. Your experience at Elephant Butte will intrigue you into wanting more, as it has for me, making your visit a more normal basis.

Works Cited:
“Elephant Butte State Park.” 2011. New Mexico State Parks. 5 October 2011.
http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/prd/elephant.htm

“Discover Elephant Butte.” 2011. Elephant Butte Lake. 5 October 2011.
http://elephantbuttelake.net/activities.php

Century Rio 24

Century Rio 24

A film can stir certain emotions in its audience depending on the genre of the film and how well the film was produced. Although a comedy will make people feel much different than a horror film would, all movies have at least one thing in common, they provide an escape from the stress that we encounter daily. Fortunately for the film industry, stress is common in all people, providing for an industry that reaches out to everyone. One of the best ways for the film industry to reach out to its audiences is through theaters.

One of the largest and most successful movie theaters in New Mexico is Cinemark’s Century Rio 24 located west of the Pan American freeway in Albuquerque, NM. Century Rio 24 is known for having a large selection of movies with a large selection of viewing times to choose from. This is due to their many individual screens, whether they are regular showings or the top-notch XD showings. In my own personal experiences, Century Rio 24 has always had the best concession, customer service, sanitation and has always had the new movies the day they are released. The only aspect of the Century Rio 24 theaters that appears to be missing is the inclusion of more independently produced films. Movie Maker Magazine rates Albuquerque, NM as the country’s best city in which to be an independent moviemaker. With this in mind, one might expect Albuquerque’s theaters to include this genre to accommodate the independent moviemakers. With Albuquerque being the best city to produce independent films in, one would expect to find at least a couple screens dedicated to showing independent films but this is not the case.

On mytravelguide.com, a website where consumers post a review and a rating that reflects their experiences at Century Rio 24 as well as other establishments, Kat from Albuquerque, NM posts “I haven't had a single issue with their customer service, nor have I had to turn into a non pleasant person just to have my legal access rights.” Kat is a “severely disabled” woman who requires a service animal with her at all times and her experiences with customer service at Century Rio 24 were so pleasant that she felt it necessary to post a review and rate Century Rio 24 with a score of 10 out of 10. She goes on further to say that she was also impressed with how comfortable she found the seating to be. Kat’s review is a common in the sense that Century Rio 24 accommodates a great majority of customers seeking to “get away” from the stresses in their life, with the exception of those who prefer to see an independent film.

Another website that is based off of consumer reviews is Yelp.com which is similar to mytravelguide.com and Brian M. from Albuquerque, NM writes about Century Rio 24 on yelp.com, “Best theater in town. Biggest screens, best sound.” Short and to the point, Brian’s comment gives an accurate first impression of the theater. Brian went on to give Century Rio 24 four stars out of five. Brian also goes on to say how despite the experience of the theater being great, he would like more independent films to be available. This observation is common in a great majority of the consumer reviews and shows how this theater in particular is focused on the high budget films instead of allowing at least a couple of their theaters to be dedicated to audiences that have a more broad appreciation of film genres.

I went to Century Rio 24 and asked around what some of the customer’s experiences at the theater was like to see what the general audience of Century Rio 24 thought about the established movie theater. Cailin N. from Albuquerque, NM commented “I consider [Century Rio 24] to be the best theater in town as far as comfort and customer service goes, but I have always had an interest in indie films which Century Rio had never been a huge supplier of.” In Cailin’s circumstance, she found the theater to be satisfactory in every way, except she hardly went to the theater because she was never able to view independent films at this location. Instead, she is forced to go to smaller, less comfortable venues to watch the movies she likes.

Century Rio has always been able to uphold a high standard and reputation as one of the best theaters in Albuquerque due to their dedication to customer services and movie-going experience such as their XD and 3D theaters with “topnotch” sound and projections as well as the stadium seating. Outside of the theater the concessions has a wide range of snacks and even some meal items complete with a counter that serves Starbuck’s coffee. As the film industry grows in Albuquerque, Century Rio 24 has had to make some decisions on what films they want to show. Unfortunately, because of the nature of independent films, they bring in a small amount of revenue, forcing Century Rio 24, and all other theaters, to choose between either maximum profit gain or complete coverage of all audiences’ interests. The theater has chosen maximum profit gain, leaving independent filmgoers to search for their escape from a stressful work week elsewhere. What the theater management should know is that given the chance for the independent film fan base to discover the benefits of a theater dedicated to independent films in Century Rio 24, the theater could make the same, if not more money.