Andres Gutierrez's blog

  The Cruelest Prank: Wes Moore and the Illusion of Freedom In Wes Moore's powerful memoir, The Other Wes Moore , we witness a heartbreaking scene where young Wes is tricked into believing he's going home. A forged letter, a carefully orchestrated phone call – all designed to give him a taste of freedom before cruelly snatching it away. This devastating prank leaves a lasting impact on Wes, underscoring the harsh realities of his situation and the desperation that can fester in the absence of hope. This incident resonated with me deeply, bringing back a memory of a prank played on me during my childhood. While nowhere near as consequential as Wes's experience, it still left a bitter taste. I was maybe eight years old, and my older brother convinced me that our local convenience store was giving away free candy to every kid who walked in. The image of that overflowing candy aisle was burned into my brain as I excitedly raced to the store, only to be met with confused star...

The Butterfly Effect: That Time I Almost Gave Up on Biology The idea that a single decision can drastically alter the course of our lives is a powerful one. It's something I've often pondered, especially when reading stories like "The Other Wes Moore," where seemingly small choices lead to vastly different outcomes. While I haven't faced life-altering decisions with the same gravity as Wes Moore, there's one particular choice that stands out in my memory, a moment where I almost veered off the path that led me to where I am today. As a biology major at New Jersey City University, I'm fascinated by the intricacies of life, the complex mechanisms that govern living organisms. But my journey to becoming a biology student wasn't a straightforward one. In fact, there was a time in high school when I almost gave up on science altogether. I've always loved animals and been curious about the natural world. As a kid, I spent hours exploring the nearby park,...

  Do We Become Our Surroundings, or Our Dreams? We've all heard the saying "you are a product of your environment." It's the idea that where we grow up, who we're surrounded by, and the opportunities we have ultimately shape who we become. But what about our own dreams, hopes, and ambitions? Do those internal forces have an equal, or perhaps even greater, impact on our lives? This question, of whether we are products of our environment or our expectations, has always fascinated me. Thinking about my own life, I can see how both forces have played a role. I grew up in a family where hard work was valued above all else. My parents, both immigrants, instilled in me the importance of education and perseverance. My environment definitely shaped my early beliefs about success and the need to strive for stability. I was surrounded by people who worked long hours, often in challenging jobs, to provide a better life for their families. This instilled in me a strong work ...

 Is Fast Food The New Tobacco?   A Collaborative Journey When starting a joint project, people generally anticipate a seamless mix of mutual ideas and effective collaboration. Yet, unexpected challenges in real life can challenge the perseverance of even the most resolute group. Our encounter with the shared file was not different. From the beginning, coordinating our schedules was a difficult task. Balancing work obligations, personal duties, and differing time zones made it challenging to find a consensus. This initial obstacle resulted in a scenario where only two group members were actively involved in the project for a long time. In spite of these challenges, a feeling of close friendship and perseverance succeeded. As additional individuals became part of the project, the dynamic changed, leading to the growth of a collaborative atmosphere. The original sense of frustration was slowly replaced by a renewed feeling of purpose and a mutual dedication to crafting an im...

Collaborative Document Dilemmas and Debating Pop Culture As part of a group assignment, my classmates and I recently had to work together on a collaborative document analyzing an article by Gladwell. The process of coordinating with the group and trying to reach an answer on key points was certainly an interesting experience. On top of the usual challenges of group work, we also had to contend with some technical difficulties that added an extra layer of stress. To start, scheduling a time for our group to meet up and work on the document was quite difficult. We tried to find a day and time that worked for everyone, but with all of our busy schedules, it was nearly impossible. We went back and forth over messages, but just couldn't seem to agree on something that fit for the whole group. In the end, we had to resort to working chatting as it if was a live chat publication on facebook, with each person contributing their thoughts and rankings individually before trying to mix it all...

My Literacy Autobiography Greetings! My name is Andres Gutierrez and as I begin my educational path in the realm of biology, I am enthusiastic to ponder on the events that have influenced my connection with literacy. Besides textbooks and lectures, my personal fascination with cinematic storytelling, interactive gaming, and graphic narratives has significantly influenced my development as a reader and writer. Being proud of my Colombian heritage, I have recognized that my cultural background has greatly influenced my ability to read and write, creating a complex mix of language, customs, and sense of self that still shapes my educational goals and interests. First Experiences with Reading and Writing As I was maturing, my parents were the primary ones who supported my love for reading and writing. Throughout school breaks, our parents often bought books and comic books for my brother and me, which we would eagerly read. Our favorite way to relax was reading comics and playing video gam...