The next Frank Lloyd Wright

Alright so I am basically confused on what the hell is going on in this class. We watch movies about how a guy can turn some nature crap into, i guess somewhat timewasting, artwork, and then be proud of it. We read some articles about JFK's speech. I can see how is words help us understand self determination and hardwork, but what about the physical part of architecture. I mean DF1 was a joke and everyone knows it. Lets see how good we are in doing 5th grade arts and crafts projects. If Leslie didn't like it, faced it, you got a C in the class. It was way to subjective and everyonecan agree that someone in their group did awful projects but still got a better grade in their discussion. I could not see how anyone of those projects helped us to be architects. Everyday object into something else, sounds like an inventor or engineer. Um lets see, photograph collage. Are you kidding me, who the hell wants to cut strips of photograph paper, everyone knows what a section - plan view is, if they didn't why are they in the architecture field. The only one that came close to being somewhat legit was the game. My TA,wont mention any names, said nothing at all during my presentation, then at the end he totally bashed it. I talked to my "Client", and he said they did not care or even more want it to be colorful, just so that the idea and education part of it was good. And i did that with no partner, he loved the game and they are currently using it, but you have a grad student who looks at i ad says you put no effort, no design, THEY DIDNT CARE, i am not going to waste money on a game they dont care about color wise. The educational part of it was awesome and my TA look right passed it. I absolutely hate how critical these people are. Do they have someone up their but? I know the saying, if you can't take critisicm then dont become an architect, but my goodness, that class absolutely drove me in the wrong direction. I took classes in high school an absolutely loved them. I come here and its almost the opposite. Why is that? Only 5% of the houses being made today are done by architects. Who gives a shit? I'll be the next 1% to change that. I hear that same damn quote evey class. Do you guys honestly think we can't be that good? You keep saying this in a way that drives me insane. Why did I come to this institution for architecture? If i'd known that this program entiltled you of absolutely destroying our dreams i would have stuck with my other choices, but i came to this school for MY degree. Leslie said in the very first lecture last year that their are only 10 world renown architects and that are chances of being one of them are highly unlikely. Thank you Leslie for ruining my dream, but guess what, just to prove this institution wrong, i will be one of those 10 greatest architects and you can guarentee your salary on it. The fact that i can't take critisicm or make a paper jacket only pushes me farther to suceed. So that saying goes the professor is working for you, bull shit, im working for myself, i feel i almost wasted money coming to this university. You can laugh while you read this, thats fine but i know i have the most passion in this entire class to become the next big architect. Sure someone can write a great blog or make a unique paper jacket, but a pencil in their hand and see if they can draw, design a floor plan, draw section details, stairs, elevations, now who's laughing? You mean to tell me that the same person who has the highest grade in the class is going to be one of the best students in the program, what about the kids at the bottom end, the ones who think are worthy of a C. Do you think they can draw, passion, they are probably thinking the same thing i am. I got a B+ in DF1, i am not afraid to say it. I think is bull crap you have to choose who to let in to the Design Program based on two subjective classes, wow great program!!!!!
Ok Salooj, let me put you in my shoes. I apply to the university with a 3.8 gpa, 121 out of 600 kids in my class rank, took all arch classes in high school, won metro wide awards for each class......the list goes on, did not even get accepted to the program for architecture in CLA, why, was my ACT score to low, was it because i was from Nebraska?, who knows, but a kid who sat next to me each day, who had no idea what a cantilever was, never took any classes in high school, and thought, THOUGHT, it would be a fun major. And you're telling me i didn't get accepted, lol. Anyways...so the first day you sit in your very first arch class, excited, ready to go, and the first couple of words from your professor goes like this........"Hello, welcome, i first want to say thanks for coming to the U of M, i hope all of you will enjoy your stay here, i want to make a quick note that i know all of you plan on being an architect some day but you ARE PROBABLY NOT going to be a successful architect like the many you all admire, it MIGHT but probably wont....." What would you do after hearing something like that after you just completed four years of what you wanted to do for the rest of your life, it sucked hearing those words didn't it? So if you can change this whole misconception on what architecture is really about for me Salooj you would be the man. This isn't a pity letter to be accepted to the program but just my thoughts on how bogus this stuff really means to me.

So social design issues in Minneapolis, you already have me lost. When you say social design issue, do you make a social issues in the Minneapolis region that some one has took the initiative to design for? Or it could also mean a builiding that was designed with social issues in mind? Or a building that has many soical design issues?
Where to start? I can answer thefirst question becaused i volunteered for this place last semester for the awful DF 1 class. I absolutely love this place and I am currently volunteering for this place as i am writing this grousemly long blog, but oh well you have to read it anyway.
The place i am talking about is PYC or Plymouth Youth Center

The building itself is an architectural masterpiece. The architect or firm who designed it should be applauded. The way the used the space effectively is amazing and there is always natural light seeking in through any window. So why is this building under a social design issue? The whole emphasis behind this building was to give teens an education who really struggled with their cirriculum at high school. They have a smaller class size so teachers and students can have a more in depth talk about their current education. I think it was an awesome job that people created this orginization for this teens. It gives them a chance to graduate with a high school degree without facing the troubles of dropping out. The teachers and staff care for their students here and want each one of them to succeed and they do a tremendous job. They also do a afterschool enrichment program for high schoolers and teens for us students to help with their homework, problems they have, or anything. To have volunteers come here every week to help with elementary kids with the homework is awesome.

The kids absolutely love the help and they definetly show it. This orginization, i feel, should promote its ideas to other local neighborhoods. Am i an advocate for this orginization, you bet your ass I will.
There is no greater accomplishment then graduating with an education and this program does a remarkable job, thanks for your hardwork guys. You can be the world's best basketball player, but not have an education. After basketball then what, oh forgot about that didn't you?