Geography- Marilyn Monroe Part 6!!

                                        


                                                 Marilyn Monroe

Norma Jeane Mortensen Baker , professionally recognized as Marilyn Monroe, was an American actress, model and singer.After spending much of her childhood in foster homes, Monroe began a career as a model, which led to a film contract in 1946 with Twentieth Century-Fox.Her early film appearances were minor, but her performances in ‘All about Eve’ drew attention to her.By 1953, Marilyn had progressed to a leading role in ‘Niagra’.She studied at the Actors Studio to broaden her range. Her dramatic performance in Bus Stop was hailed by critics, and she received a Golden Globe nomination.Monroe's final completed film was The Misfits, co-starring Clark Gable with the screenplay written by her then-husband, Arthur Miller. Her first husband was James Dougherty who was born in Texas. His grandparents were immigrants from England and Ireland.



                                                     Marilyn Monroe

Geography- Ralph Lauren part 4!!

                                                         




                                                                     Ralph Lauren



Ralph Lauren was born Ralph Lifshitz in the Bronx, New York. He went to Baruch College where he studied business, although he dropped out after two years. He did not attend fashion school, but worked for Brooks Brothers as a salesman. In 1967,Lauren opened a tie store where he sold ties of his own design, under the label 'Polo'.

He later received the rights to use the trademark ‘Polo’ from Brooks Brothers.The first Ralph Lauren stand-alone store was in Beverly Hills, California. Ten years later, in 1981, the brand went global with its first international store on London's New Bond Street. The Polo Sport line was introduced in 1993. By 2007 Ralph Lauren had over 35 boutiques in the United States. Today, the stores sell clothing, accessories, fragrances and homeware.



                                                            Image from photobucket.com

Geography- The Bronx part 3!!

The Bronx, New York

Hip hop is a form of musical expression that originated in African-American and Hispanic-American communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically within the Bronx. As hip hop's popularity grew, performers began speaking ("rapping") in sync with the beats, and became known as MC's. The Bronx is home to many famous people including: Woody Allen, Jennifer Lopez, Mary J. Blige, Theodore Roosevelt and Ralph Lauren.



                                                           Geographical Information

• The Bronx is the northernmost of the five boroughs of New York City. 
• It is also known as Bronx County and has a population of 1,400,761.
• The Hudson river separates the Bronx on the west from places such as Alpine and New Jersey while the Harlem river separates it from Manhattan.

                                         
Image of The Bronx

Geography- Hip Hop part 2!!

                Hip Hop

Hip-hop music is a relatively new genre, dating back only about 30 years. It follow in the footsteps of previous American musical genres such as Blues, Jazz and Rock & Roll. Hip hop, also called rap music, is a musical genre consisting of a rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping. Hip hop singers, and break dancing was a way to be heard without violence. It is also said that Hip hop and even graffiti was a way to speak out against putting up the South Bronx express way. Graffiti was intentionally put on the trains so that it would be seen throughout New York. People wanted to be heard. With so much international influence, hip-hop music quickly spread around the globe. It has influenced everything from fashion to dance to graffiti, becoming a cultural movement all on its own. Many say that modern hip-hop is made up of three elements: the DJ, rap, and break-dancing. Internationally, hip-hop has emerged as the world's favorite youth culture.


                                             

Geography Project - 'A travelling Man's Trip" around the world Part 1!!

The Original Rudeboys

Last week we were given a geography project to link various things to each other and around the world. My project is beginning in Dublin where the Original Rudeboys are from!

The Original Rudeboys are a band from Dublin, Ireland.They are known mainly for their single "Stars In My Eyes" which hit number 2 on iTunes and has received national airplay. They have played venues such as The Olympia Theatre and have also played at festivals such as Oxegen and the Reading and Leeds Festival. The band consists of Sean "Neddy" Arkins (Vocals), Robert Burch (Guitar and Vocals) and Sean Walsh (Ukulele). The band's genre has been described as a cross between hip hop and indie. Since forming, The Original Rudeboys have released two singles ‘Stars in My Eyes’ and ‘Travelling Man’ and in March 2012 they released their first album ‘This Life’!!


                                                              Geographical Facts on Dublin

• Dublin is the capital city of the Republic of Ireland. 
• It is situated on the River Liffey and has a population of over 1.66 million people.
• Dublin has one of the fastest growing populations of any European capital city.
• An interesting fact is that Dublin records the least amount of rainfall in Ireland.
• Also, Dublin city covers a land of 115 square kilometres.

                            
This picture is from: Hotpress Magazine 2012!!

Circle of Friends !!

The novel I have read is 'Circle of Friends' by Maeve Binchy. The novel has various settings, the first being Knockglen- a small village, home to Benny Hogan and Eve Malone. Benny's family own ' Hogans Outfitters' and Benny is an only child. Eve is an orphan who lives in the convent, where she was raised. Benny and Eve become childhood friends quickly.Soon they are finished school and are going to college. Benny plans to go to UCD but Eve cannot afford to and so she decides to join a convent in Dublin. On the first day of college there is a car accident and a student named Francis Hegarty is killed. In college, a circle of friends begins to form including: Nan Mahon, Benny, Eve, Jack Foley and Aiden Lynch. Back in Knockglen, Benny's parents are hoping she will marry the shop assistant Seán Walsh. But Benny has no interest in him and instead falls in love with Jack Foley. Jack and Benny begin a relationship but it is difficult as Benny is always at home in Knockglen while Jack is in Dublin. Eve leaves the convent in Dublin and goes to 'Westlands' where her cousin Simon Westward lives. Eve hates Simon because the Westwards disowned Eve's mother when she was younger. Eve asks Simon for money to pay for college as she feels she is owed it. Simon gives her the money and she starts college with Benny. Nan Mahon, a friend of both Benny and Eve, begins a relationship with Simon Westward. Eve is shocked and hurt. Towards the end of the novel Nan discovers she is pregnant with Simons child but he refuses to have anything to do with it. Nan tricks Jack into believing the baby is his after he had cheated on Benny. In the end, Nan loses the baby due to a fight she had with Eve. Jack tries to get back together with Benny but she refuses. The story ends with the circle of friends continuing their relationships.


Overall, I really enjoyed the novel and would recommend it.