First-Year Student Journals : C.J. : Profile

C.J. | Profile | Reflections | Journals: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Profile

Major: Government

Hometown: San Antonio, Texas

High school: East Central High School

Facts about your family: My parents, Cliff and Iva, have been married for an amazing 21 years and I’ve shared 18 with them. I’m the oldest of three. My brother, Chris, is 13 and my sister, Chelsea, is 9.

Why did you choose to attend The University of Texas at Austin?
As of August 2002, UT was actually at the bottom of a list of four colleges I was considering attending. It wasn’t until I decided to tour the campus that UT rose from last to first on my list of colleges. Actually, to be a bit more specific, it was the tour guide who led me to choosing The University of Texas at Austin. Because he was an African American male, I felt he could give me insight as to what I could expect if I decided to attend UT. When I told him I was considering attending UT and a couple other schools, namely Prairie View A&M University, he explained that while Prairie View is fine, by going there, I wouldn't have as much of an impact than if I attended UT. He went on to say that because there are so few African American males at UT, my impact on the campus would not only be more significant, but by excelling at the university, I represent African American males in a positive light. This would make the road a bit easier to travel for those after me, which could lead to more African Americans attending the university. He also told me about many other benefits to attending UT over other schools, including the resources, the faculty and the overall experience. All of the insight he gave me weighed heavily on my decision to attend UT. When I thanked him, he laughed and asked that in the future, I help someone like he helped me. I certainly plan to do just that.

What do you want to do when you graduate from the university?
My ultimate goal is to attend UT’s Law School and from there, to pursue a career in corporate law.

If you could choose one personal object to represent you (something that you brought to campus with you), what would that object be?
My pen and notebook. Why? It’s simple. For me, the pen and notebook represent writing, which doesn’t make a lot of noise or cause a big distraction, but it provides you with an outlet for reflection. Don’t get me wrong, I have my times where I do make a lot of noise or I may become the center of attention, but for the most part, when you see me, I’m likely quiet, contemplating whatever happens to come across my mind at the time.

If you had to choose one thing about yourself to share with the university’s Web audience, what would it be?
I suppose I could share the origin of the nickname ‘C.J.’ with the university’s Web audience. My real name is Clifford Earl II. It’s definitely not one of your more common names, but that’s not the point. The question I’m usually asked about my nickname is, “Where does the ‘J’ in ‘C.J.’ come from?” Well, my mom would have named me Clifford Earl Jr., but in my family, if you’re the junior, your name is Junior. Out of the 26 first cousins and 28 second cousins on my mom’s side, all of the males who were given their father’s name are known as Junior. Well, to prevent this from happening, but at the same time give me a name to differentiate me from my father, my mom nicknamed me ‘C.J.’.

Who are your heroes?
While I look up to legendary individuals like Dr. Martin Luther King and Jackie Robinson, who overcame severe adversities in pursuit of a dream, my heroes are the two individuals who are responsible for who I am today. My parents. They are caring parents, a loving couple and strong in the word of God. The examples they have set through the manner in which they live their lives have had a tremendous impact on the manner in which I live mine. I am truly blessed to have them as my parents.

If you could travel to one spot anywhere in the world, where would you want to visit?
San Diego, California. There’s no finer place in this world.

What are your current favorite books? What books would you recommend to someone you just met?
Erich Maria Remarque’s “All Quiet On The Western Front.” It’s truly a remarkable book, from an anti-war standpoint. There’s not another book I’d recommend to someone especially in light of all that’s occurring in our world today. After reading this book, I learned that this was one of the works to be publicly burned in 1933 by the Nazis.

What pushes your buttons? What are your pet peeves?
Onions. I can’t stand them.

What music are you listening to currently?
I always have a variety of music in rotation, ranging from 2-Pac to Prince, but if I told you what I’m listening to the most at this moment, it would have to be Outkast’s “Stankonia,” Bilal’s “1st Born Second” and Common’s “Like Water For Chocolate.”

Favorite colors?
Nearly all shades of blue.

Favorite Web sites?
ESPN ranks first on my list of favorite Web sites, because if there’s any bit of noteworthy developments in the sports world, ESPN.com will no doubt be on top of it.

Favorite foods?
My Aunt Brenda’s barbecue. Only my grandma’s home-cooked meals rival it. Please believe, that’s saying a lot.

All-time favorite movies?
“Coming To America” is probably my all-time favorite movie. I’ve never enjoyed watching a movie more. It’s a shame how many times I’ve seen it. Let’s just say if I saw it one more time, I’d probably be able to write the script to the movie word for word.

Favorite artists?
Nas, 2-Pac, Sevendust, Outkast, Prince, Michael Jackson… The list goes on and on. I’ve always listened to a lot of music, but it was after I began working in a music store that the floodgates flew open, and I exposed myself to a variety of different music genres. Artists that I would consider favorites range from Notorious B.I.G. to Earth, Wind & Fire.

Favorite academic subjects? What are you interested in studying in the future?
I am very interested in Government, but Philosophy is by far the most interesting class I’ve ever taken. I plan to continue to take Philosophy courses in the future.

Favorite spot on campus?
Gregory Gym, hands down. It’s all-you-can-play basketball seven days a week.

Favorite places to go in Austin? Favorite things to do in Austin?
I haven’t been here long enough to know the ins and outs of Austin, but in my short time here, I’ve become fond of Sandy’s on Thursdays. A bacon cheeseburger with fries and a drink for about $2.50? You can’t beat that.

Favorite free-time activities?
Nothing is more spiritually and mentally fulfilling than writing. I write whenever I get the urge to do so. Be it at 9 a.m. while I’m eating breakfast or after midnight when I can’t sleep, I write whatever is on my mind. I also play a lot of basketball. That’s why Gregory Gym is one of my favorite campus spots.



	C.J. \| Profile \| Reflections \| Journals: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Home
	Profile Major: Government Hometown: San Antonio, Texas High school: East Central High School Facts about your family: My parents, Cliff and Iva, have been married for an amazing 21 years and I’ve shared 18 with them. I’m the oldest of three. My brother, Chris, is 13 and my sister, Chelsea, is 9. Why did you choose to attend The University of Texas at Austin? As of August 2002, UT was actually at the bottom of a list of four colleges I was considering attending. It wasn’t until I decided to tour the campus that UT rose from last to first on my list of colleges. Actually, to be a bit more specific, it was the tour guide who led me to choosing The University of Texas at Austin. Because he was an African American male, I felt he could give me insight as to what I could expect if I decided to attend UT. When I told him I was considering attending UT and a couple other schools, namely Prairie View A&M University, he explained that while Prairie View is fine, by going there, I wouldn't have as much of an impact than if I attended UT. He went on to say that because there are so few African American males at UT, my impact on the campus would not only be more significant, but by excelling at the university, I represent African American males in a positive light. This would make the road a bit easier to travel for those after me, which could lead to more African Americans attending the university. He also told me about many other benefits to attending UT over other schools, including the resources, the faculty and the overall experience. All of the insight he gave me weighed heavily on my decision to attend UT. When I thanked him, he laughed and asked that in the future, I help someone like he helped me. I certainly plan to do just that. What do you want to do when you graduate from the university? My ultimate goal is to attend UT’s Law School and from there, to pursue a career in corporate law. If you could choose one personal object to represent you (something that you brought to campus with you), what would that object be? My pen and notebook. Why? It’s simple. For me, the pen and notebook represent writing, which doesn’t make a lot of noise or cause a big distraction, but it provides you with an outlet for reflection. Don’t get me wrong, I have my times where I do make a lot of noise or I may become the center of attention, but for the most part, when you see me, I’m likely quiet, contemplating whatever happens to come across my mind at the time. If you had to choose one thing about yourself to share with the university’s Web audience, what would it be? I suppose I could share the origin of the nickname ‘C.J.’ with the university’s Web audience. My real name is Clifford Earl II. It’s definitely not one of your more common names, but that’s not the point. The question I’m usually asked about my nickname is, “Where does the ‘J’ in ‘C.J.’ come from?” Well, my mom would have named me Clifford Earl Jr., but in my family, if you’re the junior, your name is Junior. Out of the 26 first cousins and 28 second cousins on my mom’s side, all of the males who were given their father’s name are known as Junior. Well, to prevent this from happening, but at the same time give me a name to differentiate me from my father, my mom nicknamed me ‘C.J.’. Who are your heroes? While I look up to legendary individuals like Dr. Martin Luther King and Jackie Robinson, who overcame severe adversities in pursuit of a dream, my heroes are the two individuals who are responsible for who I am today. My parents. They are caring parents, a loving couple and strong in the word of God. The examples they have set through the manner in which they live their lives have had a tremendous impact on the manner in which I live mine. I am truly blessed to have them as my parents. If you could travel to one spot anywhere in the world, where would you want to visit? San Diego, California. There’s no finer place in this world. What are your current favorite books? What books would you recommend to someone you just met? Erich Maria Remarque’s “All Quiet On The Western Front.” It’s truly a remarkable book, from an anti-war standpoint. There’s not another book I’d recommend to someone especially in light of all that’s occurring in our world today. After reading this book, I learned that this was one of the works to be publicly burned in 1933 by the Nazis. What pushes your buttons? What are your pet peeves? Onions. I can’t stand them. What music are you listening to currently? I always have a variety of music in rotation, ranging from 2-Pac to Prince, but if I told you what I’m listening to the most at this moment, it would have to be Outkast’s “Stankonia,” Bilal’s “1st Born Second” and Common’s “Like Water For Chocolate.” Favorite colors? Nearly all shades of blue. Favorite Web sites? ESPN ranks first on my list of favorite Web sites, because if there’s any bit of noteworthy developments in the sports world, ESPN.com will no doubt be on top of it. Favorite foods? My Aunt Brenda’s barbecue. Only my grandma’s home-cooked meals rival it. Please believe, that’s saying a lot. All-time favorite movies? “Coming To America” is probably my all-time favorite movie. I’ve never enjoyed watching a movie more. It’s a shame how many times I’ve seen it. Let’s just say if I saw it one more time, I’d probably be able to write the script to the movie word for word. Favorite artists? Nas, 2-Pac, Sevendust, Outkast, Prince, Michael Jackson… The list goes on and on. I’ve always listened to a lot of music, but it was after I began working in a music store that the floodgates flew open, and I exposed myself to a variety of different music genres. Artists that I would consider favorites range from Notorious B.I.G. to Earth, Wind & Fire. Favorite academic subjects? What are you interested in studying in the future? I am very interested in Government, but Philosophy is by far the most interesting class I’ve ever taken. I plan to continue to take Philosophy courses in the future. Favorite spot on campus? Gregory Gym, hands down. It’s all-you-can-play basketball seven days a week. Favorite places to go in Austin? Favorite things to do in Austin? I haven’t been here long enough to know the ins and outs of Austin, but in my short time here, I’ve become fond of Sandy’s on Thursdays. A bacon cheeseburger with fries and a drink for about $2.50? You can’t beat that. Favorite free-time activities? Nothing is more spiritually and mentally fulfilling than writing. I write whenever I get the urge to do so. Be it at 9 a.m. while I’m eating breakfast or after midnight when I can’t sleep, I write whatever is on my mind. I also play a lot of basketball. That’s why Gregory Gym is one of my favorite campus spots.