My Top 10 "Orange Is The New Black" Characters

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I recently finished binge watching two seasons of "Orange Is The New Black" for 2 days non-stop. Since it may take a while before they finish filming season 3 I just focused my energy to write this on my blog. If you haven't watch OITNB spoiler alert I shared some of my favorite scenes here. 

Here is my top 10 favorite characters from the Emmy nominated series "Orange Is The New Black". I ranked them based on how they gave life to the characters that they portray. Like after 10 years when you asked me about "Orange is the New Black" I would still recall them. Also, their character is so intriguing that I pause Netflix and Google / Wikipedia the characters to find out that they look completely different. I learn more about what other  then I followed them on Instagram. 

Two thumbs up for Jenji Kohan and Netflix for creating this amazing show. 

10 Piper Chapman

I think she did great. She looks exactly the same like the real life Piper the author of the book "Orange is the New Black". Some people might disagree why she's on my number 10 list. I believe she is a good actress but if you replace her with other actress I would still be watching OITNB. 

My favorite scene was after she was placed in isolation she learn to fight back and learn the ways of the prison. She was able to adapt to the conditions that she have. I liked when she made the chili oil for Red's back pain. 

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Taylor Schilling - She attended acting classes at  Fordham University and New York University
                               She worked as a nanny while studying.
                               Webby Awards, Satellite Awards - Best Actress for Orange is the New Black
                               Hollywood Film Festival Award  - Cast - Argo

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9. Poussey Washington 
I think she is smart and she stand on her principles. She was able to convince her friends to stand-up against Vee and stop doing illegal drugs. She saved the books in the library during flood.

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Samira Wiley - studied at Jiulliard School in New York
                        - practiced the lines with Danniele Brooks also graduate of Jiulliard for the role                                     of Poussey
                        - Her father is Baptist Minister from Washington, DC

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8. Lorna Morello 

Her accent was amazing even critics noticed her Brooklyn / Boston accent. I love the scene when she went to his ex boyfriend's house and try the wedding dress of her ex boyfriend's fiance. I also like the scene when she let Rosa escape the prison.

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Yael Stone - Australian movie and theater actress
                   - moved to New York four months before she was cast in Orange is the New Black

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7. Yoga Jones

I love Yoga Jones. I feel like her character fits her very well. Her eyes are so expressive. I hope they would show more of her back story.

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Constance Shulman - voice of the cartoon charter Patti Mayonaise from "Doug"

                                   - theater and TV and movie actress

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6. Daya - Dayanara Diaz 

I liked her back story how she took care of her sisters when her mother was too "busy" with her boyfriend. I didn't like it when she have to use Pornstashe to clear her boyfriend's name. But, well we did some crazy things for love.

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Dasha Polanco - Psychology Degree from Hunter College ( I'm also from Hunter! )

                           - Born in Domican Republic, raised in Brookyn and Florida, has 2 kids

                          

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5. "Tastee" - Tasha Jefferson

Favorite Scenes - She came back to prison because life outside was worse than prison. I remember my students who went to foster care like her. I also liked the scene when she compete for the "Dress for Success" program.
Favorite Lines - I can't watch no more Toddler in Tiaras. I can't support sexuation of baby girls.

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Danielle Brooks - Studied drama at Juilliard School
                            - She will be cast in the series "Girls".

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4. "Pennsatucky" Tiffany Doggett
I love Pennsatucky's character perfect mix of scary and funny. I like the scene when she was carrying the cross.
Favorite Lines: "I'm angel of God, I mean look at my dress".
                          "It wasn't my fault. I was just doing what the spirit commanded."

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Taryn Manning - fashion designer, singer-song writer

                          - first known from movie Crazy/Beautiful

                          - related to football star Eli Manning

3. "Red" - Galina Resnikov
I love her thick Russian accent accent. I live in a Russian community. I can relate to the scenes from her back story. When Piper got furlough she request to come and visit her shop in Sheepshead Bay in Brookyn. That was so close to where I live.

Famous Line: "All I wanted to eat the chicken that is smarter than any other chickens and to                                         absorb its power!"

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Kate Mulgrew - played Captain Katryn Janeway in Startrek: The Voyager
                        - had acting scholarship at New York University
                        - advocate and active member of Alzhiemer's Associatioin
                        - won acting awards in Broadway and Emmy nominations
                        www.totallykate.com
                                       

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2. Sophia Burset 
I love her back story when her wife helped her fit some dress and pleaded that she shouldn't do the surgery. I liked the actress that played as her wife and his twin brother who played the pre-surgery Sophia. I can feel that she really loved her wife but she stands with her decision to live as a woman. I respect her for that. Then she gave her wife the freedom to fall in love with other guy.

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Laverne Cox- Produced reality show and documentary "Free CeCe"
                     -Advocates for the rights of Transgender
                     -Fine Arts Degree from Marymount Manhattan College
                     -Wrote articles for The  Huffington Post
                      www.laverncox.com

1. "Crazy Eyes" - Suzzane Warren
I love her so much I cried when she delivered her speech at Emmy's. I can feel her passion and dedication in her character. I love her back story how her adopted family love her and made the best effort to give the same opportunities like their own child.

My Favorite Lines "I throw my pie for you!"
                              "Chocolate and Vanilla Swirl, Swirl"
                              "I'm a garden rose."

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Uzu Aduba - Attended Boston University - Classical Voice and compete in Track and Field
                     Winner: Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series
                     Critics Choice Television Award for Best Guest Performer in a Comedy Series

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Do you agree with my Top 10?

Who is your favorite character?

I can't wait for Season 3

- Farah M.

13.1 LESSONS I LEARN ON MY FIRST HALF-MARATHON

Last May 17, 2014 my husband and I finished our first Brooklyn Half-Marathon. I would like to share the lessons that we learn and hope to inspire other runners too. 13.1 lessons because there are 13.1 miles in a half-marathon.

1.    Motivation- borderline diabetes

Last February 2014, I had my annual physical check-up and my doctor Dr. Rounak Rahman told me that I have borderline diabetes. She told me that I need to lose weight to avoid diabetes. I am also obese, for short person like me 149 lbs is too much. I need to lose around 20 lbs to reach my normal weight. I hate taking medicine. My mother has diabetes and hypertension. This is my wake-up call to adapt a healthier lifestyle. My husband and I was an active member of New York Road Runner, is it an organization that promotes running and they organize the internationally renowned New York City Marathon. We decided to register to the upcoming Brooklyn Half Marathon to force ourselves to be fit. 

2.  Inspiration – If they can do it so can I.

In 2013 we have been running several 5k fun run in Central Park, Corona Park and Prospect Park. We noticed that there’s a lot of elderly runners who are faster than us. And they have wonderful and toned body. There are also some people who are overweight but they are determined to finish the race.

 

Blind runner Amelia New York City Marathon
photo from slate.com

3. Plan ahead – Training Program

My friend Jee finished half marathons before and she told me about the 10-week Half-Marathon training program at NYRR. There’s a lot of classes you can enroll for a fee. There are also some elite runners who made their own training program on Youtube videos on how to train. I download the free training program from NYRR. Basically you need 10 weeks to train for half-marathon. Start with 2k then slowly increase the distance per week by 10% to 20% depends on your capability. Once or twice a week you have to practice the long run then after give yourself one day off to rest and help your body to recover. I started training around second week of February. The race was May 22 so I had almost 3 months of training. I didn’t really follow the training program exactly but somehow it will give you a guide on what to do.

New York Road Runners Free Training Program link

YouTube Video tips

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svG1n65Mp4w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90cHm9UO9bs

4. No excuses- Discipline yourself

For me hardest thing to do is discipline yourself. My husband and I have different work schedule so most of the time I train on my own. I bring my gym clothes to work and I just wear sneakers all the time. After work I go straight to the gym. It was still cold when I start training. It takes a lot of determination to force yourself to work out. I work out about 4-5 times a week.

5.    Look for training Buddy

My husband is my training buddy. We motivate each other to work-out and live a healthy lifestyle. There are a lot of groups that you can join to make running fun and meet new friends. Some membership are free some you need to pay for membership.

Free Membership

North Brooklyn Runners http://northbrooklynrunners.org/

Team Takbo  https://www.facebook.com/TeamTakbo

Black Girls Run http://www.blackgirlsrun.com/

Paid Membership or fund raising commitment

Team for Kids http://runwithtfk.org/Page/About

You can also start a running club and help to raise fund in your local communities through running.

6.   Set your goal - Finish the race alive

Since this was my first long distance run my main goal is just to finish the race alive, as simple as that. I don't want to stress myself for a good PR because I know it's difficult. I just want my finisher medal. 

 

photo from lovelaughrun.com

 7. Listen to your body - look out for minor injury 

The first few days of my training was the most difficult part. I forced my body to come out from hibernation of winter season. I am also flat footed or what they called over pronation. I didn't buy shoes specific for my feet because they look terrible. I have colorful Asics Gel Noosa Tri 8 sneakers I bought from amazon. I got a lots of compliments from my sneakers. I just add insoles from Dr. Scholl's. There are also some stretching exercises to avoid injuries. 

8. Cross training- Yoga, zumba, pilates, cardio work -out

Aside from regular running routine I also join group classes like yoga, zumba, pilates and kickboxing work-out. We have X-box 360 at home I did Zumba, Black Eyed Peas and Dance Central when I don't feel like going to the gym. 

9.   Running gear - Run in style

For me preparing your running gear is important factor. I want clothes that are comfortable and colorful. Colorful running gear is also part of my motivation. You have to prepare your running gear weeks before the race. Avoid using brand new shoes or clothes because it can cause skin chaffing. It is very irritating during the race if your uncomfortable with your clothes or shoes. I am practicing Muslim. I believe in modesty so I am trying to be modest in my clothes. It is hard to wear long sleeves while working out. My clothes may not be as modest as other Muslim women but I'm trying. 

a.  Running shoes- There are so many fancy running shoes out there ranging from $30 -$200+. You don’t have to break a bank to buy good running sneakers. First, ask yourself what you want in running shoes. Depends on what is your priority like price, comfort, style, etc. But for me I like design first then comfort. I am flat footed my feet needs constant support to reduce injury in long distance run. Since I bought fancy sneakers but doesn’t have the support I need, I bought shoe inserts from Dr. Scholl’s. I also wear knee length compression socks.

b.    Technology / apps- I use RunKeeper and my Samsung S5 SHealth to keep track with my distance, speed, calories burned and pedometer. In psychology, immediate feedback is a good positive reinforcer. I got gold coin every time I reached 10,000 steps. 

c.    Accessories – I have Bluetooth headset because I don’t like wires. It bothers me a lot. I also used arm band for cell phone. I have hydration belt but I decided not to used it during the race because it adds additional weight. I also wore Ironman shades. 

10.    Hydration and Nutrition

Hydration and nutrition are vital part of the training program not just because of the upcoming race but it should be a part of healthy lifestyle. We started to eat healthy at home and we avoid eating fast food. We change some of our eating habits like grilling fish and chicken breast instead of frying, using olive oil instead of corn oil, brown rice instead of white rice, and brown sugar instead of refined white sugar. Also we drink a lot of fruit shakes and vegetable juice. Fruits and vegetables are expensive but still it’s cheaper than cancer treatment.

During the race I didn’t bring my water bottle because it bothers me. I know there’s one hydration station in every mile. The weight of the water bottle on my waist bothers me a lot so I decided not to bring one. I bought some energy gel for the race but for me it is not advisable. First, I haven’t tried eating those on my training. Second, they are too sweet and dry. During the race I eat one gel since I don’t have water bottle it is hard to swallow and it has a weird taste like medicine, definitely not a good idea.

11. Keep your pace - Run Smart

Learning how to keep your pace takes time. I used to run as fast as I could at the start of the the race but this is wrong especially for distance running. We need to keep our stamina up to the finish line. My average time is about 14minutes per mile. Yup, I'm almost walking. My legs are short, one step of tall people will take me about two to three step. I looked at the previous year record of Brooklyn Half-Marathon. For my age group the last person to cross the finish line was about 3.5 hours. My goal is to cross the finish line within that period. I finished my first half marathon in 3:19:39. 

12.     Enjoy your run - First, let me take a selfie!

     When I was running towards Ocean Parkway I was elated. There was no car only runners on the high way. I took my phone and started taking selfies, video and taking pictures of the people. The volunteers on the side of the road really helps in motivating us. I loved seeing the kids from the Muslim and Jewish community of Brooklyn cheering the runners. My scarf fell down while I was running. I only have my inner scarf left. I looked silly. LOL!

13. Recovery – No Pain, No Gain!

During the race if feel a little bit of pain on my feet. You would feel that your sneakers are getting hot. My shoulder blades and arms were starting to hurt. I also advise bring your own first aid kit. I have tissue paper because the Portalet don't have toilet paper and it is “Ewww!”. 

I also had 6 tablets of Advil with me. I took 2 tablets around 2 miles because I know it will take some time for the body to absorb the medicine. I don’t like the feeling of body pain during run. I don’t know if it is medically advisable but these are just my experience. Then, around 6 miles I took 2 tablets and I took the last 2 tablets around 9 miles. But since I already took a total of 6 Advil that day I didn’t take any pain killers after the race which is not advisable. 

The pain after the race was excruciating and the worst part was I didn’t have plan for it. Lucky for us we live in Brighton Beach area and the finish line for Brooklyn Half Marathon were in Coney Island. It was few blocks from our house. We took some photo after the race then we walked straight to our apartment.

Bubble bath and rest is highly recommended after the race. When I woke up from my nap every inch of my body hurts. I couldn’t explain in words how painful it was. I rest for complete 2 days before I went back to work.

13.1 Run while you can

Life is too short. We never know what will happen tomorrow. We cannot predict our health. 

 

photo from blogabove.com