Golden Nugget

Yes, I am wearing my grandmother's apron.  This was my attempt at making an interesting and somewhat entertaining video on my project on Venda Ravioli.  My concept was to relate my project to creating a delicious meal.  

Two main findings for my final paper:

1.  Venda Ravioli was once a small family business, but now it is a large community.  It is a main component of Federal Hill and a thriving business.

2.  The stereotypes of Italian Rhode Islanders are proved and disproved.  Also, the stereotypes of this subculture have changed from when the business first began, to where it is today.

Mind Map

Yes, it is a hot mess.  The center is supposed to be an Italian flag with a ravioli on top of it (think in an abstract way if it helps).   I tried to keep the same Italian color scheme throughout, of red and green. I have a few branches of different directions I have gone with my research.  It all relates and comes back to Venda.   

I have never done a mind map before and it was an interesting experience.  I did not focus on keeping it net because my thoughts on this project is not net.  I tried to keep it basic and not include long phrases.  I wanted to keep it direct and only include the main and important points.  

By doing this mind map, I realized I have a lot more different directions I can take my project than what I originally thought.  I think the hard part now is going to be trying to pick a specific branch I want to talk about.  Or will I want to involve multiple branches together?  More organization of thoughts needs to happen.  But this did help me for the future of this project and other projects to come in other courses. 

Marissa + Venda + Research + Mind Map = SUCCESS

Artifacts

top left: magnet with basic information about Venda

bottom left: Cookie Place Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip bag 

(previously mentioned company that is a nonprofit organization)

right: Venda's Catering & Deli Menu

(list of foods offered and their prices that vary due to market conditions)

"Quality of unsurpassed standards is attained by using only the inset ingredients. 

Quality is out way of saying we care.

Everyday is Sunday at Venda Ravioli."

plastic bag logo

First Interview with Julie Silva

After putting the interview off for a while I ended up taking the easy route.  I decided to interview someone that I have known for my whole life. 

Julie Silva is like a second mother to me and a huge role model in my life.  I know I got a lot of the same humor and attitude as her from growing up around her.

I was still extremely nervous to interview her.  I was afraid that the interview would go horribly wrong or that my phone would not record any of the interview at all and I would have to ask her the same questions over again.  

As the interview went along the nerves disappeared and the conversation was flowing.  I was excited and she was happy that she could be involved in my project for college.  She was honored that I picked her to be interviewed.  But I could not think of any other customer that knew Venda as well as she does.  

All in all, the interview was a success.  I learned a lot about Venda that I did not know previously.  She gave me insight on the history, business, and a positive customer review on Costantino's Venda Ravioli.  I was thankful for her great responses and time that she spent with me, for my interview.

Christmas Came Early

outside between in front of the water fountain

Ethnopoem

They have the best stuff
        to make
        delicious Italian
        homemade food.

Share a great love for
        Italian heritage
        and culture.

Since the move,
        food is still good,
        there is something for everyone,
        one stop shop for food.

It used to be more family run,
        now you can find any nationality.

It had to happen.


Writing a ethnopoem was not easy, but it was interesting to create a piece that was strictly words from the interviewee.  I tried to incorporate her voice and present themes about the newer Venda compared to the old and how much she loves Venda.  By going to Venda I can understand why she feels this way and made these statements about Venda.  My interviewee had great phrases that I could include in this poem.  I am not a poet and usually do not like writing poems, but this one was more intriguing considering I am actually interested in my study about Venda.

A Waitress and Bus Boy

I went to lunch with my mother on a Wednesday afternoon.  We sat inside because the outdoor seating is now closed due to colder weather.  I asked the waitress a few questions about the restaurant.  She told me how the outdoor seating is is closed for the season and will not open again until next spring.  The waitress also mentioned how she usually would work every day during the summer on the outdoor patio, but now since it is slower she will only work two to three times a week.  She said she has worked at Venda for a long time and loves it there.  I was glad I had some guts to talk to her because she was excited to give me a little bit of an idea of what it is like as a waitress at Venda.

While talking to her I noticed she had a white dove on the left-hand side of her black shirt.  This was stitched into her shirt along with "Costantino's Venda Ravioli".  I asked her what the dove meant and she explained that it represents the holy ghost.  As an Italian restaurant it is not a surprise that the Catholic religion was incorporated into the design of the uniforms for all workers.  Since I am Portuguese I know that the dove represents the holy ghost as well.  The dove is important to me as a Catholic Portuguese person because when I go to feasts or parades at my church the white dove is everywhere.  So, I thought it was interesting to see a distinct similarity between the Italian and Portuguese culture.  

There was also a bus boy that was extremely nice and genuinely happy to be working.  He was explaining to the couple behind us and to my mother I how his parents were divorced and he is in college.  He said he is working as much as he can to pay for school and studying hard to keep his GPA up.  His aspiration is to eventually become a physical therapist, which is a difficult degree to obtain.  Along with other employees that I have encountered, I can conclude that him along with other workers are determined, motivated, and hard workers.  All of the employees seem to be enjoying their job and realizing that in these tough economic times it is important to keep a steady job.  Venda appears to be a good business that provides a good outlet for workers to have a decent job.