Posts
Once again here is the link:
Hmmm, another copy and paste? Drat.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Photo experiment
I posted some pictures on my Picasa album, and I'm not exactly sure how to do this, but here's the link: http://picasaweb.google.com/sonshinemakesmehappy/HolidaysBeforeILeave?feat=directlink
Copy and paste, I guess. Hmm...there must be some way... I'll keep trying.
Copy and paste, I guess. Hmm...there must be some way... I'll keep trying.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Less than a month
I can't believe it! In less than a month, I will be on my semester abroad! I'm so excited, I feel like a balloon filled with helium!
I haven't written in a while, and I figured now was as good as anything else. So I have a topic I'd like to put out there:
Courage.
What is courage, and where does it come from? Many of my friends from school and friends from home tell me what courage it must take to embark on such an unusual journey in my college years. I never know what to say in response--Honestly, what can I say? "Oh, yes, I frequently partake in activities or events that further strengthen my courage and bravery!!" Please.
And yet, what is said makes me feel stronger. I wonder whether that's just my ego talking, or if I am being "brave". So then, the question remains: What is courage, and where does it come from?
I am a Wizard of Oz fan. Ever since I was a child, I remember the cowardly Lion singing the "Courage" song before the group entered to see the Wizard. I never understood what he meant about the animals having the courage to make noise, be happy etc. but now I think I see it differently. If humans could be divided down to the simplest, most basic form, then (for the sake of argument) that would be the human essence. Secondly, if an individual recognized this essence as his most basic form, would it influence his ideas, his beliefs, his personality? Or would it be his ideas, beliefs, and personality? How many individuals follow themselves as humans? If in essence we were meant to be something far greater than what we allow ourselves to be, is it cowardice to be less? Perhaps it is this essence that is part of an individual's definition. Perhaps it is courage to be real.
If it is courageous to be free to express oneself as much as it is courageous to move to an entirely different area to learn a language, then this courage must not be a thing one is born with; it must be a conscious decision; the decision to be brave. I think back to September 11th. I'll never know if I would have had the bravery of the resistors of Flight 92. Did each participant say to himself, "I am a brave person, therefore I must act!" I'll never know. All I know is that each of them did act, and in the process saved so many more lives. I, on the other hand, am not a "brave" or "courageous" person at all. However, I know that this trip is essential to my fluency in Spanish, and that I will learn a lot more than just the language. Is that courageous, to pursue knowledge? Or is it that others, when placing themselves in my position, would be inclined to shrink from this challenge? Maybe it is that our challenges present us with the choice to be brave, or otherwise.
Regardless, I feel strengthened to think myself "brave". It rings in my ears and reminds me I'm not so destructible as I may believe. This is comforting. Perhaps this is where I will draw courage. I know God is always with me, and probably telling me I should give myself some credit...
Have a nice day!
I will write soon!
I haven't written in a while, and I figured now was as good as anything else. So I have a topic I'd like to put out there:
Courage.
What is courage, and where does it come from? Many of my friends from school and friends from home tell me what courage it must take to embark on such an unusual journey in my college years. I never know what to say in response--Honestly, what can I say? "Oh, yes, I frequently partake in activities or events that further strengthen my courage and bravery!!" Please.
And yet, what is said makes me feel stronger. I wonder whether that's just my ego talking, or if I am being "brave". So then, the question remains: What is courage, and where does it come from?
I am a Wizard of Oz fan. Ever since I was a child, I remember the cowardly Lion singing the "Courage" song before the group entered to see the Wizard. I never understood what he meant about the animals having the courage to make noise, be happy etc. but now I think I see it differently. If humans could be divided down to the simplest, most basic form, then (for the sake of argument) that would be the human essence. Secondly, if an individual recognized this essence as his most basic form, would it influence his ideas, his beliefs, his personality? Or would it be his ideas, beliefs, and personality? How many individuals follow themselves as humans? If in essence we were meant to be something far greater than what we allow ourselves to be, is it cowardice to be less? Perhaps it is this essence that is part of an individual's definition. Perhaps it is courage to be real.
If it is courageous to be free to express oneself as much as it is courageous to move to an entirely different area to learn a language, then this courage must not be a thing one is born with; it must be a conscious decision; the decision to be brave. I think back to September 11th. I'll never know if I would have had the bravery of the resistors of Flight 92. Did each participant say to himself, "I am a brave person, therefore I must act!" I'll never know. All I know is that each of them did act, and in the process saved so many more lives. I, on the other hand, am not a "brave" or "courageous" person at all. However, I know that this trip is essential to my fluency in Spanish, and that I will learn a lot more than just the language. Is that courageous, to pursue knowledge? Or is it that others, when placing themselves in my position, would be inclined to shrink from this challenge? Maybe it is that our challenges present us with the choice to be brave, or otherwise.
Regardless, I feel strengthened to think myself "brave". It rings in my ears and reminds me I'm not so destructible as I may believe. This is comforting. Perhaps this is where I will draw courage. I know God is always with me, and probably telling me I should give myself some credit...
Have a nice day!
I will write soon!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
September Topic Addressed: Do I really learn in school?
Well, the answer is obvious, and at the same time, not.
In my English class, we were given a handout titled "The Lost Tools of Learning" by Dorothy Sayers. Although written in the 1950s (or somewhere just after WWII), Sayers purports that the students of her time were not stupid, but were not taught the way she was. Her methods (as described in the essay) of teaching can be represented thus: like an artist "plays" with a new brush to get the "feel" of the instrument, so must a student be taught basics in order to understand the bigger intricacy of life. Sayers felt that education should not be a sole excuse to cram young minds with the latest technology, but that a careful study of science as it relates to language and culture as it relates to economy, should provide a student with the necessary platform from which to build his own logic and reasoning. Because many "subjects" are taught separately in today's schools, students are not sure how to connect one idea to the next--a direct result of a shaky logical platform of thought.
Do I learn in school?
I have been blessed with a) a natural common sense, b) an ability to use that common sense, and c) parents who would show me the consequences of ignoring that common sense... Apparently, I am one of few. This saddens me! How can parents not care? It is forgive-able if the parent tries to instill common sense in a child, but unforgivable if they feel that such instruction is "military" or "mean". How then should a child learn if he is given no solid boundaries upon which he can stand?? I remember that my parents always used to say "If you feel uncomfortable about doing ____, you can tell your friends that we'd rather you didn't." This gave me not only a boundary, but an authority. I'll explain: a boundary becomes a line that because of personal conviction, religious conviction, etc., I will choose not to cross. That boundary comes with my parents' blessing attached--I do not answer to my peers, but to my parents--and thus I have the authority to refuse at all costs because I know my parents will back me up.
When in high school, I can be honest--No, I didn't learn much. At all. Yes, I learned an advanced form of mathematics, as well as an amazing appreciation for geologists. The problem is that my math isn't the best to start with, and that Earth/Space science class should have followed a basic chemistry class instead of coming before it. Fascinating material--really, just, there are very few things that I can repeat correctly from those classes. I learned what I needed to, took the tests, and passed the classes.
Now is when I'm learning. Here, at college. I am discovering how to use my God-given mind, and to wrap it around concepts of which I've only ever dreamed. Teachers ask me to consider theories of other students, other philosophers, etc. They ask me to question why and how--why do I believe that evolution from single-celled organisms is improbable? How is my generation more self-centered than the last, and can anything be done? What is our effect on our selves and on the countries around us? What are the motivations of people who are rich vs. those who are poor? Why does the "little guy" rarely get recognition? What makes the "hot topics" of today? What is the nature of culture, and can that nature ultimately be learned?
It is common sense that motivates learning, I think. This and a quest for common knowledge. By learning the basics, I am free to discover the eccentricities and the "or's" of each case and apply them to other concepts which may appear to have no correlation. I believe that knowledge is the key and the curse of the world in which I live: by knowledge we increase our understanding of others and their culture to better serve our interests. Rarely is knowledge of others used to accomplish purely admirable means. Even if a company markets products that are environment-friendly, one must wonder what other tests showed a negative effect before the "good" product. Don't get me wrong, I think humans are stewards of the environment, and that we should treat it well, but the "Green"-kick we're on scares me: is it just a passing fad like the exercise nuts of the '80s? To top it off, it was knowledge that drove Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden--just a thought.
Perhaps knowledge is like a tongue: it can be used for both good and evil.
See Mom and Dad? I am learning something!
Have a wonderful Wednesday. Keep safe.
In my English class, we were given a handout titled "The Lost Tools of Learning" by Dorothy Sayers. Although written in the 1950s (or somewhere just after WWII), Sayers purports that the students of her time were not stupid, but were not taught the way she was. Her methods (as described in the essay) of teaching can be represented thus: like an artist "plays" with a new brush to get the "feel" of the instrument, so must a student be taught basics in order to understand the bigger intricacy of life. Sayers felt that education should not be a sole excuse to cram young minds with the latest technology, but that a careful study of science as it relates to language and culture as it relates to economy, should provide a student with the necessary platform from which to build his own logic and reasoning. Because many "subjects" are taught separately in today's schools, students are not sure how to connect one idea to the next--a direct result of a shaky logical platform of thought.
Do I learn in school?
I have been blessed with a) a natural common sense, b) an ability to use that common sense, and c) parents who would show me the consequences of ignoring that common sense... Apparently, I am one of few. This saddens me! How can parents not care? It is forgive-able if the parent tries to instill common sense in a child, but unforgivable if they feel that such instruction is "military" or "mean". How then should a child learn if he is given no solid boundaries upon which he can stand?? I remember that my parents always used to say "If you feel uncomfortable about doing ____, you can tell your friends that we'd rather you didn't." This gave me not only a boundary, but an authority. I'll explain: a boundary becomes a line that because of personal conviction, religious conviction, etc., I will choose not to cross. That boundary comes with my parents' blessing attached--I do not answer to my peers, but to my parents--and thus I have the authority to refuse at all costs because I know my parents will back me up.
When in high school, I can be honest--No, I didn't learn much. At all. Yes, I learned an advanced form of mathematics, as well as an amazing appreciation for geologists. The problem is that my math isn't the best to start with, and that Earth/Space science class should have followed a basic chemistry class instead of coming before it. Fascinating material--really, just, there are very few things that I can repeat correctly from those classes. I learned what I needed to, took the tests, and passed the classes.
Now is when I'm learning. Here, at college. I am discovering how to use my God-given mind, and to wrap it around concepts of which I've only ever dreamed. Teachers ask me to consider theories of other students, other philosophers, etc. They ask me to question why and how--why do I believe that evolution from single-celled organisms is improbable? How is my generation more self-centered than the last, and can anything be done? What is our effect on our selves and on the countries around us? What are the motivations of people who are rich vs. those who are poor? Why does the "little guy" rarely get recognition? What makes the "hot topics" of today? What is the nature of culture, and can that nature ultimately be learned?
It is common sense that motivates learning, I think. This and a quest for common knowledge. By learning the basics, I am free to discover the eccentricities and the "or's" of each case and apply them to other concepts which may appear to have no correlation. I believe that knowledge is the key and the curse of the world in which I live: by knowledge we increase our understanding of others and their culture to better serve our interests. Rarely is knowledge of others used to accomplish purely admirable means. Even if a company markets products that are environment-friendly, one must wonder what other tests showed a negative effect before the "good" product. Don't get me wrong, I think humans are stewards of the environment, and that we should treat it well, but the "Green"-kick we're on scares me: is it just a passing fad like the exercise nuts of the '80s? To top it off, it was knowledge that drove Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden--just a thought.
Perhaps knowledge is like a tongue: it can be used for both good and evil.
See Mom and Dad? I am learning something!
Have a wonderful Wednesday. Keep safe.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Semester Abroad
So for those of you of whom I've been so rude as to withhold this information, I'm going on a semester abroad to Costa Rica!! I'm so excited! I've been asking around, and I've decided to take my iPod touch with me because it's smaller and easier to keep track of than my computer--the main idea being that an entire computer bag will pose a greater temptation than a small iPod in my purse/pocket where it can't be seen as well. Also, I will definitely take my camera to capture my exploits!! I'm so excited!! I can access the internet with my iPod, so I will still upload posts. Just recently, I started a Flickr account where I will try to post photos. Just thought I'd mention it so everyone knows!
Lots of love!
Lots of love!
UPDATE (28 Dec 08): I switched to a Picasa account, and have discovered how to put in links.
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