Saturday, January 24, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
School
Things have gotten off to somewhat of a rocky start for me. The classes themselves are going fine, but trouble consistently arises everywhere else. For example, I recieved a letter from Residential life saying I have 30 days to get out of here because I do not hold enough units. This was sort of true, but only because my advising professor had not yet posted our research as a class (its up now). Also, I am trying to get into the Advanced Research Methods class, which I am still not sure if I will get in or not. On top of the class being full, a prerequesite for it is the upper-division statistics, which I have yet to take. I spoke with the professor about this, he said he would still admit me if I had approval from my advising professor. I still need to take care of this...
Another issue is with the International Program; I need to finish my application! I am almost finished, with only the personal statement to complete. Its due by February 1st and if I don't have everything by then, I dont think I can go. So, I will keep my focus on this as well.
On a much lighter note, I had my first offical counseling lecture, and all I can say is....WOW. Dr. Erikson is so amazing; all I know is that I left the class completely spellbound. The beginning was good at best, but then he began speaking about a bag. He displayed a large faded green pack, not unlike what a soldier would carry, and discussed how every patient comes in with a bag (clearly to symbolize life experiences, hopes, fears, etc.). He then offered some of the best information i have heard since I started in this field. The best, however, was immediately after this, when he revealed the contents of his bag (I mean in a literal sense). I cannot remember then name of it, but picture a djembe, only slightly smaller. He picked this up and bagan to play it and speak to us at the same time. He iformed us on how lower pitch sounds are considered male sounds, mid-range is female, and the tiny sounds represent children. Then he told us a story, which is very underestimating to say; it's like calling the Atomic bomb a firecracker. The story was about two people and their journey, with ten different events in the story. I can only remember a couple: one where one of the persons looked into a mirror, and the mirror spoke, and said, "Your eyes are not your eyes because you see them, they are your eyes because they see you." I am working on a meaning to this, and if you have one, don't be afraid to share your thoughts. Another event was right after, where the two had to cross the lake of shame. In order to do so, they needed a boat from a judge, who offers it to them if they answer one question: "Are you a sinker, floater, or a swimmer?" They offer an answer (unknown to the audience) and they get it right. On their way, one turns back to the judge and shouts, "What is greatness?!" (I think it was greatness, if not, then some idea that people strive for but always wonder if they have). The judge shouts back, "Greatness is like a duck!". Oh and yes, this story did sound a lot like it was written by someone on an acid trip; there was more about a shaman coming out of a fire, and a banana inside a bottle, but I cannot remember. ANYWAYS, the point was at the very end, the shaman comes out of the fire and asks two questions:
What are you holding on to that you might need to let go of?
When did this story have impact?
We will discuss this more in class on tuesday, and I cannot wait. This was one of the few times where I was severly disappointed that class time had run out. Today was good; I will not forget it anytime soon...
Another issue is with the International Program; I need to finish my application! I am almost finished, with only the personal statement to complete. Its due by February 1st and if I don't have everything by then, I dont think I can go. So, I will keep my focus on this as well.
On a much lighter note, I had my first offical counseling lecture, and all I can say is....WOW. Dr. Erikson is so amazing; all I know is that I left the class completely spellbound. The beginning was good at best, but then he began speaking about a bag. He displayed a large faded green pack, not unlike what a soldier would carry, and discussed how every patient comes in with a bag (clearly to symbolize life experiences, hopes, fears, etc.). He then offered some of the best information i have heard since I started in this field. The best, however, was immediately after this, when he revealed the contents of his bag (I mean in a literal sense). I cannot remember then name of it, but picture a djembe, only slightly smaller. He picked this up and bagan to play it and speak to us at the same time. He iformed us on how lower pitch sounds are considered male sounds, mid-range is female, and the tiny sounds represent children. Then he told us a story, which is very underestimating to say; it's like calling the Atomic bomb a firecracker. The story was about two people and their journey, with ten different events in the story. I can only remember a couple: one where one of the persons looked into a mirror, and the mirror spoke, and said, "Your eyes are not your eyes because you see them, they are your eyes because they see you." I am working on a meaning to this, and if you have one, don't be afraid to share your thoughts. Another event was right after, where the two had to cross the lake of shame. In order to do so, they needed a boat from a judge, who offers it to them if they answer one question: "Are you a sinker, floater, or a swimmer?" They offer an answer (unknown to the audience) and they get it right. On their way, one turns back to the judge and shouts, "What is greatness?!" (I think it was greatness, if not, then some idea that people strive for but always wonder if they have). The judge shouts back, "Greatness is like a duck!". Oh and yes, this story did sound a lot like it was written by someone on an acid trip; there was more about a shaman coming out of a fire, and a banana inside a bottle, but I cannot remember. ANYWAYS, the point was at the very end, the shaman comes out of the fire and asks two questions:
What are you holding on to that you might need to let go of?
When did this story have impact?
We will discuss this more in class on tuesday, and I cannot wait. This was one of the few times where I was severly disappointed that class time had run out. Today was good; I will not forget it anytime soon...
Friday, January 16, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Movie Day
4 in total, a couple mediocre, a couple top-notch. I keep seeing the trailor for the new Underworld movie, which looks good, but I had not seen the first two. So, I spent my morning watching them. The first one was decent, it kept my intereset with the story. the second one, however, was not quite as good. Actually, I can't say much about it, as I did not see the end. After that, I headed to Edwards to see Doubt and Slumdog Millionaire.
Doubt was nothing shy of superb. With Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Meryl Streep, and Amy Adams in the cast, an excellent acting job is sure to come. I don't want to give it away, but the story is set at an American Northeastern Catholic school in 1964. The entire movie is centered around what may or may not have happened when the priest of the school calls the only african american student into his office. What made it interesting for me was that it offered 2 very opposite views on the situation; one being from Adams' character, who is above all else innocent and very naive. The other is from Streep's character, who is very experienced and believes she knows everthing that is going on at all times. With a very unique ending, Doubt ended up being very thought-provoking and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to see a movie that is not afraid to make you ask questions.
As for Slumdog Millionaire, this movie showed me one of the best stories I have come across in a long time, if not ever (in some respects). When I first heard about it, I looked for it on IMDb and the description told me this:
All in all, this was a great day. If you have not seen Slumdog Millionaire or Doubt, do so. Now.
Doubt was nothing shy of superb. With Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Meryl Streep, and Amy Adams in the cast, an excellent acting job is sure to come. I don't want to give it away, but the story is set at an American Northeastern Catholic school in 1964. The entire movie is centered around what may or may not have happened when the priest of the school calls the only african american student into his office. What made it interesting for me was that it offered 2 very opposite views on the situation; one being from Adams' character, who is above all else innocent and very naive. The other is from Streep's character, who is very experienced and believes she knows everthing that is going on at all times. With a very unique ending, Doubt ended up being very thought-provoking and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to see a movie that is not afraid to make you ask questions.
As for Slumdog Millionaire, this movie showed me one of the best stories I have come across in a long time, if not ever (in some respects). When I first heard about it, I looked for it on IMDb and the description told me this:
"The story of the life of an impoverished Indian teen Jamal Malik, whoThis did not interest me at all initially. Later, I watched the trailor; this was something that seriously did the movie justice. For each question he is asked on the show, the movie does a flashback of when and how he knew what was asked of him. From start to finish, this movie held on to my interest and refused to let go. Honestly, I think this story might be better than Benjamin Button (you read that right, Ryan Lewis). I would say more about this movie, but I really do not want to give everything away. All I can say is if you have not seen it, do so as soon as possible; you will not regret it.
becomes a contestant on the Hindi version of "Who Wants to be A
Millionaire?", wins, and is then suspected of cheating."
All in all, this was a great day. If you have not seen Slumdog Millionaire or Doubt, do so. Now.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Turning the Frown Upside-Down
Cheesy title, I know, but fitting, nonetheless. On occasion it's common for me to experience a small bout of sadness. Most of the time, it is unexplainable; it comes from out of the clear blue sky and ruins my outlook on everything I experience. In order to give my attitude a 180 degree turn, I use a method that I highly recommend. This method, which I recommend most but practice least (shame, I know), is simply to do something good for someone that is not you. Please others, and you will find yourself pleased, I believe. Not only is this efficient for healing your sadness, but it also works as practice in selflessness. I don't remember where I read it, but in a book I read it says that selflessness is not thinking less of yourself, but rather spending so much time on working to improve the lives of everyone around you that you really have no time at all to think about yourself. If I could ever get myself to that point, I don't believe I could ever be sad like I get these days ever again. The good actions you could take range from anywhere between saving someone's life to simply praying for somebody who may really need it. Long story short, if all you can think about is how YOU are feeling, try taking your mind off you and on to someone else. Chances are, your saddness will be long gone.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
In the dream where you show up to school naked, why do you never go swimming?
This was my random question from blogspot; i decided to answer it, but it said my answer was too long. So, I am posting it.
Dreams, believed to occur during REM (Rapid Eye Movement), are a series of percieved images and sounds during sleep. When a person is awake and alert, their brain emitts beta waves. Once they become sleepy, other brain waves emit, such as Alpha waves, theta waves, and delta waves, all in different stages of sleep. However, when a person evters REM, the strangest thing happens: their brain emitts beta waves, the very same that come when they are wide awake. That being said, it should be considered that there are similarities between the dream world and what is really going on. Now, when people go to sleep, they generally are not wearing very much. This potentially could explain why people dream about being naked in the first place. As for the lack of swimming, nobody really goes to sleep in water, so there is no real reason to dream of swimming.
Dreams, believed to occur during REM (Rapid Eye Movement), are a series of percieved images and sounds during sleep. When a person is awake and alert, their brain emitts beta waves. Once they become sleepy, other brain waves emit, such as Alpha waves, theta waves, and delta waves, all in different stages of sleep. However, when a person evters REM, the strangest thing happens: their brain emitts beta waves, the very same that come when they are wide awake. That being said, it should be considered that there are similarities between the dream world and what is really going on. Now, when people go to sleep, they generally are not wearing very much. This potentially could explain why people dream about being naked in the first place. As for the lack of swimming, nobody really goes to sleep in water, so there is no real reason to dream of swimming.
Friday, January 9, 2009
So let it begin
I have begun this new endeavor known as blogging; I suppose credit goes to Rachel Floyd for the motivation to do such a thing. I was reading her blogs today, and I couldn't help but think, "This is very intriguing; would people think the same about me if I wrote about my life?" So, I'm giving it a shot. There is not much to report as of the moment, but more is sure to come.
Tomorrow, Stef and I will be heading to Pismo for some delicious clam chowder and a day of whatever we wish with Wes (ooh, alliteration). Look for more on that subject in the future, along with my experiences and beliefs on virutally every idea that catches my fancy, e.g. God, psychology, philosophy, music, love, capitalism, socialism, movies, art, altruism, books, ethics, health, irony, fate, free-will, science, etc.
Tomorrow, Stef and I will be heading to Pismo for some delicious clam chowder and a day of whatever we wish with Wes (ooh, alliteration). Look for more on that subject in the future, along with my experiences and beliefs on virutally every idea that catches my fancy, e.g. God, psychology, philosophy, music, love, capitalism, socialism, movies, art, altruism, books, ethics, health, irony, fate, free-will, science, etc.
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