Since the fire, we have been busy working get living arrangements squared away. AU has been awesome. I am certainly grateful for some of my professors and their support. I am also grateful for the Dept. of Student Life and those who have worked to secure housing on campus for the rest of the year. It will allow me to continue with some normalcy.
yac
PostSecret Favorite
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Just Asking for Prayers
My house caught fire tonight (everyone is safe). Just asking for prayers.
yac
yac
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Thoughts on Infidelity
I know -- I've been hitting the marriage theme lately. I am doing a study on infidelity and so I've been engulfed in topic for awhile now.
Our professor (who is a incredibly intelligent man) posed the following question to our class:
You're married. You have just committed an act of infidelity with another woman/man...20 minutes out of the act, what are you thinking?
Our answers:
- Crap! What have I just done? (Guilt, obviously)
- Get the heck outta there. (The awkwardness...)
- Thinking about your wife and how you are going to continue the lie @ home. (Guilt/Lies)
- What now?
I think his point was that people get caught up in the fantasy and don't think about what they might feel (20 mins) after committing infidelity. And no one asks us to think about these questions, the really hard questions... I mean how many times have you been asked to imagine what it would be like to cheat on your wife/husband and how would you feel 20 mins after... I think it is a good question to ask ourselves before the temptation of infidelity arises. It makes us realize our actions have reprecussions.
_________________
Proverbs 6 really gets at the issue of infidelity.
20 My son, keep your father's commands
and do not forsake your mother's teaching.
21 Bind them upon your heart forever;
fasten them around your neck.
22 When you walk, they will guide you;
when you sleep, they will watch over you;
when you awake, they will speak to you.
23 For these commands are a lamp,
this teaching is a light,
and the corrections of discipline
are the way to life,
24 keeping you from the immoral woman,
from the smooth tongue of the wayward wife.
25 Do not lust in your heart after her beauty
or let her captivate you with her eyes,
26 for the prostitute reduces you to a loaf of bread,
and the adulteress preys upon your very life.
27 Can a man scoop fire into his lap
without his clothes being burned?
28 Can a man walk on hot coals
without his feet being scorched?
29 So is he who sleeps with another man's wife;
no one who touches her will go unpunished.
30 Men do not despise a thief if he steals
to satisfy his hunger when he is starving.
31 Yet if he is caught, he must pay sevenfold,
though it costs him all the wealth of his house.
32 But a man who commits adultery lacks judgment;
whoever does so destroys himself.
Ultimately, the thief can give back what he stole (even if it is sevenfold.) The man (or woman) who commits infidelity -- loses a piece of him or herself that will be difficult if not impossible to get back. The ramifications of infidelity are far-reaching...
I know, way to select an uplifting topic to research.
yac.
Our professor (who is a incredibly intelligent man) posed the following question to our class:
You're married. You have just committed an act of infidelity with another woman/man...20 minutes out of the act, what are you thinking?
Our answers:
- Crap! What have I just done? (Guilt, obviously)
- Get the heck outta there. (The awkwardness...)
- Thinking about your wife and how you are going to continue the lie @ home. (Guilt/Lies)
- What now?
I think his point was that people get caught up in the fantasy and don't think about what they might feel (20 mins) after committing infidelity. And no one asks us to think about these questions, the really hard questions... I mean how many times have you been asked to imagine what it would be like to cheat on your wife/husband and how would you feel 20 mins after... I think it is a good question to ask ourselves before the temptation of infidelity arises. It makes us realize our actions have reprecussions.
_________________
Proverbs 6 really gets at the issue of infidelity.
20 My son, keep your father's commands
and do not forsake your mother's teaching.
21 Bind them upon your heart forever;
fasten them around your neck.
22 When you walk, they will guide you;
when you sleep, they will watch over you;
when you awake, they will speak to you.
23 For these commands are a lamp,
this teaching is a light,
and the corrections of discipline
are the way to life,
24 keeping you from the immoral woman,
from the smooth tongue of the wayward wife.
25 Do not lust in your heart after her beauty
or let her captivate you with her eyes,
26 for the prostitute reduces you to a loaf of bread,
and the adulteress preys upon your very life.
27 Can a man scoop fire into his lap
without his clothes being burned?
28 Can a man walk on hot coals
without his feet being scorched?
29 So is he who sleeps with another man's wife;
no one who touches her will go unpunished.
30 Men do not despise a thief if he steals
to satisfy his hunger when he is starving.
31 Yet if he is caught, he must pay sevenfold,
though it costs him all the wealth of his house.
32 But a man who commits adultery lacks judgment;
whoever does so destroys himself.
Ultimately, the thief can give back what he stole (even if it is sevenfold.) The man (or woman) who commits infidelity -- loses a piece of him or herself that will be difficult if not impossible to get back. The ramifications of infidelity are far-reaching...
I know, way to select an uplifting topic to research.
yac.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Remembering the GNC
Such an amazing night spent with some of the coolest people EVER! Bean, Kel, Lanette... :)
yac
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Talking About Roles & Responsibilities
Well, if you know me, you know I am not married, nor do I have any real intent of getting married any time soon/ever.
Our professor gave us two passages to read as it relates to marital roles and responsibilities: Proverbs 31:10-31 & Ephesians 5:21-33 (listed below in NIV because that's what the discussion is going off of):
Proverbs 31:10-31
10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 "Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Ephesians 5:21-33
21Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
22Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— 30 for we are members of his body. 31"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." 32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
___________________________
Things that frustrate me about a discussion of the wife's/husband's roles & responsibilities within the context of religion:
1. It is hardly ever presented as equal (except in 1 Cor. 7:1-7, which is presents marriage as an equal partnership). And, honestly, the argument of equality in a marriage but different roles just doesn't fly either. It reminds me of loosely of the segregation in the South in 1960s. The idea of separate but equal was not anything close to being equal. One person is ultimately going to have a more important/different role in this context. The idea that the husband is "the head of the wife" is just one example. I think this can be done right, but all too often this position brings power and authority. Note: This argument is certainly not fleshed out well enough here.
2. There is so much potential to misinterpret or to abuse the passage's true meaning. Honestly, people will interpret things as they may, and within the religious context, the justification of spousal abuse happens from the passage that calls for a wife to submit to her husband (because they neglect verse 21, which states that submission to each other is done as an act of worship and honors the marital covenant).
3. The "noble wife" passage sets up the fallacy that wives are supposed to be perfect.
___________________________
I don't know...I was just really frustrated reading these two passages today and doing the subsequent homework. I am sure it doesn't help that I am feeling pretty anti-establishment lately.
yac
Our professor gave us two passages to read as it relates to marital roles and responsibilities: Proverbs 31:10-31 & Ephesians 5:21-33 (listed below in NIV because that's what the discussion is going off of):
Proverbs 31:10-31
10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 "Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Ephesians 5:21-33
21Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
22Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— 30 for we are members of his body. 31"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." 32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
___________________________
Things that frustrate me about a discussion of the wife's/husband's roles & responsibilities within the context of religion:
1. It is hardly ever presented as equal (except in 1 Cor. 7:1-7, which is presents marriage as an equal partnership). And, honestly, the argument of equality in a marriage but different roles just doesn't fly either. It reminds me of loosely of the segregation in the South in 1960s. The idea of separate but equal was not anything close to being equal. One person is ultimately going to have a more important/different role in this context. The idea that the husband is "the head of the wife" is just one example. I think this can be done right, but all too often this position brings power and authority. Note: This argument is certainly not fleshed out well enough here.
2. There is so much potential to misinterpret or to abuse the passage's true meaning. Honestly, people will interpret things as they may, and within the religious context, the justification of spousal abuse happens from the passage that calls for a wife to submit to her husband (because they neglect verse 21, which states that submission to each other is done as an act of worship and honors the marital covenant).
3. The "noble wife" passage sets up the fallacy that wives are supposed to be perfect.
___________________________
I don't know...I was just really frustrated reading these two passages today and doing the subsequent homework. I am sure it doesn't help that I am feeling pretty anti-establishment lately.
yac
Friday, October 24, 2008
The Reading Spree...
So, I have been quite the prolific reader over the past year, and I have been on a roll with my reading selections. So hence, my recommends from those that I have read recently:
The World According to Garp - John Irving
A Prayer for Owen Meany - John Irving
The Shack - William P. Young
Night - Elie Wiesel
The Glass Castle - Jeannette Walls
Atonement - Ian McEwan
Tuesdays with Morrie - Mitch Albom
Speak - Laurie Halse Anderson
All good choices...
yac
The World According to Garp - John Irving
A Prayer for Owen Meany - John Irving
The Shack - William P. Young
Night - Elie Wiesel
The Glass Castle - Jeannette Walls
Atonement - Ian McEwan
Tuesdays with Morrie - Mitch Albom
Speak - Laurie Halse Anderson
All good choices...
yac
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Oh Snap...
Once upon a time...
I had my life figured out...I was going to teach middle school English.
Now, in my fifth year and near my final semester at AU, I've decided to scratch that...scratch the major I have been working towards for 4 1/2 years! I am going to Grad School to get my Ph.D. in Social Psychology. So, I am switching my major from English Ed to Psychology and going to forego student teaching in order to take some PSYC classes. I figured out that I will graduate with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Education and Speech...and potentially a minor or something to do with English...
I'm freaking out...huge life decisions... I know that this is the best option for me, and I am pumped to go to Grad School. However, I am shifting all I know...and it is scary and yet challenging to live in the unknown.
yac
I had my life figured out...I was going to teach middle school English.
Now, in my fifth year and near my final semester at AU, I've decided to scratch that...scratch the major I have been working towards for 4 1/2 years! I am going to Grad School to get my Ph.D. in Social Psychology. So, I am switching my major from English Ed to Psychology and going to forego student teaching in order to take some PSYC classes. I figured out that I will graduate with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Education and Speech...and potentially a minor or something to do with English...
I'm freaking out...huge life decisions... I know that this is the best option for me, and I am pumped to go to Grad School. However, I am shifting all I know...and it is scary and yet challenging to live in the unknown.
yac
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
The Last Lecture and Tuesdays with Morrie
Tonight, after I sent the book, The Last Lecture, to a friend for her birthday, I decided to sit down and watch the lecture that Randy Pausch, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University. What a wonderful reminder of those people in our lives, our friends, mentors, and professors who propel us to do great things. The lecture was incredible...it was funny and yet through this guy's life, you can see the influences that others have on us.
Last year, I went to Butler University for the Undergraduate Research Conference. Due to a slight oversight, my faculty advisor and I had to make some final adjustments. Well, we went for a bit of a stroll after fixing that minor problem. It was an amazing spring day, and if you have ever been to Butler, you know it is a beautiful campus. Anyway, she asked me if I had ever considered graduate school. And to be honest, at that point, the answer was not really (at least not until later in life). It was perhaps a defining moment in my life. You know that feeling you get when someone believes in you as person, and in this case, as a scholar. She certainly has seen things in me that I didn't even know existed. The conversation about grad school continued, but later shifted to other things, like literature. Nonetheless, she planted a seed. What an amazing professor she is and what an incredible influence she has been on my life! The "Last Lecture" made me remember that.
Tuesdays with Morrie also shows a professor's commitment to his students. It's a beautiful thing to read about, but to have a professor do that, it's an incredible gift that he or she gives to students.
yac
Last year, I went to Butler University for the Undergraduate Research Conference. Due to a slight oversight, my faculty advisor and I had to make some final adjustments. Well, we went for a bit of a stroll after fixing that minor problem. It was an amazing spring day, and if you have ever been to Butler, you know it is a beautiful campus. Anyway, she asked me if I had ever considered graduate school. And to be honest, at that point, the answer was not really (at least not until later in life). It was perhaps a defining moment in my life. You know that feeling you get when someone believes in you as person, and in this case, as a scholar. She certainly has seen things in me that I didn't even know existed. The conversation about grad school continued, but later shifted to other things, like literature. Nonetheless, she planted a seed. What an amazing professor she is and what an incredible influence she has been on my life! The "Last Lecture" made me remember that.
Tuesdays with Morrie also shows a professor's commitment to his students. It's a beautiful thing to read about, but to have a professor do that, it's an incredible gift that he or she gives to students.
yac
Monday, October 20, 2008
Bam! 66 WPM...
I found this site called TypeRacer and it's pretty awesome. If you are competitive, there is no doubt that you will love this.
www.typeracer.com
yac
www.typeracer.com
yac
The Genuis of Death Cab and Snow Patrol
I recently have grown to like the band Death Cab for Cutie. The lyrics of their songs dig in deep.
"Sorrow drips into your heart through a pinhole
Just like a faucet that leaks and there is comfort in the sound.
But while you debate half empty or half full
It slowly rises, your love is gonna drown."
-Marching Bands of Manhattan
"No blinding light or tunnels to gates of white
Just our hands clasped so tight
Waiting for the hint of a spark.
If Heaven and Hell decide
That they both are satisfied,
Illuminate the NOs on their vacancy signs.
If there's no one beside you
When your soul embarks
Then I'll follow you into the dark."
-I Will Follow You Into The Dark
I just have been digging Death Cab for awhile now...good stuff. I also discovered a song by Snow Patrol (Open Your Eyes) that is equally good.
yac
"Sorrow drips into your heart through a pinhole
Just like a faucet that leaks and there is comfort in the sound.
But while you debate half empty or half full
It slowly rises, your love is gonna drown."
-Marching Bands of Manhattan
"No blinding light or tunnels to gates of white
Just our hands clasped so tight
Waiting for the hint of a spark.
If Heaven and Hell decide
That they both are satisfied,
Illuminate the NOs on their vacancy signs.
If there's no one beside you
When your soul embarks
Then I'll follow you into the dark."
-I Will Follow You Into The Dark
I just have been digging Death Cab for awhile now...good stuff. I also discovered a song by Snow Patrol (Open Your Eyes) that is equally good.
yac
Sunday, October 19, 2008
6 Word Memoirs
I've enjoyed the book, Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous & Obsure, for awhile now. People write the jist of their life in 6 words.
Here are some of my favorites:
"I hope to outlive my regrets."
Here are some of my favorites:
"I hope to outlive my regrets."
-Bob Logan
______________
"Followed rules not dreams. Never again."
-Margaret Hellerstein
______________
"To paraphrase William Faulkner: I endured."
-Don Willmott
______________
"Well I thought it was funny."
-Stephen Colbert
______________
Again, I thought it would be a good exercise in thought to do the same. Perhaps Kelley will post her 6-word memoir too...
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
Dead? Alive? Can you be both?
-J.Berryhill
yac
The Current List of Potential Graduate Schools
These are the schools that are on my list right now. I am definitely leaning towards schools on the coasts (Boston/Seattle-ish)
Boston College
University of Massachusetts - Amherst
Colorado State University
University of Washington - Seattle
MSU
University of Rochester
For those of you who might not know, I have decided to forgo teaching in public schools and instead go get my Ph.D. in social psychology to then become a professor and researcher. This whole process is scary. Let's just be honest, I have been one of the few people in college who never changed their major (I've just added more majors). I knew since high school that I was going to major in Education...To think that I made this decision in the semester before student teaching seems absurd. However, I think this better uses all my talents in a more productive way. Crazy madness kids...
yac
Boston College
University of Massachusetts - Amherst
Colorado State University
University of Washington - Seattle
MSU
University of Rochester
For those of you who might not know, I have decided to forgo teaching in public schools and instead go get my Ph.D. in social psychology to then become a professor and researcher. This whole process is scary. Let's just be honest, I have been one of the few people in college who never changed their major (I've just added more majors). I knew since high school that I was going to major in Education...To think that I made this decision in the semester before student teaching seems absurd. However, I think this better uses all my talents in a more productive way. Crazy madness kids...
yac
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Thoughts To Gnaw On...
I read this quote today:
"An infinite God can give all of Himself to each of His children. He does not distribute Himself that each may have a part, but to each one He gives all of Himself as fully as if there were no others."
-A.W. Tozer
What an incredible gift...
yac
"An infinite God can give all of Himself to each of His children. He does not distribute Himself that each may have a part, but to each one He gives all of Himself as fully as if there were no others."
-A.W. Tozer
What an incredible gift...
yac
Friday, October 17, 2008
Ah, Kelley Joins the Blog...
Kelley -- likely the only other person who reads this -- and even then I may be giving the blog more credit than it deserves is now also an authorized author!!! GET EXCITED...
yac
yac
The Prenuptial Agreement for Our Friendship
I found that it was intriguing to think of our friendships in this manner. The original piece of work is located in, We Are Quiet, We Are Loud: The Best Young Writers and Artists in America.
I thought it would be a beneficial exercise in thought to do one of my own, geared perhaps towards some of my more serious friendships...
_____________________________________
As much as I wish I could tell you that I am perfect, I am not. And as far as I know, the same is true of you. With that said, know that there are certainly going to be times when I fail you. I will not live up to your expectations as a friend. And for that, I only ask that you be honest in telling me that I've hurt or disappointed you. It is your decision from there to decide whether to grant me forgiveness.
I need you to challenge me. Challenge me to live, dream, and love. Challenge me to feel and experience the world in a way that enhances my love for myself and others. I only hope that I can do the same.
There will be things that I will never tell you and you have to be okay with that. I may not ever tell you of the mornings when life seems too hard. Or the nights that lend themselves to scenes of dreams that leave one breathless. However, the number of those hidden things tucked away deep inside will become fewer and fewer as the years pass. I give you my vulnerability and unending trust. Please use it wisely.
I will always be there for you. And though I may not have the words that bring you great comfort, I will be by your side when life hurts. May we not forget the joys, and for them, I will be there too.
I will give you my time, one of my most precious assets. Time to laugh. Time to cry. Time to talk. Time to just be.
Finally, I give you my love. A piece of myself in it's purest form. Nothing more or nothing less than everything I have to offer.
yac (Jess)
_____________________________________
This is a quote from the original that I also love:
"When I am truly falling, I will tell you and when you give me advice, I will not listen because you are any authority on the subject of my pain, but because your love gives you wisdom and perspective. I give you my respect."
yac
I thought it would be a beneficial exercise in thought to do one of my own, geared perhaps towards some of my more serious friendships...
_____________________________________
As much as I wish I could tell you that I am perfect, I am not. And as far as I know, the same is true of you. With that said, know that there are certainly going to be times when I fail you. I will not live up to your expectations as a friend. And for that, I only ask that you be honest in telling me that I've hurt or disappointed you. It is your decision from there to decide whether to grant me forgiveness.
I need you to challenge me. Challenge me to live, dream, and love. Challenge me to feel and experience the world in a way that enhances my love for myself and others. I only hope that I can do the same.
There will be things that I will never tell you and you have to be okay with that. I may not ever tell you of the mornings when life seems too hard. Or the nights that lend themselves to scenes of dreams that leave one breathless. However, the number of those hidden things tucked away deep inside will become fewer and fewer as the years pass. I give you my vulnerability and unending trust. Please use it wisely.
I will always be there for you. And though I may not have the words that bring you great comfort, I will be by your side when life hurts. May we not forget the joys, and for them, I will be there too.
I will give you my time, one of my most precious assets. Time to laugh. Time to cry. Time to talk. Time to just be.
Finally, I give you my love. A piece of myself in it's purest form. Nothing more or nothing less than everything I have to offer.
yac (Jess)
_____________________________________
This is a quote from the original that I also love:
"When I am truly falling, I will tell you and when you give me advice, I will not listen because you are any authority on the subject of my pain, but because your love gives you wisdom and perspective. I give you my respect."
yac
I'm Too Idealistic To Become A Teacher
This was my thought as I defended how we put too much emphasis on grades rather than forming a love for learning in the classroom. It's so frustrating to see teachers put their focus on grades...
Bring on Grad School!
yac.
_____________________
That was my initial gut reaction in class. However, I have pondered this all day and realized that I was way more fired up about this issue.
First off, I have no problems with grades. I like to receive good grades. However, one of my fellow colleagues made an excellent point by saying that an A in a blow-off class is meaningless, whereas an A in a class that actually was worked for is like winning the gold medal.
I would say that the blow-off classes are meaningless because the teachers make them that way. They give the learner no motivation to learn. The goal only becomes to get through the class and get an A. A class that stimulates the mind allows for students to grow as an intellectual but also as a person.
There is so MUCH more I could say about this...
yac.
Bring on Grad School!
yac.
_____________________
That was my initial gut reaction in class. However, I have pondered this all day and realized that I was way more fired up about this issue.
First off, I have no problems with grades. I like to receive good grades. However, one of my fellow colleagues made an excellent point by saying that an A in a blow-off class is meaningless, whereas an A in a class that actually was worked for is like winning the gold medal.
I would say that the blow-off classes are meaningless because the teachers make them that way. They give the learner no motivation to learn. The goal only becomes to get through the class and get an A. A class that stimulates the mind allows for students to grow as an intellectual but also as a person.
There is so MUCH more I could say about this...
yac.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
"Straight Up God, I'm A Mess."
"And me? I'm a mess. I'm nothing and have nothing: make something of me."
Psalm 40:17 (MSG)
What a prayer...
yac
Psalm 40:17 (MSG)
What a prayer...
yac
So When Did Wal-Mart Become Trendy
I was driving by my local neighborhood Wal-Mart when I saw that they had replace the huge WAL-MART sign on the front with a much more low-key and trendy sign...
Here's a clue Wal-Mart -- As hard as you try to make your stores feel upscale with hardwood floors and trendy signs, I still know I am shopping at Wal-Mart. Your tactics don't work on m
e...
Here's a clue Wal-Mart -- As hard as you try to make your stores feel upscale with hardwood floors and trendy signs, I still know I am shopping at Wal-Mart. Your tactics don't work on m
e... Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Forgiveness
I've been thinking a lot about forgiveness lately. It seems that bitterness is perhaps the most vicious form of anger, in that it not only lasts much longer but slowly robs one of his or her ability to love others. The emotional energy we spend on things such as holding on to anger (or whatever emotion) is ultimately energy we could have spent loving God and others. I find this meaningful, because this is certainly where I am right now.
Grace and forgiveness are perhaps two of the most Christ like attributes that we can exhibit to our fellow man.
yac.
Grace and forgiveness are perhaps two of the most Christ like attributes that we can exhibit to our fellow man.
yac.
The Blog...
I am not sure what the function of this blog will be, but it will be a way to discuss with others the important and the not-so important things in life. GET EXCITED!
yac.
yac.
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