I think...
Sometimes we aren't truthful with others, not to preserve them, but so we can keep lying to ourselves.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Reflection
Having school work due is a sure fire way to make sure that blogging, grocery shopping, and cleaning under the bed get taken care of.
Inspired by a friends blog, I reflected on 2010. With exactly 46 days remaining, there isn't much time to rally and achieve any goals I've left in the cold. All in all, I feel fairly confident with my progress. I could use improvement, but hey isn't that what setting goals is all about?
My major achievement of 2010 was going to Ghana in March. It was my first experience in Africa, and everything I thought it would be and more: eye opening, inspiring, sobering... I met some amazing people, saw amazing things, and I will cherish that experience forever.
I also returned to school to pursue a PhD in African Studies. With my first semester almost complete, my head is swimming with ideas for my dissertation, studying abroad, fulfilling language requirements (Yoruba) and future career objectives. It's a really exciting time, and I'm happy to be learning in a formal setting again!
Since travel is becoming more and more of a priority for me now, I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to travel to Amsterdam and Rotterdam within the Netherlands, and to Brussels in Belgium this past July. I was able to see great art museums, attend concerts, experience the return of the World Cup runner ups along the canals, try great beer and absinthe, check out a live sex show in the Red Light District, as well as various other experiences I will never forget. I also traveled to Vegas (NV) and Kiawah (SC) for the first time.
Other important things include: helping my friends celebrate their weddings and babies, spending time with my family, keeping my sanity in my ever challenging job, learning more about myself, reading, meeting new people, rekindling old friendships.
With the remaining 46 days of the year, I want to remember to appreciate exactly where I am right now. I find it difficult more days than not. I want to make new memories with my family and friends; spend time with my ailing, elderly dog; celebrate the life of a man (who as I type this is taking his last breaths) who was important to me; finish my first semester back with purpose; and plan (as much as I can) my goals for 2011 and beyond.
I hope not to gain ANY more weight that I will have to swear to work off in 2011.
Inspired by a friends blog, I reflected on 2010. With exactly 46 days remaining, there isn't much time to rally and achieve any goals I've left in the cold. All in all, I feel fairly confident with my progress. I could use improvement, but hey isn't that what setting goals is all about?
My major achievement of 2010 was going to Ghana in March. It was my first experience in Africa, and everything I thought it would be and more: eye opening, inspiring, sobering... I met some amazing people, saw amazing things, and I will cherish that experience forever.
I also returned to school to pursue a PhD in African Studies. With my first semester almost complete, my head is swimming with ideas for my dissertation, studying abroad, fulfilling language requirements (Yoruba) and future career objectives. It's a really exciting time, and I'm happy to be learning in a formal setting again!
Since travel is becoming more and more of a priority for me now, I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to travel to Amsterdam and Rotterdam within the Netherlands, and to Brussels in Belgium this past July. I was able to see great art museums, attend concerts, experience the return of the World Cup runner ups along the canals, try great beer and absinthe, check out a live sex show in the Red Light District, as well as various other experiences I will never forget. I also traveled to Vegas (NV) and Kiawah (SC) for the first time.
Other important things include: helping my friends celebrate their weddings and babies, spending time with my family, keeping my sanity in my ever challenging job, learning more about myself, reading, meeting new people, rekindling old friendships.
With the remaining 46 days of the year, I want to remember to appreciate exactly where I am right now. I find it difficult more days than not. I want to make new memories with my family and friends; spend time with my ailing, elderly dog; celebrate the life of a man (who as I type this is taking his last breaths) who was important to me; finish my first semester back with purpose; and plan (as much as I can) my goals for 2011 and beyond.
I hope not to gain ANY more weight that I will have to swear to work off in 2011.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
If only I ruled the world...
A (semi) recent article by Kwame Anthony Appiah of Princeton University asked, "What Will Future Generations Condemn us for?" I've been thinking about this article ever since. I, for one, have used the following statement several times: If only I ruled the world..... would be different/better. Since I don't have a magic wand, I'll keep within the realm of reality. The following are things that I hope will be changed within my lifetime, but if not we SHOULD be condemned for our failures...
1. Wastefulness- As a society (world) we consume far too much. We create too much waste and we don't recycle enough. We are starting to see the results of our forefathers lack of attention to this matter, and it will only get worse if we don't reign it in and make it a priority.
2. Treatment of "others"- It is natural for humans to fear what we are not familiar with/what's different from us. However, can't we take past experiences into consideration and squash this phenomenon once and for all? Gender, sexual orientation, religion, race, disability, etc should not be excuses for treating someone as less than human. Being a "white, christian, man" should entitle you to no more than the next person. Did we not learn this lesson with slavery, colonization, the Holocaust, and various other ignorant tragedies?
3. Justice System in US - I can't claim expertise in this area. What I do know, is that crime is rampant in our nation. I'm not suggesting that we should impose public flogging for graffiti as in Singapore, however, I think more consistent and strict punishments should be in place for non-violent and violent crimes. I have infrequent experiences with the legal system for my job, and the leniency from judge to judge is astounding, and frankly, very subjective. I think that if criminals received harsher punishments they'd be less likely to commit crimes, and therefore fewer crimes and less people incarcerated. I know it's not that simple, but the system needs an overhaul.
4. Education- I just saw "Waiting for Superman" and was enlightened. I knew that education in our nation was in trouble, but I had NO idea how bad it is. One statistic referenced the number of criminals (see above) that did not graduate high school, and how the government on average pays about $33,000 a year to house, feed, and clothe them, and that over an average sentence ( I forgot the exact number) the total sum would have paid for that individual to receive a private education from K-12 and pay for some college as well. I think the money would be far better served for the latter purpose. I am going to do my (small) part by volunteering to be a "Big Sister" in DC.
I'm sure I've only scratched the surface. I really do hope that I see changes within my lifetime. It starts with each one of us.
1. Wastefulness- As a society (world) we consume far too much. We create too much waste and we don't recycle enough. We are starting to see the results of our forefathers lack of attention to this matter, and it will only get worse if we don't reign it in and make it a priority.
2. Treatment of "others"- It is natural for humans to fear what we are not familiar with/what's different from us. However, can't we take past experiences into consideration and squash this phenomenon once and for all? Gender, sexual orientation, religion, race, disability, etc should not be excuses for treating someone as less than human. Being a "white, christian, man" should entitle you to no more than the next person. Did we not learn this lesson with slavery, colonization, the Holocaust, and various other ignorant tragedies?
3. Justice System in US - I can't claim expertise in this area. What I do know, is that crime is rampant in our nation. I'm not suggesting that we should impose public flogging for graffiti as in Singapore, however, I think more consistent and strict punishments should be in place for non-violent and violent crimes. I have infrequent experiences with the legal system for my job, and the leniency from judge to judge is astounding, and frankly, very subjective. I think that if criminals received harsher punishments they'd be less likely to commit crimes, and therefore fewer crimes and less people incarcerated. I know it's not that simple, but the system needs an overhaul.
4. Education- I just saw "Waiting for Superman" and was enlightened. I knew that education in our nation was in trouble, but I had NO idea how bad it is. One statistic referenced the number of criminals (see above) that did not graduate high school, and how the government on average pays about $33,000 a year to house, feed, and clothe them, and that over an average sentence ( I forgot the exact number) the total sum would have paid for that individual to receive a private education from K-12 and pay for some college as well. I think the money would be far better served for the latter purpose. I am going to do my (small) part by volunteering to be a "Big Sister" in DC.
I'm sure I've only scratched the surface. I really do hope that I see changes within my lifetime. It starts with each one of us.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)