The first blog that I commented on was Klaudia's. Klaudia wrote about how stressed she has been, which has resulted in lots of unnecessary worrying. She also talked about how she thinks about what people say in too much depth and finds herself over-analyzing. To sum it up, she wants to enjoy the present moment more and stop worrying about the past and future.
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Klaudia,
I really enjoyed reading your blog, and I can honestly say that I've been feeling very similiar to you now, especially at this time of the year.
I feel like people have always said how easily and stress free senior year is, but I have found it the exact opposite. Senior year has by far been the most stressful year for me, and I constantly find myself worrying not only about concerts, events, people, and problems occuring in my present life. But I too find myself analyzing the past and taking things people said too personally. I also find myself worrying about the future and college.
After reading your blog, it really made me realize how important and necessary it is to just enjoy the present moment. Otherwise, like you said, the moment is going to pass without you ever enjoying it to its fullest.
Hakuna Matata!
-Kara
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The next person's blog that I commented on was on Ashley's blog. Ashley talked about how addicted humans are becoming to technology and the dopamine rushes people are additcted to having. She also talked about how people's patience level is decreasing. It is rare to find a person who isn't constantly checking their phone, their email, or their facebook account.
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Ashley,
I think this addiction to technology that humans are developing is a very, very scary thin. I know I'm addicted to technology, even though I don't want to be because I am constantly checking my email and checking for those red boxes on facebook.
I'm really glad we discussed this in class though because this summer I'm going to make an effort to stop this addiction. I am going to delete my facebook and use my phone minimially. I don't want to be another human addicted to dopamine, just waiting for the next rush.
I want to be a human that is patient and willing to read a book, listen to music, or do an activity that requires a high level of concentration with ease.
-Kara
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Monday, May 2, 2011
Best of Week: Waste Free Restaurant
I believe that the best idea brought up in class this week was by Addy during her TED presentation. She talked about a man who has a waste free restaurant. He filters his own water, has a garden on top of his restaurant where waste decomposes, and he doesn't need any garbage trucks stopping by his restaurant.
He has a waste free restaurant, and I feel especially in this day and age it is extremely to come across anything waste free. I think it is a brilliant idea and even more spectacular to see and hear that he is able to put it in action.
During Addy's presentation, I realized that my family has a garbage disposal, when we could start a our own composting pile in the back yard. The more I thought about this idea, the more eager I became to put this idea into action. I actually proposed it to my parents at dinner the other night, and they said they would ponder starting our own compost pile.
This presentation not only makes me think about what my house would be like garbage disposal free, but it also made me think more importantly what this world would be like if everyone was waste free and took the time and energy to decompose their own wastes at home, the natural way.
I started day dreaming about this idea. The world would be so clean, so energy efficient. I feel that if garbage trucks were eliminated and everyone took responsiblity and care for their waste, people would realize the impact they are having on the environment, and they would also waste less. I hope that in fifty or a hundred years from now everyone is following in his footsteps and is waste free!
I've always believed that living the most natural and not artificial life is the best. I also believe in sustainability and taking responsibility for your own actions. What this man has done by eliminating wastes at his restaurant and taking responsibility of the wastes his restaurant produces has lead to a more sustainable life not only for him but for the environment as well.
I hope that my parents decide to let our family start a compost pile in the backyard, and when I'm older and have my own home I will make it a goal and priority to be waste free. I see myself research how to be waste free and then implementing those tips into my home and life and sharing them with others.
He has a waste free restaurant, and I feel especially in this day and age it is extremely to come across anything waste free. I think it is a brilliant idea and even more spectacular to see and hear that he is able to put it in action.
During Addy's presentation, I realized that my family has a garbage disposal, when we could start a our own composting pile in the back yard. The more I thought about this idea, the more eager I became to put this idea into action. I actually proposed it to my parents at dinner the other night, and they said they would ponder starting our own compost pile.
This presentation not only makes me think about what my house would be like garbage disposal free, but it also made me think more importantly what this world would be like if everyone was waste free and took the time and energy to decompose their own wastes at home, the natural way.
I started day dreaming about this idea. The world would be so clean, so energy efficient. I feel that if garbage trucks were eliminated and everyone took responsiblity and care for their waste, people would realize the impact they are having on the environment, and they would also waste less. I hope that in fifty or a hundred years from now everyone is following in his footsteps and is waste free!
I've always believed that living the most natural and not artificial life is the best. I also believe in sustainability and taking responsibility for your own actions. What this man has done by eliminating wastes at his restaurant and taking responsibility of the wastes his restaurant produces has lead to a more sustainable life not only for him but for the environment as well.
I hope that my parents decide to let our family start a compost pile in the backyard, and when I'm older and have my own home I will make it a goal and priority to be waste free. I see myself research how to be waste free and then implementing those tips into my home and life and sharing them with others.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Best of the Week: Fighting Sexism
The best idea from class this week was brought up by Ashley in her presentation on a TED speaker. She brough about the idea that eliminating sexism comes from the man. I always thought it was the women's repsonsibility to help eliminate sexism, but after I heard her speak about her TED presenter, I realized there is a great part of sexism that comes from men. Therefore, in order to combat sexism, men ned to start changing the way they think, act, and speak about women.
This idea makes me think about how different the world would be if men treated women equally. There would be no women suffering from abuse, and women would be more than just cleaning ladies. They would be treated as intelligent, beautiful people.
This idea also made me think about how I can help to eliminate sexism. I came to the conclusion that all I can really do is speak out against it when I encounter it in my daily life, and maybe one day I will be able to help the women that have been mistreated all around the world in some way.
I used to think that to eliminate sexism women needed to start standing up and speaking out, which is true. However, I learned that my beliefs were only half right because a very big part of eliminating sexism is to change the way men everywhere think, feel, and act towards women. Men need to be taught starting at a very young age to respect women, to show emotions. After all, we are all human.
After hearing Ashley's presentation, I acknowledged that I firmly believed in what she was saying about her TED presenter, and if I ever have kids or am with kids, I will teach them that men and women are equal and should therefore be respected equally.
I really liked Ashley's speech because it brougt a different way of thinking about how to eliminate sexism. I'm really glad I heard it as well because I have adapted part of this person's idea of how to combat sexism.
This idea makes me think about how different the world would be if men treated women equally. There would be no women suffering from abuse, and women would be more than just cleaning ladies. They would be treated as intelligent, beautiful people.
This idea also made me think about how I can help to eliminate sexism. I came to the conclusion that all I can really do is speak out against it when I encounter it in my daily life, and maybe one day I will be able to help the women that have been mistreated all around the world in some way.
I used to think that to eliminate sexism women needed to start standing up and speaking out, which is true. However, I learned that my beliefs were only half right because a very big part of eliminating sexism is to change the way men everywhere think, feel, and act towards women. Men need to be taught starting at a very young age to respect women, to show emotions. After all, we are all human.
After hearing Ashley's presentation, I acknowledged that I firmly believed in what she was saying about her TED presenter, and if I ever have kids or am with kids, I will teach them that men and women are equal and should therefore be respected equally.
I really liked Ashley's speech because it brougt a different way of thinking about how to eliminate sexism. I'm really glad I heard it as well because I have adapted part of this person's idea of how to combat sexism.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Blogging Around
The first comment I wrote was on Angela P's blog. She wrote about how she was unexpectedly give a solo in the Variety Show, which changed her as a person; it gave her more confidence and strength, which she believes will allow her to go on to accomplish even greater and better things.
My Comment:
Angela,
I couldn't agree with you more about confidence being vital. After hearing how big of an influence getting this solo was in your life, it made me realize how each event has a different effect on different people. As a person stting in the audience, I thought you did a fabulous job, but I didn't even know about this whole story behind it. I'm really glad you posted this as your blog because it makes me even happier that you were given this solo and were so successful with it. I also agree with you about the do you mind questions. I really enjoy learning more about the people in my class in greater depth.
Sincerely,
Kara
The next blog I commented on was Addie's. She wrote about how she was was wondering if people in other countries, specifically in Europe, walk on the opposite side of the sidewalk and hall than we do in America.
My Comment:
Addie,
I really enjoyed reading this post, and I think it's awesome that you and your friend are thinking about how people in other countries walk on the sidewalk. I've thought a lot about people in different countries and around the world, but that thought has never crossed my mind.
I think that this post is challenging the status quo and thinking outside the box, just like the protesters in Egypt and throughout the Middle East. Keep hanging out with your friend and thinking like that; it's awesome!
Sincerely,
Kara
My Comment:
Angela,
I couldn't agree with you more about confidence being vital. After hearing how big of an influence getting this solo was in your life, it made me realize how each event has a different effect on different people. As a person stting in the audience, I thought you did a fabulous job, but I didn't even know about this whole story behind it. I'm really glad you posted this as your blog because it makes me even happier that you were given this solo and were so successful with it. I also agree with you about the do you mind questions. I really enjoy learning more about the people in my class in greater depth.
Sincerely,
Kara
The next blog I commented on was Addie's. She wrote about how she was was wondering if people in other countries, specifically in Europe, walk on the opposite side of the sidewalk and hall than we do in America.
My Comment:
Addie,
I really enjoyed reading this post, and I think it's awesome that you and your friend are thinking about how people in other countries walk on the sidewalk. I've thought a lot about people in different countries and around the world, but that thought has never crossed my mind.
I think that this post is challenging the status quo and thinking outside the box, just like the protesters in Egypt and throughout the Middle East. Keep hanging out with your friend and thinking like that; it's awesome!
Sincerely,
Kara
Monday, March 14, 2011
Final Blog: The Post-American World
After reading Kathryn's blog, I've realized that there are many connections between The Post-American World, which is the book I read, and the book Kathryn read, which is The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.
In The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Skoop goes in depth to talk about how HeLa cells revolutionized the medical world. In The Post-American World, Zakaria went in depth to talk about how the rise of the rest is shaping our modern world and revolutionizing how America diplomatically does things. HeLa cells and the rise of many other nations in our world today have and are revolutionizing the post modern world that we live in today.
Another similarity these two books have in common is the point that ideas are more important than technology. In The Post-American World, Zakaria talked in great lengths of how ideas are what is going to put us ahead of other nations, not necessarily education. Zakaria stressed that as long as America keeps producing creative ideas, then America will be successful. This concept relates to The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks because the idea of taking HeLa cells and revolutionize them for the medical world is a very creative one. It shows that Zakaria is right about how important creative ideas are, especially after one learns the important impact the HeLa cells have had.
In addition, The Post-American World Zakaria talks about how it's the small things that America does that result in its success, and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks talks about how the small research and steps taken in the medical field can lead to huge breakthroughs. Both of these books showed the important of taking small, little, baby steps to achieving successs, and they both stress the importance of how it takes many peoples hard, dedicated work to becoming successful.
In The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Skoop goes in depth to talk about how HeLa cells revolutionized the medical world. In The Post-American World, Zakaria went in depth to talk about how the rise of the rest is shaping our modern world and revolutionizing how America diplomatically does things. HeLa cells and the rise of many other nations in our world today have and are revolutionizing the post modern world that we live in today.
Another similarity these two books have in common is the point that ideas are more important than technology. In The Post-American World, Zakaria talked in great lengths of how ideas are what is going to put us ahead of other nations, not necessarily education. Zakaria stressed that as long as America keeps producing creative ideas, then America will be successful. This concept relates to The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks because the idea of taking HeLa cells and revolutionize them for the medical world is a very creative one. It shows that Zakaria is right about how important creative ideas are, especially after one learns the important impact the HeLa cells have had.
In addition, The Post-American World Zakaria talks about how it's the small things that America does that result in its success, and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks talks about how the small research and steps taken in the medical field can lead to huge breakthroughs. Both of these books showed the important of taking small, little, baby steps to achieving successs, and they both stress the importance of how it takes many peoples hard, dedicated work to becoming successful.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Capturing Thought: Why we live
Earlier this week, our class had a discussion about the meaning of life. I felt like I had a "now I get it" moment when Mr. Allen explained how he lived for the meaningful moments that literature and art bring him.
I realized that he was right. Life would be dull, boring and meaningless if it weren't for those momnts of meaning. I also realized that different people find these meaningful moments in different ways.
I then began to think of why evryone lived. I pondered the idea of living a life without meaning. Do people really do that? I think that people do, but it is by choice. They decide to reject meaning that they could find from a variety of things, and they must feel very sad and empty inside, not having anyhing to live for. It made me sad to think of someone else feeling sad; someone else living for nothing, when there is so much to be living for.
I went on to think about how lots of people are living for the wrong things- cars, phones, houses, and any other innanimate objects. I think it is so sellfish and weird how people go crazy over getting cell phones, cars, and computers because I think there is so much more to live for in life. I mean, millions of people in this world don't own them, but yet they may be happier than the people that do. Therefore, that means that poor people find meaning in their lives too, and the meaning they find may be even more meaningful than the meaning wealthy people find.
Despite the fact that poor and rich people have different ways to find meaning, they both find meaning. Well at least, I hope they do. For a life without meaning isn't a life; without meaning, one isn't living.
By having this discussion in class, it made me realize and appreciate the little and big things in my life that give me meaning. I'm so grateful for the meaning in my life because it is what has, is, and will continue to make my life so wonderful.
I realized that he was right. Life would be dull, boring and meaningless if it weren't for those momnts of meaning. I also realized that different people find these meaningful moments in different ways.
I then began to think of why evryone lived. I pondered the idea of living a life without meaning. Do people really do that? I think that people do, but it is by choice. They decide to reject meaning that they could find from a variety of things, and they must feel very sad and empty inside, not having anyhing to live for. It made me sad to think of someone else feeling sad; someone else living for nothing, when there is so much to be living for.
I went on to think about how lots of people are living for the wrong things- cars, phones, houses, and any other innanimate objects. I think it is so sellfish and weird how people go crazy over getting cell phones, cars, and computers because I think there is so much more to live for in life. I mean, millions of people in this world don't own them, but yet they may be happier than the people that do. Therefore, that means that poor people find meaning in their lives too, and the meaning they find may be even more meaningful than the meaning wealthy people find.
Despite the fact that poor and rich people have different ways to find meaning, they both find meaning. Well at least, I hope they do. For a life without meaning isn't a life; without meaning, one isn't living.
By having this discussion in class, it made me realize and appreciate the little and big things in my life that give me meaning. I'm so grateful for the meaning in my life because it is what has, is, and will continue to make my life so wonderful.
Post- American World: Meeting 2 (Pages 65-129)
This part of the book first talked about Christopher Colomubus and how big a mistake westernization and colonization were in parts of North America, as well as Africa and parts of the Middle East and Asia. Then it talked about westernization and modernization and how they affect each other, as well as the affects westernization and modernization have had, are having, and will have on this global world. The rest was spent talking about the rise of the sleeping giant, China, and the role China played, plays, and will continue to play in the world.
"Whatever happens to China internally is likely to complicate life internationally (Zakaria 104)."
Whatever happens to China internally could challenge the status quo of the world. The book talks about how what happens with China will have a huge affect on the international community because it is making lots of allies and doing trade in Africa. In addition, China has one of the biggest populations of poeple and one of the fastest growing economies. So if the peple in China decide to be creative and form mass rallies and protest against their government, they would be challenging the status quo of their country, as well as the world. If China drastically challenges the status quo of their country, then the world will drastically change because of the vital player China is.
"Whatever happens to China internally is likely to complicate life internationally (Zakaria 104)."
Whatever happens to China internally could challenge the status quo of the world. The book talks about how what happens with China will have a huge affect on the international community because it is making lots of allies and doing trade in Africa. In addition, China has one of the biggest populations of poeple and one of the fastest growing economies. So if the peple in China decide to be creative and form mass rallies and protest against their government, they would be challenging the status quo of their country, as well as the world. If China drastically challenges the status quo of their country, then the world will drastically change because of the vital player China is.
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