July 26, 2005
Feed
Hey, have any of you started to read Feed yet? and if so...do you like it after the first 5 chapters or so?? Thanks!
Posted by lcisnelson at 08:18 PM | Comments (5)
Nanette's introduction
Hi all, It's interesting reading all of the introductions posted so far and thinking that as you all make a big leap in your lives, I'm revisiting just that leap this weekend. I'm going to my 30th year high school reunion. I'm going to see the faces, with 30 years of wear and tear, that used to be my whole world: my first best friend, my first arch-rival, my first boyfriend (and my second, and my third, and my ...) Lots of them have kids, like I do, just your age: off to college, facing forward, sneaking looks back.
My visual: the way my mother would look when I came home from college -- her whole face would expand, eyes wide, smile wide when I walked through the door and she would be giddy, like a kid with a new crush, just to have me back for a few days. She never, except once, ever asked me to stay longer -- she would have considered it unnatural. She didn't call or write when I was away -- it took me years to realize what an act of restrait it was for her not to "interfere" with my growing up and away.
Can't think of a verbal thing right now (oh yeah! I'm supposed to be the language prof and Ellen, she's the visual one!) so I'll edit later.
Won't be speechless when we meet! Can't wait!
Posted by lcisnanette at 12:46 PM | Comments (0)
July 21, 2005
Jessica's Introduction
Valuable Visual Experience: Over the years I have come to realize just how important my family and friends are to me. Just about everyday I look at pictures of my family and friends, I have a lot of pictures in my room, and everytime I look at them, they make me feel better. When I look at the photographs, I remember the good times we've had and how I know that they will always be there for me.
Valuable Verbal Experience: The quote that I have chosen also relates to the importance of my family and friends. In the middle of eighth grade, I learned that I had to have major back surgery for scoliosis and I was not happy to hear this, to say the least. I became more scared each day as the date of surgery grew nearer and I didn't think anyone close to me knew even remotely how I felt. However, on two separate occasions my aunt, who is also my godmother, and my mother told me that if they could, they would rather have the surgery themselves than see me go through it. Hearing this gave me the strength and courage to go in for the surgery. It also helped me realize just how much people cared about me, which was hard to see as a confused middle school student.
Posted by lcisfaria at 11:58 AM | Comments (1)
July 20, 2005
The Commencement of a New Chapter
Hello hopeful and inspired fellow students! I'm sure all of you are trying to make the most of your summer and hopefully in the middle of completing your goals for these hot days. I will begin with a (hopefully) short introduction of myself and a little of my background. I am from Parkesburg, Pennsylvania. I'm very near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the home of...the Amish. (Notice: I am not Amish and my family is not the only non-Amish family around) My life has consisted of more phases than most kids for mainly not so good reasons. I have moved a lot in my short existence here but luckily, for the past 7 years I have had one home with a truly dedicated family. My best friend, no matter how "dorky" this may be, has always been my father, my "dadeo". As for myself, I am an over-wordy, realistically optimistic, dramatic and ecstatic young lady.
Getting to the point...
This blog was intended for two reasons: To state a "valuable visual experience" and a "valuable verbal experience."
One of the many more impacting visual experiences of my life has been sitting on the ever-chaotic late-bus with the elementary school kids on the way home from my small country school. All of the students have different emotions on their faces and they all have stories to tell. People are yelling, jumping, switching seats, poking each other, crying, and exploring things that I call "icky bus goo." I sit back in my chosen seat with music on and watch these growing minds carry on their daily routines. Its been an honor to watch them grow and mature (a little). Once in a while a kid will peek over the seat just to see if I will look back. Some kids, girls especially, take out their new, little purses to see if I will notice and compliment them. I have come to know that every little word impacts their lives. I myself remember when the older kids would talk to me on the bus and if it was something bad, I usually remembered that more. I try to behave in a way that will set an example to help them become part of a great future. Watching the kids on the bus truly shows the impacts humans have on each other.
One of the more impacting quotes in my life is a rather lenghty but appropriate one from Eugene V. Debs. It reads:
"Now my friends, I am opposed to the system of society in which we live today, not because I lack the natural equipment to do for myself but because I am not satisfied to make myself comfortable knowing that there are thousands of my fellow men who suffer for the barest necessities of life. We were taught under the old ethic that man's business on this earth was to look out for himself. That was the ethic of the jungle; the ethic of the wild beast. Take care of yourself, no matter what may become of your fellow man. Thousands of years ago the question was asked; ''Am I my brother's keeper?'' That question has never yet been answered in a way that is satisfactory to civilized society.
Yes, I am my brother's keeper. I am under a moral obligation to him that is inspired, not by any maudlin sentimentality but by the higher duty I owe myself. What would you think me if I were capable of seating myself at a table and gorging myself with food and saw about me the children of my fellow beings starving to death." (1908 speech)
This quote truly shows the contradictions in our world. "They" tell us that “haste makes waste,” but then, “the early bird gets the worm.” And “don’t put off until tomorrow what you can get done today,” but we’re supposed to “stop and smell the roses”? When do we have time to smell the roses when we’re busy doing everything today? And how do you “shoot for the moon” when you are being told to “wish upon a star”? Who do we listen to when everyone is playing with different rules in a game? It has come clear to me that this is how great wars start. We all do not believe the same things. End of story. We don't think that we should have to think the same as everyone else but when someone thinks differently, we view them as wrong to say the least. More so, this quotes defines, what I view as, the great obligation we have to one another. My communitarian views come out in that I truly believe that by saying "some must die so that others can eat" is tyranic. How is it that we live in such a wasteful country and at the same time there are so many homeless (granted, some bring their burdens upon themselves) and so many starving in other countries (granted, the governmental situation is different)? We praise those that do what should be done like feeding the starving and at the same time, we do the praising while sitting with our TV dinners in front of the 6 o'clock news.
Please forgive my elaborate and (hopefully not unnecessarily) extensive blog.
I am truly (this word is one of my favorites as you can tell) ecstatic to have the honor of meeting you all and have the great opportunity to meet the great minds of both today and tomorrow.
Posted by lcisyeich at 08:35 AM | Comments (2)
July 18, 2005
Introduction- Christina Gancarz
I hope that everyone is having a wonderful summer relaxing and planning for college in the fall. It is such an exciting time for all of us, to start a brand new section of our lives in such an incredible city and an incredible college. I am truly looking foward to the years ahead, but I know that much of my heart will still remain at home with my supportive family and my two Cocker Spaniels, Sammy and Willy. The people that I have met in the years of my life leading up to this very moment of entering and experiencing college, have truly taught me significant values and lessons that I will surely never forget. I am thankful everyday for these people. I too have lived in the same house my entire life, the brown contemporary on River Blvd. This house has always been a place of security, warmth, and comfort with people I truly love and could not live without. Seeing a religious cross somewhere in my house or a necklace with a cross on it everyday has been one of the most powerful visual experiences for me, even when I was younger. The church has been a staple part of my life ever since I was a young child. This cross brings back the memories not only of what it symbolizes as a religious icon, but also the memories of singing up on the altar with my mother and altar serving, feeling so important and close to God. It is an image I will carry with me my entire life, just seeing that cross up in my room or that rosary in my hand and nowing everything will turn out right, everything will be okay. My Calculus teacher told me, before I left school, to “dream big” and never back down from anything you want to accomplish. She also instilled in me that “whenever you stop learning, you stop living”. So everyone, keep this in mind as you enter the first year of college. I certainly know I will. And whenever you feel that your life is about to end or that life cannot get any worse, remember these quotes: -“Where God closes a door, somewhere he opens a window” (Maria from the Sound of Music) -“When you think you have it bad, meet with someone who could only dream that life would be that easy” (Greg Forbes) GOOD LUCK DORM ROOM SHOPPING!
Posted by lcisgancarz at 09:50 AM | Comments (2)
July 16, 2005
Rachel's Intro.
Hey everyone! I can't wait to meet you all, I'm so excited!! Here's my introduction... I've lived my entire life (18 years) in the same city (Haverhill, MA), on the same street (Sherwood Drive), in the same house (#43), in the same bedroom (the bright, yellow one), with the same window (facing the front yard), and the same view (the big, white, birch tree). But, after 18 years, I've realized that the birch tree is not just a tree, and not just my view of the front yard. The roots are a symbol of stability anchoring my heart to my home. The swaying branches, that received good use (and I mean good use), are the holders of my childhood memories. Even though the two main branches, that were constantly used (because they were low enough for us short kids), are no longer swaying, waking up every morning, opening my shade, and seeing that birch tree is still a beautiful and an amazing sight.
And for something that somebody has said that has touched and changed my life is... "Be yourself, you're the only one who can do it right." I don't know who the author is, but this quote is written on a book mark that I have. I received it a long, long time ago and I've used it many times not only for my own personal growth, but as advice for my friends, my retreat groups at school, and my family.
Posted by lcisnelson at 07:13 PM | Comments (1)
July 15, 2005
My Introduction--Brenna DeCotis
Valuable Visual Experience: I have a yellow Lab named Lily who is two years old. Out of all of the amazing things that I see and enjoy in my community, seeing Lily sleeping has to be the most rewarding. Although it may sound childish and a bit naive, experiencing something so peaceful really makes me rethink my own life. The other part of this that is rewarding for me is that it makes me realize that wherever I go and whatever I do, however much changes in my life, Lily will always be waiting for me when I come home.
Valuable Verbal Experience: F. Scott Fitzgerald--"Riding in a taxi one afternoon between very tall buildings under a maueve and rose sky, I began to bawl because I had everything I wanted and knew I would never be so happy again."
Just like Yasmin, I cannot wait to learn about everyone!!
Posted by lciscotis at 09:29 PM | Comments (3)
July 13, 2005
My Introduction
Yasmin Perez: Living in sunny San Diego, California the sun has always set beautifully from my perception. It sets slowly and gracefully, with vast amounts of pink, orange, and yellow, that spread across the seemingly neverending horizon. The colors spread across the boats tied down at the docks and the homes all arranged in the same order. This sight gives me appreciation for my vision.
Maya Angelou: You may shoot me with your words, you may cut me with your eyes, you may kill me with your hatefulness, but still, like air, i'll rise.
Hello everyone, I look forward to meeting all of you soon!
Posted by lcisperez at 10:10 AM | Comments (3)
July 12, 2005
Welcome to Seeing and Saying
Hi Everybody,
We are hoping that you all will find time to introduce yourselves to one another and get a start on building our learning community ahead of schedule. In a few days we will post some thoughts about the intersections of art and science which are at the heart of our learning in the coming semester. But for now, take a moment and tell us two things about yourself: something that you see in your day to day life that you value (it can be the way the sun sets over the mountains, or the view out your window, or a bird's nest or skyscraper in your neighborhood; some visual experience that is meaningful to you) and something that someone has said to you that has changed you in some way--words of your parents, a teacher, a friend, a favorite author or poet).
I'll (Ellen) begin: I live in the city and the buildings here are quite close together. However, in my neighbor's yard, is a small Chinese maple. Every fall it is the last tree in the neighborhood to turn a brilliant red/ orange, and the last tree to lose its leaves. It is a real hold out, a marker of all things in their own time, and of invevitable change.
John Dewey: Life itself consists of phases in which the organism falls out of step with the march of surrounding things and then recovers unison with it–either through effort or by some happy chance. ...Life grows when a temporary falling out is a transition to a more extensive balance of the energies of the organism with those of the conditions under which it lives.
happy blogging! Ellen and Nanette
Posted by lcisEllen at 03:23 PM | Comments (0)