tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60743646831988638002024-03-19T21:27:52.529-07:00Adult Student TravailsSo you can read about my travails as a "mature" student going to college. And anything else that I feel like writing about.Adult Studenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10657913646796177427noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074364683198863800.post-35012743029911747322013-11-19T20:53:00.001-08:002013-11-21T09:55:22.550-08:00Graduation and More<div>
Well, I graduated with high honors from Delaware County Community College,
officially on August 31, 2013. Since then, I've been applying to four year
schools. I did not get into the University of Pennsylvania despite my 3.79
GPA. That was a huge disappointment to me. I got into Drexel, but even if I
borrowed $9,500 a year I would still be about $10,000 a year short of their
tuition. So, I can't go there. I applied to Bryn Mawr College for their spring
semester, but because of my age, I am only allowed to apply for a fall
admission. So they're rolling over my application for the fall. I applied and
got into West Chester University. Their tuition is so inexpensive that it will
be covered by federal and state grants. I will have to borrow $500 for books,
though. So, my plan is to go to West Chester this spring, and then hopefully
transfer to Bryn Mawr in the fall. But if I don't get into Bryn Mawr, then I'll
have already started at West Chester. West Chester is not my favorite choice.
You only need a 2.0 GPA to get in and while the low tuition is good for me, it
also means they aren't hiring the best teachers, and they have larger
classrooms. </div>
Adult Studenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10657913646796177427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074364683198863800.post-62746695413394508502013-05-19T14:36:00.002-07:002013-05-19T14:38:03.138-07:00Two Semesters<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sorry it’s been so long since I last blogged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had some medical problems over winter break
and had to go to the hospital for a couple of weeks for a medication
readjustment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Quick recap of my fall semester—I got A’s in everything
except for Calculus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got a C in
Calculus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a terrible class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My teacher didn’t actually teach anything, he
just read from the book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The book, of
course, was totally incomprehensible to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If it hadn’t been for what my dad could teach me in Calculus, I would
have gotten an F.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am so glad I am
through with Calculus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just hope it
transfers to whatever four year school I end up going to so I don’t have to
take it again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This past semester has been better to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ended up only taking three classes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At first I was signed up for five—Intro to
Chemistry, General Botany, Western Civilization II, Microsoft Word and
Microsoft Excel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At first I dropped the
Intro to Chemistry class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided that
that would just be too much for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
Western Civ. II class was a mid-semester accelerated course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I had the first half of the semester to
think about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Botany was an extremely
difficult and time consuming class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Word
and Excel—both online classes—while not as difficult were extremely time
consuming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I realized mid-semester that taking
on an accelerated class at that point would be too overwhelming for me, and
would probably affect my grades.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I
dropped Western Civ. II and just stuck with my three classes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was convinced that the best I could do in
Botany was a B.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I must have done
better on the final than I thought, and I got an A.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got A’s in Word and Excel as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I’m much happier about this semester than
last semester.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Because I dropped two classes, I have to take two classes
over the summer to graduate with a summer graduation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m taking Intro to Chemistry for the first
summer session, and Western Civ. II for the second summer session.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wish me luck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So now I have to worry about applying to four year
schools.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m going to apply (reapply) to
the University of Pennsylvania and to Drexel University.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I don’t get in to the University of
Pennsylvania, then I’m going to go to Drexel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If I don’t get into either of them, then I’m going to go to West Chester
University.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>West Chester University
requires that you have at least a 2.0 GPA, so it’s not the best of schools, but
a bachelor’s degree from somewhere is better than nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wish me luck on getting into a good school.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Adult Studenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10657913646796177427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074364683198863800.post-16441637434697261442012-08-17T18:20:00.001-07:002012-08-17T18:28:54.419-07:00Dropped Classes and ScholarshipsDuring my last summer session, I had been taking an SAT math prep course and Western Civilization I in the morning, and College Algebra and Trigonometry at night. I soon realized that taking classes in the morning and at night was too much for me. I dropped the SAT prep course and Western Civilization class. I also had a morning/night schedule for the fall. I dropped my fall nighttime class of Physics. It will now take me a little bit longer to graduate, but I have to know my limits. Too bad the classes weren't just scheduled back to back. Then I think I could have done it. I got an A in my math class. If I had stuck with my original schedule, I don't think I could have done it. So now I have a 3.91 GPA. Never again a 4.0 thanks to that rotten math teacher that I had for my first summer session.<br />
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Well, I won a scholarship through the school, and I'm kind of disappointed. Last year I won a total of $560 worth of scholarships which was just credited to my account. This year I won a $250 book voucher. I had thought for sure with a whole year of nearly straight A's I would have won more this year. There were a lot of good scholarships available--up to $5,000. I guess I should be grateful that I won anything at all. It could have been worse. The real disappointment was that I thought of this scholarship competition as a precursor to the big scholarship competition the Jack Kent Cooke scholarship competition. The essay that I submitted was one that I specifically had written with the Jack Kent Cooke scholarship in mind. If my essay wasn't good enough to garner a larger scholarship, then would it be good enough for the Jack Kent Cooke scholarship? Maybe I have to go back to the drawing board and come up with something new entirely. Students cannot apply directly for the Jack Kent Cooke scholarship, you have to be nominated by your school. So the first order of business is convincing the school to nominate me. Wish me luck.Adult Studenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10657913646796177427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074364683198863800.post-53678869974697935432012-07-04T16:12:00.002-07:002012-07-04T16:41:02.226-07:00First the Bad NewsI had the teacher from hell. It was my summer I math class. This teacher didn't give partial credit for partially correct answers. She also marked it half off if you didn't format the answers the way she wanted. She also was lousy at teaching. She tested on things that she hadn't taught you. And one day... after our tests were returned, some of the students were very angry about their test results, and said so. The teacher became angry in return. Then, unbelievably, she refused to teach the class! She said we weren't in a "learning mood," and told us some pages in the book that we could read to teach ourselves. I was so upset, I actually complained to the dean. I wondered about how many other complaints he got. Something must have happened, because the next day she was willing to look again at our tests for possible regrading. My test was not regraded unfortunately. I struggled with all of her special rules and regulations for formating the answers and got some bad test grades. I ended up with a B. That might not sound so bad, but I had a 4.0 average prior to that. She destroyed my GPA. If I had had any other teacher, I feel confident I would have gotten an A. I'm so depressed about it. About half the class dropped the class because they couldn't get a decent grade with her. Doesn't the school notice things like this?<br />
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Now for the good news. I'm starting another summer semester, this time taking math, Western Civilization and an SAT prep math course. My teachers seem decent and reasonable, and this math teacher is willing to give partial credit for partially correct answers. I'm taking the SAT math prep course because I've never actually taken the SATs. I'm having a lot of trouble with the math section in the practice tests. I'm hoping that this course will help me get a decent score, otherwise I just won't take the SATs. The University of Pennsylvania doesn't require SAT scores for their school of Liberal and Professional Studies. Yale has a special program for nontraditional students. They strongly encourage you to have SAT scores, but it isn't absolutely required for admission. I figure if my SAT math score would be low, I'm better off just not having an SAT score.<br />
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Well, off to study in this terrible heat.<br />
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Have a good holiday.Adult Studenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10657913646796177427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074364683198863800.post-68684505010272314732012-04-18T20:41:00.000-07:002012-04-18T20:41:28.723-07:00Busy Busy BusyHi all. Sorry it's been so long since I've blogged. I've been super busy with school. My Spanish class is taking up most of my time. It's incredibly hard this semester. And right now I'm only getting a B in the class. I'm hoping to bring it up to an A by the end of the semester so it won't screw up my 4.0 average. In fact, I am going to read a poem in Spanish in the school's talent show next week just so I can knock off two of my bad quiz grades in Spanish class. That was the deal that the teacher offered, and I'm desperate. The rest of my classes are going well. Math is very easy, fortunately. English is time consuming, but doable. And American National Government is boring, but I'm getting an A.<br />
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Well, I applied to the University of Pennsylvania, and I didn't get in. The good news is that I can try again next year, and I won't have to submit my high school grades. They must have given too much weight to my high school grades which were really bad. I was pretty bummed about it for a while, but now I'm looking toward the future. I am also thinking about applying to Yale and Columbia next spring. They both have special programs for adult students. And both of them basically require SATs. I'll definitely be the oldest student in the classroom for that, but hopefully it will be worth it.<br />
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Here's a sample of my work from English class. It's an analysis of a song.<br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Personal Jesus</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Depeche Mode is a synth-pop band from the 80s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although they continue to make music today, they really peaked in the late 80s and early 90s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Martin Gore, the writer for the band, has taken on many heavy subjects ranging from relationships to religion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Depeche Mode’s song “Personal Jesus” is both a mockery of fundamentalist faith, and an expression of deep faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The song came out at a time when Depeche Mode was a very popular and influential band.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The song made them even more popular, and brought a lot of fans who really did not understand Depeche Mode, and so misinterpreted the song from a more evangelical point of view.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This song is, in fact, an attempt to free people from certain religious extremists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fundamentalists, for instance, who believe they have a personal relationship with Jesus, can be very aggressive with their faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They believe they have certainty of moral knowledge, and so cannot be reasoned with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They can lack humility, quite unlike Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This song attempts to offer another point of view.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Gore has confessed that he finds religion very confusing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of his songs speak about Christianity and religion in a very suspicious manner such as “Blasphemous Rumors.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Personal Jesus” was not intended to be a literal praise song.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This can be gleaned from the fact of some irreverent language in the song such as “Lift up the receiver; I’ll make you a believer; I will deliver; you know I’m a forgiver” (lines 22-25). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In these lines, Depeche Mode mocks the sales pitch of fundamentalists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sales pitch usually goes something like this: If you say the “sinner’s prayers” and accept Jesus Christ into your heart, then your sins will be forgiven and you will be given a whole new and wonderful life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will believe more and more as you get closer to Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have a strong faith, you will be rewarded with an unbelievably great life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if you have problems, it is because you do not have enough faith in Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fundamentalists push their faith because they believe the more souls they “lead to Christ,” the greater will be their reward in heaven, so they are very motivated, “I’ll make you a believer” (line 23).</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Some people, when knowing that the song is, in part at least, a mockery, might take the whole song to be blasphemous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do not take this view as I do not see it as an attack on Christian faith, but a particular type of faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is an attack on a certain type of narcissistic faith—the kind that believes that Christianity exists to serve the whims and preferences of the believer, a </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">personal Jesus who does not ask anything of the faithful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is merely “Someone to hear your prayers; Someone who’s there” (lines 6-7).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a vision of a Jesus who has been dehumanized and acts as a servant in the worst, most demeaning sense—an image of God made by man. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Marilyn Manson covered “Personal Jesus” and, being that he is a known Satanist, it is fair to assume that he did not have good intentions in recording the song.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In that sense, the song can be viewed as purely blasphemous and an attack on Christianity itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many “believers” speak of having a “personal relationship with Jesus.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even Pope John Paul II said that believers have or should develop a “personal relation with Jesus.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So “Personal Jesus” can certainly be seen as an attack on that type of Christian faith, or that aspect of Christian faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The song does mock the notion of having a personal relationship with someone who you can neither see nor hear, someone about whom there is no historical agreement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe, though, that Depeche Mode’s version of the song offers more nuance that Marilyn Manson’s version of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their intentions were better.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Personal Jesus,” while no book of<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> Job</i>, is an expression of frustration with religion, and hence, an expression of deep faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Someone who cares,” (line 4) “Someone who’s there” (line 7). These are words of bitterness to anyone whose prayers have never been answered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are also words of longing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would it not be nice if there was a personal Jesus “someone who cares” (line 4).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The song is intentionally vague so that people may interpret it however they like—if as a praise song, then as a praise song, if as a mockery, then as a mockery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This probably has something to do with the song’s success.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If its meaning was clearer, it probably would not have appealed to such a wide group of people. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe that the song would have been a more controversial song had it not been so subtle, and had it not been for the fact that so many received it as strictly a praise song.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Personal Jesus” also criticizes cheap grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I will deliver; you know I’m a forgiver” (lines 16,17).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These lines, if taken literally, lead one to believe that no matter what you do, it will not harm your personal relationship with Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We know that in real life our actions and words have repercussions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would be nice if the world as a whole was more forgiving, but it is not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So what, then, is the point of a Jesus who “forgives” people?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wouldn’t a more loving Jesus advise people not to do things that will make them an object of contempt to begin with?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, cheap grace is not, then, a very Christian way to live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is how the song is very critical of a certain type of faith, namely, one that promotes cheap grace, rather than being critical of Christianity in itself.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Personal Jesus” has many different meanings to many different people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To a fundamentalist, it is a praise song.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To a Satanist, it is a song that mocks the Christian faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To a moderate Christian, it is a little bit of both.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a brilliant song in that sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is very difficult to write anything of substance that is yet so open to interpretation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The song will undoubtedly remain one of their best songs for years to come.</span></div>Adult Studenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10657913646796177427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074364683198863800.post-15153072485357259432012-01-16T10:49:00.000-08:002012-01-16T10:49:02.228-08:00Second Full SemesterHi everyone. Sorry it's been so long since I last blogged. A lot has been going on these past few weeks. I took a job at school as a Supplemental Instruction Leader. It's for a developmental English class. We're supposed to help facilitate learning, but we aren't allowed to call ourselves teachers or tutors, but really, that is what we're expected to do. I'm supposed to give an hour of supplemental instruction before the three hour class starts. It only meets once a week in the evening which is why it's 3 hours long. I am to take the class with the students and act as the model student. My first session did not go well at all. I was ready to quit after it. The teacher who teaches the class, after I give an hour of supplemental instruction, encouraged me. I felt like a total failure. And I was given next to no training for this job. What exactly am I supposed to do for an hour with students? Fortunately, some people have helped to give me ideas about what I can do to help teach writing and grammar to these students. If any of you have any good ideas, I'm open to hear them.<br />
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Other than that, a new semester has started for me. I feel now as I did at the beginning of last semester--overwhelmed and stressed. I'm hoping that feeling will calm down as I get more accustomed to this new routine. I'm taking American National Government, Intermediate Algebra, Elementary Spanish II, and English Composition 100. I'll probably post final drafts of my English 100 papers as I finish them. Spanish is going to be hard this semester. My Spanish teacher does not allow students to make up missed tests. He seems really harsh.<br />
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Well, I've finally applied to the University of Pennsylvania. It will be several weeks until I find out a decision. I've put everything I have into it. I sincerely hope I am accepted. I would be pretty devastated if I wasn't. It's especially important that I be accepted now so that when I apply for the Jack Kent Cooke scholarship, I can tell them that I definitely have an educational home to go to should they give me the scholarship. This is what my life is now--working toward winning this scholarship. It's so important, though, as it will allow me to get a bachelor's degree.Adult Studenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10657913646796177427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074364683198863800.post-12194794373513530922011-12-08T12:08:00.000-08:002011-12-08T12:08:13.168-08:00Decisions DecisionsNow that the semester is nearing an end, I'm thinking about applying to the University of Pennsylvania. I'm hoping to get all As in all of my classes, so that should boost my chances of being accepted. But if I am accepted, I'm not sure that I will start right away. The thing is: money. If I were to enter right away I wouldn't have any scholarships and would have to take out huge loans. At my age, I don't really have time to pay off huge loans and then start a life. I'm going to check in with the University to see if they offer any internal scholarships for full-time students. I know they offer scholarships for part-time students, but I really want to get this over with as fast as possible at my age. If I am not accepted at the University of Pennsylvania, I only have to wait a year to try again during which time I would get my associate degree. I hate the idea of waiting, though.<br />
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The University of Pennsylvania's College of Liberal and Professional studies, to which I would be applying, is geared towards adult students. I think I would feel more comfortable with people around my same age. On the other hand, everything I've been reading says it's better to get your associate degree first, and then transfer. It's only an extra year, but time is precious at my age. Also, I already know ahead of time that I won't be able to transfer a lot of my classes. I'll probably have to go at least 3 years to the University of Pennsylvania, despite having an associate degree. I'm going to be old by the time I graduate from the University of Pennsylvania. Better late than never though? Right?<br />
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If I stay at the community college through completion, I'll be eligible to try for two big scholarships--the Jack Kent Cooke scholarship which is up to $30,000 per year for up to three years, and the Hites scholarship which is about $8,000. If I won that Jack Kent Cooke scholarship, I'd be set. All I have to do is continue to get a 4.0 average through the time when I would apply for it, engage in community activities on the campus, and be an overall fabulous student. That's a lot of stress for me, but it has to be done. So, yeah, I think I'll end up staying at community college through my associate degree, but I'm still going to apply to the University of Pennsylvania after this semester's grades come in.Adult Studenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10657913646796177427noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074364683198863800.post-74701323037386275082011-11-22T12:42:00.000-08:002011-11-22T12:42:57.056-08:00Happy Thanksgiving!Well, Turkey Day is coming up. I don't have anything fancy planned, just a turkey dinner with my parents. I do get some extra time off of school, however, so that's a good thing.<br />
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I just had another round of tests, can you believe it? The math test included extra credit questions, so I got 124%. I barely squeaked by on the Spanish test with 92%. I consider myself lucky to have gotten 92% as there was a lot of material covered, and it's getting more complicated. I do hope to actually learn Spanish too, which is why I'll be studying over the holiday weekend. I took my Interpersonal Communication test last Monday. It was an essay test and the teacher still didn't have them graded by Monday. That's so frustrating. I hate waiting. I took a Science test yesterday. It was hard. After the test I checked my notes. I know I got 1 question wrong, but I got the bonus question right. The bonus question corresponded with a regular test question which was this: You accidentally knock over a tomato plant on its side. After about a week or two, what will it look like (draw a picture)? The bonus question was, "What is the exact term for this?" The answer is "Negative Gravitropism." Gee, everybody knows that. ;) Like I said, it was a hard test.Adult Studenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10657913646796177427noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074364683198863800.post-91711483354698744212011-11-06T11:15:00.000-08:002011-11-06T11:15:02.258-08:00More Tests, and God Bless YouGee, it seems like just yesterday that I had a bunch of tests, and now again. Fortunately I got As on my Spanish test and Science test. The class as a whole didn't do too well on the Science test. 2 As, 3 Bs, 2 Cs, 7-9 Ds, and 13 Fs. I actually thought this one was much easier than the first one. And I did really study for it. The other person who got an A was also an older person. I think when you go to school as an older person, you're more serious about your grades. I just took a math test, though, and I'd consider myself lucky to get a B. I don't know what happened. The material was hard for me, and my brain froze during the test.<br />
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I've changed my mind about the difficulty of my classes. Spanish is definitely the most difficult for me now. Learning a new language is tough. Science is the next most difficult. Math is... well I hope it gets easier after that test, but I fear that it will get even more difficult. I still don't know what to think about Interpersonal Communication. We don't have any homework now, but we have a test next week. It will be an essay format, just to see if we've been paying attention in class. I do have my notes.<br />
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Sneezing. "God bless you." Is that what you say? There seems to be a certain protocol when saying something after someone sneezes in class. Personally, I usually only say "bless you" to someone who sneezes when they are right near me. It seems awkward across the room. Most people seem to follow this rule. But some do occasionally shout across the room. I dunno, I think that's kind of awkward, as if you're drawing attention to a person's loud sneeze. But I guess if no one nearby says, "God bless you," then somebody's got to do it. And do you say, "God bless you, "Bless you," or "Gezuntite" (I'm sure I spelled that wrong, but you know what I mean.). I say "Bless you." "God bless you" seems a little too wordy for me. and the other word, well I think it's German, but since I can't even spell it, I probably shouldn't say it.<br />
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I believe this tradition started long ago with the mythical belief that when you sneezed, demons were coming out of you. I guess you would want to bless such a person. But on the whole, it seems like a nice little polite tradition, and one that college students practice studiously. Somehow the classroom allows for it. I'm not sure that I would say "Bless you" to a complete stranger on a train, but maybe at college I will learn that kind of courage.Adult Studenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10657913646796177427noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074364683198863800.post-11386863432730213432011-10-20T13:51:00.000-07:002011-10-20T13:51:58.946-07:00Test ResultsWell, I finally got my test scores back. I say finally because it took my Interpersonal Communication teacher 1 1/2 weeks too finish grading the tests! Okay, so, here it is: On my Spanish test I got 96%, on my Interpersonal Communication test I got 93%, and on my Science test I got......... 100%! Yay! The Science teacher laid it out for us again about who got what. 5 As, 4 Bs, 7 Cs, 5 Ds, and 7 Fs. And only one person got 100%. I felt a little bit honored, but it did make me a bit of a target. News got around about who it was who got 100%. One of them asked me, "What's your secret?" I explained my studying techniques and the girl next to her gasped and said something to the effect that, "So you have to do flashcards all weekend instead of going out." Gee, I don't study THAT much. But I guess I let them down. There is no easy secret. It just comes from studying, and that's how you do it.<br />
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In my Interpersonal Communication class we watched a film called The Station Agent. It's about a dwarf and his life experiences and how he befriends some people. Well after the movie, and in conjunction with an article we had to read, we came to a discussion of hurtful words, and how some commonly used words can be very hurtful to some people. Among them were retarded and midget. The word midget has a history in sideshows, which is why it is so hurtful, the correct terms being dwarf or little people. I included the word ma'am. I hate that word. I don't think anyone should ever use it. It's very hurtful. But the teacher insisted that some people like to be called ma'am. She didn't say who, though. I've never met anyone who likes to be called ma'am. What do you think? Is there anyone who likes to be called ma'am? Anyhoo, at least I tried, and got it out there.<br />
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We also talked about "totalizing" others. This is where you attribute a whole host of characteristics to someone based on only one piece of information about that person, and it's usually negative. I mentioned that homeless people are "totalized." As I volunteered at a soup kitchen for four years, I can definitely say that homeless people have to take it from everyone. People just don't have nice things to say or think about homeless people. Just because they're homeless doesn't mean they're worthless. They don't deserve to be treated worse than anyone else. There are certainly people with homes who present well who are rotten to the core--not only homeless people, and not always homeless people. Some of them have just had hard lives--lives that most people wouldn't deal well with. Where's the compassion? Homeless people are just as dynamic, intelligent, and worthwhile as anyone, just less fortunate. Okay, I'll get off my soapbox. Just had to get that out of my system.Adult Studenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10657913646796177427noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074364683198863800.post-4875472264539291662011-10-09T12:34:00.000-07:002011-10-09T12:34:04.114-07:00Test WeekThis past week was test week. Not formally, but it sure seemed like it. I had 3 tests out of my four classes. Spanish, Science, and Interpersonal Communications. I feel pretty confident about my Spanish And Science tests. On my last Spanish test I got an A, and on my last Science test I got a B. I'm hoping for two As this time. And as for my Interpersonal Communications class, I'm not sure what to expect. This is the first Interpersonal Communications test that I've taken, and it was all essays. I'm not sure how the teacher will grade. But I do hope I get an A, as tests are 50% of the grade.<br />
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In my last Science test, the teacher laid it out for us how the students did. 3 As, 5 Bs, 4 Cs, 6 Ds, and 10 Fs. So while it was possible to get an A on the test, it was very difficult. The guy next to me got an F. He told me that if he got another F, he was going to drop the class. I hope he doesn't get another F. If he decides to stay, I was going to suggest to him that we study together after class and see if he can bring his grade up. Who knows, it might help me too. Science is a tough class. It's practically like learning a new language as so many of the words and terms are new to me. There's a lot to understand. Our last test was on mitosis and meiosis and the male and female reproductive systems, as well as hormonal controls. Through all this, though, I know I have my readers, and that means a lot to me. Thank you for reading and for your support. :)Adult Studenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10657913646796177427noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074364683198863800.post-78778116489961929862011-09-25T09:05:00.000-07:002011-09-25T09:05:56.254-07:00RecentlyI've been quite busy with school work lately. In fact, it's practically all I've been thinking about. Sometimes I feel like I just need a break. Fortunately, I went out last night, so that helps to break things up a little.<br />
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Well, I've taken a couple of tests in a couple of classes--Spanish and math, and so far I've gotten As and A-s. I just took a big test in science and I won't know, at least until tomorrow, how I did. I'm hoping for an A, of course, but I think it might have been a B. I've been reading up on scholarships and so I've put myself under a lot of pressure. It seems like the better grades I have, the better chance I'll have at scholarships. Some of them are really big scholarships. The Jack Kent Cooke scholarship pays up to $30,000 per year for transfer students, that is for students who get their Associates degrees at community colleges and go on to 4 year schools. THAT'S one that I could really use. I'm thinking a 4.0 would give me my best shot.<br />
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I've decided that I'm going to pursue my Associates degree before trying for the University of Pennsylvania. There are many reasons for this. For one thing, a lot of the big scholarships are only for people who have taken a certain number of courses with the intention of getting an Associates degree. Also, just in case I flake out of school at some point, an Associates degree would be better than nothing. Another reason, if you have 16 units of Liberal Arts coursework (almost an Associates degree) when applying for Penn, then they don't need your GED score and high school records. My GED score and high school records aren't the best. I'd rather apply with a clean slate. Another reason, in all my years away form school, I'd forgotten the math that I learned in high school. So I have to do a lot of catching up on math before I go to Penn. So, those are the main reasons.<br />
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Most of my classes are pretty well-behaved, but my Spanish class--oy vey! There are a handful of students in the back of the class who are really rude. They're loud and obnoxious and are always making rude comments about other people, including the professor. And a bunch of the other students seem like they just don't want to learn. The professor calls on random people throughout the class, and some just aren't prepared at all. The bad students were also, not surprisingly,complaining about their test scores. I feel bad for the teacher. She tries really hard and she gets frazzled by those few obnoxious idiots. She warned me and one of the other good students not to become a teacher. Poor thing. I said to her, "You're a good teacher." And a few other students agreed, and that made her feel better.Adult Studenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10657913646796177427noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074364683198863800.post-85716912834023492652011-09-05T07:00:00.000-07:002011-09-05T07:00:59.396-07:00First Week of New SemesterI had a brief two weeks off in between my last summer class and this new fall semester. I have a full course load this semester. I'm taking four classes--Math, Spanish, Biological Science, and Interpersonal Communication. I have been doing homework ALL weekend! Math is easy, Spanish is fun, mostly because I hope to learn to actually speak/read Spanish fluently. Science is hard, and Interpersonal Communication is weird. <br />
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I gave a girl in my Interpersonal Communication class my blog address, so I guess I'll have to be extra careful about what I write (hope I don't get too boring). I thought it would be an easy class given that it's pretty much a soft science, but there's actually a LOT of homework (in Spanish, tarea).<br />
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I already speak/read a bit of Spanish, so that class has so far been fairly easy for me. There is a fair bit of homework, but it's been homework that I don't really mind, because I actually do want to become fluent in Spanish. It should help me to be able to communicate with 1/4 of the US population for one thing. Plus, if I ever take a vacation in Mexico, South America, or any other Spanish speaking place, I'll be able to function properly.<br />
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In other GOOD news, over my two week vacation I found out that I won two small scholarships! This happened after I got my second A from my summer classes. It isn't that much money, but every little bit helps. Mostly, it just feels nice to be appreciated. I'll have to go to a scholarship dinner called "Dollars for Scholars" to show my appreciation to the donors. I also had to sign a release so that the school could publicize my name in newspapers. These weren't even scholarships for older women. I actually beat out regular college kids for these scholarships.<br />
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Overall, my classes seem okay, most of the students seem like decent people, and most of the professors seem okay.Adult Studenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10657913646796177427noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074364683198863800.post-43367232739731795082011-08-14T20:37:00.000-07:002011-08-14T20:38:20.464-07:00Hello! Sorry I've been gone for so long. Aside from the fact that I've been busy with schoolwork, my computer died, so I've been without a computer for about a week.<br />
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It's been an exciting few weeks. I got my test back (the atomic one) and I got a B. Phew. And the professor actually graded on a curve, so I ended up getting an A. After this, we got the teacher evaluation forms. I decided to go easy on my teacher since he did give me 100% for class participation. So I was able to overlook the fact that he laughed at me.<br />
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I have a question for you... who has a better military, the US or China? The question came up in class and I said that the US has a better military. The kids kept laughing at me for saying that. They insisted that since China is a bigger country, it therefor has a better military. It was as if they thought that I didn't know that China was a bigger country than the US. It obviously is bigger, but does that necessarily mean that it has a better military? I don't think so. But I suppose I could be wrong.<br />
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So, anyway, I had a TON of studying to do for the final. I was all nerves going into it. But my studying paid off, and I got an A in the class.<br />
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In a couple weeks I'll be starting the fall semester. Four classes at a time. I don't know if I'll be able to handle it all. I hope that taking these summer classes has given me a bit of a feel for it.Adult Studenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10657913646796177427noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074364683198863800.post-75305264005402788122011-07-26T14:13:00.000-07:002011-07-26T14:13:04.626-07:00The Atomic Test: A Story of Academic SurvivalThis American History test that I just took yesterday was so hard that two students dropped the class. The first one, that guy I had mentioned earlier who never took notes, looked at the test, decided it was too hard (I guess) and walked out. The other one, a girl who seemed to take notes, took the test, left for break, and never came back. It was an incredibly hard test. Even with notes (it was open notebook). I still think I may have even gotten a C.<br />
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This test was also inordinately stressful for me for another reason. Part of the test was to write two essays. And it was open notebook. So I wrote two essays ahead of time, and wrote them in my notebook. BUT this was a big academic sin in this teacher's eyes. I didn't know that beforehand, but I was afraid of getting caught for having intended to copy. <br />
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The teacher walked up and down the aisles and checked everybody's notes and study guides. He didn't notice my little problem. I thought about just telling him, but it was too late. I didn't use my pre-written essays, but trying to convince him of that if he knew would probably have been impossible. Throughout the test, he would take strolls up and down the aisles... flipping through people's notes, reading what you were writing and what you were reading. I was in sheer terror. Even after the test was done, I was afraid that he might take a last peek at our notebooks, just to be sure. I threw out my essays as soon as I got home, so if he EVER checks, he'll never know.Adult Studenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10657913646796177427noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074364683198863800.post-31018260572398066582011-07-21T16:02:00.000-07:002011-07-21T16:02:41.903-07:00The LatestI've been studying a lot recently, and have much studying to do this weekend, so sorry I haven't blogged recently. As for class this week--my teacher laughed at me when I tried to answer one of his questions. From praise to ridicule. I just hope it doesn't affect my grade.<br />
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My professor discusses a lot of things besides history. He has been going on and on recently about how bad the K-12 schools have gotten and how kids who "can't" learn should simply be expelled. I tried to make an argument in favor of the kids who aren't natural students, that "you don't know what they're going through," and he said sarcastically, "You're makin' me cry." I also said that it is the teacher's responsibility to sort of police the kids and create a good environment. And also that kids of a certain age are simply wild and teachers have to be able to overlook that. I don't think my arguments got me very far, but I hope they don't affect my grade. <br />
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We also talked a lot about religion. I happen to know a fair bit about Catholicism/Christianity, so I'm able to hold my own in a discussion about such things. In fact, I taught my teacher. Since that time, he's been quizzing me about my religious knowledge, and I've been able to answer most of the questions. I hope he doesn't hold it against me if I just so happen to know more about religion that he does.<br />
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After class, a girl came up to me and started discussion how arrogant and mean the teacher is and I agreed, but I said I hadn't noticed it until that day. She said she noticed it the first day. I guess I hadn't noticed it until he burst out laughing at me when I was making an attempt to participate. He has his good points, but he does have an obnoxious side. I just hope it doesn't affect my grade. Are you starting to notice a theme here? I don't much care what goes on so long as I can still get a good grade.Adult Studenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10657913646796177427noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074364683198863800.post-4020205670710794992011-07-08T14:44:00.000-07:002011-07-08T22:34:08.628-07:00New ClassThis was the first week of my new class. I didn't have quite as many nerves this time. I think I am the oldest person in the classroom, but at least the teacher is older than me this time. The work seems fairly interesting--it's an American History class from Columbus through the civil war.<br />
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Most of the students seem nice except for one really obnoxious, arrogant student. He has salt n' pepper hair and has to be in his late twenties or early thirties. He didn't have anything intelligent to say, but he kept talking anyway. He said things like that Columbus had an affair with Queen Isabel, and that's why she supported him. And upon hearing that Columbus was destitute and ruined by the end of his life, he said, "He must have been married." He said many other stupid and obnoxious things. He didn't take notes in class, and kept badgering the teacher for an A. I don't even know why he's there. The only reason that I can think of is that his parole officer made him do it.<br />
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But the teacher seems nice. He's pretty funny too. He seems to want to really engage the students. 27% of the grade is class participation. There is a lot of reading to do, and that is mostly to participate in class discussions intelligently.<br />
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We watched a movie about Columbus. One of the things that was mentioned in the movie was how the Indians were so gracious to Columbus and his crew. They gave them food, and whatever else they liked. But then they wanted their things back, so this is where the term "Indian giver" comes from. If you consider the larger picture, that really isn't so awful. If they were Americans, they would have given the people the things that they wanted, and charged usurious interest rates, thus enslaving them for life. Of course, Columbus did end up enslaving the Indians. He might as well have been a Wall Street broker. He was an adventurer, but also a supreme jerk.Adult Studenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10657913646796177427noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074364683198863800.post-37205907945145669882011-06-29T19:15:00.000-07:002011-06-29T19:17:04.710-07:00The Final and the Museum PaperSorry I haven't blogged for a while. I've been busy with school work, specifically with studying for the final. The final was today, and I think (hope) I did all right on it. It was in the same manner as all of the other tests which I got 100% on. I also got back my museum paper which I got an A+ on. Does it seem like I'm bragging? Well... maybe. I wouldn't have to brag if anything else in my life was going well. As it is, my good grades are what I have. I won't find out for a few days yet what my final grade for the class will be, but I think (hope) it will be an A.<br />
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Here is my museum paper for anyone who wishes to read it:<br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Two Greek Statuettes</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 200%;">In this essay, I will compare and contrast two Greek statuettes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One, the Limestone Male Statuette from the Archaic period, and the other, a Marble Draped Female Statuette from the Hellenistic period.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These artworks show how art developed over time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The male statuette is much less developed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The face is crude and the body is flat and boxy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The female statuette, on the other hand, is graceful and an archetype of female perfection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both small in size, the Archaic piece is about 10” tall, while the Hellenistic piece is about 1 ½” tall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though they are from the same general area—</span><country-region><place><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 200%;">Greece</span></place></country-region><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 200%;">, they are quite different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The artists in both cases are unknown, as is the case in much of ancient artwork.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 200%;">Both statuettes are attempts at representing the human form.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And they both intend to convey a sense of divinity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The male statuette was made as a dedication to Apollo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The female statuette was perhaps a goddess or symbolic of an ideal woman.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 200%;">I was drawn to these pieces because I like Greek art.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Greeks were really masters of humanism in art.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These particular works really exemplify a Greek sense of beauty and authenticity, especially the female statuette.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s interesting to me also that art progressed as much as it did in this timeframe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took the Greeks time to really master the artistic styles that they would become famous for.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 200%;">Both the Hellenistic and the Archaic periods were times of change in </span><country-region><place><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 200%;">Greece</span></place></country-region><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 200%;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Greek culture during the Hellenistic period was exposed to many different cultural and artistic influences (Hemingway), broadening the abilities and styles of the Greeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This particular statuette was probably a copy of a 3<sup>rd</sup> century BCE statuette.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wealthy art patrons of the 1<sup>st</sup> century BCE were eager to fill their homes with magnificent Greek art both to demonstrate their wealth, and to demonstrate their good taste.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Greek artistic styles changed dramatically from the Archaic period to the Hellenistic period, as is evident in these two statuettes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Archaic period in </span><country-region><place><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 200%;">Greece</span></place></country-region><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 200%;"> came on the heels of what is sometimes called the Dark Age of Greece (Kleiner).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Economic conditions improved, and the Greeks began to trade with other countries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Greek culture began to come to life again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Greek style began to become more naturalistic during this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Limestone Male Statuette was an early Archaic statuette from around 600-550 BCE, and lacks much human vigor, which is representative of the age.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 200%;">The male and female statuettes express different influences in their compositions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The male statuette is very rigid and blocky, almost like a soldier preparing to do battle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is reminiscent of the stiff Egyptian statues intended to convey eternal stillness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its arms are held close to the body and both legs are attached, creating the effect of solidity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the female statuette, the legs are not even visible under the long flowing robe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her right hand appears to be on her hip in a very human gesture of the body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her face is very beautiful leaving no doubt that this was either a goddess of some sort, or an emblem of female perfection.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 200%;">While both pieces express a new naturalism, the female statuette excels at expressing realism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The composition of the later statuette—the female—indicates a growth in Greek art.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is far more human and realistic than the male.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Hellenistic statuette is not only more human, but more three dimensional.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It fully expresses the figure from all sides.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Archaic figure seems to want to express divinity as something that lacks ordinary human qualities, whereas the Hellenistic figure embraces and perfects human qualities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is much more sophisticated that the Archaic statuette.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rather than removing the human qualities, the female figure brings what is human to a divine level.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 200%;">The styles of the two are radically different, the male statuette is flat and almost two dimensional.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The back is literally flat and hasn’t been developed at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps in its time it was placed against a wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In contrast to that, the female statuette is gracefully developed all the way around, including a bun in the back of her head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The female makes wonderful use of lines with her long flowing robe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The folds of the robe were crafted with great skill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The male holds his right arm over his chest almost as a kind of salute, or expression of reverence, whereas the female statuette is more open—simply standing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She may have been a kind of stock statuette representing many goddesses at different times for different reasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although rough and chipped from wear, you can imagine that both these statuettes were at one time perfectly smooth in texture.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 200%;">In conclusion, both these statuettes are an expression of Greek humanism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Limestone Male Statuette is a precursor to the more elaborate and realistic Marble Draped Female Statuette.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And from the two different eras it is easy to see how Greek art evolved and became more refined over time, owing much of the new expressions to outside influences, and Greek innovation.</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 200%;">Works Cited</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%;">Hemingway, Colette, and Sean Hemingway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Art of the Hellenistic Age and the Hellenistic Tradition.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/">http://www.metmuseum.org/</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><date day="12" month="6" year="2011"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%;">June 12, 2011</span></date><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%;">.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%;">Kleiner, Fred S. <i>Gardner’s Art Through the Ages</i>. Vol. 1. Western Version.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>100. 2008.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br />
</div>Adult Studenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10657913646796177427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074364683198863800.post-67175092821781392982011-06-16T13:05:00.000-07:002011-06-16T13:05:09.645-07:00The Kids are All RightAnother week of school, and I'm feeling like less and less of an outcast. We needed something called a blue book in order to take our mid-terms on Monday. Pretty much no one brought one. One of the students went to the book store and got a whole bunch of them (at 35 cents a piece), and offered them to the other students, including me. I happened to complete the mid-term at the same time as another student, so we left class at the same time. On the way out we chit chatted a little about class, the test, etc. And on Wednesday, I happened to enter the school at the same time as another student, and we chit chatted on our way in to the classroom. Those things are very nice to me. I feel as if I am not being ostracized because of my age. It really makes a difference in terms of my comfort level with the class. We're all just students there to learn. The kids don't seem to feel as awkward about my age as I do. So it's been a good week. <br />
<br />
In terms of the actual schoolwork--we were all required to go to a museum, find two objects to compare and contrast and write a paper about it. I think we all did our best, but it was hard. On Wednesday we exchanged papers and did a bit of a peer review. After that we turned our papers in for corrections and comments, but not for a grade just yet. We also had a mid-term on Monday. It was the same format as the quiz, but bigger. Unfortunately the professor didn't finish grading them all, so we won't know how we did until Monday. We also had a couple more lectures.<br />
<br />
As for homework this weekend--it's mostly reading. We are going to have another quiz on Wednesday. The lower grade of the two quizzes will be dropped. As I already got 100% on the first quiz, I don't really need to do too well on this one. But I will study anyway.Adult Studenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10657913646796177427noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074364683198863800.post-37226007815532615262011-06-09T18:24:00.000-07:002011-06-09T18:24:34.593-07:00Studying and the QuizWell, the bad news is I got 2 B pluses on my written assignments. The good news is I got 100% on the quiz. I couldn't have done it without youse guys. Moral support definitely helps.<br />
<br />
I think I study more than some of the other students. The girl next to me doesn't even have a book. She called me crazy for actually doing the readings. Some of the students are only hoping to get an Associates Degree which basically only requires that you pass your class. You can graduate with a C average. Some of them are hoping to go on to 4 year schools that have approximately the same standards. But I won't consider this a worthwhile endeavor unless I get into the University of Pennsylvania. That school requires at least a B average to get in, but the higher your grades are the better chance you have of getting in. <br />
<br />
There are at least a few others in the class who are also reading their book. I think the other woman in her thirties is studying hard. I guess no one in their thirties goes to school unless they're serious about it. There's one other woman there who I think must be in her thirties. She brought her daughter to class on Monday. Her daughter was so sweet and so well-behaved, so it wasn't a problem at all.<br />
<br />
The professor mentioned before handing back the quizzes that it was very easy for her to tell who was actually reading the book, and who was just going from notes taken in class. She grades pretty easily, though, and I think some people take advantage. <br />
<br />
It's still hard for me being so old and going to school. I do feel a little out of place. I guess I just have to keep my eye on the prize of the University of Pennsylvania where there will be many other adult students. And until that time, just focus on getting the best grades that I can.Adult Studenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10657913646796177427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074364683198863800.post-60331314491258999472011-06-03T09:31:00.000-07:002011-06-03T09:31:26.480-07:002nd Week of SchoolWell, it can hardly be called a week. The one class that I'm taking now is only held 2 days a week--Monday and Wednesday. This past Monday was Memorial Day, so we only had class on Wednesday. I turned in 2 written assignments. I participated in class quite a bit again. That's an easy A for me--class participation.<br />
<br />
About the work--one of the things that we had to do for homework was watch a couple of videos and write papers about them. The girl next to me confessed to me that they were boring. I basically agreed with her. But I don't think I minded the assignment quite as much as she did. Working some crappy job that you're essentially overqualified for while being paid pennies--that's really boring. Mind numbing. Soul killing. School isn't so bad.<br />
<br />
I have to prepare now for my first quiz. This involves memorization. Memorization is somehow more intimidating to me than writing papers or participating in class. Either you know it or you don't. At least the artwork is fairly intersting--the great pyramids of Gizeh, Egypt, a snake goddess, and a few other things. The ancients were very expressive with their artwork. Wish me well on my quiz.Adult Studenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10657913646796177427noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074364683198863800.post-8654698684122518602011-05-30T18:40:00.000-07:002011-05-30T18:41:23.154-07:00About MeSo another blogger put up an "about me" series of fifty questions, and invited other bloggers to fill out the same. Here are my answers:<br />
<br />
ARE THERE ANY BAD HABITS THAT YOU HAD AS A CHILD THAT YOU STILL HAVE TODAY?<br />
Smoking.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bDseaU0yexI/TeKKEM2emXI/AAAAAAAAAxM/F3bJlX72yOU/s1600/002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<br />
HOW MUCH ATTENTION WOULD YOU SAY YOU REQUIRED WHILE GROWING UP?<br />
I needed a lot of attention, but didn't get any positive attention.<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uHwdqlIHA2E/TeKKGoWi7cI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/FHTKrNNj22E/s1600/003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<br />
WHAT KIND OF CAR DO YOU HAVE?<br />
'95 Toyota Corolla<br />
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WHAT IS YOUR MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT?<br />
Too many to nail it down to one.<br />
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WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE PASTIME?<br />
Hanging out with my friends.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uD81udO2WiQ/TeKKK1zG72I/AAAAAAAAAxc/4YrE-Gep7CA/s1600/006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
_________________________________________________________________________________<br />
<br />
<br />
1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? <br />
I was named after a few people/times. Princess Caroline, Caroline Kennedy, and the Carolinian dramas.<br />
<br />
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?<br />
Probably a week ago.<br />
<br />
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? <br />
Not really. It serves its purpose though, but kind of hard to read.<br />
<br />
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? <br />
Pastrami or turkey meat.<br />
<br />
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? <br />
No. <br />
<br />
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? <br />
Maybe<br />
<br />
7. DO YOU HAVE SIBLINGS?<br />
A younger brother and sister, and an older sister who died when she was nine and I was seven.<br />
<br />
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? <br />
Yes. <br />
<br />
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? <br />
Maybe. I think I could be talked into it.<br />
<br />
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? <br />
Frosted mini-wheats.<br />
<br />
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? <br />
No. <br />
<br />
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? <br />
NO.<br />
<br />
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? <br />
Hagaan Daz vanilla<br />
<br />
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?<br />
Basic facts and figures about a person. <br />
<br />
15. RED OR PINK? <br />
Red<br />
<br />
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? <br />
Too much to narrow it down to one. <br />
<br />
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? <br />
My sister who died when she was nine and I was seven. <br />
<br />
18. WHAT IS YOUR ZODIAC SIGN? <br />
Gemini. <br />
<br />
19. DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE PAIR OF SHOES? <br />
No. I love all my shoes equally.<br />
<br />
20. FAVORITE MEAL? <br />
Pizza. <br />
<br />
21. FAVORITE GENRE OF MUSIC? <br />
Depeche Mode/eighties music. <br />
<br />
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? <br />
Periwinkle. <br />
<br />
23. FAVORITE SMELLS? <br />
Pantene, and other soaps. <br />
<br />
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? <br />
A friend.<br />
<br />
25. MOUNTAIN HIDEAWAY OR BEACH HOUSE? <br />
Beach house.<br />
<br />
26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? <br />
Don't really watch sports.<br />
<br />
27. HAIR COLOR? <br />
Dark blond.<br />
<br />
28. EYE COLOR? <br />
Blue. <br />
<br />
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? <br />
No, I wear glasses.<br />
<br />
30. FAVORITE HEIRLOOM? <br />
Old prayer book.<br />
<br />
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? <br />
Happy endings.<br />
<br />
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? <br />
About St. Therese of Lisieux. <br />
<br />
33. FAVORITE ARTICLE OF CLOTHING? <br />
Beige blouse. <br />
<br />
34. SUMMER OR WINTER? <br />
Summer. <br />
<br />
35. HUGS OR KISSES? <br />
Hugs. <br />
<br />
36. FAVORITE DESSERT?<br />
Cake or ice cream.<br />
<br />
37. STRENGTH TRAINING OR CARDIO?<br />
Huh? I walk for exercise. <br />
<br />
38. COMPUTER OR TELEVISION? <br />
Computer. <br />
<br />
39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? <br />
Gardeners Art Throughout the ages. It's a textbook for school.<br />
<br />
40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? <br />
Mousepad? Don't use one.<br />
<br />
42. FAVORITE SOUND? <br />
Critters at dawn. <br />
<br />
43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? <br />
The Beatles. <br />
<br />
44. WHAT IS YOUR DREAM CAR? <br />
BMW<br />
<br />
45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? <br />
Painting, drawing, communications skills.<br />
<br />
46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? <br />
Orange, California. <br />
<br />
47. WHERE ARE YOU LIVING NOW? <br />
Philadelphia area, Pennsylvania.<br />
<br />
48. WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST FEAR?<br />
Being old. <br />
<br />
49. WHAT BRINGS YOU THE MOST JOY? <br />
Can't think of anything. <br />
<br />
50. WHAT PIECE OF ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUR YOUNG SELF? <br />
Quit overextending yourself for other people--people who don't even care about you.Adult Studenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10657913646796177427noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074364683198863800.post-28228984530769273292011-05-26T19:38:00.000-07:002011-05-26T19:38:39.233-07:00First Week of SchoolA lot can happen in one week. I was signed up for 2 classes--English Composition and Art History. I realized in my third day that that would be too much for me. Summer classes are intense. I stayed up until 4 in the morning reading my Art History assignment. The next day in English class, I could barely stay awake, let alone think. It's been years since I've done anything school related. So I dropped my English class. I had started out with such enthusiasm, but realized quickly that my grades might suffer if I felt overwhelmed. Once I've become more accustomed to school, I think I will be able to take more classes at once. Difficult as it was, I think I made the right decision.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidurluV8-RclIj7PK0On_5vOJjWQgnu9hlBkQN6CoEUG700ncps1YxthB7TS75H3eJK8D5xjyCaCKKB_qJt1IPuE7rUR0xYO7jImifEM0LUKhxf8Oh8U_3jgZ-vL_ypmzHDYNl-cj7fta6/s1600/campus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidurluV8-RclIj7PK0On_5vOJjWQgnu9hlBkQN6CoEUG700ncps1YxthB7TS75H3eJK8D5xjyCaCKKB_qJt1IPuE7rUR0xYO7jImifEM0LUKhxf8Oh8U_3jgZ-vL_ypmzHDYNl-cj7fta6/s320/campus.jpg" t8="true" width="240" /></a>school campus</div><br />
My first day of school was a little bit happier. I was challenged and met the challenge. The professor announced that 20% of our grade would come from class participation. Where I had previously hoped to sit in a corner and quietly write papers, I found myself trying to answer virtually every question she asked. I even went so far as to try to convince everyone (myself included) that a toilet can be a work of art. If that isn't effort, I don't know what is.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX7FHYikYIkPCxHcBr-8QG0G1Y03SvVyWJfQVdDh0HozSoy2jzhDI_UTEaI8iHjARnfYMid4Bzc99xIzJDk1DKFnVC1pKwkGVlg8dh0L7ioyo_hhEwRNWbvtlKo8jJw6A6iAW927Vu-PU9/s1600/campus+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX7FHYikYIkPCxHcBr-8QG0G1Y03SvVyWJfQVdDh0HozSoy2jzhDI_UTEaI8iHjARnfYMid4Bzc99xIzJDk1DKFnVC1pKwkGVlg8dh0L7ioyo_hhEwRNWbvtlKo8jJw6A6iAW927Vu-PU9/s320/campus+2.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a>walkway to school</div><br />
The class--Art History--is made up of mostly youths. There was at least one older woman there who is a stay-at-home mother. But the kids haven't seemed at all prejudicial towards me, which has been nice. I'm just a person there to learn, like anyone else.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZCJ1MUdGKZCCHDqGln3qgbb3ZvMIvM0YPvB0NzJkwhjbcA5TDJPhcS7qC0t-KEnquVSppwr-OhzbSWhyphenhyphennQJUuRKfcMK1R3iLpNNsUAXSFV-V8fCPB0KK56jXFpy-bemkbGUbWVQ-kfRrq/s1600/campus+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZCJ1MUdGKZCCHDqGln3qgbb3ZvMIvM0YPvB0NzJkwhjbcA5TDJPhcS7qC0t-KEnquVSppwr-OhzbSWhyphenhyphennQJUuRKfcMK1R3iLpNNsUAXSFV-V8fCPB0KK56jXFpy-bemkbGUbWVQ-kfRrq/s320/campus+3.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a>school waterfountain</div><br />
The class and readings have thus far been fairly interesting. Art history is more than simply looking at pieces of art. It's also the study of the political and religious, etc. history of the artwork. I am already familiar with some of the background of the artwork as much of it is biblical. It's interesting to see how artistic expression has evolved over time, becoming more sophisticated as civilization came into being.<br />
<br />
I will try to keep up with my blog, even though I have a lot of homework. Perhaps I'll share a bit of art history as time goes on.Adult Studenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10657913646796177427noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074364683198863800.post-48780097948602101772011-05-17T16:37:00.000-07:002011-05-17T19:41:50.467-07:00Book Review: Jesus of Nazareth: Holy Week by Pope Benedict XVI<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">An Expression of Catholic Doctrine</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The Pope deliberately included his birth name, Joseph Ratzinger, on the title page so as to assert that the contents of this book are merely his personal reflections on Jesus’ life, and not binding on the consciences of the faithful.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">One need not be a scholar to understand this book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I am surprised at how well received it has been among Protestants, as it is basically an expression of Catholic doctrine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus of Nazareth starts off with a good explanation of Jesus’ prophecy about the destruction of the temple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ratzinger offers some interesting insights into the symbolism of Jesus’ acts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, the washing of the disciples’ feet is symbolic of the need for the constant renewal/cleansing of the Christian, who though washed in baptism still remains a sinner.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">With insights such as this, “Jesus clearly presents himself as the new Moses, who brings to completion what began with Moses at the burning bush,” Ratzinger does a good job explaining the continuity of the Old Testament into the New, and how the New fulfills the Old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Ratzinger describes at length the type of unity that he thinks should be seen in the Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not surprisingly, he and his Church hierarchy are described as being central to and at the forefront of bringing about this unity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really don’t agree with that, but that is the myth that he wants to perpetuate.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The Last Supper is explained as the new Passover, Jesus being the perfect Lamb of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The death and Resurrection of Christ being the Passover that endures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to Ratzinger, the institution of the Eucharist is at the heart of the Last Supper tradition where Jesus gave himself to the disciples in the form of bread and wine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The earliest communities probably “broke bread” more according to the Passover meal traditions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whereas the current Eucharistic celebrations evolved over time.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Ratzinger leads us through the Mount of Olives to the Trial of Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gives insight into the motives behind Jesus’ trial, and explains the ordinary and prophetic utterances that led to Jesus’ crucifixion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He delves into the questions of political power versus truth, prompted by Pilate’s question, “What is truth?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is presented as a question that has relevance even today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Pope seems to have a blind spot, though when it comes to the fact of political power and injustice within his own Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Catholic Church is definitely not above it all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think it’s fair to say that those in positions of power in the Catholic Church are at least as corrupt as the temple authorities of Jesus’ day.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The crucifixion is explained as a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus’ suffering embodies <country-region><place>Israel</place></country-region>’s suffering all mankind’s suffering so as to transform it mysteriously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is also explained in terms of the new symbolism for the new Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The water and blood from Christ’s side are view as symbolic of two sacraments—baptism and the Eucharist.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“If Christ has not been raised, then our faith is in vain.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ratzinger describes the Resurrection as something more than mere resuscitation from the dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A mere resuscitation would have been no more spectacular than Lazarus being raised from the dead, or when people are resuscitated by doctors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christ’s Resurrection is supposed to be a whole new form of living, where the infinite meets the finite.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Ratzinger writes like a professor teaching his students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His style is easy to read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The book ends with a summary of Christian thought about God’s continued presence despite his seeming absence.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div>Adult Studenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10657913646796177427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074364683198863800.post-71305886812266850082011-05-10T16:32:00.000-07:002011-05-10T22:08:13.506-07:00The Death of the Middle ClassA <a href="http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/daily-ticker/america-middle-class-crisis-sobering-facts-141947274.html">new report</a> came out giving the frightening statistics about a dwindling American middle class. According to Sherle Schwenninger, "middle-income jobs are disappearing from the economy. The share of middle-income jobs in the United States has fallen from 52% in 1980 to 42% in 2010." As a card-carrying member of the middle class, this concerns me a great deal. One of the things that has made America unique in the past is the fact of a strong middle class. Plenty of third world countries have a strong aristocratic class while most of their citizens struggle. That is not a good state. It's highly undemocratic and not something that policy makers should be content with.<br />
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Poverty is the seedbed of so many ills in society. It puts people on edge. It makes people less able to be productive members of society. It leads to crime and drug trafficking. And, worst of all, it robs people of their dignity. When I volunteered at the soup kitchen, one of the things that the guests commented on was how nice it was to be well-treated. It, unfortunately, is not typical that poor people are well treated. When middle class people go out to a restaurant, they expect to be well treated. And if they aren't, they'll take their business elsewhere. Poor people don't have that kind of leverage.<br />
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Middle class people now may not think this widening gap and the erosion of the middle class matters, because they think it won't happen to them. But a whole lot of other middle class people who are now poor didn't think it would happen to them either. Unemployment is increasing, and high paying jobs are being replaced with low wage jobs. America needs real jobs if it is to truly recover from economic hardship. Flipping burgers at McDonald's doesn't cut it.<br />
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Do policy makers care about the middle class? On some level, policy makers, at least, give <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/StrongMiddleClass/">lip service</a> to how important a strong American middle class is. But their actions speak to something else. Their <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?President-Obama-Should-Drop-Free-Trade---It-Is-Anti-American,-Anti-Middle-Class,-and-Unpatriotic&id=6252985">free trade agreements decimate the middle class</a>. What happens with free trade is that good, high paying American jobs are outsourced to other countries at $10 per hour. If President Obama were really serious about reviving, or at least not killing America's middle class, this would be illegal. These free trade agreements only benefit one group of people, and that is the super-wealthy. Meanwhile, America's middle class becomes unemployed and works at poorly paying jobs, becoming poor. Will this not only add to the coarsening of society and the vulgarity of people? Of course it will. It's something that needs to be taken seriously.Adult Studenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10657913646796177427noreply@blogger.com6