SOTU and Education
Posted: January 27, 2011 Filed under: Education | Tags: arts, Education, higher education, Philosophy, science, SOTU, technology Leave a comment »Meanwhile, nations like China and India realized that with some changes of their own, they could compete in this new world. And so they started educating their children earlier and longer, with greater emphasis on math and science. They’re investing in research and new technologies. Just recently, China became the home to the world’s largest private solar research facility, and the world’s fastest computer….
And yet, as many as a quarter of our students aren’t even finishing high school. The quality of our math and science education lags behind many other nations. America has fallen to ninth in the proportion of young people with a college degree.
As the nation deals with unemployment and the lingering recession, we are all straining to see our way out. Obama’s SOTU suggested that, to him, the way forward lay in a renewed national focus on education in technology, science, and math. He pointed to the rapidly increasing economies of China and India, and their intense focus on math and tech fields beginning very early in life. He indicates that our lethargic math/ science/ tech education is partially to blame for the loss of jobs to other countries.
I am asking myself- is this the best solution? Or simply the most immediate? Do we want our nation to look like China or India? Or do we want innovators, entrepreneurs, forward thinking citizens, etc? (This is not to say that these do not exist in China/ India, only that the impetus is on the advancement of the sciences and with it the nation/ governing body rather than the advancement of the citizenry.) Does a nationalistic focus on the sciences resemble a type of servitude to a government?
I do not mean to be political about this, because I do not “follow” any party with particular vehemence. It’s just that it seems to me that the solution to our current “pickle” is far more complicated. We need to teach our students to think, to explore, to create. Some will choose science, some will choose art, some will choose business, and all be be of great inherent value. Isn’t that what freedom is? Read the rest of this entry »
A little pep talk from a barely-making-it, liberal arts graduate
Posted: January 24, 2011 Filed under: Education | Tags: Education, higher education, liberal arts Leave a comment »I have recently, for a variety of reasons, been pushed into reexamining the concept of Liberal Arts and decided to do a bit of research. The farther back in history one looks, the clearer the picture becomes, leaving recent history a veritable mud hole of confusion.
I remember several illuminating conversations with professors- some left me feeling immensely proud to be the active receipt of such an education while others left me drowning in the so-called “white man’s burden”. I have chosen in more recent years to let go of what I cannot control and focus on what I did in order to get said education, and to feel good about that.
So then, why did I choose such an education? Why on earth did I put myself into this debt-hole and was it worth it? I worked my tushy off for 4 years and today I am making about the same amount of money (inflation accounted for) I did when I was 16. So…why? Thus the bit of history.
I found it rather interesting and uplifting, so I’ll share my research here, in the hopes that other, financially-strapped, well-educated boys and girls might hopefully find some comfort in remembering why we chose what we did. Hopefully, like myself, they will remember that, hardship aside, we would not do it differently given the chance at a do-over.
A word of warning: Some of this is legitimate research…much of it is my own musing, not particularly well referenced or double checked!
——
Way back in 1374 “liber” meant “free” and also “book”, a coincidence (some say*) that illustrates the entire point of the as-yet-to-be-founded Liberal Arts Education. In 1375, someone coined the word “liberal” as the adjective to “Liberal Arts” which were designated as those “objects of study worthy of a free person”.1 Its no wonder that class-ism has plagued the Liberal Arts for the last 636 years. The implication is that trade and practicable skills are below the free and that the liberal arts are worthy of study largely due to a particular type of uselessness. This concept of education did not originate here, but more likely with Aristotle.
This flies in the face of what we know to be the “why” behind the Liberal Education today. Today, we say that the mind is set free by knowing how to think, rather than what to think. In theory at least, we learn how a mathematician and scientist thinks, rather then memorizing the facts they discover or methodologies. In this there is a root of utilitarianism that I do not see in the original meaning of Liberal Arts.
That is not to suggest that today we denied the beauty of knowledge for its own sake, Read the rest of this entry »
Amerika: The Man Who Disappeared, Franz Kafka
Posted: November 6, 2010 Filed under: literature Leave a comment »I hear that I started with the exception of the bunch when I chose to introduce myself to Kafka with this particular short, and fragmented, story. Given that assertion, I have no idea whether or not I “like” Kafka. Amerika was right up my alley- magical realism, tending towards the real, and a journey story.
I heartily enjoyed reading this book and was alternately tickled and aggravated by Karl, the 15 year old, naive protagonist, recently immigrated from Germany.
What I cannot decipher is where the naivete originates, with the construction of Karl’s character or perhaps Kafka’s own psyche. Read the rest of this entry »
Ontology of Facebook: In memory of R.A.
Posted: November 2, 2010 Filed under: Personal, Philosophy Leave a comment »Three years ago, a college friend of mine died in a traffic accident. It seems that no one knew he was legally blind and when he stepped in front of a car, it killed him instantly.
He was the type of person for whom saying are coined, like “only the good die young”. He was inspirational, motivated, deeply compassionate. All the things that we loved about him also made him occasionally annoying. If you were being selfish, he would let you know in his own subtle way. I know that’s not the sort of thing people say about the dearly departed, but it seems more unfair to lie than to admit my own faults to my friend now in the afterlife- whatever it might be. He was Buddhist, I think, with an interest in native traditions. Or maybe its the other way around.
I hope he came back as a tree. They are about the most immortal and regal beings I can think of and he deserves the best.
While he and I were not what would be considered the closest of friends, he was someone I spent many hours talking with, discussing philosophy and religion, and generally trying to imagine our way into creating Utopian societies. Read the rest of this entry »
Inchoate:
Posted: October 27, 2010 Filed under: art Leave a comment »By: Me
The mirror is dusty. Alice places her cheek against the cold glass and looks down along its surface. Where, she wonders, does all this dust come from? It appears to hover above its reflection, suspended by the clear glass. Her finger carves a faint hello. She steps back, moving from side to side, watching the dust dance in her wake. Dusting day was Tuesday, Today’s only Friday. Windows stay closed… She runs through her weekly cleaning routine, inventorying surfaces and functions. The dust must come from somewhere. She chastises herself while returning to her morning ablution.
Where was I? she seeks to find to the train of thought from before the dusty distraction. The toothpaste oozes onto the brush. Departure by 8:05am to beat the trash truck is on schedule… assuming Daniel is finished with breakfast by now. She bites down on the toothbrush, fighting the urge to “encourage” him to be on time. The bed is made, the dishes are washed. She brushes harder. Coffee is ready to go. If I am not through the light on Clifton and Calhoun by 8:09 am then… Read the rest of this entry »
Sister Love- this one’s for Phoebe
Posted: October 26, 2010 Filed under: Personal, women Leave a comment »My brother in law sent me this article this afternoon. Reading it was a joy in itself! I shared with many of my colleagues who have sisters. Without exception, they agreed that sister bring a particular type of happiness into life.
My sister has been many things to me- rival, friend, underling, foil, confidant, comedian, annoying, scapegoat, co-conspirator. I’ve heard it said that sisters are a bit of childhood that we never loose. I’ve read that two sisters are likely to be more related than another sibling combination. Yes, there truly is no relationship like the sister-sister bond. Read the rest of this entry »
Looking Ahead: a new season
Posted: October 22, 2010 Filed under: Personal, Philosophy 1 Comment »
Fall is my favorite of the seasons. Nonetheless, as with every seasonal shift, I am restless and probing the future for hints at what comes next.
I am looking forward to a change of seasons in my own life. For (almost!) three years, everything has revolved around the Law School Beast. My man will graduate in May and we will begin a transition. More than likely it will not be the swiftest of transitions.
Our plan is to move back straight away so that he can begin prepping for the Bar Exam and job hunting. Only once he finds a job will we be able to determine our next place of residence. In that lengthy “meanwhile”, we will be living with one parent or the other and making the best of it. While I have a fantastic relationship with both his family and my own…well, there is a time when even the strongest ties become strained.
Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely.
- Rodin
As I look forward to this next step in my life, I am trying to plan what comes next for me. Specifically, am I ready to go back to school, or to have children, or to start a business or some combination of these? While a lot is riding on unpredictable variables, I am trying to discern which options fit me now, which ones are vestiges of a former life, and which will be better realized even farther down the road.
So, I am preparing to study up on a particular business idea. Winter is the perfect time for me to get cozy while typing up a Business Plan. Meanwhile, I need to make some Pumpkin Mole and enjoy the present in all its golden glory.
To any readers out there, what does your future hold? What do you hope to achieve in the next year or two?
Fesenjoon, Food of (or for) gods
Posted: September 19, 2010 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: eating, farsi, Fesanjan, Fesanjoon, Fesenjoon, food, persian, pomegranate, recipe Leave a comment »
Pom Love from Persia
I want to share one of the most amazing recipes in the history of the world. And this is (probably) pretty old. Its one that my man taught me in his venture to turn me Persian. And for this recipe, I do my best.
Fesanjan is not difficult, but does take a while, though its well worth the wait. This makes enough for two people.
You need:
cooking oil
1/2 red onion
tumeric or curry powder (to taste)
2 chicken breasts (cut into chunks for stewing)
Salt and Pepper
1/3 Lbs walnuts, processed to crumbly texture
Pomegranate juice (2 cups) or paste (2 Tblsp)
pinch of sugar
Directions:
Bring a kettle of water to boil.
In a large pot (I use my dutch oven), heat the oil. When hot, saute the onions until beginning to soften. Add chicken, S&P to taste, and cook over med-high heat until beginning to turn golden on edges.
Pour in enough of the boiling water to just cover the chicken pieces. Immediately add the processed walnuts and stir to combine. Cover and simmer for about an hour. The oil should begin to cook out of walnuts and will separate on top of stew.
Pour in the pomegranate juice or paste. If using paste, you may need to add more boiling water. There should be enough liquid to cover the chicken by about an inch. If you want to add some prunes, do so now.
Simmer again for about 45min, or until the liquid reduces to a thick syrup. Serve with Persian Rice and enjoy. Try not to eat too much!
Face Lift!
Posted: September 12, 2010 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: beauty, health Leave a comment »I have always had a “soft” face. No matter how much weight I lose, I never have those gorgeous cheekbones or sharp features. Not the end of the world, but I do like the look of a “firmer” face. So I thought I would give my face a workout.
This is what I found, and I got to say, this works!
http://www.ageless.co.za/facialeye.htm
A beautiful life
Posted: August 28, 2010 Filed under: Uncategorized 1 Comment »Lately, in spite of some rather difficult situations, I have become very interested in the idea of a beautiful life. What makes a life beautiful? It must be more than the stuff the habitant carries around, or the amount of money they have. It also cannot have anything to do with an easy life or one without tragedy. In fact, some of the most beautiful lives are those that have found ways of living through extremely difficult situations with grace.
I have come to the idea that its the cadence and timing of a life that makes it beautiful. Whether its an art or a skill, or even a touch of prescience, the habitant with a sense for the rhythm surrounding them is able to lead a life that is rich and full and beautiful.
I have been trying to unravel this rare virtue and find that when I make certain adjustments to my own rhythm, my life feels more beautiful. One of these adjustments has been to slow down…I have made a very conscious effort to live more completely in the present moment. (this seems absolutely vital) rather than continually running to the next thing or rehashing what happened “back there”.
The first adjustment, and one that has made a considerable impact, is to get up earlier. It allows me to have slow, calm mornings and to arrange my day deliberately. I feel more collected, more present, and consequently, more beautiful. I know I am more pleasant to be around.
Another adjustment, has been learning to say “no”. Frequently I allow myself to take on tasks or projects that must be turned around NOW. I have always felt that if my boss was asking me to do something, then it must be possible or else she/he would not ask. As I get older though, I am learning that frequently this is not the case. When they are asking then I have the power to tell them that I do not think the given task is possible in that amount of time. I can offer suggestions or assist in some other way, but learning to say no has given me a certain amount of stability in my present that is calming and reassuring.
"The Book of Courtesans" by Susan Griffin
In my search to understand a beautiful life, I have been looking for examples. I came across the Courtesans of a different time. These were women with exquisitely beautiful lives. I am enjoying Susan Griffin’s “The Book of Courtesans”.In it she speaks directly to the magnetism that flawless “timing” can create around a person. As she presents it, it was one of the tools that made some of the more legendary courtesans so successful. While the title and class of courtesan is largely lost, we can perhaps learn a thing or two from the women who created their own niche in a male dominated society and, in doing so, helped to bring down the male dominated societies under which they lived.
