14I: The trip home.

The shuttle that drives students to union station picks you up in the parking lot of Moral Hall.  It is small but comfortable.  You have to get to Moral Hall early because the shuttle bus fills up quickly.  

Since it is two days before Thanksgiving break, everyone and their mother is trying to get home.   By the time I got off the shuttle, I only had five minutes to get to the platform. I noticed that the lines to buy tickets was very long.  Thank goodness I remembered to buy a train ticket ahead of time.

The train ride was nice. I managed to find a secluded seat  all the way in the back of the train. I just plugged my headphones in and relaxed. The train is always so relaxing.

At the Bridgeport stop, the train lets you out right by the water. It is just a few feet away from the ferry!  This means that I am almost home!!

14B: Thank goodness.

Thank goodness for Thanksgiving.  It came around just in time this year.  Any longer and, I think, I might have gone crazy.  This semester has been very stressful for me.  Between different/odd teaching styles, midterms, making and keeping new friends and registering for classes for next semester.  I felt like my head would explode under all the pressure.  Don’t get me wrong, it was fun, a good experience, and I have been doing well with all my classes, but, the dramatic change in and of itself causes my head to hurt whenever I think about it.  I just need a few days to chill in my own bed, with my dog, in my natural habitat.  Or, at least, for the few minutes between flashcard.

 

On a more sentimental note, I have realized I have a lot more to be thankful for than I could have ever imagined.   I am not referring to any material object or my high school life style, I am talking about the way I was raised.  I never realized how influenced I was by my family.  Everyone I was with before I came here, were raised similarly to me.  Or, possibly, I just never noticed the differences because I was not around those people 24/7, like I am here.  Everything, from how I act in a sticky situation, down to how I hold my fork, is all thanks to my family.  I have never been so thankful for them.  They gave me the tools and knowledge to survive on my own at school.  I have seen many people here have problems.  Whether they were big problems or little ones, they ended up getting lost in the confusion and worry.  I, on the other hand, almost always knew what had to be done and how to get out of the situation.  More often than not, I was the person they would turn to for help and advice. Everything I know I learned from my family.

14V: Investment

The most recognized definition of Investment is, “the action or process of investing money for profit or material result.” For example, this would be like giving an entrepreneur a certain amount of money to help get their business started.  Once the business starts making money, the money would usually be returned to you with a slight increase.  

A less know definition of Investment is, “an act of devoting time, effort, or energy to a particular undertaking with the expectation of a worthwhile result.” For example, this is like going to a food bank for an hour or so to stock shelves with food, help people coming in to “shop” for food and organizing other donations that were received.  In this scenario, you don’t get anything monetary back for your “investment”.  Most of the time you get paid or receive some other type of compensation, depending on the activity and type of investment.  

14A: Eat, Sleep, Gym, Repeat.

According to the article, “Relax! You’ll be more productive,”  your time will be better spent if you separate your work load into 90 minute intervals. This allows you to stay energized, healthy and focused longer.  I plan on testing this out during break.  

I have a lot to do between studying for finals, getting back into shape, spending time with family and catching up on sleep.  Not to mention, watching all the TV shows I missed out on, but that’s not a huge priority.  Anyway, I have a lot to do and only a week in which to do it.  

So, my plan is to wake up at eight o’clock, just like I usually do, so as to not mess up my sleeping schedule, and begin my day with a nice walk around the neighborhood with my dogs and my dad, if he’s up.  You may think this won’t take 90 minutes but, I live in a large neighborhood and I have four dogs that each have to be walked separately.  Next, I will have breakfast.  Hopefully, the rest of my family will be up by then so we can all chat and catch up.  After that, I will study.  I am only going to study, or work on one subject at a time, just to avoid confusion and to try and stay focused better.  Then, I will do a sequenced workout my brother made for me. With any luck, most of the 90 minutes will be used for actual calorie burning and not me gasping for air.  Next, I will have lunch and maybe even watch a show with my mom at the same time.  Then it is back to the books!

This is when the repeat comes in.  Obviously, I am not going to plan out my day by the minute.  This plan will end up changing and varying, depending on what my family has planned or if friends stop by and I can’t get away.  I will do my best to stick to this routine as much as possible because, I really think it will help me get a lot done.  Even if I am only able to do it for one full day.    

13I: Registration

My roommate and I woke up at 5:30 a.m. on Monday, November 18, 2013.  We turned on the lights, opened the window and both made a nice, hot cup of tea.  Basically, we did anything that would help keep us awake and alert for what might lie ahead for us.  As our laptops warmed up, we openly reflected on what we might be in for.  We discussed our worry about not getting into the classes we wanted; the mad rush that might boot us off the website; and, even the slight chance that the internet might fail.  We took turns being the positive voice of reason and the negative nelly.  It is now 5:58 a.m., and we are both silent, staring at our computer screens. We plugged our pin numbers in on the web site and prepared to press send at 6:00 a.m.

When the clock struck 6:00 a.m.,exactly, all hell broke loose.  Both of us were immediately kicked off the web site.  For the next half hour we were both frantic.  We were refreshing and re-logging on, only to be kicked off seconds later.  My roommate began to curse in frustration.  She called her friends that were trying to register too, to see if they were having the same problem.  They were!  I began to pace back forth across the room while pressing the refresh button.

When 7:00 a.m. came around, my pin number was finally accepted.  Unfortunately, I was only able to get into one of my classes. I plugged the rest of my choices in and only two of those classes were accepted.  In a panic, I picked two random classes that fit in my schedule and were in my curriculum.  

At 8:00 a.m., I was finished.  I looked over the schedule that I made and it was terrible. I had a 4 hour class that ended at 10:00 p.m. I also got stuck with a terrible, non-english speaking math teacher.  I knew I had a long week of corrections to make.    

13B: “Bippity Boppity Boo.”

I like to think I am a creative person.  My creative expertise usually lies in the addition, and overuse, of glitter, glitter glue, basically anything that sparkles.  That is more than most people.  Sadly, computers and glitter don’t mix well.  Trust me, I tried mixing them.  So when it comes to video projects, I am completely in the dark.  I can barely add music to my playlist without frying my hard drive.

My main plan for adding a high level of creativity to my final video project was “magic”.  Preferably pixie dust, only because it’s glitters. Unfortunately, in the words of Giselle from Enchanted, “I don’t know where I can find a fairy god-mother at this late hour.” So, it looks like I will be relying on the various tutorial videos found on youtube.

Luckily, I do have a rather interesting plan of creativity and how I am going to get my information across to the audience.  My topic is, “How Southern handles drinking”. So I am going to start my video by displaying Southern’s drinking policy.  Then, I will play, as a voice recording, the opinions of students who like this drinking policy and their reasons why.  After that, I will show a short skit of a real scenario where the drinking policy is at fault.  Next, I will display some research from accredited sources that says what schools shouldn't do, and,  of course, some more opinions from students.  Then, some examples of drinking policies from other colleges that are safer, and more fair.  Finally, more research, and students ideas on a better drinking policy.  

Hopefully, this creative display of information and gradual persuasion will be enough to distract people from the bland background and lack of sparkle.  Not to mention, the lack of decent music and good filming.  I will do my best, and maybe the tutorial videos will teach me something I can use.    

13V: Purpose

“What is my purpose?”  This may be a common question from actors but, it is actually a pretty valid question.  Purpose is the reason for which something is done or created or, for which something exists.  In motivational terms, purpose is the reason why you work hard, practice long hours, study until dawn and stress until your hair falls out.  Motivation is the reason for one's behavior.  

Motivation and purpose are essentially the same thing.  They are both the driving force that keeps you moving towards a better, or more comfortable, future. Most of the time, it is a tangible item like a prize, or an object to save for.  Other times, it is a title, or a place on the field.  Either way, purpose keeps you improving.

13A: Lights! Camera! Research!

I am not an expert video maker.  In fact, I am barely an amature video maker.  I needed a lot of help when I was putting together my midterm video project.  I didn’t even know how to add music to the background! Technology and I never got along,  from the very start. Lucky for me, technology will not stop me from creating a high level video draft for my final project.  

Fancy equipment and dazzling special effects can only get you so far.   Don’t get me wrong, they are very cool and they do add another level of effort, expertise, and creativity to your project; but, I can still get a very good grade without all the smoke and mirrors.  

Research is key.  Actually, patience might be the key to keep me from throwing my computer across the room when the video software fails me.  So, that makes research my new best friend.  With a lot of research on my topic from several different resources, sites, and points of view, I will be able to create a well rounded, informative video.  I will also be able to create a strong argument for my point.  

I currently have three opinionated interviews from students of various years.  Each interview consists of their opinion, an explanation of why they feel this way and an example of their point.  I also have several different articles that include surveys, data and testimonies from accredited persons and places.  At this moment, I only have two different written examples of policies from two known colleges; but, I hope to get a couple of more and compare them, helping the audience to create their own opinion.  

Research will help tremendously.  It help to create a full understanding of my topic and argument.  It will also help me put forward a good argument.  With any luck, I may be able to convince some important people, which would result in a change.  For right now, I will just settle for an A.  

12I: Movie Night

Every Tuesday evening, at 8:00 p.m., Procon hosts a movie night. They show a relatively new movie each week; complete with candy, drinks and a few other snacks. It is held in the student center, on the second floor in the back theater.

This week they showed, "We are The Miller's."  It is about a small time drug dealer that convinces three acquaintances to pretend to be his family so he can transport drugs over the border.  It is a very funny movie.

I recommend movie night in Procon.  You get the entire experience; it was completely free and it felt like a real movie theater. The only thing missing is the popcorn.

12A: Why is this class important?

• What is the value of a liberal arts education?

The value of a liberal arts education is the ability to have options.  I’m not just talking about this type of business class or another type of business class.  The option to choose to take the classes that truly interest you.  If I am a business major, I am allow to take an art class, or a philosophy class if I want to.  I get the education I need for my major and chosen career as well as the education that truly interests me. I have the ability to have a “well-rounded” education.  According to Emily Booker, “I've taken classes I would have never given a second thought, and have walked away with a wealth of cultural, scientific, language and mathematical knowledge.”  Without these “extra” classes, she wouldn’t have the same interests and knowledge she does now.  Students with a liberal arts education can value the options they are given to take whatever class they want to, whenever they want to.  

• What does it provide students with?

A liberal arts education teaches students how to adjust and grow with the changing world and job industry.  Instead of being trained for "Yesterday's jobs", us students are taught how to think outside the box and come up with creative, problem solving solutions on the spot and in any environment. “We can teach new hires the content, and we will have to because it continues to change, but we can’t teach them how to think — to ask the right questions — and to take initiative. ” A liberal arts education provides students with the ability to ask the right questions and to take initiative.  Liberal arts students become more  equipped to evolve, adjust to change, and lead any group of people in any situation.  

12V: Interdisciplinary Perspective

According to Griffith University, Interdisciplinary Perspective is a perspective “in which two or more disciplines are brought together, preferably in such a way that the disciplines interact with one another and have some effect on one another’s perspectives.”  In other words, if you look at an object or situation with one point of view and then look at that same object or situation with a different point of view, you will get a completely different appearance.  The combination of these two points of view is interdisciplinary perspective.  This is often used to improve on something, or find a deeper understanding or meaning.    

12B: Liberal Arts

What are the benefits of having a liberal arts education?

A liberal arts education is very important.  This type of education can help you get a job, create a new job, expand your knowledge, and prepare you for the changing world.  This statement is supported by several of this weeks reading assignments.  

According to Tony Wagner, the Harvard education specialist, “We can teach new hires the content, and we will have to because it continues to change, but we can’t teach them how to think — to ask the right questions — and to take initiative.”  Thomas L. Friedman quoted Wagner a lot, throughout his article, “Need a job? Invent one.”  All throughout, they discuss how difficult it is for recent college graduates to not only get a job but, to keep one.  Wagner feels that people with the ability to think critically and come up with new and creative ideas will be able to keep a job for longer or, be able to create a new type of job that allows them to excel.  By the time a student in a Liberal Arts education system graduates, they should be able to think critically and creatively.  That is the main goal of a Liberal Arts education.  

In the article, “Liberal Arts Education and the ‘know-nothing’ Bandwagon”, the author discusses a lecture she gave in China. They are very interested in this type of an education because, they mainly have a specialized education system that prepares students for jobs, “Yesterday's jobs, I tend to think.”  The author mentions that a specialized education system will only give you the traits to survive a specific job; “just the kinds of traits that will doom one to irrelevance in the contemporary culture and society.”   With this  statement, she expresses the complete uselessness of only mastering traits and skills that will only benefit you in only one aspect of your life.  It doesn’t allow you to grow with the changing jobs, or help you hold an informative, intellectual conversation.   

11A: Inquiry Questions

1. How can you speed up the creative process without sacrificing your outside life?

Most creative thinking takes time and patience.  According to the  “short lesson on perspective” article, this, unfortunately, involves missing out on a few date nights, parties, birthdays and other important events.  These are sacrificed because we become so frustrated with the lack of good  ideas or, even, the lack of any idea.  We become fixated and determined to create something breathtaking. The best way, I find,  to do this is to come up with a lot of ideas, write them down, walk away, take a lunch break or nap.  Then,  after a little while, look over  your ideas and get rid of a few of them.  Continue this  process until you only have a handful left.  Then, sleep on it.  When you wake up and look at what you have it should be your best possible idea.  Unfortunately, this takes a lot of time.  I don’t see why this can’t be done along with your social life.  

2. What makes Arthur Fry’s daydream different from other, more common daydreams?

Arthur Fry is the creator of the Post-it.  He came up with this idea from a daydream about his bookmarks falling out of his books.  He then began to think about a new kind of weak glue.  Something strong enough to hold two pieces of paper together but, weak enough to be pulled apart with the slight of hand.  This type of daydream is unusual to me because, most people’s daydream’s are about their fantasies or wishes that are very far off and hard to come by.  Yet ,this innovator dreams about new ways to be productive.  

3. How does the creative industry hold people of creative nature ransom to their own self image?

People of a creative nature are held ransom because of their fear of not being creative enough to please everyone.  Most jobs lack creativity.  People learn to live without the need to be creative.  So, for jobs that require creativity, there is a lot more pressure on these creative people.  These people become less willing to put their ideas out there because they don't want to be criticized or rejected.  The pressure of coming up with the best idea keeps creative people from coming up with great ideas.  

4. Why is it important to introduce kids to a boring environment on occasion?

Adults are always trying to keep kids interested in learning. In fact, they try to keep them interested in everything. Kids are constantly being entertained by fun games, or stories or activities. As good as it is to keep a child happy, it's important to build up their tolerance to boring things. This will strengthen their ability to sit through a long, dreary lecture, or poor work presentation. You can't count in kids to develop this on there own. They are over- stimulated from all the fun activities from their formative years. You must prepare them for the boring future, just as you would the challenging future.

11V: Innovation

Innovation is the introduction of something new that will better the economy, help with production, a learning process, or even daily life.  This could be a new idea, or a machine or, a remake of an already existing idea or machine.  In order for something to be an innovation, it must have a positive impact on society; or offer a better type of living; or offer an important solution.   

A breakthrough, or a sudden, dramatic, and important discovery or development, is very similar to an innovation.  They are both an alteration, or change in a significant way, how we live, work, learn, and travel.  Can you just imagine a world without the breakthrough of technology?  Or the innovation of cell phones?  Or the alteration of health care?  All small, but important, impacts that have changed our world.  

11I: Birthday Trip!

This week was one of my friends 18th birthday.  I just met her when I came to Southern.  Instead of just going to Conn Hall for dinner and getting whatever cake they have that night for her, a group of mutual friends got together and planned a surprise night on the town.

In preparation for this trip, we looked up the bus schedule.  We learned we had to take the B bus to Temple & Church Street.  All we had to do now was find Fitch Street, which is where the bus was going to pick us up from Southern.  We found the stop right across the street from the student center.  Right after a light dinner at Conn we went straight there.  

We took the CT Transit bus to downtown New Haven and went to the Shake Shack.  The Shake Shack is a really good burger place with delicious milk shakes and smoothies.  After we finished our shakes and french fries, we walked the streets of New Haven for a bit.  We just strolled along, joking around, singing out loud and doing goofy dares from a scavenger hunt game that we prepared earlier.  After a few hours, we caught the 11:30 B1 bus back to school. It was a fun birthday trip off campus.