Basically, everyone in my group has been affected by the Academy in different ways. Here in the Academy, they have had memories to learn from and have thought deeply about some issues in order to mature and become a better student. By this, I mean that although the students in my group have different interpretations of what one could consider the "Academy experience," it seems to me the Academy is a place in which they can learn and grow independent.
For example, one girl in my group shared how she enjoys being by herself sometimes. I may be wrong, but I think she meant she likes to be alone so that she can just take a step back and think about things once in a while. If this is true, it shows she is growing more independent in her thoughts and simply in general.
Another person in my group expressed his distaste that people--including school students--can buy luxurious things such as icees, ipods, and snacks from the snack bar that aren't necessary in life and yet are purchased anyway. This person's way of thinking suggests a deeper level of maturity in his thoughts.
In either case, the Academy proves to be a center or home to many individuals' growth and learning. The examples above also emphasize the high level of independence that each of the students are beginning to possess.
I guess this exercise has led me to realize there are many different angles from which you can view the "truth" of what the epitome of the Academy is. All of the students in my group went to a different place on the Academy campus, came up with different opinions, and experienced different emotions. This shows that we are all different with unique beliefs and memories. Therefore, when it comes time to contemplate the truth, we each see the truth the way we want to see it. However, this is why we must be open-minded and listen to other people's thoughts and ideas; in order to see the whole (and perhaps real) truth, we must search for it by collecting all the pieces to the whole truth from others. Once we do this, we can better understand the bigger picture by connecting the smaller pieces together into a network of knowledge and truth. In other words, we should always listen to other peoples' take on a matter because only then can we find what is really and honestly true.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Sunday, February 25, 2007
What Is My Responsibility to Others?
If "others" refers to the people in need, I think I thought my responsibility should only extend to money donations occasionally to charities, the donation of clothes to Goodwill and/or Salvation Army, and greater donations when I am older with a steady job. Looking back, I think I was ignorant or unwilling to deal with what was really my responsibility to others. For example, was I supposed to be giving away a certain percentage of my allowance to the poor? Was it wrong to spend the money I earned on books while more unfortunate people on the street were suffering from discomfort or hunger?
Similar questions were addressed or discussed in "Singer's Solution." This article or essay was probably the one that made me really rethink my responsibility to others. After reading it, it made me wonder deep, disturbing questions such as: to what extent would I personally be willing to go to save a child's life? Would I risk a limb? All the money I own? My life? In the end, though, I think I would do whatever God asked me to do. If he were to ask me to sacrifice something, I think I would follow His orders no matter the consequences. But first, I would make sure it was really His voice that I'm hearing and not someone or something else's.
After reading "Singer's Solution," the whole guilt trick that Singer pulled on his readers might have worked on me. By this, I mean I was ready to give up tens of thousands of dollars to charities and people in need when I grew older and had a solid flow of income. I was convinced I could live on only $30,000 a year in order that I could help the poor to the best of my ability. Right now, I am still not sure if I would willing to do that. I mean, would it be a smart thing to do? Would it be worth it if it would save someone else's life? Wouldn't I want to be helped by someone who had more than enough money if I myself were a child in need?
All in all, all the articles that we read in class made me think deeply about my responsibility to others. However, I think the conclusion I have come to is that I would do whatever God asks me to do. If he were to present me with an opportunity to work at an orphanage or something to that effect, I would pray about it and do it if I thought He was asking it of me. Although other people will think differently, that's the way I see it.
Similar questions were addressed or discussed in "Singer's Solution." This article or essay was probably the one that made me really rethink my responsibility to others. After reading it, it made me wonder deep, disturbing questions such as: to what extent would I personally be willing to go to save a child's life? Would I risk a limb? All the money I own? My life? In the end, though, I think I would do whatever God asked me to do. If he were to ask me to sacrifice something, I think I would follow His orders no matter the consequences. But first, I would make sure it was really His voice that I'm hearing and not someone or something else's.
After reading "Singer's Solution," the whole guilt trick that Singer pulled on his readers might have worked on me. By this, I mean I was ready to give up tens of thousands of dollars to charities and people in need when I grew older and had a solid flow of income. I was convinced I could live on only $30,000 a year in order that I could help the poor to the best of my ability. Right now, I am still not sure if I would willing to do that. I mean, would it be a smart thing to do? Would it be worth it if it would save someone else's life? Wouldn't I want to be helped by someone who had more than enough money if I myself were a child in need?
All in all, all the articles that we read in class made me think deeply about my responsibility to others. However, I think the conclusion I have come to is that I would do whatever God asks me to do. If he were to present me with an opportunity to work at an orphanage or something to that effect, I would pray about it and do it if I thought He was asking it of me. Although other people will think differently, that's the way I see it.
Reflection on 1st Draft of Peace Essay
First, I think the most helpful piece of feedback was the recommendation that I work on the organization of my Peace Essay. For some reason, I had written my first draft as a sort of composition instead of a real essay. Therefore, I plan to totally re-vision my Peace Essay. By this, I mean I will probably alter what my main points are and how my ideas are organized within the paper (i.e. order of ideas).
Second, since I have written my first draft with a lot of Christian ideas and concepts, I think I will probably tone it down in my second draft. This might be better because peer readers might not appreciate or be tolerant of that kind of thing and might lose interest, unfortunately. Indeed, I wouldn't want to drown or overwhelm whoever reads my essay with my words.
Finally, I think I will follow the advice someone gave me who said I could give more specific personal examples. For instance, I can talk about how I lead a signing ministry as an example of how I witness to others (i.e. share my faith). These examples would tie down my essay and keep it to the ground, so to speak.
Second, since I have written my first draft with a lot of Christian ideas and concepts, I think I will probably tone it down in my second draft. This might be better because peer readers might not appreciate or be tolerant of that kind of thing and might lose interest, unfortunately. Indeed, I wouldn't want to drown or overwhelm whoever reads my essay with my words.
Finally, I think I will follow the advice someone gave me who said I could give more specific personal examples. For instance, I can talk about how I lead a signing ministry as an example of how I witness to others (i.e. share my faith). These examples would tie down my essay and keep it to the ground, so to speak.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Blog Contents for English
For English class, I think I could use this webpage of blogs for the following:
1. happily receive feedback on poems, short stories, or essays that I've crafted
2. write reflections on my progress for the Quality Project
3. ask for help or ideas regarding my Quality Project
4. discuss a book or story we've read in English (pose questions, opinions, etc.)
5. post best/favorite pieces of short writing (for possible feedback as well)
6. recommend fantastic and awesome books!
1. happily receive feedback on poems, short stories, or essays that I've crafted
2. write reflections on my progress for the Quality Project
3. ask for help or ideas regarding my Quality Project
4. discuss a book or story we've read in English (pose questions, opinions, etc.)
5. post best/favorite pieces of short writing (for possible feedback as well)
6. recommend fantastic and awesome books!
Thursday, February 8, 2007
Mishod's Favorite Books
1) Arena by Karen Hancock
2) Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer
3) The Bartimaeous Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud
4) The Birthright Project series by Kathryn Mackel
5) Blink by Ted Dekker
6) Court Duel by Sherwood Smith
7) The Dark is Rising Sequence by Susan Cooper
8) The Door Within Trilogy by Wayne Thomas Batson
9) Dragonspell series by Donita K. Paul
10) Dragons in Our Midst series by Bryan Davis
11) Forbidden Doors series by Bill Myers
12) Hadassah by Tommy Tenney
13) Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
14) Inheritance Trilogy by Christopher Paolini
15) The Keys to the Kingdom series by Garth Nix
16) Left Behind: The Kids series by Jerry B. Jenkins & Tim LaHaye
17) Oxygen by John B. Olson & Randall Ingermanson
18) Pellinor series by Alison Croggon
19) Pendragon series by D.J. Machale
20) The Time Quartet by Madeleine L'Engle
2) Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer
3) The Bartimaeous Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud
4) The Birthright Project series by Kathryn Mackel
5) Blink by Ted Dekker
6) Court Duel by Sherwood Smith
7) The Dark is Rising Sequence by Susan Cooper
8) The Door Within Trilogy by Wayne Thomas Batson
9) Dragonspell series by Donita K. Paul
10) Dragons in Our Midst series by Bryan Davis
11) Forbidden Doors series by Bill Myers
12) Hadassah by Tommy Tenney
13) Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
14) Inheritance Trilogy by Christopher Paolini
15) The Keys to the Kingdom series by Garth Nix
16) Left Behind: The Kids series by Jerry B. Jenkins & Tim LaHaye
17) Oxygen by John B. Olson & Randall Ingermanson
18) Pellinor series by Alison Croggon
19) Pendragon series by D.J. Machale
20) The Time Quartet by Madeleine L'Engle
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