Education Reading Relation

Learning in school and than experiencing a situation that can be applied to learned material is always very rewarding. Although rewarding might not always be the greatest word, the fact that school can be applied to life makes paying for an education seem all the more worthwhile.

When talking about how too many students perform for grades I could definitely agree from prior situations, but I hadn't experienced anything in college yet. After being here for a term I have finally seen it. Being a biochemistry major I get a good look at the science majors that I study and have class with. We all seem very uptight about class and tests and seem to miss that spark in life at times that is supposed to make learning fun.

In high school it was always annoying to me when I was asked about my scores on tests and then compared to others and their results. I know what your thinking, and your right. I have just today encountered the same thing and it bugged me. My grades are my business, period. Its not that I was mad, more entertained by the fact that we had discussed this type of occurrence in IS.

Congratulations Professor Wright...Your doing your job well. :)

Lutheranism/ Lutheran College Reading Reflection

Being a member at an ELCA affiliated church, I found the Lutheranism readings very repetitive, however, a review on Martin Luther and his teachings was nice to read about. By reading Lutheranism 101 and 102 I was able to reestablish what it is I believe as a Lutheran, and why it is I believe it. When it comes to faith this is, after all, the most important part.

I really enjoyed Christenson's conclusions and afterthoughts in his essay. I feel that he is seeing the big picture as to why Lutheran colleges are changing, and how they are still doing many things that make them religiously affiliated colleges. Change is a part of life, and in reality, the church has changed what it is too. As culture changes, church's change to fit the culture, which in result causes changes in other aspects of life. For instance, women could never have held a position in the church years ago, but are just as able as men are in ELCA affiliated churches. Traditions change, and to say that a college is becoming secular because it changes is an exaggeration. Christenson does a great job of making this point evident.

The Christian Roommates Reflection

Reading a narrative is so much more entertaining and exciting than reading an analytical essay. I found this piece very interesting and easy to follow. At the same time, there are many aspects open for interpretation...

This narrative is an example about how different people can be even though they are both Christian. Everybody takes their faith to a different level, and this is definitely evident the differences between Orson and Hub. Although Hub practices in a such a way that seems strange to many people, it is the way that he prays and praises. This story illustrates that fact that there is no one right way to worship, and by getting hung up on how others praise the living God around, you can go crazy, as Orson did.

Lastly, there is an realization that ends the narrative. Orson marries who he says he was going to, he becomes a doctor, and his life is as he pictured it...On the outside. The last statement says that "He never prays." Hub on the other hand goes to many different places and lives his life day by day. I feel that this final illustration can be interpreted as saying that as Christians we should go where we are called. We should go where God leads us, and if that is away from our original plan, than so be it. Hub did this and was happy with his life. Orson is living his life, but is he really living?

Debate Reflection

Wow!

The debate was quite an event today. For the most part, it was taken seriously. Haha. At the same time, the bits of humor that were added made the class enjoyable and entertaining.

I feel that everything went very smoothly from a logistics standpoint, with exception of the questions. I feel that things got a little out of hand, and people were asking questions that held very little relevance to the topic of the debate. At the same time, interruption of someone who is talking is unacceptable and extremely out of line. We are in college, and to act in such a way is completely unneccesary.

I enjoyed researching for the debate and finding out points that were against global warming. I furthered my knowledge in order to formulate more opinions as to what I think is happening. The debate was a great way to further explore the idea of global warming in a format that is more exciting than a simple discussion.

11/16/09 Class Reflection

An interesting point was brought up in class today that my very insightful roommate Erik Jolivette decided to begin elaborating on. I would like to first agree with his assessment, and possibly provide a further explanation to what the following states might mean...

"If you are conservative in your faith then you have a lower IQ."

First of all, this statement is a generalization that I do not necessarily agree with, however I can see some sense in this statement.

If a person is conservative in their faith they have found what they are searching for, as Erik said. At the same time, they are saved and know they are living for their Savior and that he will help them to persevere. Their faith is a crutch for them to lean on, so their is the chance that they do not seem to worry about their intellect as much because they don't have as much worry. A person with more liberal views and less of a faith influence may be more worrisome and not know where they are going in life. They lack the support that a faith can provide and choose to work, work, study, study in order to succeed in life. Because of this the chances of an increased IQ is much higher, naturally, then someone who does not study as much.

I want to again stress that these are generalizations. There are many exceptions on both sides of the spectrum, and their is not right answer as to what this statement means. All I am saying is that I can understand where someone could logically see this statement making sense.

Happy Monday...

Townsley/Bouzard Response

Well, I was expecting some disagreement from Bouzard on the article entry by Townsley, however, there was more than simple disagreement. Bouzard ripped Townsley's case apart like Kenner demolishes any opposing viewpoints on global warming. He questioned the validity of the case and backed it up with reasonable evidence.

In my opinion, Townsley went about this in the wrong way. As Bouzard describes, there was no discussion with professors and pastors about the subject to maybe gain some supported explanation. His accusations were, at times, out of line and had very little support. He may have researched ELCA doctrines, but he didn't look into them deep enough.

I enjoy the comic relief that Bouzard throws in at the end of his response about upping the religion requirements here at Wartburg. This tone, however, did not overshadow Dr. Bouzards deep disagreement with Townsley.

Latest Thoughts on Global Warming

Reading "State of Fear" has really changed my perspective on global warming. I always just assumed that it was a problem because initially we think that since ice caps are melting there a problem.

I have come to find that even though it may seem like global warming is a problem, it is simply occurring in places. Even then, there are many places that have not heated up. Global warming is simply a cycle the earth is going through, and to say that it is a large scale problem is a little bit of an exaggeration. At the same time though, we should not ignore ideas to conserve energy and find alternative sources to preserve the environment.

Global warming extremists often present data that supports their data, and "tampering" with the data by presenting it to be something it is not is very common. I have come to realize that developing an opinion and then evaluating that data is the only way to find your stance. By seeing both sides of the issue from "An Inconvenient Truth" and "State of Fear" I have been able to develop my opinion.

Post State of Fear

What a great book! I really enjoyed it. Not only was it action packed and full of excitement, but it was full of information about global warming that i was unaware of.

The one thing i did not like about the book were the pages between Flagstaff and Gareda. I felt that this part of the book was very anticlimactic and not exciting. The conversation that Evans has with Hoffman is an interesting chapter, however as a whole the plot looses a lot. I realize that global warming and particular situations were being explained and expanded on. It was just a disappointment after so much action at Mt. Terror and in Flagstaff.

Needless to say, Crichton does a great job of wrapping up the novel with the scenes in Pavutu. I found the gruesome details both intense and appalling. I thought that ending the book with action and the surprise of Morton being alive was a great way to bring the plot round circle.

A+ Crichton..................

State of Fear Response #1

The first part of this book was great. Things were a little hectic and hard to follow at first, but as soon as the plot was developed and established, Crichton provided a story that lives up to his reputation. It is hard to predict what will happen next when I have already read the second section. However, there was an aspect in the first half of the book that bugged me, and I would like to discuss it.

First, I feel that Peter is, for lack of a better word, a sissy. I know that there must be a better word to describe him, but its the first thing popping into my head. Yes, I do understand that he has been put in some very scary situations. The fact that he was wedged between two glaciers, and then surrounded by lightening can not be ignored. Still, Sarah was keeping her head and looking for the light at the end of the tunnel. I felt that Peter was acting like a toddler whining for kool-aid instead of milk at supper time. Peter acts bold and wants respect from Kenner, however, he is completely out of control and a head case in moments of adversity.

Although this aspect may have little to do with the plot of the book, I thought it was interesting to discuss the fact that the main character who is notably a hero or influence in the book is actually the one stepping back from the "moments of truth" in the book.

Pick up your game Peter...

Michael Crichton Movie/State of Fear

This past week has been a time of enlightenment for me. I have always been huge on the environment, and the idea of global warming has always been something that needs to be stopped. However, I have never truly known a lot about the topic, and after reading and listening to different sources, I have began to wonder if global warming is as big of an issue as I thought. There seems to be a lot of gaps in the theory, and as an idea, it is truly misunderstood. We do not know as much as seems to be discussed by Presidential candidates and environmentalists.

All the material that has been pressed upon me has been a little bit overwhelming. However, I have found it to be a very interesting week of thought. Is global warming an issue? Is it something that we need to push to prevent? Can it really be stopped?

I'm still thinking...