Making a change. . .

Well, it has been to so long since I have last sat down to write about my learning. I do not like to go so long without an update, but I think it will actually be of benefit to me because I have a better grasp on what I have been learning. So here it goes. . .

Our inquiries are well underway at this point and my learning has taken a new and different direction than I was anticipating. In our group’s inquiry we decided to focus on when violence actually erupted with Tiananmen Square. So naturally I was not expecting that our inquiry would have grown into what it is now. Previous to this inquiry I knew next to nothing about the Tiananmen Square Protests of 1989, let alone Chinese history, politics, culture, etc. It has been a challenge to continue ahead in our inquires and maintain direction without getting too overloaded with other information. However, as a group I think that we are learning how to keep our direction and go off the track a bit in order to understand this event in many different ways with the proper foundations to support our learning.

I am also learning a lot about deciphering through resources that I am finding to get to the story from various perspectives and voices and not just a singular angle. I did not realize the importance of this until we started the inquires. However, if I did not do this there would be a lot of learning and real understanding missed out on. Also, the inquiry reports that we produce would all be very biased as we are not only selecting what we are reporting on, but also how the story is being portrayed. That can be very dangerous.

As I write the reports and the inquiries I am learning a lot about simple things such as the set up of the report. To make a more professional paper I need to pay attention to the small details, such as name, date, report number, bibliographical citation, so that the people reading have a better understanding and it will make it easier to work with the report in the future. Previous to this class I had never heard of an annotated bibliography and therefore I did not know how to create one or work with one. However, I think I am slowly catching on to this. I also see the importance of it. We are not doing all of this work in vain. It has a purpose, and that purpose is becoming clearer. Many other students, in their upper years, do not know how to create or work with an annotated bibliography. So, although right now all of this work seems like a waste of time or a hassle, I know that it will be to my benefit in the years to come.

Going into this inquiry I assumed that there was a universal definition and understanding of what democracy is. However, I was quite wrong. The idea of what democracy is may be similar amongst countries and people. However, the ways in which it is interpreted, lived out and, in this case, fought for all differ greatly. Many of the Chinese protesters involved in Tiananmen Square were not fighting so that they could vote and have more of a voice in the way their country was being run. They wanted more integrity within their current government. They were not asking for age old Chinese traditions to be rid of. Instead, they simply wanted leaders to be more for the people and lead China forward in all areas. I think, so far anyways, that this has been my biggest and most important learning curve in the inquiry because I can assume that I know what people are talking about, however, until I switch frames I will not be able to understand a different point of view.

I already mentioned this briefly, but I am learning a lot about voices and conversations within different contexts and themes. This is true with the Tiananmen Square inquiry and also true in my Intercordia Prep class as I have been reading various texts about Ghana. I had no idea how biased and framed all writing is. People’s experiences, beliefs, backgrounds, etc really have a great affect on the way they talk about certain things. This is a good thing, but I have learned that I need to see what other voices are saying as well to create a conversation and gain a better understanding of different perspectives.

This past week I also attended the Food Inc. movie that was shown on campus. Most of the movie served as a real wakeup call for myself, and I think most people in the room. The film was obviously framed in a certain way. However, unlike many documentaries of this nature, it was not trying to get is to necessarily take side (although, we ultimately did). It was very blunt in the way it framed the food industry, but I think this was also needed. Food is a very crucial part of sustaining life and the food that most of us are eating on a regular base has a story to tell. That story will include the various places it came from, how it was created, who created it, how it was killed/harvested to be eaten, etc. There are many steps in the process of eating and getting food. No longer is it from the farmer to the plate. The process has grown to be something much more logistical and political in nature. I was aware of much of this, however, it is still disturbing. I get too caught up in placing the blame on the government and various corporations. However, the more that I have been thinking about it, the more I see this as problematic. I mean nothing will ever change unless I am willing to make personal choices that will create change. If enough of us change our corner of the world then maybe, just maybe, we would see a more significant change in a global way. It all comes back to watch of us demanding integrity within the government and our suppliers, but ultimately we have to be the change that we want to see.

What a random week it was. Between classes, relationships, summer plans, and an array of other things last week proved to be a one of change for me. “Your heart is revealed and your character forged when life does not turn out the way you planned.” This quote seems to sum up my life lately. People, including myself, often complain about how mediocre life cane be. I am discovering in huge ways that life will only be what you allow it to be. If you want to conquer, you will first have to fight. If you want to love, you will first have to risk rejection. If you want to grow and learn, you will have to be pruned and the bas stuff cut away. Are you getting my drift? I have learned that a life worth living is the one that is taking chances and living in the unknown. It is amazing how much you can learn and grow in a short period of time when you just give up a little control.

I was accepted to be a part of Intercordia Canada this summer. My passion has always been for Africa, for reasons that I can’t explain. So logically, when I was picked my top four places to go for the summer they were 1) Ghana 2) Nicaragua 3) Ukraine 4) Ecuador. I was very surprised when I found out I would be going to Ecuador. However, I was surprisingly okay with it. I accepted it and knew that there was a reason for it. Also, I was excited to see a new part of the world and build relationships with Ecuadorians. I began my fundraising and was moving ahead with my planning. I woke up Friday morning to my phone ringing. I was surprised to hear that it was our coordinator from Intercordia. She has ‘good news’ for me. I was very confused and figured it had to do with my funds. So, my jaw dropped when she said “Kara, we want you to reconsider your placement for the summer. There is a new placement off the coast of Ghana and we want you to go.” To be honest I was not excited when she asked me this. I was torn. Yes, Ghana was my first choice originally, but I had grown to be excited about going to Ecuador. After a conversation with my dad and some time to think my answer was a very clear YES, I will go to Ghana. Seriously, words can’t do justice how it feels to be going home to Africa. Life has a weird and amazing way of surprising me. I have grown and learned so much from this experience already and I would not want to change the way that things have worked out lately.

Okay, onto Aquinas learning. . .

I am very happy that the inquiry groups have been chosen and the inquires have begun. The process was an interesting one though and I have learned quite a bit. When were asked to compile our world within our feasibility groups and present it to the class I was a little nervous because of how little I really knew about Tiananmen Square. However, I realised that all of the groups are in a similar place of not knowing much about their events and that will be the point of the inquiry. Being organized and professional is so important when presenting and researching an idea. Creating an annotated bibliography is something that I have never done in completion before so even the compilation of our sources taught me a lot. Also, Russ gave our group guidance with how to make our feasibility report be more professional and academic. It was too bad that some of the groups did not have the chance to present at all or with all of the group members. I think that a few of the events could have been feasible and made good inquires. However, I guess that is just the way it is and I did not feel comfortable vouching for an event to go forward when I knew so little about it.

I guess that is all for now. My entries seem to be getting more and more scattered and random, but so has my life.

Chin up! Kara

Let's Start a Revolution

How is it that unity and equality within humanity is so important to me, but I catch myself making contradictory statements so much? I have a mindset that I want to see all humans given the same chances and treated with dignity and equality. Yet, when it comes down to it, my brain is almost engraved with ideas of superiority. As a North American, it is so easy to consider myself on a higher level than someone living in a less wealthy country. This bothers me so much. Yes, I am very privileged to have been born in Canada and live with such peace and opportunities constantly being presented. However, I really don’t think that me living here has a whole lot of significance or importance unless I am using all that I have been given to help make the world a better place. I really am not meaning to sound clichéd or even cheesy. This is something though that I am learning a lot about and I want to make a more conscious decision to not speak as if I am superior to a prostitute in Thailand or a farmer in Ecuador. I am the opposite and I think I am the one who needs to be learning from them. I guess it all kind of comes back to how people come to believe what they do. I am still trying to figure it all out.

The Tiananmen Square Protests of 1989 is something that until last week I had no understanding of and I still have a long way to go. People’s choice of democracy over communism, and vice versa, has always intrigued me a little bit. I think you can learn a great deal about people’s beliefs when you begin to examine their choice to live in a democratic or communist society. The people of Beijing were under a communist government and many students, intellectuals and other citizens were getting tired of this way of living. The old saying ‘if you don’t like where the parade is going then get out and lead it’ was the mind set of many of the Chinese people who were seeking change, who wanted a revolution if you will. In a land that is so different than mine it can be easy to take sides, but I have to really step back and remember the centuries of traditions and values that are instilled in these people. A revolution and a defiance of the government could not remain a peaceful undertaking. It would mean violence and death for some. This did not deter many of the protesters. If anything, I think that it made them stronger. The one aspect of this that really caught me off guard was the naivety that so many of the protesters held. When the army and police force began to create a resistance many of the protesters did not get scared away by them. It was as though they did not believe that fellow citizens could actually injure and kill them. They did though. There are so many levels of how people come to believe what they do entwined in this story. I guess that is why I think it would make such a great inquiry. There are beliefs that have been accepted and practiced for centuries, but then challenged by a group of people seeking change. The protesters know that they are fighting for a good cause and therefore no one would oppose them. Right? The government’s strong belief in communism resulted in the validation of several thousand murders.

As I was doing the feasibility test for the Tiananmen Square Protests I looked quite a bit for books and other sources that would be useful to further my research. I have definitely improved in how I go about searching for resources and I am more comfortable with the process. As our professors were looking over the work that our group had brought in I realized that there is still a lot that I need to learn. The presentation and the set up of a bibliography is very important to the overall report. The more precise and accurate the references can be listed, cited, organized and so on will really add to the feasibility of the event. This is the main aspect of the report that I needed to improve on. Citing a list of books is no good unless I can explain (or offer a cited explanation) of why the resource would be useful. An annotated bibliography is something that I have never had to really complete before. So during this process I really have learned a lot. I am working on choosing resources that will sustain an inquiry and not simply make my bibliography look bigger and better. That is not the point at all.

I feel a song coming on!

So, we are all back together now. To be honest, I think that I was dreading it. I mean I was getting into a flow with all of our disciplines being taught separately. Not to mention, I was a little hesitant to begin another inquiry. Last semester scared me a little I guess. However, I have learned during Truth and Society so far that if there are two things needed to succeed in the class you need a little optimism and some trust in the professors. They have been teaching this class for many years and they have experience. So, I am trusting the direction that they are leading us in, but I am also being a lot more open to asking questions and questioning the process and decision making.

I realized today that Aquinas and I are made for one another. I really feel like being in this learning environment is helping me thrive as a student. And I am NOT saying this to gain an extra tick or brownie points. I am genuinely so appreciative of the class structure and the huge emphasis there is on learning. Most other classes that I am on or that I have been in are not geared towards to a student’s learning that will last a lifetime. I am finding though that this mindset can be carried over into my other classes as long as I put my mind to it. I need to make a conscious decision to learn. When I am sitting in Sociology class I find myself hoping that the fire alarm will go off or that our prof will decide to end class early. Not all classes are going to be mind boggling interesting and demand all of my attention. It’s all about my mindset though. I mean if I am finding something (ie. Sociology class) boring maybe all I need to do is change the way that I am looking at the situation and the circumstances. I remember Thom talking about this in September and I thought he was crazy. If something is boring, it’s boring. Case closed. Apparently I am slow though, because once I began putting this into practice I was surprised to see how much I was learning and how much of the ‘boring’ on information is actually very helpful. So bring on the Soc classes!!

I am kind of jumping all over the place as I write, but that’s just the way I roll.

Have you ever realized that there is something that you really love, but you are scared of it or you can’t express the love (I am not talking in code)? For me that ‘something’ is music. It isn’t a shallow appreciation for the newest Jack Johnson CD. It’s this inner part of me that allows me to find a connection with the world. I know I am the cheesiest person ever invented. I just think that music (of all types, sounds, genres, and generations) tells so many stories and it represents people and their beliefs and opinions. Writing music is something that I have been doing for a while and then I stopped. Now, I need to start again, but for some reason I am scared to try. I don’t write to be heard. I write to understand myself most of the time and maybe someday, somewhere what I write will find meaning in someone else’s life.

As we have been searching for events that are worthy of a feasibility test I have been slightly overwhelmed I guess. I felt a certain amount of pressure to find ‘good’ events for the class to choose and look into. I am so dumb. Every time I try to please someone I end up screwing things up and this is what I did this time. I found an event about the celibacy in the Catholic Church in the Twelfth Century. I know, you are probably yawning already. I was trying to pick an event that sounded academic and challenging. I am pretty sure that it was a fail though. So, as I was searching for a new event I just looked for something that explored/presented several belief points and an event that was new to me. Again, learning is not about looking good or sounding good all of the time. Most of the time it’s just me exploring topics that I have never looked into an ddiscovery so many new things.

I guess that is all for now. Sorry for the jumbled-ness and confusion. I have a feeling as we begin our feasibility tests that I will learn so much.

Cheers! kc

Don't Rain on My Parade!

I am a total sucker for a good Broadway musical or almost any musical for that matter (unless Zac Efron is in it). I just always seem to find inspiration in them. It’s as though my inner being is awakened by the music and the dancing. “Don't tell me not to live, Just sit and putter, Life's candy and the sun's a ball of butter. Don't bring around a cloud to rain on my parade” (lyrics from Don’t Rain on My Parade). I know, I know, this doesn’t really fit into Truth in Society and my learning. Or does it? This song in particular is all about seizing the moment and making the most of ‘your’ life. Personally, it has served as inspiration and motivation for me in the past few weeks. When we began this semester I was so gung-ho and ready for a new start with new direction. From our class chats before the break I was under the impression that most of my classmates were feeling this way as well. However, it seems that since we have started in January there are fewer and fewer people who come to class or are participating. I was a little discouraged by this, but I am learning that my learning process has to be a personal decision. It can’t be based on what others are or aren’t doing, it’s me making a choice and taking the steps to learn.

Anyways, journalism class has proved to be a little depressing. During the class and for homework much of our attention has been focused on wars, journalists who are on the front lines, people being forced to make life/death choices and so on. Yes, it is a little dreary, but it’s all a part of life. I am realizing the good and the bad are what make life, life. So once I embraced that mindset I was able to see beyond the surface of what we were talking about. All of these people, in each situation, have a life and a story unique from everyone else. These journalists, whose work we have been reading, have realized this. They have done more than just see the significance of a life though. They have also seen the many choices that people are faced with and the issues of ‘right and wrong.’ They have dared to write about the controversies and explore questions such as ‘was Eichman an evil man or can a rational man commit such acts?’ The answers to such questions are never easy, but a good journalist goes beyond the ‘surface stories’ and will ask/explore such questions. There was also a lot of debate within in the class about the picture of the ‘Falling Man’ was necessary. I believe that it was. Many people were taking the sides of the families who lost someone in 9/11, saying that the families would not want to look at that picture or relive the death of a loved one. However, as easy as it is for us to take such sides, we have not been that family member (of that specific situation). After watching that documentary it was more obvious that the people who had lost a loved one did not mind looking at this photo. I mean, 9/11 happened and it was beyond horrible. This picture allows so many of us to put into perspective what so many people had to choose to do. The Falling Man is representative of all of the people who lost their lives that day. It is horrible, but at the same time it opens up a door of reality and truth for everyone to see (if they want).

Russ has really been trying to get us to read and react differently to what we are reading. It’s more than comprehension. We are being asked to read in between the lines of writing and get closer to the root of what an author is really saying. I am still having a hard time getting my head wrapped around this. This is the first time a teacher has asked me to do something like this and it is harder than it sounds. However, the more exercises that we do with this the more the fuzziness is starting to clear and I am making more sense of what I am reading.

So Mary Magdalene- a saintly sinner, a whore, a lover of Jesus, a revolutionary? There are so many terms out there being used that I was not really aware of. There is a tonne of controversy surrounding the life and the choice of Mary of Magdalene. It was interesting to read the article “The Saintly Sinner” and hear so many thoughts on the manner. There are many conversations that are surrounding this issue and it was interesting to hear some of them. As I combine what I am learning in Religious Studies and in English it was easy to see that the author, Joan Acocella, was swaying us to side with her views on the matter. She quite subtly added at the end that she believed that the gospel of John was the accurate portrayal of Mary.

A Bit of Everything

Man, it has only been two weeks back at school and I am slacking off already! I totally forgot to post a learning journal last week. Oops! So this will be a two-in-one deal.

It seemed like first semester in TiS we focused a lot on English and Religious Studies and Journalism did not get as much attention. When Michael, Thom and Russ explained the new schedule for the beginning of this semester I was really excited about the new direction that the class is taking. It just feels like there is more unity and a better sense of direction within the class. It seems like the profs are on the same page and because of this my motivation for learning and also my love for learning have both increased.

English hasn’t been our main focus yet. However, what Russ has been helping us with has been carried over into all of our other subjects. He has really helped us read sentences differently and gain more insight into what the author is actually saying. I am so guilty for just reading (and not re-reading) and assuming that what I am reading on the surface is what the author is trying to communicate. I am realizing that this is generally not the case. When Russ first asked us to work with sentences that he had slightly changed I was not sure what exactly he wanted us to do. This happened again when we read paragraphs from two pieces of writing. When he explained what he was looking for and what he wanted us to begin to see it clicked and I saw it. I am finally seeing how most writers lace their writing with sarcasm or nonchalantly toss in a few clues that lead me to see what they are really saying. As I am learning this and being taught to see what is not made obvious, my love for reading has grown. Sometimes a simple reading can turn into a treasure hunt for the meaning in the words.

Religion and sexuality, the end of the world, ‘The Passion of the Christ’ according to Mel Gibson have all helped create a very interesting time in religious studies. I have never heard the many opinions about Mary Magdalene’s importance in the Bible and the conspiracies that surround her relationship with Jesus. There are so many conversations that are involved in this topic and before this reading I was not aware of that. Conspiracies have always interested me to an extent, but I do not think about them a lot or analyse their authenticity. Maybe I should. I loved listening to Russ discuss the role that conspiracy theories play in our world. Many of them are very well explained and therefore are believable. However, in the same breathe most of them, once you consider what they are telling us, are absolutely ludicrous. This was interesting to hear, especially in the context of Religious Studies. It helped too, that Russ seemed so sarcastic and hilarious, for me at least, as he explained this.

I have never thought too much about the role that journalists play when stories of war are being told. It is a little strange that I haven’t been more curious about this because I am interested in both telling people’s stories and also war and the many effects it has on individuals and places. I have gained a new and deeper appreciation for people such as Ernie Pyle, Hannah Arendt and John Hersey. While reading ‘Hiroshima’ I realized how much of the story we miss sometimes when we rely solely on ‘our’ news broadcasters. I am not in any way disqualifying the importance they have. However, sometimes I forget that underneath the bomb that was just dropped there are civilians-people with stories and lives. I think this was the biggest wake up call for me in journalism this week. I am glad that Hersey was able to write in a way that gave an outsider like me such a personal glimpse of underneath the mushroom cloud. It was also a little unnerving as I read Hannah Arendt’s story. The many people who orchestrated the holocaust were ‘normal’ and sane people. Their idea of normality seems so skewed to us, but at the time they believed they were just following orders. I mean did they not seem the injustices they were committing? What a human being is capable of (both good and bad) really astonishes me. The amount of power that some people hold or have held (Hitler) makes me realize how careful I have to be when choosing to follow someone and even something. I could write quite a lot about all that I have learned in Journalism. However, it all comes down to the risks we are willing to take to tell the stories of people. There are so many stories that NEED to be told from many different viewpoints. It is not just about relaying the facts it is about sharing PEOPLE’s stories.