So the French Civilization book is good for something. . .
je suis fait pour ça = I'm done for (French)
je suis formaté = I'm formatted ("current" French)
je ne comprends pas = I don't understand (French)
j'imprime pas = I don't print ("current" French)
Hilarious!
We had a guest in our Advanced French class today, Dr. Plaster, the academic dean, who was 'observing' our professor and her class - as happens to all Grace professors every three years. He can speak French, and with some difficulty restrained his theological opinions while we discussed French 20th century philosophy - existentialism and absurdism. Fascinating. We didn't get into Sartre and existentialism quite as much, though Prof. Schram did give us some quotes to discuss, such as -L'existence précède l'essence-, "Existence precedes essence." Sartre believed that in order to find meaning or reality in life, we have to produce it ourselves by our own actions. For Camus and absurdism, we read a few short extracts from Le Mythe de Sisyphe and L'Etranger (you can figure those out). According to Camus, our lives and our work are meaningless, much like Sisyphe who would roll the rock up to the mountain's summit only to have it fall back down again and again. As long as we are not conscious of the futility of our work, life is not tragic; but once we realize it, yet continue to work, we become victorious over this futility, and Camus calls us "heros of the absurd". Then life has meaning, perhaps even happiness.
There's the typical French optimism for you. I don't agree with Camus' premises, but his conclusions seem to follow. Thankfully we know the one who brings sense to life, because He is life Himself - Jesus Christ.
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
From the French
Saturday, September 25, 2004
Friday night!
I'm so glad it's the weekend. This has been a long day, trying to stay alive and alert on five hours of sleep. True, I shouldn't have stayed up talking last night. . . but then they were sitting on my bed.
For anyone who's attempted to learn German, this essay by Mark Twain appreciatively pokes fun at the language:
http://www.kombu.de/twain-2.htm#x1
I think nearly anyone would enjoy his humor. Besides, I have to promote linguistic interests occasionally.
The Sounding Board (Grace campus newspaper) arrived in our mailboxes today. Let's see what's on the agenda this time. Hmmm - Editorial - "Proposed 'graduated curfew' to foster class unity" (graduated curfew = the higher the class, the later the curfew). Now it's true that sharing gripes tends to bring people together. Whether that's real unity is another question. The editorial goes on to explain that curfew was established to "foster academic success", then suggests that "a later curfew would allow for more academic interaction across the campus after midnight." In other words, college students, if left to themselves, will naturally gravitate toward good study habits and discipline. This is an exciting possibility, especially after what I've seen of late-night habits on campus. Too bad it will limit study groups, since the sophomores and juniors who are taking the same class can't study together. Anyway, it's high time someone conducted research on the brain activity of college students between 1 and 3 in the morning, comparing the results with other two-hour time blocks throughout the day.
Graduated curfews should "build class unity". Especially vital in today's peer-oriented society. It will also discourage cross-class dating (if I may use that term), since the guy could be out till 2 a.m. but would have to bring the girl back by 1 a.m. Or vice versa. Undoubtedly, Student Development wants to protect students from the emotional complexities involved.
Thus, the two benefits of graduated curfew - 1) fostering academic success, and
2) fostering class unity through "deeper relationships". I wonder if these are supposed to occur simultaneously.
That said, graduated curfew may be a good thing, though considering the number of students who class themselves as "somewhere between a sophomore and a junior", it may be difficult to enforce. Anyway, I'm sure this issue will be coming before Senate sometime during the year.
For anyone who's attempted to learn German, this essay by Mark Twain appreciatively pokes fun at the language:
http://www.kombu.de/twain-2.htm#x1
I think nearly anyone would enjoy his humor. Besides, I have to promote linguistic interests occasionally.
The Sounding Board (Grace campus newspaper) arrived in our mailboxes today. Let's see what's on the agenda this time. Hmmm - Editorial - "Proposed 'graduated curfew' to foster class unity" (graduated curfew = the higher the class, the later the curfew). Now it's true that sharing gripes tends to bring people together. Whether that's real unity is another question. The editorial goes on to explain that curfew was established to "foster academic success", then suggests that "a later curfew would allow for more academic interaction across the campus after midnight." In other words, college students, if left to themselves, will naturally gravitate toward good study habits and discipline. This is an exciting possibility, especially after what I've seen of late-night habits on campus. Too bad it will limit study groups, since the sophomores and juniors who are taking the same class can't study together. Anyway, it's high time someone conducted research on the brain activity of college students between 1 and 3 in the morning, comparing the results with other two-hour time blocks throughout the day.
Graduated curfews should "build class unity". Especially vital in today's peer-oriented society. It will also discourage cross-class dating (if I may use that term), since the guy could be out till 2 a.m. but would have to bring the girl back by 1 a.m. Or vice versa. Undoubtedly, Student Development wants to protect students from the emotional complexities involved.
Thus, the two benefits of graduated curfew - 1) fostering academic success, and
2) fostering class unity through "deeper relationships". I wonder if these are supposed to occur simultaneously.
That said, graduated curfew may be a good thing, though considering the number of students who class themselves as "somewhere between a sophomore and a junior", it may be difficult to enforce. Anyway, I'm sure this issue will be coming before Senate sometime during the year.
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
Best Medicine
A few I've picked up from my sociology book -
Real Headlines
"Police Begins Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers"
"Drunk Gets Nine Months in Violin Case"
"Iraqi Head Seeks Arms"
"Squad Helps Dog Bite Victim"
"Killer Sentenced to Die for Second Time in Ten Years"
"War Dims Hope for Peace"
"Stolen Painting Found by Tree"
and my personal favorite,
"Miners Refuse to Work after Death"
Brought to you by the Society for the Advancement of Criminal Humor (SACH, pronounced in a weak imitation of German with a guttural gag on the end).
Real Headlines
"Police Begins Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers"
"Drunk Gets Nine Months in Violin Case"
"Iraqi Head Seeks Arms"
"Squad Helps Dog Bite Victim"
"Killer Sentenced to Die for Second Time in Ten Years"
"War Dims Hope for Peace"
"Stolen Painting Found by Tree"
and my personal favorite,
"Miners Refuse to Work after Death"
Brought to you by the Society for the Advancement of Criminal Humor (SACH, pronounced in a weak imitation of German with a guttural gag on the end).
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
Tuesday afternoon
Finally! It only took a month to get my computer up and running. Computer Services finally installed the virus scanner (after I dropped it off last Friday... of course, that was after hours), which I hope was the last problem. Seems that Ardith and I have both had our share of difficulties.
Today has been one of those days. Started out below 50 degrees, and now it's above 80. I hope this does not portend a hard winter. The Grace campus was obviously not designed with winter in mind - long walks between buildings, and our chapel auditorium lies at the bottom of a steep hill. These I can live with. Walking into a wind so freezing cold that it gives me a headache, that's a different story.
On a more literary note, yesterday I wrote the check that ensures my trip up to Stratford, Ontario, to see two Shakespeare plays, along with Professor Sauders (head of the English Department) and about 30 other students. We'll be leaving early Friday the 1st of October and coming back late the next night. Sandwiched in between those eight-or-so-hour trips will be sightseeing, a hotel stay, and of course "Macbeth" and "A Midsummer Night's Dream". (my apologies - blogspot in Windows 2X doesn't seem to have as many options for creating posts, i.e. italics!) I heard about this last year, and the more I considered it, the better the opportunity seemed, especially since this particular theater is acclaimed as the finest in the Western Hemisphere. Just a warning in case I disappear weekend after next.
Today has been one of those days. Started out below 50 degrees, and now it's above 80. I hope this does not portend a hard winter. The Grace campus was obviously not designed with winter in mind - long walks between buildings, and our chapel auditorium lies at the bottom of a steep hill. These I can live with. Walking into a wind so freezing cold that it gives me a headache, that's a different story.
On a more literary note, yesterday I wrote the check that ensures my trip up to Stratford, Ontario, to see two Shakespeare plays, along with Professor Sauders (head of the English Department) and about 30 other students. We'll be leaving early Friday the 1st of October and coming back late the next night. Sandwiched in between those eight-or-so-hour trips will be sightseeing, a hotel stay, and of course "Macbeth" and "A Midsummer Night's Dream". (my apologies - blogspot in Windows 2X doesn't seem to have as many options for creating posts, i.e. italics!) I heard about this last year, and the more I considered it, the better the opportunity seemed, especially since this particular theater is acclaimed as the finest in the Western Hemisphere. Just a warning in case I disappear weekend after next.
Too much to comprehend
I recently finished reading through Ezekiel and noticed a few things.
The book begins not with Israel or Jerusalem, but with God. God reveals Himself as the holy God, the Lord GOD, and sends Ezekiel to prophesy to the "rebellious house" of Israel. More specifically, Ezekiel warns of judgment coming on Jerusalem, which begins with the removal of God's Spirit from the temple (10:18). Throughout the book, God declares that by what He is doing "they will know that I am the LORD." The relationship between God and His people is illustrated not only as that of the holy God and His unholy people, but also the faithful God and His adulterous people. How thrilling, then, to come to the end of Ezekiel and read his visions of the new temple, and of God's Spirit returning to reside there (43:2-4). Coming to the very last verse, "and the name of the city from that day shall be, 'The Lord is there.' " (48:35)
God is glorious, and God is faithful.
The book begins not with Israel or Jerusalem, but with God. God reveals Himself as the holy God, the Lord GOD, and sends Ezekiel to prophesy to the "rebellious house" of Israel. More specifically, Ezekiel warns of judgment coming on Jerusalem, which begins with the removal of God's Spirit from the temple (10:18). Throughout the book, God declares that by what He is doing "they will know that I am the LORD." The relationship between God and His people is illustrated not only as that of the holy God and His unholy people, but also the faithful God and His adulterous people. How thrilling, then, to come to the end of Ezekiel and read his visions of the new temple, and of God's Spirit returning to reside there (43:2-4). Coming to the very last verse, "and the name of the city from that day shall be, 'The Lord is there.' " (48:35)
God is glorious, and God is faithful.
Monday, September 20, 2004
Colors
Thought that maybe I should explain why I picked a very green template. Green is my favorite color. But, since that's not enough reason for some people, I went searching on Google for facts.
Green is supposedly the color of healing, rest, refreshment. It is also associated with nature (obviously), with wealth; with good luck, jealousy, and harmony - interesting combination - and peacefulness, tranquility. I also discovered it's good for your heart. If you don't believe me, try this:
http://library.thinkquest.org/27066/psychology/nlcolorpsych.html
In other words, this blog should be a pleasant place to visit.
In the process of trying to rediscover the above website, I came across another site that gives career tests based on color preferences. It's fun to try -
http://www.colorwize.com/Bestresults.htm
However, don't expect it to be accurate. The top forty careers they gave me centered on science, math, and technology, with speech/debate as number 2. Maybe you'll have better luck. You just may, if you follow the link from my green site.
Green is supposedly the color of healing, rest, refreshment. It is also associated with nature (obviously), with wealth; with good luck, jealousy, and harmony - interesting combination - and peacefulness, tranquility. I also discovered it's good for your heart. If you don't believe me, try this:
http://library.thinkquest.org/27066/psychology/nlcolorpsych.html
In other words, this blog should be a pleasant place to visit.
In the process of trying to rediscover the above website, I came across another site that gives career tests based on color preferences. It's fun to try -
http://www.colorwize.com/Bestresults.htm
However, don't expect it to be accurate. The top forty careers they gave me centered on science, math, and technology, with speech/debate as number 2. Maybe you'll have better luck. You just may, if you follow the link from my green site.
Saturday, September 18, 2004
Welcome
Salvete! Xaipete! Bonjour! Guten Tag! Buenos días! Hello!
Welcome to my blog! This is a test post, so it will be very short. Actually, I never intended to have a blog. . . first I had to get a template in order to post on Mommy's, then I was curious to see if I could set up my own. Besides, Daddy and Mommy have a blog. Ardith has a blog. Second-oldest children are very competitive, and I certainly am - so, I must have a blog too.
For those who are interested, the above greetings come from the following languages: Latin, Greek, French, German, Spanish, and English, in that order.
And now let's see if this works!
Welcome to my blog! This is a test post, so it will be very short. Actually, I never intended to have a blog. . . first I had to get a template in order to post on Mommy's, then I was curious to see if I could set up my own. Besides, Daddy and Mommy have a blog. Ardith has a blog. Second-oldest children are very competitive, and I certainly am - so, I must have a blog too.
For those who are interested, the above greetings come from the following languages: Latin, Greek, French, German, Spanish, and English, in that order.
And now let's see if this works!
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