Thursday, November 30, 2006
"The Resplendent Gender"
I am getting a lot of flack for having not posted anything about women. For this I apologize. But I'm sure you all have much more investment in my love life than I do ;) All snide comments aside, this is meant to be a light post. Don't worry, it's not like I'm not on it. But it is true, I have not been heavily on it. And the last day of classes is tomorrow and finals are next week. And then I'm back for Christmas (Dec 12-31, come visit me). So it's not going to get much attention in the immediate future. Sorry.
Friday, November 24, 2006
Happy American Thanksgiving
Well folks, for those of you who are up on your American Hollidays (and even for those of you who aren't), you ought to know that this is a big one. American thanksgiving. The fourth Thursday of November. So in honor of it (or more precisly, the day off that I get because of it) I'm writing a post.
It has been mentioned that I haven't been writing all that much interesting and personal stuff on here. I guess it's true. I would have to admit that I have become so successful at procrastinating in other ways that I'm having a hard time justifying yet another procrastination tool, like blogging. Also, as previously noted, blogging requires thinking and writing, which resembles school, so it is even harder to procrastinate in this way. Nevertheless, it is hard to pretend that these are more than just excuses.
So I'll talk a little about what I'm thankful for, and hopefully you'll learn a bit more about my life in the process.
I am thankful for my move to Pasadena to study at Fuller.
I really have to say that things are great here. I have said it before to people here and there (maybe even on the blog), but it seems worth reiterating. Given the opportunity to be anywhere else and doing anything else, I wouldn't take it. Why, you ask?
a. The program. A combination of psychology education, theology education, clinical training and research integrating the three together makes for a pretty unique program.
b. My cohort. I know a few people have expressed distate at the use of this word. But suck it up. Anyways, my cohort is the about 40 or so 1st year doctoral psych students (I wrote about this previously). Getting to know the class, having social activities, having study groups and collaborative learning, has been really fun. Our class is really social and supportive. Actually, we are downright voiciferous, you should hear us standing outside during break, it's so funny because we are so loud.
c. My research group. Working with Al Dueck, the Chair of Integration of Psychology and Theology, means we have two lab meetings. One is a theoretical group, where we investigate "integration," which means reading and discussing literature relating to clinical psychology, theology and philosophy, and an empirical lab, where we're coming up with research questions based on data from interviews and questionnaires from Prostestants, Catholics, Muslims and Jews. The integration lab is really interesting. Every one has a very different background and interest. But it is also very warm and personable. I feel welcome there. Which isn't a word one might normally expect to hear in describing an academic discussion group. But I would use it, and it is really significant for me.
I am thankful for my family.
a. Immediate family. On the whole my familial relationships are as good as they've been, I'd say. I speak semi-regularly with my parents and brother on the telephone, and I'm looking forward to spending time with them when I get home. My family is very supportive of what I'm doing, which is really good. I can share what's going on, or not, and that's okay. And they are respectful of my time, which can be busy.
b. Extended family. I have meaningful relationships with my extended family. They are sometimes sporadic, depending on location and circumstance, that hasn't generated animosity or resentment, only appreciation when present. Specifically noteworthy is time spent chatting with my cousin Blake on messenger, who is studying journalism. And a phone call earlier this week from my Aunt Doria in Providence (which came at like 10:15pm Pacific, so 1:15am Eastern!!). And emails from my cousing Monica. I also think of my grandparents, with whom I am privileged to share a very close relationship since they opened up their house to my during my undergrad study. And I am thankful for my grandpa, who is now able to spend time overseas with family and doing well and receiving support. I am thankful that Teta is no longer suffering.
So there you have it. Expansions on two elements of thankfulness in my life for American thanksgiving. You go and be thankful now too.
It has been mentioned that I haven't been writing all that much interesting and personal stuff on here. I guess it's true. I would have to admit that I have become so successful at procrastinating in other ways that I'm having a hard time justifying yet another procrastination tool, like blogging. Also, as previously noted, blogging requires thinking and writing, which resembles school, so it is even harder to procrastinate in this way. Nevertheless, it is hard to pretend that these are more than just excuses.
So I'll talk a little about what I'm thankful for, and hopefully you'll learn a bit more about my life in the process.
I am thankful for my move to Pasadena to study at Fuller.
I really have to say that things are great here. I have said it before to people here and there (maybe even on the blog), but it seems worth reiterating. Given the opportunity to be anywhere else and doing anything else, I wouldn't take it. Why, you ask?
a. The program. A combination of psychology education, theology education, clinical training and research integrating the three together makes for a pretty unique program.
b. My cohort. I know a few people have expressed distate at the use of this word. But suck it up. Anyways, my cohort is the about 40 or so 1st year doctoral psych students (I wrote about this previously). Getting to know the class, having social activities, having study groups and collaborative learning, has been really fun. Our class is really social and supportive. Actually, we are downright voiciferous, you should hear us standing outside during break, it's so funny because we are so loud.
c. My research group. Working with Al Dueck, the Chair of Integration of Psychology and Theology, means we have two lab meetings. One is a theoretical group, where we investigate "integration," which means reading and discussing literature relating to clinical psychology, theology and philosophy, and an empirical lab, where we're coming up with research questions based on data from interviews and questionnaires from Prostestants, Catholics, Muslims and Jews. The integration lab is really interesting. Every one has a very different background and interest. But it is also very warm and personable. I feel welcome there. Which isn't a word one might normally expect to hear in describing an academic discussion group. But I would use it, and it is really significant for me.
I am thankful for my family.
a. Immediate family. On the whole my familial relationships are as good as they've been, I'd say. I speak semi-regularly with my parents and brother on the telephone, and I'm looking forward to spending time with them when I get home. My family is very supportive of what I'm doing, which is really good. I can share what's going on, or not, and that's okay. And they are respectful of my time, which can be busy.
b. Extended family. I have meaningful relationships with my extended family. They are sometimes sporadic, depending on location and circumstance, that hasn't generated animosity or resentment, only appreciation when present. Specifically noteworthy is time spent chatting with my cousin Blake on messenger, who is studying journalism. And a phone call earlier this week from my Aunt Doria in Providence (which came at like 10:15pm Pacific, so 1:15am Eastern!!). And emails from my cousing Monica. I also think of my grandparents, with whom I am privileged to share a very close relationship since they opened up their house to my during my undergrad study. And I am thankful for my grandpa, who is now able to spend time overseas with family and doing well and receiving support. I am thankful that Teta is no longer suffering.
So there you have it. Expansions on two elements of thankfulness in my life for American thanksgiving. You go and be thankful now too.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Evangelical Survey
I always appreciated the UofA's joke issue newspapers at the end of the semester. It was certainly something to look forward to. So what does a seminary do for their joke issue at the end of the semester when all the students were stressed? I think you'll find this example quite amusing. I did. I've also included the link to the rest of the paper.
----
How Evangelical Are You? Part II
1. After seeing the movie Jesus Camp, you were inspired to:
a. Look up the camp in question — you’d love for your kids to get a solid foundation in matters of spiritual warfare!
b. Write a series of angry letters to editors of major newspapers, protesting the misuse of “evangelical” in that movie.
c. Vomit.
d. Jesus
2. A seeker-friendly service means:
a. Your congregation finally agreed to improve church signage.
b. Lots of drums, strobe-light, and a Rob Bell clone in charge of “sharing” some “random thoughts” as the “message”
c. Good intentions, lousy theology.
d. Jesus
3. When you heard about the Gospel of Judas you:
a. Downloaded the PDF from National Geographic
b. Immediately identified it as one of Satan’s snares
c. Wondered whether Mel Gibson had already picked up the movie rights
d. Jesus
4. Your myspace bio says:
a. Gurl4GOD!!!
b. Christian -- Other
c. Theologically, I sort of align with Moltmann, although I’m a little skeptical of his
Barthian influences and really wish his liturgical theology allowed for the incorporation of more Cappadocian elements.
d. Jesus
5. You think false teaching is:
a. A damnable heresy that will keep someone out of the Kingdom.
b. The beginnings of a really good theological discussion.
c. Whatever comes out of a Dr. Thompson/Karkkainen/Kraft’s course.
d. Jesus
6. Your idea of a summer vacation is
a. A Dobson family cruise
b. A couple of months spent witnessing in Honduras.
c. Retracing the steps of John Calvin across France and Switzerland.
d. Jesus
7. When Rumsfeld resigned you:
a. Said a prayer of thanksgiving.
b. Cried out to God in despair.
c. Secretly wondered whether you should know that name–until you realized that it was unlikely to show up on any midterm.
d. Jesus
8. A good sermon includes:
a. An altar call.
b. A half-dozen references to the “original text,” with powerpoint presentations in Greek and Hebrew.
c. Three points starting with “B.”
d. Jesus
9. When someone sneezes you say:
a. Gesundheit.
b. Can I pray for that nasty cold?
c. Stay away from me! I’ve got a paper due!
d. Jesus
10. When you see a homeless person you:
a. Try to share Christ with her–or at least give her a tract.
b. Take him to dinner and provide him with a list of resources for victims of the capitalist system in your local vicinity (...You carry a copy with you for just these kinds of occasions.
c. Scream and run.
d. Jesus
11. Born again means:
a. That biblical translators still don’t grasp the notion that another really means “from above”
b. That you’re saved/one of the good guys/going to that happy place/on Jesus’ team.
c. That you’ve entered a saving relationship with Jesus Christ, leaving behind your sinful nature.
d. Jesus
12. You started to suspect that your church may no longer qualify as evangelical when:
a. A sermon referred to Cain and Abel as “archetypes.”
b. The number of fish-stickers in the parking lot dropped below 50%.
c. You discovered that your pastor dates Luke-Acts considerably later than you do.
d. Jesus
A true evangelical knows that the only real answer to life’s questions is Jesus. If you chose any other answers, you’re a sketchy evangelical at best. My advice? Review the four spiritual laws, pray the sinner’s prayer, evangelize five friends, have a quiet time, rededicate your life, and then go church-shopping. If all else fails, go on a mission trip. Nothing stirs the evangelical heart like seeing how much more fortunate we are then others in the world.
----
For those of you who are offended...Feel free to email me or comment on this blog with your critique if you must, and I will reply. Or just lighten up.
----
How Evangelical Are You? Part II
1. After seeing the movie Jesus Camp, you were inspired to:
a. Look up the camp in question — you’d love for your kids to get a solid foundation in matters of spiritual warfare!
b. Write a series of angry letters to editors of major newspapers, protesting the misuse of “evangelical” in that movie.
c. Vomit.
d. Jesus
2. A seeker-friendly service means:
a. Your congregation finally agreed to improve church signage.
b. Lots of drums, strobe-light, and a Rob Bell clone in charge of “sharing” some “random thoughts” as the “message”
c. Good intentions, lousy theology.
d. Jesus
3. When you heard about the Gospel of Judas you:
a. Downloaded the PDF from National Geographic
b. Immediately identified it as one of Satan’s snares
c. Wondered whether Mel Gibson had already picked up the movie rights
d. Jesus
4. Your myspace bio says:
a. Gurl4GOD!!!
b. Christian -- Other
c. Theologically, I sort of align with Moltmann, although I’m a little skeptical of his
Barthian influences and really wish his liturgical theology allowed for the incorporation of more Cappadocian elements.
d. Jesus
5. You think false teaching is:
a. A damnable heresy that will keep someone out of the Kingdom.
b. The beginnings of a really good theological discussion.
c. Whatever comes out of a Dr. Thompson/Karkkainen/Kraft’s course.
d. Jesus
6. Your idea of a summer vacation is
a. A Dobson family cruise
b. A couple of months spent witnessing in Honduras.
c. Retracing the steps of John Calvin across France and Switzerland.
d. Jesus
7. When Rumsfeld resigned you:
a. Said a prayer of thanksgiving.
b. Cried out to God in despair.
c. Secretly wondered whether you should know that name–until you realized that it was unlikely to show up on any midterm.
d. Jesus
8. A good sermon includes:
a. An altar call.
b. A half-dozen references to the “original text,” with powerpoint presentations in Greek and Hebrew.
c. Three points starting with “B.”
d. Jesus
9. When someone sneezes you say:
a. Gesundheit.
b. Can I pray for that nasty cold?
c. Stay away from me! I’ve got a paper due!
d. Jesus
10. When you see a homeless person you:
a. Try to share Christ with her–or at least give her a tract.
b. Take him to dinner and provide him with a list of resources for victims of the capitalist system in your local vicinity (...You carry a copy with you for just these kinds of occasions.
c. Scream and run.
d. Jesus
11. Born again means:
a. That biblical translators still don’t grasp the notion that another really means “from above”
b. That you’re saved/one of the good guys/going to that happy place/on Jesus’ team.
c. That you’ve entered a saving relationship with Jesus Christ, leaving behind your sinful nature.
d. Jesus
12. You started to suspect that your church may no longer qualify as evangelical when:
a. A sermon referred to Cain and Abel as “archetypes.”
b. The number of fish-stickers in the parking lot dropped below 50%.
c. You discovered that your pastor dates Luke-Acts considerably later than you do.
d. Jesus
A true evangelical knows that the only real answer to life’s questions is Jesus. If you chose any other answers, you’re a sketchy evangelical at best. My advice? Review the four spiritual laws, pray the sinner’s prayer, evangelize five friends, have a quiet time, rededicate your life, and then go church-shopping. If all else fails, go on a mission trip. Nothing stirs the evangelical heart like seeing how much more fortunate we are then others in the world.
----
For those of you who are offended...Feel free to email me or comment on this blog with your critique if you must, and I will reply. Or just lighten up.
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Just an update
Hi folks,
I don't really know what to say here 'cause nothing extraordinary is going on. I'm just doing school most of the time, socializing too often and doing the life the whole time. And I don't have the energy to put into a great exposition on the experience of and taking the bus to south central LA today. So I'm sorry if I don't have it. I want to keep ya'll informed, but I get busy and tired. And if I'm writing papers, the last thing I want to do is organize another set of thoughts into a cohert structure and then articulate them cogently. But I'll hopefully blog some reflections over Christmas if I don't blog much know. Oh BTW I'm coming back to Canada from Dec 12-31. I'd love to see you then. I'll probably do some skiing and visiting of family in that time as well, tentatively 14th-19th give or take a couple days on either side. But other than that I should be in E-town. Peace.
I don't really know what to say here 'cause nothing extraordinary is going on. I'm just doing school most of the time, socializing too often and doing the life the whole time. And I don't have the energy to put into a great exposition on the experience of and taking the bus to south central LA today. So I'm sorry if I don't have it. I want to keep ya'll informed, but I get busy and tired. And if I'm writing papers, the last thing I want to do is organize another set of thoughts into a cohert structure and then articulate them cogently. But I'll hopefully blog some reflections over Christmas if I don't blog much know. Oh BTW I'm coming back to Canada from Dec 12-31. I'd love to see you then. I'll probably do some skiing and visiting of family in that time as well, tentatively 14th-19th give or take a couple days on either side. But other than that I should be in E-town. Peace.
Friday, November 03, 2006
Pictures
I'm hoping to start posting pictures to complement your blogging experience. I'm using Picasa, Google's version of an online album set-up. Sometimes I may wish to add pictures retrospectively to correspond to a specific post. Such an example has just occured, so scroll down to see the first album I've published (it's now on the "First Couple of Weeks" post). Keep your eyes out for other pictures. Should be fun.
Who know a bball game would inspire such a post?
Hey folks,
I know I only posted a couple days ago, but I'm at it again. What do I want to say? Well, I played basketball tonight. There is a large church near by and they have a small gym for drop in bball. We play 4 on 4. There's often many guys that come out. I'm quite out of practice and out of shape, but I think I'm improving on both counts. What I wanted to mention, though, is the multicultural dimension. I'm not used to playing with such a diverse crowd. I'd say on average the guys that come out are 25% caucasian, 25% latino and 50% african american. It's a new experience for me. I don't think I'm very good at it. Or rather, I don't know what good at it looks like. I'm not sure how "different" I should see everyone. At times you think you shouldn't look at someone and see their color, their race, their ethnicity; you just a person. But at the same time a person is made up of many features, and those are parts of them; denying that denies who they are. I'm just babbling as I usually do. I don't have any problem playing with any of them. Though I do feel like the african americans seem to be slighlty more of a "group" (which isn't surprising 'cause I think they've all gone to school together). But I've felt it. But I'd be lying if I didn't see people differently. We didn't have much ethnic diversity growing up in Devon (and then I remember that my dad isn't caucasian - this is a very new realization for me, actually). And that I am half "ethnic minority." But anyways, to illustrate, it went something like this. If any team we played against in high school had an african american on it, they were automatically good. It was like, "shit, they've got a black guy. We're gonna get smoked." It didn't even matter if that guy was any good, if he started or not. And we didn't believe that we would lose; we planned to beat everyone. It was more of a joke than anything. And obviously that wasn't an overtly degrading mindset. But it was still something. And I don't really know what it was. But it's my background. And I'm preparing to go into a field where cultural sensitivity is EXTREMELY important. I'd argue that it is as important in clinical psychology as any other field. I think it's good that I get the chace, because I'll get lots of opportunity to learn about it, to be directly trained in it, to experience it, etc. And it was a consideration in moving to southern California. At many stores (e.g. the Target a block from here) signs are in Spanish and English. I've gone to till's at small stores where the person speaks primarly Spanish only. There is a very large african american presence as well. And there is also a substantial asian community near by. There of course is varying levels of integratedness. I've never really had a close friend who wasn't caucasian. I hope that changes. Our psych doctoral cohort represnts to some degree diversity as well; we have caucasian (still the majority) with asian, latino/latina, african american, eastern european (in that order from most to least). It's just been a neat experience for me. We'll see how I grow.
I know I only posted a couple days ago, but I'm at it again. What do I want to say? Well, I played basketball tonight. There is a large church near by and they have a small gym for drop in bball. We play 4 on 4. There's often many guys that come out. I'm quite out of practice and out of shape, but I think I'm improving on both counts. What I wanted to mention, though, is the multicultural dimension. I'm not used to playing with such a diverse crowd. I'd say on average the guys that come out are 25% caucasian, 25% latino and 50% african american. It's a new experience for me. I don't think I'm very good at it. Or rather, I don't know what good at it looks like. I'm not sure how "different" I should see everyone. At times you think you shouldn't look at someone and see their color, their race, their ethnicity; you just a person. But at the same time a person is made up of many features, and those are parts of them; denying that denies who they are. I'm just babbling as I usually do. I don't have any problem playing with any of them. Though I do feel like the african americans seem to be slighlty more of a "group" (which isn't surprising 'cause I think they've all gone to school together). But I've felt it. But I'd be lying if I didn't see people differently. We didn't have much ethnic diversity growing up in Devon (and then I remember that my dad isn't caucasian - this is a very new realization for me, actually). And that I am half "ethnic minority." But anyways, to illustrate, it went something like this. If any team we played against in high school had an african american on it, they were automatically good. It was like, "shit, they've got a black guy. We're gonna get smoked." It didn't even matter if that guy was any good, if he started or not. And we didn't believe that we would lose; we planned to beat everyone. It was more of a joke than anything. And obviously that wasn't an overtly degrading mindset. But it was still something. And I don't really know what it was. But it's my background. And I'm preparing to go into a field where cultural sensitivity is EXTREMELY important. I'd argue that it is as important in clinical psychology as any other field. I think it's good that I get the chace, because I'll get lots of opportunity to learn about it, to be directly trained in it, to experience it, etc. And it was a consideration in moving to southern California. At many stores (e.g. the Target a block from here) signs are in Spanish and English. I've gone to till's at small stores where the person speaks primarly Spanish only. There is a very large african american presence as well. And there is also a substantial asian community near by. There of course is varying levels of integratedness. I've never really had a close friend who wasn't caucasian. I hope that changes. Our psych doctoral cohort represnts to some degree diversity as well; we have caucasian (still the majority) with asian, latino/latina, african american, eastern european (in that order from most to least). It's just been a neat experience for me. We'll see how I grow.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Happy Halloween
This post has nothing to do with Halloween. I didn't celebrate it today or anything, either. But I didn't know what to title this post. It's just an update.
This week is midterm week, so I'll keep this short. I've got a midterm tomorrow and two on Thursday. I handed in a paper, a stats homework and four journal article reviews. So it's been busy. Also, my bike was stolen last week. That was a bummer. I don't have a car, so my bike is how I get around (to the grocery store, to church, etc.). And I had to buy a new one. I guess it's an expensive lesson in obsessive locking (I did have my bike locked, just single locked with a cable lock; I have a U-lock which I almost always use, but I looked at it that morning and said, meh, I don't need it today). It was on campus (but some how I don't think a seminary student tood it). So anywaysm, that was just a nuisance. I borrowed my roommate's bike for a couple things. My new one should be arriving from the warehouse in the next couple days. Oh well.
What else? Things are pretty good, all in all. It is lots of work, partly because it's taken me a while to adjust to being back in school. I kind of forgot how to optimalize my time and efforts. But I think I've improved a lot; returning to a higher level of efficiency that is needed for academic success. I'm looking forward to getting into my research. That is good, cause I was worried about it and whether or not I'd like it. But so far all the lab meetings and data and proposals we have seem really interesting. I find myself frustrated that my classes take up so much time that I can't get into research. But it will come. It's really cool that philosophy is a big part of our lab's focus. Some of the readings we do and the discussions...wild. Such huge implications, too. For the way we see culture, psychology and psychotherapy, religion...the list goes on. Very neat. I mean, it's not going to be all roses. But at least I don't hate it right off the bat.
The weather has cooled off quite a bit recently. Today it the forcast said 20C but it was probably closer to 16. I haven't worn shorts in 2 or 3 days. But it's supposed to be back up to 24 for Friday so that's good.
Somehow I've earned this reputation as social convenor. Which is funny 'cause I havne't organized that much of social stuff, and I haven't taken every opportunity to be social (tho I have taken a number of them). But I don't think considerably more than others. I think it's more a result of timing, first and general impressions and relational heuristics that lead to confirming those hypotheses. Oh well. It's not a bad thing.
Okay, well, wisdom says..."It's midnight. Either go to bed so you can study tomorrow, or, if you can't sleep, study, so that you don't fail your 50% midterm tomorrow." So I'm gonna do one of those two thigns. Peace.
This week is midterm week, so I'll keep this short. I've got a midterm tomorrow and two on Thursday. I handed in a paper, a stats homework and four journal article reviews. So it's been busy. Also, my bike was stolen last week. That was a bummer. I don't have a car, so my bike is how I get around (to the grocery store, to church, etc.). And I had to buy a new one. I guess it's an expensive lesson in obsessive locking (I did have my bike locked, just single locked with a cable lock; I have a U-lock which I almost always use, but I looked at it that morning and said, meh, I don't need it today). It was on campus (but some how I don't think a seminary student tood it). So anywaysm, that was just a nuisance. I borrowed my roommate's bike for a couple things. My new one should be arriving from the warehouse in the next couple days. Oh well.
What else? Things are pretty good, all in all. It is lots of work, partly because it's taken me a while to adjust to being back in school. I kind of forgot how to optimalize my time and efforts. But I think I've improved a lot; returning to a higher level of efficiency that is needed for academic success. I'm looking forward to getting into my research. That is good, cause I was worried about it and whether or not I'd like it. But so far all the lab meetings and data and proposals we have seem really interesting. I find myself frustrated that my classes take up so much time that I can't get into research. But it will come. It's really cool that philosophy is a big part of our lab's focus. Some of the readings we do and the discussions...wild. Such huge implications, too. For the way we see culture, psychology and psychotherapy, religion...the list goes on. Very neat. I mean, it's not going to be all roses. But at least I don't hate it right off the bat.
The weather has cooled off quite a bit recently. Today it the forcast said 20C but it was probably closer to 16. I haven't worn shorts in 2 or 3 days. But it's supposed to be back up to 24 for Friday so that's good.
Somehow I've earned this reputation as social convenor. Which is funny 'cause I havne't organized that much of social stuff, and I haven't taken every opportunity to be social (tho I have taken a number of them). But I don't think considerably more than others. I think it's more a result of timing, first and general impressions and relational heuristics that lead to confirming those hypotheses. Oh well. It's not a bad thing.
Okay, well, wisdom says..."It's midnight. Either go to bed so you can study tomorrow, or, if you can't sleep, study, so that you don't fail your 50% midterm tomorrow." So I'm gonna do one of those two thigns. Peace.
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