On becoming a spychologist

Hey folks. Long time no post. Why, you ask? It’s mostly because the two weekends prior to this were filled with activities and travel, so I didn’t do any homework (or blogging) on them. Because of that, my weekdays were filled with getting done the assignments and studying that I needed to do for class. So, no time for blogging.

FYI the comment directly below about Americanization was a joke. I am not applying for my green card, and I have no interest in getting citizenship (at this point, anyways). I do, however have my social security number, as I am doing some work for our lab and being paid for it. And of course I have my driver’s license.

I spent the Easter weekend in Phoenix with my dad and Stuart Orange. We golfed three days there. I spent last weekend in Costa Mesa at the California Psychology Association annual convention, with Dan and Stephanie. I also saw Relient K that same weekend. I was happy to be home this past weekend. Not having to pack and travel and be organized meant that it was less pressured and more relaxing (though I’m not saying I’d trade the other weekends).

I got rid of my myspace page today. Curt (of the Lehmann variety, of Fuller SOP, of OC, of Curt’s blog) offered a cogent rebuttal to my last presentation of this idea (see comments on the “What’s the deal with my brain…” post). I agree that all relationships are subject to masks. I also agree that we need down time and that we do waste time in other ways. I know that for me, I have not found myspace a way to keep connected to friends elsewhere. I also have not found it to be a constructive use of my time. Furthermore, I am annoyed by the intrusiveness of the advertising. I did choose to keep my facebook account, though I try to be as passive as possible on it, so I am not totally opposed to this. I still hold that there is a connectedness that is being lost in the proliferation of greater technological influence on relationships. I used the arguments by Levinas (which, as I hope I remarked in the other post, I only barely have an idea about) more to support a position on which side I may fall than to say that I fully and totally agree and identify with.100%. And I recognize that as with most forms of technology, there are more and less constructive ways of using it, and I do not absolve myself of responsibility in this regard. Nevertheless, I think it is important to be critically reflective on one’s self and placement of all resources. In general I’d like to be wise in that regard and myspace isn’t contributing to that for me.

Along with more thoughts on myspace, I have lots more to say about church, research, reading (for school and pleasure) but I’m tired so I’m going to bed. Ask me about it if you like. I may post again on all/some of them but for now suffice it to say that in general each of those areas are good spots for my right now.

Almost done: A reminder to go green! today is earth day, but last I looked we live on the earth all 365 days of the year (and 366 in a leap year) so treat it like it's the only earth we've got (cause it is).

Lastly a shout out to my bro Simon for his graduation from PRBI with a Bachelor of Biblical Studies this weekend.

American citizenship, here we come!

Well, I've finally got everything together to apply for my green card. I'll be dropping it in the mail tomorrow. After getting my driver's license last week, as well as turning in my application for a social security number (also last week) I decided that I really ought to consider citizenship. America is a great country, and I would be honored to move in that direction. A green card would be the first step. I figure since I'm gonna be living here for the next 5/6 years at minimum, it would probably be advantageous for a number of reasons. So wish me luck!