Hippie College

So I found a college for barefoot hippies.

Am I being a bit cynical? Meh. Perhaps. But you know what they say about first impressions. They're important and revealing.

So Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, has what's called an interdisciplinary system. This means that all students enroll in a single program rather than individual classes. The program is team-taught, meaning that a group of teachers, rather than one professor, teaches the material to a group of about 25 students. Oh and there aren't any grades. I know. It's bizarre. But kind of...intriguing. And a little innovative, too. You see, from what I understand, the "exam" involves a narrative (a paper) and a conversation between the student and professor one-on-one. This shows that you know the content and allows you to share your position about a topic. The material becomes engaging and personal. In  this system, even a chemistry or physics class can come alive whenever you talk about it in light of something that interests you. For instance, a person who wants to be a botanist can talk about how plants convert sunlight into energy and describe the chemical reactions taking place in that process. According the Green College, this kind of "grading" system is more valued by employers because it is more like an actual job. Your boss isn't going to hand you a test and tell you fill in the correct answers. He might ask for a report and then bring you to his office and have you talk through your position/work, whatever that might be.

So that's the basic overview of the approach that Evergreen takes to education. Now for the questions.

How does the college or program differ from JBU?
It has an entirely different grading system and approach to evaluation of learning. The profs teach in groups and grade with conversations. That's pretty different...
What is the aim of their education and how does it differ from JBU's aim?
Their aim is to help students learn to thrive in diversity. They place the students in a position where collaberation is necessary to succeed. At JBU, collaberation is more of a good idea, a helpful suggestion. It is not forced upon us everyday in every class at all times, like it is as Evergreen.
How would you do in this program? How would it help develop your gifts, passions, and calling?
I do not think that I would enjoy this program. It would probably help me to develop in my ability to function in a group, but I would not like it. I don't feel like it would be a place where I could thrive.
Should we try to adopt the educational approaches here at JBU or not? Why or why not?
I feel like we have a nice balance in many of our classes of group projects and collaberative efforts. I am SO glad that we don't have to do everything in a group, like it would be there. I feel like the approach that Evergreen takes is extreme, and that JBU is a nice medium. Like Goldilocks  in the bear's house...

"It's Just Right!"

How To Train Your Dragon, Over-Evaluated

I like to analyze things. My top strength in the StrengthsQuest quiz was Input. This gift is in someone who likes to collect, categorize and share information. Although I might not have put it that way, whenever I look back on my life I can see that that observation is accurate. Whenever I enjoy, admire, or like something, I want to learn more about it and become an "expert" in that subject.
Anyway, I really like the movie How To Train Your Dragon. One day I stopped and asked myself, "Self? Why do you like that movie so much?" So I watched it again and began to analyze the themes and messages. I realized the reason I liked it: the relationships.

**SPOILER ALERT: Plot points and twists are discussed and revealed in the following blog. If you haven't seen the movie, you might not want to keep reading.**

Hiccup and Toothless: The relationship between Hiccup and Toothless is the most dynamic relationship of the movie. It begins with Hiccup deciding to not kill the dragon he captured, even though doing so would give him the one thing he wants more than anything else: to belong in his own home. The next step is accomplished by Toothless, who spares Hiccup's life after his human captor releases him. Whenever Hiccup learns that a dragon will always go for the kill, he has to ask himself, and the released dragon, "Why didn't you?". Astrid reflects this question back at Hiccup later in the movie, when she asks Hiccup why he didn't kill Toothless when he had the chance.
The turning point of the Toothless/Hiccup relationship for me was when Hiccup shows respect for Toothless by not stepping on the dragon's "drawing" in the ground. I feel that that respect grew into the love and devotion that we see later in the film. My favorite Toothless/Hiccup moment is during the slow motion sequence at the end of the fight with the huge "mother" dragon near the end of the movie. I love that as Hiccup fell into the fire, Toothless flew, his wings stretching and reaching for his friend, inviting the fire and the pain, excluding every thought except one: save Hiccup. The moment when we see that Hiccup is maimed like Toothless was an emotional one for me, because that is just one more way that they are now able to connect with each other.

Hiccup and his father: This relationship is the source of much of the conflict of the story. Hiccup can't live up to his father's expectations and his father doesn't understand the differences of his son's personality. Hiccup's loyalty to his father is refreshing. Even though Stoic is clearly in the wrong on a few occasions, Hiccup still wants to respect his father. My favorite moment is when Stoic says he was sorry for everything that happened. Hiccup doesn't respond with some snide comment, he just says he is sorry, too. Then when Stoic says that he is proud to call Hiccup his son, Hiccup is thankful. I think, in a way that doesn't take place on screen but I could see it happening off screen, Hiccup is validated as a man and a new kind of Viking because of his father's approval.

Hiccup and Astrid: Okay, first of all, I just like Astrid. I like her tough attitude and whenever she sees Toothless as Hiccup does, she is willing to adjust her misconceptions about dragons. My absolute, all-time favorite scene of the movie is when she goes to talk to Hiccup after the Vikings have left to hunt down the dragon nest. Using her influence, she inspires Hiccup to be the leader he can be. She reminds him of why he first spared Toothless. She asks him what he is going to do about his friend's captivity. She rallies the other recruits to help him. I love that scene because it is so honest and realistic. Behind every great man and his accomplishments is a woman whispering confidence into his ear. Astrid does that for Hiccup, and it makes me want to jump up and down and say "Yes! Thank you for a movie that inspires men to be great and women to help them, not because either are inferior, but because both are essential equals." I greatly appreciate this message and wish more movies would include it.

Toothless and Astrid/Stoic: I'll just briefly mention this because I feel that it's a great credit to the character and "humanness" of Toothless the dragon. With both Astrid and Stoic, he waits to befriend them until they say "I'm sorry". He shows Astrid a crazy ride, and then turns it into the best date ever after she apologizes. Toothless hides that he has managed to save Hiccup until Stoic says that he was wrong and he is sorry. I like that *thumbs up*

Gobber and Stoic: I love this totally masculine friendship between men. I am lucky enough that I grew up with a dad who had guy friends who were positive influences in his life. We get to see the workings of this kind of relationship with Gobber and Stoic. I like the honesty of their conversation early in the movie when Gobber convinces Stoic to place Hiccup in dragon training. My favorite moment of this relationship is during the final battle, when all seems hopeless and Stoic is determined to sacrifice himself for his people, and Gobber refuses to leave with the rest of the people. I love the raw strength of this relationship: two manly men willing to talk, fight, and die together. Great message, DreamWorks. I highly, very greatly, approve.

I hope that I didn't bore you with my over-analyzing tendencies. Rest assured that I did not get all of this stuff the first time I watched it. It was whenever I watched asking myself, "Why do I like this movie so much?" I feel like we see what we choose to look for. Always remember that in any place, situation, job, class, and relationship, you can find flaws. But if you choose to look for good things, you can find them. Just don't forget to look.

The Lord bless and keep you, may His face shine upon you and be gracious and give you peace. ~ Numbers 6:24-26

Easier Said Than Done

I really don't like that cliche very much: "Easier said than done". I mean, it's true, but never really very helpful, because right after you say it you still have to do what you said would be hard to do. I guess I usually prefer to just do it instead of talking about how hard it's going to be.
With that in mind, it's kind of silly that I talked so long about how hard this would be that I ran out of time to actually do it.
But there have been times in my life that I've walked up to people and joined their group! The first week of school was like this. Meals were...interesting...and usually pretty quick because there weren't many people with whom to talk. I can name three times off the top of my head that I joined people who were by themselves. Once there was a guy by himself and when I asked if he was alone, he said, "Oh no, I've got some people coming." I just said "Oh" and kept going. He said it in a brisk tone, and when I sat down with some people I had met before, I commented on his tone. I don't know if he heard me, but a few minutes later he came over and said he was sorry for his tone, he was just surprised that I had offered and didn't mean to be rude. I told him I was grateful for his apology and said that it was okay, I understood. I can't remember his name and probably wouldn't recognize his face if I saw it again. But that experience will stay with me for a long time and always challenge me to consider and reconsider other people's feelings.
There was another time I sat down with a girl I had seen on my hall a lot of times but had never met, so I sat down with her even though she was wearing headphones and looked just as happy by herself. I knew that sometimes when I do something like that, I'm testing to see if there are people friendly enough to be willing to break through a few small walls. We had a great conversation and discovered that we have a few of the same interests and similar tastes in music. We haven't really talked much since then, but I am glad to know her and to have gotten to share a meal with her.

What I learned from those experiences is that being friendly is always rewarded. Even if you don't make a new friend, you might just help make someone's day just a little bit better. And that's always a good thing.

While There's Time, There's Hope

Dreams. Living. Calling. Stop.
Wishing. Regrets. Pain. Stop.
Tears. Bruises. Scars. Stop.
But. I. Just. Can't. Stop.

I DON'T KNOW!!!

This is the third draft, the third attempt to do this blog. I have no dreams except ones that are falling apart and morphing into something else entirely. I used to think that after school I would marry my boyfriend, raise children and live happily ever after. I used to think that school would be simple and require minimal effort like high school. I thought so many things.
Now my boyfriend hasn't called me in three weeks. School is stressful, confusing, and great all at the same time. I used to have a keyboard, a place that relieved my stress anytime of day or night. Now I have a piano with a low G that sticks, a flat A, and pedals that don't work that I am only allowed to play from 10 AM to 10 PM. I used to get paid every night I worked, always having cash on hand. Now I had I to postpone a Wal-Mart trip so that I could transfer money from my savings to checking account. I used to be able to walk up to my mom or sister or boyfriend and just ask them to hold me, and they would. Now I'm starved for a real hug from a close friend in a way I never thought would be possible.
Dreams are lies! They are deceivers. They promise hope and leave you with tears and scars. They are over-rated. People waste their lives, spending time on money and money on people and people on time. It is a sick cycle that perpetuates and escalates. Then you die. And your dreams laugh as you slip away.
So how can I cling to something I cannot bring to fruition? Why chase something that can never be tamed? I am not alive when I eat and drink and make merry. I am alive in suffering and pain. Discomfort and hunger remind me of life's preciousness. It is when a man nears death that he realizes how much he loves his life. Heartache and disease makes him appreciate his health. When comfort is made an idol, it claims a new name: laziness.
I tend to be lazy. I think we all do. We like comfort. Why shouldn't we? We can afford it.
I want a life bigger than that. Of course I would prefer comfort and peace. But the cost is just too great. Jesus said that whoever does not pick up his cross and follow Him is not worthy of Him. When I picture a cross, I don't label it "comfort".
So I don't have a dream, except this: something painful. I don't need to seek suffering to find it. But whenever suffering does come, and I am up against it, I will not fear it and back down. If it is worth living for, it is worth dying for. And so long as there is time, there is hope.

Under Pressure

A driving force in many people's lives is the need to feel accepted. This need is so fundamental to the human condition that most of us aren't even aware of it most of the time.
Our peers influence us in how we look, act, and speak. (Lite speak anyone? It's short for "elite speak", which computer-savvy people use sometimes, that replaces letters with characters. A T, for instance, becomes a 7 and an S is a $. It has morphed into more common shorthand, such as "lol", "rofl", and so on.)
Our parents are an influence which more and more people, especially teenagers, attempt to resist. Studies in the sociology field reveal how single parenting, foster care, and gangs influence national family dynamics.
Teachers and coaches set expectations for performance in academic and athletic settings. They can touch lives for good, ill, or not at all.
Romantic relationships with boyfriends and girlfriends can introduce all kinds of complicated issues and problems, and often these relationships are the most powerful of any that a young person will engage in.
So many people influence our views and lives, it is difficult to know who is trustworthy, who is more than a pretty face with a silver tongue. In the search for a trustworthy friend and audience, the message of an all-powerful, always-loving God may seem too good to be true. I think that God does reach out to everyone, so that all may be saved. But I also believe that God reveals Himself to His friends. So as a student working hard to be the best and do her best, keeping an accurate view of her audiences is essential to not only being successful, but being impactful as well. I feel like remembering to perform for an Audience of One, rather than the Audience of JBU or the Audience of Family, will help prevent some downfalls in the future, such as burn-out or fear of failure and obsession with success.
College is fun, right? I can't think of a better way to ruin that fun than to get so wrapped up in our grades that we miss out on every other part of our education.

Service, Sacrifice, and Obedience

Choose one of the following prompts to respond to

1. What does Oswald Chambers mean when he says ‘The greatest competitor of devotion to Jesus is service for Him”? (39-40) What are some of the examples of ways students might allow service to Jesus to interfere with devotion to Jesus? 

 Oswald Chambers is making a point. He is saying that often when we are in pursuit of service for Christ and trying to make a difference in the world around us, we get "tunnel vision". We start to think about our own problem to the exclusion of everything else, even God's small, still voice. In our service FOR Jesus, we begin to be devoted to the work, rather than the Lord.

Students might be tempted to use Bible homework as their quiet time. We might let our schedules become so overwhelmed with Passion groups and CAUSE ministries and outreaches and church work that we neglect our personal relationship with our Lord. Suddenly we realize we haven't cracked our Bible for a non-scholarly purpose in a few weeks. In our attempts to please God with our works, we have centered our faith around our own achievements. Such a self-centered faith is a counterfeit of a real relationship with God, which is built on His goodness, and not our own.

Response to "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years" Part 2

Prompt for 9-16

9/16: Miller “A Million Miles in a Thousand Years” p 61-120

Select at least two of the following prompts to respond to. Please keep in mind that responses should be based on the concepts presented in the book, not just your personal definition of things like change, desire, and story.

After reading Chapter 8 (This is me, Ariel, and I think they meant to write "chapter 18", so that's what I'll go with because..well...Chapter 8 was in LAST week's reading. Typo!), tell me: what do you want? Based on Chapter 13, ambition defines all stories. What is your ambition, your pursuit?

After reading Chapter 12, reflect on change. You have changed since you came to JBU: this is inevitable, because you are adapting to new experiences, and are on a new journey. Reflect on yourself and describe how you have changed within the past month.

According to Miller, we can’t live without stories, and we all follow after some story or another. What is/are some stories that have shaped your journey?

You Are What You Eat (And You Aren't What You Don't)

If someone had asked me four months ago (graduation day) what I want out of life, I probably would have said, "A slow summer." You see, I knew at the beginning of my senior year that time was going to fly past. It seemed that all of high school had flown past to that point. Why should it slow down now? I was right. It was so fast. It was gone so quickly. Sure, there were tough times. Times when time seemed to drag. Those times are my stories that directed my journey, and sometimes altered it. Those stories lead up to what I pursue, my ambitions.

Like the time we had to do a group project where we wrote a screenplay about Jonathan, Saul's son and David's best friend. I don't like group projects. I don't like my grade, my success, being in someone else's hands. Especially when that person is a D+ student. But the deadline came and went. I didn't get the grade I had wanted and, I believed (and actually still believe) I could have earned had it been a solo project. But look! I didn't die! I even learned a valuable lesson: You are what you eat. So when I was forced to eat some humble pie, I gained some humility. Granted, it didn't taste great. It was dry and crumbly. But it taught me something I couldn't have learned about myself: sometimes other people have better ideas than I have. (I actually choked a little on that part. I survived by giving myself the Heimlich on a chair. Hey, I'm still learning the "depend on others and teach them to be dependable" thing.)

Or the other time when we prepared for almost four months for the spring Easter musical, and I played the part of the narrator and sang "Via Dolorosa" solo while Jesus (my youth pastor, who was amazing) struggled up the center aisle of the auditorium. I loved every bit of it. I loved the stage. I loved the HUGE spotlight that prevented me from getting nervous on stage because I couldn't see the crowd. I loved being good at it. Maybe that was why during the second chorus of my solo the second night, I pushed a little too hard on a high note and my voice squeaked. It was the most awful thing that could have happened to my pride. I again choked on some humble pie. But even with that, I look back on that as a highlight in my high school career. I treasure it, sometimes allowing the memories to soothe my heart.

It almost hurts to know that that was five months ago. It is hard to remember that time has moved quickly since then and it still hasn't slowed. I've been in college for three weeks. But I don't FEEL like I suppose a college student should feel. I'm not overwhelmed, a product of my desire for order and efficiency in my life. I just can't bring myself to lay something off so long that I know I will be forced to produce inferior work. (The argument could be made that that didn't stop me from procrastinating in high school, but my response that is simple: There is much more at stake now. I'm not eager to blow it. Besides, what is the 'new leaf' expression for, anyways?) I don't have an extremely active social life, but neither am I constantly bored. My dorm room is neither sloppy nor extremely neat. (My roommate and I are both lazy perfectionists: preferring order, but sometimes unwilling to put forth the effort.) But maybe that isn't mediocrity, but typicality. I suppose I don't know.

All of that background to say what I want, what I pursue: excellence in my own eyes and the eyes of others. I wish it was more spiritual, more correct. I know that I should pursue excellence in the eyes of God. The cliché, over- and oft-quoted, of "when you are beautiful in God's eyes, you will be beautiful in others', too" is neither biblical nor historical. The most beautiful people in God's eyes were hated, despised, and murdered by the world around them. "Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— the world was not worthy of them". (Hebrews 11:35-38) But knowing what you should do is not enough motivation, as Miller points out, to complete a goal. A person needs a story, something else to spur them past themselves and on to something greater. So maybe my ambition is less an ambition and more a search, a search for an epic. A search for a great story to show and tell to an audience. I've been in places where I discovered some great stories: Cuenca, Ecuador; Colby, Kansas; John Brown University. But I'm still looking for that thing, that one epic that grabs my soul and story and rips it from my white-knuckled, dead-man's grip. So my eyes are wide and searching, desiring and terrified all at the same time. I guess the only thing left is to go buy that bicycle, to cross the point of no return. To quote Jack Sparrow, "You know that feeling you get when you look over a cliff and have an urge to jump? welll....I don't have it." I suppose all that remains to be discovered is whether I will square my shoulders and take that last step over the edge.