I was able to catch up with a couple friends this past weekend and in general the theme was about how we are "growing up". One friend, Dungeon Daddy, was telling us about the two weddings he is attending this week. Another, El Bandito, was lamenting about his impending 25th birthday. Most of my peers have accepted that grad school is our next step as very few of us have jobs that leave us in position to move up. And those that do are looking to reach the next level. So while some of my *cough*older*cough* readers may laugh at the lament of growing up for those of us now in our mid twenties, what we are really feeling I think is the disintegration of any last shreds of the delusion that we are still kids or even undergrads.
When I was a kid, I wasn't one of those that always wanted to be older. Maybe that's because I'm the oldest of three and didn't have any immediate peers that I wanted to be like. Or maybe that's because I knew in my heart that being a kid meant no real responsibilities, no drama, and the freedom to have "fun today" as my only ambition. When the Toys R Us song "I don't wanna grow up I'm a Toys R Us Kid" came on, I absolutely agreed. I didn't want to grow up. I still don't wanna grow up. The joke in undergrad was that me and my best friend were 9 years old. And our nerf gun fight in the lounge of our residence hall probably didn't help our reputation.
I regret nothing.
I think that "growing up" which life is finally forcing us to do if we hadn't yet, isn't so much about losing that childhood love of fun, carefree attitude, or idealistic outlook on life, its just about knowing when to tap into that and when to face reality sort to speak. Maybe adulthood is just knowing when its OK to act like a kid. Sadly, there seems be less and less opportunties to act like kids when you're an adult. I guess that's why we have movies, books and video games. To escape.
We were on spring break this week so Summercamp's been quiet. We did do a really cool Zombie program this past quarter where it was an emergency preparedness program with the zombie themes making it marketable. It's a lot of fun to take a concept that we think is important but too serious to get residents to attend and finding a way to "sell" it to them. My dad's in public relations. I can tell its in my blood because I'm always looking at spin and angles to make things more appealing. In another life, maybe Spam Boa and I would have opened a marketing agency.
Finally a tale about Brock. He bought a house. Yes, we are all having our "ohmygoshimalmost25lifecrises" and he is buying a house. On one level we are jealous of his opportunity for a prudent investment in a bad economy that can only get better. On another end, I think a lot of us are going, are you crazy?? I think money is so hard to come by right now that the thought of spending it on something so big is beyond us. I hope it turns out to be more than a get rich quick scheme and really works out for him. But as money isn't really one of my end goals but rather a means to end's meet, investments are really beyond me right now.
I guess that's all on my mind. Sorry its not a terrible funny week. I've been on youtube a lot lately so I recommend this video for you Disney viewing pleasure. In the spirit of nostalgia, its one guy who you may already know for his rendition of Whole New World singing both male and female parts accurately. Check out his new vid.
http://www.todaysbigthing.com/2011/03/22
Goodnight!
Currently reading: Just read Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, an amazing story about Chinese parents and the differences and similarities between Chinese and "Western" parenting styles. It was fascinating to see how different a childhood other people can have then me, how much I could disagree with the parenting style, and at the same time marvel in disbelief at the results. It really makes me think about how I could incorporate a best of all worlds parenting style, if there is such a thing.
Currently listening to: Nostalgia Critic on thatguywithglasses.com review old movies. Highly recommend him.
Currently playing: Starcraft 2 UMS stuff like I did in seventh grade only updated.
Told you I'm on a nostalgia binge.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Meh to being Sick
So my boss was just telling me how I should take time off because I have so much sick time stocked up its ridiculous. THEN on Friday night I get sick and it wipes me out for this whole weekend. I'm feeling a bit better now and am probably able to go to work tomorrow... oh the irony. Let's not forget its spring break so my workload on a college campus is extra light. Yet there's still that nagging but I still have stuff to get done doubt that tells me I'll probably go into work tomorrow. Unless its raining. Then screw that.
Throughout this week I was like hmm, that'd be a great thing to add to my blog. And now that its come time to write it I'm not sure what to say.
One thought that came to mind this week was about social justice conversations. We hosted a few dialogue session for students about the recent video posting, "Asians in the library". It was interesting to hear how people reacted and the call for action that follows it. In the end, I felt these sessions were important to allow students who were hurt seeing that to respond, vent, and have an outlet. However, that doesn't mean there was going to be action taken to prevent these things from happening again. Yet students seemed to want a reassurance that the administration would prevent something like this from occurring.
It made me think that no school is perfect, but we all expect it to be. These kind of issues bring the imperfections to light and yet didn't we all know it was there in the first place? Can we fault a university for being human? For making mistakes? For being unable to predict every misstep its students and administration might take? I think what is important is how the university reacts to problems, addresses the issues as best it can, and learns from them. As long as the schools sets its standards high, then there will always be something to strive for, even if its impossible for every person connected to the school to meet all those standards at all times. Again, we are only human. Hmm... I think all those things I just said apply to the Catholic Church too.
I wrote down a few notes to self while in the session. You can see how they directed this post:
"There's no place that's perfect or without racism. How we react separates us [from the racists?] and shows our true character"- I think this was in response to the angry, prejudiced comments that followed the racist video.
"It's not a 'we' vs 'them'. It's an 'us' vs 'us' "- This was in response to how in the dialogue people kept separating asians form other people or those who act with prejudice as compared to other people. Besides being a no no in "social justice speak," this also implies that some people are better than others and that we could never be like "those" people. Well news for everyone, we all make those stupid mistakes. Just not in the same ways.
Just some social justice/diversity/racism thoughts to start your week out.
On another note, I was on Facebook reading a note by a friend who I'm surprised I haven't mentioned yet in this blog. Sunshine Knives is one of the first friends I made in college and she wrote a very awesome Facebook note about power and how the true strength is knowing when NOT to use your power. It was really er... well powerful to read her post. I highly recommend you look it up. When ninjutsu meets God you know its gotta be interesting to say the least.
Lastly, I'm going to give you a short story about Brock. On Friday he didn't come home. Clark and I were surprised but didn't give it much thought until Saturday. Then Clark texted him to find that he was up North a bit. Sunday came and he still has not returned. We can only estimate that Brock is doing work things (as opposed to visiting family) and will return tomorrow. Its one of those moments where you aren't sure if you should be worried about the guy or give him his space. Oh Brock...
Speaking of, I know I don't talk about Clark nearly as much in this blog. He probably prefer it that way. But nevertheless, I offer him a special shout out as a thanks for having Netflix, which has helped me survive this bout of sickness. Also as an apology as I think I gave him my head cold. Sorry Clark! You can have my medicine :)
Goodday to you all!
-JTY
Currently Reading: Rediscovering Catholicism- everyday part of my Lenten duties
Currently listening to: Youtube Symphony Orchestra. They are pretty good!
Currently playing: Still Demon's Souls. Ask me again in a few weeks.
Throughout this week I was like hmm, that'd be a great thing to add to my blog. And now that its come time to write it I'm not sure what to say.
One thought that came to mind this week was about social justice conversations. We hosted a few dialogue session for students about the recent video posting, "Asians in the library". It was interesting to hear how people reacted and the call for action that follows it. In the end, I felt these sessions were important to allow students who were hurt seeing that to respond, vent, and have an outlet. However, that doesn't mean there was going to be action taken to prevent these things from happening again. Yet students seemed to want a reassurance that the administration would prevent something like this from occurring.
It made me think that no school is perfect, but we all expect it to be. These kind of issues bring the imperfections to light and yet didn't we all know it was there in the first place? Can we fault a university for being human? For making mistakes? For being unable to predict every misstep its students and administration might take? I think what is important is how the university reacts to problems, addresses the issues as best it can, and learns from them. As long as the schools sets its standards high, then there will always be something to strive for, even if its impossible for every person connected to the school to meet all those standards at all times. Again, we are only human. Hmm... I think all those things I just said apply to the Catholic Church too.
I wrote down a few notes to self while in the session. You can see how they directed this post:
"There's no place that's perfect or without racism. How we react separates us [from the racists?] and shows our true character"- I think this was in response to the angry, prejudiced comments that followed the racist video.
"It's not a 'we' vs 'them'. It's an 'us' vs 'us' "- This was in response to how in the dialogue people kept separating asians form other people or those who act with prejudice as compared to other people. Besides being a no no in "social justice speak," this also implies that some people are better than others and that we could never be like "those" people. Well news for everyone, we all make those stupid mistakes. Just not in the same ways.
Just some social justice/diversity/racism thoughts to start your week out.
On another note, I was on Facebook reading a note by a friend who I'm surprised I haven't mentioned yet in this blog. Sunshine Knives is one of the first friends I made in college and she wrote a very awesome Facebook note about power and how the true strength is knowing when NOT to use your power. It was really er... well powerful to read her post. I highly recommend you look it up. When ninjutsu meets God you know its gotta be interesting to say the least.
Lastly, I'm going to give you a short story about Brock. On Friday he didn't come home. Clark and I were surprised but didn't give it much thought until Saturday. Then Clark texted him to find that he was up North a bit. Sunday came and he still has not returned. We can only estimate that Brock is doing work things (as opposed to visiting family) and will return tomorrow. Its one of those moments where you aren't sure if you should be worried about the guy or give him his space. Oh Brock...
Speaking of, I know I don't talk about Clark nearly as much in this blog. He probably prefer it that way. But nevertheless, I offer him a special shout out as a thanks for having Netflix, which has helped me survive this bout of sickness. Also as an apology as I think I gave him my head cold. Sorry Clark! You can have my medicine :)
Goodday to you all!
-JTY
Currently Reading: Rediscovering Catholicism- everyday part of my Lenten duties
Currently listening to: Youtube Symphony Orchestra. They are pretty good!
Currently playing: Still Demon's Souls. Ask me again in a few weeks.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Demon's Souls owns my Soul
I have been obsessively playing Demon's Souls all weekend. It was my first real do nothing weekend in a long time, so I took advantage, but it was kind of sad. And let me just say, that game is brutal. Its like playing games on the old school NES again where you die a lot and there very little forgiveness. Its nice to actually have to get better at a game. And I was just complaining that games are too easy these days... Not this one!
In other news Lent start in the Catholic Liturgical Calendar, but this season seems to be one everybody knows about. At least for the whole giving up something part. While the reason for the Lenten season is to prepare and remind oneself about the purpose and meaning of Easter (the most important day of the year as it celebrates the reason the Christianity is even a valid faith system), I do like how the giving up something has become a bit of a cultural thing. The background to giving up something is that you get rid of the excess distracting stuff in your life and replace it with something that will bring you closer to God.
Usually, if I give up something like junk food or whatever, I find myself just thinking about what I'm not having. So instead I try to do some extra things that are really God-focused. I've been reading my Rediscovering Catholicism book. I am going to weekly Stations of the Cross and Adoration. I may even try hitting weekday Masses at times. And I'm trying to be all around healthier: running usually involved praying for me, especially if I'm out of shape and pray I can make it to the next block.
It's late so I won't be writing a long entry tonight but I do have a few fun stories:
First in the two Masses I went to this week I had an Irish priest and a black priest (I want to say he was Nigerian but I have no basis for that. I only could gauge that he was not African American). I bring this up because the both celebrated Mass a little differently then I'm used to. the Irish priest at the 7am Ash Wednesday Mass (a Mass usually and hour and a half long) celebrated it in 35 minutes, speeding through the prayers. There was no music and the priest did all the readings and ministries within the service. Judging by my dad's trips to Ireland, this was how Mass is often celebrated there. Very to the point. The black priest at Sunday Mass also sped through the service. He kind of slurred the prayers together opting for speed rather than accuracy. His sermon was short and for a long time I thought he didn't really care about what he was doing. Then at the very end with the closing song, he literally danced down the aisle as he ended the Mass. It was the surprising glimpse of culture, with him smiling and dancing to a beat much faster then the annoying somber closing hymn.
These instances remind me of the difference within my own faith and how I take for granted how things are usually done the same way. I would love to see a little more dancing in church and I appreciate a priest who can put things back to the basics every once in a while. Overall, just some interesting unique churchgoing experiences that I'm probably one of the few people reading this who care about.
In Brock's life, Alejandro came to visit us. As promised, fifteen minutes in Brock was up to his usual odd sayings and goofy self. One minute he had us watching Ru Paul's Drag Race and the next we were out on the town, piled into Brock's car which smelled like rotting Slim Fast. Fun.
Highlight quotes:
Brock to Alejandro: I think you sister got your mom's boobs and your dad's abs.
*facepalm*
Another: Alejandro- As far as I'm concerned, Twitter is a vagina and I don't want any part of it.
Yea good times.
In Summercamp the raccoons keep scaring residents. One was lounging precariously on the edge of the roof. Not one but 3 different residents came RUNNING to me saying that the raccoon looked like it had die or was dying. Like there was something I could do about it. Still, I have to make sure they felt like they mattered (oh higher ed theory...) and I walked out there to check on the animal. It was fine, just chilling on the roof. The residents felt better after I told them that if was still there in an hour I'd call the front desk (who would probably call animal control and have the animal put down, but they didn't need to know that).
Actually, its moments like that that make me really enjoy working on colleges. When there's this sincere panic over something small and then seeing their face in relief that someone's going to help them, even if there's nothing that can be done.
Someday, I'd really like to be a dad.
And on that note, I sleep. I say goodday to you.
Currently listening to: Nothing. It's late. I want to sleep. But I am trying to do lots of religious music for Lent. Which means Matt Maher usually.
Currently playing: Demon's Souls. OBSESSIVELY!
Currently reading: Demon's Souls manual, FAQs, hints etc. See above.
In other news Lent start in the Catholic Liturgical Calendar, but this season seems to be one everybody knows about. At least for the whole giving up something part. While the reason for the Lenten season is to prepare and remind oneself about the purpose and meaning of Easter (the most important day of the year as it celebrates the reason the Christianity is even a valid faith system), I do like how the giving up something has become a bit of a cultural thing. The background to giving up something is that you get rid of the excess distracting stuff in your life and replace it with something that will bring you closer to God.
Usually, if I give up something like junk food or whatever, I find myself just thinking about what I'm not having. So instead I try to do some extra things that are really God-focused. I've been reading my Rediscovering Catholicism book. I am going to weekly Stations of the Cross and Adoration. I may even try hitting weekday Masses at times. And I'm trying to be all around healthier: running usually involved praying for me, especially if I'm out of shape and pray I can make it to the next block.
It's late so I won't be writing a long entry tonight but I do have a few fun stories:
First in the two Masses I went to this week I had an Irish priest and a black priest (I want to say he was Nigerian but I have no basis for that. I only could gauge that he was not African American). I bring this up because the both celebrated Mass a little differently then I'm used to. the Irish priest at the 7am Ash Wednesday Mass (a Mass usually and hour and a half long) celebrated it in 35 minutes, speeding through the prayers. There was no music and the priest did all the readings and ministries within the service. Judging by my dad's trips to Ireland, this was how Mass is often celebrated there. Very to the point. The black priest at Sunday Mass also sped through the service. He kind of slurred the prayers together opting for speed rather than accuracy. His sermon was short and for a long time I thought he didn't really care about what he was doing. Then at the very end with the closing song, he literally danced down the aisle as he ended the Mass. It was the surprising glimpse of culture, with him smiling and dancing to a beat much faster then the annoying somber closing hymn.
These instances remind me of the difference within my own faith and how I take for granted how things are usually done the same way. I would love to see a little more dancing in church and I appreciate a priest who can put things back to the basics every once in a while. Overall, just some interesting unique churchgoing experiences that I'm probably one of the few people reading this who care about.
In Brock's life, Alejandro came to visit us. As promised, fifteen minutes in Brock was up to his usual odd sayings and goofy self. One minute he had us watching Ru Paul's Drag Race and the next we were out on the town, piled into Brock's car which smelled like rotting Slim Fast. Fun.
Highlight quotes:
Brock to Alejandro: I think you sister got your mom's boobs and your dad's abs.
*facepalm*
Another: Alejandro- As far as I'm concerned, Twitter is a vagina and I don't want any part of it.
Yea good times.
In Summercamp the raccoons keep scaring residents. One was lounging precariously on the edge of the roof. Not one but 3 different residents came RUNNING to me saying that the raccoon looked like it had die or was dying. Like there was something I could do about it. Still, I have to make sure they felt like they mattered (oh higher ed theory...) and I walked out there to check on the animal. It was fine, just chilling on the roof. The residents felt better after I told them that if was still there in an hour I'd call the front desk (who would probably call animal control and have the animal put down, but they didn't need to know that).
Actually, its moments like that that make me really enjoy working on colleges. When there's this sincere panic over something small and then seeing their face in relief that someone's going to help them, even if there's nothing that can be done.
Someday, I'd really like to be a dad.
And on that note, I sleep. I say goodday to you.
Currently listening to: Nothing. It's late. I want to sleep. But I am trying to do lots of religious music for Lent. Which means Matt Maher usually.
Currently playing: Demon's Souls. OBSESSIVELY!
Currently reading: Demon's Souls manual, FAQs, hints etc. See above.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Hospitals and Interviews
As most of you probably don't know, my little sister, Cheeky Monkey, had brain surgery this past weekend. The reason most of you probably don't know is because when you say someone has brain surgery it sounds almost unreal and dire. While very serious and stressful, as any surgery is, she was getting a leak in the outer layer of her skull sealed, because she was pooling a little fluid. We've known about this since last summer and the surgeons deemed it surgery worthy though not life threatening. The procedure itself was only a couple hours and featured a half-inch incision to her head about 3 inches above her eye and using a laser to seal the leak. The surgeon said the procedure was easier than expected and successful. She has spent the weekend in the hospital for observation and care as she recovered. She is due to come home tomorrow (Monday).
So you can see, it takes a lot to explain that and on one level yes its brain surgery its serious and on another, it wasn't life threatening with a 1% risk level surgery. Thank you everyone who offered prayers and best wishes for my sister.
Needless to say, I spent the weekend at home helping as needed. My brother and I had plenty of fun visiting my sister, teasing her and keeping her company and making her laugh and all. except when she was asleep. then we were bored out of our minds. Nevertheless, when my sister is on morphine and my brother and I are both in the room, you can bet laughs will be had. Be sure to ask my sister how to eat pudding in the hospital and ask my brother (Drewe Jules Yorke for those of you who forgot) ask him how they sell babies on the black market. Good times.
Hospitals are interesting. At one point I couldn't help but feel the sadness in building. How so many people there are in pain, suffering, and so many people can just stand helpless, hoping for a speedy recovery. It made me sad and kind of fearful of the place. Cheeky Monkey's boyfriend feints every time he comes in a hospital because he just can't stand the sight of people looking so weak and helpless. Its especially ironic because he gets sent to the emergency room all the time. I wanted to name him "Injury Prone" but I really don't know him well enough to give him an official name in the blog yet. Still he has a point hospitals kinda suck.
But the underlying thing about hospitals is how there is so much heroism in there. The doctors, nurses and staff help people every day who are literally at their worst. Take the crabbiest person you know and put them in pain and I'm sure they are tough to deal with. Especially if their are out of it due to age or medication or both.
There's also the people who are in the hospital beds. Often these people prove so strong, hopeful, and willful in recovery from their injuries, surgeries and even terminal diseases. I remember walking down the hall and thinking, if I were this sick, I'd have to be positive and stubbornly hopeful or I would die. There is some real strength to be found in hospitals.
Also, I think that a hospital makes a great place to find God. The miracles and hope that people witness there can only be connected to Him.
That's my spiel on hospitals.
As for interviews, all I have to say is I'm over them. To give interviews often feels tedious and repetitive. To go through interviews feels the plus the added stresses of will I say the right thing and am I impressing these people. All and all they are exhausting and annoyingly crucial. I'm glad they are pretty much over in my higher ed search.
I don't have any real good Brock stories right now but Alejandro is returning to our city after his stay in Hickville and when friends unite, there's bound to be debauchery. Hopefully now in or around our apartment please.
In Summercamp, our staff is also winding down. We took them out to all you can eat korean bbq in celebration for meeting our objectives for our student surveys. We also won the Do it in the Dark energy conservation contest. It's Summercamp, we barely have lights. Of course we do it in the dark. With the raccoons and squirrels constantly interrupting.
:)
Yea. On that note I think I'm out.
-JTY
Listening to: Tenshi read her notes for class out loud. I've also got Free Bird in my head. Love it!
Reading: Facebook, Gmail, etc. pages, I have to catch up. Whenever I go home I'm not really on the computer at all
Playing: Magicka. So funny. Especially when I accidentally blow up Spam Boa.
So you can see, it takes a lot to explain that and on one level yes its brain surgery its serious and on another, it wasn't life threatening with a 1% risk level surgery. Thank you everyone who offered prayers and best wishes for my sister.
Needless to say, I spent the weekend at home helping as needed. My brother and I had plenty of fun visiting my sister, teasing her and keeping her company and making her laugh and all. except when she was asleep. then we were bored out of our minds. Nevertheless, when my sister is on morphine and my brother and I are both in the room, you can bet laughs will be had. Be sure to ask my sister how to eat pudding in the hospital and ask my brother (Drewe Jules Yorke for those of you who forgot) ask him how they sell babies on the black market. Good times.
Hospitals are interesting. At one point I couldn't help but feel the sadness in building. How so many people there are in pain, suffering, and so many people can just stand helpless, hoping for a speedy recovery. It made me sad and kind of fearful of the place. Cheeky Monkey's boyfriend feints every time he comes in a hospital because he just can't stand the sight of people looking so weak and helpless. Its especially ironic because he gets sent to the emergency room all the time. I wanted to name him "Injury Prone" but I really don't know him well enough to give him an official name in the blog yet. Still he has a point hospitals kinda suck.
But the underlying thing about hospitals is how there is so much heroism in there. The doctors, nurses and staff help people every day who are literally at their worst. Take the crabbiest person you know and put them in pain and I'm sure they are tough to deal with. Especially if their are out of it due to age or medication or both.
There's also the people who are in the hospital beds. Often these people prove so strong, hopeful, and willful in recovery from their injuries, surgeries and even terminal diseases. I remember walking down the hall and thinking, if I were this sick, I'd have to be positive and stubbornly hopeful or I would die. There is some real strength to be found in hospitals.
Also, I think that a hospital makes a great place to find God. The miracles and hope that people witness there can only be connected to Him.
That's my spiel on hospitals.
As for interviews, all I have to say is I'm over them. To give interviews often feels tedious and repetitive. To go through interviews feels the plus the added stresses of will I say the right thing and am I impressing these people. All and all they are exhausting and annoyingly crucial. I'm glad they are pretty much over in my higher ed search.
I don't have any real good Brock stories right now but Alejandro is returning to our city after his stay in Hickville and when friends unite, there's bound to be debauchery. Hopefully now in or around our apartment please.
In Summercamp, our staff is also winding down. We took them out to all you can eat korean bbq in celebration for meeting our objectives for our student surveys. We also won the Do it in the Dark energy conservation contest. It's Summercamp, we barely have lights. Of course we do it in the dark. With the raccoons and squirrels constantly interrupting.
:)
Yea. On that note I think I'm out.
-JTY
Listening to: Tenshi read her notes for class out loud. I've also got Free Bird in my head. Love it!
Reading: Facebook, Gmail, etc. pages, I have to catch up. Whenever I go home I'm not really on the computer at all
Playing: Magicka. So funny. Especially when I accidentally blow up Spam Boa.
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