So for my Political Science major, I only need to take 10 specific classes. By the end of this semester, I will have had completed two of the necessary classes, meaning I only need to take 8 more spread out throughout the rest of my 7 semesters at ND. Seemingly, I would have a lot of room for study abroad opportunities, except my aspirations for an English major may be slowing me down just a bit. Either way, I will have some freedom (at least two choices) for study abroad programs. I'm trying to decide if I want to do the one semester interning at Washington D.C. with some Congressmen or take a whole year at some other foreign country, either doing research or taking classes.
We'll see.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Two Week Update.
I haven't updated in about two weeks, but not much has changed. The workload has seriously up'd itself, so that has led to less time for a blogging outlet. I haven't been able to play tennis for a long time, much less exercise, especially now that I'm sick.
I feel like I've finally caught up in Japanese, and so far I've been doing a good job at homework and getting to class on time. I have an exam for American Politics tomorrow and I'll be klling myself with studying tonight. Calculus can suck it, hard. I'm strongly considering dropping my Presidents and War seminar. The Astronomy test was pretty tough, but I'm excited to study and do work to get my grade up.
After Wednesday, my stress will definitely be cooling off and I'll have more of an opportunity to get back to studying enthusiastically. And maybe I can get consistently decent sleep sometime soon.
I feel like I've finally caught up in Japanese, and so far I've been doing a good job at homework and getting to class on time. I have an exam for American Politics tomorrow and I'll be klling myself with studying tonight. Calculus can suck it, hard. I'm strongly considering dropping my Presidents and War seminar. The Astronomy test was pretty tough, but I'm excited to study and do work to get my grade up.
After Wednesday, my stress will definitely be cooling off and I'll have more of an opportunity to get back to studying enthusiastically. And maybe I can get consistently decent sleep sometime soon.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Volleyball.
I love that I'm getting a lot of volleyball action throughout my week.
Tuesday, Sand Volleyball with Team Side-Out from 7:45-9:00.
Wednesday, Volleyball Class from 11:45-12:35.
Open Volleyball Gym from 7:00-10:45.
Thursday, Interhall Volleyball practice.
Ohhh yeah.
Tuesday, Sand Volleyball with Team Side-Out from 7:45-9:00.
Wednesday, Volleyball Class from 11:45-12:35.
Open Volleyball Gym from 7:00-10:45.
Thursday, Interhall Volleyball practice.
Ohhh yeah.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Astronomy
Studying astronomy is a humbling experience, putting the world into the perspective that so demonstrates the "folly of human conceits." It is both the oldest and the newest science; since ancient times, civilizations have looked at the cosmos at an attempt to explain natural phenomena or tell stories. It is the newest in the sense that we are only just beginning to physically explore that which we call space and we are only beginning to mentally grasp that obscure idea we call time. And both the old and new science of astronomy are interconnected by the ultimate goal of finding out our place in this world.
Through astronomy, I have come to draw connections between what I plan on studying--English--with science. The art of Literature and the studies of the Natural Sciences also seem to have a common desire to seek out some higher truth, some greater meaning. And when I hear elite scientists talk about their field so passionately, their words sound refreshingly poetic.
Now, the impression I'm getting from discovering the vastness of the universe is not one of a negative value. I do not feel that my time spent on Earth is any less significant, now that I can put it into astronomical perspective. Although in the pure cosmic sense, we don't make any difference. The time mankind has had on this planet--our own lives, even--are but a fraction of an eye-blink in the universe's 14 billion year history. Our tiny Earth that holds within it the aggregate of every emotion, idea, or person that we ever held dear, is but an atom on a grain of sand, on an infinite beach. Even so, the idea may be overwhelming, but it is also empowering. It shows us that, for now, we are very very alone in this ever expanding universe. All we have is that atom on that grain of sand on that infinite beach. All we ever knew has taken place within that fraction of an eye-blink. And because of that, mankind has a much deeper responsibility to each other and to its home.
And to some, maybe studying astronomy is an escape. What else is more unfamiliar to us on Earth than things such as gas giants, nebulae, and cosmic dust? "It is easier to go to the moon or to Mars than it is to penetrate your own being."
Through astronomy, I have come to draw connections between what I plan on studying--English--with science. The art of Literature and the studies of the Natural Sciences also seem to have a common desire to seek out some higher truth, some greater meaning. And when I hear elite scientists talk about their field so passionately, their words sound refreshingly poetic.
Now, the impression I'm getting from discovering the vastness of the universe is not one of a negative value. I do not feel that my time spent on Earth is any less significant, now that I can put it into astronomical perspective. Although in the pure cosmic sense, we don't make any difference. The time mankind has had on this planet--our own lives, even--are but a fraction of an eye-blink in the universe's 14 billion year history. Our tiny Earth that holds within it the aggregate of every emotion, idea, or person that we ever held dear, is but an atom on a grain of sand, on an infinite beach. Even so, the idea may be overwhelming, but it is also empowering. It shows us that, for now, we are very very alone in this ever expanding universe. All we have is that atom on that grain of sand on that infinite beach. All we ever knew has taken place within that fraction of an eye-blink. And because of that, mankind has a much deeper responsibility to each other and to its home.
And to some, maybe studying astronomy is an escape. What else is more unfamiliar to us on Earth than things such as gas giants, nebulae, and cosmic dust? "It is easier to go to the moon or to Mars than it is to penetrate your own being."
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