Graduation

Thursday evening (immediately after I got off work) my Mom, one of my brothers, and I drove five hours to the university where I have spent the past two years working on a master of science degree in geography. We spent the night in a Holiday Inn downtown. Friday morning we ate breakfast at the hotel, then went to the university bookstore for me to retrieve my hood for the ceremony, and then looked around the geography building. They got to meet my advisor as well as another professor on my committee. Then we drove over to the museum on campus and looked around there. They have many interesting exhibits: ancient Egypt, Native Americans, geology and fossils, decorative artifacts, and a temporary exhibit on three Cherokees who traveled to England in the 1700s. After that, I drove them around a bit, showed them the waterfront park, and then went to my old apartment to get some more of my stuff that had aparently surfaced. My old roommate had already gone home for Christmas, but his new roommate - from Iran - was there and helped us get some of the stuff into the car. Next, we drove back over to downtown and looked around Market Square. Finally, it was time to head to the arena to get ready for the Graduate Hooding Ceremony, which began at 6:00.

After unproprietously changing into my regalia in the parking lot, My mom and brother headed into the arena to find some seats, while I headed into the depths of the place to figure out where I was supposed to go. I met up with a couple of other geographers who were also graduating with their masters degrees, so we were able to sit together in the Arts and Sciences section. I also saw a couple of geographers who had volunteered to help with the event.

The whole thing last about an hour and a half. I marched across the stage fairly near to the beginning. The bulk of the ceremony was taken up by persons receiving their doctoral degrees. They actually had their major professors walk across the stage with them and hood them. Hopefully in about four or five more years I will be in their place receiving my Ph.D. in geography.

After the ceremony, we drove to a wonderful Italian restaurant that I had only been to once before. It's called Naples. My brother had spaghetti with marinara sauce, my mom had fetuccini alfredo, and I had pasta supremo which consisted of a lot of different ingredients such as noodles with herbs mixed in to the actual noodles themselves, tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, sausage, meatballs, pepperoni, olives, pimientos, and more. It was delicious. The bread and garlic butter were also delicous. For dessert, my brother had a blackberry sorbet (fantastic!), and my mom and I shared spumoni (ice cream with three flavors - pistachio, black cherry, and chocolate).

After the wonderful meal, we hit the freeway out of town for our five hour drive home. We arrived home around 1:00 AM and I promptly headed to bed. It was a wonderful, albeit quick, trip, and I really enjoyed spending time with my brother and mom.

On the drive back my brother and I were able to further discuss our book that we're writing about our travels in South America. I think the ideas are really coming together and we should be able to pull it off in the not too distant future. I do hope it will come to fruition - it should be an exciting read at any rate!

Today, I slept late, then got up and ate some leftovers from the Italian restaurant. I sat out by the pool reading all afternoon in this high 60s/low 70s degree weather we're having in December. A week until Christmas, and it sure is warm outside. I almost felt like jumping in the pool! Anyway, I did finish a very interesting book I've been reading - The Pentagon's New Map: War and Peace in the 21st Century by Thomas P.M. Barnett. His view of the world divided into Core and Gap, the need to advance the frontiers of globalization to shrink the gap and defeat disconnectedness, and optimistic view of the future are quite compelling. I can't wait to read the sequal, which I'll try to do real soon - The Pentagon's New Map Blueprint for Action.

After that I went to visit my grandparents. They fed me leftover bar-b-que, beans, coleslaw, bread, and apple pound cake. And later on the fed me some raisin egg bread. My mom and aunt were there too. Tomorrow afternoon, my aunt wants me to come over and then we'll walk across the street from her house to play Christmas music on the piano for two of her elderly neighbors.

This evening, we (my brothers, mom, a number of friends, and more) went over to some friends of the family's home where we made Christmas cookies, had pizza, and visited. It was nice. I'm now back at my apartment for the first time since Thursday morning and will hopefully go to bed soon after reading for a while. Church will come early in the morning - but I think we'll be playing a lot of Christmas music! Fun stuff!

Amazing Peace: A Christmas Poem

I wanted to post the following link to a poem by Maya Angelou. It is entitled "Amazing Peace: A Christmas Poem". I found it to be very beautiful and moving - and I wanted to share it at this most special time of year.

Amazing Peace: A Christmas Poem
by Dr. Maya Angelou

Friday's Christmas Party and Today

Well, the Christmas party hosted by someone in one of my classes was a lot of fun Friday evening. There was tons of food there and I was absolutely stuffed! I would say about less than half the class showed up, but those who did all brought food and wine. Someone brought some sort of sparkling wine that was really good. The spread of food included: cheese ball, cheese sticks, and spinach dip with King's Hawaiian bread for appetizers; green bean casserole (I cooked that), hashbrown casserole, steamed vegetables, and rolls for side dishes; a marinated and grilled pork tenderloin as the main dish; and for dessert a stollen (German Christmas bread - I brought that), some fruit and cream white cake from a bakery, fudge, and some other little things. Someone also brought some fruit tea which they made by mixing sweet tea, orange juice, and pineapple juice. Everything was absolutely delicious! We were all very stuffed! The whole evening was quite pleasant.

After that, around 11:00 pm or so, I went by home to see one of my younger brothers who had just flown in from college for the Christmas break. Stayed there until about 1:00 am before heading back to my apartment. Several of his friends were there as well. It was nice to visit. I got to talking with my mom and some of the rest of them about some of the funny things that happened throughout the week at work and elsewhere.

Today I slept late, which was a welcome change, and then had rehearsal all afternoon at the old theater downtown where my church orchestra is having a Christmas concert Sunday evening. It was a lot of fun and I really enjoy playing with that group. The show tomorrow night should be quite spectacular, moving, and fun. I do believe it is a sellout too - I don't think there are any tickets left! It's being hosted by a local television weather personality. This will be the last Christmas concert I'll be playing in for this season - until next year! I do love being a part of these type of things.

I think my family and I are going to get to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra in a couple of weeks. That should be a real blast!

This evening, my brother who just got home from college last night prepared us a vegan meal of vegetable soup and polenta with tabouli.

Events of the Week So Far

I discovered Monday that I have several holds on my account at the university where I'm getting a second masters degree - I started there in August. After delivering my immunization forms to the registrar's office to remove that hold, they informed my that I have two other holds placed on my account by the graduate school. Apparently they never received my writing sample that I took in August, and they also haven't received the final transcripts from the other university where I received my M.S. in geography. After a series of emails, I discovered that the woman who administered the writing sample to me never logged me or my results into the system. What the hell? She said she was just clueless as to what could have happened. Well, cluelessness is no excuse for incompetence! I vividly remember that day because I had just arrived home the day before from a trip to South America. So, that morning in August, I went in and met with the lady, she gave me a handout of two writing sample essay questions. I went to the computer lab and wrote the essay, printed it out, returned to her office, and then physically turned the thing in to her. I guess it was promptly lost. It's a good thing I save a copy of it, which I sent to her Tuesday and she immediately had it graded. Hopefully that hold has now been removed. Now, I'll just have to have the other university send the transcripts in after they post my final degree when I graduate from there next week. However, that masters degree in geography is definitely not a requirment for admission to this program - so why in the world does it even matter that they have a final transcript in order for me to be able to register for classes next semester? Oh well - dealing with university administration logistical matters has always been tedious.

The environment of the office at work this week has been one of transition. We are expanding into another area of the floor in the building where we are located. All sorts of people have been coming and going this week - network people, wiring, electricians, security system installments (apparently someone has already tried to break in twice over the past week), etc. The place was supposed to be up and running on Monday. One of the co-owners - who currently lives in California - flew in to help out this week. She flies back early Friday morning. We'll all miss her because she is such a happy, positive, vivacious person, and is super nice! She doesn't hold back anything she thinks though; but I think its good to be forthright - and she does it in a humorous way. Anyway, they are supposed to be moving back here later in the spring or June. They're expecting a baby in January. I think she'll be back in February for another week; one of the co-workers is getting married the first weekend in March. I really like working with all these people - they're really nice and fun to work with. The office is real laid back and is a good work environment. The co-owner who is flying back to California told me that some girl in the office across the hall has been eyeing me. I ended up meeting her out in the hall today when I was helping move some stuff, talking with the co-owner, and she seems a bit older than I am. Oh well.

One of my classes is having a Christmas party Friday night at one of the student's and her husband's home. I think only about half the class has responded saying that they will be there. We're supposed to bring a beverage and a side item/or dessert. I think I'll bring a bottle of wine, and some side dish that I haven't decided on yet, and maybe some stollen (German dessert bread commonly eaten around Christmas - sometimes referred to as Weinachtstollen or Christollen) for dessert. I asked one girl in the class (she and another girl were doing a superb job of flirting with me while I was giving a presentation to the class Monday night) if she would like to ride together - I offered to drive - and I received a "maybe". What the hell? Yes or no please! I mean, you're definitely going to the party. Why not go with someone? However, it's been my experience that "maybe" usually ends up being "no". Dammit! Oh well, the party will be fun nonetheless. I'm sure there will be lots of good food there and nice people.

On the way home from work tonight I stopped by to visit with my grandparents for a while. They always like to have visitors sit and watch Jeopardy with them. They always offer food and absolutely expect people to eat it while there - regardless of whether they are hungry or not (comes from the German culture I guess). So, she fixed me two gigantic pieces of toasted cheese and butter toast, which was delicious, and sweet tea to drink. They had me go out to their mailbox three times while I was there to see if their mail had run yet - but it didn't come until after 7:00pm!

After I got home I started some laundry, and then worked on a geography PhD application. I actually got it submitted online as well. Now I just have to make sure all the other stuff gets sent in timely - GRE scores, transcripts, recommendations, etc. Hopefully I'll start the program next Fall 2007.

Thursday was also Pearl Harbor Day. So, don't forget that - December 7, 1941 - "A day which will live in infamy" as President Franklin D. Roosevelt described it on the radio the following day.

Christmas Spectacular and a Rant

Well, after weeks of rehearsals, our church Christmas concert has now come and gone. I play the French Horn in the orchestra. We gave two performances today at 2:00 and 6:00, both with packed audiences. It was all quite an extravaganza of a production. The music, lighting, and total effect was beautiful and moving. I really enjoy playing in things like that. Next Sunday, the orchestra I play in will be giving a Christmas performance at a historic theater downtown. I do believe all the tickets have already sold out. Should be great!

The guys in the show had to wear tuxedos - I've had mine since I was a senior in high school, and it still fits mostly. But I discovered that the pants have become a bit tight. I'll either have to start exercising more than I do already, which is quite a bit, or just buy a new pair of pants for the tux the next time I have to wear the thing.

My parents came to the 2:00 pm performance today and I was very glad to see them there. They're always so supportive of all of us and I really appreciate that. I wish my brothers could have come too, but the middle one is still in school up north (but flies home later this week - yea!), and the youngest one (in high school) just doesn't like to get out to go to those type of things I guess - although he always ends up having a great time once he's there. Perhaps I can coax him into going to the show next week (I think the rest are already planning to attend).

I invited a few friends to come to one of the performances today - they had said they would probably come to the 6:00 pm show. Did any of them show up? No. I'm continually learning that that is the way people are, friends or not. I certainly know that if the scenario were reversed, I would have gone to see one of my friends in something like that. And I would have gone because I actually would have wanted to go, not because I would have felt obligated to go. After the last performance I came home to my apartment that I share with two other college buddies to find one of them lounging on the couch watching some mindless crap on the television. I suppose that's what's been going on around the old apartment all day - TV watching. Oh well, at least I know I'm participating in something that I both enjoy and that I know serves to lift peoples' spirits.

Apparently one of my roommate's parents came in to the city today just to repair his car for him - took them all day to do it. Well, this evening after I got back from the performance at church, I went to workout, exercise, and run. Afterwards, when I got out of the shower and reached for my bath towel, I discovered that it was literally covered in black grease and motor oil. What kind of person would do such a thing? Is there such a thing as common courtesy? I would never do something like that to someone else's stuff.

I think I've about had it with people in general. I feel like I bend over backwards for people, going all over creation and to hell and back for them, doing things for them that they don't even seem to appreciate. Not asking anything in return. But then I always seem to get run over - or at least it feels that way - no matter how nice I am to people, and how happy, positive, and encouraging I act towards others. What is wrong with this picture? Deep-down do people not like to be around happy, positive, and encouraging persons? Is that why we get taken advantage of? Oh well, I won't stop being nice and kind to people, and I won't stop being happy and positive and encouraging towards others. It's simply not in my nature or personality to behave otherwise.

Geography and Quotations

What Geography Is:

I hardly ever go anywhere that, upon hearing I'm a geographer, someone asks me what geography really is and what I really do - as if geography is simply my cover for clandestine activities. Most people seem to be under the impression that geography is merely memorizing the locations of place names. Although that is an important and useful skill for anyone, not just for a geographer, it has about as much relevance to geography as a vocabulary table has to literature. Geographic literacy is necessary for us to understand global events and cultures. Geography, as a spatial science, can be applied to the study of a vast array of subjects because everything has place. Historians look at the world chronologically or temporally, political scientists and economists look at the world structurally, geographers look at the world spatially. But geography also draws upon other fields, becoming interdisciplinary in nature - not narrowly focusing on one topic because in this world today things are very interrelated and affect other things and are affected by other things in a countless variety of ways.

Basically, there are five themes of geography:

1. Location - Relative Location and Absolute Location
2. Place - Human Characteristics and Physical Characteristics
3. Human-Environmental Interactions - Humans adapt to the environment, Humans modify the environment, Humans depend on the environment
4. Movement - People, Goods, Ideas
5. Regions - Formal, Functional, Vernacular (perceptual)

The study of geography can be divided into six elements (as described by the National Geography Standards - http://www.ncge.org/publications/tutorial/standards/):

1. The world in spatial terms - The structuring of geographic information, the ordering of knowledge into real and mental maps, and the spatial analysis of that information.
2. Places and regions - The basic units of geography and how those units are organized differently by different people.
3. Physical systems - Physical and environmental phenomena, such as land forms and climate, and their interaction through ecosystems, renewable resources, and the hydrologic cycle.
4. Human systems - Human populations and their economic activities, migration patterns, settlement patterns, territorial arrangements, and political conflicts.
5. Environment and society - Interaction between physical and human systems and identification of the central role of resources in environment-society links.
6. The uses of geography - how to apply geography as a component and tool to understand the past, interpret the present, and plan for the future.

I found the following article by Harm de Blij, a leading geographer, interesting: http://oupblog.typepad.com/oupblog/2005/08/uncle_sam_wants.html

Here is another interesting link. This is a geographic literacy survey commissioned by National Geographic of 18-24 year olds in 2002. The results are both surprising and disturbing:http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geosurvey/

On to other things...

I was also just reminded of a quotation by Winston Churchill that I heard Dr. Henry Kissinger quote at a speech he gave that I attended a few months ago. I thought this quote by Winsotn Churchill is still quite applicaple today, which is probably why Dr. Kissinger chose to end his talk with it:

"What is the use of living, if it be not to strive for noble causes and to make this muddled world a better place for those who will live in it after we are gone? How else can we put ourselves in harmonious relation with the great verities and consolations of the infinite and the eternal? And I avow my faith that we are marching towards better days. Humanity will not be cast down. We are going on swinging bravely forward along the grand high road and already behind the distant mountains is the promise of the sun."

Also, since I'm in a quotations mood, here are some more passages and quotes that I've admired for quite some time:

If I Had My Child to Raise Over Again
by Diane Loomans, from Full Esteem Ahead
“If I had my child to raise all over again, I’d finger paint more, and point the finger less.I’d do less correcting, and more connecting.I’d take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.I would care to know less, and know to care more.I’d take more hikes and fly more kites.I’d stop playing serious, and seriously play.I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.I’d do more hugging, and less tugging.I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.I’d build self-esteem first, and the house later.I’d teach less about the love of power,And more about the power of love.”

The Art of Giving
By Kent Nerburn, from Letters to My Son
“Remember to be gentle with yourself and others. We are all children of chance, and none can say why some fields will blossom and others lay brown beneath the August sun. Care for those around you. Look past your differences. Their dreams are no less than yours, their choices in life no more easily made. And give. Find in any way you can, of whatever you possess. To give is to love. To withhold is to wither. Care less for your harvest than how it is shared, and your life will have meaning and your heart will have peace.”

"To act and act wisely when the time for action comes,
To wait and wait patiently when it is time for repose,
Put mankind in accord with the rising and falling tides of affairs
So that with nature and law at his back, and truth and
Beneficence as his beacon light, he may accomplish wonders."
-- Helena Petrova Blavatsky

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great."
-- Mark Twain

Two Films, One Evening

After work this evening a friend and I went out to eat at a Mexican restaurant (I had mole poblano). Then saw a double feature at the movie theater: "For Your Consideration" followed by "The Queen". I thoroughly enjoyed both. The first was quite funny, the second quite dramatic. Just the way I would suspect many actors/actresses behave over the whole academy awarde hype. In "The Queen", Helen Mirren did an excellent job portraying Queen Elizabeth II. I found it interesting to see the Royal Family from this most different perspective. In fact, I thought all the performances were great. The people cast in "The Queen" did a fantastic job of performing the roles of their real life counterparts - their looks, actions, behaviours, speech...I would definitely recommend both films if you haven't seen them already.

When we left the theater it was storming outside. There was a violent downpour of rain. It is still in the mid-70s, but I think the bitter cold will strike very early in the morning. Unfortunately, will head to work in freezing temperatures no doubt. Looking forward to the weekend though!