1. How would you describe your diet? How do you feel about it? Do you think you need to change it in any way, and if so, how and why? If you feel you need to change it, but haven't yet, what is standing in your way of making the change?
My diet is an interesting blend of "old world" and "new world." The Persian culture I have grown up in is centered around social gatherings, food, and, of course, tea. :) So from the old world I still eat regular amounts of rice, kabob (beef, chicken, lamb, etc), various meat/herb stews, feta cheese, pita bread, nuts, fruit and tea. From the new world, here in California, I eat regular amounts of everything else! That includes eating out at Italian, Mexican, Thai, Chinese, sushi, pizza, burgers, fast food, etc. It also includes cooking a great deal at home... again, chicken, ground beef, steak, turkey, sandwiches, fruits and veggies, cheddar cheese, juices, clear sodas, beer, wine, you name it.
I have a steady dose of protein, carbs, vegetables, fruit, dairy. I eat breakfast, lunch and dinner (though I used to skip breakfast for years out of laziness or lack of time). My portions are average for American diets, probably large for European or certain Asian diets. For the most part, I am happy with my diet. I would like to cut back on some of the processed foods, but as others have mentioned time and convenience play a huge role there. We usually don't eat out for dinner more than once, maybe twice a week, so we are cooking at home a lot...this is usually going to be healthier.
So from a health standpoint, I feel pretty good about my diet. In terms of impact on the environment, while we are not completely organic, we do avoid certain fish that aren't being raised/caught "properly" and make other small decisions like that. In general, I think I wouldn't change much about my diet at this point.
2. How do you (and/or your family) eat? (At home/ out/ take-out/ around a table/ standing at the counter/ together/ at different times/ on the go/ et cetera?) How do you feel about this? Again, do you feel the need for change?
Well, I already touched on this one a little. Breakfast - always home made/store bought. Lunch - always home made for my wife, and usually home made for me (though I occasionally give in once or twice every couple of weeks for a fast food item). Dinner - home made usually 5 or 6 nights a week. I make my wife's breakfast and lunch, and she usually eats those at work. I eat both of those meals seated at the kitchen island at home, since I normally work from home. We are trying to get up early enough to have breakfast together, and so far that's working about once a week. :) We eat dinner either at the dinner table, or on the couch with tv trays so that we can watch television. Since she has about a 45 minute commute, we usually end up with 4 or 5 hours together at night. The first hour is spent working out, so that means tv time and dinner will often go together to make the most of our time.
We would like to be more leisurely and relaxed when we eat, but all things considered I think we do a pretty good job.
3. Where do you shop for your food? How do your food-shopping habits reflect your values?
Large chain grocery store - Safeway. That's where most of it comes from. We are substitute shoppers, meaning we'll take the alternative at a discount in lieu of a favored brand. However, our juice is 100% juice, our bread is 100% whole wheat, our fish is wild, etc. As long as it fits within those and other parameters, we don't care about brand name. We also shop for bulk / pantry items at Costco, a North American wholesale wharehouse store that sells in bulk at deep discounts.
Where we shop definitely reflects who we are. We try to shop within a budget, being flexible about brand names while maintaining certain standards as it relates to the quality of the food we consume. Mostly we are making sure the food we eat is healthy for our own bodies while trying to avoid food that is blatantly and inexcusably damaging to the animals or fields or people involved in the preparation of the food. So, we try to temper sensitivity to the outside world with concern for our own health while being mindful of our budget. That's probably us in a nutshell! (But I don't eat nutshells.)
4. What does your country/ state/ region do to influence how and what people eat? Does this need to change, in your opinion?
California is crazy. Sometimes that's good. Sometimes that's bad. I like to think that for every 100 stupid ideas we have in California, we have two or three incredible ones that might change the world. Take that for what it is, but it is where I live.
It is important to note for this question that my wife graduated with an animal science degree, and has spent several years studying, researching and doing field work in areas related to the raising of different animals for food consumption. Also, her family has spent generations in California's agricultural heartland, and while her family hasn't had a farm for decades, they are all very much interested in the livelihood of California's ag industry.
That being said, the animals raised for food are not in nearly the dire straights that you hear on tv, read in print, or see popping up as Propositions on the voter ballots. When it comes to cows, for example, you have to remember that these are expensive animals and the livelihood of their owners' financial situations. Many of the people accused of mistreating animals wouldn't dream of actually doing so as it would directly impact their own economic situations. Now, there are obviously other cases of poorly treated animals, unhealthy living conditions, etc and these need to be dealt with aggressively.
As for the crops being raised in California, you would be surprised at the various regulations involved in maintaining healthy and environmentally protective crops. Again, we work hard in this state to do things the right way, and the jittery few that raise unnecessary concerns ultimately just cost taxpayers money in fighting a war that has already been won. Obviously, there is still work to do, but the focus sometimes isn't on the right things.
I think the answer for our state, and other states, continues to be in the research universities around the world. They are the ones constantly working to help us raise better crops and healthier animals in more environmentally friendly and nutritionally advantageous ways. We really should be asking ourselves what we can do to continue to fund such work.
5. What one thing can you do to:a) wean yourself off an oil-based diet and onto sun-based foods?b) improve your eating habits and thus your health?c) encourage others to do the same?
a) I like oil. I really do. Try having a Persian stew without oil. Totally dry, doesn't taste very good. And food should be enjoyed. We have been given many gifts as human beings, and the ability to taste and appreciate food is one of them. So I say, give oil a chance! LOL (this in no way is meant to disparage the sun, without whom I wouldn't be so tan)
b) Improving my eating habits.... consistency. That's the one word. Go to the store regularly, plan out your meals weekly, look for the right combination of taste and health. But do it every day, every time. That's how you change your eating habits to be what you want. Then again, that's also how you improve your exercise routine, your work regiment, just about anything in your life.
c) Educating others....talk. Just keep sharing and chatting. Adults are usually set in their ways. The best you can do is raise awareness and over time, many will make adjustments while others will never get there. The best you can do is just keeping talking about it.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
ANDREAS EKSTROM - Funny
1. What scene from a sit-com, book, film or play have you found the funniest and why? That is just impossible. I find a lot of things funny. To mention one thing, here's an absolute favorite from Seinfeld. Every little line, every move, is just so bleedin' perfect...
2. When was the last time you laughed so hard it hurt and who or what made you laugh? I can't remember. I rarely laugh that much. It might have been at the movies when I saw ”Burn after reading” a few weeks ago. (See it! It's the most fun I've had with a movie in a long, long time.)
3. What’s the funniest or most absurd situation you have found yourself in? Did you find it funny at the time or afterwards? I am not sure. I really can't think of anything like ”there I was with my foot in the whipped cream and my hands stuck inside a dead moose”, you know, those stories...
4. How would you describe your sense of humour and why do you think there is so much variation among individual’s senses of humour? I laugh at a lot: small things, crude things, wordplay, silly puns, politically incorrect things, old fashioned humour from rural Sweden, stuff that really doesn't translate... And the movie ”Team America: World Police”, another must-see. (And about people's different senses of humour? Well. People are different, in everything.)
5. Is humour powerful? Yes, in just about every way imagniable.
2. When was the last time you laughed so hard it hurt and who or what made you laugh? I can't remember. I rarely laugh that much. It might have been at the movies when I saw ”Burn after reading” a few weeks ago. (See it! It's the most fun I've had with a movie in a long, long time.)
3. What’s the funniest or most absurd situation you have found yourself in? Did you find it funny at the time or afterwards? I am not sure. I really can't think of anything like ”there I was with my foot in the whipped cream and my hands stuck inside a dead moose”, you know, those stories...
4. How would you describe your sense of humour and why do you think there is so much variation among individual’s senses of humour? I laugh at a lot: small things, crude things, wordplay, silly puns, politically incorrect things, old fashioned humour from rural Sweden, stuff that really doesn't translate... And the movie ”Team America: World Police”, another must-see. (And about people's different senses of humour? Well. People are different, in everything.)
5. Is humour powerful? Yes, in just about every way imagniable.
WEEK 9 - FUNNY
Funny
Well fellow bloggers, with a few minor exceptions, we have so far dealt with some pretty heavy (though interesting!) topics that have demanded introspection and thoughtful reflection – and all this against a background of global gloom over economic matters and terrorism. So I thought I would lighten the mood a little this week with a question theme around humour.
1. What scene from a sit-com, book, film or play have you found the funniest and why?
2. When was the last time you laughed so hard it hurt and who or what made you laugh?
3. What’s the funniest or most absurd situation you have found yourself in? Did you find it funny at the time or afterwards?
4. How would you describe your sense of humour and why do you think there is so much variation among individual’s senses of humour?
5. Is humour powerful?
Well fellow bloggers, with a few minor exceptions, we have so far dealt with some pretty heavy (though interesting!) topics that have demanded introspection and thoughtful reflection – and all this against a background of global gloom over economic matters and terrorism. So I thought I would lighten the mood a little this week with a question theme around humour.
1. What scene from a sit-com, book, film or play have you found the funniest and why?
2. When was the last time you laughed so hard it hurt and who or what made you laugh?
3. What’s the funniest or most absurd situation you have found yourself in? Did you find it funny at the time or afterwards?
4. How would you describe your sense of humour and why do you think there is so much variation among individual’s senses of humour?
5. Is humour powerful?
Peter Waring - My Relationship with Food
1. How would you describe your diet? How do you feel about it? Do you think you need to change it in any way, and if so, how and why? If you feel you need to change it, but haven't yet, what is standing in your way of making the change?
Since I began living in Asia 6.5 years ago I think my diet has actually improved in terms of variety and reduced red meat intake. My diet now is pretty good though I’m still quite partial to chocolate and carbs. I also think that I need to consume more fruit – what’s standing in the way of eating more fruit? – my excuse is that in the tropics fruit does not last long but this is a bit weak if I’m honest.
2. How do you (and/or your family) eat? (At home/ out/ take-out/ around a table/ standing at the counter/ together/ at different times/ on the go/ et cetera?) How do you feel about this? Again, do you feel the need for change?
My family are very lucky in so far as we have a live-in nanny for our son who is also a fabulous cook. Karen spoils us with beautifully cooked and highly nutritious meals through the week. Weekends we normally eat out both lunch and dinner. We love Japanese and Chinese food and Singapore is a foodie paradise with a culture that centres on food. In fact, a typical greeting is not ‘how are you?’ but ‘have you eaten yet?’. Through the week I also typically eat lunch out which can range from a bowl of duck porridge at a Hawker place to Thai noodles from a shopping centre restaurant. We eat well in Singapore – probably too well.
3. Where do you shop for your food? How do your food-shopping habits reflect your values?
We shop at a local supermarket that has excellent asian vegetables as well as fresh seafood. There is also a ‘wet market’ nearby where we occasionally buy fruit and vegetables. Again, we’re lucky to have a wonderful range of affordable foodstuffs in Singapore which, because it produces almost zero food itself, has no import duty on food.
4. What does your country/ state/ region do to influence how and what people eat? Does this need to change, in your opinion?
The Singapore govt has been alarmed at growing obesity rates among young people who do seem fixated with mostly American burger chains so it has an ongoing educational campaign aimed at getting kids to eat in moderation. At hawker stands around Singapore (street food) you can also ask for less oil and fat in your chicken rice (a simple yet famous Singapore dish).
5. What one thing can you do to:a) wean yourself off an oil-based diet and onto sun-based foods?b) improve your eating habits and thus your health?c) encourage others to do the same?
Probably to eat more fruit and start to move away from having the obligatory chocolate every evening. I do also think we need to start eating food which is grown closer to where we live for the global warming reasons alluded to in the article.
Since I began living in Asia 6.5 years ago I think my diet has actually improved in terms of variety and reduced red meat intake. My diet now is pretty good though I’m still quite partial to chocolate and carbs. I also think that I need to consume more fruit – what’s standing in the way of eating more fruit? – my excuse is that in the tropics fruit does not last long but this is a bit weak if I’m honest.
2. How do you (and/or your family) eat? (At home/ out/ take-out/ around a table/ standing at the counter/ together/ at different times/ on the go/ et cetera?) How do you feel about this? Again, do you feel the need for change?
My family are very lucky in so far as we have a live-in nanny for our son who is also a fabulous cook. Karen spoils us with beautifully cooked and highly nutritious meals through the week. Weekends we normally eat out both lunch and dinner. We love Japanese and Chinese food and Singapore is a foodie paradise with a culture that centres on food. In fact, a typical greeting is not ‘how are you?’ but ‘have you eaten yet?’. Through the week I also typically eat lunch out which can range from a bowl of duck porridge at a Hawker place to Thai noodles from a shopping centre restaurant. We eat well in Singapore – probably too well.
3. Where do you shop for your food? How do your food-shopping habits reflect your values?
We shop at a local supermarket that has excellent asian vegetables as well as fresh seafood. There is also a ‘wet market’ nearby where we occasionally buy fruit and vegetables. Again, we’re lucky to have a wonderful range of affordable foodstuffs in Singapore which, because it produces almost zero food itself, has no import duty on food.
4. What does your country/ state/ region do to influence how and what people eat? Does this need to change, in your opinion?
The Singapore govt has been alarmed at growing obesity rates among young people who do seem fixated with mostly American burger chains so it has an ongoing educational campaign aimed at getting kids to eat in moderation. At hawker stands around Singapore (street food) you can also ask for less oil and fat in your chicken rice (a simple yet famous Singapore dish).
5. What one thing can you do to:a) wean yourself off an oil-based diet and onto sun-based foods?b) improve your eating habits and thus your health?c) encourage others to do the same?
Probably to eat more fruit and start to move away from having the obligatory chocolate every evening. I do also think we need to start eating food which is grown closer to where we live for the global warming reasons alluded to in the article.
Friday, November 28, 2008
RICK VON FELDT: Your Relationship With Food
Jennifer – the article was a brand new topic for me. Thanks for sharing. Growing up, in a farm community, elements of this article as it related way back when were talked about in my family farmer community. The original goal of a farmer was to grow and harvest. As government programs came along, farmers would gather in little granaries at the local co-op and share stories about which government programs would get them the most money. It changed the priority.
I like the intent of the article. I want to believe the author in thinking that this is a national crisis. But with so many other things going on in the world, I don’t think it will get much attention. Fundamentally, it comes down to what I call the “seat belt” dilemma. The question becomes, “What is the role in government in protecting it’s people?”
The author is probably correct. We are dumb about our decisions on what – how and why we eat. And we are killing ourselves. But is the responsibility of government to intercede on behalf of the ignorant people and set a policy (“you must wear seatbelts”) or is it the role of the people to make changes if they don’t want to die early?
Most Americans, (and I can only speak on behalf of my own population), believe that they could do many things to get healthier. We need to exercise. Consume less. And be conscious. But we don’t do it. It is our choice. Is it therefore the role of the government to “Is it the right / responsibility to “provide a healthful diet for all our people …focusing on the quantity and diversity of the calories...eaters consume?”
America makes changes when we have a crisis. We are not smart enough to thwart crisis. We consume. And enjoy our lives until something make it so miserable that we have to make a change. American’s love their cheap $1 meals at McDonalds (not me!). They won’t change – and government won’t change for them, until we hit crisis mode.
QUESTION ONE: How would you describe your diet? How do you feel about it? Do you think you need to change it in any way, and if so, how and why? If you feel you need to change it, but haven't yet, what is standing in your way of making the change?
Because I like variety – my diet is probably better than the average American. I like vegetables. And we have very interesting things here in California. Before moving to Asia, I ate pretty healthy. Enter Asia, where I tried to fit in to local cultures and found myself eating most any type of animal part placed in front of me. I once again developed an affinity for starch (love my noodles) and for oils. I still try to use olive oils. And I true to eat green and orange as much as I can. But my downfalls come from the abundance of artesian breads, meat and cheese in abundance, and great California wine to wash it all down. For my health’s sake, I hope that it is true that red wine counter balances some of the bad things in our diet. If not, well – it was fun in the trying!
I will be like most Americans. I will wait until a crisis happens (heart attack or bad warning from a doctor) to make a change. My bi-annual physicals have been good – and so I will continue to eat my duck liver pate and creamy cheese for a few days longer.
I walk by the “organic section” of my local grocery store as well as the higher priced items at Whole Foods. I don’t choose organic unless it tastes better – instead of “better for you.”
But I did vote for the California proposition on the ballot on Nov 4 to insure that chickens have room to run around. So did the majority of Californians. Now, we will eat chicken from Idaho, but feel better about our conscience.
QUESTION TWO: How do you (and/or your family) eat? (At home/ out/ take-out/ around a table/ standing at the counter/ together/ at different times/ on the go/ et cetera?) How do you feel about this? Again, do you feel the need for change?
As a single guy, the most of my meals are eating in front of the tube. I do focus on cooking quality items. But sitting at a table emphasizes single loneliness. I also find that when I am with people – we are all talking so much that we don’t focus consciously on the tastes of food. Too bad.
QUESTION THREE: Where do you shop for your food? How do your food-shopping habits reflect your values?
When I picked out my new place to live in Redwood City, I took out a map and located the gyms and the Whole Food markets located on the Bay Peninsula. It is important that I have quality markets to shop at. I love Whole Foods and it is always an experience as well as a shopping trip for me. I try to spend more time in the vegetable section. And I avoid the frozen foods section – except for the occasional comfort food like “pot pie.”
QUESTION FOUR: What does your country/ state/ region do to influence how and what people eat? Does this need to change, in your opinion?
Growing up in Kansas – we would see signs on the highway that say, “Kansas – the breadbasket of America.” The reason my family came to America was to be wheat farmers. But now – it is all about profit. I don’t hear my relatives talk about bringing quality to America.
Now living in California – the largest agriculture area of the USA (I found this funny when I moved here. Who thinks of California as the countries largest agricultural state?), I am conscious again on the abundance and choice we have here. There is great opportunity for organic, macrobiotics and everything I between. It is about choice. We just don’t always choose well.
QUESTION FIVE: What one thing can you do to: a) wean yourself off an oil-based diet and onto sun-based foods?b) improve your eating habits and thus your health?c) encourage others to do the same?
I GREW UP thinking about QUANTITY and PRICE over QUALITY. Even though I can afford to eat what I want to eat – I look at the sale prices when I go to the vegetable market. Old habits die hard. Part of the reason is that I know if the price of a vegetable is on sale, then it is in season – and I try to eat from the season.
Coming back from Asia, I have been amazed at the LOW MEAT PRICES. In Asia, it is more expensive to eat meat than vegetables. The opposite is true here. And so I get confused by my own Kansas roots to want to buy big family packages of meat.
What can I do? This article brings it to the conscious forefront. I need to look twice at the organic sections of the market. I need to choose a second green item. And tonight – I will eat vegetarian. After all, yesterday, I consumed enough bird to last me for three days. Check that – until tomorrow when I start in on the leftovers – and the other half of the turkey I have yet to cook.
I like the intent of the article. I want to believe the author in thinking that this is a national crisis. But with so many other things going on in the world, I don’t think it will get much attention. Fundamentally, it comes down to what I call the “seat belt” dilemma. The question becomes, “What is the role in government in protecting it’s people?”
The author is probably correct. We are dumb about our decisions on what – how and why we eat. And we are killing ourselves. But is the responsibility of government to intercede on behalf of the ignorant people and set a policy (“you must wear seatbelts”) or is it the role of the people to make changes if they don’t want to die early?
Most Americans, (and I can only speak on behalf of my own population), believe that they could do many things to get healthier. We need to exercise. Consume less. And be conscious. But we don’t do it. It is our choice. Is it therefore the role of the government to “Is it the right / responsibility to “provide a healthful diet for all our people …focusing on the quantity and diversity of the calories...eaters consume?”
America makes changes when we have a crisis. We are not smart enough to thwart crisis. We consume. And enjoy our lives until something make it so miserable that we have to make a change. American’s love their cheap $1 meals at McDonalds (not me!). They won’t change – and government won’t change for them, until we hit crisis mode.
QUESTION ONE: How would you describe your diet? How do you feel about it? Do you think you need to change it in any way, and if so, how and why? If you feel you need to change it, but haven't yet, what is standing in your way of making the change?
Because I like variety – my diet is probably better than the average American. I like vegetables. And we have very interesting things here in California. Before moving to Asia, I ate pretty healthy. Enter Asia, where I tried to fit in to local cultures and found myself eating most any type of animal part placed in front of me. I once again developed an affinity for starch (love my noodles) and for oils. I still try to use olive oils. And I true to eat green and orange as much as I can. But my downfalls come from the abundance of artesian breads, meat and cheese in abundance, and great California wine to wash it all down. For my health’s sake, I hope that it is true that red wine counter balances some of the bad things in our diet. If not, well – it was fun in the trying!
I will be like most Americans. I will wait until a crisis happens (heart attack or bad warning from a doctor) to make a change. My bi-annual physicals have been good – and so I will continue to eat my duck liver pate and creamy cheese for a few days longer.
I walk by the “organic section” of my local grocery store as well as the higher priced items at Whole Foods. I don’t choose organic unless it tastes better – instead of “better for you.”
But I did vote for the California proposition on the ballot on Nov 4 to insure that chickens have room to run around. So did the majority of Californians. Now, we will eat chicken from Idaho, but feel better about our conscience.
QUESTION TWO: How do you (and/or your family) eat? (At home/ out/ take-out/ around a table/ standing at the counter/ together/ at different times/ on the go/ et cetera?) How do you feel about this? Again, do you feel the need for change?
As a single guy, the most of my meals are eating in front of the tube. I do focus on cooking quality items. But sitting at a table emphasizes single loneliness. I also find that when I am with people – we are all talking so much that we don’t focus consciously on the tastes of food. Too bad.
QUESTION THREE: Where do you shop for your food? How do your food-shopping habits reflect your values?
When I picked out my new place to live in Redwood City, I took out a map and located the gyms and the Whole Food markets located on the Bay Peninsula. It is important that I have quality markets to shop at. I love Whole Foods and it is always an experience as well as a shopping trip for me. I try to spend more time in the vegetable section. And I avoid the frozen foods section – except for the occasional comfort food like “pot pie.”
QUESTION FOUR: What does your country/ state/ region do to influence how and what people eat? Does this need to change, in your opinion?
Growing up in Kansas – we would see signs on the highway that say, “Kansas – the breadbasket of America.” The reason my family came to America was to be wheat farmers. But now – it is all about profit. I don’t hear my relatives talk about bringing quality to America.
Now living in California – the largest agriculture area of the USA (I found this funny when I moved here. Who thinks of California as the countries largest agricultural state?), I am conscious again on the abundance and choice we have here. There is great opportunity for organic, macrobiotics and everything I between. It is about choice. We just don’t always choose well.
QUESTION FIVE: What one thing can you do to: a) wean yourself off an oil-based diet and onto sun-based foods?b) improve your eating habits and thus your health?c) encourage others to do the same?
I GREW UP thinking about QUANTITY and PRICE over QUALITY. Even though I can afford to eat what I want to eat – I look at the sale prices when I go to the vegetable market. Old habits die hard. Part of the reason is that I know if the price of a vegetable is on sale, then it is in season – and I try to eat from the season.
Coming back from Asia, I have been amazed at the LOW MEAT PRICES. In Asia, it is more expensive to eat meat than vegetables. The opposite is true here. And so I get confused by my own Kansas roots to want to buy big family packages of meat.
What can I do? This article brings it to the conscious forefront. I need to look twice at the organic sections of the market. I need to choose a second green item. And tonight – I will eat vegetarian. After all, yesterday, I consumed enough bird to last me for three days. Check that – until tomorrow when I start in on the leftovers – and the other half of the turkey I have yet to cook.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
RAMAK SIADATAN: Teaching and Learning
1. People learn in different ways. It's now commonly A common terminology for these learning styles has been developed since some time ago. And thus, we are thought to be visual, kinesthetic, or auditory. Each of these, having its particularities. What's your learning style? What do you like about it? What don't you like about it?
I am an auditory learner. Found this out in college. My professor used me as an example, and asked me to tell him something about my activities the previous weekend. I described going home to visit my mom, while he watched my eyes, my body language and my word choice before telling me I was an auditory learner. Oddly enough, the thing that most stood out about that weekend visiting mom was that she had left the stereo on in “tape” mode and the only one who couldn’t think until it (and the accompanying feedback noise) were gone was me. We are all a little visual, a little kinesthetic and a little auditory...but we all each lean more so in one direction. I like being auditory because I like remembering conversations. You know, little stories in my head. It also makes learning fun for me, as I can run a play-by-play of what I learned and never lose it. What I don’t like is how long it takes me to drown out outside noises before I can concentrate on certain things. For example, the first forty pages of any book are the toughest for me because my brain is constantly distracted by any and every noise.
2. What's the most useful thing you have learned that can be applied both, to your personal and to your professional life?
I’ve mentioned this one in an earlier week. The world is based on people’s perceptions. No statement has affected me more in my personal and professional life. I think what enables me to be successful is being thoughtful and considerate of other people’s feelings, looking at the world through their eyes, and truly understanding their unique perspectives. It has helped me relate better to my family, my friends, my students when I was teaching, my peers and my supervisors at work...you name it.
3. Good learners aren't always good teachers. I have the feeling that everyone in this group has become a pretty good teacher, some way or another. Can you share what's been the most useful thing you have ever taught? (To whom? Why?)
In general, I think the most useful thing I have taught people is to not be so hard on themselves. Again, both in my personal and professional life, I see people who convince themselves that the world is out to get them, that they can’t learn something, that they aren’t as good as other people. And these are intelligent, hard working people who get so focused and driven they don’t stop to be thankful for what they have and what they have accomplished.
4. This one question I got it from an interview to Mr. Obama I saw in ESPN a couple days ago. What's the best piece of advice you've ever gotten? Why?
I already shared one piece of advice from which I have learned a great deal. So I’ll give a different one here. Be yourself. Short and simple. Life is a lot easier when you accept who you are and chase your passions.
5. This question comes from the idealist in me... If there was one thing you wished everyone in this planet learned, what would it be?
That human beings, for the most part, are wonderfully flawed. And that each of us is just trying to live our lives with the minds and bodies we were given at birth, doing the best we can.
I am an auditory learner. Found this out in college. My professor used me as an example, and asked me to tell him something about my activities the previous weekend. I described going home to visit my mom, while he watched my eyes, my body language and my word choice before telling me I was an auditory learner. Oddly enough, the thing that most stood out about that weekend visiting mom was that she had left the stereo on in “tape” mode and the only one who couldn’t think until it (and the accompanying feedback noise) were gone was me. We are all a little visual, a little kinesthetic and a little auditory...but we all each lean more so in one direction. I like being auditory because I like remembering conversations. You know, little stories in my head. It also makes learning fun for me, as I can run a play-by-play of what I learned and never lose it. What I don’t like is how long it takes me to drown out outside noises before I can concentrate on certain things. For example, the first forty pages of any book are the toughest for me because my brain is constantly distracted by any and every noise.
2. What's the most useful thing you have learned that can be applied both, to your personal and to your professional life?
I’ve mentioned this one in an earlier week. The world is based on people’s perceptions. No statement has affected me more in my personal and professional life. I think what enables me to be successful is being thoughtful and considerate of other people’s feelings, looking at the world through their eyes, and truly understanding their unique perspectives. It has helped me relate better to my family, my friends, my students when I was teaching, my peers and my supervisors at work...you name it.
3. Good learners aren't always good teachers. I have the feeling that everyone in this group has become a pretty good teacher, some way or another. Can you share what's been the most useful thing you have ever taught? (To whom? Why?)
In general, I think the most useful thing I have taught people is to not be so hard on themselves. Again, both in my personal and professional life, I see people who convince themselves that the world is out to get them, that they can’t learn something, that they aren’t as good as other people. And these are intelligent, hard working people who get so focused and driven they don’t stop to be thankful for what they have and what they have accomplished.
4. This one question I got it from an interview to Mr. Obama I saw in ESPN a couple days ago. What's the best piece of advice you've ever gotten? Why?
I already shared one piece of advice from which I have learned a great deal. So I’ll give a different one here. Be yourself. Short and simple. Life is a lot easier when you accept who you are and chase your passions.
5. This question comes from the idealist in me... If there was one thing you wished everyone in this planet learned, what would it be?
That human beings, for the most part, are wonderfully flawed. And that each of us is just trying to live our lives with the minds and bodies we were given at birth, doing the best we can.
RAMAK SIADATAN: Dreams, youth and possibilities
1. Children have so many dreams. Small ones, large ones. They dream of being astronauts, of becoming a princess or a queen or even a king. As we grew older, our dreams became the shape our futures would take. So my first question is when you were young what did you envision your future to be? And as a follow up, how does it compare to where you eventually arrived?
As a little kid, the first two professions I decided on were author and music conductor. At the same time. Interestingly, that says a lot about who I am beyond the fact that I’ve been a musician for almost 25 years and I love to write. You see, I love everything. I want to write, I want to play music, I want to play sports, I want to socialize, I want to climb the top of the business mountain, I want to hide in the woods and live of the land....I’m a dreamer. But I’m also practical. So knowing I can’t be all of those things at once, and knowing I could never choose just one and be satisfied, I live in a combination world where some things I do a little bit of all the time, and other things that are more time consuming are in a two-three year rotation. And I think I can safely say that I’m living out many of my life’s dreams, in small doses, and perhaps one day will have a bit more flexibility to enjoy them on a larger scale.
2. I sometimes fantasize about being able to travel back in time, but not in my current mid-forties body. I wonder what it would be like to become who I was in high school or college but with the knowledge and patience I’ve gained in the years since. Second question…if you could go back and become yourself at a certain time in life which time would you choose and why? And if you could only take one bit of knowledge or one trait you’ve gained as you’ve grown older (but not too old!), what would it be? And why again?
Go back and alter the course of my life, eh? That’s a tough call. I’ve thought about this one a lot, and the part of me that appreciates the life shaping, personality altering events that have made me who I am today, squirms at the idea of going back and changing something that might remove some of those events. Make sense? That being said - if I could go back to a time, and relive just that era and return to today without any impact to my present self, it would be college. I only spent three and a half years in college, and for as much as I did while I was there, I still feel like there were a lot of other experiences I didn’t have time for. Places I wanted to go, classes I wanted to take, different social circles I wanted to explore. College is such an amazing time of growth, learning and personal exploration. Would be nice to have a few more years of that.
The one trait I would take back would be now would be assertiveness. That’s not to say I wasn’t assertive before, but there’s definitely a different layer of “comfortable in my own skin” that I have now that I didn’t have before. And I think that is what would have helped me push myself into some new experiences.
3. As a writer, I started off as a reader. I began reading book after book when I was probably around 8 or 9. For me, initially it was mysteries then science fiction. Were you a reader as a youth? If so, what kind of books did you read? Who were some of your favorite authors at the time?
Definitely a reader. Alfred Hitchcock and The Three Investigators...what a fun series. Agatha Christie mysteries...but only the ones with Poirot. E.B. White and Judy Bloom had great books to read for that age. Anastasia Krupnik...what an oddly fun character she was. Ogden Nash...now there’s a poet a nine year old can rally behind! There were tons more, but those are the ones that stand out the most.
4. Back to the scenario in the first question…I’m wondering if there are any dreams you had which you did not achieve but are still working on, or hoping to achieve? What are they?
Writing. Music. Sports. Family. Friends. (Not necessarily in that order!) These are ongoing dreams that, as I mentioned, run in an endless loop. I keep chasing them down in different ways and discovering new things. So they are all a work in progress. Though I suppose career ambitions will probably start to play in there as I get deeper into my 30’s.
5. There are many books in my life that have meant something to me. Books and stories that have stayed with me over the years. Some make me smile, some make me think, some even make me mad. The final question…please share a book that has meant something to you, and tells why.
I am the same way – if it is a meaningful book, it will stick with me whether I read it once or multiple times. The book I’ll share may be a bit of a departure from what you might expect when someone answers a “pick one book” question. Shel Silverstein is a very creative story teller. Anyone who has grown up with his books knows exactly what I am talking about. But until about seven years ago, I had never heard of “The Missing Piece Meets the Big O”.
Timing has a lot to do with how well a book sticks. And my friend knew exactly when to share this one with me. If you have ever been young (late teens, early 20’s) and in love, and you aren’t sure if you are in the relationship because of the person you are with or because you just want to be in a relationship, read this book. It will speak volumes in just fifty pages of two lines per page. Lift...pull...flop.
As a little kid, the first two professions I decided on were author and music conductor. At the same time. Interestingly, that says a lot about who I am beyond the fact that I’ve been a musician for almost 25 years and I love to write. You see, I love everything. I want to write, I want to play music, I want to play sports, I want to socialize, I want to climb the top of the business mountain, I want to hide in the woods and live of the land....I’m a dreamer. But I’m also practical. So knowing I can’t be all of those things at once, and knowing I could never choose just one and be satisfied, I live in a combination world where some things I do a little bit of all the time, and other things that are more time consuming are in a two-three year rotation. And I think I can safely say that I’m living out many of my life’s dreams, in small doses, and perhaps one day will have a bit more flexibility to enjoy them on a larger scale.
2. I sometimes fantasize about being able to travel back in time, but not in my current mid-forties body. I wonder what it would be like to become who I was in high school or college but with the knowledge and patience I’ve gained in the years since. Second question…if you could go back and become yourself at a certain time in life which time would you choose and why? And if you could only take one bit of knowledge or one trait you’ve gained as you’ve grown older (but not too old!), what would it be? And why again?
Go back and alter the course of my life, eh? That’s a tough call. I’ve thought about this one a lot, and the part of me that appreciates the life shaping, personality altering events that have made me who I am today, squirms at the idea of going back and changing something that might remove some of those events. Make sense? That being said - if I could go back to a time, and relive just that era and return to today without any impact to my present self, it would be college. I only spent three and a half years in college, and for as much as I did while I was there, I still feel like there were a lot of other experiences I didn’t have time for. Places I wanted to go, classes I wanted to take, different social circles I wanted to explore. College is such an amazing time of growth, learning and personal exploration. Would be nice to have a few more years of that.
The one trait I would take back would be now would be assertiveness. That’s not to say I wasn’t assertive before, but there’s definitely a different layer of “comfortable in my own skin” that I have now that I didn’t have before. And I think that is what would have helped me push myself into some new experiences.
3. As a writer, I started off as a reader. I began reading book after book when I was probably around 8 or 9. For me, initially it was mysteries then science fiction. Were you a reader as a youth? If so, what kind of books did you read? Who were some of your favorite authors at the time?
Definitely a reader. Alfred Hitchcock and The Three Investigators...what a fun series. Agatha Christie mysteries...but only the ones with Poirot. E.B. White and Judy Bloom had great books to read for that age. Anastasia Krupnik...what an oddly fun character she was. Ogden Nash...now there’s a poet a nine year old can rally behind! There were tons more, but those are the ones that stand out the most.
4. Back to the scenario in the first question…I’m wondering if there are any dreams you had which you did not achieve but are still working on, or hoping to achieve? What are they?
Writing. Music. Sports. Family. Friends. (Not necessarily in that order!) These are ongoing dreams that, as I mentioned, run in an endless loop. I keep chasing them down in different ways and discovering new things. So they are all a work in progress. Though I suppose career ambitions will probably start to play in there as I get deeper into my 30’s.
5. There are many books in my life that have meant something to me. Books and stories that have stayed with me over the years. Some make me smile, some make me think, some even make me mad. The final question…please share a book that has meant something to you, and tells why.
I am the same way – if it is a meaningful book, it will stick with me whether I read it once or multiple times. The book I’ll share may be a bit of a departure from what you might expect when someone answers a “pick one book” question. Shel Silverstein is a very creative story teller. Anyone who has grown up with his books knows exactly what I am talking about. But until about seven years ago, I had never heard of “The Missing Piece Meets the Big O”.
Timing has a lot to do with how well a book sticks. And my friend knew exactly when to share this one with me. If you have ever been young (late teens, early 20’s) and in love, and you aren’t sure if you are in the relationship because of the person you are with or because you just want to be in a relationship, read this book. It will speak volumes in just fifty pages of two lines per page. Lift...pull...flop.
RAMAK SIADATAN: Travel, Work and Politics
1. Can you describe a favorite travel memory? It doesn’t have to be extraordinary - simple is good, too – but what is a memory of some travel experience that you treasure?
Only one? Not fair. I have to give at least two. When I read this about seven or eight popped into my mind, and more since. I’ve been lucky – travel has happened for both personal and work reasons and I ALWAYS pull out a few memorable moments.
First one is extraordinary. 2004 Athens Olympic Games. My wife and I are attending the Opening Ceremony. Both of us have been life long fans of the Games and the Olympic Spirit. We appreciate the beauty of people coming together for the sake of something as simple as sport. We saved up for years, and in fact, weren’t even dating when we decided to make the trip three or four years earlier. So that moment when we were sitting there, with 90,000 of our newest friends, sharing in a global experience with the entire world represented not only the spirit of the Games that we sought out, but also the journey we had taken together over three or four years to get there. Just amazing. Chilling, really.
Second one is more subtle. I’m touring with my youth symphony. We are doing two weeks in Eastern Europe shortly after the wall fell in Germany. We performed in Vienna, Salzburg, Budapest and Prague. There was one night, eating dinner in a village outside Salzburg. A few of us wandered off to soak in the night air, and then the world just stopped. An amazing array of colors in the sky, everything was still and no one moved. I then turned to my friend and said, “did you just feel the world stop?” He replied, “I thought it was just me.” Then we sat in silence another thirty minutes. A moment that will never happen again, and you’re so thankful you recognized it when it did.
2. What is something you’ve learned from traveling - a lesson that you’ve tried to carry with you in the rest of your life?
Don’t forget about getting there and getting back. Traveling is more than just what you do at the destination. If it’s a personal trip, enjoy the pieces involved in putting the trip together. If it’s a work trip, appreciate the unique opportunity you have to go somewhere without spending additional dollars out of pocket. And then, if you’re on a plane to get there...enjoy the flight! If you’re driving, enjoy the drive! So much of my fun on trips has happened in transit. As a member of a college marching band, we took vans, buses, planes, private cars...you name it... just to get to a football game. And the stories from those trips are some of the best of my life.
3. I’ve been doing a bit of reading about work and careers lately, and came across this quote: “Jump, and a net will appear.” What does that say to you, if anything, and does it apply in any way to your own life?
A net doesn’t just appear. Someone needs to know you need a net, or you need to build the framework upon which the net can be placed. The “miracle” net is a rarity, and one that should definitely not go unappreciated. But in general, I think you build your own foundation as you go. When you are honest, caring, good to other people, patient, not cutting corners and thinking about more than just tomorrow, you are building safety nets with every move. I have definitely received my fair share of nets after jumping...and there’s a reason behind each one. The real “miracle” net for me, however, was landing in a family where despite not agreeing on most things, everyone agreed that raising my brother and I properly was always to be the number one priority. I didn’t jump for that net...they wrapped me in it before I ever knew how to leap.
4. Here is another quote about work and life choices that I recently discovered: “I must simplify my life, and whittle down what I do to the things that I am absolutely the most passionate about, or else I risk being stuck in mediocrity.” Similarly, what does that say to you, if anything, and does it apply to your own life?
Honestly, I like mediocrity. The little things sometimes create the funniest stories, or the coolest learning experiences. For example, rather than pay my bills online or mail them in, sometimes I just drive to the local/regional office in town to make the payment. Driving around town eats up time (and gas), but it’s amazing how many cool things I stumble upon while I’m out. Great conversations with strangers, bumping into friends, finding new restaurants...the list goes on.
That being said, the “big” things have their limits. And yes, I focus only those for which I have the most passion. Everything else is “nice to get to”, but without a few priorities it’s hard to keep control of your life.
5. The U.S presidential election is on Tuesday. By the time you have to answer this question, we’ll know the outcome of the vote. How do you think the result of this election affects how the world views the U.S.? (Or, if you prefer, how you personally view the U.S., or how the U.S. might view itself?)
I’ll chance being a bit risqué with my response. There’s an American cartoon show for adults called South Park. And four years ago, they had an episode about an election for a local school that was between “A Turd” and a “Douche Bag.” If you know enough American slang, then I don’t need to explain any further. But just in case you don’t know, let’s just say I’m never really thrilled with my presidential choices. I think the impact a President has on the United States is fourfold: 1 – Level of inspiration on the public. 2 – Ability to charismatically and smoothly interact with other world leaders. 3 – Selection of the Cabinet. 4 – Initial war-time decisions. That’s it. I don’t think the President has any real impact on the economy, jobs, anything. Mostly, a President is a source of motivation. People who are inspired will work harder and you’ll see self-fulfilling prophecy changing the direction of the country more than any decision the President makes. Likewise, be uninspired and people’s negative attitudes will reflect poorly on our country and our economy/markets. I think the world will have two views of our President-elect. Some will be inspired by the progressive step our country has finally taken. Others will potentially see an opportunity to take advantage of someone who is strong in his knowledge but lacking in his international political experience. Ultimately? I think the election itself will have more of an effect than the man over the next four or eight years.
RAMAK SIADATAN: Prejudice and Stereotypes
1. What are some of the things people who don't know you very well tend to think about you?
I talk too much. I can’t possibly be that happy. I can’t possibly be that sincere when I ask people about their lives. I assume the task was to talk about the bad impressions. J In case you wanted some good things it would probably be...friendly, smart, jovial.
2. Which of these assumptions are true?
Most of them are true. The ones that aren’t...I actually AM that happy. I actually AM that sincere. I really just like people. And despite being 31, I think I’ve seen a lot in my life and many things that might stress others doesn’t really change my blood pressure. But yes...I definitely talk too much!
3. Which stereotypes about your country are true about you, if any?
Tough question. Stereotypes are often stereotypes because there is partial truth. For my country... the government is definitely anti-American. The people, not really. The government definitely has beef with Israel. The people, not really. Mostly, a Middle Eastern country like mine just wants to be left alone without the influence of the “Western” world. Obviously it’s not that simple. But I would say the extreme parts of most stereotypes are what should be looked at the hardest for the level of truth.
4. What are situations in which you find yourself to be prejudiced?
Depends on what it means to be prejudiced. I have made many observations about different people from different cultures or ethnic backgrounds, but it doesn’t in turn wield some negatively formed opinion by me of the people I come across from that culture / ethnicity. So if prejudice is a function of thinking or behaving negatively towards a specific group of people because they are *that* group of people, then I don’t really ever find myself to be prejudiced. But do I make observations? Well, see my answer to the next question.
5. To you, what value is there in stereotypes?
A stereotype, if observed thoughtfully and questioned properly can be a useful tool in understanding what drives a particular person to behave and interact as they do. For example, it is a stereotype that people from my culture wear lots of gold and smell heavy with cologne/perfume. And you know what? There are many people in my culture who fit that profile. I would just point to two things to “manage” the stereotype properly. First, realize that doesn’t apply to everyone. Second understand a little about those who do embody the stereotype. Behind the gold and perfume is a culture founded in a region where gold is very accessible, the sense of smell is not overlooked among the other senses and that the people have grown up to be social creatures wanting to be amongst others that want to talk about life, eat, dance and find a soul mate. And you really will find that just by digging into the stereotype a little bit.
I talk too much. I can’t possibly be that happy. I can’t possibly be that sincere when I ask people about their lives. I assume the task was to talk about the bad impressions. J In case you wanted some good things it would probably be...friendly, smart, jovial.
2. Which of these assumptions are true?
Most of them are true. The ones that aren’t...I actually AM that happy. I actually AM that sincere. I really just like people. And despite being 31, I think I’ve seen a lot in my life and many things that might stress others doesn’t really change my blood pressure. But yes...I definitely talk too much!
3. Which stereotypes about your country are true about you, if any?
Tough question. Stereotypes are often stereotypes because there is partial truth. For my country... the government is definitely anti-American. The people, not really. The government definitely has beef with Israel. The people, not really. Mostly, a Middle Eastern country like mine just wants to be left alone without the influence of the “Western” world. Obviously it’s not that simple. But I would say the extreme parts of most stereotypes are what should be looked at the hardest for the level of truth.
4. What are situations in which you find yourself to be prejudiced?
Depends on what it means to be prejudiced. I have made many observations about different people from different cultures or ethnic backgrounds, but it doesn’t in turn wield some negatively formed opinion by me of the people I come across from that culture / ethnicity. So if prejudice is a function of thinking or behaving negatively towards a specific group of people because they are *that* group of people, then I don’t really ever find myself to be prejudiced. But do I make observations? Well, see my answer to the next question.
5. To you, what value is there in stereotypes?
A stereotype, if observed thoughtfully and questioned properly can be a useful tool in understanding what drives a particular person to behave and interact as they do. For example, it is a stereotype that people from my culture wear lots of gold and smell heavy with cologne/perfume. And you know what? There are many people in my culture who fit that profile. I would just point to two things to “manage” the stereotype properly. First, realize that doesn’t apply to everyone. Second understand a little about those who do embody the stereotype. Behind the gold and perfume is a culture founded in a region where gold is very accessible, the sense of smell is not overlooked among the other senses and that the people have grown up to be social creatures wanting to be amongst others that want to talk about life, eat, dance and find a soul mate. And you really will find that just by digging into the stereotype a little bit.
RAMAK SIADATAN: Funerals
1. Which is the best funeral you ever visited?
My high school music conductor was such a sour puss. It took very little to shake his good mood and leave him snappy, overly critical and just plain harsh. Now when he was in a good mood, he was very jovial and could pontificate on just about any subject...and did. I think he was always that way, but later figured at least some of the moodiness was a result of his fight with HIV/AIDS. It was a fight he eventually lost, but in the process he learned to open up more and many of us became very close to him. His service was in a large beautiful church in San Francisco. A small group of us were asked to perform at the funeral, playing excerpts from his favorite musical piece...Phantom of the Opera. It was amazing. We made him proud that day, and each of us who performed felt a bond with him we never knew existed until that moment. That moody angry passionate man left quite the impression on all of us. He is definitely missed!
2. Which is the worst funeral you ever visited?
When you live halfway around the world from the vast majority of your extended family, there are a lot of “worst” funerals. People you love dearly that you really only knew from phone conversations and stories your parents told you. The unexpected ones, especially in war time...those hurt the most. We would have wakes on our side of the world and there was always a great deal of pain, crying, screaming. Death is something out of any family member’s control, but it’s definitely compounded when you are so far away when it happens.
3. Did you make any plans for your own funeral?
Nope. Maybe everyone can go miniature golfing in my honor and have some pizza afterwards. But they’ll be ok. I’ll keep an eye on them from wherever I am!
4. What are your thoughts on burial in the soil versus cremation? Which is better? Which is better for you? (And did you hear about the Swedish method, not yet sanctioned, where the body and the casket is frozen very very cold, and then vibrated into a powder...? Apparently very friendly for the environment.)
Bury me. Don’t know why, but returning to the earth just sounds nice. The only Swedish method I use is massage related...and I definitely sanction that. Yes, I make jokes. J We laugh to keep from crying!
5. And finally: Isn't it just odd that the word funeral starts with fun...? What are your thoughts on the very word? And what is the word for funeral in your language, if your first language isn't English?
Phonetically I think it’s something like “Maurasam”. And “Mau” doesn’t mean fun. In general, I think lots of words are weird. And sometimes, a word you use your whole life sounds fine until one day you stop and think about it and realize it is just totally strange. I think I put “funeral” in that category.
My high school music conductor was such a sour puss. It took very little to shake his good mood and leave him snappy, overly critical and just plain harsh. Now when he was in a good mood, he was very jovial and could pontificate on just about any subject...and did. I think he was always that way, but later figured at least some of the moodiness was a result of his fight with HIV/AIDS. It was a fight he eventually lost, but in the process he learned to open up more and many of us became very close to him. His service was in a large beautiful church in San Francisco. A small group of us were asked to perform at the funeral, playing excerpts from his favorite musical piece...Phantom of the Opera. It was amazing. We made him proud that day, and each of us who performed felt a bond with him we never knew existed until that moment. That moody angry passionate man left quite the impression on all of us. He is definitely missed!
2. Which is the worst funeral you ever visited?
When you live halfway around the world from the vast majority of your extended family, there are a lot of “worst” funerals. People you love dearly that you really only knew from phone conversations and stories your parents told you. The unexpected ones, especially in war time...those hurt the most. We would have wakes on our side of the world and there was always a great deal of pain, crying, screaming. Death is something out of any family member’s control, but it’s definitely compounded when you are so far away when it happens.
3. Did you make any plans for your own funeral?
Nope. Maybe everyone can go miniature golfing in my honor and have some pizza afterwards. But they’ll be ok. I’ll keep an eye on them from wherever I am!
4. What are your thoughts on burial in the soil versus cremation? Which is better? Which is better for you? (And did you hear about the Swedish method, not yet sanctioned, where the body and the casket is frozen very very cold, and then vibrated into a powder...? Apparently very friendly for the environment.)
Bury me. Don’t know why, but returning to the earth just sounds nice. The only Swedish method I use is massage related...and I definitely sanction that. Yes, I make jokes. J We laugh to keep from crying!
5. And finally: Isn't it just odd that the word funeral starts with fun...? What are your thoughts on the very word? And what is the word for funeral in your language, if your first language isn't English?
Phonetically I think it’s something like “Maurasam”. And “Mau” doesn’t mean fun. In general, I think lots of words are weird. And sometimes, a word you use your whole life sounds fine until one day you stop and think about it and realize it is just totally strange. I think I put “funeral” in that category.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
BIANCA REGINA: Your Relationship With Food
1. How would you describe your diet? How do you feel about it? Do you think you need to change it in any way, and if so, how and why? If you feel you need to change it, but haven't yet, what is standing in your way of making the change?
I would describe my diet as fairly healthy. I try to eat lots of fruit and veg, like you should. I recently quit drinking alcohol (for good, I think, though I'm not sure yet). We cook on 3-4 evenings a week, I don't eat much meat etc etc. But. I do eat too much chocolate. Which I should change. Because I, like Andreas, gain weight quite easily. I have recently switched from sweet breakfast cereal to just oats with fresh fruit, that feels good. I have also given up the habit of eating chocolat in bed every night (which I did for years!). Now, I brush my teeth in the evening, go to bed and feel all healthy. Alright, sometimes I feel a craving for my favourite choco-drug, to, but so far, I have always resisted it. However, I have given in to the craving at other times of the day far too many times. So all in all, I'm quite content with the way that I eat. As for the chocolate thing, I guess I haven't changed it because I don't really want to.
2. How do you or your family eat? How do you feel about this? Again, do you feel the need for change?
In the evenings, we all eat together, sit down, no music, no TV, talk and enjoy our food. While I'm at work, I eat at my desk. I work by myself, and I have organized my working days so that I spend as little times as possible at work, which means few and short breaks. So lunches are more of a sustenance and less of an enjoyment thing. Sadly, my daughter is a VERY picky eater, the list of things she will eat is incredibly short. I think that she should change, but she hasn't (yet, I hope). The husband and me love to go out to restaurants. On the weekends, I sometimes cook more elaborate meals. I love trying out new recipes!
3. Where do you shop for your food? How do your food-shopping habits reflect your values?
I shop at one of the two local supermarkets, trying to buy organically grown and local produce as much as possible. We buy our fairly traded espresso beans and some delicacies (like Fleur de Sel) online. We used to have a box of organically grown vegetables delivered to our home every week, but that turned out to be too much of a commitment. All in all, my shopping habits reflect different values: not wanting to spend a lot of time shopping and trying to buy organically grown and tasty stuff.
4. What does your country do to influence how and what people eat? Does this need to change, in your opinion?
All in all, I am happy with what my country does to influence what and how people eat: there is a lot of extra funding for organic farming, school meals are monitored for their nutritional value, and there is now a wide-spread awareness of what is and isn't healthy food.
5. What one thing can you do to:
a) wean yourself off an oil-based diet and onto sun-based foods?
I'm not sure that I know what sun-based foods are. To limit my oil intake, I could quit eating pizza, I guess. Or limit myself to eating a pizza every other months.
As for sun-based - there is a temptation now, in the winter, to buy a lot of fruit from far-off, sun-soaked places like South America and Northern Africa, but that's not really environmentally sound... so I try to make do with products like apples and pears from my own sun-starved country.
b) improve your eating habits and thus your health?
Leave the chocolate at the store.
c) encourage others to do the same?
Abstain from eating dessert with them. Encourage my daughter to try new things again and again. She's good with the sweets, though: she has one "Sweets Day" a week where she can pick 15 sweets from a box - outside of that, there are no sweets, and she deposits all sweets that she receives in that box, telling people "thank you, I'll eat that on Wednesday". That works very well, and she never cheats. Maybe I should pick up the "Sweets Day" habit for myself...
I would describe my diet as fairly healthy. I try to eat lots of fruit and veg, like you should. I recently quit drinking alcohol (for good, I think, though I'm not sure yet). We cook on 3-4 evenings a week, I don't eat much meat etc etc. But. I do eat too much chocolate. Which I should change. Because I, like Andreas, gain weight quite easily. I have recently switched from sweet breakfast cereal to just oats with fresh fruit, that feels good. I have also given up the habit of eating chocolat in bed every night (which I did for years!). Now, I brush my teeth in the evening, go to bed and feel all healthy. Alright, sometimes I feel a craving for my favourite choco-drug, to, but so far, I have always resisted it. However, I have given in to the craving at other times of the day far too many times. So all in all, I'm quite content with the way that I eat. As for the chocolate thing, I guess I haven't changed it because I don't really want to.
2. How do you or your family eat? How do you feel about this? Again, do you feel the need for change?
In the evenings, we all eat together, sit down, no music, no TV, talk and enjoy our food. While I'm at work, I eat at my desk. I work by myself, and I have organized my working days so that I spend as little times as possible at work, which means few and short breaks. So lunches are more of a sustenance and less of an enjoyment thing. Sadly, my daughter is a VERY picky eater, the list of things she will eat is incredibly short. I think that she should change, but she hasn't (yet, I hope). The husband and me love to go out to restaurants. On the weekends, I sometimes cook more elaborate meals. I love trying out new recipes!
3. Where do you shop for your food? How do your food-shopping habits reflect your values?
I shop at one of the two local supermarkets, trying to buy organically grown and local produce as much as possible. We buy our fairly traded espresso beans and some delicacies (like Fleur de Sel) online. We used to have a box of organically grown vegetables delivered to our home every week, but that turned out to be too much of a commitment. All in all, my shopping habits reflect different values: not wanting to spend a lot of time shopping and trying to buy organically grown and tasty stuff.
4. What does your country do to influence how and what people eat? Does this need to change, in your opinion?
All in all, I am happy with what my country does to influence what and how people eat: there is a lot of extra funding for organic farming, school meals are monitored for their nutritional value, and there is now a wide-spread awareness of what is and isn't healthy food.
5. What one thing can you do to:
a) wean yourself off an oil-based diet and onto sun-based foods?
I'm not sure that I know what sun-based foods are. To limit my oil intake, I could quit eating pizza, I guess. Or limit myself to eating a pizza every other months.
As for sun-based - there is a temptation now, in the winter, to buy a lot of fruit from far-off, sun-soaked places like South America and Northern Africa, but that's not really environmentally sound... so I try to make do with products like apples and pears from my own sun-starved country.
b) improve your eating habits and thus your health?
Leave the chocolate at the store.
c) encourage others to do the same?
Abstain from eating dessert with them. Encourage my daughter to try new things again and again. She's good with the sweets, though: she has one "Sweets Day" a week where she can pick 15 sweets from a box - outside of that, there are no sweets, and she deposits all sweets that she receives in that box, telling people "thank you, I'll eat that on Wednesday". That works very well, and she never cheats. Maybe I should pick up the "Sweets Day" habit for myself...
ANDREAS EKSTROM: Your Relationship with Food
1. How would you describe your diet? How do you feel about it? I love to eat, and I am not picky. I have a soft spot for sugar and one for carbs... Good bread is a cornerstone in my eating. I gain weight fairly easily, even though I am considered thin, and have to watch what I eat. Generally, I think I know more about food than average Joe, and I love to cook.
2. How do you (and/or your family) eat? We eat well! We spend a lot on shopping for good food, we buy fruit and vegetables at the local square. We probably eat a little too much meat rather than beans and other sources of protein, and we could do better on fish as well.
3. Where do you shop for your food? How do your food-shopping habits reflect your values? Locally as much as we can – but practicalities and money are important factors.
4. What does your country/ state/ region do to influence how and what people eat? Does this need to change, in your opinion?Well, the food issue is on everyone's plate (har har) at the moment. There are discussions everywhere, and the Swedish government do make some attempts at informing well.
5a. What one thing can you do to wean yourself off an oil-based diet and onto sun-based foods? Move to Spain!
5b. What one thing can you do to improve your eating habits and thus your health? Stay off sugar for defined periods of time.
5c. What one thing can you do to encourage others to do the same? Leading by example and shutting up. Annoying food advice is one of the things I really hate. Most people know that that brownie probably isn't good for you in the long run. You just don't want to hear it while you're enjoying it...
2. How do you (and/or your family) eat? We eat well! We spend a lot on shopping for good food, we buy fruit and vegetables at the local square. We probably eat a little too much meat rather than beans and other sources of protein, and we could do better on fish as well.
3. Where do you shop for your food? How do your food-shopping habits reflect your values? Locally as much as we can – but practicalities and money are important factors.
4. What does your country/ state/ region do to influence how and what people eat? Does this need to change, in your opinion?Well, the food issue is on everyone's plate (har har) at the moment. There are discussions everywhere, and the Swedish government do make some attempts at informing well.
5a. What one thing can you do to wean yourself off an oil-based diet and onto sun-based foods? Move to Spain!
5b. What one thing can you do to improve your eating habits and thus your health? Stay off sugar for defined periods of time.
5c. What one thing can you do to encourage others to do the same? Leading by example and shutting up. Annoying food advice is one of the things I really hate. Most people know that that brownie probably isn't good for you in the long run. You just don't want to hear it while you're enjoying it...
Friday, November 21, 2008
WEEK 8: YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH FOOD
WEEK 8 – November 21, 2008
FIVE QUESTIONS ON: YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH FOOD
THIS WEEK’S AUTHOR: Jennifer Rabold
THE QUESTIONS (Background Information Below)
FIVE QUESTIONS ON: YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH FOOD
THIS WEEK’S AUTHOR: Jennifer Rabold
THE QUESTIONS (Background Information Below)
- How would you describe your diet? How do you feel about it? Do you think you need to change it in any way, and if so, how and why? If you feel you need to change it, but haven't yet, what is standing in your way of making the change?
- How do you (and/or your family) eat? (At home/ out/ take-out/ around a table/ standing at the counter/ together/ at different times/ on the go/ et cetera?) How do you feel about this? Again, do you feel the need for change?
- Where do you shop for your food? How do your food-shopping habits reflect your values?
- What does your country/ state/ region do to influence how and what people eat? Does this need to change, in your opinion?
- What one thing can you do to:
a) wean yourself off an oil-based diet and onto sun-based foods?
b) improve your eating habits and thus your health?
c) encourage others to do the same?
BACKGROUND from Jennifer Rabold:
I read the most fantastic article a few weeks before the U.S. election entitled "Farmer in Chief: An Open Letter to the Next President" in the New York Times Magazine that made me think critically about my own relationships with food and my roles as a consumer and as a producer of food (I'm an avid gardener). You may wish to read the article before answering the questions (it's quite long, but very well-written and insightful and definitely worth the read), or not - the questions can stand alone, I think.
NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE (October 12, 2008 )
The Food Issue: Farmer in Chief
By MICHAEL POLLAN What the next president can and should do to remake the way we grow and eat our food.
Here are a few quotations from the article to ponder:
- After cars, the food system uses more fossil fuel than any other sector of the economy — 19 percent. And while the experts disagree about the exact amount, the way we feed ourselves contributes more greenhouse gases to the atmosphere than anything else we do — as much as 37 percent, according to one study.
- Four of the top 10 killers in America today are chronic diseases linked to diet: heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes and cancer.
- When a nation loses the ability to substantially feed itself, it is not only at the mercy of global commodity markets but of other governments as well.
- As Wendell Berry has tartly observed, to take animals off farms and put them on feedlots is to take an elegant solution — animals replenishing the fertility that crops deplete — and neatly divide it into two problems: a fertility problem on the farm and a pollution problem on the feedlot. The former problem is remedied with fossil-fuel fertilizer; the latter is remedied not at all.
- Pollan's recommendations to the next U.S. president: First, your administration’s food policy must strive to provide a healthful diet for all our people; this means focusing on the quality and diversity (and not merely the quantity) of the calories that American agriculture produces and American eaters consume. Second, your policies should aim to improve the resilience, safety and security of our food supply. Among other things, this means promoting regional food economies both in America and around the world. And lastly, your policies need to reconceive agriculture as part of the solution to environmental problems like climate change.
- In addition to Pollan's recommendations above, he suggests that the next president should carefully choose his White House chef as an example for the country and should establish a White House farmer: This new post would be charged with implementing what could turn out to be your most symbolically resonant step in building a new American food culture. And that is this: tear out five prime south-facing acres of the White House lawn and plant in their place an organic fruit and vegetable garden.
RICK VON FELDT: Teaching & Learning
ONE: People learn in different ways. It's now commonly A common terminology for these learning styles has been developed since some time ago. And thus, we are thought to be visual, kinesthetic, or auditory. Each of these, having its particularities. What's your learning style? What do you like about it? What don't you like about it?
This particular “three tier” diagram of learning styles is not my favorite. It is too simplistic. Instead, I like a few other methodologies – but in general, I do believe that we can “learn better” by knowing our natural and developed traits.
TWO: What's the most useful thing you have learn that can be applied both, to your personal and to your professional life?
I can’t share it all, because one day, it might be what my book is all about! (I wonder how many people have a fleeting thought of authoring a book on “all that I learned in life…”) Here are a few things that come to mind:
Anyone who knows me knows that I value the QUESTION more than the answer. I ask lots of questions. And I hope that I role model the value of asking questions over giving answers. It comes easy for me. But for many others, it is very difficult. Is it my curiosity? A skill? A little of each? The question to self also leads to self knowledge and evaluation. I hope people have learned that from me.
FOUR: This one question I got it from an interview to Mr. Obama I saw in ESPN a couple days ago. What's the best piece of advice you've ever gotten? Why?
In 1984, while in a very junior position in an organization, I was finding my way to make a difference and be a valuable staff member. I was young and wreckless in my approach and mistook the idea of asking questions as a way to impress and influence. The leader of the organization pulled me aside and told me, “You have to know in life when you are Batman and when you are Robin.” The lesson is that I have to choose carefully when I want to support the leader and when I want to challenge them. This planted seeds in me that have helped me in my career on leadership development, hierarchy support, and human motivation. And I have also had my time in life when I really did want to challenge Batman when necessary.
FIVE: This question comes from the idealist in me... If there was one thing you wished everyone in this planet learned, what would it be?
When I read Andy’ answer about “empathy” – I said “YES!” Me too! That is what I want others to learn. Indeed, there are so many things I want people to learn. But this amazing skill to “think and feel as others” is something that I am always baffled at. This selfish refusal to not understand how and why others think and feel causes so many ill wills from one human to the other. And perhaps everyone says that at one point in their life – not matter what generation they are from, but I am becoming increasingly worried about the lack of this in our world. During our presidential elections, American’s ran around challenging people to “believe in their way” instead of asking, “Why do you believe that way?” And with the use of technology – where we don’t connect directly with humans as much as we did – I am scared that we are loosing this capability. And as the world becomes more diverse, and every nook of the earth now has diversity – this can be dangerous. I saw a controversial bumper sticker that bothered me yesterday. It said, “Why should I press 1 for English?”**
This particular “three tier” diagram of learning styles is not my favorite. It is too simplistic. Instead, I like a few other methodologies – but in general, I do believe that we can “learn better” by knowing our natural and developed traits.
As an example, this same methodology suggests that we must first know our “primary types of intelligence.” Once we know this – they are our strengths – and indicate how we best learn.
I took a 35-question (free survey) at ACCELERATED LEARNING.
It told me that I am strong in intra-personal, linguistic and visual intelligences. Therefore, if I want to accelerate my learning, I should, for example, have conversations with people, focus on the use of words and speaking and use diagrams.
Indeed, I have known this about myself. I like visual representations. I like to have dialogue either in written or in verbal ways as this “helps me learn.” I know that I am not good at taking a 500 page book, sitting down and reading it and learning a lot from that method. This shows up in my “naturalistic” strength – or lack of.
TWO: What's the most useful thing you have learn that can be applied both, to your personal and to your professional life?
I can’t share it all, because one day, it might be what my book is all about! (I wonder how many people have a fleeting thought of authoring a book on “all that I learned in life…”) Here are a few things that come to mind:
1. IT USUALLY WON’T FEEL AS BAD in the future – as it does today. Bad things happen. They can feel so bad in the moment. But after living through them – I am always amazed at how the bad feeling does eventually go away. It is hard to trust that future promise that everything “feels better with time.”
2. WE LEARN THE MOST from DIFFICULT THINGS. Today, I had a lunch with a friend who told me she was helping another friend get through bad times. She thought out loud about what she could do to help take away those problems. But my advise to her is that it is better NOT to take away the bad thing – but instead to help with skills, advice and support to help to deal with and learn from the problem. Our best learnings in life always come because of the hard things. And as a person who works in leadership development, I would go even farther by saying that those individuals who have gone through some of the most difficult things might actually be the stronger of leaders.
3. KNOW THYSELF. We start out in life and hard dealt a hand of cards. We grow up – and our parents and family change a few of those cards. But that is our hand. The goal for the rest of our life is to know everyone of those cards – what they mean, why we have them, to trade a few out – and then do our very best to play those cards in the best way possible. Few people take time to honestly their own hand of cards.
THREE: Good learners aren't always good teachers. I have the feeling that everyone in this group has become a pretty good teacher, some way or another. Can you share what's been the most useful thing you have ever taught? (To whom? Why?)
Anyone who knows me knows that I value the QUESTION more than the answer. I ask lots of questions. And I hope that I role model the value of asking questions over giving answers. It comes easy for me. But for many others, it is very difficult. Is it my curiosity? A skill? A little of each? The question to self also leads to self knowledge and evaluation. I hope people have learned that from me.
FOUR: This one question I got it from an interview to Mr. Obama I saw in ESPN a couple days ago. What's the best piece of advice you've ever gotten? Why?
In 1984, while in a very junior position in an organization, I was finding my way to make a difference and be a valuable staff member. I was young and wreckless in my approach and mistook the idea of asking questions as a way to impress and influence. The leader of the organization pulled me aside and told me, “You have to know in life when you are Batman and when you are Robin.” The lesson is that I have to choose carefully when I want to support the leader and when I want to challenge them. This planted seeds in me that have helped me in my career on leadership development, hierarchy support, and human motivation. And I have also had my time in life when I really did want to challenge Batman when necessary.
FIVE: This question comes from the idealist in me... If there was one thing you wished everyone in this planet learned, what would it be?
When I read Andy’ answer about “empathy” – I said “YES!” Me too! That is what I want others to learn. Indeed, there are so many things I want people to learn. But this amazing skill to “think and feel as others” is something that I am always baffled at. This selfish refusal to not understand how and why others think and feel causes so many ill wills from one human to the other. And perhaps everyone says that at one point in their life – not matter what generation they are from, but I am becoming increasingly worried about the lack of this in our world. During our presidential elections, American’s ran around challenging people to “believe in their way” instead of asking, “Why do you believe that way?” And with the use of technology – where we don’t connect directly with humans as much as we did – I am scared that we are loosing this capability. And as the world becomes more diverse, and every nook of the earth now has diversity – this can be dangerous. I saw a controversial bumper sticker that bothered me yesterday. It said, “Why should I press 1 for English?”**
**(For non-English as your first language – this refers to a trend when you make calls to support services that have you select which language you want to converse in – usually either English or Spanish. There is a group of Americans that believe no provision should be made for other languages – and that individuals should just speak English. But I would refer to the concept of empathy – and ask if they have put themselves in the minds of others who don’t current speak English. But I don’t think they care about empathy or the feelings of anyone else other than their own convenience of pressing an extra button.)
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
PETER WARING: Teaching & Learning
1. What's your learning style? What do you like about it? What don't you like about it?
I’m the kind of learner who, when he buys any new gadget or software, throws away the instructions and learns by trial and error. I tend to be an impatient learner and prefer less structured learning environments.
2. What's the most useful thing you have learned that can be applied both, to your personal and to your professional life?
The most useful thing – can I have two please? Always retain a sense of humour and a sense of proper perspective (in other words, ask yourself does it really matter?).
3. Can you share what's been the most useful thing you have ever taught?
Good question for an academic but also an easy one – critical thinking skills are easily the most important thing I teach my students.
4. What's the best piece of advice you've ever gotten?
My parents always told me that whatever I tried in life, to always do my best and no matter if I failed at something I would know that I had given my best shot. This seems to have served me well over the years.
5. If there was one thing you wished everyone in this planet learned, what would it be?
I agree that empathy really is the most important quality that I wished everyone had. It goes hand in hand with ethics, logic and reason.
I’m the kind of learner who, when he buys any new gadget or software, throws away the instructions and learns by trial and error. I tend to be an impatient learner and prefer less structured learning environments.
2. What's the most useful thing you have learned that can be applied both, to your personal and to your professional life?
The most useful thing – can I have two please? Always retain a sense of humour and a sense of proper perspective (in other words, ask yourself does it really matter?).
3. Can you share what's been the most useful thing you have ever taught?
Good question for an academic but also an easy one – critical thinking skills are easily the most important thing I teach my students.
4. What's the best piece of advice you've ever gotten?
My parents always told me that whatever I tried in life, to always do my best and no matter if I failed at something I would know that I had given my best shot. This seems to have served me well over the years.
5. If there was one thing you wished everyone in this planet learned, what would it be?
I agree that empathy really is the most important quality that I wished everyone had. It goes hand in hand with ethics, logic and reason.
PETER WARING: Dreams, Youth and Possibilities
1. When you were young what did you envision your future to be? And as a follow up, how does it compare to where you eventually arrived?
Strangely, I always thought that I would end up in politics or working as an actor. The cynical might suggest that there are few differences between these occupations! When I was a kid, I wrote several ‘audio’ plays and recorded these as well as wrote and acted in school plays. I was also school captain at primary and later high school and liked the idea of having some kind of leadership position in the future. Instead I became an academic and lawyer which probably compares poorly with any grandiose dreams I had. Though lecturing and appearing in court is essentially ‘stage work’ but often without an appreciative audience!
2. If you could go back and become yourself at a certain time in life which time would you choose and why? And if you could only take one bit of knowledge or one trait you’ve gained as you’ve grown older (but not too old!), what would it be? And why again?
There were two golden ages - when I was between 10-12 years old and 18 to 22 years old. Between 10 and 12 my childhood was in full swing and I lived to play with neighbourhood friends in our make-believe worlds. The second, between, 18 to 22, was my first time at University which I did not treat too seriously but had a wonderful time with a good group of friends. Both golden ages were carefree and characterised by little money but an amazing sense of freedom and optimism. Do I feel this way now? Somewhat but I also have many more responsibilities.
The one bit of knowledge I would take? Perhaps to be less risk-averse and be willing to consider different possibilities for my life.
3. Were you a reader as a youth? If so, what kind of books did you read? Who were some of your favorite authors at the time?
The anecdote my Mother still tells of my childhood is of me being so obsessed with books that I would read in the shower. I would prop the book up outside the glass shower screen so that I could peer at the pages through the glass!
I read initially Enid Blyton (The Famous Five), Hardy Boys books, The Wind in the Willows, JR Tolkien (Hobbit, Lord of the Rings) and then Robert Ludlum, James Clavell etc. I was lucky that I developed a passion for reading at early age which has served me well throughout my life.
4. I’m wondering if there are any dreams you had which you did not achieve but are still working on, or hoping to achieve?
I’ve given up the prospect of becoming the Australian Test Cricket Captain but I would love to write a comedy/sit-com or film script.
5. Please share a book that has meant something to you, and tell us why.
There have been so many but James Clavell’s ‘King Rat’ – a story of POWS in a WW2 prison (Changi) in Singapore is a remarkable tale of the power and resiliency of the human spirit in extreme and oppressive circumstances. I still read it every few years or so. The second is ‘To Kill a Mocking Bird’ which holds special significance since I my son’s middle name ‘Atticus’ comes from one of the main characters of this book – a quietly proud, rational lawyer of great personal courage.
Strangely, I always thought that I would end up in politics or working as an actor. The cynical might suggest that there are few differences between these occupations! When I was a kid, I wrote several ‘audio’ plays and recorded these as well as wrote and acted in school plays. I was also school captain at primary and later high school and liked the idea of having some kind of leadership position in the future. Instead I became an academic and lawyer which probably compares poorly with any grandiose dreams I had. Though lecturing and appearing in court is essentially ‘stage work’ but often without an appreciative audience!
2. If you could go back and become yourself at a certain time in life which time would you choose and why? And if you could only take one bit of knowledge or one trait you’ve gained as you’ve grown older (but not too old!), what would it be? And why again?
There were two golden ages - when I was between 10-12 years old and 18 to 22 years old. Between 10 and 12 my childhood was in full swing and I lived to play with neighbourhood friends in our make-believe worlds. The second, between, 18 to 22, was my first time at University which I did not treat too seriously but had a wonderful time with a good group of friends. Both golden ages were carefree and characterised by little money but an amazing sense of freedom and optimism. Do I feel this way now? Somewhat but I also have many more responsibilities.
The one bit of knowledge I would take? Perhaps to be less risk-averse and be willing to consider different possibilities for my life.
3. Were you a reader as a youth? If so, what kind of books did you read? Who were some of your favorite authors at the time?
The anecdote my Mother still tells of my childhood is of me being so obsessed with books that I would read in the shower. I would prop the book up outside the glass shower screen so that I could peer at the pages through the glass!
I read initially Enid Blyton (The Famous Five), Hardy Boys books, The Wind in the Willows, JR Tolkien (Hobbit, Lord of the Rings) and then Robert Ludlum, James Clavell etc. I was lucky that I developed a passion for reading at early age which has served me well throughout my life.
4. I’m wondering if there are any dreams you had which you did not achieve but are still working on, or hoping to achieve?
I’ve given up the prospect of becoming the Australian Test Cricket Captain but I would love to write a comedy/sit-com or film script.
5. Please share a book that has meant something to you, and tell us why.
There have been so many but James Clavell’s ‘King Rat’ – a story of POWS in a WW2 prison (Changi) in Singapore is a remarkable tale of the power and resiliency of the human spirit in extreme and oppressive circumstances. I still read it every few years or so. The second is ‘To Kill a Mocking Bird’ which holds special significance since I my son’s middle name ‘Atticus’ comes from one of the main characters of this book – a quietly proud, rational lawyer of great personal courage.
Friday, November 14, 2008
ANDREAS EKSTROM: Teaching & Learning
1. What's your learning style? What do you like about it? What don't you like about it? Can't say that I am sure that I know how to fit myself into any of those three. All I know is that I learn best when I am curious.
2. What's the most useful thing you have learned that can be applied both, to your personal and to your professional life? To take big steps in small steps. To get shit done, rather than postponing.
3. Can you share what's been the most useful thing you have ever taught? I really don't know what that would be. Probably something I by example have taught my daughters about how to interact with other people.
4. What's the best piece of advice you've ever gotten? ”Only pass the vehicle in front of you if you are absolutely sure there is enough space and time.” Sounds shallow? No! My dad one day changed his regular ”drive safely” to this, just one time. And by changing a standard, he made a thought really stick. So I take that experience and apply to other things. I always tell myself to ”be professional”. But what if I turn that into something real, like ”run spell-check twice, you wrote this in a hurry” or ”make sure you leave NO loose ends in this interview”? I really make a difference for myself.
5. If there was one thing you wished everyone in this planet learned, what would it be? That's easy: Empathy.
2. What's the most useful thing you have learned that can be applied both, to your personal and to your professional life? To take big steps in small steps. To get shit done, rather than postponing.
3. Can you share what's been the most useful thing you have ever taught? I really don't know what that would be. Probably something I by example have taught my daughters about how to interact with other people.
4. What's the best piece of advice you've ever gotten? ”Only pass the vehicle in front of you if you are absolutely sure there is enough space and time.” Sounds shallow? No! My dad one day changed his regular ”drive safely” to this, just one time. And by changing a standard, he made a thought really stick. So I take that experience and apply to other things. I always tell myself to ”be professional”. But what if I turn that into something real, like ”run spell-check twice, you wrote this in a hurry” or ”make sure you leave NO loose ends in this interview”? I really make a difference for myself.
5. If there was one thing you wished everyone in this planet learned, what would it be? That's easy: Empathy.
JENNIFER RABOLD: Of Dreams and Youth and Possibilities
1. Children have so many dreams. Small ones, large ones. They dream of being astronauts, of becoming a princess or a queen or even a king. As we grew older, our dreams became the shape our futures would take. So my first question is when you were young what did you envision your future to be? And as a follow up, how does it compare to where you eventually arrived?
Oh my. I never had a problem finding something I wanted to do with my future. My problem was choosing few enough to fit in this lifetime! I have vague memories of wanting to be a teacher or a ballerina or a scientist as a child. I spent a lot of time teaching my sisters and the stuffed animals long division and spelling, twirling around the house, and doing strange experiments with whatever solutions I could get my hands on. It was in junior high school (ages 12-14) that I really started having some ideas about careers. I had dreams of being (this is pretty much in the order the ideas developed) a rock star, a marine biologist, a Supreme Court justice, President of the United States, a translator, a singer, a nurse midwife. Fortunately, my parents were so incredibly supportive, never imposing their wishes, simply sending me on whale watch trips and paying for voice lessons and really hoping that the rock star dream passed quickly. :-)
In university, I majored in English because I got to read novels, which didn’t seem like work to me, and Women’s Studies, reflecting my newfound feminism. I did internships with a lobbyist and in a Victim/Witness Assistance Program, both of which I enjoyed for different reasons, but which I couldn’t envision myself doing as a job. I went immediately to graduate school to get a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, but discovered pretty quickly that it really wasn’t what I wanted to do, so after a year, I dropped out and traveled with Up With People. After traveling, I moved to Boston and still didn’t know what I wanted to be when I grew up, but I worked as a counselor and medical assistant in a Planned Parenthood women’s clinic, where I was proud to do important work, even though it was emotionally difficult and dangerous. Then I joined a reading group and remembered how much I enjoyed reading and talking about books, so I went back to graduate school, this time for English. I got an assistantship teaching undergraduate writing classes, which paid for school, and had my epiphany! I loved teaching! I was back full circle. And I’ve been in education ever since.
2. I sometimes fantasize about being able to travel back in time, but not in my current mid-forties body. I wonder what it would be like to become who I was in high school or college but with the knowledge and patience I’ve gained in the years since. Second question…if you could go back and become yourself at a certain time in life which time would you choose and why? And if you could only take one bit of knowledge or one trait you’ve gained as you’ve grown older (but not too old!), what would it be? And why again?
I don’t think you could pay me to repeat junior high school or high school… I’m not sure there’s much I could do even knowing what I know now to make them any easier, except maybe go to a different school, like a private school, where it was cool to be smart.
But I would certainly want to repeat my Up With People year. Correction… I would go back before my Up With People year, deal with some issues I clearly needed to deal with first, then repeat my Up With People year, soak up more culture, learn more languages, find more ways to get out of doing the show and do more community service, take advantage of every spin-off, and most importantly, finish the year with the cast (I left early).
3. As a writer, I started off as a reader. I began reading book after book when I was probably around 8 or 9. For me, initially it was mysteries then science fiction. Were you a reader as a youth? If so, what kind of books did you read? Who were some of your favorite authors at the time?
Oh, I was an incredible bookworm as a child. I’d read several chapter books a week. I read all the Boxcar Children mysteries, the entire Little House on the Prairie series (three times), lots of Madeleine L’Engle’s books (A Wrinkle in Time, for example), and then every horse book I could get my hands on until I finally saved enough money delivering newspapers that I bought myself a real horse. My mother directed me to the classics, so I read Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, Gone With the Wind, Rebecca, and lots of others. Then, I hit high school, and my English classes completely turned me off to reading. I can’t recall a single book I read for pleasure in high school until my voice teacher recommended Richard Bach’s A Bridge Across Forever, which got me through high school.
4. Back to the scenario in the first question…I’m wondering if there are any dreams you had which you did not achieve but are still working on, or hoping to achieve? What are they?
I’d love to own a little book store… a cozy little place with lots of nooks for curling up to read… maybe in my retirement.
I very seriously considered becoming a nurse midwife or a dula (a childbirth assistant)… maybe in another lifetime.
I’d love to live in another country for at least a year, with my family. Still a very real possibility.
5. There are many books in my life that have meant something to me. Books and stories that have stayed with me over the years. Some make me smile, some make me think, some even make me mad. The final question…please share a book that has meant something to you, and tells why.
Just one? I can’t. Here are a few.
The Time Traveler’s Wife, by Audrey Niffenegger. Henry DeTamble, meets Clare when he is 28 and she is 20, but she meets him when she is 6. Henry is a time traveler, a sometimes delightful but usually unfortunate effect of a genetic condition he was born with. He is able to meet his future wife when she is still a child, allowing him to watch her grow up and allowing her to fall in love with him over the 14 years he visited her. He is able to meet himself as a child, mentoring him and teaching him how to survive with his unusual affliction. Despite the improbable story line, Niffenegger creates her characters and their predicament with such realism that the book is much more love story than fantasy.
Peace Like a River, by Leif Enger. This is Enger’s first novel, and it’s brilliant. He creates a narrator in the style of To Kill a Mockingbird’s Scout – eleven-year-old, asthmatic Reuben Land, who engages on a cross-country trip in an Airstream trailer with his father, who can perform miracles, and his kid sister, who sees life as a western epic poem, to find his brother, who has been unfairly charged with murder. It’s got something for everyone – comedy, tragedy, love story, adventure, heroic quest, spiritual revelation, and at times, western epic poem. Beautiful prose.
Year of Wonders, by Geraldine Brooks. An unusual premise for a novel, this is a story of a small town in England during the Black Plague, which quarantines itself when it discovers its community has been infected. The story is told through the eyes of Anna, a young mother and housemaid who is forced by circumstances to step out of her old roles, restricted by gender and class, and assume challenging responsibilities which change her and those around her. Impeccably researched.
Beloved, by Toni Morrison. Toni Morrison is one of the great authors of the 20th century. Beloved is her masterpiece. It is the story of Sethe, a slave who escaped slavery but is haunted (literally and figuratively) by its heritage and scarred (physically and emotionally) by its aftermath. But it is also the story of America, of a nation and a people scarred and haunted by the legacy of slavery. Incredibly symbolic. You must talk to someone about this novel after you read it in order to even begin to understand it.
The Passion, by Jeanette Winterson. The Passion is a mystical story of Henri, Napoleon's chicken cook, and Villanelle, the daughter of a Venetian boatman whose webbed feet carve a unique place for her in the canals of Venice. The magic realism and quirky characters alone are enjoyable, but the deeper commentary on gender identity and expectations are fascinating.
The God of Small Things, by Arundhati Roy. This novel by Indian author Roy is one of the most exquisitely written novels I think I've ever read. The narrative structure is daring... the story is told almost backwards, with event after event unfolding, foreshadowing and building to a violent climax. I learned so much about the Indian caste system and the oppression of the untouchables as well.
The Mists of Avalon, by Marion Zimmer Bradley. Her most famous novel, The Mists of Avalon is a retelling of the Camelot legend from the perspective of Morgan Le Fey, who is portrayed as the villain in the original story. The story transpires during the transformation of England from local paganistic and goddess worship religions to Christianity, and illustrates what that change meant for women. At 1000+ pages, the epic sweep of the novel just sucks the reader into a different world.
Oh my. I never had a problem finding something I wanted to do with my future. My problem was choosing few enough to fit in this lifetime! I have vague memories of wanting to be a teacher or a ballerina or a scientist as a child. I spent a lot of time teaching my sisters and the stuffed animals long division and spelling, twirling around the house, and doing strange experiments with whatever solutions I could get my hands on. It was in junior high school (ages 12-14) that I really started having some ideas about careers. I had dreams of being (this is pretty much in the order the ideas developed) a rock star, a marine biologist, a Supreme Court justice, President of the United States, a translator, a singer, a nurse midwife. Fortunately, my parents were so incredibly supportive, never imposing their wishes, simply sending me on whale watch trips and paying for voice lessons and really hoping that the rock star dream passed quickly. :-)
In university, I majored in English because I got to read novels, which didn’t seem like work to me, and Women’s Studies, reflecting my newfound feminism. I did internships with a lobbyist and in a Victim/Witness Assistance Program, both of which I enjoyed for different reasons, but which I couldn’t envision myself doing as a job. I went immediately to graduate school to get a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, but discovered pretty quickly that it really wasn’t what I wanted to do, so after a year, I dropped out and traveled with Up With People. After traveling, I moved to Boston and still didn’t know what I wanted to be when I grew up, but I worked as a counselor and medical assistant in a Planned Parenthood women’s clinic, where I was proud to do important work, even though it was emotionally difficult and dangerous. Then I joined a reading group and remembered how much I enjoyed reading and talking about books, so I went back to graduate school, this time for English. I got an assistantship teaching undergraduate writing classes, which paid for school, and had my epiphany! I loved teaching! I was back full circle. And I’ve been in education ever since.
2. I sometimes fantasize about being able to travel back in time, but not in my current mid-forties body. I wonder what it would be like to become who I was in high school or college but with the knowledge and patience I’ve gained in the years since. Second question…if you could go back and become yourself at a certain time in life which time would you choose and why? And if you could only take one bit of knowledge or one trait you’ve gained as you’ve grown older (but not too old!), what would it be? And why again?
I don’t think you could pay me to repeat junior high school or high school… I’m not sure there’s much I could do even knowing what I know now to make them any easier, except maybe go to a different school, like a private school, where it was cool to be smart.
But I would certainly want to repeat my Up With People year. Correction… I would go back before my Up With People year, deal with some issues I clearly needed to deal with first, then repeat my Up With People year, soak up more culture, learn more languages, find more ways to get out of doing the show and do more community service, take advantage of every spin-off, and most importantly, finish the year with the cast (I left early).
3. As a writer, I started off as a reader. I began reading book after book when I was probably around 8 or 9. For me, initially it was mysteries then science fiction. Were you a reader as a youth? If so, what kind of books did you read? Who were some of your favorite authors at the time?
Oh, I was an incredible bookworm as a child. I’d read several chapter books a week. I read all the Boxcar Children mysteries, the entire Little House on the Prairie series (three times), lots of Madeleine L’Engle’s books (A Wrinkle in Time, for example), and then every horse book I could get my hands on until I finally saved enough money delivering newspapers that I bought myself a real horse. My mother directed me to the classics, so I read Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, Gone With the Wind, Rebecca, and lots of others. Then, I hit high school, and my English classes completely turned me off to reading. I can’t recall a single book I read for pleasure in high school until my voice teacher recommended Richard Bach’s A Bridge Across Forever, which got me through high school.
4. Back to the scenario in the first question…I’m wondering if there are any dreams you had which you did not achieve but are still working on, or hoping to achieve? What are they?
I’d love to own a little book store… a cozy little place with lots of nooks for curling up to read… maybe in my retirement.
I very seriously considered becoming a nurse midwife or a dula (a childbirth assistant)… maybe in another lifetime.
I’d love to live in another country for at least a year, with my family. Still a very real possibility.
5. There are many books in my life that have meant something to me. Books and stories that have stayed with me over the years. Some make me smile, some make me think, some even make me mad. The final question…please share a book that has meant something to you, and tells why.
Just one? I can’t. Here are a few.
The Time Traveler’s Wife, by Audrey Niffenegger. Henry DeTamble, meets Clare when he is 28 and she is 20, but she meets him when she is 6. Henry is a time traveler, a sometimes delightful but usually unfortunate effect of a genetic condition he was born with. He is able to meet his future wife when she is still a child, allowing him to watch her grow up and allowing her to fall in love with him over the 14 years he visited her. He is able to meet himself as a child, mentoring him and teaching him how to survive with his unusual affliction. Despite the improbable story line, Niffenegger creates her characters and their predicament with such realism that the book is much more love story than fantasy.
Peace Like a River, by Leif Enger. This is Enger’s first novel, and it’s brilliant. He creates a narrator in the style of To Kill a Mockingbird’s Scout – eleven-year-old, asthmatic Reuben Land, who engages on a cross-country trip in an Airstream trailer with his father, who can perform miracles, and his kid sister, who sees life as a western epic poem, to find his brother, who has been unfairly charged with murder. It’s got something for everyone – comedy, tragedy, love story, adventure, heroic quest, spiritual revelation, and at times, western epic poem. Beautiful prose.
Year of Wonders, by Geraldine Brooks. An unusual premise for a novel, this is a story of a small town in England during the Black Plague, which quarantines itself when it discovers its community has been infected. The story is told through the eyes of Anna, a young mother and housemaid who is forced by circumstances to step out of her old roles, restricted by gender and class, and assume challenging responsibilities which change her and those around her. Impeccably researched.
Beloved, by Toni Morrison. Toni Morrison is one of the great authors of the 20th century. Beloved is her masterpiece. It is the story of Sethe, a slave who escaped slavery but is haunted (literally and figuratively) by its heritage and scarred (physically and emotionally) by its aftermath. But it is also the story of America, of a nation and a people scarred and haunted by the legacy of slavery. Incredibly symbolic. You must talk to someone about this novel after you read it in order to even begin to understand it.
The Passion, by Jeanette Winterson. The Passion is a mystical story of Henri, Napoleon's chicken cook, and Villanelle, the daughter of a Venetian boatman whose webbed feet carve a unique place for her in the canals of Venice. The magic realism and quirky characters alone are enjoyable, but the deeper commentary on gender identity and expectations are fascinating.
The God of Small Things, by Arundhati Roy. This novel by Indian author Roy is one of the most exquisitely written novels I think I've ever read. The narrative structure is daring... the story is told almost backwards, with event after event unfolding, foreshadowing and building to a violent climax. I learned so much about the Indian caste system and the oppression of the untouchables as well.
The Mists of Avalon, by Marion Zimmer Bradley. Her most famous novel, The Mists of Avalon is a retelling of the Camelot legend from the perspective of Morgan Le Fey, who is portrayed as the villain in the original story. The story transpires during the transformation of England from local paganistic and goddess worship religions to Christianity, and illustrates what that change meant for women. At 1000+ pages, the epic sweep of the novel just sucks the reader into a different world.
WEEK SEVEN: On Teaching & Learning
Since teaching is part of what I do for living, I thought it'd be interesting to hear your perspective on this topic, on this, "my week". Nonetheless, as much as I like teaching, I believe is learning what sets human kind apart from other species. So here's my questions on both topics:
- People learn in different ways. It's now commonly A common terminology for these learning styles has been developed since some time ago. And thus, we are thought to be visual, kinesthetic, or auditory. Each of these, having its particularities. What's your learning style? What do you like about it? What don't you like about it?
- What's the most useful thing you have learned that can be applied both, to your personal and to your profesional life?
- Good learners aren't always good teachers. I have the feeling that everyone in this group has become a pretty good teacher, some way or another. Can you share what's been the most useful thing you have ever taught? (To whom? Why?)
- This one question I got it from an interview to Mr. Obama I saw in ESPN a couple days ago. What's the best piece of advice you've ever gotten? Why?
- This question comes from the idealist in me... If there was one thing you wished everyone in this planet learned, what would it be?
BIANCA REGINA: Dreams, Youth and Possibilities
1. When you were young what did you envision your future to be? And as a follow up, how does it compare to where you eventually arrived?
At first, I wanted to become a doctor like my mother. Then, I wanted to become a singer. By and by, I realised that both of these paths required more devotion than I was prepared (or able?) to invest in them. Now I'm a psychotherapist which is sort of like a doctor. I don't sing enough, though.
2. If you could go back and become yourself at a certain time in life which time would you choose and why? And if you could only take one bit of knowledge or one trait you’ve gained as you’ve grown older (but not too old!), what would it be? And why again?
I have no desire to go back in my life. I sometimes go through memories of living in London, or travelling, or lovers, but I am also always aware that I was never as happy then as I am now. I hope that this will continue into the future!
Patients often mention that as a goal they have in therapy: I want to be the person I was 5 (10, 15) years ago! Apart from this being impossible, I have a hard time understanding this notion - although of course, I can relate to what they mean from their point of view. But really, why go back to a past you already know instead of working to shape a future you will like?
Maybe I've just been lucky, though, and my present is so good that I have little interest in the past. That, I'm aware, might well change in the future.
3. Were you a reader as a youth? If so, what kind of books did you read? Who were some of your favorite authors at the time?
I read a lot. In primary school, my friend and me had a contest to see who could get through the Leatherstocking Tales (including The Last Mohican) by J.F. Cooper. I have forgotten who won, but I do remember that I was thoroughly bored with all the descriptions of sunsets. But I did stick it out! Other than that, I was a huge fan of an Austrian author called Christine Nöstlinger - I still love her books and read them when I feel low.
I still make my way through difficult books and don't give up easily. My next project is to read Infinite Jest.
4. I’m wondering if there are any dreams you had which you did not achieve but are still working on, or hoping to achieve?
To have children with my husband - like I mentioned earlier, we have entered the adoption process and I am fairly confident that this dream will come true.
To write: a book, or a thesis, or maybe just an article. You can tell that's not a very thought-out dream...
To live in an English-speaking country with my family. I've made English a part of our lives: the husband and me watch Mad Men together, he has become interested in some of my books in English, we are members of SERVAS and have English-speaking visitors several times a year - but still, moving abroad doesn't appeal to him. Oh well.
5. Please share a book that has meant something to you, and tell us why.
Just one book? That's hard. One book that comes to mind is Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? We read it in school in the wonderful English course I had for the last three years before graduation. I thought the book was so funny and well-constructed, and I thoroughly enjoyed discussings its structure and the way the characters are set up with my teacher. It means something to me because not only was it fun, it was also the vehicle for thinking about literature in a different, more analytical way. So it wasn't just the book,it was all the talking we did about it in school that has changed the way I read to this day.
At first, I wanted to become a doctor like my mother. Then, I wanted to become a singer. By and by, I realised that both of these paths required more devotion than I was prepared (or able?) to invest in them. Now I'm a psychotherapist which is sort of like a doctor. I don't sing enough, though.
2. If you could go back and become yourself at a certain time in life which time would you choose and why? And if you could only take one bit of knowledge or one trait you’ve gained as you’ve grown older (but not too old!), what would it be? And why again?
I have no desire to go back in my life. I sometimes go through memories of living in London, or travelling, or lovers, but I am also always aware that I was never as happy then as I am now. I hope that this will continue into the future!
Patients often mention that as a goal they have in therapy: I want to be the person I was 5 (10, 15) years ago! Apart from this being impossible, I have a hard time understanding this notion - although of course, I can relate to what they mean from their point of view. But really, why go back to a past you already know instead of working to shape a future you will like?
Maybe I've just been lucky, though, and my present is so good that I have little interest in the past. That, I'm aware, might well change in the future.
3. Were you a reader as a youth? If so, what kind of books did you read? Who were some of your favorite authors at the time?
I read a lot. In primary school, my friend and me had a contest to see who could get through the Leatherstocking Tales (including The Last Mohican) by J.F. Cooper. I have forgotten who won, but I do remember that I was thoroughly bored with all the descriptions of sunsets. But I did stick it out! Other than that, I was a huge fan of an Austrian author called Christine Nöstlinger - I still love her books and read them when I feel low.
I still make my way through difficult books and don't give up easily. My next project is to read Infinite Jest.
4. I’m wondering if there are any dreams you had which you did not achieve but are still working on, or hoping to achieve?
To have children with my husband - like I mentioned earlier, we have entered the adoption process and I am fairly confident that this dream will come true.
To write: a book, or a thesis, or maybe just an article. You can tell that's not a very thought-out dream...
To live in an English-speaking country with my family. I've made English a part of our lives: the husband and me watch Mad Men together, he has become interested in some of my books in English, we are members of SERVAS and have English-speaking visitors several times a year - but still, moving abroad doesn't appeal to him. Oh well.
5. Please share a book that has meant something to you, and tell us why.
Just one book? That's hard. One book that comes to mind is Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? We read it in school in the wonderful English course I had for the last three years before graduation. I thought the book was so funny and well-constructed, and I thoroughly enjoyed discussings its structure and the way the characters are set up with my teacher. It means something to me because not only was it fun, it was also the vehicle for thinking about literature in a different, more analytical way. So it wasn't just the book,it was all the talking we did about it in school that has changed the way I read to this day.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
EDUARDO INFANTE: Dreams, Youth, and Possibilities
1. When you were young what did you envision your future to be? And as a follow up, how does it compare to where you eventually arrived?
When I was a kid, like all of you, I dreamed on being many things. Becoming an architect was one of them. Although that did not come as a surprise since my father is an architect himself, and ever since I was very young I remember going with him to dozens of construction sites. I mainly remember how captivated I could get on witnessing the progression of a construction work, where many buildings of many different shapes would rise from scratch. Talk about amusement as a little kid realizes the power of human creativity.
At different points, when I was a kid, I also wanted to be a zoologist. I was fascinated by the different shapes and kinds of species there were out there. I somehow liked to dream that one day I would be able to know as many of them as anyone could. I also wanted to be a doctor, which I guess puts me within the standard for any boy. The reason for this to happen is that I wanted to heal people.
Speaking of healing, I also wanted to become a priest. And this thought was there, somewhere in the back of my mind, for some good 10 years. The possibility of “healing people’s souls” and helping them getting to a higher stage in their existence was rather appealing, I must admit.
In all honesty, I did not give teaching much thought up until my days in college, when I realized that I had a gift to help my friends understanding tricky topics, as we would get together in study groups prior to writing exams. One given day, in these study marathons, Everardo, a good college buddy of mine, declared that I’d be teaching in ten years from now. He also said that I’d become a heck of a good teacher.
Ten years afterwards, I am a teacher. And I certainly hope I’m a good one.
2. If you could go back and become yourself at a certain time in life which time would you choose and why? And if you could only take one bit of knowledge or one trait you’ve gained as you’ve grown older (but not too old!), what would it be? And why again?
As much as I would love to say that going back to the summer of 1993, when I was 17, and ready to take a plane to Denver, Colorado, in order to start my year in Up With People is that time in life where I’d like to go back, it is not. I’d go three years back, to the fall of 1990, when I was getting into high school. In reality, I’d love to relive my years of high school, with the level of knowledge and, most importantly, with the level of self-confidence I have right now.
It’s funny, but I can bet that if you ask anybody who knows me from my years in high school, they will say that I was the self-assured, easy-going, merry-go-lucky, popular-and-enthusiastic kind of guy. They may also say that I had no trouble establishing bonds with others, or getting used to changing environments. And I wasn’t, on the surface.
Yet, if I could go back to those years in high school, I’d probably run for President (and not Vice President) of my school body. If I went back to my high school years, I would have given a second chance to playing soccer, even if I made a fool of myself. I would still be interested in getting good grades, but I’d be a little less obedient and role-model of a kid to my parents, just for the heck of it. And yes, I’d probably ask them out, and kiss the two or three girls that I never had the guts to kiss back then. (In reality, my first kiss – a real kiss with a girl - didn’t come until my time in Up With People)
3. Were you a reader as a youth? If so, what kind of books did you read? Who were some of your favorite authors at the time?
Yes, I was a reader when I was young. And I’m still a reader today. The kind of books that I read when I was a young kid, perhaps 5 or 6, was encyclopedias. The first encyclopedia I read was one on Animals. It was called Salvat’s Encyclopedia on Animals and Wilderness. A fabulous collection, I must say.
In question 1, I said I wanted to become a Zoologist at some point in my life. This encyclopedia on animals was one of the most important reasons why so.
A second reason was simply my natural curiosity on animal species. Bugs, spiders, ants, worms, birds, turtles, small snakes… you name it. (Well, not rats or mice. I hate those guys! I honestly do) I just had a innate inquisitiveness to get to know how these guys operated. Yes, that sometimes implied dissecting them, teasing them, and getting exposed to them a bit more that reasonable standards.
4. Are there any dreams you had which you did not achieve but are still working on, or hoping to achieve? What are they?
Becoming an explorer. Discovering the world. Spending more time out in the wilderness. Risking failure. Exposing myself to making a fool of myself.
I think that, as time has passed, I’ve lost most of that voyager spirit that I once used to have. (Believe it or not) Lately, I’ve been working on allowing myself the opportunity to do things I thought I’d never do. By doing this, I’ve also been encountering aspects of myself that were long gone, and with which I had not been in touch in years.
5. Please share a book that has meant something to you, and tells why.
Herman Hesse’s Demian. A book that literally changed my mind since I read it at about the same age that Emil Sinclair, the protagonist in this novel, had. And just like Sinclair, I was in a stage of life in which I was going from childhood to adolescence, and was discovering a whole new world that had been kept hidden to me for one reason or another.
When Emil Sinclair meets Max Demian, he begins destroying some of his strongest beliefs, just to find out that there’s a creating force in each and every one of us. That this creating force is out there, available to anybody. But only the ones who dare to destroy their known world are to enjoy it. Creation is thus preceded by destruction.
As Demian revolts against the superficial ideals of his world, he awakes into a realization of himself:
"Der Vogel kämpft sich aus dem Ei. Das Ei ist die Welt. Wer geboren werden will, muss eine Welt zerstören. Der Vogel fliegt zu Gott. Der Gott heisst Abraxas."
(The bird struggles out of the egg. The egg is the world. Whoever wants to be born, must first destroy a world. The bird flies to God. That God's name is Abraxas.)
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