Silent Sunday #39

21 September 2014

silent sunday

Silent Sunday #39

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Confessions of a 3rd Year Uni Student! - Week #2

20 September 2014

Confessions of a Third Year Student

Confessions of a 3rd Year Uni Student! - Week #2

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Second week of university has quickly gone by. Is it just me, or has this week just been so long and exhausting. Truthfully, the way I week last week is exactly how I feel this week; that I've been in school for at least a month!
It is insane the amount of the things I've learnt over the past two weeks. In fact, two of my classes - Human Origins and Human Osteology - is all new stuff I am learning. Literally all about bones, their functions, their locations, what joints they are connected to, what movements they do... everything. It is soo new to me, that I feel so behind in comparison to the other students. I honestly sit in class absorbing everything that is being taught so quickly in class. Then, in tutorial I try to apply what I've learnt but, find myself making mistakes and mixing concepts up. However, this doesn't seem to happen to some of the other students... They seem to know a lot ... a lot more than I do.
So what am I doing? I am literally sitting my ass down for hours reading and reading, making notes upon notes.. and I just feel like memorizing definition won't help me. I'm been thinking about purchasing a study human skeleton in order to actually practice and know how some of the bones look like that so that I am familiar with them for the bell ringers. Yes, my tests consists of bell ringers unfortunately... it's just too much.
Anyways, besides those two courses, there is this one prof who is teaching my introduction to archaeology course, and honestly she makes me regretting enrolling into that course! First of all, I know I should cut her some slack because this is her first time teaching, but still... there is still an expectation of standards for the way teachers should teach. But, the way she is teaching the course is honestly so unorganized. On Monday, she decided to waste our hour by giving us a preview of what the upcoming lectures were going to be about... Then, she asked us to watch a video for Wednesday class which was suppose to be about Scientific Method... but then the prof asked us to watch a video (which was 2 hours long) for Wednesday's class focusing on the scientific method. However, the video about Intelligent Design...But on then on class on Friday we learnt about Evolution. Like.. there is no structure to the class.. it is annoying.
But, I did spend a lot of time in the library this week. Whether it was either staying ahead, or even keeping up, I think it is insane about the amount of readings I am bombarded with. I am just exhausted and I really think I need to start making my lunch the night before instead of the morning of. I'm starting to be that student who walks into class late. 

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Turn the Tables

19 September 2014

Faith

Turn the Tables

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Today's post reading: Luke 6:1-49 (ESV)

Today is the 6th day of the 16 day plan in my journey of reading, reflection and responding to what the bible says about love. If you'd like to follow alone, join HERE and perhaps start your own journey! Ready to go on this journey with me? Well then, let's get started!

I'll admit anytime as I am not ashamed of this - I am someone who constantly puts others before me. Why? Well, no I am actually not a push over (anymore), I've learnt what my limits are, and I've learned right from wrong. But is more about me being okay with this attribute because I know how hard it is to find someone good now a days.  I'm not talking about people who are the true definition of good; I'm talking about having a good heart.

We all have that one friend who is just selfish and malicious. Everything has to be done their way, or else you have to face the wrath of their self-pity party or even the social exclusion from them. These, are the type of people I do not ever want to surround myself with, ever again. Why? Because they bring the worst out of us... you know that saying, "You are who your friends are". If I am secretly disliking someone who treats me so badly, what will others see me when I stand behind this so-called friend when they are hurting others?

So instead of being that person is peoples lives, I choose to be the good friend. The friend who will talk to you until 2am because you and your boyfriend got into a fight, the friend who will never drink at a party because I know you will, the friend who will always want the best for you, and the friend who will want to push you to do your best. This is exactly who I am attaining to be everyday, to be a good influence for not only my friends, but for my sister. Now that she is living away, it is of course hard to give her advice when I don't see what she is doing, but the great thing about sisters is that we always talk.

So, let me guess what your thinking. "okay, we get it Vanessa, you're a good friend to your family and your friends. That's easy." And, your right. It is extremely easy to love and care for those who has been apart of you since forever. But, it is easier said than done when it comes to those who've hurt you in the past.

"But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and you reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Luke 6: 35

I've said it already, why would you want to surround yourself around those who bring the worst out of you? I know I don't. Some characteristics people display is truly ugly, and I honestly want no part of it. So why does god as us to stay away from our enemies? He doesn't necessarily want us to ignore them, thats for sure. But, in modern terms, "be the bigger person".

Everything we do has a consequence, whether it is a good consequence, or even a bad one. But, there is always something that comes out of our actions. If we retaliate against out enemies, of course their reaction is to do the same thing. This is what creates "fights" between friends who decide to just "get back at each other" instead of working things out. Speaking from personal experience, the fight will continue on and on that you eventually forget why you guys were fighting in the first place...

What He is saying here in the quote is an honest test to see what we do with the abundance of love He has given to us. Are we sharing it with specific people, and sharing none with others? Or are we sharing it with everyone? Just as everything has a consequence, good choices do to. And sharing our love with others will always return back to you in one shape or another. Whether it is through the simple act of someone holding the door for you when you're carrying heavy textbooks, or someone helping you carry your stroller down the escalator, or someone physically taking care of you in the hospital bed, love is one of the most powerful feelings that truly makes us all feel better about ourselves. Love from others is a true testament of the kind of character you are, and how God's love is affecting us.

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#tbt That Time I Went To L.A.

18 September 2014

personal

#tbt That Time I Went To L.A.

Back in the summer of 2011, my family and I decided to join the rest of my mother's family for a little reunion in beautiful Los Angeles! It has been a while since I've been reunited with my cousins since the my Lola's funeral. In fact, prior to this summer I am thinking about to, I've been with my mother's side only a few times - a few times when I was a baby baby (so, I obviously don't remember), then for my Lolo's funeral, and then my Lola's funeral. So... I guess it is safe to say that prior to 2011, the only time I remember being with that side of the family was for sad reasons.
But for this summer, our family decided to just see each other for the summer! This trip was 3 summers ago, and truthfully, I don't remember every little thing that happened. Although, I do remember the happiness and all other emotions I felt during that trip with my family. Good thing I have a lot of pictures to share with you all. You know the saying - A picture is worth a thousand words!
P.S. if you were confused about some of the pictures, we actually went to L.A., Hollywood and Las Vagas! 

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I Am Easily Annoyed!

17 September 2014

Confessions

I Am Easily Annoyed!

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Truthfully, I get soooo annoyed at the littlest things people do whenever in life in general. But, I am usually always able to tolerate these people as I know that whatever they are doing will eventually stop. However, never  have I ever experienced such an annoyance from this girl who sat beside me in one of my classes yesterday. Before I continue, I want to say no offence to anyone else who does this.
Okay. So in a lecture obviously people can either take notes the fashion way, or type out their notes from their laptops/ipads, whatever. I personally like to take notes on my laptop, only because my penmanship is not as legible as it used to be back in high school, especially when I am rushing to write something important that the prof is explaining that isn't on the slides. It is literally all chicken scratches... (hmm.. being a doctor could be my future).
But anyways, when I type, I tend to talk to myself about win my head as I'm typing. Get it? Okay. So the same things goes for when the prof is talking and I am just typing whatever he/she says. Makes sense? Yes. Okay, so obviously this process takes focus and concentration and the moment I'm distracted, I could easily lose my train of thought or even write the other thing I am thinking about. Following me so far? Okay...
The girl I sat beside yesterday also took notes on her laptop, like most of the other students. But, this girl was like mad at her laptop or something. Like I literally mean that this girl was typing so angrily, which made her keyboard SOOOO loud. It and seriously annoyed me. 

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I kept losing my train of thought because the sound of my keyboard and her keyboard were meshing at the same time, and my head was getting confused whether or not I wrote down my thoughts or not. It was just extremely frustrating.
It was so loud to the point where the other girl beside her asked her to type a little more quiet. Of course, I could have asked the same thing... but I think that's weird because you can't really control the way you type on your own laptop...  I don't know. But it was just so annoying to me and I guess that one other person. But other people didn't to mind. Maybe it was because I sat beside her so it sounded much louder than it really was? I'm not sure.. but what about you? Are you annoyed when others around you type LOUDLY in a quiet environment? I'm actually curious if I'm alone on this. 

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Most People Don't Know This But...

16 September 2014

blog challenge

Most People Don't Know This But...

Most people don't know but I'm actually okay with being alone. No, before you get ahead of yourself, I'm not antisocial, in fact I love the company of others in different situations.
But when I talk about being alone I actually mean a lot of different things. For one, I am actually okay with walking down the hallways of school alone without someone to walk with, or walk late into a classroom, travel alone, or even be in a class without a friend. I'm actually okay with this believe it or not. I do have to admit, at first I was terrified about being alone - terrified about what others would think about me, or how others would see me.
Actually, as I write this I'm thinking about what changed my perception to feel this way? I think it has a lot to do with myself actually, especially the way I see myself. I used to be very harsh towards myself, towards the way I look, my body or even the way I laugh... Then, surrounding myself with positive people who actually encouraged me to see myself in a positive light, helped me become more comfortable with myself.
With this new sense of confidence, I was able to become confident not only in myself, but with whom I present myself to others. I really don't care if I am in a lecture hall sitting alone... the point of me taking that class is not to look cool, but it's for me to learn about something I'm interested in. It is these little alterations in my thoughts that actually made me comfortable with myself today, and I hope this will encourage others to hopefully learn to be okay about being alone. It takes time, but it i worth it! 

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What It Was Like Growing Up With Two Backgrounds!

15 September 2014

blog challenge

What It Was Like Growing Up With Two Backgrounds!

Before some of you readers get mad at the title of this blog post, you must know now that I am talking from the experience of growing up... so when I was much more younger and pretty much didn't know anything.

Anyways, for those of you who didn't already know, yes, I am mixed child. My mother was born in the Philippines while my dad was born in Sri Lanka. Making me half Filippina and half Sri Lankan. I know, crazy isn't it? Even until now, I usually get a mixed reaction from people when I tell them, ranging from "oh wow that's amazing!" to "well that sounds random." Yes, I've experienced it all. 

But, looking back at my past, I'm actually ashamed of the way I felt about having two backgrounds. I never really understood why I was "stuck" with two backgrounds, but I clearly remember always wanting to avoid the question whenever people were talking about they background.

I think it stems from the fact of what kind of elementary school I went to - it was literally dominated by white people; mostly Portuguese people. So, basically almost 99% of the students in my elementary school literally had only one background. So, whenever it was the first day of school and the teachers were asking questions about us, and each student had to answer the questions in front of everyone, then when it was my turn, I always saw the confusion on peoples faces whenever I told them.

Then I would have to explain how my mom had a Filipino friend who was dating one of my dad's Sri Lankan friends, and that couple set up a blind date for both my mother and father; and taxa that's how they met.

*****

But then when I went to high school, and met so many different people from so many different backgrounds, I actually gained this confidence about who I am. I was actually no longer ashamed to talk about where I was from. In fact, I began to embrace it and surprisingly, others actually found it quite beautiful. Which, I agree. I find others who are of mixed backgrounds to be absolutely beautiful!

Turns out I was ashamed of nothing. Mixed children are actually very beautiful. Not trying to seem cocky, but those are usually the compliments I receive before others find out that I am a mixed breed. 

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