Applied Learning

You know, I wouldn't mind learning as much if it were all immediately applicable. As much as I love history, a good portion of the facts we digest are not applicable to our everyday lives, or we are unable to see the benefit of knowing these facts...well, this week I have already learned a great deal about how things came to be as they are now...and I LOVE that!

Example: In my Civil War and Reconstruction class today (with Dr. Lamkin who is absolutely the best!!), we were discussing the slave culture in the antebellum (pre-war) South. Dr. Lamkin is very much a professor who loves to have us learn in non-mundane ways, and today was no exception. We listened to spirituals, and also were each given a different spiritual to read and evaluate the text (they often used songs as code for escaping...fascinating!); he also played for us a folk tale about Brer Rabbit...it was so fun! Anyway, we discussed how each slave, on average, lost 11 family members throughout their lifetime, due to being sold, sickness, etc. So, because of that, the slaves would regard one another as family, and would call eachother uncle, aunt, brother, sister, etc. That was one of the ways they sustained themselves through this tumultuous time...well, it occured to me that in African-American churches, for example, everyone is "Brother" or "Sister"...and it all made sense! That is a part of their culture that has remained, and I thought that was so cool! I never understood where that came from, besides from being the family of God...but I love learning things like that! :)

In my Medieval Europe class we have been talking about Rome, and about the early church and the persecution thereof. Today it occured to my group, after reading our document which was a letter from Pliny to the emperor, that the church today in America is incredibly comfortable, incredibly blessed and totally lucky...we have no idea what it is to be persecuted for our faith, which is sad...you never really know what something, or someone, means to you until it is taken from you...

Anyway...Mike thinks that he is going to swim in the Pacific Ocean when he is out here...I said that HE could, but I am not joining him. I have never, even in summer, swam in that ocean because it is so cold. When I was in Boston last summer, the Atlantic Ocean was warmer there than I have ever felt the Pacific. But, Mike, go for it! I'll just get a tan while you freeze! :)

Alright, nothing else really to post today...check out Mike's blog (link on the left) as it has been even more interesting than usual this past week. :)

Oh--roommate date next week...who are they going to set me up with?! Scary thought!! :)