Alone

I reach out and all I feel is an emptiness going deeper and deeper within.
There is nothing left of you, no feeling whatsoever.
What happened to those days, those days when you rocked my world, when I rocked your's.
You still want but I don't.
I dont want you in this way because it hurts so so much
I miss you, I miss you so so much
You may never get to know it
But I love you too. I really do.

I feel like I am taking an online class

I am taking an on campus class, but it feels like an online class, which is confusing to me. I drive to school every Monday and wednesday to do all the things i can do at home on my computer.
If i wanted a class where everything is done online, i would have taken an online class, but i signed up for an on campus class. Is this the New way of teaching now, or I am crazy! Tell me what you all think!

Here is a site that may ybe helpful

I hope this is helpful for everyone, if you don't know about it, here is a site that helps you with your bibliography, you only have to insert your info and it pts it together for you.....www.easybib.com.

Memnoch The Devil: Review

Recently, I've been reading Anne Rice books. I started with "Servant of the Bones" and am currently reading "Violin". Currently, I struggle to read this one because it was not as interesting to my bibliophile heart as Servant of the Bones or the book I will discuss in this post: "Memnoch the Devil".

Love him or hate him (I seem to do both), Lestat de Lioncourt makes an appearance as the narrator and protagonist of the story. It begins with him stalking (and eventually killing) one of his victims, a cocaine dealer and collector of religious artwork and relics named Roger. During this sub-conflict however, Lestat becomes aware of a presence in his midst, ever watchful of him.

This presence turns out to be the Devil, who approaches Lestat with a job offer: to take his place in Hell. The Devil, whom introduces himself as Memnoch, assures Lestat that he has a choice, and invites him to witness Heaven, the Creation, and Hell.

From this point, and throughout Lestat and Memnoch's discussions, it becomes clear that God and Memnoch have been embroiled in a dispute since the Creation, all of which is told through Memnoch's perspective. It is in this dispute that troubling notions concerning God, arise:

-Is God imperfect?
-Where did God come from?
-Did the Creation come about because God wanted to see how He had come into existence?
-Did God really suffer on the Cross as a man, or was He aware all along of what will happen in the end?

The book is a fascinating and interesting read, really forcing one to reconsider what is written in the Bible. Of course, because of certain concepts, the book was heavily criticized by fundamentalist Christians. As always, I never do know what to make of Lestat's character and personality. But if anyone is interested and are fans of Anne Rice's work, then please read Memnoch the Devil. It will not disappoint you.

Do you think that the arguing between Obama and Clinton is harming or helping both candidates?

With all of the mud slinging between these two candidates, do you think that this is going to make one look better than the other or just harm both of them in their race to be the democratic candidate for the presidential campaign?
I think it makes both of them look incapable. If you can’t make yourself look good by stating what you stand for, then how can you make someone else look bad? I believe they are hurting each other more than they know.

Challenges Of Taking Online Courses

I'm a 27 year old wife, mother, daughter, sister, and etc and I have a ton of duties and responsibilities throughout the week. The reason why I chose to take a couple of courses online was for the convenience of not having to attend an actual class on campus. I work full time and living here in Atlanta is quite difficult to get to an actual college campus after work hours due to traffic, having a dependable babysitter, and etc. We all have seen advertisement for Online Courses and to me, it looked very appealing, considering that I have a hectic schedule. I'm sure many students can agree that online courses is the greatest thing since slice bread. There are many institutes such as Devry and University of Phoenix that offers a variety of programs where students can learn and earn their degree at their own convenience. My experience with taking an online course has been quite challenging. I didn't realize that with attending an online course, there's an attendance policy. I thought the purpose of attending an online class was to work at your own pace and at your own time. I was wrong. I was quite disturbed about the attendance policy. If I was to attend an actual class on campus, I would have never made it to class on time and considering that this is my first time, I would have thought that my instructor would have been understanding but I was wrong. I stick to a certain motto. "You have to crawl before you walk" and that's just the same as a beginner of an online course. I'm sure with more practices and more online classes, everything will fall into place. Practice makes perfect and I'm a total advocate of that. With that said, Good luck to any and all of you who are attending online courses and I wish all of you the best on your future endeavor!

Who's hosting the blog this week?

Obviously Marisabel wouldn't be included in this rant, but for those of us that don't have to host the blog this week, let me know if you agree with me or not. If you're not obligated to host the blog, you are still required to sign in and post a response at least twice a week. It absolutely drives me crazy that only one student has posted something this week! I have to check back everyday to see when others will decide to post something I might be interested in commenting on. I know we are all on different schedules here, but the blog assignments should only be taking about 5 minutes each time you sign in to post something...instead it's taking me about 5 minutes per day just to see if anyone is going to give me something to comment on. Let me know what your thoughts are on my venting.

Movie Review: The Other Boleyn Girl

Whenever a book is made into a movie, there seems to be a predictable pattern that the book is always better. I had hopes that the movie would be up to par with the book, but these hopes were thoroughly dashed.

The movie was about two hours in length; but it really did not feel like I had spent two hours in a cinema. In short, it was an abridged, speeded-up version of Phillipa's book. One key feature they botched was that these historical events were being portrayed from Mary's point of view. Anne took over the limelight rather quickly.

They also discarded certain details central to the plot, I suspect it was because of certain sensitivities towards certain subjects (in the book George was both homosexual and had incestuous desires towards his sister, Anne).

One of my favorite features of the movies were the costumes. They were accurate, (although it must be said that those Tudor layers make Eric Bana seem to have more weight than he really has) and in accordance with the period.

Strangely enough, Thomas More, Cardinal Wolsey and Archbishop Cranmer were relatively minor figures in this movie, despite their involvement in England's break from the Church of Rome.

The "Atlanta" Tornado

This is a picture of the tornado that hit Atlanta last weekend taken by Shane Durrance. I have never seen anything like this. I got some rain and a little hail from the storm.

Have any of you experienced a tornado? If so, what was it like?

One more question: DID I MISS SPRING BREAK?

marriage

Many people say that a marriage where one spouse has at least a bachelor degree and the other not even had finish high school they can’t be really happy because in some point the one who didn’t finish high school see his/herself less. Are you agree with that?

Getting Inked

My 21st birthday is coming up in April, and my boyfriend, Scoot, is getting me a tattoo to celebrate the occasion; my first ever! I've wanted one ever since I was legal, but someone once told me to wait a year or two, and if I still wanted the same tattoo to go for it. Well, I did and I do. I'm getting a cross with roses on my lower back that was drawn and designed by my boyfriend. I'm thrilled by the prospect (Although, I have to actually wait a week after my birthday to get it since I'm going on a beach vacation with my dad, and he would KILL me!) Do any of you have tattoos? What is your opinion of them? Are they trashy or sexy? A great way of representing yourself or a horrible, scarring mark on your body?

Irresponsible?

"Whatever you think of NASA, they know how to put on a light show," said an anonomus radio announcer.

It was pitch black before ignition, only three small lights and the flash of a radio tower across the waterway. Then, with the brighteness of the sun, the flame errupted from the launch pad. The reflection spread across the water until we were engulfed in the light of a dawn. The shuttle rose slowly. Gaining speed it disappeared into the clouds as a rock would into the pond. The orange glow in the clouds remained for a moment, growing dimmer as the ship left earth. Suddenly, to our suprise, the roar and the rumble arrived. As silence fell, there was the light of a thousand brake lamps, as everyone started up A1A.

I stayed in Flordia two extra days after spring break to watch this slice of history. Does that make me irresponsible?

Special Thanks to my wife, Monica, for the exceptional photo!

The Existence Of God

There are two types of men, those who are afraid to lose God, and those who are afraid that they might find Him…
--Blaise Pascal, philosopher and scientist

St. Thomas Aquinas proposed five proofs in which humans can use natural reason to prove the existence of God through extrinsic evidence. Through the use of natural reason we can logically conclude in the existence of God.

First Way: The Argument From Motion

St. Thomas Aquinas, studying the works of the Greek philsopher Aristotle, concluded from common observation that an object that is in motion (e.g. the planets, a rolling stone) is put in motion by some other object or force. From this, Aquinas believes that ultimately there must have been an UNMOVED MOVER (GOD) who first put things in motion. Follow the agrument this way:

1) Nothing can move itself.

2) If every object in motion had a mover, then the first object in motion needed a mover.

3) This first mover is the Unmoved Mover, called God.

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Second Way: Causation Of Existence

This Way deals with the issue of existence. Aquinas concluded that common sense observation tells us that no object creates itself. In other words, some previous object had to create it. Aquinas believed that ultimately there must have been an UNCAUSED FIRST CAUSE (GOD) who began the chain of existence for all things. Follow the agrument this way:

1) There exists things that are caused (created) by other things.

2) Nothing can be the cause of itself (nothing can create itself.)

3) There can not be an endless string of objects causing other objects to exist.

4) Therefore, ther must be an uncaused first cause called God.

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Third Way: Contingent and Neccessary Objects

This Way defines two types of objects in the universe: contingent beings and necessary beings. A contingent being is an object that can not exist without a necessary being causing its existence. Aquinas believed that the existence of contingent beings would ultimately neccesitate a being which must exist for all of the contingent beings to exist. This being, called a necessary being, is what we call God. Follow the argument this way:

1) Contingent beings are caused.

2) Not every being can be contingent.

3) There must exist a being which is necessary to cause contingent beings.

4) This necessary being is God.

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Fourth Way: The Agrument From Degrees And Perfection

St. Thomas formulated this Way from a very interesting observation about the qualities of things. For example one may say that of two marble scultures one is more beautiful than the other. So for these two objects, one has a greater degree of beauty than the next. This is referred to as degrees or gradation of a quality. From this fact Aquinas concluded that for any given quality (e.g. goodness, beauty, knowledge) there must be an perfect standard by which all such qualities are measured. These perfections are contained in God.

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Fifth Way: The Agrument From Intelligent Design

The final Way that St. Thomas Aquinas speaks of has to do with the observable universe and the order of nature. Aquinas states that common sense tells us that the universe works in such a way, that one can conclude that is was designed by an intelligent designer, God. In other words, all physical laws and the order of nature and life were designed and ordered by God, the intellgent designer.

http://members.aol.com/plweiss1/aquinas.htm

Do you side with his arguments? If not not which can you disprove. I agree with the the first four proofs, but the fifth seems to be a matter of opinion and can be refuted.

Onlne-Classes or On-Campus Classes

This is the first online class I have taken in my illustrious college career. There are many advantages to taking a class online, but I am not completely sold on them. It is more time consuming than attending a class, yet it allows you to work at your pace, and on your schedule.
Attending class allows you to get the assistance from classmates, as well as, your instructor, but you must attend classes four days a week, at most, and fight traffic and weather conditions.

Which method of learning do you like best?

Personality Test

I found this personality test online which gave me pretty accurate results on my personality. Here's the link, http://www.bored.com/drawthings/

Try it out and let me know if you feel your results were as accurate as mine.
P.S you don't have to be Picasso to get good results.
:)

Evangelism

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c94b1_dx9Q8
It is estimated that their are 80m christian evangelists in the United States, of which about 30m turn out for a vote in elections. It has been said that if they turn out to the polls, the election will be ultimately decided by this group of people. Many evangelists will speak about "retaking" the United States back to GOD. It is true that children in evangelistic christianity, along with fundamental islam and judaism are especially targeted. Becky Fisher said "They(children) are so useable in christianity." What she means is that children will easily believe anything their parents or pastors or superiors tell them. Therefor they grow up with cemented views of reality or lack thereof and narrowed minded aspirations and morals according their to religious group. The video I posted on top is a documentary. There are 9 parts all of which you should watch. This video alarms me, and reinforces the idea that these delusions of reality especially in children are most effective in political causes or a conservative political system. Many are staunch supporters of President George Bush(and might be the last of his supporters) and tend to violate the important statement made out my the countries founders of "seperation of church and state." Theologians have been trying to implement idealogies(intelligent design) into our secular school system, even the president suggested it. They speak about political canidates in church which should inturn take their privaledge of tax exemptions away, however that is rarely done. Many speak about how Bush has some kind of divinity and has done right by invading the heretic state of Iraq. Do you think the American Republican Party has been overtaken by fundamentalism or visa versa? Could you find examples of this type of society in other parts of the world?

Horoscopes & Fortune Cookies

I have never been one to believe in superstitions and myths. There is one question that always get me thinking though. When I read the paper, I come across the horoscope page and read mine just for fun. Somehow, there is always some truth in what it says that pertains to my life. The same thing is true with fortune cookies. They always are relevant to something going on. I think its because they give pretty broad predictions/statements about life in general that can apply to many situations. Does anyone have a creepy experience with any of this?

Death Myth

Last time's writer/myth challenge was creation myths. This time the theme is: how Death came to exist.

Have fun!

(Note: The LFG [Looking for Group] page has nothing to do with this. I just like Richard!)

Here's my Death myth, ABRIDGED.

The Story of Enoch and the Two Women

Enoch was the first male human, and therefore the oldest of his race, and his wife was Ramaela, the first woman.

One day, the Iluvatar, whom was Lord Sovereign of the Cosmos and Universe, decided to test Mankind's sense of prejudice and how deep it ran. Therefore, he sent two women, Vitae and Shine' to test the Father of Man, Enoch.

In the passing of a month, they arrived at his dwelling and presented themselves as gifts from the Iluvatar. However there was one condition: Enoch could only choose one. "Just the one and she will remain with you forevermore and evermore."

"I will think on this. Give me three days and a night."

The problem was that both women were equally beautiful, like twin pearls from the same oyster.

Vitae's skin was dark like light chocolate, and her green eyes were emeralds. Her hair was a light brown, braided and nearly reaching her hips. She wore robes of white.

Shine' on the other hand, was paler than snow, her hair and lips the color of blood while her eyes seemed the depths of Sheol. Her hair went to down to her hips and she wore robes of green.

There was a problem however: as Enoch had also put the matter to his people, there came to be instances where some preffered Shine' and others Vitae. It reached the extent that hands exchanged coins in favor of Shine'; for these individuals thought Vitae's skin an abhorrent color. Had they known the truth, they might have reconsidered their choice; for Shine' and Vitae were Life and Death personified.

In the end, Shine' was chosen as Enoch's second wife, and it was thus that Man gained mortality, forevermore and evermore.

Homework

I hate homework. I hear this all the time from everyone, I doubt that there are anyone out there that enjoys doing it. I usually do well on the tests and quizzes but when it came to homework I usually forget to do it. So my grade dropped from what could be an A or B to a C or D. Anyone else think homework shouldn't be mandatory and only for those that would like to get a better understanding of the subject they're studying.

Midterms

With mid-terms only days away, I find that I am unsure of how to feel. I believe I have been doing ok but don't really know what this is going to be link. The funny thing is that I was always the A student in high school, I never really thought about things like this. Things changed for me though when you think that this is going to set the stage for the rest of our lives. I mean that is why we are all here right.

An unspoken love

A couple of weeks ago, I received a phone in 1 a.m. It was a man voice and I heard that he asked for Anh Thu, I have 3 younger sisters with the same first name, Thu, and different middle name. It was me but I couldn't recognize whose voice. I was still sleeping, but when he said his name, I woke up suddenly. I couldn't believe that was him, the guy I was in love 15 years ago. His name is Tuong Nguyen.

He and I were talking for an hour, an hour was not enough for many years we were apart. He asked for my information since I left Vietnam and I called to Vietnam to ask for his phone numbers and address. He moved since I left. I was quite disappointed for 2 years seeking his news. I moved on.

Living in a small and feudal town, we had no chance to talk to each other. It was a reputation if I talked alone with him. We only could give each other a look everytime we passed by each other. We even went to the same school but no friends between a guy and a girl. He knew that I was leaving to the United States but he dared not to close to me and tell me a farewell word.

He was silently watching me from far away on the day I left the hometown. My eyes were red and he looked so sad. He waived from the far. I nobed my head imply that I will write you a letter, please wait for me. I did not know that he left a the day after then. I was crying when my friend told me that news. He did not wait for me.

Days after days, his picture become memory and I almost forgot about it. His phone call pulled me back to our memories. Everything has changed, he is married and has a 3 years old son.

We talked and blamed that why we were born and grew up in a backward country, where human thoughts are still weak and lack of knowledge.

The past is now memories, I am so glad I still can have him as a friend.

Kathy Pham

Power of Goodbye

Your heart is not open, so I must go
The spell has been broken, I loved you so
Freedom comes when you learn to let go
Creation comes when you learn to say no

You were my lesson I had to learn
I was your fortress you had to burn
Pain is a warning that something's wrong
I pray to God that it won't be long
Do you wanna go higher?

There's nothing left to try
There's no place left to hide
There's no greater power than the power of goodbye

Learn to say goodbye
I yearn to say goodbye

George Bush is the worst President ever!

The statement was mentioned if George Bush knew that gas prices in some cities were almost $4.00. He responded," really, I hadn't heard that", how can anyone especially an oil Barron like George Bush act as if there is nothing going on in the world except the war in Iraq. I cannot wait until he is out of office. If we have another President that is not sensitive to the American people and what our troubles are then we are in a lot of trouble. I would like to hear my peers thoughts on whether a President should be sensitive or insensitive to the American people state of economic distress.

B

Why do we complaint so much????

Today, while I was at work, I thought about something. I started to think about how my life would be without my job. I always complaint of how tire and unhappy I am because I want more money, too much work etc. Then I saw myself seating at home just watching TV and eating and I came to the conclusion that we need a job to keep us going day in and day out. We all need a reason to wake up in the morning and fight to reach our goals. What you guys think about that???. You think we all need a reason to wake up in the morning to make our lives happier??.

Not Enough Boleyn Movies

Finally! "The Other Boleyn Girl" is out, and it's a movie I'm looking forward to watching (I'm already reading the book). Judging from what I've read so far (Up to "Summer 1523"), it shows promise.

And while Elizabeth I is one of my favorite historical figures, I am much more intrigued in her mother, Anne Boleyn. Besides, there just never seem to be enough Anne Boleyn movies (somehow I don't think "Anne of the Thousand Days" made it to the big screen) and even less of her sister, Mary.

Thus, that they've decided to make a movie out of this book is a blessing. Going on, there don't seem to be many Henry VIII-centric movies in existence (there is a TV series called "The Tudors" though...).

Anyhow, I'll be sure to post a review after watching this movie

Let's find out who we are

Spring Break and no work!

Here are a few fun tests:

http://www.gazm.org/ptest/WhatBloggerAreYou.aspx

http://intp.org/tests.html

My first day as a contractor at Bellsouth in 1997, I had everyone take the Kingdomality test and post the results on their cube.

I love all of the Jungian tests.

And, yes, somewhere along the way, I've taken the lipstick test.

Take a few and tell us your results!

I'll do the same tomorrow.

Good Grammar

Are you aware March 4th is National Grammar Day? I learned this on an amusing and interesting site http://spogg.org/ . Do you have an anecdote of good or bad usage of the language? The humorous are preferred, and don't use my contributions to this blog as an example!
Recently I complimented a colleague on her pronunciation of February. She explained how proud she was of her efforts to always use the language correctly. We had just met, but it allowed for immediate professional respect. So many people in the work place speak poorly, this simple gesture made a difference. Good grammar does matter.