My Independent Study in Music (With Videos!)

Transferring to Prescott College was a big change for me. Before coming here, I had only studied music and German. Throughout my entire life, I had never considered being anything but a singer (whether it be musical theater, folk, or opera) and, in my last year of music school, a music teacher. I invested so much time and energy in my music education, starting voice lessons at age eleven and attending Interlochen Arts Academy and Westminster Choir College. So when I suddenly stopped wanting voice and music education for my career path, I took a year off, spent that year in Germany, and reevaluated what was important to me, and how I wanted to make a difference in the world.

It became clear to me that my priority was actually the environment. Luckily, I had already heard of Prescott College, and quickly decided that it was a perfect fit for me. But after a year without music, I felt I was ready to return to it, just on a much smaller scale. I decided to make Music Education my breadth, and continue my studies on my own terms.

Prescott College has many wonderful, fantastic classes and programs, but unfortunately it does not have music. This obviously makes studying Music Education difficult! Luckily I attend an institution that values self-directed learning, and I was able to do an independent study this semester in choral conducting. This semester, I conducted a choir of eighteen people, and it was challenging and rewarding and beautiful. After so many years of singing, I was in front of the choir for the first time, and I learned every step of the way. And on Friday, we gave a fantastic performance with over 100 people in the audience.

Prescott College is a unique institution. It offers small class sizes, excellent professors, and wonderful, specialized areas of study that prepare its graduates for bright, meaningful futures. If enough students have the will to make it happen, we could have music classes, too! Some people thought I was out of my mind to try and make this independent study happen, but I did and it was extremely successful. Prescott College students are strong-willed and passionate, and can do just about anything if they put their mind to it. If you want a class that doesn’t exist here, try to make it happen! Send emails, barrage professors, recruit your friends. If I can get eighteen Prescott College students with completely different schedules to volunteer for a choir… you can make it happen, too.

A word of advice to high-school students: Be open-minded and consider all your options. I was so convinced that I knew exactly what I wanted to do for the rest of my life that I didn’t even consider anything else. Consequently, I didn’t pay much attention in my science classes, for example, because I didn’t think I would ever need that information again… and now my competence is Environmental Policy. You never know what surprises life may hand you, and it’s wise to keep all your options open. Soak up as much knowledge as you can! You might never need it again, but it will only contribute to your education as a human being. It can’t hurt to understand how photosynthesis works, even if you may never need to know it again.

 

 

 

 

 

The Semester of Independent Studies (dun dun DUNNNN!): AKA Time- and Stress- Management

Well, sometimes, life just happens. And when it does, there are two realistic options: sit back and do nothing, or get moving and do something. Me…I’m the “do something” kind of woman. It is hard for me to not have a back-up plan lined up (or several) when the road of life starts getting bumpy.

Due to a number of factors, I will not be able to participate in on-campus courses offered by the college. After nearly two weeks of juggling huge decisions, I decided that I would take a Leave of Absence from the college to pursue a full-time job. I filled out the application and had one of three meetings done. Then, in a stroke of enlightened genius, I had a great idea: I wanted to make my whole semester Independent Studies courses so that I could still work full-time.

After confirming this with my supervisors, I knew that it was possible! All I had to do was get my advisor on board. When I did set up an appointment with my awesome advisor (Grace Burford), she was excited and expressed how confident she was in my capabilities to be self-directed and motivated. But, she did say I needed to talk to the Dean first…and talk with him I did. Our Dean is super understanding, and after explaining my situation and needs to him, he became very supportive.

Also, after speaking with another amazing woman (Gret Antilla), we figured that I could combine my previously enrolled in education courses (Authentic Assessment and Curriculum Design) into a hybrid course that approaches both of these individual courses through an Expeditionary Learning perspective. This works for me and my graduation requirements because I am not enrolled in the Teacher’s Certification program in Education. We confirmed our idea with the Director of Education and we got the green light!

As you can imagine, all that has led to and has become this is fairly stressful…for anyone! This situation has forced me to be extremely attentive to my time management and stress management skills and practice. So, this is kind of what this article is about; the pressures of time and stress on creating Independent Studies (or college life in general).

Creating an Independent Study is just like creating your own course; you need to have everything in order! With the help of your advisor, you work together to create a course description, a list of assignments (including an optional tentative schedule), a method of evaluation, you determine whether the course will be Lower- or Upper-Division, you decide whether or not to make it Writing Emphasis, and you supply a tentative bibliography. This will go through at least one more draft, so make sure to leave time for that! Thankfully, I have already created an IS (Independent Study) for this Fall 2012 semester, and I know my way around the contract. Still, I have about a week to get an IS done for my Winter 2013 block, and then maybe two weeks to get my hybrid IS done before the Spring 2013 semester starts. And, this is all going on while this semester is coming to a close and I’m trying to complete portfolios for other classes.

To deal with the strict time constraints I have to work with, I have a planner.

 

This planner is no ordinary planner. I color code everything. Also, sticky notes are wonderful tools in helping me to pay attention to very important, upcoming deadlines. I use fluorescent highlighters to color code different categories: 1) Yellow is for Health & Wellness, 2) Orange is for Special Events, 3) Pink is for School, 3) Blue is for Other, and 3) Purple (now Green) is for Work. Bright sticky notes are also used. My life is reflected in my planner and I feel lost and unorganized without it. It is a method that has worked for me since middle school and I plan to use it the rest of my life.

Recently, I have figured out that technology is also wonderful for organizing time. I frequently put alerts onto my iPhone to remind me of things, and cross-check my information with calendars on Facebook and websites.

Time management at college depends on communication. I learned very quickly (early in life), that communication is key. Part of time management revolves around the time other people have organized for themselves. If you have a question, idea, or want to work something out quickly, check with the professor or administrators! Let them know what’s going on early so that you both can quickly schedule a time to meet with each other and go over a plan of action. This ends up being a fairly off-putting experience for the both of you because it puts you both through extra (and definitely unnecessary!) stress.

This brings me to my next topic: stress management.

Stress happens. Actually, stress is a reaction to the stuff happening around us; we can choose to be stressed or not. But, if you’re like me (broke, independent from parents, a student, working two jobs, etc.) succumbing to stress and anxiety is my initial reaction.  No it is not ideal, but that’s the way it happens (and, believe me, I have been working hard to change that).

Everyone deals with their stress differently. My sister ignores it…don’t do that, it’s not healthy. My mom goes out with girlfriends or coworkers. My little brother plays outside. My dad exercises. I, primarily, don’t even know how to deal with stress when I first allow it to be my reaction. I get very overwhelmed and usually end up having to physically exhaust myself out of it (swimming, running, or simply crying it all out), before I can rationally analyze my situation.

But, as I said, I have been getting better at this.

Recently, I’ve started to incorporate yoga and meditation. When something is really bothering me and I don’t trust myself to speak to someone about it just yet, I write in my journal. I call my mom and family a lot…that helps exponentially. Finally, I have a small (but wonderful) family here that helps me to decompress and relieve stress. My boyfriend is amazing. He’s supportive and listens well, and he gives great advice. He’s also very helpful at assisting me in creating a plan of action. His daughter is fourteen, and we get along well. When either or both of us are stressed, we cook a great meal together and then sit down to watch and episode or two of Glee (and usually belt the songs out with the cast). Sometimes, we sit down and create crafts together (the last couple of days we made Holidays cards). In our house, we also have a designated “Wellness Room” which is only used for reading, studying, mediation, art and yoga. Then, I have my dog, Orion.

 

This little (he’s actually about 50 pounds) dog is a great stress reliever. He’s always down to cuddle and loves to be petted. Taking him for walks helps reduce my stress and gets him to reduce his energy.
Other ways in which I “solo cope” are by reading, painting, or drawing. Baking and cooking are also wonderfully stress-relieving for me because I associate them with family, warm and fuzzy feelings, community, and good times. And, when I just don’t want to do anything constructive to relieve my stress, I’ll buy ice cream and watch a hilarious movie (Adam Sandler and Will Farrell are my go-to actors).

As I said, there are many ways to reduce stress…you just need to find what works for you.

A final piece; it always helps to have a mantra. I have a few:
1)      My mom tells me often to “Be strong”. In the face of adversity, I whisper this to myself often.
2)      “Trust and let go.” This one is written on things I frequently look at (my phone and planner, for instance).
3)      Finally, there’s another one from my mom “Everything happens for a reason.” Yes, yes it does. And it ALWAYS turns out better than it was when it all began.

So…take heart in knowing that you are not alone!

Also, please take the measures (as a current or future student) to manage your time wisely and make the time to reduce any stress or anxiety you feel.

 In Peace,

Angelica R. Brady 12.11.12

 

Collection of Masterpieces

 

A splash of color and spectrum of absolute awesome. We painted on the floor, we painted on paper, we painted on each other. Perfect timing for the Tuesday night Art Jam. Just a night, but this night was spiraled up into a mix of artistic expression that rushed forth from many an outlet...laughing and creating while others jammed out with the guitar, drums, didgeridoo and just their voices. There was a noted building of creativity, all of us relinquishing our vibrations to syncopation, all adding in our little bit of somethin' somethin' to the palette of fantastic. All the little stories interweaving, giving way to what we decided to make that evening. The end result: a collection of masterpieces, still and moving.

This idea of interweaving the skills and stories of all those who come to Prescott College is the thing that has struck me most about living here. The love I have for this school is beyond measure, but can be read and felt through the amazing people who are drawn to this place. Like a well placed punch to the jaw, they'll knock you on your...well, ask me later...and leave a constant laugh on your lips. They come from the cities, from the countryside...from all over the country, really. All to this mountain town tucked in the midst of a national forest, brimming with life and potential. It's incredible, too, how many people I find here who seem to exude the definition of renaissance man or woman; anything they touch turns to gold. The liberal arts and multidisciplinary mindset of Prescott College allows for the greatest growth in this uncanny ability to adapt and understand new things, all while becoming a more well rounded and responsible global citizen. So cheers to the stories, cheers to the mix, and cheers to the masterpieces that always seem to flow out of this...this school, this haven, this work of art in the deepest sense: Prescott College.

The Wonders of Prescott College...

            I remember my senior year of high school. I fully enjoyed it, however, I was more than ready to get out of there. So many questions circulated though my head: should I… Work? Travel? School? I wrote a blog about that last year, so that is not exactly what I want to focus on. The point I was trying to bring up was doing my own college research and looking at “student blogs”. I can’t remember what school this was for, but one of the posts surrounded the prompt, “If you could go on a road trip with one of your professors, who would it be and why?”

            I love road trips – the passing scenery, the conversation, the music, and the adventure soon to come… so I thought it was a brilliant post. However, when I came across Prescott College, I discovered – this prompt was not “hypothetical”. Ask any student, who has been your favorite professor to road trip with (you would probably ask about the field course, in all reality – because van rides and the “road trip” part of the course is usually not the “highlight”).

            It would be hard for me to pick a favorite – another reason why I love Prescott. The range of experiences are so broad, I don’t think I would know how to compare a trip studying social theory and current events along the U.S.-Mexico Border with a month ski touring though the back country in Idaho, or a Prison Studies course in San Francisco, with a Women’s Topics in Wilderness Leadership weekend trip to Joshua Tree.

            Rather than pick a favorite, I think I will focus in on one highlight at a time. For the next few weeks, check back and get a “preview” into the wonderful world of Prescott College. I am currently in my third year here, and unlike my junior year of high school, I can’t imagine leaving. This has become the place that I call home, the place where all my adventures take me back to, the place where I reflect, synthesize, let down, and ramp up for another exciting educational journey (literally and metaphorically). My stories come from the Adventure Education department, the Cultural and Regional Studies department, the Education department, the Human Development department. That is the beautiful thing about a Prescott College liberal arts degree – you can (and will) have experiences that span across program areas – the interdisciplinary degree you design and the interdisciplinary nature of the courses help create one of the coolest, well rounded experiences of your life.

            Let your imagination run wild!

 

Hannah Marshall

11/07/2012

Winter Orientation

Before coming to Prescott College, I had been on a few comfortable weekend camping trips and some day hikes. Orientation, therefore, was a bit shocking, and the most physically challenging experience of my life. And it was worth every second.

I came to Prescott last January, so I did the winter orientation, which is nine days in the Grand Canyon and nine days in the Superstition Mountains. I had never seen the Grand Canyon before, and sometimes I still feel like I barely have (that thing is HUGE). Those of us who hadn’t seen the Canyon before chose to be blindfolded as we approached it so we would be surprised. One of my favorite shows is Parks & Recreation, and I was all ready to be a smart-aleck and quote this scene:

 

Instead, once my blindfold was taken off, I stood there, jaw on the ground, staring at this unbelievably vast expanse for about two minutes. I was speechless.

http://tinyurl.com/ajdszc9

That’s me having my mind blown by the beauty that is the Grand Canyon.

Whenever I tell anyone about my experience in the Grand Canyon, I have to use the word unbelievable. Because it is literally unbelievable. I spent nine days in it, and I still don’t believe it exists, that’s how unbelievably gigantic and gorgeous it is. It just doesn’t end. Have I expressed to you enough yet how big and beautiful the Grand Canyon is? Probably not. I’ll move on anyway.

My first couple of days of orientation were a bit rocky (pun intended). My trekking poles broke (because I got cheap ones – if you want good trekking poles, invest in good trekking poles… and keep the receipt!), my Camelbak got poked by a cactus and broke (bring HARD water bottles, at least 2 liters. Things get pokey out there), and a few days in, my Achilles tendon started acting up (BREAK IN YOUR HIKING BOOTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! never enough exclamation points). Luckily, my orientation group, my family for those three weeks, helped me when they could. My least-broken pole got taped, one of my instructors gave me her extra Nalgene bottle, and a girl in my group had salve to make my ankle feel better.

This leads to the thing I loved most about orientation… Your problems seem so small and insignificant next to 1.7 billion year old rock. In the canyon, you can literally see time pass in the rock layers, and it puts your life into perspective. Some people might not like feeling small and insignificant… but I love it. That realization only made me more passionate about my goals at Prescott College (Environmental Policy) and made me feel more connected to the Earth.

I also appreciated this realization because, in the three months before orientation, my last and closest grandparent died, my childhood pet died, and my boyfriend of 2.5 years suddenly left me. It was rough. And orientation was undoubtedly the best thing I could have done to heal myself. I walked out my problems. I walked them out next to ancient earth, and it put everything in perspective. Our problems come and go, but the Colorado still rushes on. It’s hard to feel bad for yourself when you wake up next to wonderful new friends and this is the first thing you see:

Photo Credit: Autumn Chase-Dempsey

Photo Credit: Lacey Stone

Yeah, it’s just a little bit gorgeous.

Orientation is different for everyone because everyone comes to it with different experiences. I had little camping and hiking experience, and used orientation as a kind of therapy. Others are very experienced, and it might mean something different to them. But no matter your experience, unless you lose all of your food and clothes and your tent burns down, I don’t know how you can’t have a good time on orientation, and probably learn a lot about yourself in the process. (Especially on solo!) I am thankful for every moment of my Prescott College orientation, even the rough spots, because I grew from it. It helped make me who I am today.

Photo Credit: Lacey Stone

My wonderful orientation group!

- Ruby Teegarden

'Tis the Season

Feliz Dia de los Muertos! (Happy Day of the Dead!). In the culture I most identify (Mexican, but I’m multiethnic: Mexican, Costa Rican and Irish), Dia de los Muertos is a day (and sometimes string of days) where Mexicans (both in Mexico and the USA) honor their deceased loved ones by setting up an altar in their home (adorned with candles, offering of food and drinks, puppets, flowers, skulls, paper-maiche skeletons, and a variety of pictures), or, if close enough, visiting and decorating the resting places of their deceased loved ones. My family is spread far, so an altar works just fine. Last night, I played music to my departed family and friends. I talked to them and recalled stories of them. Basically, I had a party with them.


A typical at-home Dia de los Muertos altar.

 

To people who are not familiar with Dia de los Muertos, the thought of celebrating death may be considered morbid. But, not in my culture.

            Dia de los Muertos marks the beginning of a season of celebrations in my family. We have paid our respects and celebrated the dead on earth. As their spirits wander back to their resting places, we’ll begin to prepare for a number of things in the next few months.

            Traditionally, Mexicans don’t celebrate Thanksgiving…that is, until recently. Celebrating Thanksgiving is most popular for Mexicans living along the U.S./Mexico border, or “Americanized” Mexicans. My dad is an All-American man who grew up in New York and is in the Army…so we celebrated Thanksgiving. My poor madre, before marrying my dad she had no idea how to cook a Turkey or cook many of the traditional Thanksgiving sides dishes. That year, she said, the turkey skin was burnt to a crisp and the flesh was still bloody. My dad got take-out instead. Since then, Thanksgiving has vastly improved, with me taking over the dinner at 14 years old and cooking it every year since then. It will be slightly different this year, though, because I’m vegetarian and I’m staying in Prescott to celebrate Thanksgiving with my boyfriend’s family.

            December is where Mexicans really get down to business.

            In my family, this is tamale-making season! Every year, we gather at one families house and set up tables and chairs in a long assembly line. All of the family came equipped with their best recipes, plenty of food and drink to keep us working, and their designated items (some provided masa, some brought cornhusks, all brought their homemade fillings made the night before, and some brought steamer pots). If you were under the age of five, you were spared the work. Almost all the older siblings and adults were put to work on the tamales; mixing, mashing, spooning, wrapping, piling, making more of everything. Sometimes, if all of the adults were wrapped up in a good pace and didn’t need the help, they would send us children away to play…but that was rare and not to be counted on.

A pile of tamales (mine are bigger than these).

            I remember how much of a drag making tamales was as a child. The only thing that kept my butt planted in place was the threat of “Si no quieres ayudar, no los vas a comer” (If you don’t want to help, you won’t eat any). Because we don’t eat tamales outside of this season, you better belief I stayed and helped.

            As I got older, I became much more amused by the event. When my cousins and I were old enough to drinks and celebrate with the adults, tamale-making took on a whole new meaning! We sang along to Vicente Fernandez and Amanda Miguel. We danced around the kitchen. We ate delicious tacos. And, every year without fail, my tio Ricardo would make us try his latest tamale “masterpiece”. To his credit, the only one that never made it into the family recipe books was ground shrimp adobada tamale. I still shudder thinking about it.

            This whole event went on for at least two days, the time of which was determined by the eldest women. When they felt we had tamales for everyone to have a pile of eat, only then did the tamale-making stop.         

            It was long, but worth it. Taking the first bite of freshly made tamale is one of the most rewarding experiences in the world.

            Next in December is a holiday called Dia de La Virgen de Guadalupe, which is celebrated on December 12. In Mexico, this holiday is celebrated by the faithful making a pilgrimage (usually on their knees) to the Basilica to offer the Virgin gifts and thanks. Most Mexicans are Catholics and their most important figure is the Virgin Mary.

La Virgen de Guadalupe and Juan Diego (Find the story and read it...awesome!)

            In the States, this holiday is celebrated by going to a special mass and bringing the Virgin gifts, usually huge bouquets of roses. This is also a time when special prayer intentions are made.  Not being religiously affiliated myself, I offer a gift of flowers to the Virgin on behalf of all women, because we all suffer greatly because of our immense love for others.

            What comes next in December are Posada’s. Typically, this celebration starts December 16^th and finishes December 24^th. Posada means “lodging” and this event is meant to commemorate Joseph and Mary’s journey to find shelter. Each night, neighbors get together and make a “pilgrimage” to another neighbor’s house. They carry an altar of the Nativity and sing songs. Some children and adults dress as angels or shepherds. When they arrive at the house of the neighbor, both groups on each side of the door (inside and outside of the house) sing a call-and-response song, where the outside group is asking for shelter and the inside a group denies them. The group does some in, though, but not to celebrate finding shelter, but to pray a rosary. This continues every night until December 24^th, when Joseph and Mary finally find shelter and baby Jesus is born. That night, everyone is left into the house to pray a rosary and celebrate the birth of Jesus Cristo. There are tamales, ponche, bunuelos, champurrado, and arroz y frijoles waiting. Everyone digs in and has fun.

La Posada, in human scale! In my neighborhood, we carry altars of the Navitity.

            The ending of the Posada goes right into celebrating Noche Buena (Christmas Eve). Traditionally, family, friends and neighbors goes to a midnight mass and then return home to open gifts. My family is a little different. We stay up all night celebrating, eating, playing games, etc. At midnight, everyone gathers and assembles their Christmas gifts in near little piles or rows. From there, everyone takes turns opening their presents. The next morning, on Christmas, the family usually heads over to mass.

Noche Buena where EVERY Mexican-Catholic stages a Nativity scene for all to see.

            Now we move into January.

            Of course, the New Year is rung in. On January 6^th the Dia de los Santos Reyes is celebrated. In Mexico, this is the day most children receive their presents because it was the day the Jesus Christ received his gifts from the Three Kings. In my family, this is the day that we all gather (again, at someone’s house) to eat (of course) and slice La Rosca. La Rosca is a holiday sweet bread that is shaped and baked into an oval, and has 1 or more (depending on the size of the bread) baby figurines hidden inside. Before everyone leaves, la rosca is sliced and everyone eats their piece. Those who get the baby figurines must work together to host a party on Dia de la Candelaria on Feburary 2^nd. I’ve gotten this figure multiple times.

La Rosca. Yum! Where are the figurines hidden? Hmmmm.

            Being in Prescott almost all of this last year (except for Thanksgiving 2011 and Student Directed Days earlier this month) has made me feel disconnected to these traditions. It also didn’t help that for this whole special season I lived in a tiny studio with a hotplate for my kitchen. Even if I lived in a place with roommates, I’m not sure how many of them would have jumped on board or tolerated my traditions.

            This year, moving into a new place (a house!) and changing my mindset has made me determined to celebrate this season the way I am accustomed to it. There will be tamales, and music, and champurrado, and bunuelos, and ponche, and a rosca! Living in Prescott makes it difficult to track down all I’ll need to make this possible. Luckily Phoenix is only about two hours away and I have a car! Because it is my last year at PC, I’m doing it big! I’m going to celebrate (and invite you to celebrate with me) all those traditions that make us unique during this season.

            Keep your eyes open for invites: tamales are coming soon!

Angelica R. Brady
11.02.2012

Senior Year means Senior Project

I came into Prescott College as a Transfer Student. I was immediately assigned an Advisor (Grace Burford…the most awesome and patient advisor EVER!) and had to quickly draw up my Degree Plan.

In our Degree Plans, we are required to come up with a brief narrative description about your (tentative) Senior Project. I think I revised mine about four times before really committing to it. Actually, I still am changing it.

 I cannot even begin to tell you what my original idea for a Senior Project looked like. I know that the one that is currently described in my Degree Plan outlines the idea of creating a new Orientation option for incoming PC student, one that focuses more on Cultural and Regional Studies and Education.

 Now, through a blessing in disguise from the Universe, I was able to create an IS (Independent Study) that focuses on Place- and Community-Based Education. With this IS, I have been conducting several observations both on and off campus.  In both settings, I have noticed HUGE gaps in cultural understanding. I have also observed that the ways in which the gaps are approached (by either community) is not helping to bridge the gaps, but widens them!

 So, for my Senior Project, I have a plan.

 But, first, let me guide you through the steps of a Senior Project. Though, it is important to note that the Senior Project process differs a little bit for each competence area. I will tell you about the steps EVERY student at PC needs to follow, and then I will include what my competence area specifically requires for a Senior Project.

 All students at PC must:

          -Come up with a tentative idea for a Senior Project. This can be: an extensive essay or research paper, an independent research project intended to address a particular issue or question, a play…really, the ideas are almost limitless. To be sure, talk with your advisor!

            -Write three narratives (expectations are in the Student Handbook online):

                        1) Competence Description Narrative

                        2) Senior Project Description

                        3) Liberal Arts Statement

            -Carry Out a Senior Project (This is where it gets different for each student. Your competence area may have an advising plan, which can be tinkered with or must be followed exactly. Again, talk with your advisor. My competence in Social Justice Education requires me to include a substantial 6-10 week teaching component).

            -Finally, after all is done, you submit it all to your IGC (Individual Graduation Committee…you get to choose them). If there are any revisions to be made on your Degree Plan (because you swapped out a class or rearranged things), this would be the time to do it.

*Just a little bit of advice:

            1) PAY ATTENTION TO DEADLINES!! These can and will sneak up on you, so check the calendar frequently.

            2) TALK with your advisor. Meet with them often, whether it is to discuss something academic or simply to talk about life. This keeps you (and them) on your toes. And, you will love your advisor (if you do not, you can switch), well, at least I do, anyway.

            3) Multiple drafts are gold. Do not wait until the last minute to write something. You really want to have the time to edit and redesign a piece of written work, ESPECIALLY if it is for your Degree Plan or Senior Project.

            4) Sometimes, all of this (in addition to classes, jobs and homework) can lead to STRESS. So, take time to relax. Go out with friends. Go climb. Do yoga. Spend the day with loved ones (pets or people). Watch a movie. Cook a good meal. Whatever you do, just make time for YOU!

 As for my Senior Project, well, it is kind of a secret (shhhh).

 However, it does involve trying to bridge said gaps in the community through fun and holistic approaches. For this project that means: various art/cultural installments, events (dances, discussions, etc.), written work, etc. Since I am approaching my Senior Project with the belief that learning from a community strengthens community bonds and helps to create cross-cultural unity and understanding. I plan to organize this all through a group I will design, called “ComeUnite” (just say it like the word “community”, it makes sense).

 I am very excited about this project (and my IS)! I am also very sad about it too, because it is my final stamp on PC before I graduate. I love this school. Some days, I never want to leave it and wish I could stay here, studying, forever.  But, I do not have the time or the money (especially the money), and I want to move forward with my life and into a career that I am both passionate about and rewarded in!!

 I will keep you updated as my Senior Project progresses.

Angelica R. Brady

10.19.2012

“How-do-You U-bun-tu?”

Here at Prescott College this term “ubuntu” is being used more often. Technically it is a shortened phrase for “Umuntu ngumuntu ngamantu” a Zulu philosophy that is quite savvy in my opinion. If I am asked to explain ubuntu in my own words I generally say that it is compassion and altruism all rolled into one philosophy/practice/perspective.

But I’m not looking to articulate this in a blog, so here is something from Archbishop Desmond Tutu which might articulate this better than I can!

"Ubuntu is very difficult to render into a Western language. When we want to give high praise to someone we say, "Yu u nobuntu"; "Hey, so-and-so has ubuntu." Then you are generous, you are hospitable, you are friendly and caring and compassionate. You share what you have. It is to say, "My humanity is caught up, is inextricably bound up, in what is yours." …We say, "A person is a person through other persons." …A person with ubuntu is open and available to others, affirming of others, does not feel threatened that others are able and good, for he or she has a proper self-assurance that comes from knowing that he or she belongs in a greater whole and is diminished when others are humiliated or diminished, when others are tortured or oppressed. ...To forgive is not just to be altruistic. It is the best form of self-interest. What dehumanizes you inexorably dehumanizes me. [Forgiveness] gives people resilience, enabling them to survive and emerge still human despite all efforts to dehumanize them.”
— Archbishop Desmond Tutu, from "No Future Without Forgiveness" (1999)
http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Ubuntu_(philosophy)

I love you Tutu! The picture below I found on the internet, and thought it was adorable. And then the more I read it… the more Prescott College it felt than something with religious connotations. Here at Prescott we are not about punishing people instead we are all about celebrating people; hence why I find ubuntu so amazing and pertinent in just about any human scenario.

So I say to you, UBUNTU!

The very first line of Prescott College's Mission Statement reads: "It is the mission of Prescott College to educate students of diverse ages and backgrounds to understand, thrive in, and enhance our world community and environment."

Ubuntu is all about taking the diversity of perspectives, thought, speech, actions, and re-actions (of each person) and using them to work together (rather than against) with each beautiful and diverse member of our community. By sharing our human experience we can help each other understand, thrive, and enhance ourselves and all of our environment.

Prescott College is a place where I can cultivate ubuntu in my own life; and I love it!

-Morgoth

Senior Project Time!

Everyone in the campus undergraduate student has to complete something called a “Senior Project” in order for them to graduate from Prescott College.  I know that I am planning something to huge for my project and that I would need more time to work on it; this is the reason why I started my senior project a full semester early.  The part I wanted to share with everyone was one of the focuses of my project; and that is the human IMAGINATION.

The more utilize my imagination with friends the more I learn of the wondrous properties of the imagination.  Here at Prescott College I am able to do the scholarly backing necessary to support my own experiential journey/research.  The scholarly research compliments my own journey; it does not supersede it. 

I would like to share with whoever reads this something interesting about the imagination that I have learned recently; and that is that it help cultivates and open mind (to an amazing degree).  I've tried meditation, focusing on Raja Yoga studies, and various mind exercises to help cultivate having an open mind.  Yet being able to “envision” something that “isn't” seems to help cultivate having an open mind much more than I expected (it’s easier for most then trying to meditate).  The process of the imagination helps with “limitless notions” or with ideas of “creation”; and this inspired a question that I would like to ask everyone!

“What inhibits and/or cultivates your Imagination?”
“What inhibits and/or cultivates your Limitless Nature?”

image: real life PC students at a potluck (natural environment)

Chew, ponder, share… and of course enjoy! 

I look forward to peoples responses.  I will be using the perspective and wisdom of my peers to aid in my Senior Project!

Ubuntu,

-Morgoth

Wilderness Orientation: Embracing the Unknown

The setting of our first campsite

First came the preparation. As someone who had never even officially camped, I knew I was in for an experience. I was determined to do the best I could to prepare myself for the obstacles orientation would present. I spent 3 long hours at REI stuffing backpacks with weights and schlepping them around every corner of the store until I found one that fit me perfectly. I carried that same backpack on daily hikes to break in my hiking boots--tromping through every puddle to see if they really stood up to their waterproof labeling. I spoke to current students and admissions counselors as often as I could to make sure that I was not forgetting any essential items to pack. In short, I was utterly and completely terrified to spend three weeks on wilderness orientation in Arizona’s backcountry.

Setting up tarps

Yet there I was: little old me, cowering under the weight of a 50 pound backpack, leaping from boulder to boulder, floating through majestic slot canyons, skipping across river rocks, drinking out of cow tanks, maneuvering around cacti, laughing beside campfires, and sleeping beneath the vast, star-studded sky. I learned how to set up tarps, ascend rock walls, navigate routes, and find commonality amongst people from completely different backgrounds. I withstood mental breakdowns, bug bites, thunderstorms, sunburns, cuts and bruises, being completely cut off from friends and family, and realizing that nothing could have prepared me for the experience I was having.

My solo site at West Clear Creek

And aside from the great tan and fabulous-smelling wardrobe I came back with, I also returned with a confidence that transcended any tangible obstacle. I knew I would enter the semester with a solid group of friends who stuck with me through all of the tears, laughter, and hardships. My fears surrounding academia were extinguished because I knew that if I could survive three weeks in the wilderness with just a backpack over my shoulders, what couldn’t I accomplish? The door of opportunity was wide open and I had already proved I was capable of achieving things I had never thought possible.

Part of West Clear Creek that we nicknamed "Garden of Eden"

It has been over a year since I laced up my boots and set out for wilderness orientation. Every time I talk to my orientation group members, look at our pictures, or re-read my journal, I am taken back to that first course at Prescott College. I can’t help but smile and reminisce about how lucky I am to have had that experience.  To this day I continue to learn so much about myself and my capabilities based on the growth that occurred during those three weeks in the backcountry.  Although I had no idea what I was getting myself into, everything I have gained from embracing the unknown has made it all worth it.  Don't be afraid to challenge yourself and step outside of your comfort zone.  You just might have the experience of a lifetime.

Starting off the day with a morning swim

Taking a picture break after a long stretch of boulder-hopping

Never Stop Learning,

Renee Daniel