Sep

26

2nd Rain, A Lot More Than Before

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I woke up early today to complete a rough draft of an essay for Spanish. I just completed it.

However, normally, when I wake up, the sun is already shining through my window but not this morning. It is raining outside! And not the light drizzle, but a heavy down pour.

“What the…?”

This is northern California and there is supposed to be more rain here. But even knowing this, I am shocked. I need an umbrella. ;-)

Sep

20

1st Rain, The World Continues to Grow

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After a great discussion in HIST 100 about Jared Diamond’s Guns, Germs and Steel (GG&S) (which will be continued Thursday), I unknowingly walked out of the Library to discover that it had rained.

“What the…?” I exclaimed.

Not only had it rained, but it was hot as well, therefore it was humid. Now, I am not a fan of humidity, but it wasn’t the same type of humidity that I experienced in Los Angeles.

Nonetheless, “What the…?”

Back to the HIST 100 discussion today, it was very thought-provoking. The crux of the discussion about Diamond’s book was that it promoted a fatalistic, deterministic mindset. We talked about “pre-modern” societies, such as those of New Guinea and the Americas, and the rise of Eurasia and the West: Interesting stuff.

Towards the end of the class, the discussion transitioned from GG&S to ideas found in Diamond’s Collapse (our next book for discussion). The proverbial question: “What’s next?” As Professor Herken put it, there is no “clear solution” but a couple of things are clear to me from the discussion:

  • Keep reading, learning about the world.
  • Continue to expand my global perspective.
  • Learn and practice more languages.

    • Today, I have added another dimension, in my mind, to this complex world. This shall continue, as will the sunshine and rain.

    Sep

    18

    My Objectives for September 2005

    Filed Under Personal | 1 Comment

    In continuing with my plan to publicly articulate personal goals and objectives, I hope to get better and better as time passes. Below are my objectives for September 2005: better late than never. ;-)

    My Goals

  • Eat healthy, exercise daily, get plenty of sleep, relax often and take care of myself
  • Communicate with family, friends and colleagues
  • Stay “well-read” and keep up-to-date on current local, regional, state, national and international news and events
  • Fulfill my duties and responsibilities as a Resident Assistant
  • Education is Key! This statement subsumes everything regarding my education while at UC Merced: attend class, do my homework, talk with my professors regularly, help others, etc.

    • My Objectives for September 2005

  • Establish/strengthen link between local Red Cross and UC Merced
  • Seek an internship with Congressman Dennis Cardoza’s Office
  • Complete and submit my Great Valley IDEAL application
  • Launch the Writing of the UC Merced Student Government Constitution and By-Laws
  • Read Civic Revolutionaries, The Deliberative Democracy Handbook, and An Unfinished Life
  • Have “MAD” (Inside joke for My Madera Hall peeps) fun!

    • From now on, I’ll be sure to post my objectives within the first 3 days of the month. Moreover, I’ll comment when I complete an objective and at the end of the month.

    Sep

    17

    Constitution Day!

    Filed Under UC Merced, United States | Leave a Comment

    September 17th marks Constitution Day. Hooray!

    The Constitution of the United States of America is an incredible document. Short in length (only 4 pages long) and concise in design, the Constitution brought together a loose network of fledgling states and formed a cohesive federation.

    Visit Constitution Day at the UC for more information!

    Fast forward from 1787 to 2005 and UC Merced is about to embark on the same journey of writing, deliberating, and ratifying a student government constitution. I can’t wait to start because it’s going to be one heck of an experience.

    Sep

    17

    The Future of the San Joaquin River

    Filed Under California, Central Valley | 1 Comment

    Today, the Associated Press published an article titled: “An Uncertain Future for San Joaquin River.”

    Quite interesting, the article provides a brief history of the San Joaquin River: from the time environmentalist John Muir observed a free-flowing river to now, a river’s whose flow is controlled by the human hand.

    In the late 1980s, “environmentalists sued the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, accusing the agency of violating state law by not letting enough water flow to maintain the historic salmon population.”

    Now, the issue will be taken to the U.S. District Court in Sacramento in February 2006. The writer asks: “How to balance competing needs for such an essential public resource in the decades ahead? How to decide the volume of water going downriver? A February trial will take up such questions — with consequences far beyond the region.”

    However, I can answer the following question: “San Joaquin River Water — Whose is it? The VALLEY’s? Or LOS ANGELES’?” The answer: California’s. We are all Californians and our futures depend on each other.

    Sep

    11

    A Glimpse

    Filed Under Personal, The World | Leave a Comment

    Within four years, our world has changed tremendously.

    I remember, just four years ago today, hearing the telephone ring and my father telling me that “something happened in New York.” Directed to turn on the television, I did with incredible haste. I forget the channel, but not the image: the World Trade Center billowing flames and smoke.

    I sat in the living room of my home in confusion. The reporter’s voice was a distant cry. I don’t remember whether or not I saw the second plane crash into the other tower, but it didn’t matter because the reruns sufficed.

    The morning was a defining moment, not just for the nation, but for me as well. After one of the towers fell, I realized that the United States of America was under attack. An incredible sense of loss consumed me. But, almost simultaneously, a sense of courage filled the void. Confusion remained constant.

    Arriving to school and my English class, my teacher, Mr. Hogan, had the television on. I believe he said it best, “This is a day that none of us will forget.” Correct in his assessment of the historical nature of 9/11, here I am, four years later, remembering a defining moment in our world’s history.

    Since 9/11/01, the United States of America has created the Department of Homeland Security, enacted the PATRIOT Act, ousted the Taliban from power in Afghanistan, invaded Iraq and removed Saddam Hussein, commissioned a 9/11 report, re-elected a president, reformed how the intelligence agencies communicate and sought to spread democracy and freedom throughout the world.

    However, in the past four years, something more than institutional reform, geo-political re-landscaping, and the spread of ideology has occurred.

    That “something” is our American culture and identity: our values, traditions, beliefs, assumptions, and thoughts and, ultimately, our world view is transforming.

    Who we are as a people, as a nation, is being redefined. As mentioned over and over again, we must adapt ourselves, our institutions and our fundamental beliefs to the “new realities” of the world.

    But change on the national or international level is not enough. We must look inward, to our communities. If, with the current changes, we have achieved equilibrium, then we must change again because perfect equilibrium equals death. And I don’t mean death strictly as the lost of life, but death in terms of losing and inevitably extinguishing our passion to change ourselves and our world for the better.

    Our communities are where our nation must focus. Our communities hold the promise of producing the ideas, the tools and the leaders of tomorrow. The largest untapped reserve is not the oil fields in Alaska or the Greater Middle East; it is the people of our communities.

    Within four years, our world has changed tremendously but not nearly enough. We must never cease in our pursuit of change for change is the catalyst of future change and continued progress.

    Today marks the beginning of my relentless pursuit to transform our community, our nation and our world. And I hope you click and walk away from this post with a strong sense that you can make a difference and must.

    Sep

    11

    A Chill Sunday Morning

    Filed Under Personal, UC Merced | Leave a Comment

    After a somewhat long week of going to classes, attending events and meetings, and recognizing the daunting task of earning a UC-caliber education at hand, I believe one must succumb to the powers that be and take a much needed break.

    Living life at break-neck speed is ok. But there are times when a person just needs to unwind and remember the other finer things of life. For example, instead of walking down the beaten path, take an alternate route. Even though such a route is longer in distance and duration, it can be more rewarding for the direct route is not always the most profitable.

    It’s has been one heck of a ride this past week at UC Merced! The abundance of ideas, information, opinions and critical thought is remarkable. I am in awe each time I meet and converse with someone. Each person offers something new to me. It’s only going to get better and better from here.

    Sep

    5

    UC Merced’s Opening Convocation

    Filed Under Personal, UC Merced | Leave a Comment

    As I get older, life just gets more and more interesting.

    Today, Monday, September 5th, 2005 was UC Merced’s Opening Convocation and I, along with thousands of others, had the unique honor of participating in the once-in-a-lifetime moment: the opening of the 10th UC campus and 1st American research university in the 21st century.

    As a whole, the event was absolutely inspiring.

    The Multimedia Presentation, which featured each UC, offered a historical look at the UC system. I felt it highlighted California’s ingenuity and commitment to the betterment of society through education.

    After the Multimedia Presentation, Charles Olgetree, the Keynote Speaker, took the podium with incredible vigor. He was he most energetic and passionate speaker of the event. Remarking on the inter-generational divide, Professor Olgetree sought to bridge the gap by elaborating on historical events, such as the space shuttle Challenger disaster and Tiananmen Square Massacre which, he remarked, was a “struggle for democracy at it’s best.”

    In stressing the differences, the commonalities became apparent and, therefore, Professor Olgetree was successful in bridging the gap. Even though different events defined our person, four constants exist in our world: faith, family, friends and freedoms. If a person believes in these four constants, then nothing will stop him or her from reaching their potential. It is reaching our potential that we must strive to do because, in doing so, we are making this world a better place not only for ourselves but for others as well.

    However, it wasn’t until after Professor Olgetree’s speech that I became more in tune with the surroundings. A slight breeze flowed through the giant tent, the rotor of an older plane rustled from above and the sun heated the air to almost uncomfortable temperature.

    “Take on every challenge,” remarked Professor Olgetree.

    Whatever challenge UC Merced and the world has to offer, I’ll be sure to take it on.

    I’d like to close with the quotation, by President Daniel Coit Gilman, found in “A Brief History of the University of California, UC Merced Opening Day Commemorative Edition, September 5, 2005: “It is not the University of Berlin nor of New Haven which we are to copy… but it is the University of this State. It must be adapted to this people, to their public and private schools, to their peculiar geographical position, to the requirements of their new society and their undeveloped resources.”

    UC Merced is more than a university; it is the culmination of thousands of peoples’ hard work, dedication and commitment to the future of California.

    I wish I can personally thank each person, but I suppose this will have to do. “Go UC Merced!”

    Sep

    1

    Gov. Schwarzenegger Visits UC Merced!

    Filed Under UC Merced | Leave a Comment

    Last night, Wednesday, August 31st, UC Merced Chancellor Carol Tomlinson-Keasey announced: “The cat is out of the bag.” Referring to the fact that Gov. Schwarzenegger would be visiting UC Merced tomorrow (which is today).

    After the Governor took a slow drive up Scholar’s Lane with the Chancellor, he took a tour of the Kolligian Library and met with university staff.

    Following his meetings, he walked out the front of the library, approached the crowd and shook hands with the people. I was lucky enough to shake his hand and thank him for his hard work. Regardless of your political affliation, it’s always cool to see and shake the hand of an elected official.

    I am pumped up and I can’t wait for school to start!

    I’ll create a special UC Merced section and post pictures tonight.

    Sep

    1

    Fiat Lux: Let There Be Light

    Filed Under UC Merced | Leave a Comment

    Last night, Wednesday, August 31st, UC Merced was displayed to the world.

    Watching the light show and listening to the commentary over the loud speakers was awe-inspiring. It’s a moment that I will remember forever.

    I’ll post pictures ASAP.

    I am grateful to all of the people who have supported UC Merced in some way. It’s great to know that education, and in particular higher education, means so much to so many people that a new university has been established for the benefit of the region, state, nation and world.

    I’ll be sure to maximize the opportunity that UC Merced offers.