Jan

31

A New Look

Filed Under Personal | 2 Comments

If you are a regular visitor, then you may notice the new look. ;-)

I changed the title image from a light blue background with a falcon (representing Cerritos College, my community college alma mater) in the right hand corner to a radial, gold-orange-red background with a globe (representing my desire to change the world) in the center.

Moreover, I have edited the description of my blog to include the term “Communication.” I added the term because communication is very important.

Let me know what you think by leaving a comment!

Jan

30

On Government and Politics: A Start

Filed Under The World | Leave a Comment

I am a student of government and politics it is essential that I articulate conjectures, analyze ideas and information, and ultimately synthesize my thoughts. However, the thesis I will produce is more than just a simple, finite document. Rather, it will be a streaming thesis. A streaming thesis is a life-long articulation of thoughts and ideas. This is more than a simple journal or documentation of life, my work will focus on government and politics, both topics near and dear to my heart and mind.

I care about government and politics because I believe politics subsumes all. In other words, there is nothing in the world, or the universe for that matter, that is apolitical. Nothing is independent of politics because politics is people. The moment politics dies is when the moment when the last human in the universe dies.

The lack of independence from what is politics intrigues me and motivates to learn as much as I can and articulate what I learn to others because I desire to change the world.

The history of politics is long, complex, and a rather difficult read but it is essential to know it and understand it. The future, to some extent, is determined by the decisions and actions of our predecessors. And if societies are to subsist, then societies must not forget the past.

The past is important; however, the future is just as important. It is difficult to predict the future, but that does not mean I will not attempt to do so. The future of politics is what I am interested with. The future of politics will determine the future of humankind.

Jan

28

A Note

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Today, I read the first two chapters of “Why Trust Matters” by Marc J. Hetherington.

The following is a note I wrote to myself and would like to share.

“It’s not what we hear or see that is most important; it’s what we don’t see and don’t hear that is most important.”

With regards to the book, it’s quite interesting and I will blog about it once I finish it.

Jan

25

The Sky is Clearing

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“The Sky is Clearing.” A simple note I wrote to myself tonight. It encompasses much of what I experienced today, especially while I was in the library reading a chapter in “Lives of the Laureates,” “Trust and Mistrust,” and “The President As Leader” and talking with various people tonight.

Life never ceases to impress and inform me.

Jan

24

“The Day After Trinity”

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Tonight, after the UC Merced Student Government Committee on Constitution and By-Laws, I went to the new auditorium in the Classroom and Office Building and watched a documentary called “The Day After Trinity.” The documentary was about the pursuit of the United States, under the leadership of Robert Oppenheimer, to develop the atomic bomb and the subsequent struggle to control the power of the bomb.

The documentary is a real thought provoker and eye opener. I recommend it to everyone.

Jan

23

Lunch with Congressman Cardoza

Filed Under Human Development, UC Merced | 1 Comment

Today, I, along with 20+ other UC Merced students, had lunch with Congressman Dennis Cardoza in the Chancellor’s Conference Room.

It was a great experience to sit down with the Congressman, have lunch, and ask him questions about life and politics. After each person got a boxed lunch, Chancellor Carol Tomlinson-Keasey introduced him, he made a few remarks, and the floor was opened for questions.

I asked something like “What advice do you have for someone who wants to pursue a career in public service?” The answer: be sincere and work hard. His answer more elaborate, but it boiled down to those two thoughts.

Moreover, he encouraged us to get involved in service clubs, to be role models, reach out to the community, and to “help [our] fellow human beings.” It is our experience outside of college, not just inside, that will be the most rewarding.

It was a very inspiring lunch. I’m glad I intern in his office because he is the type of person I look up to.

Jan

22

Perspective

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Each day, I earn a new perspective on life through my interactions with people.

It is amazing to know that such a thing is possibly by simply communicating with someone.

This, I will continue to do.

Jan

20

Library Closes at 7pm

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I write to express a deep concern. The deep concern is that after Public Policy 1 Discussion, I left and returned to the library with some books to read and learned that the library now closes at 7:00pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Last semester, this was not the case. The library closed on midnight on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, at least that is what I recollect. I intend to confirm this belief tomorrow.

For now, let us assume that I am correct. If so, then permit me to express why I am deeply concerned. Knowing that Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights are not normally the times college students would study in the library, it cannot be so that no students want to be in the library. Reflecting back on learning of the apparent time change, I reasoned that it was due to the limited resources of the university and a need to reallocate the resources. Therefore, I rationalized that the library hours would be increased during Finals Weeks. However, once again, this is not the case.

While I do not expect the library to provide a public explanation for its reduction in hours, I will inquiry about this in private and I intend to make the explanation public. It is prudent for me and others as well to know what the reasons for the reduction in hours are.

Nonetheless, even though the library is not the only place I can study and read, it is where I would like to do so because the library environment is seldom replicated by other places.

Jan

19

Will I Ever Debate Again?

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It has been about a year since I last formally competed in a parliamentary debate tournament.

Originally, I set out to establish a speech and debate team at UC Merced; however, I didn’t have time, so the team never formed.

This weekend is UC San Diego’s 3rd Annual Sun God Invitational and I want to go. Will I ever debate again? The Sun God will decide.

Jan

18

Heavy Rain

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Today, in between 1:00pm and 5:00pm, I am not exactly sure of the time, a heavy rain pummeled the campus.

On the 4th floor of the library, I was reading a book and I heard this slowly increasing rumble fill the library. I briefly looked over to my right and saw that it was raining, but it wasn’t too bad. A few minutes past, and the normally pristine view from the 4th floor was shrouded by millions upon millions of rain drops.

Thunder accompanied the rain; however, I didn’t see the preceding lightening. The power from the sky shook the library to it’s rebar. But by 5:00pm, the rain had past and a break in the clouds allow light from the sunset to whisper through.

The air after the rain was quite refreshing.

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