When I was a young girl I think I always knew I was going to be in school, this lead into me becoming a teacher. But deciding what to teach, well that was the tricky part, and then they wanted us to create something called a "Teaching Philosophy," which I had no idea what that was. Turns out, it's essentially (to me) what drives you to teach.
Some preservice teachers, like myself, want the students to learn how to critically read a text, others want them to change their lifestyles for the better. Me? I want to push people out of their comfort zone.
I grew up, and still live in, a rather homogeneous society where there wasn't a lot of change, coming from either within or outside our community. This means that we weren't exposed to a lot of texts. I'm not going to lie, this effected me greatly. Now our community mostly consists of caucasian individuals, and I began noticing how this was affecting me when I would play The Sims. Most of my Sims I created were caucasian, which resulted in my Sim neighborhoods mirroring my neighborhood.
It was this realization that made me decided that I want to become cultured (aka exposed) to other cultures around me. I realized how centered we were on our "right" culture when there are so many other cultures in our country, let alone our world. So when they asked us why we wanted to teach, I immediately thought of my experience with The Sims.
My teaching philosophy revolves around the idea of exposing my students to other cultures. Whether by the shock-and-awe value of just exposing them with no warning (which at times can be fun and quite useful) or gradually which (in a homogeneous society like mine) can be more effective. Since physically moving my students across the world would be impossible, curriculum adaptation is the next best bet. I plan for my students to interact with students from other cultures as well as having them read novels and watch videos from and about other cultures.
The other night I was messing around with my StumbleUpon and I came across this video. It's titled "The Cathedral," which was created by Tomek Baginski.
What drew me to watching this video was the still they got of the scene where the branches sprouted from the individual's chest. It looked like a beautiful still shot and I was curious what it was about.
Now before I start talking about this, I would like to argue that this isn't the rebuilding of a specific religion, but rather what I see as religions striving to teach: humanity and goodness. I think that they chose the image of a cathedral as a way to represent that. Most people, at least where I'm from see church as a sign of kindness and of good people. Now this also may not be what the creator was intending but that is how I interpreted this video. Another point I would like to make is that the opinions expressed below are mere speculation of what the video means. I am of the opinion that each reader/viewer brings their own life to the table and that will manipulate their interpretations of the text they are involved in. I invite you to respond or post more ideas about this video below.
One of the first things I want to talk about is the setting. The traveler lives in a world where it's not clear whether it's a post-apocalyptic world (it certainly seems so) or a world just starting out (which can be assumed as well.) I think that it certainly could be seen as either way, especially once we see the entire film. Let's assume that this is a post-apocalyptic world, something terrible has happened and the world as been left desolated; however, there is this building on a cliff-side that travelers go to and it slowly is rebuilt, by the travelers. I get the sense that they knew where they were going and what was going to happen. If that is true, then these people were going to the Cathedral to sacrifice themselves to rebuild goodness/Humanity. Now, let's change settings, that we are watching the world as it is developing into what it is today. We see the traveler going into a building to create something good.
I was fascinated by how the Cathedral was developed. When I first watched saw all the faces within the pillars I became slightly paranoid. It might have something to do with the fact that it's five days from Halloween or just that it was a rather ominous sign. But then I saw the final face before it cut back to the Traveler, the old man. Where the other ones (and maybe this is because of my paranoia) looked intimidating, the old man looked peaceful, knowing. Maybe he's been there the longest (besides the one at the entrance), or maybe he's just the wisest. He eased my worry. And then after the Traveler joins them, it because obvious they were travelers just like our Traveler. They all sacrificed themselves to become the foundations for such a building. And the idea that they turned into columns (columns are usually used for structural support rather than for aesthetic reasons, therefore these travelers are important/strong beings) reinforces this idea that without these select travelers, there would be nothing. I want to point out what the building was structured out of, besides travelers obviously. The cathedral seemed to be made of wood, and I really liked this concept. If it had been made of stone I don't think it wouldn't have had the same effect. Wood is a very natural, warm substance. Wood is a very supportive material; for centuries, even now, we use wood to build homes, we use it to keep us warm and sheltered from the dangers of the world. Even before being cut down wood would shelter and become homes to animals who wish to seek refuge in its branches.
The last thing I want to talk about is the light that causes the Traveler to change into a column. At first I thought nothing about the large moon (it's not really clear what it is so for this sake I am going to call it a moon) that blocked out the light, until I got to the end. This is a ritual. The moon covering the light was the beginning of this ritual. Then when the moon had passed and the light came out, it appeared to be an enemy of our Traveler and of the cathedral. The faces at first showed pain or they hid away, possibly fearful of the light or just remembering the pain that sacrificed them. But the light, contrary to what I thought, was not a hindrance for the Traveler, but a necessity for him to transform, to help. It literally tore the Traveler apart, and seemingly killed him. As if called forth, the wood within the Traveler sprang forth to place its roots where needed. I think that the wood within us is the desire, the need, to do good. To create a place where others can find shelter. So instead of a foe, like I said earlier, the light is a necessity. I am of the thought of mind that in order to know happiness and joy, one must know sorrow, pain, fear. I believe that if one desires to live without sorrow, one will live an empty life. This light, the pain it caused, was a necessity for the Traveler to become a column, a building block for humanity.
I know we've all had problems or struggles in our lives, and I encourage you to look over what you have lost or struggled with and think about what you have learned from it...how it changed you. For the Traveler, he lost his life (this is only speculation since they seem to be living after the change, but not alive at the same time) but he became part of something greater.
You know how when putting together a puzzle and you find one puzzle piece that doesn't seem to fit in anywhere.
Well that's me....
Recently I've been feeling like I just don't fit in anywhere here at school. Because my main group of friends have graduated, I've been homeless. I can't seem to fit in too well with any group I'm with, and I know it's because they all have been together for like last four years developing their groups that I just feel...not the right fit...when I try to hang out with them. We get along great just one on one, but when other people come hang out I just don't seem to fit in.
I guess it's also because my mom moved to Kansas this year. I'm going to tell you guys something, my parents split up this summer, in fact the divorce became official two days ago. And I know a lot of people split up, but it's just weird that I have to think of my parents as two separate people rather than a couple (I knew that they were two separate people then, you know what I mean). And on Saturday my mom moved. Another thing I need to tell you about my mom that explains my drama...is that we are super duper close. If any of you have ever seen the TV show Gilmore Girls, we are Rory and Lorelei. It's one of the best examples I can think of that describes my mom and I. She's my best friend.
A lot of things have changed this summer... So this school year is definitely taking some getting used to, as in not seeing my friends (who in this last four years have become a part of my family) and also weird to think I won't get to see my mom as often as I used to. Parts of me have suddenly spread all over the country and I feel kind of lost right now...I know that people moving and becoming a new me is part of growing up, but sometimes I wish there was a road map or guide to tell me where to go.
Today I had to say goodbye to two of my closest friends who are moving on to their new life together. It's strange to say goodbye and know that they won't be ten to twenty minutes away, that they won't be across the room or down the hall when school starts, or at the apartment five minutes away from my work waiting to start an episode of our show...rather they will be eight hours away.
I guess this is an aspect of life that I haven't been wanting to think about for a long time. This is a letter to my two travelers... who in less than eight hours will be on the road to their new home...
Josh- I want you to know how much you truly mean to me. You are my brother, my cohort in crime, but most of all you are my best friend. You have been there for me since we've met, and I truly appreciate it. I want you to know that because of you, I have been able to push myself farther than I would have expected myself to do. Blame it on my competitive nature if you so desire, but I blame it on you. You have gone so far and you have so much more ahead of you. You have faced every challenge head-on, and that I greatly admire you for. You are one of the bravest people I know... I just wanted you to know that...
Christina- Although we weren't close friends in high school, our friendship through college has meant so much to me. Through our late night talks and spazing moments we've formed a bond that is close to what I can only imagine as a sisterly bond. I've come to rely on you for those talks and seeking advise that I know you would give. I've relied on you a lot these last four years. I know you might not believe me but I want you to know that you are a very intelligent woman who can do whatever you put your mind to. You are also persistent and stubborn (in the good way) which contribute to doing whatever you put your mind to.
You two are perfect for each other and I feel so honored to have witnessed your relationship grow these past four years. I know this is going to sound cliche but you guys complete each other.
I'm going to warn you, my readers, that I have absolutely, positively no idea what this blog is going to be about. I'm starting it up because I want to see what it's about. I have tons of interesting ideas about what to write about and projects that I can do throughout my blogging career: there are pintrest projects, a weight tracker for the summer, movie/book/video game reviews, a beauty blog-er...maybe not a beauty blog- but whatever the case may be, I am here, trying this thing. (I'm the Maid of Honor for my best friend's wedding so be prepared to see a lot of posts about that or fun ideas for being Maid of Honor-and if you have any ideas or suggestions, don't be afraid to comment!)
I guess that's one of the reasons I call this "The Bookshelf," a random compilation of my life. A variety of items and subjects will be found here and I'm very excited to give it a go. I guess before I start any of these little projects, I ought to introduce myself....so here goes:
You may call me Sam, or Samantha, or even "hey you." However, please refrain from Sam I Am (that name is specially reserved for my father.) This year I'm going to become officially a twenty-something. My friends and I have had this debate and I am a firm believer that the ages twenty-two to twenty-nine you are labeled as "twenty-somethings" because turning and being twenty-one is such a definitive time in a young adult's life. Also, and correct me if I'm wrong, once you are past twenty-one, the birthdays seem to become...I don't want to say less important...but less important than the previous years. Maybe this has something to do with the fact that in the U.S., once you've survived to twenty-one without getting into trouble with the law, you are an adult.
I'm a pre-service English/Psychology teacher about to start the summer before my last year of school. I have a great dislike for the word "Tolerance," I prefer to use the term "Acceptance," as that is the way I try to live my life. I believe that people ought to be able to believe in whatever they want, do whatever they want, love whomever they want without having to be afraid of those around them. I'm agnostic, originally a theist agnostic, but recently I've been transitioning to an atheist agnostic. I'm absolutely dedicated to my friends and my family, they define my existence in this world. Without them, I wouldn't be myself, I'd be someone different (which wouldn't necessarily be a negative thing because I wouldn't remember my current self and my different self wouldn't necessarily by bad-but let's not get into philosophical questions...) and I like who I am now.
Rather than go through my likes and dislikes, right now, I'd rather let you discover them through this blog, or if you vaguely know me in the "real" world, then let this blog reaffirm or change your thoughts of me.
I would like to welcome you to the Bookshelf, where your opinions are welcome and I hope my opinions are received with an open mind.
