Metacognition: Organization

For this project I organized my room. My sister and I actually share a room so this was a joint effort. I mainly just cleaned off my desk and the area where I do my homework. I usually do this at least once during the week because I go crazy trying to concentrate on homework when there are little things distracting me all over. So this was just a longer and thorougher version of what I do normally. I do enjoy cleaning up because I feel more organized because I am clearing a space on my desk and in my head. I can finally think straight after I put away things and throw things out. Afterwards I feel more calm because I usually listen to music while I clean and I have an area to work and focus instead of being distracted.

It is so true that a clean space = a clear mind because that is what it did for me. Walking into a clean room just makes everything in your head more clean. Thoughts are organized and everything is put in place and easy to access instead of being jumbled up.

I found out that Philosophy takes part in your everyday, even if you do not realize it. I also learned a easy way to clear, organize and relax my mind. This is a project I will definitely continue using in the future.

Change of Mind: The Universe

Well actually it started when I noticed Mr. Glass' quote on the board about how we are just floating in space right now. That kind of thinking scares me a lot. Thinking about how we are so small and we are going to die and will just be buried underground is scary. That is one reason I dislike Sophie's World because topics like death, life after death and thinking that we only have 100 or less years to do things makes me almost hyperventilate and get freaked out. Death is my number one fear and to talk about it is hard because my hearts starts racing and I get worked up over it and have to slowly calm myself. But thinking at how we live from an outside perspective is a scary topic we do not know much about. For instance we do not know if we are the only universe, we are not certain how our universe began, we can not answer questions about live after death, we can only assume based on religious and scientific beliefs.

Now after having that quote on the board and these discussions in class about our uncertainty I am even more scared/ freaked out. First of all, being atheist, I do not believe there is a heaven or after life and even if there was your body is still in ground and you do not live a second life. Philosophy discusses questions about that and what we can not back up scientifically we use religion as the answer. My sister is the type of person that asks those kinds of questions, why is a color named that or why is this that way, she thinks and is fascinated by philosophical questions while the people around her just get annoyed with her asking stupid questions and not knowing the answers. As for me I am the complete opposite of her and fear that type of deep thinking about the universe and death and the end of the world.

iMedia: Abstract Art

This is the kind of art I love making and looking at. This to me is so cool, awesome, nice, bright and colorful. This is a way to think more freely and not have to worry about it like it was a still life painting, the person doesn't have to be painted perfectly. This is more of a way to express yourself. Much more visually appealing to look at, your eyes are everywhere and there is so much going on it is almost hard to follow, that's why I live it. I know i personally chose this kind of art to create because it faster and you can do whatever and its what you like, I just do not have the patients for scenery painting and worrying about details.

Graffiti on walls and cars is this style. A great way of expressing yourself, also illegal in some cases which is why you have to be smart about it but a good way to express and create a tangible work of your thoughts. It goes along with rap music and new music just a jumbled way of expressing yourself. People can chose to like it or not as long as YOU are happy with it that is all that matters. You can take a painting like this one to the left and think what you want about it. That is also the fun with abstract art everyone gets their own ideas out of it. To me it resembles lily-pads in a pond, you can see the flower shapes and the ripple of the pond. Maybe you get a different idea of what this painting is but, enjoy and understand this art like I do.

Connection: Vietnam Memorial

It was the summer after sophomore year that I went and visited family in Washington D.C. On a beautiful day we decided to bike around to all the different monuments and sites on The Mall. At the time the Vietnam Memorial meant nothing because I did not have any background information on the war or the process of making the monument.

If I was to go back today, I would know the symbolism behind the blank slab of concrete carved down into the ground and representation of overcoming death. I would have learned from my U.S. History class the conditions of the Vietnam War and how terrible it was. My Aunt was trying to explain the haunting, sad feeling you get from walking past the wall as she was tearing up but I just did not understand the significance. I can now feel the emotions that Maya Lin was going through trying to create this sculpture and have so many people bash it. Even though I do not know anyone on the wall I can still feel the impact and hate for the war and the sadness behind the deaths and the symbolism of overcoming your loss as you walk down and back up the wall. I am excited to now go to the wall and fully understand the concept and emotions and not reject the beauty of the Memorial.