My First Debate!!

Personally, I am not a huge fan of debating.  Really just isn't my cup of tea.  However, recently I had my first real debate and it was definitely an interesting experience.

Overall, I feel like the debate was really quite rocky.  There are definitely things that needed to be improved on and smoothed out.  I feel like the performance part went well, however, it was the preperation that needed work.

Personally, I think my strongest point was my confidence.  I don't have public speaking jitters, which can really inhibit your performance in a debate.  I think I was weakest in having actual statistics to back up the points I was trying to make.  I also think I tripped over my words a bit.

If I could change anything, I would change the way I prepared for this debate.  I should have practiced beforehand instead of simply winging it.

For the next round, I am going to take equal time to research both sides of the topic being discussed, and I am definitely going to practice!

I liked the rubric that we had, the only thing I would add is a seperate section for confidence and attire.

Next, I would like to debate:
Resolved: that the power of the federal government should be increased.
Resolved: it is morally permissible to kill one innocent person to save the lives of more innocent people.

I hope our next debate is more organized and better performed!

So Much to Do... So Little Time...

Sorry for not posting in a while guys.  Life has been hectic and school no less so.  I admit that sometimes I am taken aback by the idea of time.



Everyone's had that feeling, that something is just a colossal waste of time, or that something is so wonderful that you wish it would just never end.  The sad truth?  Time does not wait for anyone.  It won't listen when you beg it to stop or when you urge it to go faster.  We are all getting older by the second no matter how much we try to fight it.

In a previous post, I stated how my biggest goal in life is to accomplish something worthwhile.  I want to look back on my life and be completely and totally satisfied.  This song inspires me to keep that motivation, even when it seems impossible.  It is four minutes and thirty-six seconds long, and it helps me realize that I only have so much time to live, even if I do not know exactly when it will all end.  Might as well make the most of it.

Values...

Recently I took a survey that claimed to show what my values were.  My results were as follows:

1. Fulfillment, Intellectual and
2. Vocational achievement
3. Courage
4. Sincerity
5. Spirituality

I believe that this survey mirrored my top values exactly.  My top goal in life is to have a sense of accomplishing something worthwhile.  I need to feel like I'm not just simply wasting my time on this Earth.  There needs to be a point to everything, there needs to be some consolation for all the suffering that I've been through.

I'm fiercely competitive and sometimes get into trouble, but I always have an urge to try new things and push new boundaries.  While the rest of my family wants security, I love to take risks.  Sometimes I let their values seep in and affect me to the point where I start to question myself.  In that aspect, I really admire those who are courageous and are able to express themselves freely. In my quest to be one of those people, I sometimes get a bit reckless, but all with the best intentions. 

In the midst of all this, is a person and I know that I couldn't bear it if others did not take me seriously or felt that they couldn't confide in me.  I despise liars and rank honesty as one of the best virtues because it is one of the hardest to obtain.  Lying only hurts others and causes trouble.

I've never been a truly spiritual person, in the common sense at least.  I do not pray regularly, and I do not know much of my Hindu religion.  However, I believe in it wholeheartedly.  I feel horrible sometimes for only praying to God whenever I really need Him, but I think He understands.  All I really want is a meaningful connection to Him.  Everyone needs some guidance and comfort sometimes.

All in all, values are a huge part of who you are.  They determine much of your personality and your way of living.  So, what are some of your values?

 

Picture from weheartit.com

Midterms and... Popcorn?

If there's anything I've learned in the past few weeks, it's that midterms=stress.  It's the dreaded time of year where teachers start pulling out all the stops and give you every possible assignment imaginable.  The symptoms of midtermitis are as follows:

1. Excessive yawning.
2. Sleeping in class.
3. More procrastination than usual.
4. Sweatpants and hoodies galore!
5. Chronic headache.
6. Cravings for exotic sounding desserts... or anything pictured on my friend's blog (which you can check out here)

Pic from weheartit.com
However true this might be, let me share with you a new perspective that I found fascinating.  Popcorn.

So, what is it that makes a tiny kernel transform into amazing, delectable popcorn?  Answer: pressure. There is a tiny bead of water inside each of the kernels that evaporates with heat and pressure and eventually bursts.  The result is popcorn!

Let's apply this little science lesson to midterms.  Imagine that you are a popcorn kernel.  You are currently small, flavorless and inedible.  But, after your teachers turn up the heat on the imaginary microwave of schoolwork, you burst and become something awesome!  Not to mention the enormous wave of relief and sense of accomplishment that accompanies having finished that daunting mountain of work.

So for all of you out there who are currently hacking your way through English essays and Biology homework, here are some of my suggestions to help alleviate your pain.

1. Dress nicely. Take a little more time than usual to get dressed in the morning.  There's no point in coming to school in sweatpants and a sweatshirt everyday.  When you look good, you feel good.  Another plus is that you aren't so likely to fall asleep during your geometry teacher's millionth droning lecture on triangles!
2. Get your daily eight hours of sleep.  You will feel more energized and your brain will too!  You'll end up doing much better on the actual tests.
3. DO. NOT. PROCRASTINATE.  I cannot stress this enough!  It will save you so much energy and sleep.  A little each day is the way to go, or else you risk becoming extremely overwhelmed.
4. Take breaks.  Listen to music, write in a journal, or watch an episode of your favorite TV show.  Do whatever it is that allows you to relax for a bit.  It'll work wonders!

Good luck everyone!

Communication. An Essential Part to Life.

Communication is one of the most important factors taken into consideration while evaluating someone, whether it be as a friend or potential employee.  Leaders always have a good form of communication called practical intelligence.  It is defined as the ability to know what to say, who to say it to, how to say it, and when to say it.  In Chapter 7 of Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell decribes to us just how important communication really is.

He states that plane crashes are caused by a single technical error followed by six human errors.  It is these errors in communication that could ultimately decide whether the plane lands safely or crashes.

Studies show that cultural legacy also has much to do with plane crashes.  Many times the relationship between the captain and the first officer were harsh due to cultural legacy.  The captain would only fly the plane, leaving the first officer to do everything else.  However, if the first officer suggested anything that the captain does not like or agree with, the captain would often physically harm the officer.  As a result, the officers learned to accept their position underneath the captain.  They developed a way of getting their point across called "mitigated speech".  In essence, mitigated speech is a way of "dancing around the subject" or sugarcoating what it is you have to say.  This way, they could get their point across, however, it would take longer and not be urgent at all.

This mitigated speech proved to be one of the worst forms of communication according to Gladwell.  The devastating crash of Avianca 052 only cements this theory.  The first officer (in charge of communicating to the ATC) used mitigated speech and did not give off any sense of urgency.  This ended up being the downfall of the aircraft.  Seventy-eight people lost their lives that day, all because of one person's failure to communicate.

The most important lesson we can learn from this chapter is to not use mitigated speech in emergecies.  There is a time to be diplomatic, but when your plane is about to go down, you set that aside and tell the ATC exactly what is going on!  You have to use a sense of urgency or else people may not take you seriously, and innocent lives could potentially be lost.

Window to the Past...

I would definitely call myself a devout Harry Potter fan.  You say werewolf, I say Lupin. (Jacob? Please...)  This is an absolutely gorgeous song from the Prisoner of Askaban soundtrack.  I know for a fact that I'll be one of the most nostalgic people after the series ends, and this song will be on replay for a very long time... It's called Window to the Past.

Culture of Honor? PART DEUX!!!

Continuing my rant about my cultural legacy... Much of it is also based off of my parents.  Everyone in the family says that I am a carbon copy of my father (to which I always reply, "In girl form of course!"), and I have to admit that there is definitely a lot that is similar between the two of us.

 He started out in a poor family in the southern part of India.  He never really cared much for school and would always get in trouble for his quick temper.  Eventually he came to America and enrolled in a college in Ohio.  To help pay his rent, he started out working at a neighboring college... as a dishwasher, but using his people skills, quickly advanced in the kitchen "ranks".  Somewhere along the line he realized that the careless attitude he had back home was not going to get him anywhere, so he reformed himself and later became the valedictorian of his college class. He is now extremely successful as the Director of Imaging Services at a hospital.

I admit, our family is better than well off.  This considered, I did not start out poor, but my personality is very much the same.  When in a good mood, we are happy and fun to be around.  However, do not cross us when we are angry over something!  Also, whenever I set my mind to something, I always get it done.  And done well.  Just like my father using sheet determination to rise from the bottom to top of his class.

So that's pretty much why I act the way I do.  So later guys :)