So, I think you all know that I haven't been the best at keeping up with my blog, but I wanted to write about a few things from earlier in the semester that I haven't blogged about yet.
I have read all of your blogs, and what I found most interesting were the reactions some of you had to different classes. One in particular was the class where we tried to send our energy to make someone in our class take on the role of Rama. I am almost jealous at the amazement some of you experienced during this class and some of the energy you felt. Perhaps, I am too skeptical. I try not to be. I tried to focus my energy, but there was always a little doubt that hindered me. I was never able to ignore it or move past it.
A long time ago, Francis asked us about being the art and artist in the context of what we do in class. Having danced for many years, I do feel that our bodies and the movements it does is art. However, especially in this class, I find it more difficult to think of myself as an artist, as well. I certainly do not think I am an artist when we are doing the steps that Sravya has taught us, because I have no part in the creative process when I duplicate the steps that Sravya shows us. It may not be exact, but I do not intentionally add anything to it. I suppose we could be considered artists during our group performance, because as a group, we had to combine steps and mudras and kecak in a combination we chose. I would not consider myself an artist in any other context than our group performance.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Performance and last week
So my group performed today. It actually went really well. It felt good, and I had fun performing it. We received great feedback from many of you all, which made me feel even better about our performance. I am especially proud of my group because we did not have anyone in our group that had performed in the Ramayana. I also enjoyed the other group's performance today. I look forward to the remaining three groups' performances.
I especially want to blog about something that occurred last week. Francis was very disappointed when many of us were not acting as he was during the singing of the song that Nimish taught us. This upset me. I am not Hindu, so I cannot say for sure what the purpose of the song is or even how one is suppose to treat it within the context of the religion. However, to me it is a song of meditation, not one of body movements and outward celebration. I don't mean to offend, but it the inward expression of spirituality is also how I often act in the religion I was raised. I feel that the fact that I internalized the song did not take away from my sense of community. We were all still singing the same song, which is awesome in itself. I will admit I have been more focused on saying it correctly, than treating it as a prayer or meditation, but I don't feel that my actions, or lack there of, should have been disappointing. My instinct in response to singing the song is to stay quiet and focus on the words and meaning, rather than expressing celebration outwardly. My not participating in moving my hands besides clapping is not an indication that I am uncomfortable. However, I do apologize that I did not speak up with this opinion after Francis expressed his, which perhaps would have created more understanding for all of us. After all, I do feel like for the limited time all 40 of us have spent together, we have become a community. 40 people is a huge group and we do only see each other twice a week. I am proud of how far we have come despite the obstacles of time and size of our group.
I especially want to blog about something that occurred last week. Francis was very disappointed when many of us were not acting as he was during the singing of the song that Nimish taught us. This upset me. I am not Hindu, so I cannot say for sure what the purpose of the song is or even how one is suppose to treat it within the context of the religion. However, to me it is a song of meditation, not one of body movements and outward celebration. I don't mean to offend, but it the inward expression of spirituality is also how I often act in the religion I was raised. I feel that the fact that I internalized the song did not take away from my sense of community. We were all still singing the same song, which is awesome in itself. I will admit I have been more focused on saying it correctly, than treating it as a prayer or meditation, but I don't feel that my actions, or lack there of, should have been disappointing. My instinct in response to singing the song is to stay quiet and focus on the words and meaning, rather than expressing celebration outwardly. My not participating in moving my hands besides clapping is not an indication that I am uncomfortable. However, I do apologize that I did not speak up with this opinion after Francis expressed his, which perhaps would have created more understanding for all of us. After all, I do feel like for the limited time all 40 of us have spent together, we have become a community. 40 people is a huge group and we do only see each other twice a week. I am proud of how far we have come despite the obstacles of time and size of our group.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
It's been so long...
Well I told myself that I would blog tonight, but it is getting late and I am now exhausted (not a good state to be in to blog). I decided I should at least say a few things since it has been so so long since I've last written a blog, even if this doesn't go very deep or touch on some of the things we've been asked to blog about.
I apologize to my village and to the rest of the class for not being in class Thursday (it is now Friday). I just figured it would be better for me to rest up with me being sick or having allergies. Either way I know I am running myself down, which is not good for the start of the roughest part of the semester.
I have had a chance to catch up on some blog reading and I just thank everyone for making me not feel so bad for having a lag in blogging.
To be honest, I just feel very over whelmed with using the material to give a performance. I want to use the steps Sravya has taught us, but right now I just don't see a way to really put it in, besides using the hand mudras. I guess the biggest problem is that I feel I have a total lack in mastery of the material. I should work on that in the next couple of weeks. I feel confident, however, that it will all work out, especially with our village working together.
I apologize to my village and to the rest of the class for not being in class Thursday (it is now Friday). I just figured it would be better for me to rest up with me being sick or having allergies. Either way I know I am running myself down, which is not good for the start of the roughest part of the semester.
I have had a chance to catch up on some blog reading and I just thank everyone for making me not feel so bad for having a lag in blogging.
To be honest, I just feel very over whelmed with using the material to give a performance. I want to use the steps Sravya has taught us, but right now I just don't see a way to really put it in, besides using the hand mudras. I guess the biggest problem is that I feel I have a total lack in mastery of the material. I should work on that in the next couple of weeks. I feel confident, however, that it will all work out, especially with our village working together.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Given Purpose
For the first time I really feel that today's class was given a purpose. We performed for peace. It gave us an outlet for some of our energy in the wake of a very unfortunate course of events. I will continue to keep this in mind in future classes--that I am performing for peace.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
even more
I guess I have a lot to say tonight. I forgot to include something else about Thursday's class. The caks have been very difficult to me. I'm not really proud of asking if their was a western music equivalent to the cak patterns that we were working on. I may be a hypocrite for saying this, but I don't really like the idea of forcing western ideals on others and other cultures. I wasn't intentionally doing anything of the sort. However, I also have to recognize that all I really know are Western ways of doing things. This makes it difficult for me to get out of the western box in terms of views, learning, and doing. I like to think that it is great that I am at least recognizing this. I continue to try to expand beyond the Western box so that I am not limited by it and I don't offend anyone by staying in it. However, I also don't want to be or think I am something I am not. I know my background and I can't be ashamed of it. I wrote a blog last semester about the fact that I had been ignoring my 3/4 white/western heritage. I can't ignore it and I can't wish I wasn't. Sometimes I am frustrated that I was raised the way I was and that I have the heritage I do. I have to sit with the fact that I both have relatives who had to endure the Trail of Tears and relatives who were probably on the other side of this awful event. However, I need to put a positive spin on these things: try to learn from these events and be grateful I didn't personally have to experience it. Well, I have strayed quite a ways from my original point. I guess my point is that this class is really asking me to do things that will take a lot of effort. Effort to both alter my way of thinking (such as stop forcing Western music theory to the caks) and to sit with the fact that I will be frustrated from not being able to do everything correctly. I will continue to try.
Ramayana and class
I still have a ways to go in not getting so distracted during class. I was not focused enough in Thursday's class. I don't want to force it but I would also like to feel more refreshed or happy by having attended class. I just feel like with the content of class and if everything is done correctly (mainly me not being so distracted), I should feel this way afterward. I do like the class, especially for the fact that it exposes me to other cultures. I just don't get that refreshed or happy feeling I would like to get from it. I'm also still trying to pinpoint exactly why I am taking this class and what I really want to get out of it. For one, I like being exposed to different cultures. There are so many influences of other cultures in America, knowing the source keeps me from being ignorant and helps me appreciate these much more. In general I just like learning about other people's perspectives, what they like, etc. Other cultures falls in with this. It helps me to continue to shape myself, hopefully for the better (at least that's the goal). I can't explain it yet, but I just feel like I am a better person for knowing more about other people, others' experiences, others' perspectives, and other cultures. Maybe I can get an answer to this by the end of the semester.
I do have to admit that I am far from being caught up in Ramayana. Culture Night and the fact that I hadn't t received my book during the first 2 weeks of class are the main culprits as to why I am only on page 54. I am also a fairly slow reader, which doesn't help. I will work on catching up.
* * *
I do have to admit that I am far from being caught up in Ramayana. Culture Night and the fact that I hadn't t received my book during the first 2 weeks of class are the main culprits as to why I am only on page 54. I am also a fairly slow reader, which doesn't help. I will work on catching up.
I'm angry about this shit!
Below I am posting a response e-mail from Del Hugo. All I can say is that the response infuriates me to the point of crippling me. Crippling in the sense that I am at a lost of how to respond to it and I have no clue what other actions I can take to combat things said such as in the press release. I also read an article about controversial events that took place at VCU pertaining the Sex Worker's Art Show in a Lynchburg newspaper that helped to fuel my feelings about all this shit! I think the thing that angers me the most is that it is not the controversial events themselves that affects our learning environment it are the alumni, BOV, and even the General Assembly's negative responses to these actions that may be compromising OUR (the current students') learning environment. I am all about free speech, so they can keep their opinions and share them how they want, but it is how they are acting on these opinions. Nothing upsets me more than people who try to push or enforce their view or values on others. I don't want them to change their views. They can be against the removal of the cross and the "Sex show" as they call it all they want. First of all, I did attend the show last year and actually didn't enjoy it all that much. I am glad I went because I got to see what it was all about. It is NOT a "sex show." It is a way for these sex industry workers to use their experiences in a legal way. It also reminds attendees that these are people, too. After all, aren't we suppose to love the sinner but not the sin??? With or without the show, the sex industry exists and it involves real people. Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that actual money paid to the state in the form of taxes was not used to support the Sex Worker's Art Show. If you really want to get nit-picky, I suppose tax money might have been used to pay for the energy that was used to light the auditorium during the event. Using this logic, one could argue that the paths shouldn't be lit when underage drunk people walk on them because this is supporting those who participate in illegal activities. In response to the bias reporting, if anyone was unclear about the specifics and this concerned them, why not ask? Why resort to the ridiculous ad in the Flat Hat? The ad which was suppose to protest the bias reporting system was only used to attack President Nichol. Too much blame is falling on President Nichol, when his job description does not include censoring. I actually commend him for not simply listening to one side but trying to weigh both sides of an issue and make a decision to the best of his ability based on all sides and knowledge surrounding the issue. That is what a president should do! I may be a bit attacking in this blog to those who don't share my views, but this is not a public statement like the press release below. I also prefaced what I had to say with the fact that I am angry. Of course some of my statements may not be entirely rational. If I were to make a more official public statement or a response to this, I will get my facts straight and I will present my thoughts in a more formal matter. Again, I just don't know what to do next.
Commonwealth of Virginia
Virginia House of Delegates
RICHMOND
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 7, 2008
Contact: Karen Stuber
Phone: (804) 698-1088
RICHMOND, VA – Delegate Mark L. Cole, Chairman of the House Privileges and Elections Committee, today began the committee's confirmation hearing with the four appointments to the College of William and Mary's Board of Visitors with the following opening statement:
"Good morning. Thank you all for being here.
"The interest and motivation of this committee in holding this hearing today is straightforward and clear. We all want to do what's in the best interest of one of our Commonwealth's most treasured – and our Nation's second oldest – institution of higher learning, The College of William and Mary in Virginia.
"I appreciate the four appointees of the Governor making time in their busy schedules to join us – John Gerdelman, Henry Wolf, Anita Poston and Kathy Hornsby. This committee commends your willingness and desire to participate in public service by agreeing to serve on William and Mary's governing board.
"As Board of Visitor members, each of you is charged with the duty of providing oversight and leadership at what has been, for more than 300 years, one of the most renowned and respected academic institutions anywhere. Over the years, many accolades and considerable notoriety have been achieved by distinguished students, faculty, administrators and alumni. Likewise, we all want future opportunities for greatness to continue to be sought after and seized, not squandered or left unfulfilled.
"By statute, the General Assembly has delegated management and operations of Virginia's public colleges and universities to governing boards.
"To do your job most effectively, we believe a board must focus its attention and effort on matters of broad and central importance to the continued successful operation of the institution. I also believe, along with every member of this committee I suspect, that boards which micro-manage their institutions will not have sufficient time to attend to the overarching policy matters that are the heart of their responsibilities.
"As part of our constitutional role of providing oversight and approval of appointments by a governor to Virginia's higher education governing boards, we have asked Ms. Hornsby, Ms. Poston, Mr. Gerdelman and Mr. Wolf to be here today. Three of you are being re-appointed and one appointed for the first time.
"In your role as trustees of the second oldest university in the United States, and a treasure of the Commonwealth of Virginia's higher education system, you have a trust granted to you by the taxpayers. In our role evaluating both your performance, and your suitability, as trustees, we appreciate that at times you have to evaluate and balance competing values and concerns. But it will help us immensely in carrying out our duties to understand how you make these judgments.
"I acknowledge upfront that it is unusual, but not unprecedented, for this Committee to invite gubernatorial appointees for questioning.
"In the case of William and Mary, however, we believe that a set of recent events warrant a more thorough review of those who are charged with ensuring that one of the jewels of Virginia higher education is well protected.
"First, we are all familiar with the events that transpired at the end of 2006 and the start of 2007 with respect to President Nichol's decision to remove a century old cross from the Wren Chapel at the College. Among other things, this controversy led to the largest revocation of a monetary gift in the College's 315-year history. I am aware that a former member of the Board of Visitors has commented to some that this controversy constituted the most significant disruption in his decades-long association with the College.
"Second, we read just this week about the 3rd Annual Sex Worker Show at the College held on campus using taxpayer dollars. We also have seen some public statements by various College officials as to how we are to think about the show's presence on campus.
"And third, we are well aware of a bias reporting system that the school's administration created on campus that originally permitted the anonymous reporting of potentially offending speech to college officials and the possible investigation of anyone who violated the school's effective speech code. In addition to concerns about the chilling effect on campus speech, we are manifestly unclear on who controls whatever data is generated, however untrue, about those who violate the bias policy, who has access to it and, what right potential employers of graduates have to demand this information from the College in the future.
"Quite frankly, members of this committee – and many more in the House – are not sure what to make of all of these and other events and how they advance the teaching, research and public service mission of William and Mary.
"We also would like to understand more about what you believe are the central areas of concern and attention occupying your attention and efforts – from overseeing the president and the mission of the institution, to setting goals and priorities, developing budgets, and safeguarding the academic integrity of the institution.
"With that, I will begin the questioning period by making a few general inquiries of the nominees."
Dear Ms. Sitterley:
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with me about William and Mary and Gene Nichol. I always enjoy hearing from William and Mary students, and am certain that although we may not see eye to eye on this issue, that we share a common resolve to seek that which will best preserve William and Mary's legacy of greatness.
On Tuesday, I shared my concern for my alma mater on the House Floor, and noted that due to several recent events, my hope is that President Nichol will not seek another term. Later in session, Delegate Cole (R-Spotsylvania), House Chairman of the Privileges and Elections Committee, announced that he recently invited four William and Mary Board of Visitors Appointees to attend a confirmation hearing in Richmond.
Delegate Cole held the confirmation hearing for the William and Mary Board Appointees on February 7. I am including a copy of Delegate Cole's opening statement at the hearing as I believe it will better explain the reasoning behind the confirmation hearing. The concern with Nichol is due to a number of factors, not solely in reference to the recent event permitted on campus which showcased illegal activity.
Thank you for stating your position on this very important issue, and please do not hesitate to contact my office in the future.
Regards,
Tim Hugo
W&M ~ Class of 1986
Delegate Timothy D. Hugo
Virginia's Fortieth District
District: 703.968.4101
Fax: 703.569.6727
Richmond: 804.698.1040
DelTHugo@house.state.va.us
On Tuesday, I shared my concern for my alma mater on the House Floor, and noted that due to several recent events, my hope is that President Nichol will not seek another term. Later in session, Delegate Cole (R-Spotsylvania), House Chairman of the Privileges and Elections Committee, announced that he recently invited four William and Mary Board of Visitors Appointees to attend a confirmation hearing in Richmond.
Delegate Cole held the confirmation hearing for the William and Mary Board Appointees on February 7. I am including a copy of Delegate Cole's opening statement at the hearing as I believe it will better explain the reasoning behind the confirmation hearing. The concern with Nichol is due to a number of factors, not solely in reference to the recent event permitted on campus which showcased illegal activity.
Thank you for stating your position on this very important issue, and please do not hesitate to contact my office in the future.
Regards,
Tim Hugo
W&M ~ Class of 1986
Delegate Timothy D. Hugo
Virginia's Fortieth District
District: 703.968.4101
Fax: 703.569.6727
Richmond: 804.698.1040
DelTHugo@house.state.va.us
Commonwealth of Virginia
Virginia House of Delegates
RICHMOND
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 7, 2008
Contact: Karen Stuber
Phone: (804) 698-1088
Statement by House P&E Chairman Mark Cole
-- on Confirmation Hearing of College of William and Mary Board Appointees --
-- on Confirmation Hearing of College of William and Mary Board Appointees --
RICHMOND, VA – Delegate Mark L. Cole, Chairman of the House Privileges and Elections Committee, today began the committee's confirmation hearing with the four appointments to the College of William and Mary's Board of Visitors with the following opening statement:
"Good morning. Thank you all for being here.
"The interest and motivation of this committee in holding this hearing today is straightforward and clear. We all want to do what's in the best interest of one of our Commonwealth's most treasured – and our Nation's second oldest – institution of higher learning, The College of William and Mary in Virginia.
"I appreciate the four appointees of the Governor making time in their busy schedules to join us – John Gerdelman, Henry Wolf, Anita Poston and Kathy Hornsby. This committee commends your willingness and desire to participate in public service by agreeing to serve on William and Mary's governing board.
"As Board of Visitor members, each of you is charged with the duty of providing oversight and leadership at what has been, for more than 300 years, one of the most renowned and respected academic institutions anywhere. Over the years, many accolades and considerable notoriety have been achieved by distinguished students, faculty, administrators and alumni. Likewise, we all want future opportunities for greatness to continue to be sought after and seized, not squandered or left unfulfilled.
"By statute, the General Assembly has delegated management and operations of Virginia's public colleges and universities to governing boards.
"To do your job most effectively, we believe a board must focus its attention and effort on matters of broad and central importance to the continued successful operation of the institution. I also believe, along with every member of this committee I suspect, that boards which micro-manage their institutions will not have sufficient time to attend to the overarching policy matters that are the heart of their responsibilities.
"As part of our constitutional role of providing oversight and approval of appointments by a governor to Virginia's higher education governing boards, we have asked Ms. Hornsby, Ms. Poston, Mr. Gerdelman and Mr. Wolf to be here today. Three of you are being re-appointed and one appointed for the first time.
"In your role as trustees of the second oldest university in the United States, and a treasure of the Commonwealth of Virginia's higher education system, you have a trust granted to you by the taxpayers. In our role evaluating both your performance, and your suitability, as trustees, we appreciate that at times you have to evaluate and balance competing values and concerns. But it will help us immensely in carrying out our duties to understand how you make these judgments.
"I acknowledge upfront that it is unusual, but not unprecedented, for this Committee to invite gubernatorial appointees for questioning.
"In the case of William and Mary, however, we believe that a set of recent events warrant a more thorough review of those who are charged with ensuring that one of the jewels of Virginia higher education is well protected.
"First, we are all familiar with the events that transpired at the end of 2006 and the start of 2007 with respect to President Nichol's decision to remove a century old cross from the Wren Chapel at the College. Among other things, this controversy led to the largest revocation of a monetary gift in the College's 315-year history. I am aware that a former member of the Board of Visitors has commented to some that this controversy constituted the most significant disruption in his decades-long association with the College.
"Second, we read just this week about the 3rd Annual Sex Worker Show at the College held on campus using taxpayer dollars. We also have seen some public statements by various College officials as to how we are to think about the show's presence on campus.
"And third, we are well aware of a bias reporting system that the school's administration created on campus that originally permitted the anonymous reporting of potentially offending speech to college officials and the possible investigation of anyone who violated the school's effective speech code. In addition to concerns about the chilling effect on campus speech, we are manifestly unclear on who controls whatever data is generated, however untrue, about those who violate the bias policy, who has access to it and, what right potential employers of graduates have to demand this information from the College in the future.
"Quite frankly, members of this committee – and many more in the House – are not sure what to make of all of these and other events and how they advance the teaching, research and public service mission of William and Mary.
"We also would like to understand more about what you believe are the central areas of concern and attention occupying your attention and efforts – from overseeing the president and the mission of the institution, to setting goals and priorities, developing budgets, and safeguarding the academic integrity of the institution.
"With that, I will begin the questioning period by making a few general inquiries of the nominees."
Monday, February 4, 2008
continued from last post
After I ate dinner, I passed out in a post-food coma for about an hour. Then a friend from out of town asked if I wanted to grab coffee, so I went to catch up with her. The beginning of this post and my last post are really rambling, so I hope you can follow them.
What I really wanted to post on was not the tiny details of my evening, but rather my continuing effort to figure out what I hope to get out of the class and how to incorporate what I learn into my life so that it is beneficial to me beyond this one semester. When I can't focus, getting something more out of class is much harder. I definitely see the physical benefits of using muscles that I am not used to and making sure that am at least active twice weekly. I do enjoy learning about the cultural and historical contexts of what we are doing. I think those things are very important.
For another class I am taking called Consumerism and Religion, I visited a coffee shop by the name of Sacred Grounds. The store also offered organic sandwiches and salads, classes in topics like yoga and meditation, and spiritual inspired items, art, and books. The store is very interested in and promotes "mind, body and spirit" well-being. I did notice a strong Eastern religion influence of Buddhism and Hinduism. The context of the influences are of course westernized. It makes me wonder if not recognizing the original context of these influences is somehow disrespecting the original religion or somehow tainting the practices. I wonder what others think about it, especially those who have grown up either Hindu or Buddhist. What I know of western Hindu converts, the practices and meanings are different from those of native practitioners. I think one difficulty for our class is to make these movements our own while acknowledging the original meanings and contexts of these movements. Once the original meaning is completely lost, I think the movements become almost worthless.
What I really wanted to post on was not the tiny details of my evening, but rather my continuing effort to figure out what I hope to get out of the class and how to incorporate what I learn into my life so that it is beneficial to me beyond this one semester. When I can't focus, getting something more out of class is much harder. I definitely see the physical benefits of using muscles that I am not used to and making sure that am at least active twice weekly. I do enjoy learning about the cultural and historical contexts of what we are doing. I think those things are very important.
For another class I am taking called Consumerism and Religion, I visited a coffee shop by the name of Sacred Grounds. The store also offered organic sandwiches and salads, classes in topics like yoga and meditation, and spiritual inspired items, art, and books. The store is very interested in and promotes "mind, body and spirit" well-being. I did notice a strong Eastern religion influence of Buddhism and Hinduism. The context of the influences are of course westernized. It makes me wonder if not recognizing the original context of these influences is somehow disrespecting the original religion or somehow tainting the practices. I wonder what others think about it, especially those who have grown up either Hindu or Buddhist. What I know of western Hindu converts, the practices and meanings are different from those of native practitioners. I think one difficulty for our class is to make these movements our own while acknowledging the original meanings and contexts of these movements. Once the original meaning is completely lost, I think the movements become almost worthless.
Rice is good
So I'm waiting for rice to cook in my roommate's rice cooker. Hopefully, I can finish writing this in the 13 minutes that remain. If not, I will pick up after dinner.
During Tuesday's class of last week, I had to sit out for a little bit. It was mainly due to me not eating anything before class, which caused me to feel a little faint. It is hard that this is my first class, because as hard as I try to get up to eat before, I tend to only be able to get up right before this class begins. I know you're probably wondering how lazy can I be? Well it definitely doesn't help that I've been going to bed around 4:30am every night and having lots of rehearsals and things to do for FASA's culture night every evening. (Thanks to all of you who were able to come!). I really am relieved but sad that FASA's biggest event is over.
On Thursday, I was able to to eat a little before class, but I should try to eat more. I found myself very distracted by a number of things. One was that I was hungry; another was that I was tired. Although I can't remember now, I'm sure there were also culture night details floating around in my head. This is definitely something I need to work on. When I am able to focus better, I get more out of class. I would think that the beginning salutations would get me more focused, but it is still difficult to leave behind everything at the door. I guess that is sometimes also the case in praying. Rice is done! I'll continue this soon.
During Tuesday's class of last week, I had to sit out for a little bit. It was mainly due to me not eating anything before class, which caused me to feel a little faint. It is hard that this is my first class, because as hard as I try to get up to eat before, I tend to only be able to get up right before this class begins. I know you're probably wondering how lazy can I be? Well it definitely doesn't help that I've been going to bed around 4:30am every night and having lots of rehearsals and things to do for FASA's culture night every evening. (Thanks to all of you who were able to come!). I really am relieved but sad that FASA's biggest event is over.
On Thursday, I was able to to eat a little before class, but I should try to eat more. I found myself very distracted by a number of things. One was that I was hungry; another was that I was tired. Although I can't remember now, I'm sure there were also culture night details floating around in my head. This is definitely something I need to work on. When I am able to focus better, I get more out of class. I would think that the beginning salutations would get me more focused, but it is still difficult to leave behind everything at the door. I guess that is sometimes also the case in praying. Rice is done! I'll continue this soon.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Day 3
Like Kristian, I have trouble remembering my thoughts long enough to record them. They're usually interesting, too. Well, at least I think so. Anyway, what I do remember about the thoughts I had during class on Thursday was that I was trying to figure out why I am taking this class. Of course there are the answers that many of us gave, such as "Francis was teaching" and "I like dance or movement." Geez, I can't even remember the third reason I gave for taking this class. My point is, though these are true reasons, I want to figure out a deeper reason for why I am taking class. This isn't only for the fact that it is a part of our assignment, but I really want to be able to use something I learn in my life outside of the 25 or so class meetings. I haven't been able to reach any conclusion yet, but I do hope it is more than just learning a different way to move my body. I mean we're learning dance that has a religious background, a deeper, spiritual meaning. I want to respect that and incorporate part of that aspect into my life. I'm not sure how yet, but if it comes to me I'll let you know.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Day 2
I couldn't help but notice how much ballet technique is actually used in the movements of the mudras we learned. Technique, such as keeping back straight, butt not sticking out, turned out feet, in some instances, was used to achieve proper stature during the mudra. My own personal knowledge indicates that Ballet originated in Europe. However, in running a quick search on the internet, conflicting sources also state that Ancient Greece and the Roman Empire may have been the origin of ballet as we know it. It would make sense if ancient cultures exchanged forms of dance in such a way that Ballet and Classical Indian dance have shared origins. Though not the best example, I think this is still one way that shows how many aspects of culture and behavior are more universal than many would like to believe.
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