Appreciation

I've been on campus long enough to realize who the good and not so good professors are. Dr.Pearce Gonzalez "Dr.PG" without a doubt is one of the best professors I have had so far. We are currently studying Mayan culture/civilazation, but even before that he really pressed for a positive class collaboration and just overall understanding of each individuals generational family history. We spent a good 3 class periods watching and presenting each of our presentations dealing with our family backgrounds, religions, traditions and just overall interests. And at least for me, I dread the idea of presenting infront of people! But of course I presented and it felt pretty good! And as I observed the other presentations, some of us discovered we had a lot more in common then what we gave each other credit for. I thought I was the only person who had a parent in the military, I soon realize that 2 other people in the class did as well.

I think just the fact that, he is always positive,welcoming and just willing to go out of his way to open up opportunities for each and every student that is interested is very rare. 

Ultimately I'm just really thankful for Dr.PG

Contribution to the world

     I feel like each and everyone of us goes through something specific in life that defines who we are today. Whether that thing was positive or negative, I feel it is our obligation to use that experience to empower/warn someone else. Each and everyone of us can learn from someone else, whether we would like to or not... it could break or make us ultimately. From this, I feel the idea of counseling is appropriate for me. Although I may not have the qualified degrees, I do believe that going through and actually having different experiences is somewhat of a big contribution to counseling.

   

Mayan Gods

Hunahpu Utiu *PV*                       Qaholom *PV*
Hunahpu-Gutch *PV*                   Oxlahuntiku *CHB*
Ajtzak *PV*                                    Ahmucen-Cab                   Cacoch
Ajbit *PV*                                      Alom
Xmucane *PV*                              Bitol
Xpiayoc *PV*                                Cabaguil


The names you see above are the 13 creators of mayan civilization. I think its very interesting that there is more then one creator considering jealousy. In speaks of christianity religion, God in there eyes is seen as a very jealous God. No one else shall be worshipped but him alone. Hence Ten Commandments "Thou shalt not have any other Gods before me" as well as "Thou shalt not make any idols before me". The idea of sharing power amongst 13 different Gods/Creators, actually really surprises me. You would think there would be intense fights, arguments etcc... I guess that really shows how much the 13 of them were really in unity/harmony.

Creation

     I didn't actually really realize that different religions had there own rendition of how creation came to be. I mean, I never thought about it to that extent considering I am christian and we primarily focused on our idea of creation. 

     Growing up, I soon learned and was brought to the attention of evolution."scientific view of creation, idea of humans having similarities with primates". And honestly to this day, I really can't wrap my mind around that philosophy. Not to say that I don't respect it, just can't really see how that could be. And to my knowledge, if the idea of evolution is the reasoning for human creation.....the idea of creation in the Christian eyes is completely opted out. You obviously can't have both, one came before the other which immediately elimates the other. There are countless other ideas and philosophies of creation, so which is right?

Misunderstood

     I honestly have no opinions about this conversation in class. Honestly I'm kind of disgusted with what's being discussed right now. I think it's just because I've grown up knowing that some people are just stuck in that lifestyle. Not all people that are apart of the "thug/gangster/hustler" life chose to be in that life. Sometimes it's generational, and it's an inheritance type of deal. It just really bothers me when people think that, that lifestyle is all full of glamour, money and girls because it's not at all. 

What people are ignorant about is the fact that, that lifestyle is sometimes associated with poverty, hardship wondering whether or not you will get your next meal and sacrifice. And when I hear kids who are absolutely clueless about that lifestyle in general and they speak of wanting to be "about that life" it irritates me to the max.

Don't get me wrong I am not making excuses for people who are apart of that life, because some do choose to be affiliated with it. But that's there problem. 

Matthew Murray 

Hip Hop Beat&Rhymes *sexism*

     I thought the presentation was very informing and on point. In todays world, a lot of females are treated and acknowledged sometimes lower then the dirt on the earth. That to me is just ridiculous! We live in a world that Is consistently revolving. There was a time years and years ago, where females in general had limited to no rights. And all though it saids law wise that all people are equal, that is certainly not the case in some ways. 

     Growing up especially in middle school, girls where familiarly recognized as the "B" word. I can remember kids 13&14 years old just acknowledging them as that without feeling any sort of remorse. Even recalling the memories now...how can these young kids possible use those vulgar words to describe females. I'm so glad that he linked it into the Rap&R&B industry because if you really watch some of today's music videos as well as in the late 90s, there usually full of countless half naked girls and a whole bunch of "hard" dudes trying to pull off a gangster act. Usually dealing with "getting money, or "f****** B******And It goes back to just being down right ignorant. Sometimes it's family oriented, or you grew up with your father acknowledging your mom as that, so they felt it was ok to do the same. 

     Nevertheless it's just good to see grown men being able to stand up for what is right in spite of all the negative influences potentially coming with taking a stand. I can't even imagine what Mr.Byron Hurt was feeling when he contemplated speaking out against the mistreatment of females. 

All the credit and props to Mr.Hurt!

Thanks Again

Matthew Murray