2 months ago, I went to Museum of Anthropology, but at that time I wasn't interested at all, and got very bored at all the sculptures and canoes as I expected to see something with much longer history. I wanted to see things made hundreds or thousands of years ago. But this time, after we read some handouts about First Nations in Canada, it was much more interesting to see similar sculptures about First Nations in Bill Reid Gallery. I learned that totem is a figure made to look like an animal, plant etc. that is believed to have a special relationship with a particular Native American tribe. I liked the stories of the poles, expecially the one about Bear Mother. I was also amazed at how he made the canoes by himself.
The gallery is not big, but very interesting to see. I was surprised at the little, tiny cups made of chalks when Bill Reid was still a child. When I saw the sculpture of what is printed in 20 dollars bill, I was a bit excited. I liked the meaning of it; obviously, there is a conflit in the crowded boat, but they are still staying in the same boat. I am also curious about why they use this picture in the 20 dollars bill.
I think by visiting galleries like this, I can get more interested in history. I think I need to read more books about history and know more about it.
Saturday, 23 July 2011
Summary of " a Darwinian Theory of Beauty"
In the presentation of a Darwinian Theory of Beauty, the speaker Denis Dutton talked about the complicated subject beauty.There are different kinds of things which considered beautiful, and the speaker provided the most powerful theory of beauty which comes from Charles Darwin. People may think that beauty depends on the eye of the beholder. Although there are many different kinds of art in the world, they all share something in common. By reconstructing a Darwinian evolution theory, we can explain this commonality. The speaker believes that the experience of beauty with its emotional intensity and joy, belongs to gradually developed human psychology. The experience of beauty is one component of Darwinian adaptions. There are two main important parts in evolution--natural selection and sexual selection, and they play very different roles. Neither natural beauty nor artistic beauty is cultural. In our aesthetic desires, we find beauty in something done with a good skill. So beauty is not in the eye of people who look at it, but embedded in our mind, created by our ancestors and last as long as humanity continues.
Weekend Blog Post (July 23th) ----Meditation :)
The morning sun slanted through the blinds, and woke me up from a very relaxing sleep. I opened my eyes, and stared out the lone window; morning had come, which meant I had to get ready for any chances of unpleasant moments. “Will I get to be okay again just like what I was a few years ago—a happy and very optimistic girl? Or is this going to hang over me for the rest of my life?” I liked the scent of the soft pillow, and I was afraid of anything that might break the pleasant time.
However, I feel grateful that I am in Canada
I think I had been too impassive since last year; I didn’t want anyone to talk to me, and I envied others’ smiles even. Water must freeze the moment it touched me. I didn’t seem to have any emotions for the whole year. Although I wished I could have family with me, I didn’t even go home for that whole summer. I spent most of the time working part time at a cash register, looking at the clock, and hoping time could pass more quickly. Finally, God awarded me by letting my little wish come true. I feel relieved that I am now in another country. I have more chances to learn to accept or even love the world.
I am making great progress. When I am walking in the green grass, I would like to sit down for a short meditation and I like the green color—looks energetic and full of hope. The sun shines through the thick light green leaves, and casts different shapes of light on the top of dark green grass as if there are a lot of candles making light of my discomfort. When I am walking on the roads paved with concrete, I can feel the heat under my feet; I appreciate that I have the ability to walk. When I am in the gardens, enjoying the peaceful water and listening to birds singing, I feel like smiling and I am grateful that I feel alive, and happy; I know life is not all about ordeals, and sometimes there are still some pleasant times.
There used to be totally no way I could possibly think that there was any meaning in life for me to live on, but now I am getting much stronger than before, and I have the courage to walk down a long distance as there are always green trees to bring me hope.
Sunday, 17 July 2011
Weekend post ( 17th July)
After some hard time, I thought it could be a good day today. I never crave happy times like others do. For me, it’s easy to be happy, yet extremely difficult. This morning, after I got up, I felt that I’d rested quite well, and I thought today I could write some positive things on the blog again; I was happy at that time.
However, I know I don’t deserve any happiness or even just a peaceful moment; I thought it ironic though because I know I’ve already been doing my best. I can write some details here in order to let my readers know why I am feeling this way. It is all about brain chemistry; I don’t care if people like to call it “mental disorder”.
Unlike other young people, I don’t like to celebrate birthdays. As I was told before, a long time ago, “everything will get better naturally when you grow up”, and I believed that at that time when I was 16. Very soon my 21-year-old birthday will come, and I feel disappointed. I remember in the past few years, I used to make a wish on every New Year’s Day and birthday as well. I clearly remember that on New Year’s Day this year I did my part time job as usual, and I paid a visit to a shrine that night as a traditional Japanese custom. When everyone else was cheering for the coming year, tears started to sting the backs of my eyes. Although I knew crying might have seemed childish, but that didn’t stop tears from getting out. I always feel that no one in this world can truly understand me even if they are kind enough to get to know me.
Until June 2008, I used to think that even if I feel pain now, I can still think of the happy times I had when I was younger, and live on with the memories. However, a certain therapy made my precious, beautiful memories so dim, and so far away.
I am getting 21 years old, and it seems that there are only a few years that I can clearly remember and these are all the times which I have been suffering. Recently, I felt that I had more happy times than before, and I was feeling hopeful even. Sometimes, it didn’t seem like anything was overly important, or frightening when I was feeling happy with the green trees and colourful flowers in the gardens; however, it made me hate myself more than before. I don't seem to get any better although I sometimes do think I am much better only when I am feeling Okay.
Every time when I am suffering from the brain chemistry, I feel like the whole world is like a big balloon that is losing air in an extremely high speed. But I promised that I won’t die that easily although it needs a lot of courage to live on.
I need to take a deep breath, and then exhale slowly. I remember someone said that people don’t get to choose what life gives to them; they do get to choose how they respond.
Friday, 8 July 2011
Weekend blog post( assignment)
I went to a beach after class with the CAs, and I enjoyed the whole afternoon.
On the way to the beach, I took a nap on the bus while others were talking; I found myself not very talkative at that time, and all I wanted to do was just to assure myself that it was me that enjoyed today. I could hardly believe that I could also have some happy moments. Although I still had some difficult times, I felt it easier to overcome and more hopeful; remembering that although I saw some black birds at noon, today I thought they looked somewhat majestic, and had less meaning of bad luck.
When we arrived at the beach, I said, " I like the weather; it's so nice today!" I knew some people there felt a bit unusual that I looked happy today. I went close to the water, and walked into the tiny waves; everything looked so cute and nice today. There were different shapes of small stones in the sand: purple, light green, grey, and white. I felt grateful but nervous. I knew it might come a big wave, and swallow me again and everything colorful. For some reason, I wished I hadn't felt so happy.
I looked at the huge sea with a shaky smile and a promise, "I am going to be brave and face all the difficulties in a good way; Life is only once, and I have to get better."
I walked back to people sitting on the beach far away. The sand was so hot, and my feet were burning-nothing could make me feel any more alive.
On the way to the beach, I took a nap on the bus while others were talking; I found myself not very talkative at that time, and all I wanted to do was just to assure myself that it was me that enjoyed today. I could hardly believe that I could also have some happy moments. Although I still had some difficult times, I felt it easier to overcome and more hopeful; remembering that although I saw some black birds at noon, today I thought they looked somewhat majestic, and had less meaning of bad luck.
When we arrived at the beach, I said, " I like the weather; it's so nice today!" I knew some people there felt a bit unusual that I looked happy today. I went close to the water, and walked into the tiny waves; everything looked so cute and nice today. There were different shapes of small stones in the sand: purple, light green, grey, and white. I felt grateful but nervous. I knew it might come a big wave, and swallow me again and everything colorful. For some reason, I wished I hadn't felt so happy.
I looked at the huge sea with a shaky smile and a promise, "I am going to be brave and face all the difficulties in a good way; Life is only once, and I have to get better."
I walked back to people sitting on the beach far away. The sand was so hot, and my feet were burning-nothing could make me feel any more alive.
Wednesday, 6 July 2011
Today-a positive thinking:)
It was a warm day; I liked the beautiful weather. I was glad that I was able to enjoy some time of the day and I think I felt happy. However, it's hard to stay relaxed for me. I appreciate every peaceful moment and feel grateful for every single smile that I could truly have.
Not too long time ago, there was almost no way I could passibly think that I could still feel some happy moments in my life; it looked like I was the girl who was going to experience all the difficult things--and none of them pleasant. I thought I had to erase the word "happiness" from my vocabulary; however, I didn't really want to. I craved happiness the way I craved chocolate; It was a fact of my life that I needed chocolate to survive.
Luckily, here, I have been doing much better than I thought. Today I wasn't feeling too bad. However, I know every happiness is only temporary and fragile--like the bubble. I wish I could be frozen at that time; I wanted to keep it a bit longer. I hate the rule of the world that there is no way for me to hold the bubble. I knew after the "best before" of the happiness expired, my nervous level would shoot up like the mercury in a thermometer that was placed in boiling water.
I went out for a walk late this afternoon. I like the smell of the air in Vancouver, and I was thinking that no matter how difficult it is, I am going to walk on. I believe that life won't say no to me unless I say no to life.
Not too long time ago, there was almost no way I could passibly think that I could still feel some happy moments in my life; it looked like I was the girl who was going to experience all the difficult things--and none of them pleasant. I thought I had to erase the word "happiness" from my vocabulary; however, I didn't really want to. I craved happiness the way I craved chocolate; It was a fact of my life that I needed chocolate to survive.
Luckily, here, I have been doing much better than I thought. Today I wasn't feeling too bad. However, I know every happiness is only temporary and fragile--like the bubble. I wish I could be frozen at that time; I wanted to keep it a bit longer. I hate the rule of the world that there is no way for me to hold the bubble. I knew after the "best before" of the happiness expired, my nervous level would shoot up like the mercury in a thermometer that was placed in boiling water.
I went out for a walk late this afternoon. I like the smell of the air in Vancouver, and I was thinking that no matter how difficult it is, I am going to walk on. I believe that life won't say no to me unless I say no to life.
Tuesday, 5 July 2011
Similarities between the 3rd Account of "Genesis" and "Prometheus Bound".
(The article "Prometheus Bound" was too difficult- both the characters and the old-fashioned language.)
Here, I am going to discuss the similarities between the 3rd Account of " Genesis" ( In this post, I am going to use "Gen 3" for "the 3rd Account of "Genesis") and "Prometheus Bound" according to the notes.
First of all, There are both male characters in "Gen3" and "Prometheus Bound". In "Gen 3", he is "God"; in "Prometheus Bound", he is "Zeus". They are both authority figures who don't want to share knowledge or technology with people, and also, they punish the animal or person who helps human. In "Gen 3", God punished the serpent who asked the woman to eat the fruit of the tree that is in the middle if the garden, and after God knew that the woman ate the fruit, he punished the serpent. Similarly, Prometheus got punished by Zeus too.
Another similarity is that in both "Gen 3" and " Prometheus Bound", the role of the serpent can be compared with that of Prometheus; they both help people to gain vital knowledge and skill, but they both are punished.
The last similarity is that in "Gen 3", there are "Adam" and " Eve"; likely, in "Prometheus Bound", there are people. However, on the other hand, Adam and Eve are braver and stronger than people in the latter; they take the fruit and try the things that may be good for them. In contrast, people in " Prometheus Bound" are much weaker and need more help from the others.
To sum up, there are three main similarities between these characters discussed above: God and Zeus, the serpent and Prometheus, Adam&Eve and people. I think both are interesting to read, but I prefer "Gen 3".
Here, I am going to discuss the similarities between the 3rd Account of " Genesis" ( In this post, I am going to use "Gen 3" for "the 3rd Account of "Genesis") and "Prometheus Bound" according to the notes.
First of all, There are both male characters in "Gen3" and "Prometheus Bound". In "Gen 3", he is "God"; in "Prometheus Bound", he is "Zeus". They are both authority figures who don't want to share knowledge or technology with people, and also, they punish the animal or person who helps human. In "Gen 3", God punished the serpent who asked the woman to eat the fruit of the tree that is in the middle if the garden, and after God knew that the woman ate the fruit, he punished the serpent. Similarly, Prometheus got punished by Zeus too.
Another similarity is that in both "Gen 3" and " Prometheus Bound", the role of the serpent can be compared with that of Prometheus; they both help people to gain vital knowledge and skill, but they both are punished.
The last similarity is that in "Gen 3", there are "Adam" and " Eve"; likely, in "Prometheus Bound", there are people. However, on the other hand, Adam and Eve are braver and stronger than people in the latter; they take the fruit and try the things that may be good for them. In contrast, people in " Prometheus Bound" are much weaker and need more help from the others.
To sum up, there are three main similarities between these characters discussed above: God and Zeus, the serpent and Prometheus, Adam&Eve and people. I think both are interesting to read, but I prefer "Gen 3".
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