Admist…stuff

I haven’t found such wonderful music (by itself, and perfect for studying too!) in a looooong while. It’d be nice to get a CD for dad, I’m sure he’ll love it!

Here’s the star: Per-Olov Kindgren – Swedish/Danish music teacher, and guitarist.

And these are my favorite pieces:

It was funny

…and then it got really gross!

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A tall, cool drink of sewage – Elizabeth Royte

“A rabbi, a minister, and a Muslim sheik walk into a restaurant“

Written one summer day (2)

“…Actually

I lied. I did not take economics and psychology because I liked them both. I had no interest in economics, and I was determined to do something that I, for once, genuinely love to do. First I thought it was anthropology, but cultural stuff got boring and repetitive after a semester. Then I found psychology, so there we go, a perfect combination between something practical that I need to take, and something unpractical that I like. The unpractical component of it slipped away after a while, so I sat back and enjoy my peaceful ride through college life, with a few bumps here and there but no dramatic changes that got me to ponder over my academic and career path all over again.

My junior year of college, economics suddenly became a trunk of treasure. I got excited and waited to come to money and banking. I got fascinated with econometrics and at the idea that I could now run models and write up papers “just like anybody else”. The more I learn about economics, the less I know, but at the same time, I’m still excited about the subjects. Macroeconomics specifically. Microeconomics is too technical, and lacks the exciting historical, political and social aspects of macro that I love. (No actually certain areas in microeconomics start to look REALLY interesting, thanks to the fact that microtheory stuff finally starts to make sense)

Parts of psychology, on the other hand, gets repetitive. Part of it may have to do with the little prospect of follow-through after I graduate. There is no chance that I will pursue a PhD in psychology and teach. There is little chance that I get a master’s in psychology, because it is costly, and job availability is low, especially scarce for international students. For recent college grads, it’s the same issue. And then, there is the question of coming back home and not being able to find a decent job with a degree in psychology.

So yeah, I’m going into economics. Social and/or economic development.

And in psychology, my area of interest is the self, and body language. (ummmm I’m not sure anymore)

And you know what, the ‘confrontation’ at the dinner table today made me realize that I do not get to be bored at anything. I have the power to open doors to so many more areas within each of the disciplines I’m studying. Time is limited though, but that is not a legitimate excuse!  …”

Written one summer day (1)

“….These days, I learn a lesson of foundational theory and critical social reasoning as the core of social research, and learn to shift my focus of attention from quantitative to a more information-gathering and questioning/answer-seeking. This, to a considerable extent, comes as a side result of the regression II class with this very hyper professor who believes in the power of repetition and remembrance over the the power of understanding and quiet contemplation. In any case, yes it hits me that regression is bullshit, but it’s one of the tools that social scientists have at their disposal. Quantification is one way to provide supporting evidence for the purpose of description, explanation and evaluation. On the other hand, putting the learning of, say, econometrics, over the learning of economics, and hoping to discover ideas through models is a guaranteed hopeless endeavor, not to mention, misleading and very wrong.
At the same time, refuting the quantitative tool would take away a powerful source of knowledge and communication of knowledge content to the rest of the social research world, and especially the public at large….”

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For Black Friday shoppers

Dissecting the Fed?

Water found on the Moon – This specific entry probably demonstrates the Geology 101 effect. I really have had a good experience with this course (albeit a few class skipping here and there, just because Geol  is not my first priority). The material is interesting. And who wouldn’t love the humorous and passionate Al Werner, especially if he showed up in a lab with a tray of home-made brownie on one hand and a white towel on the other (imagine a fancy waiter…in a lab), and then invited the whole lab out for lunch.

Curse words – studying cursing does not appeal to me that much…BUT notice these researchers can watch all sorts of TV series for a living. Does it not make you want to become a psychologist?

Spoonerism

Accredited to Sir William Spooner

• “Three cheers for our queer old dean!” (dear old queen, referring to Queen Victoria)
• “Is it kisstomary to cuss the bride?” (customary to kiss)
• “The Lord is a shoving leopard.” (a loving shepherd)
• “A blushing crow.” (crushing blow)
• “A well-boiled icicle” (well-oiled bicycle)
• “You were fighting a liar in the quadrangle.” (lighting a fire)
• “Is the bean dizzy?” (dean busy)
• “Someone is occupewing my pie. Please sew me to another sheet.” (occupying my pew…show me to another seat)
• “You have hissed all my mystery lectures. You have tasted a whole worm. Please leave Oxford on the next town drain.” (missed…history, wasted…term, down train)

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spoonerism

In the face of the impossible, we’re inspired.

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http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703574604574501463104873016.html

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Pimps and runaway teens

Separation of school and religion: case from sport events in a southern state