Humanities One, Over and Done; Only for the Second to Have Begun

Humanities 2001 was a class I must say I have dodged since the semester after admittance as a freshman. The size of that book is far greater than that of the biology books I tote around daily. So tell me how that makes one feel. I was hoping that eventually ASU would drop the course, but then when my roommate brought home the new edition after taking the course my frown grew greater. I then knew I was taking that class. This semester I must say gave me a whole new experience of the class. Taught me things I would have never cared for and taught me further on ideas I believed I knew. The experience was grown further by the professors I took the class with. To see that passion within each discipline would only make one want to listen further. Now, I cant lie, there were several Wednesdays I thought we’d leave early, not the case, but that was a better way to prep us for the ID essays. I feel that my knowledge in the Eastern culture has grown in knowledge and understanding, and I’m sure everyone else, as it surprises you to see the things you say in conversation and debate, when initially you find yourself thinking the class was a waste of time. I am very grateful for the Wednesday labs because I know the other students help me formulate some ideas as well as knowledge from the professors. I say Dr. A, that it has been a pleasure meeting and being a student of yours as you bestowed your passion in your craft, and it is admirable experience. Your extensive knowledge and ability to connect two ideas, I’m hoping I’ve been able to encapsulate the slightest bit of that ability.

Now, to fix the class…. Hmmmm…

Now you know that Quote ID part of the Midterm and Final is beyond hard! I don’t really know how to remedy that, and maybe you don’t either, but that’s the main thought. Other than that, I have nothing else. Maybe profess students to come to your office, because you have been beyond helpful. And change that 8 am course to a afternoon!


Word Count: 365

Blog 7, The Route to Heaven

Gothic art illustrates salvation deeper than just the physical beauty and genius of the window. The nature of the divine relates salvation in this era as the beauties of God are magnified strengthening people’s religious relationships to defer them from eternal damnation and willing to endure the hardships of life in order to bathe in the land of milk and honey. This glass, the Rose Glass of the Chartes Cathedral are stained windows is a creation that would captivated the eyes of its viewers not only due to its one-of-a-kind presence of colored glass in a frame, but that its brilliance gives of the feeling of something only holy. It goes beyond the uniqueness of the glass, but the symbolic beauty it contains. First, light itself is a creation from above, but to see it shimmer and illuminate a room even in darkness, with color would leave one in awe. It would have one to think that only God is able of something so special. This light leaves an intimate feeling among a person and that’s the relationship one is taught to have with the creator. Only something of God’s worth is this beautiful. The Lux Nova was ever so inspiring making one feel closer to the Creator in the essence of this light. With this new magnified light people would feel less likely to a life of damnation and would seek salvation in order to claim these beauties that God has set forth and that’s what the Lux Nova does, because if God is capable of this type of beauty on earth, it only leaves one to imagine, what he holds in the kingdom of heaven. This glass along with the beauties of the cathedrals was the perfect answer to the occurrences of the time, The Black Plague, which something this catastrophic could lead an individual off course and lose the belief.

Word Count: 313

Symbols Clear, So Hard to Hear

I must say definitely the trip to The Most Holy Catholic Church was architecturally the most beautiful building, beyond religious buildings that I have ever set foot in. I cant say it was the easiest to hear the priest because of the reverberation of the building due to its design, but the beautiful art made it only that much harder to even pay attention. It was my first time in a structure like that, so paying attention meant little to me momentarily. You see the use of the arch from the entrance door to the back. The stained glass tells so many stories and reminds you of the lessons you have learned through growth in the church. You can take a look at the walls and see how intricately they are painted and the twisting rope like feature on the columns. This Catholic Church differs from mine so much, that I may attend Mass just for the experience.
The priest made a stand on symbolism, in the bible, but look on the façades of the interior and all you see are symbols. It starts from the stained glass, the symbols in the corners of the arches, and placement of paintings such as the crucifix in the top of the dome. The lacing of purple on the table, which is an indication of royalty, and one of their main facets, candles, which was described to us as a fixture to create light in the face of God, as you pray to him, making a visual and illuminating the area.
One of the points he talked of was the power of women in the Christian society, such as Mary, the virgin mother of Jesus. Though she is not represented as part of the Holy Trinity, she is seen as a servant of God, as his vessel of his creation. Also with women, he spoke of the great thing religious women have done, such as open of schools for African Americans and Native Americans.
The experience here was breathtaking from the moment I set foot inside, it clearly disposed my thought of how difficult it was to find a parking space without having the feeling for 50 minutes that you were going to walk to your car with a citation fine and not from ASU, and also someone trying to parallel park, and obviously didn’t do great, but still received their license.

Word Count: 399

My Pilgrimage in only an Hour

The Islamic Center of Augusta left a feeling not to far from home. The overall aesthetic view was different to me. This may be due to the expectation of what a mosque in Turkey looks like in comparison to one in Augusta. This is similar in the fact of the old built cathedrals across Europe in comparison to church across America. The experience overall was one I'm glad I am able to absorb.
The leader of the church, unfortunately I forgot the particular name, but his words made lots of sense. I am a little hurt that my timidity overwhelmed me and didn't ask the questions I pleased, but the main question about the bible was my main fit. I thought it was very interesting that the words of the Qur’an have never been touched. Like the words from the days they were assembled are the same ones that are read today. As in the place of the bible, which has unfortunately been manipulated.
The most respectful feature is that he studies the bible, which I belief is a very outstanding ability to have by reciting the holy writings of another religion especially in respect to yours. I'm sure it helps a lot to receive a more thorough knowledge in your own belief.
My one misconception may have come from the room we were in. I came a little late so I may have missed the statement made, but I'm sure we weren't in the prayer room because I guess I was expecting the qibla, and definitely no chairs but that definitely reflects back to class that said that the mosque had it's different sections such as those for classrooms, and kitchens and miscellaneous. I guess what my expectation was for it to be like the Hindu temple, but of course my intuitions could be false.

Word Count: 306

This ID Paper is gonna ID your Grade!!

The interdisciplinary essay has grounds of analysis on levels further than many classes as it surpasses the threatening Library Research Paper from Literature 1002. My essay will consume themes of the self which I believe is furthest depicted by the Archaic Greeks, and I will compare the culture to that of Hinduism. The artwork and the music all seem to mesh best with this topic and from what I know. The other essay I’m writing is going to be that of the nature of power and that’s seems to be right along track with the Romans and their ideals. This will be compared to be the culture of Classical Greece. In all fairness I guess probably the one thing that would have made all the students a little more confident was to see what a previous composed paper looks like. Of course though, it could raise skepticisms and plagiarisms. Because the most painful feeling about this paper is knowing that you have been literature removed for nearly two years, and let alone a three page written paper but just the thought and frolicking of hoping you have a good THESIS.
The midterm, I will have to say that it went exactly along the lines described, and statistics won’t lie. The hardest part I’m sure which is always and the quote recognition part. That was my weakest area, and it will show. I can’t say I read the entirety of every Lit piece but some of the quotes looked identical in fashion. That could come down to my total preparation or the fact that it may just be that hard. The remainder of the test seemed to go pretty well. It was all doable, I mean the worst that could happen is you leave a question blank. However, as for the future and the Final which in turn should be very similar to the midterm ill have a better grasp of the material.
Now, these essays, Let us Pray!!


Word Count: 328

Have I a Rabbi

Being in the synagogue seemed to be as a very warming and delicate feeling. The rabbi spoke of the numerous amounts of cultures coming together and becoming united and how special that event is. Considering that thought, it always brings strength between people when people accept those differences and view them in a manner to increase knowledge rather than ignorance.
The synagogue didn't leave a feeling of indifference being a christian as the expected feeling was to be one maybe closer in similarity to that of the temple. It did however have its personal iconic symbols and statues. One of the main differences was the Menorah and the doors located behind the pulpit. He showed the the prayer shawl that he was to wear when he is giving service. What stood out to me a lot were the scrolls in the doors behind the pulpit that contained the Hebrew Scriptures used in service. He explained how a person, a scribe would sit down for hours at a time and would write the scriptures in a feather pen.
Very important in Judaism is the basis of Jewish Law. This tradition was based on the first five books of the Torah, called the Five Books of Moses or Pentateuch. We were also told that there are two divisions of Jewish faith. Those two are Orthodox Judaism and Reformed Judaism. The Reformed branch is normally of a more liberal siding and believes that Jewish law should be a more general basis of law rather than the Orthodox believing it should be followed much closer to the tee.
Being able to receive a glimpse of this allowed me to further understand the traditions and values of the Jewish. It further allows me to respect their followings and what traditions are more important to them and also see what parts of their values i believe are better than mine as a Christian.

Word Count: 317

Tying the Knots Knowledge between Art.

Since the start of class, we have read many pieces of literature, listened to many variations of music, and glared at many different forms of artwork. Of these three categories, the period that has made the largest impact on me as well as the one that I have furthest understanding in is Archaic Greece. This would include the epic poem by Homer, Iliad, the statue of Kourus, a fine warrior, as he looks battle in the eye, and walks forth. In music, it would be the sweet sounds of the odes sung with the backing of the Kithara such as the "Ode to Apollo", the sun god.
The Iliad, when it came to the Earth's ultimate warrior, and physical perfection, Achilles was the name roared. He was a man who sought glory. A man to be remembered forever, as he practically beat a nation with the swipe of his sword. Also written with the love he had for another individual and the respect he gained in the act of this beloved individual dying. The statue of Kourus, again a proud warrior ready and intense for battle as you see his first move is forward, not back. He also has his fists clenched as though fear just rubs off of him. A smirk, or a smile, indicating that he has promise in belief that he will win. Also, his fine toned and cut body, as though one of perfection and beauty that cannot be matched.
As I did in class I would like to focus on is harmony, clarity, and simplicity. I see these traits in the statue of Kourus such as, the tone of the body, simply states that this figure is enamored and highly respected. The movement in the piece shows pride, it shows bravery and confidence. In the "Ode to Apollo" the lyrics read may say a lot words, but it all boils down to basically, please, dear great Apollo, please show your light tomorrow so that we can see and we will further praise and honor you.
The power of love. I can do a lot to an individual. Make you do crazy things. This term is identified throughout the dealings of the different works of art. It shows vividly when Patrocles is killed and he is wept for by Achilles who is near a temperament of rage since hearing the news. It also evolves a realm of patience of Achilles. Love is shown in the statue, as you can see Kourus' engaging in battle with a small smirk of confidence. Lastly, the music shows nothing but love and some parts fear as they basically beg for Apollo to cross the skies with his chariot so they may see another day.

Word Count: 454

Early Mornings at the Hindu Temple

To be given a chance to experience another belief, thought, or religion is a chance to transform your whole perspective on life in general. It offers you the chance to break away from once bounded thought and realize positive points, though maybe challenging to understand, within another person’s belief.

When first coming in to the temple you are given a whole new feeling of how they respect their holy ground, as the shoes you have on your feet need to be taken off, revealing that the floor upon which you will step, is holy and needs not the sanitation of one’s shoes. Against the deep wall when you walk in you see beautiful statues, and these very masterfully crafted as they displayed their divine trinity and others of their holy belief.

Visiting the Hindu temple, although made at a much earlier time than a trip I would make to church, left a revitalizing feeling within me. I learned today, for one, myself, as a Christian, believe that misguidance and lack of repentance can lead you to a place that Hindu people don’t believe in. This is new, because as both religions seek to have a great relationship with the highest being, for a Christian, lifestyle is based on not ending up in the dark land below. I respect the fact of a higher being neither man nor woman, because that forfeits all passes for this deity to be inhuman, or beyond human doing.

One of the questions, however few in the Q&A session, that stood out to me was the one about the caste system and being a Hindu and probable expectations. That is one to think about, because you imagine, if one was an untouchable, although politically the caste system has been disbanded they are still lively within the people. The question does raise one to think, do you have to be more pleasing, or “work harder” because of your placement. Does the only time you have to make a true upgrade up the ladder of placement happen only after you pass away? Is your reincarnation affected by the level of life you once lived in you first life. Like to say, you don’t have much to give, so giving is a rare occasion for you, are you punished in your afterlife for not giving even when expectation has to do such?

The Hindu temple was an experience one should have to further broad the ideas they have. I am still unsure of the entirety of the religion, of course, but what questions me is: are the Vedas, their chronicles, teachings, and testaments, are they too much different than of the other major religions of the world. I do know we have the same aim, of achieving an everlasting relationship with our god, but I know the ways to reach this spiritual relationship cannot be too far differing.

Word Count: 479