Comments for Your Voice Counts! http://blog.fairfield.edu/summerreading2008 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:42:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 Comment on A Way to Resolve the World Conflicts - Post by Franny Briggs, Gonzaga Hall RA by Alexandra Criscuolo http://blog.fairfield.edu/summerreading2008/?p=80#comment-132 Alexandra Criscuolo Tue, 02 Sep 2008 19:52:15 +0000 http://blog.fairfield.edu/summerreading2008/?p=80#comment-132 I agree with Franny. Before reading "Three Cups of Tea" I knew very little about the war and issues. Mortenson's story gave me the background knowledge I needed to form my own opinions about confilct in that part of the world. Education really is the key to keeping children off the road to violence. I agree with Franny. Before reading “Three Cups of Tea” I knew very little about the war and issues. Mortenson’s story gave me the background knowledge I needed to form my own opinions about confilct in that part of the world. Education really is the key to keeping children off the road to violence.

]]> Comment on A Way to Resolve the World Conflicts - Post by Franny Briggs, Gonzaga Hall RA by Bridgette Sliva http://blog.fairfield.edu/summerreading2008/?p=80#comment-129 Bridgette Sliva Sun, 31 Aug 2008 12:20:21 +0000 http://blog.fairfield.edu/summerreading2008/?p=80#comment-129 The book "Three Cups of Tea" brought the conflicts of the Middle east to reality by enhancing the usually boring numbers and statistics of devastation and giving it a human face. Through his experiences Greg Mortenson helps others to see past the barrier that is stereotyping and lets us see through to the people over there who are need and every bit as human as we are. His emphasis on education, especially for girls, is a severely important issue because as he says over and over again, everyone deserves the right to fulfill their abilities in this world. The book “Three Cups of Tea” brought the conflicts of the Middle east to reality by enhancing the usually boring numbers and statistics of devastation and giving it a human face. Through his experiences Greg Mortenson helps others to see past the barrier that is stereotyping and lets us see through to the people over there who are need and every bit as human as we are. His emphasis on education, especially for girls, is a severely important issue because as he says over and over again, everyone deserves the right to fulfill their abilities in this world.

]]> Comment on A Way to Resolve the World Conflicts - Post by Franny Briggs, Gonzaga Hall RA by Laura Gilmartin http://blog.fairfield.edu/summerreading2008/?p=80#comment-126 Laura Gilmartin Sat, 30 Aug 2008 02:04:57 +0000 http://blog.fairfield.edu/summerreading2008/?p=80#comment-126 I think reading this book definitely changed the way I view conflicts not only in the Middle East, but also in places like Darfur, the Ivory Coast, etc. It proves that one person really can change the world. I always felt that I could never really make any large impact on world issues, but reading Three Cups of Tea gave me hope that I can make a difference. Greg Mortenson had that courage to do the right thing and that's really all it took. This book is truly empowering. I think reading this book definitely changed the way I view conflicts not only in the Middle East, but also in places like Darfur, the Ivory Coast, etc. It proves that one person really can change the world. I always felt that I could never really make any large impact on world issues, but reading Three Cups of Tea gave me hope that I can make a difference. Greg Mortenson had that courage to do the right thing and that’s really all it took. This book is truly empowering.

]]> Comment on A Way to Resolve the World Conflicts - Post by Franny Briggs, Gonzaga Hall RA by ABENA DICKSON http://blog.fairfield.edu/summerreading2008/?p=80#comment-125 ABENA DICKSON Fri, 29 Aug 2008 21:25:04 +0000 http://blog.fairfield.edu/summerreading2008/?p=80#comment-125 ACTUALLY, THE BOOK ADDED ON TO MY KNOWLEDGE OF THE CONFLICT THAT WAS GOING ON IN PAKISTAN BETWEEN PAKISTANIS AND INDIANS OVER RELIGION. MORTENSON'S USAGE OF EDUCATION PAVED A WAY, AND IN A SENSE, TO ME PERSONALLY SYMBOLIZED UNIFICATION. ALTHOUGH MORTENSON HAD TO GO THROUGH A WHOLE LOT TO BUILD THESE SCHOOLS IN A PART OF THE WORLD THAT ISN'T REALLY PROMINENT. IN THE WORLD TODAY, TOO MANY PEOPLE ARE JUDGEMENTAL AND LOOK AT ONE PERSON AND AUTOMATICALLY CATEGORIZE THEM BASED ON THEIR OPINIONS, AND THAT IS SO UNJUST. I BELIEVE IT TAKES A LOT TO TAKE THOSE MOVES THAT MORTENSON TOOK.AND HE DESERVES ALL THE PRAISE. ACTUALLY, THE BOOK ADDED ON TO MY KNOWLEDGE OF THE CONFLICT THAT WAS GOING ON IN PAKISTAN BETWEEN PAKISTANIS AND INDIANS OVER RELIGION. MORTENSON’S USAGE OF EDUCATION PAVED A WAY, AND IN A SENSE, TO ME PERSONALLY SYMBOLIZED UNIFICATION. ALTHOUGH MORTENSON HAD TO GO THROUGH A WHOLE LOT TO BUILD THESE SCHOOLS IN A PART OF THE WORLD THAT ISN’T REALLY PROMINENT. IN THE WORLD TODAY, TOO MANY PEOPLE ARE JUDGEMENTAL AND LOOK AT ONE PERSON AND AUTOMATICALLY CATEGORIZE THEM BASED ON THEIR OPINIONS, AND THAT IS SO UNJUST. I BELIEVE IT TAKES A LOT TO TAKE THOSE MOVES THAT MORTENSON TOOK.AND HE DESERVES ALL THE PRAISE.

]]> Comment on Turn the Failure Around - Post by Katlyn Bouzan, Regis Hall RA by Kenni Nwajagu http://blog.fairfield.edu/summerreading2008/?p=69#comment-124 Kenni Nwajagu Fri, 29 Aug 2008 20:42:05 +0000 http://blog.fairfield.edu/summerreading2008/?p=69#comment-124 I think everyone can turn "failure" into something positive if we simply look at it with a new perspective. Many times, not achieving our goals may reveal something in us that we may not know - whether it's a new talent, a new love, or a new ambition. We just have to open our eyes. I think everyone can turn “failure” into something positive if we simply look at it with a new perspective. Many times, not achieving our goals may reveal something in us that we may not know - whether it’s a new talent, a new love, or a new ambition.

We just have to open our eyes.

]]> Comment on Appreciating Different Cultures - Post by Gabriel Rojas, Regis Hall RA by Kenni Nwajagu http://blog.fairfield.edu/summerreading2008/?p=78#comment-123 Kenni Nwajagu Fri, 29 Aug 2008 20:23:10 +0000 http://blog.fairfield.edu/summerreading2008/?p=78#comment-123 I mentioned this previously in another post but I will briefly touch on it again. Moving here from another country has to be one of the biggest cultural changes one can ever experience. I moved from Nigeria to the US at the age of seven and even now when I'm used to the American culture, there are times where I may do things that someone may raise an eyebrow at. One of the simple ones is sometimes being unable to call someone older than me by their first names. Some may not see it as a big deal but I grew up saying Mr. or Mrs. or even Sir or Ma'am to anyone that is my elder. After a few e-mails back and forth with my adviser Professor Jim Mayzik, he told me to just call him Jim and not Professor or Mister. Even now, I still find that a bit hard. Even little things like this are major differences in other cultures. I mentioned this previously in another post but I will briefly touch on it again. Moving here from another country has to be one of the biggest cultural changes one can ever experience.

I moved from Nigeria to the US at the age of seven and even now when I’m used to the American culture, there are times where I may do things that someone may raise an eyebrow at. One of the simple ones is sometimes being unable to call someone older than me by their first names. Some may not see it as a big deal but I grew up saying Mr. or Mrs. or even Sir or Ma’am to anyone that is my elder.

After a few e-mails back and forth with my adviser Professor Jim Mayzik, he told me to just call him Jim and not Professor or Mister. Even now, I still find that a bit hard. Even little things like this are major differences in other cultures.

]]> Comment on Everything Happens for a Reason - Post by Kristin Brown, Campion Hall RA by Kenni Nwajagu http://blog.fairfield.edu/summerreading2008/?p=48#comment-122 Kenni Nwajagu Fri, 29 Aug 2008 19:48:10 +0000 http://blog.fairfield.edu/summerreading2008/?p=48#comment-122 Though the defined opposite of succeeding is failing, I don't think Mortenson was a failure just because he didn't succeed to reach the top of K2. Failing, in my own eyes, would be Mortenson saying he would and then when the time came for him to start the climb, he changes his mind and says he can not do it. He attempted the climb and tried his hardest and though he didn't reach his goal, I don't think it should be considered as a failure. I think failure is not attempting something and not pushing yourself as far as you can. I agree with Chandler when she says that it is "laziness and lack of heart". That, in my humble opinion, truly describes failure. Though the defined opposite of succeeding is failing, I don’t think Mortenson was a failure just because he didn’t succeed to reach the top of K2. Failing, in my own eyes, would be Mortenson saying he would and then when the time came for him to start the climb, he changes his mind and says he can not do it. He attempted the climb and tried his hardest and though he didn’t reach his goal, I don’t think it should be considered as a failure.

I think failure is not attempting something and not pushing yourself as far as you can. I agree with Chandler when she says that it is “laziness and lack of heart”. That, in my humble opinion, truly describes failure.

]]> Comment on Purpose - Post by Karen Donoghue, Director of Residence Life by Kenni Nwajagu http://blog.fairfield.edu/summerreading2008/?p=45#comment-121 Kenni Nwajagu Fri, 29 Aug 2008 19:21:27 +0000 http://blog.fairfield.edu/summerreading2008/?p=45#comment-121 This question makes me smile. Years ago, I wanted to do so many things with my life; my biggest aspiration was to be a lawyer. I've been told many times that I have the qualities to become a good lawyer and I desperately wanted to become one after school, etc. That has changed. As soon as I got involved with theater and film, I knew that this was my passion. Often times, I wonder if I have made the right decision but something inside of me keeps pushing to achieve my goals to a career in the film industry. Till today, my mom still asks me what has become of my dream to be a lawyer. I simply reply that it is no longer a passion of mine. I am hoping that being a film major at Fairfield will help me achieve my goals and open new doors for me. ~Kenni Nwajagu - Campion This question makes me smile.

Years ago, I wanted to do so many things with my life; my biggest aspiration was to be a lawyer. I’ve been told many times that I have the qualities to become a good lawyer and I desperately wanted to become one after school, etc.

That has changed. As soon as I got involved with theater and film, I knew that this was my passion. Often times, I wonder if I have made the right decision but something inside of me keeps pushing to achieve my goals to a career in the film industry. Till today, my mom still asks me what has become of my dream to be a lawyer. I simply reply that it is no longer a passion of mine.

I am hoping that being a film major at Fairfield will help me achieve my goals and open new doors for me.

~Kenni Nwajagu - Campion

]]> Comment on Arriving at Fairfield with an Open Mind - Post by Mara Giarratana Young, Regis Hall RA by Kenni Nwajagu http://blog.fairfield.edu/summerreading2008/?p=41#comment-120 Kenni Nwajagu Fri, 29 Aug 2008 19:06:52 +0000 http://blog.fairfield.edu/summerreading2008/?p=41#comment-120 Unfortunately, I haven't been able to travel much out of the country during my eighteen years of life but, I have had one major culture shock. At the age of seven, my family decided to move from my hometown of Nigeria (located in the continent Africa) to Connecticut. Talk about a major change! Even now when I think about it, the two cultures are completely different but one eventually learns how to adjust and live with the new community. I don't think the human race would be able to survive if we didn't learn how to tolerate, appreciate, and deal with the culture of others. Everyone is different whether it be their beliefs, language, or just way of life. If we didn't learn to accept other cultures for what they were, the world would still be in a state of chaos and it'd be extremely hard to survive. ~Kenni Nwajagu - Campion Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to travel much out of the country during my eighteen years of life but, I have had one major culture shock. At the age of seven, my family decided to move from my hometown of Nigeria (located in the continent Africa) to Connecticut. Talk about a major change!

Even now when I think about it, the two cultures are completely different but one eventually learns how to adjust and live with the new community.

I don’t think the human race would be able to survive if we didn’t learn how to tolerate, appreciate, and deal with the culture of others. Everyone is different whether it be their beliefs, language, or just way of life. If we didn’t learn to accept other cultures for what they were, the world would still be in a state of chaos and it’d be extremely hard to survive.

~Kenni Nwajagu - Campion

]]> Comment on See the Forest through the Trees-by Caitlin Scully, Gonzaga Hall RA by Kenni Nwajagu http://blog.fairfield.edu/summerreading2008/?p=34#comment-119 Kenni Nwajagu Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:40:50 +0000 http://blog.fairfield.edu/summerreading2008/?p=34#comment-119 I completely agree with what you have said Caitlin and Kim. I think once in a while everyone needs to pause for a second, breathe, and look at things a different way. Many times we take on a challenge, whether difficult or not, and when we do not complete it, we always shine a negative light on it. We think that we have given up. We think that we are not capable. We think that we have failed. In times like these, it is always good to look at things at a different angle, upside down, sideways, or however else you would like to see it. In times like these, we sometimes find that we didn't fail after all. It's also in times like these when we discover new things about ourselves - things that will help us grow and prosper - things that will assist us in becoming someone who we want to be - things that will help us help others. Look at the many times that Greg Mortenson fell. He got up, dusted himself off, and tried again. Had he taken the "I have failed so there is no use" route, he wouldn't have built any schools halfway across the world, and he surely would not have married and had a beautiful child. There has been many times that I have had to just stop and think for a second and I have found these times to be extremely helpful. I have learned many new things about myself that I did not know and now even if I don't finish something, I never look at it as failure. I always look at it differently and see the good that has come out of the situation. I completely agree with what you have said Caitlin and Kim. I think once in a while everyone needs to pause for a second, breathe, and look at things a different way. Many times we take on a challenge, whether difficult or not, and when we do not complete it, we always shine a negative light on it. We think that we have given up. We think that we are not capable. We think that we have failed.

In times like these, it is always good to look at things at a different angle, upside down, sideways, or however else you would like to see it. In times like these, we sometimes find that we didn’t fail after all. It’s also in times like these when we discover new things about ourselves - things that will help us grow and prosper - things that will assist us in becoming someone who we want to be - things that will help us help others.

Look at the many times that Greg Mortenson fell. He got up, dusted himself off, and tried again. Had he taken the “I have failed so there is no use” route, he wouldn’t have built any schools halfway across the world, and he surely would not have married and had a beautiful child.

There has been many times that I have had to just stop and think for a second and I have found these times to be extremely helpful. I have learned many new things about myself that I did not know and now even if I don’t finish something, I never look at it as failure. I always look at it differently and see the good that has come out of the situation.

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