We got an e-mail from Michigan State, informing us that because they have no doctoral candidates graduating this year they will not be accepting any new students.
They dang well better give us back the fee, that's all I have to say. And I'm sad that we don't have even the chance to live by my in-laws, whom I adore. Josh, on the contrary, thinks this is hilarious.
Especially since Michigan State is the top application choice for a number of current and former BYU students this year.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
The Abolition of Man
Last week, while waiting to have my bishop fill a huge hole in one of my teeth (thank goodness he's an amazing dentist and gives us wonderful discounts), I started reading The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis.
It's the first non-fiction piece of writing I'd read by Lewis, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I had to read it much slower than I am accustomed, as his writing style was dense and deep.
The basic idea behind this writing (it's more of an essay than a book) was the damage being done to children by well-meaning educators. He argued that there are those who would, in examining value systems, demolish all values save those they deem appropriate. The end result is a posterity who do not recognize the importance of values at all, because their only value is to question.
He discusses what he refers to as "The Tao", or the underlying laws of the universe. Things have inherent value; having inherent value they demand certain reactions, such as appreciation, respect, or disdain. The importance then is placed on teaching children to recognize what is inherently good and what is not. When they reach an age where they begin to reason for themselves, they have a solid value system as a starting point, and have greater chances for success in this universe.
My takeaway is that I need to make certain to give my children the opportunities to experience beauty in art, music, literature, nature, and human interactions, to give them a better chance of having a joyful life.
It's the first non-fiction piece of writing I'd read by Lewis, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I had to read it much slower than I am accustomed, as his writing style was dense and deep.
The basic idea behind this writing (it's more of an essay than a book) was the damage being done to children by well-meaning educators. He argued that there are those who would, in examining value systems, demolish all values save those they deem appropriate. The end result is a posterity who do not recognize the importance of values at all, because their only value is to question.
He discusses what he refers to as "The Tao", or the underlying laws of the universe. Things have inherent value; having inherent value they demand certain reactions, such as appreciation, respect, or disdain. The importance then is placed on teaching children to recognize what is inherently good and what is not. When they reach an age where they begin to reason for themselves, they have a solid value system as a starting point, and have greater chances for success in this universe.
My takeaway is that I need to make certain to give my children the opportunities to experience beauty in art, music, literature, nature, and human interactions, to give them a better chance of having a joyful life.
TEETH
Everybody would like nice ones.
Hence the reason why I have asked favors of most of my good friends, so that I can spend 3 1/2 hours driving or in the dentist's chair.
I just had my second of what looks like four appointments.
I had a chunk of tooth fall out the night of Leo's birthday. I went to get it fixed, and had another small cavity filled in the process.
Today I went for a cleaning and x-rays, where the dentist found five (!!!) more. I don't get it; the hygienist and the dentist said my teeth look really good, free of plaque, they can tell I've been flossing, etc. But FIVE?
Lame. So two more appointments to get those taken care of, since right now we have a wonderful bishop who is kind enough to do it at cost for us.
LAME. Wonderful, I'm grateful, but LAME.
Hence the reason why I have asked favors of most of my good friends, so that I can spend 3 1/2 hours driving or in the dentist's chair.
I just had my second of what looks like four appointments.
I had a chunk of tooth fall out the night of Leo's birthday. I went to get it fixed, and had another small cavity filled in the process.
Today I went for a cleaning and x-rays, where the dentist found five (!!!) more. I don't get it; the hygienist and the dentist said my teeth look really good, free of plaque, they can tell I've been flossing, etc. But FIVE?
Lame. So two more appointments to get those taken care of, since right now we have a wonderful bishop who is kind enough to do it at cost for us.
LAME. Wonderful, I'm grateful, but LAME.
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