The Last Lecture (revisited)

I found myself thinking back to The Last Lecture and about Dr. Randy Pausch today . . .  I have read the book and have kept up with his progress through websites and the news.  Each time I remember Dr. Pausch, I am reminded to live life and of being present in the now. I am also reminded of this quote from the book:

“It’s not about how to achieve your dreams; it’s about how to lead your life.  If you lead your life the right way, the dreams will come to you.” – From The Last Lecture

Dr. Pausch has been one who has inspired me since the beginning of my journey towards becoming a PhD and continues to do so in more ways than he will possibly ever know.

Summer Musings

Hmm. . . it’s been quite some time since I wrote my last post.  I suppose I could say the ‘ole “I’ve been busy with studying, researching, reading and writing, and have not had a moment to post.” – technically, that would be true; on the other hand, that would just mean I didn’t take the moment to jot down a thought or two.  So, with that being said, I thought I would share something fun that I came across, if only, to demystify the fact that doctoral students are all work and no play and would not know fun if it hit them on the head!

Since we do a tremendous amount of reading in doctoral studies, sometimes, the brain needs a rest, though the student in me lately has wanted rest with purpose (that may be a little too doctoral student of me, but, oh well). In any case, I was given this great little book called Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar. . . Understanding Philosophy through Jokes” by Thomas Cathcart & Daniel Klein.

I found the book to be a great source of fun and learning.  After all, one of the things my doctoral partner and I promised ourselves was that we would have fun along the way towards becoming PhD’s. In the glossary of the book I found the meaning of Phenomenology.  A word we have begun to get ourselves acquainted with in our doctoral studies.  It states:

“Phenomenology: A method of inquiry that attempts to describe reality as it is perceived and understood by human consciousness, as opposed, for example, to scientific description. Phenomenology, for instance, described the phenomenon of “lived time,” or time as we experience it, as compared to “clocked time.”  In the movie Manhattan, when Woody Allen says, “We hardly ever make love – only twice a week,” he is expressing “lived time”; likewise when his screen wife declares, “He always wants to make love – like twice a week!”

Who ever said becoming a PhD is not fun?

Pangea Day – May 10, 2008

While looking for references on some topics, I came across the following link. I believe it is a wonderful opportunity that should not be missed. 

It is called Pangea Day. Their purpose and mission is to “bring the world together through film.” They continue on to say on their website that the reason why they are doing this is because “In a world where people are often divided by borders, difference, and conflict, it’s easy to lose sight of what we all have in common. Pangea Day seeks to overcome that – to help people see themselves in others – through the power of film.” 

All of this according to the site’s history section came from a wish by filmmaker Jehane Noujaim who won the TED Prize in 2006 – her wish was to “change the world.” According to the Pangea website, Pangea Day grew out of that wish. If you would like to know more you can watch Jehane Noujaim’s 2006 acceptance speech from this link.

http://www.pangeaday.org/index.php

Doctoral Studies

I have been in the program for approximately two months now.  During this two month period, I have attended the NSO (new student orientation), a week long event in Santa Barbara, California.  In April I attended a RaP (research and practice session), another week long event in Anaheim, California.  At the RaP session I began KA (knowledge area) 753a that deals with research and introduction to research.  I plan to take its counterpart 753b, next year sometime, as it is a more in-depth course in research.

I am currently in my DOC’s (doctoral competencies) nine week course and concurrently taking an online seminar for my second KA702, Human Development (we are in week 3).  I am learning how to put together KA contracts for each of these KA’s and also putting together my doctoral learning plan.

Beyond this, I will be attending our Summer Session that is held in Kansas City at the end of July – another week long event.  In the meantime, what I am learning most is how different a doctoral program is from any other program I have taken.  It is beyond a bachelor, beyond an MBA, it stretches you even further than you ever thought possible and then some. 

I am enjoying every part of it . . . even all its intricacies.

Travels

Beyond the journey at Fielding, the past few weeks I have been in Thailand on a trip with family.  It was quite the special trip as we explored many parts of Thailand, most of which I had seen before, but, for the benefit and experience of others who came along we thought they would enjoy. 

Before the trip across to the other side of the world, I attended our NSO (new student orientation) at Fielding. After quite the week in Santa Barbara, I had a few things to read and review, such as about four books, and quite a few articles for the next stops of the journey at Fielding.  I came back to two other books waiting for me in my post office box and many many emails I did not quite get to read while away in Thailand.

This week has been catch-up week. I am still finishing up the readings necessary for the RAP (research and practice) session in Anaheim next week.  I will write more when I catch-up from the session in Anaheim and as I have time during our nine week DOCS (doctoral competencies) seminar that also begins right after the RAP session.

Until then, I will keep a pace that I was reminded of when I read my latin word/phrase for the day calendar… “Per gradus” – step by step.