Diversity Event!:)

I went to the Mystical Arts of Tibet lecture tonight and found out some pretty neat information about the mandalas the Tibetan monks create.  In fact, some of these monks are creating their own mandala in the Memorial Union this week and it will be on display tomorrow! I found out that creating a mandala is a religious practice for these monks and it is a form of meditation for them.  Although the monks of Tibet only craft mandalas to reach their enlightenment, this form of art improves mental health and reduces stress and anxiety.  One of the most interesting aspects of the mandala is that every piece symbolizes one of their beliefs.  For example, the foundation and center of the mandala, known as the crossed vajra, is a symbol for the four elements of life: fire, water, earth, and wind.  The five colors used in the artwork (white, green, yellow, red, and blue) symbolize the five activities to reach enlightenment, which is the stage in their life where all negative elements are eliminated.  Another example is the four points of the square in the mandala art.  The four points represent joyfulness, compassion, equality, and love.  Learning about the symbolism of the mandala was interesting, but I enjoyed listening to the chants of the monks more!

My Bucket List

Things to do before I graduate from Iowa State:

1.     Become a “true” Iowa Stater

2.      Study abroad

3.      Keep a high G.P.A.

4.      Learn how to swing dance well

5.      Make many friends

6.      Graduate in four years

7.      Build up resume

8.      Internship

9.      Get involved on campus

10.  Dive off a high diving board

11.  Not change my major too many times

12.  Dye a strand of my hair pink

13.  Go into every building on campus at least once

Things to do before I die:

1.      Marry my best friend

2.      Get married in the botanical gardens

3.      Have children (preferably a girl and boy)

4.      Be a really good high school science teacher

5.      Visit Italy

6.      Hike in the mountains of Colorado

7.      Waterski

8.      Put my hands in wet cement

9.      Design and build my own house

10.  Swim with dolphins

11.  Run a marathon

12.  See another shooting star

13.  Become a grandparent and spoil my grandchildren

14.  Be a hero to someone

15.  Get my own golden retriever

16.  Meet someone famous and get their autograph

17.  Live a life not full of worry about money and just be content with what I’ve been given

Makeup blog for Digital Storytelling

So I’m bummed I missed the digital storytelling presentation last week because it seemed like it was pretty cool. I think the presentation did a really good job at explaining what it is that each recitation group has to do for digital storytelling and the YouTube examples were really awesome and helpful.  Basically, digital story telling is the art of telling a story through pictures, music, video, animation.  First year Hixson scholars are lucky enough to get to make their own presentation using digital storytelling to explore what our first year in college means to us.  The presentations can focus on three topics.  The stories can concentrate on “what I wish I knew before I came to college,” “the process of transitioning to college,” and “how to be successful in college.” Each presentation must be five minutes long, it must explore the first year experience, and it must concentrate on one of the topics stated before.  Each member in the group must have a role in the digital storytelling process and be highlighted for their role in the credits at the end. Making this digital story will help build a community with the Hixson’s in each recitation section, help develop skills working in a group, and help everyone learn to manage their time to meet the deadlines.  But, most importantly, this project is going to be fun and I can’t wait to start!

Best time of my life

             A time in my life when I know that I was at my best and doing my very best work was my senior year in high school.  I was doing great in school and I had a great family and friend support system.

            During my senior year I got very involved in school activities. I was in so many clubs and I tried to go to almost every school event as possible.  I wanted to really live up my last year and it felt great to know that I was really contributing and getting involved in my school.  Not only did I try to get involved in school activities, but I also wanted to keep my grades up.  I took really challenging classes but I was still able to keep a 4.0 GPA.  I felt my best academically and with my involvement in my school.

            In addition to feeling good about my education, I also was having the best relationships I had ever had with my family and friends.  I knew that I wouldn’t see them very much in college and so I tried my best to be a great daughter and friend.  I did so many things together with my family and friends over the school year and summer that I have so many great memories to help me transition to college.

            Doing so well in school and having such great relationships with my friends and family felt amazing.  The “best” moments that I felt my senior year helped me prepare to leave my friends and family for college. I still miss them a lot but at least I know that I left on good terms.  As for academics, my hard work in high school will translate to my academic accomplishments in college.