Well don't I have some catching up to do!
In response to Jessica's first post, I must say I agree in many points. I am, as my dad might put it, Catholic, but I wouldn't go so far as to call it Roman Catholic. I definitely agree that religion/faith/beliefs are all very personal. I also, however, feel that often times these personal experiences and journeys have a necessity to be shared amongst people. These journeys that we take can be enriched and explored more thoroughly when we share them with others. Not just others of the same beliefs, but almost more importantly with those with differing beliefs. The ability to discuss faith with others--- and I really mean discuss, not debate--- is highly important in discovering ourselves. But there is a point where the sharing becomes too pressing, as if another's faith is being forced upon you. That's the point when beliefs and faith suddenly turns malicious. It's a delicate balance, and it's in each of our own personal interest to remain true to our own individual faith, yet to avoid forcing those beliefs on others.
The perfect example is Jessica and I. I completely respect your beliefs, and I understand that it is your own personal journey. I'd never dream of forcing my beliefs on you. For, I have no doubt that there is a higher power, and for me that offers great comfort and at the same time a challenge to better myself. But I don't judge people for their beliefs, because that is absolutely preposterous to label someone because of what they believe. Unless, that is, their beliefs or the actions that they claim to be because of what they believe harms me in some way. Then it's go time. Lol.
And, as the subject line promised, not for something completely different:
School Administrations and the wonderful world of the grading systems SUCK.
I've pretty much been a A-B student all my life. Not bragging, I'm just saying that I happen to find classes and subjects that interest me enough to really get me motivated to work for a good grade. So, when I took this English class last semester Titled "From Beowulf to Monty Python" I was psyched. And the class was awesome! It was a survey of heroic figures from Beowulf to the present. We read a number of books and wrote a series of short papers and one long research paper (which I thoroughly enjoyed writing on Robin Hood, past and present), and we had one class discussion to lead, which was 40% of our grade.
Well, the trouble starts with me being prepared, and my instructor being absent and cancelling class. Then the following week, pushing the date back. And then me being horribly sick with the flu, and missing class, then the end of the semester popping up and me not getting my grade for the class discussion. Which landed me a D+, which in turn brought my GPA down to 3.48, which made me lose my James Scholar status (I needed 3.5). Now, that wasn't entirely horrid, since I still maintained the scholarship I have, for which I need a 3.3.
But, (yes, the infamous 'but' that drags the story down even more), I was trying to get into the Business college for a minor. I took all the prereqs and did all the necessary work to apply, and waited patiently until nearly the start of fall classes, only to find out that my GPA was 3.37, and I needed a 3.39. How was GPA so low? For some reason, they calculated my transfer GPA into my cumulative GPA. They NEVER do that. But they did. And they say it's right, and there's nothing I can do. And because I didn't get into the minor, I couldn't sign up for the last class I needed to be a full time student. So I'm now an English major, without a Business minor, and taking a geology course on the oceans because there's nothing else remotely interesting that has any openings this late in the registration period.
Talk about a domino effect.
So I've decided to graduate with a English degree and a ton of electives under my belt. Hey, at least the last few semesters should be fun, right?
Well, I think this post has rambled on long enough.
Becki, The Younger.
