It's not what you think! I promise!

I was having an interesting conversation with someone recently that sparked a thought. The conversation surrounded my feelings towards my fellow man. Most people that know me, hear me rant about people and how much I think they should just fall over! Normally it's a pretty lively and animated conversation that will get me on these subjects.

While I was engaged in this specific conversation the question was posed to me of "Do you really just hate all people?" I laughed for a moment and then really thought about what I was going to say. My partner will tell anyone that I'm the furthest from a Humanist than anything else... I can agree with that most of the time.

I think the truth is... I'm a "Closet Humanist".

Most of the time, people really do piss me off. The stuff people do totally astounds me. This coming from someone who's goal in life will be to understand people (counseling/psychology). I'm always amazed that people randomly do things that have the potential for some major ramifications and are surprised when they happen. I think there is not enough personal responsibility in the world and the rudeness among people has sky rocketed over the past decade.

I hate that common courtesy is no longer something that is really practiced. My mother raised me to be nice to people, have consideration for others, say please and thank you, and treat others with respect like you want to be treated. Pretty easy right!?!?! Not so much! This is what is so frustrating to me and makes me want to strangle people most of the time.

On the flip side to this is the closet humanist. I have seen people overcome amazingly horrific obstacles in their lives; pulling themselves up by their boot straps and make a wonderful life for themselves. I know that we have a capacity to love greatly. We can overcome pain that is unimaginable to those that have never experienced the same thing. The human capacity to pull through is amazing. People do wonderful things, perform great deeds every day, and those are so often overlooked.

I'm a closet humanist because I believe in the human power to over come pain, horrific conditions, and make something better for another person or generation coming down the line.

I'm a closet humanist because people have the power to do things that they have not yet imagined and are still just ideas, that can be wonderful and help millions.

So... No.. I don't really "hate" all people, though most of the time, they really need to be whacked. I think that the human capacity to love is something that should be re-visited and given another opportunity to thrive!

I'm finding that this last semester of my Bachelor's degree has quickly become my nemesis. While I've said this about other semesters previously, I think I mean it this time. Though it may sound like I'm compalining, I assure you I am not.

I have been quite satisfied with the progress I'm making and the challenges I'm facing and succeeding. Remember how if felt in school, as a kid, when the teacher would call on you and you nailed the answer every... single... time???

That's how I feel right now...! Even with the papers I have dangling over my head using Critical Discourse Analysis to discuss power distribution and the tools of persuasion, or while discussing treament effects on teen alcoholics, etc. I am actually feeling like all the time I've spent in school is paying off.

LOL, I feel this now that I'm about to finish right!  Go Figure!

I'm looking forward to some time off, gonna catch up with friends I've not had a lot of time for over the past few years, play some guitar hero, enjoy the sun on my back porch while my dogs run rampant in the back yard and the coi pond is going strong, gonna get back into yard work (as I'm sure my partner will appreciate), read the stack of books I've had and been saving, since I don't need to look at text books for a while, drink a nice cold beer on a hot day and not worry about a paper due, or homework, or reading needed to be done for the next class...

  Right...! Then I'll get bored and be looking for classes to take again in the fall... Who am I kidding!?!?!? 

Still it is good to know that I'm finally at this point in my life. Took me long enough, but I'm definately appreciating it more now that I have my life experience behind it.

9 Weeks and counting!

So, I've started school again. I'm two semesters (crossing my fingers) from getting my BA in psychology. I am hoping to go to grad school and get my Masters in Counseling. I want to work with teens... (I know I know. what am I thinking?) I happen to like teens, go figure. I'm sick. There's a reason I'm going into psych you know.

So anyway, I have this crazy schedule this semester. I'm taking 5 classes (15 credit hours) and one of my classes is a "service learning" class, which means I am to volunteer my time on the weekends (at least 3 hours) for credit in this course. So along with the classes, with the service learning included I'm really taking about 18 credit hours. Oh, and I work a full time job! LOL Like I said, what was i thinking?

Anyway, so yeah I'll adjust to the schedule, eventually. Hoping sooner rather than later, otherwise it's going to be a long semester. I seem to like my classes for the most part so far. I think that these will be my most challenging, but most rewarding so far.

I am taking an "Intercultural Communications" class. Had our first class meeting last night. It seems really cool. The teacher is very excited and appears to like teaching the class, which always makes for a good experience. I'm finding that I'm able to "come out of my shell" a bit more in school these days. (I know you're shocked Darcy). I'm learning that moving forward in academia, towards my Masters, will require Networking! HA! Not so good with the networking man! Nope, Not my thing. Unfortunately, this is a skill I MUST develop. I'm workin it! LOL or something. Well talking to more people. This, I find, is the hardest part. I would rather sit there, do my reading, take my tests, and go home!

Anyway, with 5 classes, I'm sure I'll have more to talk about this semester. The classes are as follows for any of you that read what I say. Just in case there are any questions!

Intercultural Communication, Sexuality and Culture, Psychology of Women, Buddhist Philosophy (Thailand), and Family Psychology.

Talk to you soon!

Cheers!