Thoughts on Pope Francis

Dear Friends,

HABEMUS PAPAM FRANCISCUM!

 We have a new pope!

I must say, I have a really good feeling about Pope Francis. I've been reading up on this man and I'm definitely excited to see the changes he'll bring to the Catholic church. Now, in this day and age, an event of this caliber and a man of such great importance will not be without negativity and slander from the media and the internet. One of the biggest pieces the media is working with is Bergoglio's role in the "dirty war" from betraying priests to stealing babies. I'm in no way denying that Pope Francis have never done such terrible deeds, but at the same time why do we, as a society, love digging skeletons out of people's closets and make judgment on their character for something that happened decades ago?

 If you were placed in a difficult situation in the middle of the war, and you either die or you betray your friend what would you do? Of course, of course you would say that you would rather die than to betray your friend, and to live in guilt... right? Right now, I say, I would NEVER betray a friend in a situation like that... but my background in psychology also tells me that this is a common response, but when shit hits the fan (pardon my language) you and I are going to break and we'll betray each other for our own survival. Simple, it's human instinct. Recall the protagonist, Winston Smith, from "1984": not going to betray his lover, not going to... but once they stick him in Room 101 and rats are coming at his face... he breaks, "DO IT TO JULIA!" he screams.. and 2+2=5. Is this the right, moral thing to do? Probably not. We keep forgetting that we're all ONLY human. You and I are only human. The priests are only human. The pope is only human. The saints are only human. Our flesh is weak and worldly. So shit, we all sin, we all make mistakes, some more detrimental than others.

 I'm sure we've all heard the quote "The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall" or the less fancy version, "It's not about how you fall, it's how you get back up." I see shit tons of people pinning this quote on Pinterest to remind themselves that it's their perseverance and not their failures that matter and I think it's true. I try to remind myself of that every time I fuck up. Here's the thing, this quote, it's not just something we should use to defend our own self-perception and to make ourselves feel better about our own fuckups, it's something to keep in mind when we look at other people's fuckups as well. So come on people, give Pope Francis some credit. If this was something he did then yes, the Holy Father fucked up, but shit, the guy got back up and he made something of it (probably learned a shit ton that led him to being the humble pope we have today). If more people I knew got back up after they fucked up, learned something out of it, and never made the same mistake again... why, we'd be springing forward as a society like no tomorrow.

Love,
Keyne

PS. The above are all just personal opinions made without any accusatory or offensive intentions.
PPS. Sorry for all the swearing.

Flying South

A few more days and I'll be heading south for my interview! Excited and nervous at the same time.

Titles and Expertise

I always have trouble coming up with descriptions for "about me" sections.

I ended up signing up for this website "Quora" just to feed my curiosity about things and see what people have to say about various topics and I was prompted to write a description of myself that would identify me... I'm also guessing my expertise so when I answer questions people can decide how heavily they want to weigh my opinion.

Anyways, I always end up reading other people's descriptions to get some inspiration. From the few I read, it seems like people like to describe themselves using titles. I'm guessing part of it is because you are supposed to show your expertise on this website, but I started to feel weird. Do we need these titles in order to feel important and like our opinions matter? Some people like to use fancy words to describe themselves and what they like do but why do we need to do that? I guess sometimes fall into this trap too. As most people, who know me well, know, I love doing research in the area of clinical psychology... but does that mean that I need to label myself as a clinical researcher? I went to an arts school and I love to paint everything... but does that mean I need to label myself as an artist? I study psychology, but does that mean I need to label myself as a psychologist? I guess I'm uncomfortable with slapping these big labels and titles on little old me.

So what did I write in my description?

"student of life for life."

Multiple Regressions

I'm so glad I went on the SIS system to check the rooms for the tutorials I'm teaching when I did. Saw that the multiple regressions re-opened and registered right away! Although I had an overnight shift right before the first class, I was so pumped that I didn't need coffee to keep me awake. No exams, but the course assignments are applications of the course material onto our own research! That being said, I get to use my own data in the assignments! I was so excited after I read this on my syllabus that I started jotting down ideas right away as the prof talked about the types of analyses required for the assignment. I have a another one of manuscript ideas that I can get off the floor now! Super excited! Two birds, one stone!

Class dismissed!

The last tutorials of the semester were held this week. The feelings are bittersweet. Sweet in that Christmas is just around the corner, yet bitter because I realize that I'll never see my students as a class again. While some students came up to me and thanked me for all my help this semester, I also had students who left the class quickly and quietly like it was just another week without saying goodbye... and of course the regular stragglers who still had many questions to ask. I really hope that what I've done for my students this semester is enough.

Nervous to get my first TA evaluations.

ABCT 2012: Washington, DC - Pt. 2

I'm terrible at blogging! I should set up my schedule to have blogging hour out something.

Anyways, the rest of ABCT...

Friday wasn't too great, the POI that my PI was going to introduce me to couldn't make the conference. I was thoroughly disappointed. The whole grad school application process has already drained the self-confidence I had, so with the conference being as overwhelming as it is (with all the awesome research and researchers) my self-esteem was destroyed and I was defeated. Fortunately, the grad students a d other RAs in my lab were there to support me and comfort me!

Once you hit rock bottom, the only direction left to go is up.

Saturday was good in that I went to some interesting talks and poster sessions. I got to talk to students of a couple POIs I'm applying to work with. My own poster presentations went well and we had an amazing lab dinner where my PI and previous grad student mentor talked about my project which reassured me that I might not be as hopeless as I've been thinking for the past few months.

Sunday was amazing in that I had a great conversation with one of the grad students of the POI who I really really want to work with. Then an epic night in DC and then home sweet home!

ABCT 2012: Washington, DC - Pt. 1

I finally have the time to blog! Well, more like I decided I should just start blogging when I go to conferences just to keep people posted. Well, whoever reads this anyways. So yesterday morning, dad and I woke up bright and early (5:30am, ugh) to get to the airport for my flight. I get all these funny looks because I have this massive tube on me. The guy at securities looked at me and thought that there was a J.Biebz poster in my giant tube... and he thought I was a high school student.... I guess it's probably because I wasn't wearing any makeup LOL. I slept for most of the flight to Minneapolis for my transfer to BWI (we meet again, Minneapolis.) This time, I made sure I triple checked the gate number for my transfer. Long story short, last time I was flying to Orlando I had a 3 hour layover and decided to work and the gate number changed on me and I almost missed my flight, good thing I heard my name being called. I still had to book it this time though, since my gate was on the other side of the airport and I got caught up helping a Chinese granny figure out her gate. On the flight to Baltimore, I had a super talkative seat neighbour who showed me all the pictures on his phone and told me everything about his kids, twice. So much for studying for the GRE. Once we landed in BWI, I just had the urge to break out in song, "GOOD MORNING, BALTIMORE!!!" Too bad it was about 7pm at night. By the time I transited to my host's place, it was 9 and I was about to die. She was super amazing and made me tea and everything. Finally had the chance to turn in for the night, texted my parents to let them know I'm safe. I was feeling super homesick for some reason and so my mom's response actually made me cry.

This morning, I got text messages from my host letting me know that there's a really awesome breakfast place with wifi nearby. Went there for an awesome omelette bagel (NTS: 2 eggs, red onion, red peppers) and freshly squeezed orange juice, got all caught up on emails and messages. Stayed for a while and then walked to Prometric for the GREs. Afterwards, went back to my host's to pick up my stuff and off I go again. Another 2 hour transit to National Harbor, got there before my roommates and got to lounge around and get all comfortable for a couple of hours which was really nice (especially after that horrible, horrible exam! 

I'm ready to start one of my favourite weekends of the year, ABCT WEEKEND!!! =)

Meeting my research hero tomorrow, I can't wait! 

LoveK.