oh! time flies! -- a quick reflection on FB

So I just logged on and realized that I haven't posted anything in a MONTH! How did that happen? Time really flies when you are having fun have too much to do. I have so many things I want to blog about, but I just haven't had to time to put all the thoughts down to share :( That's not to say that I won't, but I just don't know when (probably next weekend) since every time I seem to have time, I remember I have something else to do. And on top of that, some of the things I want to blog about are time-sensitive (and if not, I feel silly blogging about them now because they seem unimportant). But maybe I'll still get around to them...

So until I actually get around to typing up all those crazy thoughts I have in my head, this will have to suffice.

In 5 days, I get control of FB account again. 6 weeks zipped right past. Did I learn anything? YES! Am I going to ever do it again? possibly yes/possibly no...mainly because not only did I learn how little I actually needed FB, I also realized how integrated it is into our lives. To be honest, I've made a better effort to communicate with people without that huge form of social media -- though, I was still on twitter and tumblr. I wrote more emails, called/texted/skyped people (but I did just realized I never actually got around to talking to 2 people I'm been meaning to talk to...oops!) However, the BIG thing was realizing how many more hours a day I had if I didn't use FB. That being said, I ALSO learned, that society nowadays doesn't really work in the absence of FB. It was harder to keep up with popular trends, new developments in people's lives, and et etera (mainly because no one thinks of how they should communicate with people not on FB anymore -- thought that may have been my own fault, since I didn't really tell people I'd be off FB but kept the account active so people could still write on my wall and tag me in things). There's a natural and accepted assumption that everyone can find out everything from FB so we don't/won't need to use other forms of communication.

So yes, going without FB was a good thing, but not having it at all really doesn't work either (well, at least until the "next big thing" comes around, I guess). Nonetheless, the really strange thing was I realized I really, truly did not need FB at all. I didn't really miss it. Over the past 6 weeks, I didn't try to access my account. I didn't need to because FB is actually not important enough for me to use it as much I have been using it. Yes, it was inconvenient not having access to it, but I learned it was such a small thing that I had managed to make a big thing. So here's to hoping that I can take what I learned and sign into my FB account significantly less than I did before cutting myself off from it entirely for the past 6 weeks. Time really is better spent elsewhere. Maybe, just maybe, I'll reach the happy medium of using FB they way Mark Zuckerberg originally intended and not the complete-and-total-time-consuming-procrastination-technique the vast majority of us have managed to make it become.

Brain or Face?

It's been over a week since I've posted. Oops! That's mainly because I've been keeping myself as busy as possible, but staying focused on school. It's kind of funny how quickly time goes by when you keep busy. I'm currently without Facebook, so my biggest every day distraction is gone, and I oddly don't even miss it. I'll be trying to post more frequently, and I have some ideas jotted down, I just haven't had the time to expand on anything. Just a note, I'll be going on a brief trip for Spring Break to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, OR without a computer, so we'll see if I can squeeze in some cool posts then. I'll be catching 3 plays and a musical in those 5 days, while hanging out with family...it'll be fun, and I look forward to sharing!

So for today, I'll just share an really interesting article I found on CNN, "Beholding beauty: How it's been studied" about how scientists have studied our understanding of beauty. This is part of a 6-week series they're doing called "Perceptions of Beauty."  I'm most intrigued by the idea that is presented in the final section, titled "Beauty as Power." I'm not sure that I agree with the study's results, but I do think there's some truth in the idea that physical appearance can sway people's perception of an individual. I think how a person presents oneself to others is the key to power and success, which comes from one's own personal belief in self, and THAT is a beautiful thing.

I hope to be keeping up with this series in the next few weeks, and I hope you join me!

Anyways, leave your thoughts and comments about the article/series and let's talk!

ps- don't expect another post for another 6 days, I NEED to study, wish me luck on my next exam :P


[edit]: I decided to register my phone for mobile posting and add the email posting option...so maybe you will get a chance to check out the OSF with me next week assuming I'm not to lazy to write something via my phone ;) But if you follow me on twitter, I'll definitely be sharing there! So hit the follow button under my profile!

Finding Beauty

Beauty is both visual and intellectual. Beauty in and of itself is a paradox. It's such a simple concept because we all know it when we see it, yet every person has their own unique definition and way of identifying beauty. What one person perceives as beautiful may or may not be the common perception. The simple idea of finding and appreciating beauty no matter how unusual as it may be is what makes life beautiful.
As clichéd as it may sound, life is full of beautiful moments. Those moments might be small, personal, and internal, or they might be grand and in the greater world around us. Learning to identify and appreciate the beauty of those moments are what allows people to find happiness and reach their dreams. Finding beauty in life in whatever medium, size, shape, or form is the basis for inspiration. Capturing a moment and sharing an experience with the world is what drives an artist, both visual and performing. Recreating a moment, image, or event is what a writer hopes to do for their audience. Teachers work tirelessly to help their students find and present beauty in their lives. Doctors and scientists are always striving to find a way to preserve the beauty of life. Whatever it is that you do in life, I'm sure you've experienced one of those life moments that just made you say, "WOW!"

It's being able to recall those moments and finding them that is the greatest struggle. It was during my 4 years of undergraduate study that I finally realized all the little things in life I was missing. I think I finally learned to see and appreciate the beautiful moments I was creating, the ones that already existed, and the ones I was hoping to one day have. I'm not here in the blogosphere to wax poetic about clichéd moments or be overly sentimental. In fact, those who know me well understand that I'm usually a cynic and love a healthy dose of sarcasm. At the same time, I'm a firm believer in finding the goodness and beauty in all people and things. Some may call me naïve, others will say I'm too idealistic. I won't deny either claim since I know I can be at times. But really, the fact of the matter is that I'm a "closet optimist."
Why? I always hope for the best, but it's the fear of being disappointed that prevents me from verbalizing whatever hopes and dreams I have about every situation in my life, regardless if I can control them or not. No matter how small or insignificant they may be, I always want the best for myself and others. However, like every person out there, I don't like being wrong. It's not that I think it's a failure if my wishes don't come true but rather that I allowed myself to be disillusioned and experience a sense of guilt because I feel as though I have "lied" to myself. So what if this makes me seem week and insecure, isn't it better that I can reveal this about myself? Knowing this about myself helps me deal with the challenges life will direct my way. I know I'm better prepared for dealing with our crazy world because I am able to hope for the best, but prepare for the worse. I know I'm not perfect nor am I like anyone else, but at the end of the day, isn't that the beauty of life?

Embracing my identity is what makes me believe that I am beautiful and happy. Appreciating the beauty of knowledge is what drives me toward my future. Understanding the beauty of the human spirit is what makes me believe I can succeed.

So join me on my ride through life as I seek and find all the ways that "Unusual...is Beautiful"

I leave you with this,"To dream anything that you want to dream. That's the beauty of the human mind. To do anything that you want to do. That is the strength of the human will. To trust yourself to test your limits. That is the courage to succeed." - Bernard Edmonds.

Until next time,
Ruth


ps - Be prepared. With my various interests, this blog will be a roller coaster ride for my readers. Sometimes, I'll be intellectual and philosophical like I was tonight. Other times, this blog will be a vehicle for me to express my frustrations or excitement. And in all other instances, you can expect lots of fun and randomness.