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isaac . the blog
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meet my friends
read my archives
mail me at iphillips@gmail.com
eat my RSS/XML.
see myspace
Finished
I just took the fourth of four finals today. I got up at six to get ready, and by seven - before the sun was out - I was in class taking accounting. Four exams in one day is a lot, but I have survived.**breaths relief**
( ( One Night in Rio ... Two days in LA ... A short stop in Moscow ... ) )
Labels: school
A Quarter of International Studies
At school, I meet lots of international studies students. The University of Denver is known for its department of international studies, and when I was in high school, I wanted to study some sort of international studies or relations. So sometimes when I meet students studying this, I feel jealous. While I sit through classes about CIO's, CFO's, and business law, they get to learn about international policies and different cultures. Yet this quarter, God gave me amazing friends and an incredible experience.
It started with my roommate. I met Ozgun Zeki Celenk on Facebook. He was still in Turkey, and he had posted something about looking for a roommate in Denver. I responded, and we moved into my house in September. I wasn't quite sure what to expect: he was a long haired Turk who listened to metal and talked a lot about poker. Talking afterwards, he said he had his own fears - I was a white American from a very religious Christian family studying business. Yet over the quarter, we became brothers. He taught me to play poker. I made salsa, and he cooked Turkish sausage. We talked about everything from music to religion, and genocide to marriage. Ozzy was just amazing.
Ozgun had met all of the exchange students at Denver during orientation. Soon he introduced me to them, and our friends included people from all over the world. Since we were the only two students who have a house instead of a dorm, our place became an international lounge. An average night would involve a couple of Italians, several English people, a few French, two or three Turks, a Korean, a German or two, a guy from Luxumbourg, and sometimes a few of my Latino friends. Sometimes twelve or thirteen nationalities would be represented at my house! For example, in the picture above ten nationalities are represented.
Sometimes I find it ironic to meet these white American students learning international studies from white American professors. They seem to be tourists. Though I didn't have classes on international policy or diverse cultures this quarter, I lived in a mélange of cultures and our discussions were in many languages and were always about international issues.
Instead of learning about the issues involving the US Congress and the supposed Armenian genocide from professors, I discussed the issues with a Kurd, two Turks, and an Armenian. Instead of learning studying how difficult it is about to build an European Union - why not discuss it with students from all over the Europe?
In a recent conversation with my good American friend Max, we noted that out of the entire student population at the university, we had stumbled upon the best group of friends. The diversity made our conversations interesting, and we constantly learned new traditions from cultures around the world. Friends - Thanks for hanging out this quarter! :D
Unfortunately, since most of the students were on exchange, they have now gone back to their home countries. Though it's sad to say goodbye, I think that I'll see most of them again. I feel like I have a home in a dozen countries around the world, and good friends scattered around the globe. Thanks guys. You're amazing.
Moved
Today I officially moved to Denver. Though I will still be in Summit County on the weekends, I will be spending a lot of time here on East Evans Avenue. Please address all postcards, packages, and gifts to the following address:Phillips, Isaac
1520 East Evans Avenue
Denver, CO 80210
lol... anyway. The house is a wreck, but it certainly seems salvageable. I'm living here with Ozgun from Istanbul. He's been living in a hostel for the last few weeks, and I've been commuting from Frisco. Needless to say, we're both content to be living in a house near DU - even if it's not in great condition. Feel free to stop by and contribute to our remodeling efforts.
cheers.
Labels: school
Near Death Experiences with Englishmen, Leisurely Afternoons, and First Week of School
Hames and Slinger arrived last Friday from Leicester via NYC. They're currently touring the States getting a sample of American culture. I'm fortunate enough to host them for this whole week and will continue to do so until Wednesday. Unfortunately this was also my first week at Denver University, so between adventure racing with the Brits, driving back and forth between Denver, and going to class, I've managed to accomplish a lot.Hames and Slinger have demonstrated an amazing propensity towards near death experiences. Tom tells me that he has come close to dying at least five or six times this week. Our adventures began on the evening of their arrival. After picking them up from the airport we decided to get some food around Federal in Denver. I choose a Salvadorian restaurant renown for it's pupusas, but upon arrival we discovered that they have had some trouble with MS-13. To get in, we had to be frisked and examined by the two non-english speaking security guards (with guns). Apparently Hames and Slinger look like some salvatrucho gangsters. Once we got past the tight security, the pupusas were great.
Other adventures this week have been cliff jumping at Green Mountain Reservoir, jeeping, and driving on the right side of the road. Last Saturday night we took the jeep above Montezuma and then blew out a tire nine or ten miles back ... It took us about three and half hours of hiking over steep, windy terrain to make it back to Montezuma and find a ride at 4h00am back to Frisco.
Fortunately, our adventures have been limited, and we've enjoyed some leisurely afternoons. It seems that cigars, port, and theology make for stimulating and edifying discussions. I had never met Tom before this week, but I like him, and after all our 'male bonding' experiences, our conversations have become quite deep. Dan is still a legend. He's become known as an international man of mystery, and Mexican high school girls love to take pictures with both our English rock star. His thoughts are often inspiring. It's been encouraging to talk with young people who are passionate about worship and teaching, and who still believe in the church.
My first week in uni has been good. My professors are all knowledgeable and experienced. My business ethics teacher is a former senator and lieutenant governor, and my economics teacher was a former counsel to the president. It seems like all my professors have a lot of experience in the 'real world' as opposed to just the 'ivory tower'. I still haven't moved to Denver, so I've been commuting from Frisco. The drive takes about an hour and a half. Though this is tolerable, three hours of driving and eight hours of class make for a long, tiring day...
As a type, Tom is busying uploading photos, and Dan is rocking pensively on our rocking chair... cheers mates. ;)
Labels: school
Much Needed Update
It has been a while since I last wrote anything significant on this blog. May and the first part of June were full of travel - I was in Mexico, Maryland, France, and Spain. Because of my time gone, I've been working hard on my real estate license this last month.I will not be attending the American University of Beirut this autumn: the political situation seems a little bit risky, and it's also hard to obtain a loan for a school that's so surrounded by controversy. Even though I won't be living in Lebanon, I am still fascinated by the Middle East. I'm currently reading a book called 'The Truth About Syria', I intend to start studying Arabic next quarter.
This brings up the next big point in my life: I'm going to study at the University of Denver. I'm transferring in as a junior, and my major is Finance/Real Estate. I know this seems like a radical departure from studying Arabic and literature in Beirut, but it seems to be God's will. I hope that it will lead me to the same end - being able to work wherever I want in the world and contribute to whatever society I am apart of.
Tomorrow I'm going to Alabama for a family reunion. I'll take some pics and post them.
cheers
Participant in Postmodern Society?
In Art History II, one of the final essay questions was as follows:How does Post-Modern theory relate to the creation of art in the Post Modern period? Do you find any examples of this art in your life?
The question is really quite difficult, since postmodernism is almost an antithesis of definition, and is somewhat of a reactionary movement.
I got a ten out of ten on the assignment, and my teacher said, "You have well voiced your status as a participant of Post Modernist society."
What does that mean? lol... I don't know whether to be insulted or complimented.
Update on Life
I got in from Maryland last night. The trip was supposed to be a week, but I ended up staying a few more days to finish the project. Besides the video we made, I also created the website for Speak New Words.I'll be home for the next six days before I'm off to Paris, Nîmes, and Barcelona. I have to prepare some stuff for the FIABCI Congress and build Speak New Words advertisements for YouTube. It'll be a busy week.
A few days ago I called the American University of Beirut about my application status. I had some communication problems with the front desk: the secretary apparently only broken English. Fortunately, her French was a little bit better, and she eventually connected me to the admissions office. The person who I spoke to in admissions informed me that transfer students aren't accepted before June ... another month of waiting. I also need to find the way to get this semester's transcript to Beirut as soon as possible. Even though the university is technically American, I'm becoming afraid that they don't get a lot of transfer students.
I'm still not sure what God is saying about next year. Back in December, I felt that God was leading me to AUB in Lebanon, but now I'm a little bit more confused. Two weeks ago, when I was in Mexico, I visited Ibero, a prominent university. My brother, sister-in-law, and I have been discussing moving to Mexico. I would go to school, and Joel, Jenn, and I would work with a church down there as well as work on some real estate ventures. The idea sounds great ... But I still can't figure out what God is saying.
I finally finished Che Guevara's travel diary in the plane yesterday. There's something about his spirit of freedom and compassion that inspires me. Even though he was from an upper middle class family, he learned to love the common people of South America. As he experienced poverty, hunger, and cold, he began to change. Something inside of me desires to get out and write my own 'motorcycle diary'. Maybe I wouldn't buy a motorcycle, but I'd at least spend a year or two traveling on a microscopic budget. (Oh wait... that's what I did last year in Paris, isn't it?) Do we all have a desire to go out and experience the bigger world?
At the end of the book there is a quote where Che says:
Through special circumstances, and perhaps also because of my character, after receiving my degree I began to travel through Latin America, and I came to know it intimately.
I don't know why - whether it's because of my personality or because of the way I was brought up or because of something God has put in me - but I have a desire to go and know some place intimately. What's ironic, is that this was supposed to happen last year in Paris. I went there to have an experience with God and to learn a culture and language intimately. But the desire is back.
When I heard God speak to me in December, he told me that there was something important that was going to happen to me Lebanon. I keep thinking of Che Guevara ... Maybe there's going to some life-defining moment that's supposed to happen to me there.
Sorry if that didn't make sense. I just felt like talking about what I've thinking about lately.
cheers!
Finito
It's 00h01 Colorado time, and that marks the end of the semester for me. Though it's 2h01 here in Maryland, I think I turned all my homework in on time. I'd finished everything by Tuesday except a couple of essays for Art History II. The joy to know that I'm finished for the summer is invaluable, though sleep doesn't seem to be a forseable reality, I'm still at peace. :)Labels: school
Two and Half Hours
I just finished an assignment in art history, and so I can now begin to pack. I leave for Mexico City in two and a half hours, and won't be back till Sunday. Si kieres hacer algo en chilangolandia, mandeme un texto o un email.ciao
Fatigue
The last two weeks have been very busy and almost monotonous. Between my seventeen credits at CMC, working six days a week, skiing, and church, I have barely had time to sleep. Anyway, the end is in site: spring break is next week, and I leave for Mexico City on Monday.:D
well... I've gotta get to class.
( ( listining to: nada ) )
South Beirut
The image above won the highest award from the World Press last week. It was taken by Spencer Platt of Getty Images in South Beirut last summer.
I applied to American University of Beirut last month. I feel like God may be leading me there. Pray for direction if you think of me.
Labels: school, the middle east
Random Thoughts and Happenings
Monsieur Pierre-Elie Robert is putting out some amazing photos lately. Please check them out. He has some great venues for photography, and his subjects are always lively. He did a series at Montmartre, at La Défense, and at the Château de Saint Germain en Laye. My favourite is one he took of his brother Alban. He's riding his bike through the park, and there is something amazing about the photo. The bleak background, the ancient park, and the young child riding his bike. (btw, I'm supposed to VJ at Pierre Elie's 18th next June! be there. ;) )
Next, Dan Hames has been recording this week. :D Enough said.
My life? It's been busy the last few weeks. I'm in my third week of classes. My classes this semester are Calculus II, English Comp II, Public Communication, and Art History II, and so far it looks like Calc and Art will be my hardest classes. Actually, I'm supposed to be writing a paper about linear perspective in the early renaissance right now. whups...
Other news: I think I'm going to Mexico in February. I'll probably only be in the DF and maybe GDL. A group from the church is going, and we'll probably be there about ten days.
Finally, I have a new nephew! Simeon Michael Ryan was born last Friday. He's beautiful, and is just now starting to leave his house.
ok... I have to go!
cheers.
procrastination (update 2)
I procrastinated about two papers all week, and left them tonight. Unfortunately, a friend just reminded me that a final paper is also due tomorrow. I haven't even started it.yeah baby. when will I ever learn to plan ahead? :S
Actually, I kind of get an adrenaline rush when I have a lot of work to do. Maybe it's just the coffee. But to write 30 pages by tomorrow will definitely need a lot of coffee.
( Listening to Beck : K onda guero? )
UPDATE 1
After trying to write a 3-4 page essay, I ended up with a seven page paper. :'(
( Listening to the Killers : Jenny was a friend of mine )
UPDATE 2
two days later ... I'm still working on homework, but the worst is over. I hope. I've noticed that I type more accurately when I have slept more than three hours the night before. hmm....
( Listening to Los Super Elegantes : Je Suis Bien )
Labels: school
French Jetset in the 1830's and Mexican Mariachi Classics
It's 0h01, and I still have to write two papers and read a play by Shakespeare before 8h00 when I have class in Brokenridge. I'm listening to Mujeres Divinas and Amor Eterno by Vicente Fernández. As I listen to my Mexican mariachi music, I'm writing a paper in French about Honoré de Balzac's Père Goriot - an story about Parisian high society in the 1830's.It stuck me as an odd combination ...
Physics Experiment
I have physics class every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon from 1h till 4h. Three hours of lecture about physics can very long and boring. So I decided to conduct a bit of an experiment. I came to class Tuesday without coffee and half-slept thu class, and today I came to class with a four shot latte. I'm awake. Which is more boring and long: being awake and having to listen in physics class or being half asleep in physics class?I'm on break right now, so I'll tell you after another hour and a half of lecture and once the experiment is finished. :S
Labels: school
Midterms
Argh ...I have to write no less than twenty-seven pages of material in the next seven days. I also have another traditional midterm test, and I need to read two hundred and fifty pages in French. Plus I have two weeks of physics homework.
hip hip horray
Labels: school
