Team Academia

So, I got myself an Academic Coach today. Not because I'm an idiot (yet), but because I want to have that somebody to be cheering me on from outside my classroom, to be giving me points and tips in between tests, to be wearing sweatshirts with my name on it, and to be pushing my brain to do mental ''lines''. Alright, so none of those are likely the duties of my new coach, but I will be meeting with said advisor once a week to give me some guidance when I'm a bit lost. He'll take the time to show me the ''writing-a-paper'' ropes, which I am in desperate need of.

All of my classes have proven to be quite fascinating thus far. Foundation of Christian Mission is kind of walking through the Old and New Testament and showing how important mission is to God...that it is, in fact, His mission. One thing that is said over and over again is Misseo Dei...the mission of God, which is to seek and save the lost, and he chooses to use us to do that. I'm really excited about the rest of this course and how it will apply to where I'm heading and to the new things I'll be taking on while overseas.

I read this amazing article in Cross Cultural Communication which spoke about how globalization can be good and can also be quite difficult when we don't understand other cultures or when we translate things poorly...it spoke of this Pepsi ad that, in North America said, "Pepsi, it brings you to life". When translated into Chinese, it read, "Pepsi, it will bring your ancestors back from the dead". Now, I can't imagine that going over incredibly well. I'm sure the consumption of Pepsi in China dropped considerably.

I had my first class in my third course today. Now, this is the one that I think will be the most practical and most life changing. It demands that I take a good look at myself and how I deal with relationships and the conflicts that arise within them. Intro to Conflict Management...I think I have come to realise, already after the first day, that I avoid conflict much more than I had thought. I desire to accomodate and spare people's feelings, when sometimes the best thing to do is take the issue head on and work things through...to be honest and vulnerable with one another, because our lives are about building relationship and community, and both of those things will bring about conflict at one point or another.

So, I'm learning lots, even after the first week. Please pray as I'm still trying to figure this whole ''school'' thing out, and as I'm attempting to manage my time well. There is so much reading!!! Those of you who have your bachelors, and especially those who have their masters, I have a new and profound respect for you!!!! So, I have taken my 1/2 hour break to update you friends, and now it's time to stick my nose back in a book. Love from me and my team academia!