me? no, you!
Recent meme that's been going around. I'm willing to give questions, but don't expect them to be timely. these are from king_kobbe
Production: You take photographs sometimes; do you have one (or a themed collection) that you're particularly proud of?
Actually, I am very lax about photography lately, but the ones I have taken recently (within the last 3 years) are of classmates and social events or hikes. So I guess in terms of themes, it is more from convenience rather than intention that these themes develop. However, if I were to categorize them further, I would say that one particular theme I enjoy capturing on media is perspective. I really like taking pictures of things in contrast to others. I guess it's the mini-Taoist in me who enjoys seeing everything in its natural form and in comparison (or harmony, as you will) to others.
Education: Do you have a piece of advice that you'd like to pass on to the younger generation? Any advice for your peers?
This is a funny question. I worked with teenagers after graduating from college and I feel that I had more to learn from them than advice to dispense. If anything, I would tell them to slow down. People are always in a hurry these days and teens are feeling the brunt of that. However, an even more important thing to tell them is to take care of their bodies. Not in the way that they may think; it's not for vanity or even necessarily health reasons. Aside from the obvious wellbeing of the individual, it's important to understand oneself before one can move forth and communicate or relate to others. Teens, kids, anyone must have a good sense of who they are before anything. Finding this is naturally through taking care of oneself, eating, nurturing and challenging one's self. I am very grateful for the friends I had throughout high school, and I think they formed a lot of my ideas about the world, but now I realize that those ideas were only a small portion of who I am. I guess Mtv has captured this best from its show Made. It's great to watch kids pushing themselves to be something no one else has thought them to be. And that is beautiful. hm. I don't want to end this question with my answer being Mtv. So on a final note, youth of tomorrow, learn to take charge of your health and self-actualization by reading, traveling and challenging yourself to become who you know yourself to be. Ok, this is getting a little convoluted.
General: It's pretty rare for us to talk these days; what is your typical day like? Do you have days that could be qualified as typical?
oh good: something I have an answer for. A typical day involves getting up early, going to school, having a shift in the clinic, then going home to make dinner and finally sleep. As mundane as that sounds, it's a rather idyllic life now because I'm still coddled within the institution of academia. Occasionally there will be other activities interspersed amongst the minutiae, like a moment of self-grandeur or studying for board exams. The best pick-me-ups are probably when I am with a patient and something extraordinary happens. This can be anything from a realization of what the patient needs, or a change in outlook from them. I've seen a lot of rather serious chronic illnesses and oddly enough, it is often with the severely ill patients that I see the most mental wellbeing. They have a sense of hope that is inspiring. The stories people have about their lives are pretty amazing, too. I am so often astounded by the kinds of things people have been through, not necessarily health-wise, but just in general. Man, humans are interesting creatures. I'm glad I get to take part in their wellbeing. This quarter in particular has been more about the patients and their stories than any of the previous terms. I feel that I'm finally having a grasp of what my role is as a practitioner. As an aside, something I just fully realized is that treating a person is all about mutual support. I am not a person's healer or provider, I'm there to aide him in his realization of his own health. It's been a rocky road when I try to change a person more than they're willing or when I give more than they can take. It's funny; this lesson is such a simple one, but I've really had to work at it to finally get to this point. If someone comes in for physical pain, and they don't want to talk about the emotional side of things, then I should treat at their level. I can provide a space for them to talk about it, but not push them to explain further. It's been in my nature to prod, but as a practitioner, I can't give everything and expect the same back. It's just not that simple. Anyway, typical day to day stuff interspersed with moments of clarity.
Recommendations: Have you seen a movie that you think I haven't (a safe assumption, to be sure,) and think I should? How about a book you've read, or an album you've listened to?
hm. aside from more mainstream films, I can't think of any indie films to recommend. The one movie that sticks in my mind is Pan's Labyrinth, but I'm pretty sure you've seen it. Otherwise, here are the top 3 in my netflix queue: Linda Linda Linda, Train Man: Densha Otoko, Good Night & Good Luck. The most recent movie I watched that I really enjoyed was The Taste of Tea. I think I may have recommended this anime to you, but in case I haven't, Mushiishi. It's especially touching because it jives so well with what I'm learning.
books: my life is so completely consumed by Chinese medicine, that I can't think of a single book that isn't related to that. The most recent book I read was Awakening Intuition, which wasn't nearly as good as Molecules of Emotion. both of those were for a class, so they're related to medicine, but not the Asian. A Chinese medicine book I'm excited to read is Lonny Jarrett's Nourishing Destiny. In the same vein, and something I should probably finish, is Dragon Rises, Red Bird Flies by Leon Hammer. Both of those authors came from distinctly Western backgrounds, but gravitated towards Chinese medicine, so their philosophies are a melding of the two. For shorter reads, here is someone I've been told to read: Heiner Fruehauf.
music: Thao with the get down stay down. I like her voice. and she does play a mean guitar. Jamie Lidell is also fun. Iron & Wine. Harry Belafonte is good to wake up to.
Production: You take photographs sometimes; do you have one (or a themed collection) that you're particularly proud of?
Actually, I am very lax about photography lately, but the ones I have taken recently (within the last 3 years) are of classmates and social events or hikes. So I guess in terms of themes, it is more from convenience rather than intention that these themes develop. However, if I were to categorize them further, I would say that one particular theme I enjoy capturing on media is perspective. I really like taking pictures of things in contrast to others. I guess it's the mini-Taoist in me who enjoys seeing everything in its natural form and in comparison (or harmony, as you will) to others.
Education: Do you have a piece of advice that you'd like to pass on to the younger generation? Any advice for your peers?
This is a funny question. I worked with teenagers after graduating from college and I feel that I had more to learn from them than advice to dispense. If anything, I would tell them to slow down. People are always in a hurry these days and teens are feeling the brunt of that. However, an even more important thing to tell them is to take care of their bodies. Not in the way that they may think; it's not for vanity or even necessarily health reasons. Aside from the obvious wellbeing of the individual, it's important to understand oneself before one can move forth and communicate or relate to others. Teens, kids, anyone must have a good sense of who they are before anything. Finding this is naturally through taking care of oneself, eating, nurturing and challenging one's self. I am very grateful for the friends I had throughout high school, and I think they formed a lot of my ideas about the world, but now I realize that those ideas were only a small portion of who I am. I guess Mtv has captured this best from its show Made. It's great to watch kids pushing themselves to be something no one else has thought them to be. And that is beautiful. hm. I don't want to end this question with my answer being Mtv. So on a final note, youth of tomorrow, learn to take charge of your health and self-actualization by reading, traveling and challenging yourself to become who you know yourself to be. Ok, this is getting a little convoluted.
General: It's pretty rare for us to talk these days; what is your typical day like? Do you have days that could be qualified as typical?
oh good: something I have an answer for. A typical day involves getting up early, going to school, having a shift in the clinic, then going home to make dinner and finally sleep. As mundane as that sounds, it's a rather idyllic life now because I'm still coddled within the institution of academia. Occasionally there will be other activities interspersed amongst the minutiae, like a moment of self-grandeur or studying for board exams. The best pick-me-ups are probably when I am with a patient and something extraordinary happens. This can be anything from a realization of what the patient needs, or a change in outlook from them. I've seen a lot of rather serious chronic illnesses and oddly enough, it is often with the severely ill patients that I see the most mental wellbeing. They have a sense of hope that is inspiring. The stories people have about their lives are pretty amazing, too. I am so often astounded by the kinds of things people have been through, not necessarily health-wise, but just in general. Man, humans are interesting creatures. I'm glad I get to take part in their wellbeing. This quarter in particular has been more about the patients and their stories than any of the previous terms. I feel that I'm finally having a grasp of what my role is as a practitioner. As an aside, something I just fully realized is that treating a person is all about mutual support. I am not a person's healer or provider, I'm there to aide him in his realization of his own health. It's been a rocky road when I try to change a person more than they're willing or when I give more than they can take. It's funny; this lesson is such a simple one, but I've really had to work at it to finally get to this point. If someone comes in for physical pain, and they don't want to talk about the emotional side of things, then I should treat at their level. I can provide a space for them to talk about it, but not push them to explain further. It's been in my nature to prod, but as a practitioner, I can't give everything and expect the same back. It's just not that simple. Anyway, typical day to day stuff interspersed with moments of clarity.
Recommendations: Have you seen a movie that you think I haven't (a safe assumption, to be sure,) and think I should? How about a book you've read, or an album you've listened to?
hm. aside from more mainstream films, I can't think of any indie films to recommend. The one movie that sticks in my mind is Pan's Labyrinth, but I'm pretty sure you've seen it. Otherwise, here are the top 3 in my netflix queue: Linda Linda Linda, Train Man: Densha Otoko, Good Night & Good Luck. The most recent movie I watched that I really enjoyed was The Taste of Tea. I think I may have recommended this anime to you, but in case I haven't, Mushiishi. It's especially touching because it jives so well with what I'm learning.
books: my life is so completely consumed by Chinese medicine, that I can't think of a single book that isn't related to that. The most recent book I read was Awakening Intuition, which wasn't nearly as good as Molecules of Emotion. both of those were for a class, so they're related to medicine, but not the Asian. A Chinese medicine book I'm excited to read is Lonny Jarrett's Nourishing Destiny. In the same vein, and something I should probably finish, is Dragon Rises, Red Bird Flies by Leon Hammer. Both of those authors came from distinctly Western backgrounds, but gravitated towards Chinese medicine, so their philosophies are a melding of the two. For shorter reads, here is someone I've been told to read: Heiner Fruehauf.
music: Thao with the get down stay down. I like her voice. and she does play a mean guitar. Jamie Lidell is also fun. Iron & Wine. Harry Belafonte is good to wake up to.