calvin terrell

Tomorrow some of you will spend the day with Calvin Terrell. Today the faculty had our turn. The conversation positively reinforced the work you're doing and the methods you're using. Here are my notes (if you have any trouble viewing please email and I'll send the .pdf):

Notes Calvin Terrell 07 Jan 2014

My notes help me remember and reflect, but they probably won't make as much sense to someone who wasn't in the room. And most of you won't be in the room when scholars (he likes that term better than students) meet with Calvin this week. So, would the scholars who are collaborating with Calvin please curate the event online (to whatever extent it's OK with Calvin and the other participants) and teach the rest of us about it when you get back to class? We will video and post the discussion to extend the dialogue.

find yourself on the members page

I've updated the Member Blogs page to reflect this semester's schedule changes.  Please double-check the page to make sure you're in the right place with the right URL.  Mahalo.

kudos: december

Congratulations to the following students on their college admissions and scholarship wins!


Jasmine Zavala (admitted to Fresno State)
Erik Santos (admitted to Fresno State)
Cesilio Sanchez (admitted to Fresno State)
Daniel Rucker (admitted to Colorado School of Mines)
Kendall Villa (admitted to Fresno State)
Jason Limon (admitted to Azusa Pacific)
Eli Esparza (admitted to Fresno State)
Kelsey Robertson (admitted to Saint Louis University with $1400 scholarship)
Jenna Noce (admitted to University of the Pacific)


If I missed anyone, or if you've done something amazing since I posted this, please let me/us know in class or comment below.

the choice

Hope everyone had a terrific break!  For our first day (Wednesday), please read "The Choice."  This essay is a personal blog entry from two days ago by Eric Meyer, an expert in computer programming.  (Spoiler: this essay is not about computer programming, and you may want to have a tissue nearby when you read it.)

Please answer the following questions in a post to your blog (title: THE CHOICE) and come to class prepared to discuss.

1. What is the "choice" referred to in the title?
2. Is it a real choice?  Why/why not?  What is the alternative?
3. Why does the author use the word poison in the first line?
4. The author's daughter wants to play with a toy that is intended for older kids.  Why?  Do you agree with her? 
5. If you thought you might not live to the age of 30 what would you want to do right now?
6. Under what circumstances does it make sense to endure discomfort--or even force it on a loved one-- in service to a greater/more important cause?
7. Is suffering a necessary condition of life and love?
8. Most readers don't share the author's circumstances, but we feel an emotional response to his words.  Why?

late stage college planning

Do you and your parents have a plan to reduce college costs that includes:

• Creating a "bidding war" between colleges who see their competitors on your applications list?
• Expertly searching and applying for private scholarships?
• Analyzing education-related tax breaks such as the American Opportunity Tax Credit?
• Opting out of the college's health plan?
• Evaluating meal plans and textbook vendors? 

If not, please read this Wall Street Journal article and talk about it with your parents, your academic/college adviser/s, and your family's financial adviser/s.

If there is interest I can also ask Ms. Deborah Fox if she'll join us online for Q&A.

In the interest of full disclosure:

1. Ms. Deborah Fox is a brilliant, insightful, nationally known expert in the field with a quick wit and a winning smile.
2. She's also my cousin.
3. I don't have any financial interest in her business, but I think it's a really good idea, which is why
4. I poached the article by taking the screen shots below, since (as you already know if you tried the link above without a subscription to the WSJ) the article lives behind a paywall (screenshot at bottom), which means that almost all of the people who most need to read it won't.  If this presents an ethical dilemma please stop reading here.

get this kid out of here

Congratulations to Nik Koyama for launching his Kickstarter campaign:

GET THIS KID OUT OF HERE!

my all-time favorite christmas tree

I have friends who make Christmas trees out of all sorts of things-- this was last year's, and I still regret not trying to read one of the bottom titles...