Mayan Achievments

The Maya had many achievements, but the one that stuck out to me the most was their concept of math.  Math is almost a universal language.  So to think that one civilization could have come up with the basic concept is pretty cool.  When we were trying to figure out the math in class of the Mayans, it was hard for me.  I think it was hard because i was taught one way, so to try and learn it and apply it in a whole new way was difficult.  I also think it is very cool that the Mayans had discovered the concept of tenses with dealing with words.    

Common Event: Dance

I was a witness of all of my peers dance.  It was very fun to watch everyone of all cultures enjoy doing the same thing.  Dance is universal. I think partner dance is very important.  As humans we love having fun, but it is much more fun when we can enjoy it with someone else.  Partner dance is different in every culture but it has the same purpose. As the speaker said it is to "find your mate." I think my reaction is both cultural and generational.  My generation is know for making all sorts of new dances.  Dance is one language that everyone can understand 

Chichen Itza: Snake Shadow

Something I found really interesting this week in class was the casting on the shadow on the side of one of the temples at Chichen Itza.  I find it so cool that a civilization from that long ago was that advanced.  While researching this topic I also found that there are 365 steps on this particular temple.  Just like the amount of days in 1 year.  Many people think that the most advanced were the Egyptian, with their towering pyramids and crypts.  But the Maya knew much more about time and nature.  And they would tie all of that in with their religion, creating one of the most complex and interesting cultures the world has ever seen.

Mayan goddess: Ixtab

    The Mayan goddess Ixtab is the god of suicide.  She is represented with a rope around her neck.  In the Mayan culture it is thought that if you committed suicide you would go straight to heaven.  Because of that it was very common for suicide to occur, especially when someone was depressed.
    She mostly appeared during eclipses so some believe she was a variation that the moon goddess took on.  She is associated with the goddess xtabay who appears at night to young men and lures them and then the men would disappear.
      This goddess is interesting to me because unlike most religions, to the Maya suicide was acceptable.  Today suicide is often associated with having a mental illness and depression and is not socially acceptable and thought of as a sin in Christianity.  I think to the Maya suicide was not a horror because they did not perceive time as linear.  So once that persons life ended on Earth it did not mean they were gone forever. 
     


 

Mayan Religion

Mayan religion was centered around multiple gods.  Mostly gods of nature.  Also important to their religion was astronomy and human sacrifices.  They built elaborate and tall pyramid like structures so they could ultimately be closer to their gods.  But unlike most modern day and even ancient religions they believed that the people and gods where on the same level.  knowing this I think they must have had a different relationships with their gods then for example modern day Christians.  Being a Christian myself, I know we put God on a higher level then us and live our lives to serve Him.  But I feel that if we viewed him as equal to us we wouldn't be serving him any more but living amongst him.  

Time

Time does not exist.  Time is not an object, it is a concept.  In our society, it is a concept that structures our lives.  Without time our society could fall apart and turn to chaos.  We use time to interact with people, to work, and to have fun.  Learning about the cyclical form of time, I could see how much I use it in my own life. Just with my days, they go in cycles. Knowing that time does not exist as an object makes me look at life with a different outlook.  Maybe time isn't so important as i think it is. 

The Ball Game

Talking about the ball game reminded me of the Olympics.  Everyone puts the Olympics on a higher pedistool.  Only the best of the best can compete and if they loose they are looked down upon.  But our world does not revolve around the game like that of the Maya.  Another similarity between the Maya and other cultures is the creation story.  I believe in the creation story in the Bible.  Hearing the Maya creation story makes me wonder if the writers got some information from other books instead of just writing what they believe. They may have gotten ideas from other cultures        

Stop Street Harassment

The speaker we were able to listen to on Wednesday really got my attention.  Before that talk I don't think I really understood what street harassment is.  I was thinking more like just street fights.  Now that I understand it, I can see it happening all around me.  I have experienced it, but not to an extreme level.  I do agree with people from our class that it isn't okay to do it just because of certain clothes, bu that certain clothes can escalate the problem.  I don't think its right that we have to think abut what we wear just because someone might say something but it happens.  Hearing that some girls are afraid to walk around campus at night or at all really affects me because this is my home.  Ive lived in Winchester my whole life.  I don't want others coming here and thinking it dangerous and that they should be afraid.  I think is society is going to fix this problem it has to start small and it has to start with individuals.   

End of the world as we know it

During class on Monday we started talking about the Maya.  Some one asked Dr. PG if he thinks the world is truly going to end.  He said that he thinks the world as the Mayans know it will end.  I feel similar about this topic but I think the world as we (America) know it may end.  I think that if the current President gets reelected, he may changes things, that we have had in our culture for a very long time.  Things like our rights, the way our government is run, and etc.  I dont think there will be tons of natural disasters or anything like that but i do think there may be changes but I also think the people of America will rebel.

My Autobiography

This week I finally did my autobiography.  I was so nervous, I think people could tell.  But when I was finished and people started asking me questions, I felt better because I felt like they were actually interested in my life and story.  I am so glad I picked this FYS class because I think it is a class that I will remember forever.  Hopefully i will open up and not be so shy so I can make friends in this class.  After i was done presenting I thought about all the stuff i forgot to say.  If I had another chance, I would try not to be so nervous so I wouldn't rush through it the way I did.  But i really enjoyed listening to all of the autobiographies and learning that I have a lot in common with my class mates. 

Study Abroad Fair

Yesterday I attended the Study Abroad Fair.  At first I was skeptical about it because I don't like stepping outside of my comfort zone.  But once I talked to some people and got some brochures, I started to really be interested in it.  There was one program for nursing students.  The school is going to send them to Guatemala to help people in need dealing with their health.  That is the one that interested me the most.  I am defiantly going to try to study abroad during my years at Shenandoah.  I think it will open my eyes to other countries and have a huge impact on my life.