Blogging Heads AM & CB

Link

The Privilege of Diversity

I agree with what the deans had to say here: “…examine each applicant in detail.” Going beyond intellectual quality is, indeed, important: “The character of our students is relevant to the quality of our leaders…Not infrequently these qualities have a racial dimension.” Asking about a person’s race, during admissions, is not another way to understand someone’s character, but also a way to find the most diverse classroom. Students need to get exposed to those kinds of situations because, in a distant future, they will encounter and learn from people with a different race, ideas, thoughts, etc. “… students learn not only from faculty and books but also from each other.”

They need to get used to those kinds of environments: “Exposure to people with different backgrounds, ideas and views also helps to prepare students.”  In a diverse classroom, with such diversity, where different points of view and culture are found, interesting debates and discussion are guaranteed. Due to their roots, each student would have an important contribution to make. It is a privilege to be able to share with different people, instead of keeping yourself in a homogeneous perspective.

Cowardly Seeking for Answers

"Gilgamesh wandered in the wilderness

grieving over the death of Enkidu

and weeping saying: "Enkidu has died. 

Must I die too? Must Gilgamesh be like that?"

Gilgamesh felt the fear of it in his belly." (48) 

I don't understand why Gilgamesh, being so strong and mighty, would be scared to die. It's a bit ironic.Everyone can fear death, but it's kind of disappointing, coming from a "hero", to be coward in that aspect. This reminds me of Paris from the Iliad. He is not a hero nor a god, but he's the son of a king and he was brave enough to kidnap Helen from king Menelaus. When it comes to confronting Menelaus, Paris is scared because he knows his death is secure.

"He said to himself that he would seek the son 

of Ubartutu, Utnapishtim, he, 

the only one of men by means of whom 

he might find out how death could be avoided. 

He said to himself that he would hasten to him,

 the dangers of the journey notwithstanding" (48) 

I relate myself to Gilgamesh in this section because he never stops until he gets an answer. When I have a doubt or when I want to understand something, I look for different ways to find the answer to my questions. I ask several people and consult different sources of information until my doubt is clear.

Fly

If I had one superpower it would be to fly. I choose this superpower not only because I think it's cool but also to save time or to escape from some situations.
For example, here at school we have to go up and down the stairs to get to each class, most of the time I arrive to my classes almost out of breath because I was way down and my next class way up. I try to walk fast but there are also too many people in the hallway and it's seems impossible to get to each place. I could fly I would be in my classes on time because I would get there in seconds.
Another example is my way to school,usually there is too much traffic in the morning and my bus takes almost an hour to get here. If I could fly I would be able to get to school faster and avoid traffic.

Negative Attitude Yet Positive Result

"The dream you dreamed tonight is fortunate" (22 & 23)

In this part of the book,  Gilgamesh seems a little worried about his dreams and thinks they all mean something bad is going to happen when both of them, Gilgamesh and Enkidu, meet with Huwawa. Enkidu gives an interpretation of each and tells him that every dream is fortunate. I find a connection here,because most of the time I get nervous about things and think they're all going to turn out bad but my best friend is always there to tell me to look at the bright side and that I'm going to be fine.

"and Enkidu found him and said: "Two people, companions, 

they can prevail against the terror."" (26) 

"Enkidu said: "You are the strongest of all"" (27)

Later on, when Gilgamesh and Enkidu arrive to the Cedar Forest, Gilgamesh got scared again. Enkidu reminds him he's the strongest of all and that two people can prevail together against terror. This reminds of the day I had to play the guitar alone in front of a group of parents. I was really afraid to mess up and I also felt kind of sad because the other people that had to play with me didn't come. My music teacher came to me and said "You don't have to worry. You are really good, and if being there alone on stage is what bugs you then I can play with you too."

At the end, they do accomplish their mission. Gilgamesh builds the cedar gate for the city of Uruk and together as a team, they also kill Huwawa. My guitar performance went well, not only did I not mess up but I even made my audience stand up, cheer, sing and clap.

Say Cheese!

Inferences

1. I infer these people are happy  because of the look on their faces.

2. I infer these people are very close to each other.

3. I infer they're celebrating a special ocassion because of the way they're dressed.