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It is possible to walk through walls.
It is possible to be in two places at once.
It is possible to be standing and moving at the same time.
It is possible to create life.
It is possible that we were created.
It is possible that we are not alone.
It is possible that we evolved.
It is possible to move mountains with our minds.
It is possible that there is no Ultimate Truth.
It is possible that there is Ultimate Truth.
There are infinite possibilities. And, they are all relative.
I have no idea why I am so addicted to honey roasted peanuts from Walmart. They are so tasty, and I know that they aren’t particularly healthy, but it’s hard to stop. I guess it’s better that being hooked on something more fattening like chips, fried food or desserts. It’s like I get hooked on something every year. Another thing that I love is the Strawberry-Banana nectar from Walmart and the Fuze Refresh Strawberry-Guava drink.
Okay, enough of trivial speak. I figured this was a good time as any to write something on my blog and web space that I am paying for. I just didn’t have the motivation to blog the past few months. It would come up in my head but I never got around to actually doing it. But, instead of blogging, I’ve been doing a ton of photography and uploading on flickr. I just cleaned up over 1300 images from my winter trip and uploaded them onto Flickr. Flickr’s unlimited upload limits are fantastic for my needs. The service is really worth the money I pay every year. I’ll start using Zooomr when they get the Flickr import tool integrated because I don’t have the patience to upload, and tag all the information that I already have on Flickr.
Best of India (352 images) | All the shots from India (1012 images) | Heathrow and Philadelphia International Airports (120 images)
It’s unbelievable that I’ve been at Penn State for 8 months already. I’ve been learning so many new things. All the reasons for grad school are panning out, and I’ve gained experience in more ways than one. Academically, I’ve been filling the holes in my education from a non-materials engineering background. So, an introductory glass course, surface chemistry, thermodynamics of materials, advanced glass structure, kinetics of materials and characterization of materials later, I’m starting to gain some theoretical insight and knowledge for my research. [warning: science content ahead 
] The big picture is to look at interface chemistry of Rohm & Haas‘ green Aquaset polymer and John Manville’s wool glass composition which make up the EPA award-winning new environmentally friendly formaldehyde-free insulation products (original pdf file). For now, I am making flat glas samples to check the contact angles of the polymer and its components on the glass surface. And then, do a time dependent contact angle analysis and surface composition after the solutions dry out using X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). I will also do Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to look at surface morphology. This should give me some idea what to expect with the same tests on glass fibers. I’ll describe the fiber making process when I actually start making my samples for real.
Beyond school, swing dancing is going rather well. I pick up a few new moves every month. I also have 4-5 regular dance partners who mesh well with my style. I would mention names but I guess I shouldn’t. All I can say is that there is a girl who is an amazing follow who has an great style of her own. And then, there are three girls who picked up swing and Lindy so quickly, it’s still mind-boggling. They move very well, and can follow my lead style. And related to that, I’ve also uploaded several swing videos on Youtube, and found plenty of videos to pick moves up from.
Amnesty International (PSU Chapter) has been a great club and cause to be a part of. I’ve learnt a lot more about human rights, and have gotten more interested in such matters as the Sudanese genocide and terror war based human rights violations. I’ve also made some friends in this club which is pretty nice. The other one that I am involved in is the Penn State Public Issues Action Committee. I am trying to get a new fundraising idea off the ground that has the potential of raising several hundreds of thousands of dollars. The up side of this range is $1,000,000 and up if we get access to all the sources we need, and over 50% of students/staff/faculty participate. We want to use this money to support non-controversial sustainable projects in Third-World countries. We want to ask people to donate 1% to 5% of every transaction they make on campus towards this fund including parking. But so far, the Parking department is not willing to play ball and not giving us a reason. I am still to hear back from LionCash.
I have to start working out soon. I feel slow, and my stamina needs rejuvenation.
And I leave you with this candid of a girl with an iBook at Heathrow International. I like this shot.
I know that my new beginning started the moment I left undergrad, and truly took off when I stepped foot on Penn State’s campus. Classes have been underway for a couple of months, and it is ridiculous to stop and think that two months have sped by at the speed of light. However, in terms of what differentiates this experience from Coe is the expectations involved in research, as that’s paying for my education, and more. So, during the last few weeks, I’ve been diving into my work and learning the ropes of the trade. I just got trained on the Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope (ESEM) today morning, and took a short day course on Fourier Transform Infrared Microscopy (FTIR), and a training session on the Atomic Force Microscope (AFM). I am just excited to broaden my instrumentation skill set. I’ll be learning how to use the X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). I need these instruments to characterize the surface and interfaces on my glass and polymer coating. You’ll know more when I know more.
I am also leaving the field of casual amateur photography, to a serious amateur level as I got new gear including a brand new Canon Digital Rebel XTi (black) [$750], three lenses (Sigma 28-70mm F2.8-4 [standard, $80], Canon EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM [zoom, $560], and Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II [lowlight, $75]), a Canon photo backpack 200EG [$35], Canon 200DG bag, extra battery [$70], a Canon monopod 100 [$30], Canon RC1 wireless remote [$18], and a Sunpak 6601 UT tripod [$20]. I started with a few shots of the sunlight breaking through the clouds, and I’ll try to take more tomorrow during the dances.
I’ve also gotten involved in a few clubs on campus, although I think I might be the only graduate student in most of the groups. I love Penn State Swing Club because it is incredibly active, and I dance more than twice a week. That helps me de-stress, and make new friends. I am also heavily involved in Amnesty International, and the Social Awareness Committee. I recently attended the regional Amnesty International meeting at Delaware, and made a few friends from Penn State and University of Delaware, apart from staying/hanging out with Jenn for the weekend. The Social Awareness Committee needed a person to manage and create a new blog for them, as well as help with the podcasts. So, most days I have my hands full, and love any down time I can get. I usually leave in between 8 or 9am, and get back anywhere in between 6.30pm, and 1am. Monday’s and Wednesday’s are the two days that are the busiest, with full load of classes and clubs in the evenings.
And to end this post, an image that personifies a new beginning in a novel way that’s not related to plants or bugs.
The Birth of Water, originally uploaded by javanutmom.
I had heard a bit about the Tall Shiva Hookah Bar on College Ave at Penn State. So, some of my friends and I decided to try it out after eating at the Indian Pavilion. This bar was in the basement and was a little dingy. We waited out by the bar for 5 minutes before wandering into the attached hookah paraphernalia store to inquire about someone taking our order. We found one person inside helping a couple of Americans looking to buy pipes. One of my female Arab friends asked if there was any one else working at the bar apart from him. His response was very sarcastic, and we immediately felt that he was high on something. We shook that feeling off and went back to the bar to wait for him. We had just asked him a simple question, and he came about with bad attitude which was uncalled for. Then when he actually come to take our order, the first thing he says, “I don’t want to serve rude students”. We were taken aback because I have never been spoken to like that, as had none of the others with me. We were foreigners alright, but we did nothing to provoke this reaction. So, we ignored the jab, and ordered. All of us paid 5 bucks for the different flavors, and then found seats and waited. We were talking about him being rude, and his attitude, and I’m sure he couldn’t hear us. So, after 15 minutes, he walks to us with the first hookah set for three. Then, he goes on this tirade about how he thinks every foreigner he has served is rude to him and his staff, and about how we don’t know how to talk to people in the service industry. We were stunned to be talked to like that. We had almost left before when he was rude the first time, but we gave him the benefit of the doubt, basing his erratic behavior on his drug induced incapability to handle himself, and the last bit just confirmed it. After his racist monologue, we told him that we were treated no differently that anyone else, and that this was the first time that this issue had come up. While he was handing out the hookah, one of the girls just told him to leave her hookah, because she didn’t want it right away, but he wouldn’t listen. So, I took hers in hopes that he would just leave, but as he left, he said something that truly shocked me. This was as bad as my racist encounter (I was spit on) at A&M Consolidated High at College Station. He told her, “If I put burning coal up your ass, you’ll still dime me.” That was the last straw, we all got up and left. The two girls were fuming, but unfortunately, there was nothing we can do about the situation because the person who was being obnoxious while being obviously high was the owner of the bar as far as we could tell. It just looked like he had something against brown people
I am never going back there.
So, it’s all money this post.
Liminality (from the Latin word līmen, meaning “a threshold”).. The liminal state is characterized by ambiguity, openness, and indeterminacy. One’s sense of identity dissolves to some extent, bringing about disorientation. Liminality is a period of transition, during which your normal limits to thought, self-understanding, and behavior are relaxed, opening the way to something new.. [Wikipedia]
I don’t know why but this word has been my favorite since I was introduced to it during a religion course on Hindu deities at Coe. This zone is possibly one of the most feared in life, and those who navigate the murky waters, are successful in life.
originally uploaded by indoloony..
I’ve been in this zone since May, and the fog is clearing ever so slightly. I knew how it was going to feel, starting up again in a new place, where my slate is wiped clean, for a fresh beginning. I get to learn from my mistakes, and make sure I don’t make them here. A lot of these mistakes pertain to my social life, because learning how to deal with the multitude of cultures was painful at times. I have been very careful about how I approach peers, and not dive into anything rushed.
originally uploaded by raspberrytart..
You have no idea how worried I was about screwing up with first impressions because I come on hard sometimes. I’m very opinionated, and if I am not careful, I blurt out things I don’t mean to say out loud. That’s why I’ve been keeping my criticisms to a minimum with my new friends. I need to forge solid friendships before being fully honest, and talk about my pet peeves.
originally uploaded by CarminaGitana..
I know that there are others in this zone, but they seem to coagulate far too homogeneously for my taste. This is not restricted to any one regions, but is widespread habit from non-English native speaking students. I find that rather unfortunate because they could have studied in their own country if they didn’t want to experience culture here, which makes it different. Some people are paranoid about losing their cultural identity, which is a rather cowardly notion. Shying away from something new, and potentially more exciting, is a sad way to live life. However, that might be too harsh of a judgement if I didn’t know how their next 2 to 5 years were going to play out socially. What I wish for the the kind of interaction from the image above, and it is pretty evident that this movement is catching on. I must know, since my first love was an American.
originally uploaded by Miss Cleopatra.
It is also a vicious circle, when it comes to interactions between different cultures. Each one regards the other as a foreign entity instead of seeing that we are all the same people with different tastes, and backgrounds which includes culture. We all want the same things in life.
originally uploaded by indoloony..
Anyway, I am waiting to see when I do get out of this liminal phase, to full integration into a new place. Right now, I am enrolled in bridging courses, meant to give me the required core concepts needed for my research, that I was missing from undergrad. This is perhaps the most important liminal state that matters for my future. I am working my way through this phase, so that I understand my research and the science behind it.
I will get out. It is only a matter of time.
I am sitting at the HUB, and see a big group of people sitting on my left. I am waiting for the Amnesty International meeting, and wanted to see if they were part of the group. I go to their Amnesty group page (PSU) on facebook, and then quickly navigate to the profile pages of the officers. And guess what, I see the profile images, and instantly recognize them as people sitting in that group.
That’s the power of Facebook (did someone say Stalker-Net?). Long Live Facebook!
God Bless Facebook and Nothing Else!
PS: The last bit doesn’t sound too good, does it? Then stop using it with your own friggin’ country?!!
Technorati Tags: Facebook Privacy Internet College Information
My first class at Penn State is in 45 minutes at 104 Steidle. I am undertaking an advanced Thermodynamics of Materials which should help with my understanding of the basics of the research that I will be doing. I also enrolled in a comprehensive Introduction to Glass and Surface Chemistry because I will be looking at surface interfaces in glass compositions. I have been reading up on Sol-gels and glass fibres for some background before I started actual research.
Right now, I’m just sitting at the HUB amazed at the massive crowds. I haven’t been around so many people forever. It’s a little bit of a culture shock, I dare say..
I must also write about the kind of students that study at Penn State. I have been observing the population, and have reached some conclusions..
It’s been a whirlwind ride after my visa got approved. With barely a day to recoup from the abating tension, I took off from Lagos to come to PSU to start a new phase of life. I hadn’t given it much thought before, but while flying it hit me. Five years. Five friggin’ years. I hadn’t been able to mentally prepare myself of studying, and independent research at that level. I was way too worried about actually getting the keys to the country, rather than the experience once I got in. I guess I was taking it one day at a time, trying not to think too far in the future. What I had a slight inkling of, was the extent of bridging I needed to get in phase with the standard of the doctoral program. I also figured that the dedication required for research at Penn State was above and beyond what I was accustomed to.
After landing at Penn State, I was off to a slightly shaky start while unable to find help to move into temporary housing. I spent about an hour to get into my room with two big suitcases, a strolley (wheeled cabin bag), and my laptop bag. Oh, why temporary housing, you ask? That’s because I was unable to secure housing off campus before getting here. Apparently, I was severely out of the loop when it came to utilizing the Indian graduate student service on Yahoo! I didn’t know that it even existed, nor did I know to expect it to exist. Anyway, I found out about it during orientation from a couple of Indians who were here for Masters program.
Which brings me to the next topic, that is, the amount of Indians on campus. It is ridiculous. Practically every brown person at orientation is Indian, or nearly statistically accurate to be termed Indian anyway. I’d say 90% of the Indians are here for a Masters program, 7% for a PhD, and 3% for under grad. Most of us are in the sciences too, with the predominant concentration on Engineering. That’s not surprising since Penn State is a top 10 Engineering school for Materials, Industrial, and Electrical. Something I’ve noticed amongst several Indians is that first they segregate themselves from the non-Indian crowd, and then into male-female halves. This is mild stereotyping, and there are a few exceptions. That being said, I met several Indians, and casually introduced myself.
Since I’ve been in the US before, most of the orientation was a review from Coe. But I did use that time to get a few critical things such as employment documentation, and health stuff done. I also found a bunch of new friends, undergrads and grads alike, who seem like a fun group. I am yet to form a solid group of grad friends, but I seem to be gelling with an undergrad group in particular which is very varied in ethnicity. It includes a couple of progressive Arab girls, a couple of Indians (including myself), a couple of Japanese, and a French exchange student. We are really cosmopolitan and bring different things to the group, if I do say so myself.. We have had several programming to bring people together, and I met most of them during some of these activity such as International Film showing where I made the 3 Peruvian PhD friends.
I do have housing after a depressing few days of hearing NOs about availability. I was lucky enough to get it, and it seems like a nice place which is really affordable. Nittany Gardens is right by Walmart which is excellent because it should be easy to get groceries. I also have met with my graduate advisor/research mentor Dr. Pantano and found out what he expects me to do in terms of classes and research. I met the rest of his group, and got an office on my own along with keys to the building.
I suppose that’s about what’s been going on for the past week in a nutshell. I am going to Washington DC, and I will be seeing Jessi during the afternoon. Then Jenn is picking me up, and I will spend a couple of days over the weekend with her. I haven’t seen her for so long. I am excited to finally get to see her again.
After falling the dogs the first time, I managed to get past them to the land that they so dearly protect. They watch the gates for those who wish to transition permanently. They define the fine line between two pieces of earth. They form the people who pounce on those in the liminal zone. I was caught unawares once, and so vowed never to let that happen again. Some say that, being polite not matter how much they taunt you is the optimal route. I soon found, that they are indeed right. However, besides being logical which for some odd reason, that they seem to be devoid of that training, they want to see passion. Passion in the voice saying that you will cross over after the job is done. Learn the tricks of the trade, and then return to reap the rewards, and keep the brain from draining. They have no concept of family values and ties. They are sorely looking for the answers to their riddles that conform with their individualistic values, and selfish gains.
From what I learnt in religious studies, liminality is a zone to be reckoned with. They function outside the barriers of society, and are not governed by any rules in that zone. According to myths, all the people in the transition zone are feared for their unnatural powers. Somehow, in my case, there seems to be only one group with all the power, the Dog. It barks, snarls, and keep snipping even with soothing talk. Sometimes it sounds like harpies on the prowl for innocent blood and wayward souls. But you must feel some sympathy for the Dog, since it’s perpetual job is to filter through or turn away souls. It’s are like a gigantic purifier with certain parameters to block such as those who attempt to deceive, and those whose futures are clouded with uncertainty. My suggestion for greater efficiency would be to have one head working at any particular time so that the other two can rest. A rotation cycle is the best means to stay on the game without being overly temperamental, and keeps from crushing dreams.
Final word: They need a more efficient routines, and better customer service. I’d say that the liminal zone has the worst customer service in all the worlds, and for now is getting away with it.
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