Friday 10/16 Film: Chernobyl – Episode 3

After watching the second episode of Chernobyl, I was very intrigued by the aftermath of the explosion and the different reactions between the main characters in the show. This episode was more emotional, being that we are starting to see more people be affected by the radiation along with the bravery shown by the pregnant woman who’s husband was dying in the hospital. After this film I was reflecting on selflessness and sacrifice. Most people sacrifice themselves as an act of love which is one of the most beautiful acts because you do not care about yourself, you are acting on impulse to help others.

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Native American Reflection 12/4/2020

I think that “More Than A Word” was a very fascinating movie. The initiative to learn more about Native American history is very significant to me because many times, the real history of Native Americans is often overlooked by the textbooks and the basic lessons we learn on the Americas prior to colonization. I also learned this semester that Cornell University is actually on native land and this history is emphasized in some areas of the college. I think that continued awareness to the current policies that are designed to keep Native Americans separated from Westernized culture will begin to break down the barriers of this injustice.

Fellow Interview, Giving Back

On week 8 of Rose House Scholars, I attended my first Rose Buzz podcast. Garrick Black and Andy Zepp’s commitment to Cornell and the Ithaca was very interesting to learn about, especially since this is my first semester experiencing Ithaca as a student. I was particularly interested in the new housing developments being considered in Collegetown as well as the history of Cornell’s relationship to Ithaca. Although Garrick Black and Andy Zepp have different backgrounds, it was nice to know that they are both very passionate about community and targeting key issues faced in Ithaca, such as the flood plain and high priced real estate.

The Art of Learning 10/22/2020

After attending the seminar with professor Daniel Schwartz, I reflected on my own experience in transitioning from high school to college and the shift of responsibility required in college. I remember when I was applying to Cornell University, I was very nervous because I was applying to the Architecture program with a portfolio and interview. Although I was very confident in the work I presented I knew that Cornell was the only program I wanted to get into, so there was a lot of pressure for me to perform well. Despite this, after completing my interview I had new insight on my application and the work I was presenting. Instead of being nervous I was confident because I had worked to very hard to insure that all other parts of my application were up to par. Professor Schwartz’s advice on balancing joy and the practicality of learning resonated with how I handle my own work load being an architecture major. By attending this seminar, I was able to organize my time better as a student and a young adult.

Looking Back at the Fall Semester 11/30/2020

After participating in the table talk about the first semester back at Cornell, I was glad to share my insight on this new and adapted semester. Although there were a lot of new protocols, my first semester at Cornell was very enjoyable. I was able to have workspace that supported my classes, most places to eat were open and I was able to enjoy the beautiful Ithaca weather.  At the table talk we discussed the transition from our adjusted life at Cornell to going back home during Thanksgiving break. Unlike other semesters, there was a lot of fluctuation and uncertainty about how the semester would end in terms of work load and mental stress. After reflecting with Anuli on helpful ideas for a better semester, I felt more comfortable returning back to Cornell in the spring because I had already experienced this new atmosphere.

Morning Virtual Yoga 10/11/2020

The zoom virtual yoga session with Lewis was my second time practicing yoga. Before taking the class I had not been interested in yoga because I prefer to take higher intensity workouts; however, after taking that class I realized how important it is to have a balance in life. The semester had started to pick up a lot and I noticed that I was not setting aside time to take care of myself mentally and physically. After taking the yoga class I was very relaxed and still energized to continue with my day. Despite teaching virtually, Lewis was very thorough when explaining the different poses and shifts in movement which I really enjoyed.

Friday Film: Chernobyl: Episode 2 10/02/2020

After watching the second episode of Chernobyl, I was very intrigued by the parallels between the climate of Ukraine during the nuclear accident and the world today with COVID. During the pandemic there has been a heightened level of anxiety and physical changes to adjust to the outbreak of COVID -19. Since the virus is airborne and is not visible, just like the radiation, people are scared to contract the virus and there is little information towards how and why the virus develops the way it does. One aspect of the film that I was impressed by was the emphasis on women in leadership roles in an era where science was a predominantly male field. Although I enjoyed seeing women in the leadership role, I was surprised to see that there were many women working at the Chernobyl nuclear facility.

Graduate Tips Do’s and Don’ts 9/24

When I attended the seminar about Grad School applications hosted by Zach Grobe, I came into the zoom discussion with a vague inclination of the materials needed to complete a graduate application. After leaving this discussion I now have a thorough understanding of how this process works as well as the intensity of this program. This was very beneficial in terms of helping me determine whether or not I want to apply to grad school right after obtaining my Bachelor’s Degree. One key takeaway from this discussion was that while we are undergraduate students, it is very important to build connections and network for our future interests. For instance, Zach explained that gaining insight from professors who are closely linked to the programs you are interested in can give you a firsthand perspective which can help you decide what or where you want to apply to. Overall, I am more comfortable with the idea of applying to Grad school after attending this panel.