Day 1 (continuation)
Day 1 - The MPC Survival Kit, Thinking Dispositions, Speeches, Discussion
THE MPC SURVIVAL KIT
After the wonderful breakfast we had we all moved into our new space. Each person took a seat to establish their personal space, each place had a paper bag with what was called "The MPC Survival Kit". What was in it? Colorful post-its, play doh, a shoe string, a red ribbon, two plastic clips, paper tissues, a pencil, chalk, and a rubicube. So far everything's been useful, although I'm not sure if used in the "right way". Javier T (my friend and desk neighbor) and I created a mobile trashcan with the paper bag, plastic bags, the plastic clips and the red ribbon. We love it because then we don't have to walk to the other side of the room and it doesn't occupy much space. We could simply get a trashcan but this one works so we're fine with it for now. We also had a flower vase with a red flower inside, after the flower died we washed it, covered it with plastic and created a piggy bank. We brought an electric pencil sharpener, raid, lysol, hand sanitizer, and more practical stuff. Whenever someone wants to use it they leave a contribution they consider appropriate. Afterwards, based on the design printed in our bag, we made groups of three that will last the entire first semester. My group members are Alejo Rivera and Inés Canjura.
Thinking Dispositions
During breakfast Bert handed out tiny rolls of paper which contained questions and statements. We were given some time to share (no one established any other rules) and our task was to record whatever we learned in some way. After several trials we organized all of the papers into three major categories; Questions, Culture of Inquiry and Thinking Dispositions. Out of them all the ones I recorded in my personal journal were the Thinking Dispositions. When we related the three topics I found these to be the most important of the three and I would like to acquire them. (I also think the Questions and Culture of Inquiry column are ways of achieving the thinking dispositions, although it may just be a cycle).
1) Be Broad and Adventurous
2) Be Metacognitive
3) Sustain Intellectual Curiosity
4) Be Planful & Strategic
5) Clarify and Seek Understanding
6) Seek & Evaluate Reasons
7) Be Intellectualy Careful
SPEECHES
After a small break we went into the room and presented a speech on our dreams, that's how we were officially introduced to the group. What I enjoyed the most of this activity was that we met each other basing ourselves in what inspires us and the type of persons we aspire to become not in respect to who we've been or what our past has been like. I definitely recognized Javier Tabush, one of my best friends since 3rd grade, some others I knew from the meetings we had previously in June, and most people I was getting to know for the first time. It might seem "usual" to meet new people in the university, but being Guatemala we're used to knowing most people, or making connections with a person we know already. This wasn't exactly the case, and I loved it. It broadened my vision of the people in Guate and definitely gave me a sense that I might feel sometimes that Guatemala is "boring" but everyday I realize all of the potential it offers. Regarding my speech I must recognize I thought of it a week beforehand but wrote it in the moment. I will post the final copy ( and the one I presented on our Inauguration Ceremony) on another note.
LET YOUR LIFE SPEAK by Parker Palmer
Let Your Life Speak is a book that I read before entering the MPC. To be honest I haven't finished reading it (don't kill me yet). I got an e-mail from Bert as I was still completing a Screenwriting workshop in New York City. I downloaded the book into my kindle but left it there as I was focused on finishing my script. On the flight back I decided to read some pages and before I fell asleep the reading raised in me a question: Am I living the life that wants to live in me? It seemed confusing at first and somewhat ridiculous. I lead my own life, it's nonsense that there's such thing as a "life" that wants to live in me. But as I dedicated more thought to it i realized that I had been asking myself this question for quite a long time already, I just didn't know the words for it. I graduated in June 2011 and never knew what I wanted to study, specially because I didn't feel a calling to what my vocation was. I took some time to travel and learn new things such as Filmmaking, German, and how I share my faith and religion with millions of young people in the world. I returned from these trips in december 2011 and being distracted by the christmas season and nostalgia from the trips I left time for reflecting upon my vocation aside. I realized I had forced myself to "do something" in January since I had no concrete plan yet, so I decided to join the Business Faculty at UFM. I can't say I didn't end up enjoying it and learning a lot, but most of my days felt cold and cloudy. I realized I had a problem when someone literally asked me if I needed a friend. I couldn't contain my laughter at the situation and realized that no one other than myself was making me go through this slow death. To distract myself I ended up sleeping and partying, but that wasn't the point. Although I could say I was "living the moment" I felt empty inside. I decided to drop out of the classes I disliked the most, I started going back to Church and to the Psychologist and in July I had the opportunity of traveling to NYC in order to complete the 8 week course on screenwriting. It feels like all of this was a lifetime ago, but as I look back today I realized I listened to the life that wanted to live in me. Sure, one can say, how couldn't anyone enjoy being in New York. But being there was half of the fun, I realized I actually had control of my life, how I had for a moment seen the truth that wanted to live through me (my vocation). I also realize that most of the times this is not clear, but like the headlights of a car driving in the middle of a dark road I need only to see "just enough" to keep going and fulfill the life that's latent inside of me. I didn't want to summarize what I had read since I strongly encourage this book to everyone who may be "happy" at whatever they're doing, but don't yet feel it's what they honestly feel they should be doing. I post the questions: What life are you living? What's your vocation? What do you want NOW, in THIS moment?