A Musing Maiden

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

See What I See!

I have been following the Republican primary race with sad eyes. The tears began to flow when Senator McCain gained a lead over the other contenders. To add insult to injury, Governor Mitt Romney suspended his campaign to unify the party. Unify it for what, liberalism? To get a taste of what to expect from McCain if he becomes the Republican nominee, feel free to check out this latest article by Ann Coulter entitled "From Goldwater Girl to Hillary Girl" at http://www.anncoulter.com

With these thoughts in mind, I was reminded of a quote in the play Hamlet, in which Ophelia laments the deranged talk and actions of Hamlet:

"Now see that noble and most sovereign reason
Like sweet bells jangled out of tune and harsh,
That unmatched form and feature of blown youth
Blasted with ecstasy. Oh, woe is me,
T'have seen what I have seen, see what I see!"

Oh, Republican party, why have ye gone mad?

Saturday, February 2, 2008

In the Eye of the Beholder...

I suppose people think of strange things at night, mulling over the day's events and wondering what they could have (or should have) done differently. Needless to say, I often find myself in such reveries.

Earlier, I had been working on a report, when my boyfriend asked if I would be able to visit with him that day. After deciding that this would be possible, we agreed that I would call him after I finished my report. Wishing me luck, he then told me (in another language) to "study well/beautifully." I paused at this short phrase.

Which would be more appropriate, to study well or to study beautifully? Someone can study well and ace the test. However, can the person apply what they learned to their own life? I don't believe this is always the case. The Merriam Webster Dictionary Online defines beauty as "the quality or aggregate of qualities in a person or thing that gives pleasure to the senses or pleasurably exalts the mind or spirit." I'd like to know how many college students think that studying would fall under that which gives them pleasure! But then there is a liberal arts education, in which students are taught to learn for the sake of learning itself. Maybe it is time that students begin viewing the art of studying in a different light. Maybe, just maybe, we should begin to study beautifully...